Lesson 47: Doctrine and Covenants 30–36

Doctrine and Covenants 30–36, Part 1

“Proclaim My Gospel”

Just a few months after the Church was officially organized, the Savior instructed several new members to serve missions. Despite their recent acceptance and limited understanding of the restored gospel, the Lord called these men to proclaim His gospel with the “voice of a trump” (Doctrine and Covenants 30:9). This lesson can help students understand some of the Savior’s reasons for commanding us to preach His gospel.

Possible Learning Activities

This is the first of two lessons that address Doctrine and Covenants 30–36. Part 1 will focus on reasons the Lord wants us to share His gospel, and part 2 will focus on the help He provides us and how we can preach to others. If class time is limited and only one lesson on Doctrine and Covenants 30–36 can be taught, consider how the two lessons might be effectively combined.

Our duty to preach the gospel

Consider beginning class by displaying a recent mission call and reading it aloud. Invite students to share their feelings about what is exciting and perhaps concerning for them when they think of serving a mission.

President Russell M. Nelson shared the following counsel related to full-time missionary service:

Preaching the Gospel of Peace

Today I reaffirm strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. …

For you young and able sisters, a mission is also a powerful, but optional, opportunity. We love sister missionaries and welcome them wholeheartedly. What you contribute to this work is magnificent! Pray to know if the Lord would have you serve a mission, and the Holy Ghost will respond to your heart and mind.

Dear young friends, you are each vital to the Lord. He has held you in reserve until now to help gather Israel. Your decision to serve a mission, whether a proselyting or a service mission, will bless you and many others. …

All missionaries teach and testify of the Savior. The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever. Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person deserves to know where they can find the hope and peace that “[pass] all understanding” [Philippians 4:7]. (Russell M. Nelson, “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, May 2022, 6–7)

• What thoughts or feelings do you have about President Nelson’s statement?

• What evidence do you see that the light of Jesus Christ is needed more than ever in the world?

Explain that preaching the Savior’s gospel is not only a duty of full-time missionaries but also a responsibility that is shared by all members of the Church. Tell students that today’s lesson will focus on the Lord’s teachings about why we should share His gospel. Consider sharing the following invitations to help students prepare to study this lesson.

Ponder what you already know about why the Lord expects His followers to preach the gospel, whether as a full-time missionary or in everyday interactions. You could write these reasons in your study journal. As you study today, look for teachings that help you better understand why the Lord is so desirous for His followers to share His gospel.

“Preach from this time forth”

Before class, display the following names on the board or on walls throughout the room: Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Thomas B. Marsh, Parley P. Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Ezra Thayer, Northrop Sweet, Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, and Edward Partridge. Ask students if they recognize any of the names. Explain that all of these men were called by the Lord to serve missions and preach the gospel shortly after the organization of the Church. Point out that some of them were baptized less than a month before their calls came.

The following study activity can help students understand some of the reasons why the Savior asks us to preach His gospel. Consider dividing students into groups and giving each student the accompanying handout. Each group could be assigned one of the scripture passages to study.

The Lord’s Counsel to Missionaries in Doctrine and Covenants 30–36

Study the Savior’s counsel to the individuals listed below, and discuss the questions that follow.

Doctrine and Covenants 31:1–5 (Thomas B. Marsh)

• What are some truths from these verses that could help you understand why the Savior asks us to share His gospel?

• Why do you think Jesus Christ referred to His gospel as “glad tidings of great joy”? (verse 3). How does the Savior’s gospel bring you joy?

Doctrine and Covenants 33:1–7, 10–12 (Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet)

• What are some truths from these verses that could help you understand why the Savior asks us to share His gospel?

• Why might the Lord want His gospel declared with a loud voice like “the sound of a trump”? (verse 2).

Doctrine and Covenants 34:1–7 (Orson Pratt)

• What are some truths from these verses that could help you understand why the Savior asks us to share His gospel?

• Why do you think we are “more blessed” (verse 5) for being called to preach the Savior’s gospel than we are for simply believing in it?

Doctrine and Covenants 35:1–3, 6–8, 12–13 (Sidney Rigdon)

• What are some truths from these verses that could help you understand why the Savior asks us to share His gospel?

• Why do you think the Lord calls “unlearned” and inexperienced people to declare His gospel to “the nations” of the earth? (verse 13).

