Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 11

Introduction

Write on the chalkboard Samuel Smith —> Phinehas Young and John P. Greene —> ___________. Once the gospel was restored, the Church began a tremendous missionary effort to spread these glad tidings throughout the world. Many new converts responded with zeal to missionary calls. One of these converts was Joseph Smith’s brother Samuel.

In April 1830, Samuel Smith began traveling to neighboring towns in New York to preach the gospel and introduce people to the Book of Mormon. He had little success, though he did sell a copy of the book to a man named Phinehas Young. In June 1830, Samuel was set apart by the Prophet Joseph to take a missionary journey to the east. He walked 25 miles the first day and stopped at many houses, but the people treated him unkindly and would not listen. The next day he left a copy of the Book of Mormon with John P. Greene, a Methodist minister. John Greene’s wife, Rhoda, was Phinehas Young’s sister.

Facing rejection from almost everyone he contacted, Samuel felt that his mission had not been very successful. However, the books he left with Phinehas Young and John P. Greene led to their conversion and the conversion of many others. For example, Phinehas Young and Rhoda Greene had a brother named Brigham, who was converted and later became the second President of the Church. Brigham Young’s friend Heber C. Kimball also joined the Church. He later served in the First Presidency. Both Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball were instrumental in the conversion of thousands in the United States and England.

If we were to fill in the names of those who were influenced as a result of Samuel Smith’s missionary work, the list would number in the millions.  We have all been influenced by his service.

President Hinckley said: “We need more missionaries. The message to raise the bar on missionary qualifications was not a signal to send fewer missionaries but … a call for parents and leaders to work with young men earlier to better prepare them for missionary service and to keep them worthy of such service. All young men who are worthy and who are physically and emotionally able should prepare to serve in this most important work” (“To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27).

President Benson said: “We need increasing numbers of senior missionaries in missionary service. Where health and means make it possible, we call upon hundreds more of our couples to set their lives and affairs in order and to go on missions. How we need you in the mission field! You are able to perform missionary service in ways that our younger missionaries cannot” (Ensign, November 1989).

I believe that in addition to doing missionary work today, each of us should be actively engaged in preparing for missionary work in the future:

1. Preparing to serve as a 19-21 year old full time missionary if we are of that age personally
2. Preparing our children and the youth of the Church to serve full time missions
3. Preparing to serve in an expanded capacity as a senior missionary

In April 2005, Elder M. Russell Ballard asked every ward and branch to send one more young man into the mission field as a full time missionary.  During this lesson, please consider how you can contribute to this work, possibly if you yourself might be that “one more.”

During this lesson, we will read the Lord’s words regarding missionary work.  Watch for ways to broadly classify God’s instruction in the following areas:

How are we to preach?

When are we to preach?

Why are we to preach?

What are we to preach?

Who is called to preach?

What blessings are promised to those who faithfully preach?

Instructions from the Scriptures

Read the fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants.  This section was given by revelation through the Prophet Joseph to his father, Joseph Smith, Sr. in February 1829:

1–2 – If we want to be blameless before God, we need to serve with all our heart, might, mind and strength.  Going on a mission isn’t enough; we must serve a mission.

Assign to how and why.

3 – If we don’t have the desire, we’re not called to the work.  I don’t think this excuses us however if we simply say, “I didn’t want to…”  How can we increase our desires to serve the Lord?

            Assign to why and who.

4 – The work is ready to be done already.  We don’t need to wait for the Lord to do anything else before we can be a missionary.  This work is essential to the salvation of our souls.

            Assign to why and when.

5–6 – How have you seen these attributes bless efforts to share the gospel?  How can we develop specific attributes in which we may be lacking?

            Assign to how.

7 – What does this say about the role of prayer in missionary work?  How has prayer helped you?

D&C 75:3 – Why do we sometimes delay?  How can we overcome that tendency?

            Assign to when.

The Lord gives some specific instructions regarding what the missionaries are to teach in D&C 11:9, 33:10–11, 31:3–4, and 42:12.  Notice the emphasis on preaching repentance, baptism, and the words of the prophets.

In addition to knowing what to teach, the Lord is extremely concerned with how we teach it.  Read D&C 18:20–21, 38:41, and 75:4.  Why do you suppose the Lord wants us to preach in humility and meekness?  At least partly because Jesus describes Himself as “meek and lowly of heart.”  If we’re going to preach His gospel, we’d better preach it like Him!

