March 8–14

Doctrine and Covenants 23–26

“Strengthen the Church”

Before reading this outline, read Doctrine and Covenants 23–26 and ponder the principles you feel will strengthen the members of your class. Then consider what resources will help you teach, including those suggested in this outline.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

What blessings have we experienced as we “let [our] time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures”? (Doctrine and Covenants 26:1). How have we felt the Spirit in our homes? Perhaps class members could share how they have overcome obstacles or distractions to devote time to personal and family scripture study.

Teach the Doctrine

Doctrine and Covenants 23–26

We can all strengthen the Church.

• You may want to explore with class members what it means to “exhort the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:7). Maybe someone could share dictionary definitions of exhort or examples of exhortation they have seen. What opportunities do we have to exhort one another? How does this strengthen the Church? What else do we learn in Doctrine and Covenants 23–26 that can help us strengthen the Church? You might also discuss how these principles apply to strengthening our homes. To apply these principles to our ministering efforts, you could review parts of Sister Bonnie H. Cordon’s message “Becoming a Shepherd” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 74–76).

Doctrine and Covenants 24

The Savior can lift us “up out of [our] afflictions.”

• The revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 24 was given to “strengthen, encourage, and instruct” Joseph and Oliver during a time of trial (Doctrine and Covenants 24, section heading; see also Saints, 1:94–96). You might invite the class to search this section for evidence that the Lord was aware of Joseph and his situation. How did the Lord address Joseph’s needs? How does He do the same for us today? Consider asking class members to share experiences when they felt that the Lord was aware of their personal circumstances and lifted them during their afflictions.

  

  He Healed Many of Diverse Diseases, by J. Kirk Richards

Doctrine and Covenants 25

Emma Smith is “an elect lady.”

• To help class members find personal relevance in the Lord’s revelation to Emma Smith, consider this activity: Ask half of the class to search section 25 for things the Lord asked Emma to do, and ask the other half to search for things He promised He would do. Invite them to list what they find and share it with each other. A few class members could share principles that are especially meaningful to them.

• What words and phrases in section 25 support the Lord’s declaration to Emma Smith, “Thou art an elect lady”? (verse 3). Class members could also discuss how Emma lived the principles in this revelation. Helpful resources include the video “An Elect Lady” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), “Thou Art an Elect Lady” (Revelations in Context, 33–39), and “Voices of the Restoration” in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.

• According to Doctrine and Covenants 25:11–12, how does the Lord feel about sacred music? Perhaps the class could discuss ways to use hymns to invite the Spirit into their homes.

Doctrine and Covenants 25:5, 14

We should seek to have a “spirit of meekness.”

• The Lord counseled Emma to “continue in the spirit of meekness” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:14; see also verse 5). To explore what this might mean, you could write Meekness on the board and invite class members to write next to it what that word makes them think of. Then they could search section 25 for words and phrases that they feel are related to meekness and then share what they find. Consider sharing the statement by Elder David A. Bednar in “Additional Resources.” Why is it important to be meek?

Doctrine and Covenants 25:10, 13

We should seek for the things of a better world.

• To help class members apply the Lord’s counsel to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:10), you could ask them to list examples of “things of this world” and examples of “things of a better [world].” What advice can we share with each other to help us focus on eternal things? How does the counsel in verse 13 relate to this goal?

Additional Resources

Meekness is strength.

Elder David A. Bednar explained: “The Christlike quality of meekness often is misunderstood in our contemporary world. Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others” (“Meek and Lowly of Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 32).

Improving Our Teaching

Testify of promised blessings. When you invite class members to act on what they are learning, testify of the blessings God has promised (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 35).