26 Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth
Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth
Worth … the Riches of the Whole Earth
We have been so blessed to live in a day when we’ve had all
of the standard works. The early saints had to wait for the publication of The
Doctrine and Covenants (or The Book of Commandments).
‘Soon everyone would be able to read for themselves the word
of God revealed through a living prophet, vivid evidence that “the keys of the
mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.” For these
and many other reasons, Saints then and now consider these revelations to be
“worth … the riches of the whole Earth”’ (Doctrine
and Covenants 70, section heading).
Saints 1:140–43
For Kids
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches me about Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 67
Video: Chapter 23:
The Doctrine and Covenants: Share
how Joseph Smith’s revelations were printed in a book.
Video: Mary and Carolline Rollins: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/s1vjwonbati9q8mla6d6te8zclrgyxz11siupsj8?lang=eng&alang=eng
Mary was the first person in Kirtland to read The Book of
Mormon. The Prophet Joseph told her she could keep Brother Morley’s copy; he’d
give him another one. When someone broke into the building with the printing
press and scattered the Book of Commandments papers, Mary and Carolline bravely
collected as many of them as they could.
Share with the children that we have four books of sacred
scriptures and how they all testify of Jesus Christ and of Heavenly Father’s
love for His children.
Doctrine
and Covenants 67:4, 9
The Lord testifies that they are true. 9 For ye know that there is
no unrighteousness in them, and that which is righteous cometh down
from above, from the Father of lights.
The Lord’s servants speak His will when moved upon by the
Holy Ghost.
Doctrine
and Covenants 67:1–9; 68:3–6
Some people thought that Joseph wasn’t a very good writer
and were concerned about The Book of Commandments being published.
verses 1–9
Vs 4 “I, the Lord, give unto you a testimony of
the truth of these commandments.”
For ye know that there is no unrighteousness in them, and that
which is righteous cometh down from above, from the Father
of lights.
Not any one of them could have received or written anything
better.
68:3–6
3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they
shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved
upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the
Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be
the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto
you, O ye my servants.
6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do
not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall
bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that
I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
Why would you think that you could do better than what the
Lord has given?
Doctrine
and Covenants 68:4 I am thankful to have scriptures and apostles and
prophets who have given us the word of the Lord by the power of the Holy Ghost.
verse
3 Have you been moved upon by the Holy Ghost to share, teach, or testify of
a truth?
verse
6 6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for
I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me,
even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I
am, and that I am to come.
Several Church leaders provided their signatures that The
Book of Commandments is true.
Testimony,
circa 2 November 1831 Revelation Book 1, 121 josephsmithpapers.org
“Continue in patience.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 67:10–14
What things are you doing to overcome jealousy, fear, pride,
and selfishness, so that you can be closer to the Lord.
verse 10
10 And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and
a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry,
that inasmuch as you strip yourselves
from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves
before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent
and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither
natural mind, but with the spiritual.
Mosiah
3:19 19 For the natural man is
an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and
will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of
the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and
becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and
becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,
willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him,
even as a child doth submit to his father.
verse 13
13 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the
ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye
are perfected.
For Kids
I can be baptized when I am eight years old.
Doctrine
and Covenants 68:25–31
In Doctrine
and Covenants 68:27 27 And their children shall
be baptized for the remission of their sins
when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.
Use verses
25–31 to discover what the Lord wants children to learn. You can also use
pictures. (See notes below.
Read the heading of the section heading for Doctrine
and Covenants 69. What assignment did the Lord give?
verse
1 1 Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for my servant
Oliver Cowdery’s sake. It is not wisdom in me that he should be entrusted with
the commandments and the moneys which he shall carry unto the land of
Zion, except one go with him who will be true and faithful.
Why is it important for us to have friends and companions
who are trustworthy and faithful?
Am I true and faithful myself? Can Jesus true me with bless
others because I am true and faithful.
Video: Sophia's Baptism Promises: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2021-12-0020-sophias-baptism-promises?lang=eng
I can help center my home on Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 68:25–31
Doctrine
and Covenants 68:25–31 Center your home on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Some of the principles the Lord says should be taught in the
home:
- Repentance: Alma
36:17–20 Notice how Alma was blessed at a critical time because his
father had taught him about the Savior’s atoning mission. How can you help
inspire your family to turn to Jesus Christ and repent?
