Doctrine and Covenants 64–66

Doctrine and Covenants 64–66

Overview

Joseph Smith and other elders returned to Ohio from Missouri. During the journey, some elders had disagreements but most reconciled their contentious feelings. While preparing to move to Hiram, Ohio, and helping others get ready to travel to Missouri, Joseph Smith received the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 64. The Lord in the revelation commanded Church members to forgive one another and taught them the sacrifices He requires. In Doctrine and Covenants 65, He revealed that the gospel will go to every nation in preparation for the Second Coming and that the Saints are to pray for the growth of the kingdom of God.

Encourage preparation for learning experiences: There are many ways students can prepare their minds and hearts to learn the gospel. Some of these ways include praying for revelation, developing a desire to learn, repenting, studying, responding to questions, being willing to contribute, and coming prepare to teach others. For more on how the Savior did this, see the section “The Savior Invited Others to Prepare to Learn,” in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. You can also see an example of how to do this below under the lesson titled “Doctrine and Covenants 64:20–43”.

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 64:1–17

Lesson purpose: To help students follow Jesus Christ’s example and become more forgiving.

• Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on a person in their life who might need their forgiveness.

• Videos: “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light” (8:24); “Happy and Forever” (13:09; watch from time code 9:47 to 10:39); “The Ministry of Reconciliation” (16:12; watch from time code 10:11 to 11:23)

• Image to display: The Savior

Doctrine and Covenants 64:20–43

Lesson purpose: To help students feel an increased desire to give the Lord their hearts and willing minds.

• Student preparation: Prior to this lesson, provide students with the phrase “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34). Invite them to think about the meaning of this phrase or how we can give the Lord our hearts and willing minds.

• Encourage preparation for learning experiences: The previous student preparation idea is one example of how to encourage preparation for learning experiences. For more practice with this, see the training titled “Create invitations that help learners prepare for the next learning experience” found in Teacher Development Skills: Invite Diligent Learning.

• Images to display: The Isaac Morley farm; a heart and mind that could easily be drawn

Doctrine and Covenants 65

Lesson purpose: To help students understand the Church’s role in preparing the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

• Student preparation: Invite students to look for evidence of the Church’s growth. They could discuss with a parent or member of their ward how they have seen the Church expand throughout the world. Students could also look for evidence using “Facts and Statistics” at newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• Video: “Hope of Israel” (1:01:34; watch from time code 51:42 to 52:04)