“Doctrine and Covenants 135–136: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 135–136,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants 135 announced the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and testified how the Lord blessed us through him. After Joseph’s death, Church members were unsure who would lead them but learned that the keys of the kingdom were held by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles under Brigham Young. The Saints gradually traveled west to Salt Lake City. Countless other pioneers worldwide have continued to show similar faith in the Lord.
Prepare to teach
The following information provides ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.
Doctrine and Covenants 135
Lesson purpose: To help students strengthen their testimony of Joseph Smith as God’s Prophet of the Restoration.
-
Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on their testimonies of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Restoration and how what he did has helped them come unto Jesus Christ (see Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).
-
Image to display: The Prophet Joseph Smith
-
Videos: “Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration” (13:09; watch from time code 0:00 to 3:04) or “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” (1:02:04; watch from time code 55:50 to 59:51); “Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?” (18:46; watch from time code 15:52 to 16:28)
-
Music: A recording of “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27)
Succession in the Presidency
Lesson purpose: To help students increase their confidence that the Lord continues to direct His work even when a prophet dies.
-
Student preparation: Consider inviting students to search for scriptures, statements from Church leaders, and other divinely appointed resources that help them know that the prophet of the Church is the Lord’s chosen servant.
-
Handout: “Who to Follow after Joseph Smith”
Doctrine and Covenants 136
Lesson purpose: To help students understand that Heavenly Father will bless them as they strive to keep their covenant to obey His commands.
-
Student preparation: Students may have had many opportunities to learn about covenants from their study of the Doctrine and Covenants. Invite them to reflect on the blessings they have received as they have tried to make and keep their covenant to obey the Lord’s commands.
-
Items to display: Picture of a covered wagon; map of the pioneer trail
-
Videos: “The Trek Continues!” (13:30; watch from time code 5:14 to 11:02); “Watched Over by God: Elizabeth Panting’s Journey to Zion” (16:20; watch from time code 07:50 to 11:16)
-
Items to prepare: Story selections from Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 2, No Unhallowed Hand, 1846–1893 (2020), 58–96 and from “Pioneers” or “The Trek West” at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Pioneers in Every Land
Lesson purposes: To help students feel a desire to be pioneers by preparing the way for others to follow Jesus Christ.
-
Student preparation: Invite students to learn about an ancestor who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ponder how their ancestor’s decision has blessed them. If students are among the first in their families to join the Church, they could reflect on why they chose to follow Jesus Christ by being baptized and how it will influence future generations. You could invite students to share their stories with the class.
-
Image to display: A handcart
-
Video: “LDS Women Are Incredible!” (16:18; watch from time code 2:12 to 3:05)
-
Handout: “Pioneer around the World”