Lesson 99: Doctrine and Covenants 85–87

Doctrine and Covenants 87

Joseph Smith Prophesied of War

Because of political unrest in the United States of America in the 1830s, Joseph Smith prayed to God to know His mind on the situation. The revelation that followed contained prophecy on war with specific details only God could know at that time. This lesson can help students understand that all the Lord’s words to His prophets will be fulfilled.

Possible Learning Activities

Orson Pratt’s experience

To help students prepare to study Doctrine and Covenants 87, consider summarizing or reading the following missionary experiences of Orson Pratt.

Orson Pratt was an early member of the Church who served as one of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was called to serve many missions during his life to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the United States and Canada. On his journeys, he carried with him a copy of a specific revelation that Joseph Smith received from the Lord in 1832. Although the prophecy contained in the revelation had not yet been fulfilled, Elder Pratt frequently shared it with others. He was often mocked, recalling that people said the prophecy was “the height of nonsense” and that he was “the victim of an imposter” (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 18:224–25).

• If you were Orson Pratt, how do you think the people’s reaction would have impacted you?

A prophecy from the Lord

The prophecy Orson Pratt shared with others is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 87. It might be good for students to understand the historical details contained in the section heading before reading the prophecy.

Help learners discover gospel doctrine and principles: For more practice with this, see the training titled “Learn the doctrine of Jesus Christ for yourself” found in Teacher Development Skills: Teach the Doctrine. Consider practicing the skill 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.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 87:1–4, and look for what Jesus Christ revealed through His prophet.

• What did the Lord say would “shortly come to pass”?

• What can we learn about the Lord from these verses?

Give students an opportunity to share different truths they learn about Jesus Christ. In addition to what they mention, help them recognize that the Lord can reveal future events to us through His prophets.

Read some or all of the following scriptures to help you better understand the Lord’s knowledge.

• Abraham 2:8

• 1 Nephi 9:6

• Doctrine and Covenants 38:1–2

• What did you learn? Why do you think it is helpful to understand these things about Jesus Christ?

• How does this knowledge impact your trust in Him?

Faith in the Lord and His prophecies

Read or summarize the following paragraph to help students understand what happened after the Lord revealed these future events to Joseph Smith.

In early 1833, not long after Joseph Smith’s prophecy was given, the disagreements that had made it appear that war could break out soon in America were peacefully resolved.

• What questions do you think you might have had if you had been familiar with Joseph Smith’s prophecy at the time?

Orson Pratt recalled thoughts he had when it became unclear how or when the prophecy would be fulfilled.

I knew the prophecy was true, for the Lord had spoken to me and had given me revelation. I knew also concerning the divinity of this work. Year after year passed away, while every little while some of the acquaintances I had formerly made would say, “Well, what is going to become of that prediction? It’s never going to be fulfilled.” Said I, “Wait, the Lord has his set time.” (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 18:224–25)

• What stands out to you from Orson Pratt’s response?

• How did he choose to act in faith and keep an eternal perspective?

Choosing to stand with the Lord

Consider inviting students to discuss the following question with a partner or small group before they share their answers with the class.

• What are some situations that could require someone to act in faith in response to a prophet’s message today?

Encourage students to ponder how willing they are to stand with the Lord’s prophets when they teach things others disagree with.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38 and 21:4–6. Look for teachings that can help you stay faithful to the Lord and His prophets, even when others disagree with their words.

• What did you find?

To help students recognize that faith and patience are often required to see the fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecies, consider sharing the following historical details.

Although Joseph Smith was not alive to see the fulfillment of the prophecy, a portion of it was fulfilled nearly 30 years after it had been given. The conflict did begin in South Carolina, and Southern and Northern states fought against each other from 1861 to 1865. As prophesied, the South called on Great Britain for help and many who had been slaves fought against their former masters (see Doctrine and Covenants 87:1–4). Many people died in this war. As described in the prophecy, subsequent wars have been waged in nations around the world (see Doctrine and Covenants 87:6–7).

