Kirtland Temple, by Al Rounds

August 30–September 5

Doctrine and Covenants 94–97

“For the Salvation of Zion”

How can you best help class members desire to receive the blessings promised in Doctrine and Covenants 94–97?

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Perhaps class members could share something they found in Doctrine and Covenants 94–97 that inspires them to go to the temple more often. Or they could share other messages that inspired them as they read these sections.

Teach the Doctrine

Doctrine and Covenants 95:8; 97:10–17

In the temple God blesses His people.

• How might you use the truths taught in Doctrine and Covenants 95 and 97 to inspire class members to seek the blessings of the temple more diligently? One way is to place a picture of the temple in the center of the board and ask class members why they think the Lord instructs His Saints to build temples. Class members could look for a few answers in Doctrine and Covenants 95:8; 97:10–17 and write what they find on the board around the picture of the temple. (They can find additional answers in “Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples” [temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org].) How have these purposes been fulfilled in our lives? How can we make the temple a more important part of our lives?

• The Church provides multiple resources that teach about temples. Consider how you might use some of them to enrich a class discussion about Doctrine and Covenants 95 and 97 and inspire class members to seek temple blessings more diligently. For example, before class you could invite a few class members to review the resources at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (special issue of the Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2010). Ask these class members to come prepared to share something they learned that supports the teachings in sections 95 and 97.

  If you teach youth, you could invite them to read “Making the Temple a Part of Your Life” (in Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 77–78) and share how they make the temple a priority in their lives.

  The videos “Two Apostles Lead a Virtual Tour of the Rome Italy Temple” and “Temples” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help those who are preparing to go to the temple.

  You could also sing together a hymn about temples and discuss what it teaches (see the topics index in Hymns).

Doctrine and Covenants 97:8–9

We can be accepted of the Lord.

• What do we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 97:8 about what it means to be accepted of the Lord? How is that different from the ways we sometimes seek acceptance in the world? What blessings are promised in verse 9 to those who are accepted of the Lord? Class members could also review Elder Erich W. Kopischke’s message “Being Accepted of the Lord” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 104–6) and share how it helps them understand these verses. The statement in “Additional Resources” includes Elder Kopischke’s invitation to seek the Lord’s acceptance in our lives.

Doctrine and Covenants 97:18–28

Zion is “the pure in heart.”

• To help your class members think about what Zion is, you might write on the board What is Zion? and invite them to look for answers in Doctrine and Covenants 97:19 and 21 (see also Moses 7:18; Gospel Topics, “Zion,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). It might be helpful to discuss how the Savior helps us become “pure in heart.” What do we feel inspired to do to build Zion in our lives? in our ward or branch? in our community?

  

  Building the Kirtland Temple made the Saints more “pure in heart.”

• The Lord taught about Zion after first commanding the Saints to build a temple “for the salvation of Zion” (see Doctrine and Covenants 97:12, 18–28). Why is the temple an important part of building Zion? How are the promises the Lord made about Zion in verses 18–28 being fulfilled in our day?

Additional Resources

Being accepted of the Lord.

Referring to the “simple pattern” taught in Doctrine and Covenants 97:8, Elder Erich W. Kopischke taught:

“Seeking and receiving the acceptance of the Lord will lead to the knowledge that we are chosen and blessed by Him. We will gain increased confidence that He will lead us and direct us for good. His tender mercies will become evident in our hearts, in our lives, and in our families.

“With all my heart I invite you to seek the Lord’s acceptance and enjoy His promised blessings. As we follow the simple pattern the Lord has laid out, we will come to know that we are accepted of Him, regardless of our position, status, or mortal limitations” (“Being Accepted of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 106).

Improving Our Teaching

Get to know those you teach. Each person you teach has unique experiences, perspectives, and talents. Pray to know how each person’s contributions can be a blessing to the entire class. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7.)