Seminary
Doctrine and Covenants 125–128: Overview


“Doctrine and Covenants 125–128: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Doctrine and Covenants 125–128,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Doctrine and Covenants 125–128

Doctrine and Covenants 125–128

Overview

Since his baptism, Brigham Young had served many missions preaching the gospel. In July of 1841, he returned from a mission to England. Shortly after his return, the Prophet Joseph Smith received the revelation now in Doctrine and Covenants 126. In 1842, Missouri officials falsely accused Joseph of planning an attack on former governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Joseph was forced to go into hiding to avoid being arrested. While in hiding, he had many thoughts and feelings about the doctrine of baptisms for the dead. He wrote letters to the Saints to instruct them on the importance of keeping a record of baptisms performed for their deceased ancestors. He also declared other important doctrine about baptisms for the dead.

training icon Help students feel respected and valued: Each student is a child of God with unique qualities, talents, and gifts. Be observant and recognize when students strive to contribute in positive ways. Encourage an attitude of acceptance and love among all class members. For more on how the Savior did this, see the section “The Savior Expressed His Love for Those He Taught” 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 127–128, Part 2.”

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 126

Lesson purpose: To help students increase their desire to labor diligently for the Lord as Brigham Young did.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to look for opportunities to serve the Lord before the next class and to ponder what may make it difficult.

  • Handout: “The Example of Brigham Young (Part 1 and Part 2)”

Doctrine and Covenants 127–128, Part 1

Lesson purpose: To help students feel Heavenly Father’s love for them, manifested through temple ordinances.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to locate their login information for FamilySearch or create an account. This will help them use FamilySearch in the next lesson.

  • Image: A temple baptistry

Doctrine and Covenants 127–128, Part 2

Lesson purpose: To help students find information about their deceased ancestors and prepare to perform ordinances for them in the temple.

Note: Many of the activities in this lesson require access to FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch app. If you do not have internet access in your regular class location, you may want to hold this class in a Church building or another location with internet access.

If you are not familiar with FamilySearch.org, consider taking time to familiarize yourself with the activities in the lesson. You may also want to invite a temple and family history consultant from your ward or branch to help.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to use their Church account username and password to log in to FamilySearch.org. If any students do not have a Church account, invite them to ask a parent or Church leader to help them create one.

  • Items: Copies of the My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together booklet

  • Video:Hearts Bound Together” (16:08; watch from time code 14:30 to 15:02)