Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

0Lesson 205—Making Temple Worship a Lifelong Pursuit: Attending the Temple throughout Our Lives

“Lesson 205—Making Temple Worship a Lifelong Pursuit: Attending the Temple throughout Our Lives,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Making Temple Worship a Lifelong Pursuit,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 205: Temple Preparation

Making Temple Worship a Lifelong Pursuit

Attending the Temple throughout Our Lives

Image

members leaving the temple

We live in an exciting time of unprecedented temple building. The Lord is making the blessings of His holy house more accessible than ever. This lesson can help students feel the importance of worshipping the Lord in temples throughout their lives.

Possible Learning Activities

Increased time in the temple

A case study is used throughout this lesson to help students see how worshipping in temples can bless them throughout their lives. Invite students to think about their lives as they consider the case study. Adapt the case study as needed to make it relatable to your students. One way to do this is by inviting students to replace what is in parentheses with what is relevant for the students.

(Joses) is (sixteen years old). He has been a member of the Church for (five years). He has had spiritual experiences but would like a stronger testimony of the Savior and His restored Church. (Joses) sometimes feels (overwhelmed by the pressure to do well in school). He worries about (his future and how to live righteously in a wicked world).

Imagine (Joses) asked you for advice about one of his concerns. Why might worshipping the Lord in His temple be helpful advice?

Read the followings statement by President Russell M. Nelson, looking for help the Lord provides us:

Image
President Russell M. Nelson

Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can. …

My dear brothers and sisters, may you focus on the temple in ways you never have before. I bless you to grow closer to God and Jesus Christ every day. (Russell M. Nelson, “Focus on the Temple,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 121)

What impresses you from this statement?
What promise did the Lord extend through His prophet?

As students respond, help them identify a truth such as the following: The Lord promises to bless us in ways we cannot experience otherwise as we increase the time we spend in His temple.

If your students have limited access to a temple, you could talk about ways they can focus on the temple. For example, students could strive to be temple worthy and participate in family history work.
How do you think spending more time in the Lord’s temple can bless us in ways nothing else can?

The following questions are intended for self-reflection. Students may benefit from writing in their study journals. Willing students could share their responses with the class.
How likely are you to consistently attend the temple throughout your life? Why?
What obstacles might you need to overcome to attend the temple throughout your life?

Promised blessings

Think of how you can help students increase their desire to worship the Lord in His temples. One way to do this could be to help students identify the many blessings of worshipping the Lord in His temples. Students could make a list on the board of what they find in the following scriptures and statements.

Read the following scriptures and statements, looking for blessings the Lord promises to those who worship Him in His house:

President Russell M. Nelson declared:

Image
President Russell M. Nelson

Please make time for the Lord in His holy house. Nothing will strengthen your spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship. (Russell M. Nelson, “Make Time for the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 121)

Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear. As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power. Then, when spiritual earthquakes occur, you will be able to stand strong because your spiritual foundation is solid and immovable. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 96)

President Henry B. Eyring taught:

Image
President Henry B. Eyring

Many youth have discovered that giving of their time to do family history research and temple work has deepened their testimony of the plan of salvation. It has increased the influence of the Spirit in their lives and decreased the influence of the adversary. It has helped them feel closer to their families and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. They have learned that this work saves not just the dead; it saves all of us (seeD&C 128:18). (Henry B. Eyring, “Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 22)

What do these blessings teach you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
How has the Lord blessed you for participating in temple and family history work?
How might these blessings motivate you to worship the Lord in the temple now? Throughout your life?

Temple worship throughout our lives

The following case study can help students understand the importance of worshipping the Lord in temples throughout their lives. During the case study, encourage students to think about their futures and how they can worship the Lord in temples throughout their lives.

You could use various study options with different portions of the case study. Students could study portions as a class, individually, and in groups.

After each section, pause to discuss the following questions:

What excuses could (Joses) and (Isabel) make for not making temple worship a priority?
What blessings from worshipping the Lord in His house could help (Joses) and (Isabel)?
What sacrifices might (Joses) and (Isabel) need to make to consistently worship the Lord in the temple?

