Seminary
Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: Overview


“Doctrine and Covenants 51–57: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Doctrine and Covenants 51–57,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Doctrine and Covenants 51–57

Doctrine and Covenants 51–57

Overview

One group of Saints arrived in Thompson, Ohio, and strived to live the law of consecration. However, Leman Copley broke his covenant to consecrate his land to the Church, leaving many Saints without a place to stay. These Saints followed a revelation from the Lord and moved to Missouri. Under the Lord’s direction, Joseph Smith and other elders traveled to Missouri for a conference. There, the Lord revealed they should build Zion in Missouri.

training icon Help learners intentionally strive to be like Jesus Christ: Many students have Christlike attributes and qualities. As we observe and recognize Christlike behavior, students will feel encouraged to continue that behavior. For more on how the Savior did this, see the section “Help Learners Intentionally Strive to Be More like Jesus Christ” in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. You can also see an example of how to do this in this week’s lesson titled “Doctrine and Covenants 57.”

Prepare to teach

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

Doctrine and Covenants 51

Lesson purpose: To help students understand how they can follow the Lord’s counsel to be faithful, just, and wise stewards.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think about some of the responsibilities they have had through membership in the Savior’s Church. Ask them to think about blessings they have received through these responsibilities.

Doctrine and Covenants 57

Lesson purpose: To help students feel a greater desire to become the Lord’s people by building Zion.

  • Student preparation: Consider inviting students to read Moses 7:18 and think about the benefits of living in a society like the one described in that verse.

  • Materials to display: A picture of the Savior and a picture of Enoch and his people

  • Videos:Eyes to See” (9:35) from time code 4:54 to 6:54; “The Needs before Us” (11:57) from time code 6:03 to 8:10

Doctrinal Mastery Practice 4

Lesson purpose: To give students opportunities to practice mastering the doctrinal mastery passages and the doctrine these passages teach, as well as learning and applying divine principles for acquiring spiritual knowledge.