“November 24–30: ‘He “Has Sealed His Mission and His Works with His Own Blood”’: Doctrine and Covenants 135–136,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 135–136,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Carthage Jail
November 24–30: He “Has Sealed His Mission and His Works with His Own Blood”
Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
The afternoon of June 27, 1844, found Joseph and Hyrum Smith in jail once again, accompanied by John Taylor and Willard Richards. They believed they were innocent of any crime, but they submitted to arrest, hoping to keep the Saints in Nauvoo safe. This wasn’t the first time that enemies of the Church had put the Prophet Joseph in prison, but this time he seemed to know that he would not return alive. He and his friends tried to comfort each other by reading from the Book of Mormon and singing hymns. Then gunshots were heard, and within a few minutes the mortal lives of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum had come to an end.
And yet it was not the end of the divine cause they had embraced. And it was not the end of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was more work to do and more revelation that would guide the Church forward. The end of the Prophet’s life was not the end of the work of God.
See Saints, 1:521–52.
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
Doctrine and Covenants 135; 136:37–39
Joseph and Hyrum Smith sealed their testimonies with their blood.
Imagine how you might have felt if you had been living in Nauvoo when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed (see Saints, 1:554–55). How would you have made sense of this tragic event? Doctrine and Covenants 135, published three months later, may have helped. As you search this section, consider what would have brought you understanding and reassurance. What would you say to someone who asks, “Why would God allow His Prophet to be killed?” (see Doctrine and Covenants 136:37–39).
You could also search section 135 for words or phrases that inspire you to be faithful to Christ to the end, like Joseph and Hyrum were.
See also Doctrine and Covenants 5:21–22; “Remembering the Martyrdom,” in Revelations in Context, 299–306; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 522–23, 529–40; “Testimony of the Book of Mormon” (video), Gospel Library.
Testimony of the Book of Mormon
Joseph Smith was a prophet and witness of Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 names some of the things Joseph Smith accomplished “in the short space of twenty years.” How have these things affected you and your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Consider how you would complete a sentence like this one: Because of what the Lord did through Joseph Smith, I … You might also record and share your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith with others.
Another way to learn about Joseph Smith’s mission is to try writing a brief obituary or eulogy for him. What would you say to build faith in Christ and His restored gospel? You might want to include important events or accomplishments found in Doctrine and Covenants 135 or those mentioned in the resources below.
Jesus Christ revealed many truths about Himself and His Atonement through Joseph Smith. Consider pondering the experience you have had studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year. What truths have stood out to you? You may want to share these with your family, class or quorum members, or others as you study this week. How do these truths help you understand and draw closer to the Savior?
See also “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” (video), Gospel Library; Tad R. Callister, “Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 35–37; “Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27; Topics and Questions, “Joseph Smith,” Gospel Library.
Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration
Related Music
Singing the following hymns or watching the videos could invite the Holy Ghost or inspire a discussion about the work of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the sacrifices of the Saints who continued after him.
“A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” (Hymns, no. 29). While in Carthage Jail, John Taylor sang this hymn.
“Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27; see also video). The text of this hymn was written as a tribute to Joseph Smith.
Praise to the Man – The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
“Come, Come, Ye Saints” (Hymns, no. 30; see also video).
Come, Come, Ye Saints - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
“Faith in Every Footstep” (see video).
Faith in Every Footstep - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
I can help accomplish the Lord’s will as I follow His counsel.
After Joseph Smith died, the Saints were driven from Nauvoo. They now faced a 1,300-mile (2,100 km) journey through a harsh wilderness. Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, worried about how the Saints would survive the trek. In a temporary settlement called Winter Quarters, he pleaded for guidance. The Lord’s response is recorded in section 136. “By helping the Saints remember that their conduct on the journey was as important as their destination, the revelation helped transform the westward migration from an unfortunate necessity into an important shared spiritual experience” (“This Shall Be Our Covenant,” in Revelations in Context, 308).
Keep this in mind as you study section 136. What counsel do you find that could help turn a difficult trial in your life “into an important … spiritual experience”? You might ponder how this counsel can help you accomplish the Lord’s will in your own life, as it helped the early Saints in their travels.
See also “This Shall Be Our Covenant,” in Revelations in Context, 307–14; “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” Hymns, no. 30; Church History Topics, “Succession of Church Leadership,” Gospel Library.
Detail from Winter Quarters, by Greg Olsen
People, Places, Events
Ideas for Teaching Children
Doctrine and Covenants 135:1–2, 4–5
Joseph and Hyrum Smith gave their lives for Jesus Christ and His gospel.
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Summarize for your children Doctrine and Covenants 135:1 or share “Chapter 57: The Prophet Is Killed” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 201–5, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). This could be a good opportunity for you and your children to share your feelings about the sacrifice Joseph and Hyrum made for the Savior and His gospel.
3:21Chapter 57: The Prophet Is Killed: June 1844
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Doctrine and Covenants 135:4–5 states that Hyrum Smith read a passage from the Book of Mormon before he went to Carthage Jail. You and your children could read this passage together (see Ether 12:36–38). How could these verses have comforted Hyrum? You could also share scriptures that bring you comfort when you are worried or sad.
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You and your children could look at pictures of prophets (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 7, 14, 67) and talk about some things God asks prophets to do. What did these prophets sacrifice for the Savior?
In the home, learning and living are inseparable. “The gospel takes on immediate relevance in the home. There the people with whom you are learning the gospel are the people with whom you will live it—every day. In fact, much of the time, living the gospel is how we learn the gospel” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 31).
Joseph Smith was a prophet and witness of Jesus Christ.
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To help your children remember and appreciate how the Lord has blessed us through Joseph Smith’s mission, you could display objects that represent things Joseph did, such as the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or a picture of a temple (see also this week’s activity page). Then your children could look in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 for some things Joseph Smith did to help us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Invite your children to share why they are grateful for these things.
American Prophet, by Del Parson
The Lord can bless me when I am struggling.
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Consider placing a picture of the Nauvoo Temple on one side of a room and creating a simple shelter on the other side. Invite your children to gather near the picture, and tell them about the Saints who had to leave Nauvoo after Joseph Smith died (see chapters 58, 60, and 62 in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 206–8, 211–16, 222–24, or the corresponding videos in Gospel Library). Emphasize the faith these Saints had in Jesus Christ, and invite your children to walk to the shelter to represent the journey to Winter Quarters. They could sing a song like “To Be a Pioneer” (Children’s Songbook, 218–19) as they walk.
1:31Chapter 58: A New Leader for the Church: July–August 1844
3:51Chapter 60: The Saints Leave Nauvoo: September 1845–September 1846
2:29Chapter 62: The Saints Establish Winter Quarters: 1846–1847
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Explain that in Doctrine and Covenants 136, the Lord gave counsel to help the Saints on their journey to the Salt Lake Valley. Help your children find something in this revelation that could give them courage for this journey (see verses 4, 10–11, 18–30). How can this counsel help us with the trials we face today?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
Greater Love Hath No Man, by Casey Childs