Age 20s

After returning home from serving a full-time mission, (Joses) seeks to further his education at (a local trade school). While (attending institute), he meets a young woman named (Isabel), and they marry. After graduation, (Joses) (starts his own business). He worries (about providing for his family). He and (Isabel) start their family and are blessed with (three) beautiful children. (Joses) and (Isabel) do their best to manage time with their family, (their business), and Church callings. At the age of (four), one of their children (is seriously injured in an accident).

Age 30s

(Joses) and (Isabel) work hard to provide for their family by (operating their business). They face the challenges of raising their children and helping them (obtain their own testimonies of Jesus Christ). (Joses) tries to balance the time spent with his family, (his business), and his calling as (an adviser to the teachers quorum). Isabel serves as (the Primary president), tries to help (with the family business), and tries to be there for her children.

Age 60s+

(Joses) and Isabel’s children (have families of their own). (Joses) and (Isabel) love their family but still worry about (their grandchildren following Jesus Christ and making good decisions). As they age, (Joses’s health becomes weaker).

Consider reading the statement by President Russell M. Nelson in “Additional Resources” that answers the question “How can we prioritize temple worship now and in the future?” Discuss how the statement applies to the case study and our own lives.

A letter to yourself

Consider inviting students to write a letter of encouragement to their future selves about the importance of worshipping the Lord in His temples. Students may want to write a date to open the letter on an envelope and save the letter in that envelope to be opened on that date.

They could write about:

Their current experiences in the temple.
How the decision to consistently attend the temple could impact their lives.
How the decision to consistently attend the temple could impact their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Ways they can make temple worship a priority now and in the future.

Remind students to act on any promptings they may have received from the Holy Ghost and to write about other thoughts they have.

Additional Resources

What if I don’t love to attend the temple?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Image
President Russell M. Nelson

If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often—not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 95)

How can we prioritize temple worship now and in the future?

President Russell M. Nelson counseled:

Image
President Russell M. Nelson

My dear brothers and sisters, the assaults of the adversary are increasing exponentially, in intensity and in variety. Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples. (Russell M. Nelson, “Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 114)

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared:

Image
Elder Richard G. Scott

Because I love you, I am going to speak to you heart to heart, without mincing words. I have seen that many times individuals have made great sacrifices to go to a distant temple. But when a temple is built close by, within a short time, many do not visit it regularly. I have a suggestion: When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple. …

I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple? (Richard G. Scott, “Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 43)

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

Image
Elder Neil L. Andersen

We now have temples closer and more accessible than ever before. But in these times of commotion the Lord expects us to adjust our habits and be in His house more often. (Neil L. Andersen, “A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 18, 2015], speeches.byu.edu)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Image
Elder David A. Bednar

Within the sound of my voice are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple. (David A. Bednar, “Honorably Hold a Name and Standing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 100)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative to the case study

Instead of using the case study, you could give students small pieces of paper and invite them to write down important decisions and various challenges they think they will encounter in the future. Discuss how consistently worshipping the Lord in His house could help them make decisions and face challenges. You could also discuss obstacles they might face to consistently worshipping the Lord in the temple and sacrifices they will need to make to do so.

Jesus went to the temple throughout His life

To help students learn from the Savior’s example, you could help them discover how Jesus prioritized the temple. Students could study various occasions when Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. You may want to mention that the Savior traveled a significant distance by foot (about 100 miles or 160 kilometers) from Galilee to Jerusalem. Consider inviting students to read one or more of the following scriptures and discuss how the Savior spent time in the temple during His ministry. Students could then discuss ways to prioritize the temple in their lives.

Video

To help students see an example of how a young woman received strength from attending the temple, you could show the video “The Temple Landmark for Eternity: Karen” (3:48). You could show the video before students share how they have been blessed by attending the temple.

Our priorities

Consider using an object lesson to help students reflect on their priorities and how they might prioritize the temple. Bring a glass jar; sand, gravel, or rice; and larger stones that would fit in the jar. The stones and sand represent various ways we spend our time. If the jar is filled first with sand, the stones will not fit. If the stones are put in the jar first, the sand will fit. Discuss how temple worship is like one of the stones and how students can make temple worship a priority in their lives. The article “Making Good Use of Your Time” (New Era, July 2020, 34–35) explains how you could do this.