If you struggle to forgive, consider studying Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “The Ministry of Reconciliation” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 77–79) or Kristin M. Yee’s message “Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness” (Liahona, Nov. 2022, 36–38). What do you learn about how Christ can help you forgive?

Family relationships can provide many opportunities to forgive. Think about your family members. Whom do you need to forgive? How are we “afflicted” (verse 8) when we don’t forgive each other? How would forgiveness affect your family relationships?

See also Topics and Questions, “Forgiveness,” Gospel Library; “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light” (video), Gospel Library.

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

Note: As you teach your children about the Lord’s command “to forgive all,” you may want to clarify that forgiving does not mean allowing people to hurt us. Encourage them to tell a trusted adult if someone hurts them or touches them inappropriately.

• After reading Doctrine and Covenants 64:10 with your children, talk with them about what it means to forgive someone. You might share a few simple examples. Perhaps they could role-play these examples to practice forgiving.

• You might ask your children to plan how they would teach someone—such as a younger sibling—about forgiving others. Help them find phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 64:7–10 that they could use as they teach.

• Sing a song about forgiveness, such as “Help Me, Dear Father” (Children’s Songbook, 99). What does this song teach us about forgiving others?
  DOWNLOAD “Help Me, Dear Father” song visuals (HERE or below).

Doctrine and Covenants 64:31–34

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom suggested this possible meaning for the phrase “heart and a willing mind”:

“The heart is symbolic of love and commitment. We make sacrifices and bear burdens for those we love that we would not endure for any other reason. If love does not exist, our commitment wanes. …

“Having ‘a willing mind’ connotes giving our best effort and finest thinking and seeking God’s wisdom. It suggests that our most devoted lifetime study should be of things that are eternal in nature. It means that there must be an inextricable relationship between hearing the word of God and obeying it” (“The Heart and a Willing Mind,” Ensign, June 2011, 31–32).

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: William E. McLellin

• William McLellin’s Five Questions

• Isaac and Lucy Morley Farm

Click to see more

As you read section 66, think about what the Lord knew about William McLellin and the concerns and intents of his heart. How has the Lord shown you that He knows you? If you have a patriarchal blessing, consider studying it. As you do, what does the Holy Ghost help you understand about God’s will for you?
DOWNLOAD Patriarchal Blessing memo and checklist activity (HERE or below).

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

• Help your children understand that William E. McLellin had five questions for the Lord. Joseph Smith received answers to these questions even though he did not know what William’s questions were. Tell your children about a time when the Lord showed you what He wanted you to do, and talk about the blessings that came from following His direction. You could then read Doctrine and Covenants 66:4 together and invite your children to seek opportunities to understand what the Lord wants them to do.

• As your children look at a picture of the Savior’s Second Coming, ask them to describe what they see or what they know about this event. You could also give your children words and phrases about the Second Coming to find in Doctrine and Covenants 65. What do these words and phrases teach us? How can we prepare for the Savior’s return?

• I Can Follow Jesus with My HEART and MIND. See the activities below to know ways to follow Him.

D&C 65:34 “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”