Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 18.doc

Introduction

Draw a simple graph on the chalkboard showing a trend line that starts flat and then spikes dramatically.  What could this represent?  (National debt, swine flu cases, number of words a child knows, or the number of temples in the world.)  For today’s lesson, the chart represents temples.

The Lord commanded the Saints to build a temple

In December 1832, the Lord commanded the Saints to begin building a temple.  Read D&C 88:119.  Six months later, the Lord chastised the Saints because they hadn’t started yet; read D&C 95:3–4, 8.

 

Four days later, men began hauling stone and digging trenches in preparation for building the temple.  The Lord had some specific requirements of this temple.  Read D&C 95:14-17.  The extra names Jesus Christ uses to identify Himself at the end of verse 17 may be partly to point out to the Saints how much He still wanted to teach them!

 

Some of the workers suggested they build the temple with logs or boards. But Joseph Smith replied: “Shall we … build a house for our God, of logs? No. … I have a plan of the house of the Lord, given by himself; and you will soon see by this, the difference between our calculations and his idea of things” (quoted in Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, ed. Preston Nibley [1958], 230).

 

The Lord revealed His plans for the Kirtland Temple in a vision to the First Presidency (Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams). President Frederick G. Williams said they knelt together in prayer, and a model of the building “appeared within viewing distance. … After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us.” When the temple was completed, Frederick G. Williams said it looked exactly as it had in the vision. (In The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. Lyndon W. Cook [1981], 198.)

 

Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple

On 27 March 1836, the Prophet Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple. The dedicatory prayer, which the Lord revealed, is recorded in D&C 109. The dedicatory service lasted seven hours and was accompanied by a great outpouring of the Spirit. It included the dedicatory prayer, hymn singing, testimony bearing, the passing of the sacrament, sermons, and a solemn assembly in which members sustained Joseph Smith and other Church leaders. The service ended with the Saints giving the Hosanna Shout—raising their hands above their heads and shouting three times, “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb, amen, amen, and amen” (History of the Church, 2:427–28).

 

• Why do we dedicate temples?
• How are temples different after they are dedicated?
• Invite class members who attended the Draper temple open house to share their impressions.

 

Hand out slips of paper with the following scripture references from the dedicatory prayer on the Kirtland temple. Ask class members to whom these slips are given to briefly summarize the contents of the scripture, and to comment on the question that follows if they wish.  For those who do not receive a scripture assignment, invite them to consider the questions regarding the Oquirrh Mountain temple dedication later this summer.  Give class members 2 minutes to ponder quietly before continuing the discussion.

Our responsibilities

D&C 109:7, 14. (We should seek diligently to learn by study and by faith.) Why is this an important responsibility with regard to temples?

D&C 109:9, 17–19. (Our incomings, outgoings, and salutations should be in the name of the Lord.) How can we fulfill this responsibility?

D&C 109:20–21. (We must be clean to enter the temple.) Why is it necessary that we be worthy when we enter the temple? (See D&C 97:15–17.) How do we verify our worthiness to enter the Lord’s house? Reference verse 34, in which Joseph Smith acknowledges that “all men sin.”  Worthy temple service helps us repent of our weaknesses.

D&C 109:23. (We should leave the temple bearing the great tidings of the gospel to the ends of the earth.) How can temple attendance inspire us to do this?

The Prophet prayed for blessings on the Saints

D&C 109:15. (The Lord’s people would receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost.) How has (or can) temple attendance increased the influence of the Spirit in your life?

D&C 109:22. (The Lord’s people would go forth from the temple armed with power and watched over by angels.) Invite class members to share experiences when they have felt armed with power after attending the temple.

D&C 109:25–26. (No weapon or wickedness would prevail against the Lord’s people.) How does temple attendance protect us from evil?

D&C 109:32–33. (The Lord would break off the yoke of affliction from His people.) How has temple attendance helped you overcome or bear affliction?

D&C 109:54–58. (The Lord would have mercy on the nations of the earth, softening the hearts of the people to prepare them for the gospel message.)

D&C 109:61–64, 67. (The scattered children of Israel would begin to be gathered and redeemed.) How does temple work help bring about this blessing?

D&C 109:72–74. (The Lord’s Church would fill the whole earth.) How does temple work help bring about this blessing?

The Oquirrh Mountain temple will be dedicated on August 7, and all other Church meetings in Utah have been cancelled for that day.  What does that tell you about how significant the Lord and His apostles feel this occasion is?  How will you prepare for that event?

The Lord accepted the Kirtland Temple

The week after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, a sacrament service was held in the temple.  Following the sacrament, Joseph and Oliver prayed and received one of the most glorious visions recorded in scripture.  Read D&C 110:1-10 inviting class members to consider what Joseph and Oliver experienced.

In verses 11-16, Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared, restoring essential keys and authority so that the threefold mission of the church could proceed.

Conclusion

We live in a day of marvelous opportunity, with temples literally surrounding us.  Our Stake President has encouraged us to bless ourselves and our families by redoubling our efforts to attend the temple.  I know we will be blessed as we do so, and am striving to follow this counsel in my life.