33 Establish a House of Prayer
Establish a House of Prayer
The Lord’s majesty, power, grace, and kindness are
everlasting. Our God is great, and He loves us.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:47 We have seen God in the beauties of all the world
around us. We, and all His creations, are His workmanship. Our salvation and
exaltation is His work and His glory.
verse 49
49 The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness
comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you
shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.
Today I can praise and appreciate, I can worship and give
thanks, and I can have faith in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. One day I
will comprehend who God is. He will quicken me to live eternally, and if I
should to follow Him in faith and patience, He will quicken me to obtain His
glory.
The Lord commanded His servants to organize the School of
the Prophets. How are you being schooled today with the Lord’s teachings and in
the way of the Lord?
verse 119
119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and
establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of
faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
More than anywhere else, it is within God’s holy house—and
in our homes—that He can lift our vision beyond the mortal world, “unveil his
face unto [us],” and prepare us to “abide a celestial glory.”
What are you doing at home to prepare for your temple
experiences? What are you doing in the temple to prepare for your experiences
in your own home? How is your worship helping you to become more like your
Heavenly Father and His Son? How are you preparing for the day when you will
see the Lord? Will you be able to abide His glory?
verses
68, 22 68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that
your minds become single to God, and the days will come
that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it
shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
22 For he who is not able to abide
the law of a celestial kingdom
cannot abide a celestial glory.
See Saints, 1:164–66
Jesus Christ offers me peace.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88
Doctrine
and Covenants 87:2 Section 87 is a warning tha soon war would be poured out
on all nations.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88 Joseph Smith called this revelation, given by the
Lord, an olive leaf, which symbolizes peace.
Genesis
8:11 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in
her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the
waters were abated from off the earth. (I thought the dove was the symbol of
peace; I guess both are.)
While you read section 88, look for the Lord’s messages of
peace to you. (See notes below.)
For Kids
Heavenly Father gives good gifts.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:33
Read 88:33 33 For
what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not
the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither
rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
Discuss what gifts you all have enjoyed and which ones
weren’t your favorites. When you get a gift, do you leave it sitting on a shelf
to be opened sometime? How does it make you feel when you open a present? How
does it make the person who gave you the gift feel when you are excited about it
and say thank you?
What are some of the gifts that Heavenly Father gives us? Forgiveness,
repentance, peace, joy, the Holy Ghost. How do we accept these gifts? How do we
use them? Are we willing to share them?
Video: Receive the Gift: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/OFP_PRJ15134933_2025_04_06_150300_GeneralConference_SunPM_PatrickKearon_broadcast_video_eng.?lang=eng
For Kids
If I seek the Savior, I will find Him.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:63
As you read 88:63,
look for the action words. What fun activities can you do to seek the Lord’s
presence in your life? Imagining is akin to faith.
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw
near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me;
ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
What types of games can the children think of to go along
with these phrases?
“Seek me diligently and ye shall find me”
or “knock, and it shall be opened”.
[Children need variety. “Most children learn
best when multiple senses are involved. Find ways to help children use their
senses of sight, hearing, and touch as they learn. In some situations, you may
even find ways to include their senses of smell and taste!” (Teaching
in the Savior’s Way, 32).]
Use the picture of Jesus at the end of the lesson with the
phrase “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” (You could adapt the
game Mother May I or Red Light, Green
Light to fit an object lesson.)
The scriptures contain the law of Christ.
Light and law come from Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:6–67
Pay attention to the words law and light in this section. What
impressions do you have about Light and about Jesus Christ as you read? How do
you feel about the Savior’s love for you and His work of redemption? (see notes below)
Isaiah
60:19 19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day;
neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but
the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God
thy glory.
John
1:1–9 4 In him was life; and the life was
the light of men.
5 And the light shineth
in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
9 That was the true Light,
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
3 Nephi
15:9 9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto
me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him
that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
Christ:
The Light That Shines in Darkness
“Draw near unto me.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:62–64
62 And again, verily I say unto you,
my friends, I leave these sayings with you
to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto
you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near—
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw
near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me;
ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my
name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
How can you draw nearer to the Lord?