Stand in holy places

Some students may feel uncertainty or fear when they think about the war and destruction described in this prophecy. Explain that the Lord’s final words in this revelation provide counsel that can help us during the troubles of the last days.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 87:8, looking for the Lord’s counsel.

• What are some holy places the Lord has given us that can help you find peace and safety in our world?

Consider explaining that remaining faithful to the Lord and His prophets is one way we can “stand … in holy places, and be not moved.” Testify of the truths you have discussed today and encourage students to act on any impressions they have received.

Additional Resources

What were the circumstances that led to the American Civil War?

To learn more about these circumstances, read Church History Topics, “American Civil War,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

What can prophets tell me about future events?

“On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophets,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

How can I feel peace amid the turmoil of the last days?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

It seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36), He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful. (Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)

What can I do to stand with the Lord and His prophets?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

We have sustained leaders today who, by divine inspiration, have been called to teach and guide us and who are calling out to us to beware of the dangers we face each day—from casual Sabbath-day observance, to threats to the family, to assaults on religious freedom, and even to disputing latter-day revelation. Brothers and sisters, are we listening to their counsel? …

The growing question of today is clear: are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ? …

I pray that we will reach out—reach out and take the Savior’s hand that He is extending to us, often through His divinely called leaders and our family members—and listen for His call to come. (Ronald A. Rasband, “Standing with the Leaders of the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 47, 48, 49)

What should I do when I feel my faith is challenged with doubts?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.

When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view. (Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 40)

Doctrine and Covenants 86:7. How can I stand in holy places?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants!

Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 96)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 87:5–7. What is the “chastening hand” of God?

Students might have questions about Doctrine and Covenants 87:5–7. It might be good to help students recognize that the Lord reaches out with loving hands to each of us in many ways. Consider inviting students to make a list of some of those ways. Then, help students learn from different scriptures what God does when we ignore the ways He reaches out in love. Help them see that when we harden our hearts against God’s voice, He sometimes uses thunder, earthquakes, and other more intense ways to chasten us (see 1 Nephi 17:45). God wants us to repent of our sins and remember Him and His goodness (see Helaman 12:1–3). In addition, some of the judgments described in Doctrine and Covenants 87:5–7 will occur as the Lord chastens those who treat the righteous unjustly.

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8. How can I follow the Lord’s invitation to stand in holy places?

To help students better understand the Lord’s counsel in verse 8, consider inviting them to discuss questions like the following:

• What do you think it means to stand in holy places?

• What might move a person from a holy place?

• How can we ensure that we are not moved?

• Which holy places help you feel peace in today’s world?

As part of your discussion, consider referring to the December 2013 New Era article “Standing in Holy Places.” In this article, youth from around the world share how they choose to stand in holy places.

You could also discuss the final statement by President Russell M. Nelson in the “Additional Resources.”

Maintaining faith in Jesus Christ and His prophets

It might be helpful for students to learn from examples throughout history in which the faith of believers was tested. These examples could be scriptural, like the account in 3 Nephi 1:4–13. You could also use an example that Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared.

Years ago I read a Time magazine article that reported the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Martin Harris, that conflicted with Joseph Smith’s account of finding the Book of Mormon plates.

A few members left the Church because of the document.

Sadly, they left too quickly. Months later experts discovered (and the forger confessed) that the letter was a complete deception. You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God’s prophets. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 29)

Help students discuss what these examples can do for them when standing with the Lord and His prophets might be hard to do. Invite them to testify of times when they stayed true to the Lord and His teachings.

Stand with the Lord and His prophets by staying in the boat

Consider using one of the following videos to help students understand the importance of standing with the Lord and His prophets. These videos use the comparison of finding safety in a boat to finding safety in the Lord’s restored Church. You might pause the video at key moments to allow students to discuss what they are learning.