Doctrine and Covenants 20–22

Doctrine and Covenants 20–22

Overview

Shortly after the publication of the Book of Mormon, the Savior’s Church was organized on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York. The revelations recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 20–22 provide the Lord’s counsel for the newly organized Church. In these sections, we learn important information, such as the qualifications for baptism into the Savior’s Church, the wording of the sacrament prayers, and the Lord’s counsel to the Church to receive the words of His Prophet “in all patience and faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:5).

Encourage learners to share the truths they are learning: The Lord wants everyone—not just His prophets—to have the power to speak His word. He wants that for all of us, including for the people you teach (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:20–21). One way we can help students do this is by creating conversations where they can practice explaining the gospel to others. For more on how the Savior did this, see the section “The Savior Encouraged Others to Share the Truths They Were Learning” in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. You can also see an example of how to do this in the lesson this week titled “Doctrine and Covenants 20:1–36.”

Prepare to teach

The following information provides ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:1–36

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students understand the significance of the Savior’s Church.

• Student preparation: Consider inviting students to think about how they would respond to someone who asked why it is necessary to belong to a church.

• Video: “The Need for a Church” (15:42; watch from time code 0:00 to 0:48)

• Handout: “Why Does the Savior have a Church?”

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students evaluate how they are meeting the Lord’s expectations for members of His Church.

• Student preparation: You could invite students to read Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79 and ask them to look for guidelines the Lord provided for those who want to join His Church and those who belong to His Church.

• Image: Someone on their baptism day.

• Handout: “Teachings about Baptism and the Sacrament in Doctrine and Covenants 20

• Content to display: Instructions for students to evaluate themselves at the end of the lesson.

Doctrine and Covenants 21

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students follow the words of the Lord’s prophets in patience and faith.

• Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share how they or someone they know have been blessed by following a prophet.

• Video: “The Prophet of God” (15:55; watch from time code 11:51 to 12:17)

• Item to bring: Copies of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022) for students who may not have digital access.