Unit 7: Day 4

Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–30

Introduction

Shortly before a Church conference on September 26, 1830, the Lord gave the revelation found in Doctrine and Covenants 29 “in the presence of six elders” (D&C 29, section heading). The instructions in this revelation apply to all those who are called to declare the gospel.

Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–5

The Lord testifies of His Atonement and His desire to gather His people

Have you ever wondered whether God would love, protect, and forgive you? Read Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–5, looking for how the Savior loves, protects, and forgives.

According to Doctrine and Covenants 29:2, what did the Savior compare Himself to?

When a hen senses danger, she will call to her chicks. They will come to her, and she will gather them under her outstretched wings to protect them. She will sacrifice herself to save her chicks.

Consider what the chicks must do in order to be safely gathered under the protection of the mother hen. What could happen to the chicks if they did not do what they needed to do? How is Jesus Christ like a hen gathering and protecting her chicks?

Review Doctrine and Covenants 29:2, and think about what we need to do to be gathered to Jesus Christ for safety. Mark words or phrases in verses 1–2 that teach this truth: Jesus Christ will gather us in His arms of mercy if we hearken to His voice, are humble, and call on His name in prayer. (Remember that the word hearken means to listen attentively and obey.)

1. In your scripture study journal, answer the following questions:

   1. What are you doing to hearken to the Lord’s voice now in your life? What more could you be doing?

   2. When have you felt closer to the Savior by hearkening to His voice or through prayer?

Doctrine and Covenants 29:5 begins with the phrase “lift up your hearts and be glad.” (You may want to mark this phrase in your scriptures.) Why did the Lord say they should be glad? What we can learn from Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–5 about why we can lift up our hearts and be glad?

One principle we can learn is that because Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and is our Advocate with the Father, we can lift up our hearts and be glad. You might want to write this truth in the margin of your scriptures next to verse 5.

2. In your scripture study journal, write about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ has brought happiness and joy to your life or the life of someone you know.

Doctrine and Covenants 29:6–13

Jesus Christ will gather His elect in preparation for His Second Coming

After we have received a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to share the news of it with others. Read Doctrine and Covenants 29:7–8, looking for whom the Lord wanted these elders to gather through their preaching of the gospel. What did the Lord say about His elect in verse 7?

3. Answer the following question in your scripture study journal: From what you have learned about the Lord’s elect, what are you doing in your life to be one of the elect of God?

In Doctrine and Covenants 29:10–13 the Savior taught that He will “reveal [Himself] from heaven with power and great glory” (verse 11), or in other words, He will come from heaven to earth again, and He will reign in righteousness for 1,000 years. When He comes again, with His Apostles standing at His “right hand” (verse 12), He will judge the people of the earth, and the righteous who have died will be resurrected.

Doctrine and Covenants 29:14–21

The Lord describes the signs that will precede the Second Coming

Although no person on earth knows the exact time of the Second Coming, the Lord has told us of signs that will occur before the Second Coming so the righteous can be prepared. Read Doctrine and Covenants 29:14–21, and mark some of the events that will happen before the Second Coming.

4. In your scripture study journal, describe how knowing the signs of the Second Coming can help us stay faithful.

Remembering the analogy of the hen calling her chicks will help you understand the Savior’s message in these verses. Reread Doctrine and Covenants 29:17, and identify what will happen to those who do not respond when the Savior calls.

In Doctrine and Covenants 29:17 we learn the principle that if we do not repent, the Savior’s atoning blood will not cleanse us.

Ponder if there is anything in your life that you need to repent of and what you must do to be cleansed.

Doctrine and Covenants 29:22–30

The Millennium and the Final Judgment

After teaching about the Second Coming, the Lord taught the Saints about what would happen after the Millennium. The Millennium is the 1,000-year period of peace that will begin when Christ returns to reign personally on the earth. Read Doctrine and Covenants 29:22–30, and identify what will happen after the Millennium. (It may help you to know that Michael, the archangel mentioned in verse 26, is Adam [see D&C 107:54].)

Consider how knowing these truths could have helped early missionaries better fulfill their callings to preach the gospel and gather the elect.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 29:27 again, looking for the blessing given to those who are gathered to the Savior. You might want to mark words or phrases that teach this principle: Those who have lived righteously and come unto Jesus Christ will receive eternal life.

5. Consider where you stand in your efforts to come unto Jesus Christ. What can you do today to draw nearer to Him? Write your plan in your scripture study journal.

6. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–30 and completed this lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: