29 I Will Lead You Along
I Will Lead You Along
Because the Church was growing quickly, in many areas, there
was a need to purchase properties and help the saints relocate and fulfill
their responsibilities. The Lord called upon some of the Church leaders to form
The United Firm (a council to help further the cause of Zion). verse 4
“For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to
advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the
glory of your Father who is in heaven;”
All things are spiritual to the Lord. His purpose is to
prepare us to return home to Him.
verses
7, 18 7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in
the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves
by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.
18 And ye cannot bear all things now;
nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The
kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and
the riches of eternity are yours.
Aren’t you happy that He’ll lead you along? That is indeed
something to be cheerful about.
For Kids
God created every creature on earth.
Doctrine
and Covenants 77:2
Read Doctrine
and Covenants 77:2 ”They are figurative expressions, used by the
Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God,
the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of
the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that
which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is
spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also
the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.”
Do you have pets? Are there animals that you love? Are you
happy to know that they have spirits as well as bodies, and that they will be
resurrected too?
God gives knowledge to people who seek it.
Doctrine
and Covenants 77
Joseph and Sidney had questions arise as they were working
on the inspired translation of Revelation. Joseph knew to pray to find answers.
What do these answers mean to you?
What was the United Firm?
Doctrine
and Covenants 78
“The United Firm was established to manage the Church’s
publishing and business affairs in Ohio and Missouri. It consisted of Joseph
Smith, Newel K. Whitney, and other Church leaders who combined their
resources to meet the temporal needs of the growing Church. Unfortunately, the
United Firm fell into debt and was dissolved in 1834 when the debts became
unmanageable.”
Newel K.
Whitney and the United Firm
For Kids
I can help “advance the cause” of Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:4
4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment
and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the
salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven;
What cause did we choose to support when we were baptized?
Mosiah
18:8–10 willing to mourn with those that mourn; comfort those
that stand in need of comfort; stand as witnesses of God at all times
and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in;
So that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of
the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.
Doctrine
and Covenants 20:37 37 And again, by way of commandment to
the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those
who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come
forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the
church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to
take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having
a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by
their works that they have received of the Spirit of
Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by
baptism into his church
Moses
1:39 God’s purpose is to help us become like Him.
Allow the children to role-play being disciples of Jesus
Christ: service, teaching, comforting, etc. How does selfish service help us
advance the cause of Jesus Christ?
Conference talk video: Participate to Prepare for Christ’s
Return: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/42shumway?lang=eng
For Kids
I can share what I have with others.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:6
6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye
cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;
Have some cut out pictures of people in need and some
objects that could help them. Let the children match them. [You could give your
children pictures of people in need (hungry, injured, or cold) and objects that
would help (such as food, a bandage, or a blanket.)]
Have you ever shared something with someone in need? How did
that bless him? How did it bless you?
Chapter 28:
The Prophet Joseph Goes to Missouri Again
Your children could pretend they are helping someone build a
house, sharing food, or serving in another way.
I can help “advance the cause” of Christ and His Church.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:1–7
The Lord told Joseph Smith and other Church leaders that
managing a storehouse and a printing press would help “advance the cause, which
ye have espoused” (Doctrine
and Covenants 78:4). What would you say is the “cause” of the Savior’s
Church?
There is a four-fold mission in Christ’s Church: the
perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the redemption of the dead,
and giving help to the poor and needy. The cause of the Savior’s Church is to
invite others to come to Christ and be perfected in Him so that they can return
to live with Heavenly Father in celestial glory.
Ponder this as you read Doctrine
and Covenants 78:1–7. What are some of the various ways you can help
advance that cause—including in your family? (See notes below.)
General Handbook, 1.2.
For Kids
Jesus Christ will lead me along.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:18
What does it mean to be a leader? (Have you ever played
Follow the Leader? Who is the Leader that we all follow?)
18 And ye cannot bear all things now;
nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The
kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and
the riches of eternity are yours.
We might not know how to do everything; but, Heavenly Father
will give us opportunities to learn how to do many things, and he’ll help us
and lead us to know what to do.
The Lord will lead me along.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:17–18
17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye
are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings
the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
It’s awesome that the Lord reminds us that we are His
children, and that He patiently teaches us.
18 And ye cannot bear all things now;
nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The
kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and
the riches of eternity are yours.
He will lead us along. I like the song, “I am a Child of God.”
“Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.”
Jesus wants us to grow spiritually, but He also wants us to
stay humble, meek, gentle, and teachable.
Mosiah
3:19 “…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.”
For Kids
I can receive “all things with thankfulness.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:19
Video: I Will Lead You Along: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/PTH_PRJ14361179_ApostolicVideosForComeFollowMe_IWillLeadYouAlong-ElderStevenson_Delivery_21Mar2025_HDF-2398_ENG.?lang=eng
I can receive all things with thankfulness.
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:19
19 And he who receiveth all things
with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this
earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.
Take more time to consider your blessings. Even the things
that may seem overwhelming, or don’t feel like blessings, consider the good and
the growth that come from them. I just asked Christine if I should be thankful
that I’m allergic to ants. She said I should be thankful that I had medicine
and a priesthood holder in my home. She is right. And I certainly am.
Video: Healing Power of Gratitude: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2020-11-1100-president-russell-m-nelson-on-the-healing-power-of-gratitude?lang=eng
Post on social media things that you are grateful for. Do
it.