Video: Draw Near Unto Me: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/OFP_PRJ15134933_2025_04_05_113500_GeneralConference_SatAM_HenryBEyring_broadcast_video_eng.?lang=eng
I can become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:67–76
How do we go through the process of sanctification? Though
the Lord tells us sanctify ourselves, this isn’t something we can do alone. We
are sanctified through His atonement and through the Spirit; but, we need to
have the desire, keep His commandments, put off the things that are not of Him,
and seek to do His will, as He always sought to do and did His Father’s will.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that
your minds become single to God, and the days will come
that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it
shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
74 And I give unto you, who are the
first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble
yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves,
and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your
hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
The process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean, and holy
through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Moses
6:59–60).
God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification of
the Spirit, 2 Thes.
2:13.
We are sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus, Heb.
10:10.
Jesus suffered that he might sanctify the people with his
own blood, Heb.
13:12.
High priests were sanctified and their garments were washed
white through the blood of the Lamb, Alma
13:10–12.
Sanctification cometh to those who yield their hearts unto
God, Hel.
3:33–35.
Repent that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the
Holy Ghost, 3 Ne.
27:20.
Sanctification through the grace of Jesus Christ is just and
true, D&C
20:31.
Jesus came to sanctify the world, D&C
76:41.
Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to
God, D&C
88:68.
As you read this section, pay attention to the process of
sanctification and what you can choose to do to become sanctified? (See notes
below)
For Kids
Heavenly Father wants me to learn.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:77–80, 118
Let the children talk about what they are learning in
school, at home, and in church.
Do you what these words mean? what, why,
and how?
What does the Lord what us to learn about in 88:77–79?
77 And I give unto you a commandment that you
shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and
my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more
perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in
all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to
understand;
79 Of things both in heaven and in the
earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things
which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things
which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the
judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries
and of kingdoms—
verse 80
helps us understand why He wants us to learn.
80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I
shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called
you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.
verse 118 shows
us how we can learn.
118 And as all have not faith, seek ye
diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye
out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study
and also by faith.
Following Jesus and being His disciple is all about
disciple. It takes disciple to set aside time to study, even things we are
interested in. Why is it important to learn and not just to play? Who can we
ask for help when learning and studying is hard sometimes?
“Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:77–80, 118–26
I don’t know a lot about School of the Prophets, but I do
know that the Lord is pleased when His children are learning.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:137 137 And ye are called to do this by prayer
and thanksgiving, as the Spirit shall give utterance in all your doings in the
house of the Lord, in the school of the prophets, that it may become a
sanctuary, a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit to your edification.
What do we do to make our places of learning a sanctuary,
where the Holy Ghost can be with us and guide are learning?
verse 119
Can help us know how to establish a house of learning for ourselves. What
things can you do to elevate the atmosphere in your home, so that it is a
peaceful place, and so that you can heart the counsel and word of the Lord?
verses
77–80 and 118–26 serve as a blueprint for us so we can restructure our
lives and remodel our homes. What will you do to remodel your home into a
center of learning and a sanctuary of faith? (see notes below)
Becoming
Exemplary Latter-day Saints
Why are learning and education important to the
Lord? What does He want me to study? How does
He want me to learn? Look for answers to these questions in verses
77–80. (See notes below)
verse 118
How do we seek learning by study and by faith? How does including the Lord in
your studies enhance your understanding.
Seeking
Knowledge by the Spirit
Seeking
Truth and Avoiding Deception
For Kids
Our home can be holy like the temple.
Doctrine
and Covenants 88:119
Read
88:119 119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful
thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting,
a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a
house of God;
Heavenly Father wanted Joseph Smith and the early saints to
build a temple. The temple is a House of God. Does he want the members of His
Church to build temples today?
Can you name seven things you like about your home? How can
we make our homes like a temple.
What does the Lord want His temple to be like, and our
homes, and our hearts? Let’s look for the seven words in vs 19.
Prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory, order, house of
God.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88?lang=eng
Section 88
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at
Kirtland, Ohio, December 27 and 28, 1832, and January 3, 1833. The Prophet
designated it as the “‘olive leaf’ … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the
Lord’s message of peace to us.” The revelation was given after high priests at
a conference prayed “separately and vocally to the Lord to reveal his will unto
us concerning the upbuilding of Zion.”
