IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• To help your children know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, you can write Doctrine and Covenants 41:5 on a piece of paper, leaving blanks where the word disciple should be. They could then look in verse 5 for the missing word. According to this verse, what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? How are we trying to be better disciples of Christ?

While the section does not include all the Lord’s commandments or laws, it is worth pondering why these principles were important for the newly restored Church. Why are they important for us today?

Because section 42 is relatively long, you might consider studying it in smaller portions, like the following. Identify the principles taught in each, and consider how these laws are a sign of the Lord’s love for His people.

• Verses 4–9, 11–17, 56–58

• Verses 18–29

• Verses 30–31

• Verses 40–42

• Verses 43–52

Why does God give us laws and commandments? In what ways have you been blessed by knowing and following the commandments?

IDEAS FOR TEACHING YOUTH

• Your children might enjoy playing a game that requires them to listen carefully and follow instructions. You could use this game to talk about what it means to “hearken and hear and obey” the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 42:2). What instructions has He given us? How are we blessed by obeying His laws and commandments?

• You might complete this week’s activity page with your children. You could also sing a song about obeying God’s laws, such as “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children’s Songbook, 148). Consider sharing with each other how obeying God’s laws has brought you happiness.

What do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–42 about how the Saints lived the law of consecration? (To consecrate means to set something aside for a sacred purpose.)

Although we don’t have “all things common” today, in temples Latter-day Saints covenant to live the law of consecration. How can you consecrate what God has given you to bless people in need? Perhaps singing a song like “Because I Have Been Given Much” (Hymns, no. 219) can give you ideas.

See also Sharon Eubank, “I Pray He’ll Use Us,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 53–56; “The Law,” in Revelations in Context, 93–95.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 42:38, help your children think of ways they can serve Jesus by serving others. They can find some ideas from the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They could also look at pictures of the Savior helping others, healing the sick, or being kind to children (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47).

• You might show your children a Tithing and Other Offerings slip (see AGES 4-7 HERE or below) and talk about how to use it to give what we have to bless others (see also “Tithing and Donations Online”).

How could you use Doctrine and Covenants 42:61, 65–68 to teach about receiving personal revelation?

What are some of the “peaceable things” and joyful things you have received from the Lord through His Spirit?

To learn about how leaders of the Church have heard the Lord’s voice, you could watch one of the videos in the “Hear Him” collection in the Gospel Library. Consider creating your own video, explaining how the Lord communicates with you.

See also Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 93–96; “All Things Must Be Done in Order,” in Revelations in Context, 50–53.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Invite your children to imagine that someone stands up in testimony meeting and tells the ward that he has received a revelation for the whole Church (for example, a revelation that we should no longer eat carrots or that we should wash our hands with milk instead of water.) He says that we should listen to what he says instead of the prophet. What would be wrong with that? You could then study Doctrine and Covenants 43:1–7 together to find out how the Lord gives commandments to His Church.

• You could also show a picture of the living prophet and invite your children to share something he taught recently. If they need help, share a video clip or passage from a recent general conference message. Why is it a blessing to have a living prophet today?