In Doctrine and Covenants 94, the Lord gives instructions about constructing administrative buildings in Kirtland—an office and a printing house. What impresses you about what the Lord says about these buildings in Doctrine and Covenants 94:2–12? How does it compare with what He says about the temple in 97:10–17?

When the revelation in section 95 was received, about five months had passed since the Lord commanded the Saints to build a house of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:117–19)—and they hadn’t started yet. Notice how the Lord corrected them in this revelation. You might even make a list of principles you find for giving inspired correction. What do you learn about the Lord from the way He corrected His Saints?

See also Doctrine and Covenants 121:43–44; D. Todd Christofferson, “As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 97–100.

D&C 101:5 “For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified.”

After being chastised for not building a house of the Lord in Kirtland, Church leaders chose a site in a wheat field where they would build. Hyrum Smith, the Prophet’s brother, immediately ran to get a scythe to begin clearing the field. “We are preparing to build a house for the Lord,” he said, “and I am determined to be the first at the work” (in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 271, 273). Why do you think Hyrum was so eager to build the temple? Ponder this as you read Doctrine and Covenants 95:8, 11–17; 97:10–17.

Think about a time when you were accepted—or not accepted—into a group or team. How is that similar to or different from what Doctrine and Covenants 97:8–9 teaches about what it means to be accepted of the Lord? What do you think the Lord is trying to teach you with the metaphor in verse 9?

VERSE 9 TALKS ABOUT “GOOD FRUIT” (to bring forth) 
DOWNLOAD Fruits of the Spirit decision maker (HERE or below).

See also Erich W. Kopischke, “Being Accepted of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 104–6.

To the Saints in the 1830s, Zion was a place. In the revelation in section 97, the Lord expanded the definition to describe a people—“the pure in heart” (verse 21). As you read verses 18–28, you could substitute this definition when you read the word Zion. What does it mean to you to be pure in heart?

See also Moses 7:18.

• Do your children know what covenants we make with the Lord when we are baptized or in the temple? Consider reviewing those covenants with them by reading Mosiah 18:9–10, 13 or General Handbook, 27.2. Share with each other how you are striving to “observe [your] covenants by sacrifice” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:8).

• You could invite your children to draw pictures of what Doctrine and Covenants 97:9 describes. As they share their pictures, talk about how the Lord has blessed you for keeping your covenants. How are those blessings like being a “fruitful tree which is planted … by a pure stream”?