While you read section 88, look for the Lord’s messages of
peace to you.
Pay attention to the words law and light in this section.
What impressions do you have about Light and about Jesus Christ as you read?
How do you feel about the Savior’s love for you and His work of
redemption?
As you read this section, pay attention to the process of
sanctification and what you can choose to do to become sanctified?
Vs 1-2 It pleases God when we meat together to worship Him.
Vs 3-5 Learn more about this second Comforter. I believe it
is a greater and more personal witness that Jesus is the Christ and that your
sins are forgiven. Some people say that you see the Savior. I think that
whether you see Him or not, you feel His presence with you and recognize it,
not only through the power of the Holy Ghost, but in addition in recognizing
the familiarity of the Lord and Savior.
In a very real way I felt this Second Comforter when Jesus
came to me after Robby's death, and I felt the words, "Your sins are
forgiven you." What a miracle!
I hope to be part of the Church of the Firstborn in that
great day!
Vs 6ff Jesus is the light that is the source of all other
light. Everthing moves and lives and has its being through Jesus.
14 Now, verily I say unto you, that through
the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the
resurrection from the dead.
15 And the spirit and the body are
the soul of man.
16 And the resurrection from the dead
is the redemption of the soul.
17 And the redemption of the soul is through him
that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that
the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit
it.
28 They who are of a celestial spirit shall
receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive
your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies
are quickened.
29 Ye who are quickened by a portion
of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a
fulness.
33 For what doth it profit a man if a gift is
bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that
which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
34 And again, verily I say unto you, that which
is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by
the same.
40 For intelligence cleaveth unto
intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth
truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto
light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her
own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own;
judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth
and executeth all things.
41 He comprehendeth all things, and
all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above
all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about
all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.
46 Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that
ye may understand?
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any
man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in
his majesty and power.
48 I say unto you, he hath seen him;
nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended.
49 The light shineth in darkness, and
the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you
shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me,
that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you
are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.
ye shall call upon me while I am near—
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw
near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me;
ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my
name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
73 Behold, I will hasten my work in
its time.
Vs 74 As we seek to become clean, Jesus can truly make us
clean.
Why are learning and education important to the
Lord? What does He want me to study? How does
He want me to learn? Look for answers to these questions in verses
77–80.
Vs 78-80 As we strive to teach more diligently according to
the Lord's will, He will teach us more perfectly in your studies and guide our
learning through His Spirit.
verses
77–80 and 118–26 serve as a blueprint for us so we can restructure our
lives and remodel our homes. What will you do to remodel your home into a
center of learning and a sanctuary of faith?
Vs 81ff Our calling to to testify of Jesus Christ and warn
our neighbors. Learn His gospel. Have faith in Him. Find protections in His
commandments, in covenants with Him, along with His people in the stakes of
Zion. Our calling is to help prepare the world for His Second Coming.
95 And there shall be silence in heaven for
the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be
unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and
the face of the Lord shall be unveiled;
96 And the saints that are upon the earth,
who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.
97 And they who have slept in their graves
shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also
shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—
98 They are Christ’s, the first fruits,
they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in
their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of
the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.
106 And again, another angel shall sound his
trump, which is the seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished!
The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the
wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of
Almighty God.
107 And then shall the angels be crowned with
the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory,
and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him.
115 For Michael shall fight their battles, and
shall overcome him who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the
throne, even the Lamb.
116 This is the glory of God, and the sanctified;
and they shall not any more see death.
117 Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends,
call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you.
118 And as all have not faith, seek ye
diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye
out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study
and also by faith.
119 Organize yourselves; prepare every
needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of
fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of
order, a house of God;
120 That your incomings may be in the
name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all
your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands
unto the Most High.
122 Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and
let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time
and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may
be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
123 See that ye love one another;
cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel
requires.
124 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean;
cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer
than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise
early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.
125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with
the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness
and peace.
126 Pray always, that ye may not faint,
until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto
myself. Amen.
133 Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the
everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a
determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through
the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God
blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen.
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