The Lord promises that as we serve him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, He will bless us abundantly:

D&C 75:5

D&C 18:15–16

D&C 31:5

D&C 31:7

D&C 100:5–6

D&C 71:9–10

 

Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 10

Introduction

Read the following story of Elder Jensen:

Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy described a time when he was serving as a mission president and found himself frustrated and discouraged at the end of a district conference by the many problems that confronted him. As he was traveling home, he was turning the pages of his scriptures, looking for comfort and direction, when he stopped at the third section of the Doctrine and Covenants. He said:

“When I read a verse, I often insert my name in it. I did so with verse 5 and found the help I needed to remove my gloomy feelings: ‘Behold, you [Jay Jensen] have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you [Jay Jensen]’ (D&C 3:5).

“The words ‘remember also the promises’ struck me with unusual power. … During those four days I had focused on nothing but problems. I had not stopped to consider one single promise” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 112; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 80).

Elder Jensen then reviewed in his mind the promises given to him in his patriarchal blessing, in the blessing when he was set apart as a mission president, and in the scriptures. By so doing, he was able to find the strength and comfort he needed.

This weekend I attended the annual convention of the Utah League of Credit Unions.  Because we are in financial services, you can imagine that this year’s convention wasn’t the most upbeat one we have ever had!  When I read this story of Elder Jensen, I thought at first how silly it would be to expect to find answers to the challenges facing me in the scriptures.  After all, the scriptures are spiritual, not financial!  But then I picked a work-related challenge I’m working on and looked up related topics in the Topical Guide, and found real guidance I can use too.  Likening the scriptures as described in 1 Nephi 19:23 isn’t always easy or obvious, but under the direction of the Spirit, it can be tremendously valuable.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, many sections were given to individuals in answer to specific questions or to address particular items.  As we prayerfully read this book of scripture, we too can appropriately apply the counsel given to them in our lives today.

D&C 25 was given specifically to Emma Smith.  Begin this lesson by reading D&C 25:16.

Husbands and wives comfort and sustain each other

Read D&C 25:5.  What did the Lord counsel Emma in this verse?  What are some ways husbands and wives can comfort and sustain each other?

Read the following quotes by Joseph Smith:

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught wives that they should treat their husbands “with mildness and affection. When a man is borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed with care and difficulty, if he can meet a smile instead of an argument or a murmur—if he can meet with mildness, it will calm down his soul and soothe his feelings” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 228).

The Prophet taught husbands, “It is the duty of a husband to love, cherish, and nourish his wife, and cleave unto her and none else; he ought to honor her as himself, and he ought to regard her feelings with tenderness” (Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 61).

Be meek and avoid pride

Read D&C 25:14.  Why does the Lord warn us to avoid pride in a marriage?  The Lord warns against pride in other settings too:

a. D&C 23:1 (to Oliver Cowdery): “Beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation.”

b. D&C 38:39 (to the Saints in a conference of the Church): “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.”

c. D&C 90:17 (to the First Presidency of the Church): “Be admonished in all your high-mindedness and pride, for it bringeth a snare upon your souls.”

d. D&C 98:19–20 (to the Saints in Kirtland): “I, the Lord, am not well pleased with many who are in the church at Kirtland; For they do not forsake their sins, and their wicked ways, the pride of their hearts, and their covetousness.”

What is pride?  (Read Pres. Benson quote #1)

“Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.

“The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition’ ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 3; or Ensign, May 1989, 4).

How does pride affect our relationship with God?  (Pres. Benson quote #2)

“Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s … in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ …

“Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled (see Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi 12:30). …

“Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4; or Ensign, May 1989, 4).

How does pride affect our relationship with others? (Pres. Benson quote #3)

“Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them (see Helaman 6:17; D&C 58:41). …

“Pride … is manifest in so many ways, such as fault-finding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous. …

“Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. ‘How everything affects me’ is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking. …

“Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 4–6).

How do we overcome pride and cultivate a spirit of meekness?  (Pres. Benson quote #4)

“The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). It is the broken heart and contrite spirit. … We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6–7).

What blessings come from humility?

• D&C 1:28 – Made strong, blessed from on high, receive knowledge from time to time
• D&C 19:23 – Have peace in Jesus
• D&C 112:10 – God will lead us and answer our prayers.
• D&C 124:97 – We receive the Comforter which testifies of truth and helps us fulfill our callings, whatever those are at the time.
• How would pride get in the way of each of these blessings?

We should rejoice and be of good cheer

What reasons does the Lord give for being of good cheer?  Look for answers to this question while reading the following passages. 

a. D&C 29:5 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father.”

b. D&C 61:36 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you.”

c. D&C 68:6 (to Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and William E. McLellin): “Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”

d. D&C 78:18 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”

e. D&C 136:29 (to the Camp of Israel at Winter Quarters): “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.”

How can we develop good cheer and help others to be of good cheer?