I am thankful for both modern medicine and for Priesthood
power on the earth and in my home.
On Saturday, I had a major allergic reaction to an ant bite. This is the second
time this has happened, where it was a full body reaction. I was miserable. I
took some Benadryl. Bob offered to give me a blessing, which I was glad to
accept.
Soon I felt calm; I slept well that night, and I didn't wake up itching and
miserable.
I am thankful for the opportunities I have for growth in this world. Some
things carry hurt and concern longer than an allergic episode, but I can
promise that there is comfort, hope, and healing in gratitude and in putting
our faith in Jesus Christ, the One True Healer.
I've heard it said that time heals all wounds. I don't believe that is true or
complete. We live on a world that is based on time. But Jesus will ultimately
heal all wounds.
Search and share. If you are assigned to teach,
look for ways to help people search the scriptures or words of prophets—on
their own or in small groups—and share what they learn. For example, in this
activity you could give each individual or group a section of President
Uchtdorf’s message and ask them to share a phrase or sentence that they feel
summarizes what he taught.
The call to serve God matters more than where I serve.
Doctrine
and Covenants 79–80
“Perhaps one of the lessons the Savior is teaching us in
this revelation (Doctrine
and Covenants 80) is that an assignment to labor in a specific place
is essential and important but secondary to a call to the work” (Elder Bednar).
Think about what a blessing it has been to you to have
callings. What has that meant to you and for you? How has it enriched your life
and the lives of others? How has your understanding grown and your love for the
Savior?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/77?lang=eng
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram,
Ohio, about March 1832. Joseph Smith’s history states, “In connection with the
translation of the Scriptures, I received the following explanation of
the Revelation
of St. John.”
4th
chapter, and 6th verse of the Revelation
6 And before the throne there was a sea of
glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round
about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes
before and behind.
The sea of glass: It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal,
and eternal state.
The four beasts: They are figurative expressions
that describe heaven. “that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that
which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is
spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also
the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.”
The four and twenty elders: “elders who had been faithful in
the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches,
and were then in the paradise of God.”
the 7th
chapter and 1st verse of Revelation
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing
on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the
earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any
tree.
“they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given
power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are
they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to
seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness.”
Revelation
7th chapter and 2nd verse
2 And I saw another angel ascending from
the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud
voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
“We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east
is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes
of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the
everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees,
till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if
you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather
together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.”
The sealing the one hundred and forty-four
thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe: “those
who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to
administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of
every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power
over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of
the Firstborn.”
The sounding of the trumpets: “as God made the
world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it,
and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the
beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the
earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and
shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his
power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and
the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and
finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of
the way before the time of his coming.”
9th
chapter of Revelation: “They are to be accomplished after the opening of
the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ.”
10th
chapter of Revelation: “it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him
to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is
written, must come and restore all things.”
eleventh
chapter of Revelation: “A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up
to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration,
and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of
Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/78?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Kirtland, Ohio, March 1, 1832. On that day, the Prophet and other leaders had
assembled to discuss Church business. This revelation originally instructed the
Prophet, Sidney Rigdon, and Newel K. Whitney to travel to Missouri and
organize the Church’s mercantile and publishing endeavors by creating a “firm”
that would oversee these efforts, generating funds for the establishment of
Zion and for the benefit of the poor. This firm, known as the United Firm, was
organized in April 1832 and disbanded in 1834 (see section 82).
Sometime after its dissolution, under the direction of Joseph Smith, the phrase
“the affairs of the storehouse for the poor” replaced “mercantile and
publishing establishments” in the revelation, and the word “order” replaced the
word “firm.”
Ponder this as you read Doctrine
and Covenants 78:1–7. What are some of the various ways you can help
advance that cause—including in your family?
Vs 3-4: There is order in the Church. When we seek to know
the Lord's will, He will make it known, so that we can join in the work of
salvation.
Vs 5-7 We should be happy to live the law of consecration,
to make accessible to our brothers and sisters the things which are necessary
for their progress and enjoyment. We should not lift ourselves up above each
other, but seek to have temporal things in common and spiritual blessings
available to all.
Vs 17-18 We are little children who can't bear all things
now; but, we can be schooled through the Spirit and led loving along by the
Lord. He is helping to prepare us for the blessings of eternity which are His
to give.
19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall
be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even
an hundred hundred fold, yea, more.
20 Wherefore, do the things which I have
commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all
things before he taketh you;
21 For ye are the church of the Firstborn,
and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion.
22 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall
inherit all things. Amen.
21 For ye are the church of the Firstborn,
and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion.
22 And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall
inherit all things. Amen.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/79?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, March 12, 1832.
2 And I will send upon him the Comforter,
which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go;
3 And inasmuch as he is faithful, I will crown
him again with sheaves.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/80?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Stephen Burnett, at Hiram, Ohio, March 7, 1832.
Vs 1 “Go ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to
every creature that cometh under the sound of your voice.”
The mandate is the same as it has been since the angels
talked to the disciples in Galilee.
3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether
to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for
ye cannot go amiss.
4 Therefore, declare the things which ye have
heard, and verily believe, and know to be true.
5 Behold, this is the will of him who hath called you,
your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Vs 4-5 This is what a testimony is. Open you mouth and
declare it.
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