2 Nephi 25:26 - Faith
in Christ:
Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains
Ponder how these suggestions could create a culture of faith in your family. - Baptism:
Mosiah
18:8–10, 13
- Gift
of the Holy Ghost: pages
17–19 For the Strength of Youth
- Prayer:
Love
Is Spoken Here
3 Nephi 18:15–21? - Doctrine
and Covenants 68:25–31:
The
Family: A Proclamation to the World
Parenting
Jesus
Christ Is the Strength of Parents
“True and faithful” friends help me follow Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 69:1
1 Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, for
my servant Oliver Cowdery’s sake. It is not wisdom in me that he should be
entrusted with the commandments and the moneys which he shall carry unto
the land of Zion, except one go with him who will be true and
faithful.
Why is it wisdom in God to have two people watch the
transportation of Church funds?
Help learners lift each other. Each individual in your class or
family is a rich source of testimony, insights, and experiences living the
gospel. Invite them to share with and lift each other.
I am accountable for the revelations the Lord has given.
Doctrine
and Covenants 70:1–4
Certain Elders were to oversee the printing of The Book of
Commandments.
verse 3 What is your stewardship or responsibility
“over the revelations and commandments”?
3 I, the Lord, have appointed them, and ordained
them to be stewards over the revelations and commandments which I
have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them
Appendix
B: Preparing Children for a Lifetime on God’s Covenant Path
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/67?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, early November 1831. The occasion was that of a special
conference, and the publication of the revelations already received from the
Lord through the Prophet was considered and acted upon (see the heading
to section 1). William W. Phelps had recently established
the Church printing press in Independence, Missouri. The conference decided to
publish the revelations in the Book of Commandments and to print
10,000 copies (which because of unforeseen difficulties was later reduced to
3,000 copies). Many of the brethren bore solemn testimony that the revelations
then compiled for publication were verily true, as was witnessed by the Holy
Ghost shed forth upon them. Joseph Smith’s history records that after the
revelation known as section 1 had
been received, some conversation was had concerning the language used in the
revelations. The present revelation followed.
Vs 9 If they expess truth, why are we always so skeptical?
That which is righteous comes from the Father of lights!
Vs 10 There are many times that we are afraid to proceed and
do more or learn more, either because we don't think we can do well as someone
else, or we might think something is beneath us. We need to stop thinking like
that and be humble.
Can you imagine if we all listened to this counsel. The Lord
would be right here with us.
13 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God
now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in
patience until ye are perfected.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/68?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, November 1, 1831, in response to prayer that the mind of the Lord
be made known concerning Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E.
Johnson, and William E. McLellin. Although part of this revelation was
directed toward these four men, much of the content pertains to the whole
Church. This revelation was expanded under Joseph Smith’s direction when it was
published in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.
3 And this is the ensample unto them,
that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved
upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the
Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be
the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto
you, O ye my servants.
Use verses
25–31 to discover what the Lord wants children to learn.
Vs 25 Parents are to teach their children the gospel of
Jesus Christ and His doctrine. The are to help them be prepared for baptism
when they arrive at the age of eight.
27 And their children shall
be baptized for the remission of their sins
when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.
Vs 29 We should teach our children to pray and to walk
uprightly before the Lord.
Vs 31 We should teach our children how to work and spend
their time wisely.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/69?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, November 11, 1831. The compilation of revelations intended for
early publication had been passed upon at the special conference of November
1–2. On November 3, the revelation herein appearing as section 133,
later called the Appendix, was added. Oliver Cowdery had previously been
appointed to carry the manuscript of the compiled revelations and commandments
to Independence, Missouri, for printing. He was also to take with him money
that had been contributed for the building up of the Church in Missouri. This
revelation instructs John Whitmer to accompany Oliver Cowdery and also directs
Whitmer to travel and collect historical material in his calling as Church
historian and recorder.
Vs 1 It is important that we keep each other accountable and
also protect each other again theives or deceivers when dealing with sacred
funds or materials.
5 And also, my servants who are abroad in the
earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships to the
land of Zion;
We need to be a record keeping people.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/70?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, November 12, 1831. The Prophet’s history states that four special
conferences were held from the 1st to the 12th of November, inclusive. In the
last of these assemblies, the great importance of the revelations that would
later be published as the Book of Commandments and then the Doctrine
and Covenants was considered. This revelation was given after the conference
voted that the revelations were “worth to the Church the riches of the whole Earth.”
Joseph Smith’s history refers to the revelations as “the foundation of the
Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of
the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.”
Vs 4 Can you feel good and give an honest account of your
stewardship in the day of judgment?
Vs 7 Try to get rid of all your excess possessions. Give of
your substance freely.
Vs 10-13 You may not receive a earthly paid income, but you
know how greatly the Lord has blessed you when you seek to minister with
singleness of ehart.
14 Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall
be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the
manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.
18 Behold, I, the Lord, am merciful and
will bless them, and they shall enter into the joy of these things. Even so.
Amen.
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