What are the consequences of dwelling unduly on the negative aspects of life?  Read Elder Ashton quote:

“None of us will escape tragedy and suffering. Each of us will probably react differently. However, if we can recall the Lord’s promise, ‘for I the Lord am with you,’ we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage. We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated. We will be able to meet life’s unpleasant happenings with clear vision, strength, and power. …

“What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer, who, when others because of an unpleasant happening or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust, meets the situation with cheerful endurance and good spirits” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 84–85; or Ensign, May 1986, 66).

Conclusion

We will be blessed as we liken these scriptures to ourselves.  We can be like the Nephites of old who “lived after the manner of happiness.”

Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 9

Introduction

What do the following events have in common?

• (1973) Pioneer 11 launched toward Jupiter and Saturn
• (1930) Hostess Twinkies invented by bakery executive James Dewar
• (1722) Peter the Great ends tax on men with beards

All these events took place on April 6, the day the Church was organized in Fayette, New York in 1830.  This lesson focuses on this event of eternal significance.  (On a much less trivial note, the first verse of the Qur’an is also believed to have been received on this date in AD 610.)

The Church is organized

Ten years passed between the time of the First Vision and the formal organization of the Church.  What events transpired during that time?

While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“This day of organization was, in effect, a day of commencement, the graduation for Joseph from ten years of remarkable schooling. It had begun with the incomparable vision in the grove in the spring of 1820, when the Father and the Son appeared to the fourteen-year-old boy. It had continued with the tutoring from Moroni, with both warnings and instructions given on multiple occasions. Then there was the translation of the ancient record, and the inspiration, the knowledge, the revelation that came from that experience. There was the bestowal of divine authority, the ancient priesthood again conferred upon men by those who were its rightful possessors—John the Baptist in the case of the Aaronic Priesthood, and Peter, James, and John in the case of the Melchizedek. There were revelations, a number of them, in which the voice of God was heard again, and the channel of communication opened between man and the Creator. All of these were preliminary to that historic April 6” (“150-Year Drama: A Personal View of Our History,” Ensign, Apr. 1980, 11–12).

Two events were particularly important in preparing for the formal organizing of the Church.  First was the publication of the Book of Mormon.  Read D&C 20:6-12.  How did the Book of Mormon help prepare the way for the Restoration of the Church? 

• I believe the keys are in verses 11-12.  The Book of Mormon proves the truthfulness of the Bible, and that God calls men to witness of Him in all generations.
• Interesting that in verse 7 Joseph was inspired by commandments.  Are we inspired by the commandments we receive?

The second key event was the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods in 1829.  Why did the priesthood have to be restored before the Church could be established?  Read the Fifth Article of Faith.

Follow the Prophet

At this first meeting, the Lord formally introduced Joseph Smith as His chosen Prophet.

Read D&C 21:4-5.

• How does God want us to treat the teachings He gives us through His Prophet?
• Where can we find these teachings?  (By the way, how are you preparing for General Conference in four weeks?)
• What counsel of the latter-day prophets has been especially meaningful to you?

I have personally felt impressed by President Hinckley’s prophetic warnings given in October 1998 to attend to our finances, get out of debt, and set money aside for a rainy day; and by The Family: A Proclamation to the World, specifically the obligation I am under before God to preside in love and righteousness, and provide the necessities of life.

• God instructs us to receive his counsel in patience and faith.  How might following His counsel require patience and faith?

Read D&C 21:6.  What blessings are promised to us as we heed and follow the Prophet?  How might these promises be fulfilled in your life?  What would you be willing to do to receive that blessing?

Read D&C 21:9.  How have you been blessed by serving the Lord?  This verse points out that the Prophet receives the counsel he is to deliver by the power of the Holy Ghost.  We can expect that as we believe and follow those teachings in our service to God, that same power will testify to us that Jesus is indeed our Savior.

Partake of the Sacrament

April 6, 1830 was a Tuesday; this not a day we normally consider as one set aside for worship.  But on this day the Church was organized, the Sacrament was served.  Why was it important for them to do this? 

Read D&C 20:75.  Why is it so important for us to partake of the sacrament often?  (Maybe because we sin so often?)

Read D&C 20:77, 79.  We hear these prayers nearly every week.  What do those promises mean to you personally?  For me, they have the following meaning.

• In the prayer on the bread, among other promises, we covenant to remember Jesus’ body, take upon us His name, and keep His commandments.  This reminds me that I need to remember what Jesus did for others during his life, do my best to be like Him, and keep the commandments he gave.
• In the prayer on the water, we covenant to remember the shedding of his blood.  I promise to remember that he died for me personally.  I find it instructive that in this prayer we do not covenant to follow this example because only He could die for the sins of others.  In most cases, Jesus does not require us to die for Him; instead He wants us to live for Him and bless others in the process.
• In both cases, we are promised with His Spirit to bless us as we do so.

