IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• To help your children imagine what it would have been like for Joseph Smith and his friends in Liberty Jail, you could read together “Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74) or “Voices of the Restoration: Liberty Jail” or watch part of the video “Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration” (Gospel Library, beginning at 41:30). Then, as you read together Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–9, you could talk about how the Savior helped Joseph feel peace. How do we find peace in the Savior, even during hard times?

• To help your children recognize that our trials can “be for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7), you could talk with them about how our muscles grow when we carry something heavy. You could even invite them to lift a heavy object. Then you could talk about how going through hard times can help our spirits grow—as we turn to the Lord for help. Share some examples from your life.

You might also ponder the word influence in verse 41. What are some situations in which you want to be an influence for good—perhaps in a family relationship, at school, at work, or in a Church assignment? What do you learn from verses 41–46 about how God influences His children? You might summarize what you learn by completing a sentence like this one: “To influence  for good, I will .”

See also Jeffrey R. Holland, “Not as the World Giveth,” Liahona, May 2021, 35–38; David A. Bednar, “The Powers of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 48–51; “The Powers of Heaven” (video), Gospel Library.

Pick a phrase and study it in depth. To learn more about the wonderful blessings described in verses 45–46, you might pick a phrase that stands out to you and study it in depth. For example, what does the word garnish mean, and how can virtue garnish your thoughts? Or maybe you can find a picture of dew and learn about how dew forms on plants. How is this similar to the way the Lord teaches His doctrine? Share what you discover with your family or friends, including your friends at church.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Perhaps an analogy would help your children understand “the powers of heaven.” For example, you could compare God’s power to electrical power. What might prevent an electrical device from receiving power? What decreases our spiritual power? What increases it? (Look for words and phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46; see also General Handbook, 3.5, 3.6, Gospel Library.)

• Joseph Smith Jr.

• Liberty Jail

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After reading Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–9 with your children, you might share an experience when you felt the Savior was with you during a difficult trial. You could also sing together a song such as “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55) and testify that Jesus Christ can help us because He knows how we feel. 
DOWNLOAD “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” song visuals (HERE or below).

Many of the accounts that Joseph asked for in this letter were submitted to the government and published as an 11-part series in a Nauvoo newspaper, the Times and Seasons (see “A History, of the Persecution, of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints in Missouri, December 1839–October 1840,” [josephsmithpapers.org]).

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• To help your children understand Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17, you could share with them a picture of a large ship and a small helm, or share with them Elder David A. Bednar’s explanation in “The Principles of My Gospel” (Liahona, May 2021, 125–26). Then you could talk about small ways we can cheerfully serve our family and friends.