Doctrine and Covenants 23–26

Doctrine and Covenants 23–26

Overview

In the days and months after the Savior’s Church was organized, members of Joseph Smith’s family and others desired to know God’s will for them. Joseph inquired of the Lord and received a revelation for each of them. The Lord also instructed Joseph on how he could lead the Church and provide for his family. The Lord revealed his will for Emma Smith. She was called an elect lady with the assignments to comfort her husband, be a scribe, expound the scriptures, exhort the church, and make a collection of sacred hymns.

Learn the doctrine of Jesus Christ for Yourself: It is crucial in these last days for students to learn for themselves the doctrine of Jesus Christ. One way to do this is by creating open ended search questions that help learners discover gospel doctrine and principles for themselves and do not lead students to a specific response. To learn more about this, see the section “The Savior Learned the Doctrine” 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 25, Part 1.

Prepare to teach

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

Doctrine and Covenants 23–24

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students feel that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know them and will provide guidance for their personal lives.

• Student preparation: Invite students to think about a righteous desire they may have (to serve a mission, to serve their community, to marry in the temple, etc.). Ask them to ponder how they can seek the Lord’s counsel related to it.

• Materials: Copies of the handout “Doctrine and Covenants 23–24. Counsel from the Lord”

• Video: “Heavenly Father Knows Me” (3:18)

Doctrine and Covenants 25, Part 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand ways they can become more like the Savior.

• Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on opportunities they have had to serve the Savior by ministering to others. What did they feel was valuable about the experience?

• Content to display: An image of Emma Smith

Doctrine and Covenants 25, Part 2

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students seek the Lord’s blessings and lay aside the things of the world.

• Student preparation: Invite students to talk to a parent or church leader about what worldly things they have given up to follow the Lord.

• Materials: A container large enough to hold a variety of objects that may represent students’ interests, such as a soccer ball, a school notebook, a small musical instrument, scriptures, etc.

• Videos: “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead” (16:36) from time code 6:42 to 7:44; “Covenants” (14:19) from time code 11:45 to 13:46; “Why Does God Give us Commandments?” (0:39)