Read D&C 27:2.  How can we follow this counsel to partake of the Sacrament with an eye single to God’s glory?

Conclusion

President Wilford Woodruff told of a meeting in which the Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied of the Church’s growth. The meeting was in “a small house, perhaps 14 feet square. But it held the whole of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were then in the town of Kirtland, and who had gathered together to go off in Zion’s camp.” After several of the men had borne their testimonies of the work, the Prophet said:

“Brethren I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother’s lap. You don’t comprehend it. … It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America—it will fill the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, 57).

 

Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 8

Introduction

Hold up a set of keys.  What is the purpose of keys?  They provide access to physical places; they keep unauthorized people out of those places; they provide access to power in the case of automobiles; they keep things safe; losing them can be a real problem.

What are the purposes of priesthood keys?  Very similar!  They ultimately provide access to heaven; they give us access to God’s power; they seal families eternally; losing them is an eternal problem!

Priesthood keys authorize those who hold them to preside over and direct the church within a specific jurisdiction, such as a ward, quorum, stake, or mission.  All priesthood offices and organizations function under direction of these presiding authorities.

Priesthood definition

In October 2003 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson quoted President Stephen L Richards: “The Priesthood is usually simply defined as ‘the power of God delegated to man.’ This definition, I think, is accurate. But for practical purposes I like to define the Priesthood in terms of service and I frequently call it ‘the perfect plan of service.’ ”

Throughout this lesson, watch for ways the priesthood offers us the opportunity to serve others and to be served by it.

The Aaronic Priesthood

Read D&C 13, including the section heading giving background information.  What specific authority or responsibility was conferred with this ordination?

Keys of the ministering of angels

What does it mean to hold the keys of the ministering of angels?  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “That means, as I interpret it, that if you live worthy of the priesthood, you have the right to receive and enjoy the very power of heavenly beings to guide you, to protect you, to bless you” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1982, 64; or Ensign, Nov. 1982, 45).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that the ministering of angels can occur through personal appearances and “can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. … Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than seen” (Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 51; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 39).

Remember the image of keys – when I turned 16, I received the keys to the family car.  I was so excited to enjoy the independence and freedom and convenience this brought with it.  The fact that I could drive did not mean that I only drove myself; I also took others with me and they enjoyed the benefits of my being able to drive.  How can others be blessed through the keys of the ministering of angels restored with the Aaronic Priesthood?  Elder Oaks explained the relationship between the priesthood, sacrament, and ministering of angels:

“Through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for ‘angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ’ (2 Nephi 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 51; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 39).

Have you ever considered that through their service, the Deacons make it possible for you to receive the ministering of angels in your life?

Keys of repentance and baptism

The Priesthood of Aaron is called the preparatory priesthood because it prepares us to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and temple ordinances which are administered under the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.  John the Baptist did this; read Matthew 3:1–6, 11.

How can Aaronic Priesthood holders in our day fulfill these responsibilities?  The sacrament is directly related to repentance and baptism.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “We ask you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood to prepare and bless and pass these emblems of the Savior’s sacrifice worthily and reverently. What a stunning privilege and sacred trust given at such a remarkably young age! I can think of no higher compliment heaven could pay you. We do love you. Live your best and look your best when you participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68).

The Melchizedek Priesthood

The Melchizedek Priesthood was restored some weeks after John the Baptist ordained Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic Priesthood, although the exact date and circumstances are not recorded.  Peter, James, and John, the First Presidency of the Church following Jesus’ resurrection, laid their hands on the heads of Joseph and Oliver and conferred upon them the same power and authority that they held while in mortality.

Read D&C 84:19-22 and note the following:

• 19 – The Melchizedek Priesthood administers the gospel. 
• 19 – The Melchizedek Priesthood brings knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.  This knowledge comes through the Holy Ghost.
• 20-21 – God’s power is displayed in our lives through the ordinances administered under the Melchizedek Priesthood.  How have you seen this in your life?
• 22 – The opportunity to see and commune with God the Father

The Melchizedek Priesthood also includes the right of presidency (see D&C 107:8-9) and the keys of the gathering of Israel, sealing power, etc.  See D&C 110:11–16 and lesson 18.

The Priesthood blesses everyone

Although only worthy male members of the Church hold the priesthood, everyone may partake of its blessings.

·         How are women blessed by the priesthood?

·         How are children blessed by the priesthood?

·         How can those who do not have a worthy priesthood holder in the home be blessed?

·         How have you been blessed by the priesthood?

·         How can we show our appreciation to Heavenly Father for the blessings of the priesthood?

Conclusion

The priesthood has been restored on earth.  Because of that, we are ALL blessed both temporally and spiritually.  We should focus on making and keeping the covenants available through the keys that God has restored to earth.