What do you learn from this activity about why Jesus Christ established—and restored—His Church?

See also Dallin H. Oaks, “The Need for a Church,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 24–26.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Consider using the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 21, chapter 9 of Doctrine and Covenants Stories, or the video “Organization of the Church” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to help your children understand what happened on the day the Church was organized.
  Share the video The Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized: A joyful Church meeting HERE on the CFM page for this lesson.

  THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES help children know “the blessings we have because Jesus Christ restored His Church.”

As you read about these ordinances, ponder how they help you feel connected to the Savior. For example, how do these ordinances help you maintain your “determination to serve [Jesus Christ] to the end”? (verse 37). You might also read the sacrament prayers (verses 77, 79) and imagine that you are hearing them for the first time. What insights do you receive?

See also D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Covenant Path,” Liahona, May 2021, 116–19.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Your children might enjoy seeing a picture of a child being baptized and confirmed. They can point out how it matches the instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 20:41, 71–74. What do we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 about people who want to be baptized? You could also sing “When I Am Baptized” together (Children’s Songbook, 103) or watch the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (Gospel Library).

• If your children have already been baptized and confirmed, ask them about their experience. Do they have pictures they could share? Talk with them about what they are doing to follow Jesus Christ and how He is blessing them.

  Doctrine and Covenants 20:75–79

  I can take Jesus’s name upon me and always remember Him.

  Your children could look for the word “willing” in both Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 (about baptism) and verse 77 (the sacrament prayer).

• What does Jesus Christ want us to be willing to do? Maybe your children could look at something that has a name on it (such as a brand name or a personal name). What does the name tell us about the item? What does it mean to take Jesus Christ’s name upon us?

• Consider reading together Doctrine and Covenants 20:77 and asking your children to identify the promises we make as part of the sacrament. Maybe they could take turns acting out something they can do to “always remember” the Savior and guessing what each other’s actions are. According to verse 77, how are we blessed when we always remember the Savior?

Reading what He asks priesthood holders to do in Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–60 might give you some insights. How has the Savior blessed you and your family through the work described in these verses?

In addition to those who are ordained to the priesthood, women who are set apart to serve in the Church also exercise God’s authority as they participate in His work. To learn how, see President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 49–52).

See also Topics and Questions, “Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women,” Gospel Library.

The following ideas can help you ponder these verses:

• What words in verses 4–5 describe what the Savior wants you to do with the words of His living prophet? Why do you feel “patience and faith” are needed to do this?

• Ponder the imagery the Savior uses in verse 6 to describe the blessings of following His prophet. What do think is meant by “the gates of hell”? How does the Lord “disperse the powers of darkness” for you? What does it mean for “the heavens to shake for your good”?

• What is the Lord asking you to do through the current President of the Church? How has the Lord fulfilled His promises as you have followed His counsel?

• List additional insights you gain from the following sections of Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “The Prophet of God” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 24–27):

  • Why We Follow the Prophet:

  • A Watchman on the Tower:

  • Don’t Be Surprised:

  See also “Watchman on the Tower” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org; Topics and Questions, “Prophets,” Gospel Library; “We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns, no. 22. DOWNLOAD We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice song visuals (HERE or below).

  
  IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

  Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6

  Jesus blesses me as I follow His prophet.

  • After discovering the invitations and promises in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6, your children could look at a picture of the current prophet and share something they have learned or heard from him. Share with each other ways Jesus Christ has blessed you for following His prophet.