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 36—Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79: The Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ

“Lesson 36—Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79: The Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 36: Doctrine and Covenants 20–22

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79

The Sacred Ordinances of Baptism and the Sacrament

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baptism

In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 20, the Lord explained the ordinances of baptism, confirmation, and the sacrament. This lesson can help students evaluate how they are meeting the Lord’s expectations for members of His Church.

Student preparation: Students could read Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79. Invite them to look for the guidelines the Lord provided for those who desire to join His Church and those who belong to His Church.

Possible Learning Activities

How life is different after baptism

Before inviting students to discuss the following question, consider showing a picture of someone on their baptism day, such as the one at the beginning of the lesson.

In what ways might someone’s life be different after they decide to be baptized?

As part of this discussion, you could tell the students about someone you know who was baptized. You could describe differences you noticed in that person from before they were baptized to after their baptism. You could also invite the students to think about and share how their decision to be baptized has impacted their lives.
Why do you think the ordinance of baptism is important to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Share the following paragraph to help introduce students to what they will study today:

Doctrine and Covenants 20 contains instructions about the organization of the Savior’s Church. As part of these instructions, the Lord shared important teachings that help us understand the significance of the ordinance of baptism. He also taught important truths about the sacrament, which we are commanded to partake each week after we have been baptized. As you study the Savior’s words, pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit that can help you recognize the significance of these ordinances in your life.

The Savior’s teachings about baptism and the sacrament

Divide the students into partnerships or small groups. Provide each student with the lesson handout and invite the students to work together to complete the study activities on the handout. It may be helpful to assign one student in each group to be the discussion leader.

For variety, invite the students to pause after they complete a segment so you can create different partnerships or groups for each segment.

Teachings about Baptism and the Sacrament in Doctrine and Covenants 20

Segment 1: Qualifications for baptism

Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, looking for what a person must do to qualify for baptism.

If needed, look up definitions for words that you don’t understand. Then list the baptism qualifications in the space below. You could rephrase some of them in your own words.

What do these requirements teach you about the Lord and His desires for us?
How could it be beneficial to remember these requirements even after we have been baptized?

Choose two or three of the requirements listed in verse 37. Discuss how consistently striving to meet them could help you become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Segment 2: Requirements after baptism

Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:68–69, looking for the Lord’s expectations for us after we have been baptized.

From verse 69, what do you learn about how we show the Lord our worthiness after we are baptized?

Consider marking the phrase “a godly walk and conversation” in verse 69. A person can demonstrate “a godly walk and conversation” through actions, attitudes, and words that are in harmony with God.

What do you think are some of the reasons the Lord wants members of His Church to demonstrate “a godly walk and conversation” after they are baptized?

Discuss at least three specific examples of ways we can demonstrate “a godly walk and conversation” in our lives. You could also discuss examples of ways you have tried to demonstrate these in your own life.

Segment 3: Partaking of the sacrament

Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:75, looking for the Lord’s instructions about the ordinance of the sacrament.

Why do you think the Lord wants us to meet together each week to partake of the sacrament?

Verses 77 and 79 contain the prayers the Lord has instructed priesthood holders to give when administering the sacrament. Through the ordinance of the sacrament, we renew the covenants we made when we were baptized and confirmed. As we strive to keep our covenants and repent daily, we can experience the same cleansing and blessings we experienced through baptism.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:77 and 79, looking for what we promise and what the Lord promises when we partake of the sacrament. Consider marking these promises in your scriptures.

How can we show our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ?
What are some ways we can show the Savior we remember Him?

How does the ordinance of the sacrament demonstrate the Savior’s love and mercy for us?

Applying what you have learned

Give students an opportunity to share what they learned or felt from the previous study activity. You could ask one or more of the following questions as part of this discussion.

What insights or impressions did you have as you studied these verses?
What did you learn about the Savior as you studied His teachings in this section?
What have you learned or felt today about the significance of the ordinances of baptism and the sacrament?

Invite the students to silently evaluate how well they feel they are living the requirements they have learned about today. One way you could do this is by displaying the following instructions and inviting students to record their responses in their study journals.
Find a phrase listed in the verses you have studied today (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–69, 75–79) that describes something you are doing well. List this phrase in your study journal and describe why you feel good in this area.
Find a phrase from these verses that describes something you want to improve on. List this phrase in your study journal and describe why you chose it.
Make a specific goal to improve in the area you chose.

Encourage the students to follow through on the goal they have set for themselves. Testify of the Savior’s love for them and the help He can provide as they strive to keep the covenants they have made with Him.

Additional Resources

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37. What does it mean to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit?

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

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson

As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming. (D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 12)

Elder Bruce D. Porter (1952–2016) of the Seventy taught:

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Elder Bruce D. Porter

Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur. (Bruce D. Porter, “A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 32)

Doctrine and Covenants 20:75. Why is it important to “meet together often to partake of [the sacrament]”?

Elder Melvin J. Ballard (1873–1939) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder Melvin J. Ballard

The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far away in one week—not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify the wrongs we may have done. … The road to the sacrament table is the path of safety for Latter-day Saints. (Melvin J. Ballard, “The Sacramental Covenant,” in Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard [1949], 151)

Doctrine and Covenants 20:77. What does it mean to be willing to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

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President Dallin H. Oaks

To take upon us the name of Jesus Christ [has] at least three meanings. … First, we signify our willingness to be identified as a believer in Jesus Christ and as a member of the Church that bears His name and proclaims His gospel throughout the world. Second, we signify our willingness to take upon us… [the] work of the Savior to bring to pass the eternal life of the children of God. … Third, we witness our commitment to strive to qualify for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. (Dallin H. Oaks, His Holy Name [1998], 66–67)

Doctrine and Covenants 20:77. How can I follow the Savior’s commandment to “always remember him”?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder David A. Bednar

Consider the reasons we pray and study the scriptures. … These holy habits primarily are ways whereby we always remember Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son and are prerequisites to the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost. (David A. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 96)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Write a talk

You could invite students to imagine that they were asked to give a talk about baptism in sacrament meeting or for a loved one’s baptismal service. Invite them to study Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 68–79 and prepare a three- to five-minute talk. You could display the following questions to help guide students in their preparation:

What should a person do to qualify for baptism?
How should baptisms be performed?
What does the Lord expect of a person after baptism?
How does the ordinance of the sacrament relate to baptism?
How have the ordinances of baptism and the sacrament impacted your life?

You could give willing students an opportunity to share their talks with the class or in small groups.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 77. Taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ

Consider inviting the students to find a phrase that is repeated in Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 and 77. Ask the students to share what they think it means to take Jesus Christ’s name upon us. To help them deepen their understanding of this concept, consider showing an item that has a name on it, such as a brand name or the name of the item’s owner. Invite the students to think about what the name tells us about the item. How does this relate to the concept of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ?

You could also refer students to the statement by President Dallin H. Oaks in “Additional Resources.”

Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79. Words of the sacrament prayers

As students study the words of the sacrament prayers, you could invite them to share specific words or phrases that stand out to them. You could also ask them to share what the words in these prayers teach them about Jesus Christ.

Consider displaying the following definitions of some of the key words from the sacrament prayers:

Bless: give favor or make sacred
Sanctify: hallow or consecrate
Soul: the spirit and the body
Witness: affirm or testify
Willing: desire or be determined
Always: at all times
Remember: bring to mind or think of again
Keep: obey

Consider inviting the students to reread verses 77 and 79, replacing the key words listed above with their definitions. Ask them what additional understanding they gain by reading the prayers in this way.