Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Lesson 2—The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World

“Lesson 2—The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 2: Restoration Proclamation

“The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World”

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President Russell M. Nelson

On April 5, 2020, President Russell M. Nelson read “words of solemn and sacred proclamation” (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision. This declaration was recorded in “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). This lesson can help students feel the truth and importance of the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Commemorating great people or events

To commemorate a person or an event means to show gratitude, honor, and respect. This is often done through creating something to help us remember the person or event.

Consider discussing events and people that have been commemorated. You could display some images of monuments in your area that commemorate events or people your students might be familiar with. You might invite students to share which ones they know about or have visited.

To help students connect on a personal level, you could also invite them to think about major events that have happened in their immediate or extended families. Ask them to share ideas about what they might do if they were asked to build something to commemorate one of these events.

Recall that after the deaths of Jesus Christ’s Apostles, there was a period known as the Great Apostasy. This was a time when Jesus Christ’s gospel and priesthood authority were not on the earth. In the spring of 1820, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ initiated the Restoration of the gospel to the earth when They appeared to Joseph Smith.

In 2020, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote a proclamation. It is called “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” President Russell M. Nelson said this about it:

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President Russell M. Nelson

We wondered if a monument should be erected. But as we considered the unique historic and international impact of that First Vision, we felt impressed to create a monument not of granite or stone but of words—words of solemn and sacred proclamation—written, not to be carved in “tables of stone” but rather to be etched in the “fleshy tables” of our hearts. (Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90)

Consider inviting students to think about what they know about Joseph Smith’s First Vision and why it may be worth commemorating for them personally. A few willing students could share their answers with the class.

Study the proclamation on the Restoration

Show students where they can find the Restoration proclamation in their study journal or in the Gospel Library app. You could also provide a paper copy of the proclamation. Throughout class, invite students to mark parts of the Restoration they feel are worth commemorating.

One way to notice the blessings that God has made available to you is by making a list. You could list words or phrases that describe what was restored. Then think about what blessings you enjoy now, or will enjoy in the future, because of what God restored.

Allow students to study the proclamation for several minutes. Ask them to make a list on the board of the words or phrases they consider significant. Choose some and ask the students to explain why they found those words significant.

What words or phrases help you recognize what God restored?
Which of these restored blessings are most meaningful to you? Why?

Take a moment to ponder what these restored blessings help you understand about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

What are some truths this proclamation helps you identify about Them?

Students will hopefully identify many different truths. Allow them to share. Here are two truths you could highlight: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ began restoring the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ continues in our day.

Commemorate the blessings of the Restoration

Choose one element of the Restoration that you are particularly grateful for. Think about what you could do to commemorate this blessing from God or share it with others. Remember that commemorate means to show gratitude, honor, and respect.

Give students time in class to choose and work on one way to commemorate a blessing of the Restoration. To help students, you could write a few options like the following on the board. Students could also think of their own way.

Begin memorizing a part of the Restoration proclamation.
Write a short spiritual thought about one aspect of the Restoration to share with your family.
Create a social media post to share your gratitude for a blessing of the Restoration.
Write down your testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You could share your testimony in an upcoming Church meeting.

Consider leaving enough time at the end of class to allow students to share with a partner what they did or are working on. You could also invite a few students to share with the entire class.

Additional Resources

Is more of the gospel of Jesus Christ yet to be restored?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal” [Articles of Faith 1:9]. Brethren [and sisters], the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 59)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated:

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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I testify that the future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been. We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Perfect Brightness of Hope,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 83–84)

Who is blessed by the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson

We have spoken and sung with joy about the fulfillment of the long-ago prophesied “restitution of all things” [Acts 3:21], about bringing “together in one all things in Christ” [Ephesians 1:10], about the return of the fulness of the gospel, priesthood, and Church of Jesus Christ to the earth, all of which we capture in the title “the Restoration.”

But the Restoration is not only for those of us who rejoice in it today. The revelations of the First Vision were not for Joseph Smith alone but are offered as light and truth for any who “lack wisdom” [James 1:5]. The Book of Mormon is the possession of mankind. The priesthood ordinances of salvation and exaltation were prepared for every individual, including those who no longer dwell in mortality. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its blessings are intended for all who want them. The gift of the Holy Ghost is meant for everyone. The Restoration belongs to the world, and its message is especially urgent today. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 110)

What other Church proclamations have been issued?

President Russell M. Nelson highlighted the important nature of the Restoration proclamation when he explained that only five previous proclamations have been issued by Church leaders (see Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90–91).

Each proclamation is briefly described in the article linked below:

Scott Taylor, “How Rare a Proclamation: A Look at 2020’s on the Restoration and the 5 Previous in Church History,” Church News, Apr. 5, 2020.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Proclaiming truth

Help students understand what it means to proclaim something. You might invite them to look in each paragraph of the Restoration proclamation for words and phrases that show the importance of the message. These phrases include “we declare,” “we affirm,” and “we further witness,” among others. You might invite students to create a poster or social media post in which they use one of these phrases to proclaim their personal understanding and testimony of the Restoration of the fulness of Jesus Christ’s gospel.

Choosing an image or creating something

The Restoration proclamation mentions many blessings that are available to us because of a God who loves us. Consider finding images in the Church History—Gospel Art Book collection on ChurchofJesusChrist.org that match Restoration events described in the proclamation. You may want to assign each student a paragraph to study and ask them to match an image to teach about that specific restored blessing. Students could also make something that represents what is taught in the paragraph they were assigned.

Creating a list of individuals or a time line

Invite students to read each paragraph of the Restoration proclamation. When they finish, have them make a list of all the individuals mentioned in it. Ask students to also include individuals who may not be mentioned by name in the proclamation but played key roles in the Restoration. You could make a time line on the board from 1820 to the present and include individuals and events crucial to the Restoration. Consider adding people and events as you study them in seminary throughout the year.

Scriptures and the Restoration proclamation

It may be helpful to give students opportunities to find scriptures that relate to phrases from the Restoration proclamation. One way to do this is to have students match one scripture to each paragraph. The following scriptures could be used (but are not the only options):