After the students have studied and discussed these verses, invite them to share what they learned. One way to do this could be to write the phrase Reasons the Savior wants us to share His gospel on the center of the board. Multiple students could then come to the board and write ideas they learned from their study. Encourage students to come up with as many reasons as they can. Here are a few examples of answers they might share:

• His gospel can help people experience joy (see Doctrine and Covenants 31:3).

• We cannot obtain eternal life without exercising faith in Him, repenting, and receiving the ordinances of His gospel (see Doctrine and Covenants 33:10–12).

• He wants the world to be prepared for His Second Coming (see Doctrine and Covenants 33:10; 34:6–7).

• He loves us and gave His life for us (see Doctrine and Covenants 34:3; 35:2).

After students share the truths they learned, consider asking a few questions like the following:

• How can knowing these truths inspire us to share the Savior’s gospel with others, whether as full-time missionaries or in our daily interactions?

• What are some of the most important reasons for you to share the Savior’s gospel?

Testify of the truths you have discussed today. Encourage the students to act on promptings they have received. Consider inviting them to prayerfully consider how to respond to President Nelson’s counsel about full-time missionary service.

Additional Resources

Doctrine and Covenants 35:13. What did the Lord mean by “thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit”?

The word thresh refers to the practice of threshing grain. Threshing is the process that separates grain from its stalk and husk. The grain is kept, and the stalk and husk are discarded. Therefore, “to thresh the nations” refers to the work of preaching the gospel so God’s children can be gathered in and separated from the world.

Why should I share the gospel?

President Russell M. Nelson declared:

Our calling as covenant Israel is to make sure every member of the Church realizes the joy and privileges associated with making covenants with God. It is a call to encourage every covenant-keeping man and woman, boy and girl, to share the gospel with those who come within their sphere of influence. It is also a call to support and encourage our missionaries, who are sent forth with instructions to baptize and help to gather Israel, so that together we may be God’s people and He will be our God (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:9). (Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022, 10)

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

I like to refer to missionary efforts as sharing the gospel. The word sharing affirms that we have something extraordinarily valuable and desire to give it to others for their benefit and blessing. …

The Lord loves all of His children. He desires that all have the fulness of His truth and the abundance of His blessings. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 8–9)

How can serving a full-time mission bless my life?

Elder Denelson Silva of the Seventy taught:

Courage to Proclaim the Truth

To all who decide to serve Him, I promise you that the 24 or 18 months of service will pass in the mission field just as they would pass if you stayed home, but the opportunities that await the worthy young men and young women of this Church in the mission field are unique. The privilege of representing the Savior Jesus Christ and His Church cannot be ignored. Participating in countless prayers, developing and bearing your testimony several times during the day, studying the scriptures for many hours, and meeting people whom you would never meet if you had stayed home are indescribable experiences. The same level of experience is reserved for the youth whom the Lord calls to serve on service missions. You are very welcome and necessary. Please do not minimize the importance of a service mission, for service missions also provide indescribable experiences. (Denelson Silva, “Courage to Proclaim the Truth,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 71)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 30:1–4. Focusing on the things of God more than “the things of the earth”

Consider inviting students to think about worldly things that can distract us from focusing on spiritual things. Students might be interested to learn that the Lord reproved David Whitmer for prioritizing worldly things over Him and the ministry David was called to. Invite students to read Doctrine and Covenants 30:1–4, looking for the Lord’s counsel to David. Consider asking some questions such as the following:

• How do we sometimes, like David Whitmer, set our minds more on things of the earth rather than on the things of God?

• When we do feel tempted to forget the Lord and focus on worldly things, how can we better give “heed unto [the] Spirit” and rely on the Savior for strength?

Doctrine and Covenants 31:10–13. “A physician unto the church”

Students may enjoy learning from counsel the Savior gave to Thomas B. Marsh in Doctrine and Covenants 31:10–13. Encourage students to mark the word physician in verse 10, and ask them to explain the primary role of a physician. Invite them to cross-reference in verse 10 with Matthew 9:12, where the Savior referred to Himself as a physician. Consider asking questions like the following:

• Why is “the Great Physician” an appropriate title for the Lord Jesus Christ?

• How has He been a physician to you or to someone you love?

• What are some ways you could be a “physician” to the members of your ward or branch just as Thomas B. Marsh was counseled to do?