November 3–9: “A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead”: Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
“November 3–9: ‘A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead: Doctrine and Covenants 125–128,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 125–128,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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painting of family with ancestors in the spirit world
Us with Them and Them with Us, by Caitlin Connolly
November 3–9: “A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead”
In August 1840, a grieving Jane Neyman listened to the Prophet Joseph speak at the funeral of his friend Seymour Brunson. Jane’s own teenage son Cyrus had also recently passed away. Adding to her grief was the fact that Cyrus had never been baptized, and Jane worried what this would mean for his eternal soul. Joseph had wondered the same thing about his beloved brother Alvin, who also died before being baptized. So the Prophet decided to share with everyone at the funeral what the Lord had revealed to him about people who pass away without receiving gospel ordinances—and what we can do to help them.
The doctrine of baptism for the dead thrilled the Saints; their thoughts turned immediately to deceased family members. Now there was hope for them! Joseph shared their joy, and in a letter teaching this doctrine, he used joyful, enthusiastic language to express what the Lord taught him about the salvation of the dead: “Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King!” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:23).
After returning from a mission to England—one of many missions he served—Brigham Young received another important calling from the Lord. He was asked to “take especial care of [his] family” (verse 3), who had suffered in his absence. As you study this section, consider why the Lord sometimes requires sacrifice in our service. What can you do to take care of your family?
False accusations and the threat of arrest had again forced Joseph Smith into hiding in August 1842. And yet the words he wrote to the Saints during this time (now Doctrine and Covenants 127) are full of optimism and joy. What do verses 2–4 teach you about God? about facing ridicule or opposition? What phrases from these verses might help you when you feel persecuted? Consider recording how the Lord is sustaining you in the “deep water” of your life.
“Whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven.”
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 127:5–8; 128:1–8, look for reasons the Lord gave Joseph Smith such specific instructions about recording baptisms for the dead. What does this teach you about the Lord and His work? How do you feel this instruction could apply to your own family records, such as personal journals?
The salvation of my ancestors is essential to my salvation.
It’s clear from what God revealed through Joseph Smith why our ancestors who weren’t baptized in this life need us: we are baptized on their behalf so they can choose to accept or reject this ordinance. But the Prophet also taught that our ancestors’ salvation is “necessary and essential to our salvation.” As you read Doctrine and Covenants 128:15–18, think about why that is.
Verse 5 teaches that the ordinance of baptism for the dead was “prepared before the foundation of the world.” What does this truth teach you about God and His plan? What does Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing” add to your understanding? (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 46–49).
Joseph Smith used phrases like “binding power,” “welding link,” and “perfect union” when teaching about priesthood ordinances and baptism for the dead. Look for these and similar phrases as you read Doctrine and Covenants 128:5–25. Can you think of objects you could use to illustrate these phrases, such as a chain or rope? Why are these good phrases to describe this doctrine?
Considering the following questions may also help your study of these verses:
In your opinion, why could baptism for the dead be considered the “most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel”? (verse 17). What experiences have helped you feel this way?
In what sense might the earth be cursed if there is no “welding link … between the fathers and the children”? (verse 18).
What impresses you about Joseph Smith’s words in verses 19–25? How do these verses affect the way you feel about Jesus Christ? about temple service for your ancestors? (see also “Come, Rejoice,” Hymns, no. 9).
After studying these verses, you may feel inspired to do something for your ancestors. The ideas on FamilySearch.org could help.
The “Inspirational Videos” in the “Temple and Family History” collection of the Gospel Library can give you practical help, inspirational stories, and messages from leaders about family history.
Use related Church resources. Links in Come, Follow Me outlines provide easy access to helpful resources that can help you understand and apply gospel truths or act on impressions you receive. For example, the FamilySearch link above leads to activities such as building your own family tree, finding ancestors who need temple ordinances, seeing where your ancestors came from, or uploading a family story.
“Jesus’s Atonement in behalf of all represents a great vicarious sacrifice. He set the pattern under which He became a proxy for all mankind. This pattern under which one man can act in behalf of another is carried forward in the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Here we serve in behalf of those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel. Theirs is the option to accept or reject the ordinance which is performed. They are placed on an equal footing with those who walk the earth. The dead are given the same opportunity as the living. Again, what a glorious and wonderful provision the Almighty has made through His revelation to His Prophet” (“The Great Things Which God Has Revealed,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 82–83).
To help your children learn to serve their family members, consider sharing the information about Brigham Young in “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 184, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) or summarize Doctrine and Covenants 126 in your own words. You might emphasize the phrase “take especial care of your family” (verse 3) and talk with your children about what it means to take special care of our families.
It may be fun for you and your children to look at family pictures (or draw pictures) as you talk together about ways we can help “care” for family members. You could also sing a song like “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns, no. 298).
All of God’s children need the chance to be baptized.
Invite your children to find out from Doctrine and Covenants 128:1 what subject occupied Joseph Smith’s mind. They could also search verse 17 to find out what subject he considered “the most glorious.” Let them share what they find and talk about why this subject is so exciting.
In addition to helping your children prepare for (and live) their own baptismal covenants, you can help them know how to help people who did not make these covenants during their lifetime. Consider telling your children about someone you know who died without being baptized. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:5 and look at a picture of a temple baptismal font (like the one at the end of this outline). Tell your children how you feel about being baptized in temples on behalf of people who are dead so that everyone has the chance to make covenants with Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father wants me to learn about my family history.
It might be fun for you and your children to make a paper chain with names of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on (see this week’s activity page). Then you could share with each other what you know about these ancestors. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 to find out what the “welding link” is that makes our family history “whole and complete.” You could also watch the video “Courage: I Think I Get It from Him” (Gospel Library).
