36 For the Salvation of Zion

For the Salvation of Zion

For the Salvation of Zion



Hebrews 8:5 The buildings of temple and how they are constructed and used is important to the Lord.

Exodus 25:8–9 Temples are to be sanctuaries for the Lord’s people; a place where He can dwell with them.

Numbers 2:1–2 Our families’ lives should be centered on Jesus Christ and around the temple, which binds us to Him and can seal us as forever families.

Doctrine and Covenants 95:13–14 The Lord’s temples need to be built after His manner and according to His instructions, not after the manner of men.

97:10 The Lord gives his prophets the pattern for temple building.

Doctrine and Covenants 94:1 The foundations of the cities of the saints should be built with the temple being central to their lives.

Saints1:169–70

A House for Our God

I can be “wholly dedicated unto the Lord.”
Doctrine and Covenants 9497:10–17

Doctrine and Covenants 94:2–12 What impresses you about what the Lord says about these buildings: an administration office and a printing office? (See notes below)

97:10–17 What does He says about the temple? (See notes below)

Consider what it means to you to be wholly dedicated to the Lord.

The Lord chastens those He loves.
Doctrine and Covenants 95

The Lord had asked the saints to begin the building of the temple five months previous to this revelation. In section 88, we can review the importance of this to the Lord.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:117–19 117 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;

How does the Lord correct them in section 95? What do you learn from the Lord’s example? (See notes below)

Doctrine and Covenants 121:43–44 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten

Video: God Loves His Children: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2021-04-4060-taniela-b-wakolo?lang=eng

For Kids

The temple is the house of the Lord.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:897:10–17

Watch The Kirtland Temple

Pretend that you are building the Kirtland temple: cutting wood, hammering nails, painting walls, etc.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 95:8 and show a picture of the temple.

Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high

Video: The Kirtland Temple: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/PD60007269_the-kirtland-temple?lang=eng

Video: Building the Kirtland Temple: A special house for the Lord: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/ngktky08e6u5daxhzs5mp81rakjhl5ftqzys956n?lang=eng

Read Doctrine and Covenants 97:15–16 15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

Why is the temple important to you? Have you been inside for a temple tour before a dedication, for your family’s sealing, or for baptisms for the dead? The temple is a reverent beautiful place. You can feel that even when you walk around the temple.

I Love to See the Temple: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/childrens-songbook/i-love-to-see-the-temple?lang=eng

Why is the temple a sacred place?

The temple is the house of the Lord.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:8, 11–1797:10–17

After the Lord chastened the saints for not getting started on building the temple, the ran into action. Hyrum wanted to be the first to start on the work. (in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 271, 273

Why do you think the people were so eager to get to work? (They wanted to be endowed with power from on high, and they wanted to be obedient.)

Doctrine and Covenants 95:8, 11–1797:10–17. Ponder why you think they were so eager to get to work? (See notes below)

Focus on the Temple The Lord “is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples” (Russell M. Nelson).

Why do we build so many temples in our day?

Now Is the Time

Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples

temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Video: What is a Temple: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2013-02-1070-temples?lang=eng

The early saints spent so much time, effort, and means to build temples. How can you make your own sacrifices of time, effort, and means to go to the temple? (You might need to take some time off work, etc. You might need to give up some current habits and develop greater faith in Jesus Christ.)

Doctrine and Covenants 97:12 12 Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—

Holy Temples on Mount Zion

Temples

 

 

For Kids

Zion is “the pure in heart.”
Doctrine and Covenants 97:1–2, 8–9, 21

Doctrine and Covenants 97:21 21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

What does it mean to be pure?

How do we make sure that we have pure hearts and clean hands?

Verses 1–2 Verily I say unto you my friends, I speak unto you with my voice, even the voice of my Spirit, that I may show unto you my will concerning your brethren in the land of Zion, many of whom are truly humble and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth.

Verily, verily I say unto you, blessed are such, for they shall obtain; for I, the Lord, show mercy unto all the meek, and upon all whomsoever I will, that I may be justified when I shall bring them unto judgment.

8–9 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.

For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.

How does Jesus help make our hearts pure?

For Kids

The Lord blesses people who keep covenants with Him.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:8–9

What is a covenant? What are the covenants we make with the Lord when we are baptized? What are the covenants we make with the Lord in the temple?

Mosiah 18:9–10, 13 Are you living the second commandment and truly loving your neighbor; as members or the Church, we covenant to do so.

General Handbook27.2

Doctrine and Covenants 97:8 Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.

Doctrine and Covenants 97:9 For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.

Draw pictures and discuss how the blessings are like a fruitful tree planted by a pure stream.

“They are accepted of me.”
Doctrine and Covenants 97:8–9 (See verses in section above.)

The Lord chooses all of us, when we choose Him. We can become part of His team by accepting Him, having faith on His name, keeping His commandments, doing His works, making covenants with Him, and learning to love as He does.

We learn from verse 9 that the Lord can multiple all our efforts and make our lives more productive and fulfilling as we put Him first in our lives.

Being Accepted of the Lord

Create a spiritual environment for learning and teaching. “The Holy Ghost,” Jesus promised, “shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). So whether you’re learning on your own or with others, make it a priority to invite the Spirit. Sacred music, prayer, and loving interactions can all help create a peaceful, spiritual setting where the Holy Ghost can teach you truth.

John14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Zion is “the pure in heart.”
Doctrine and Covenants 97:18–28

Zion is more that a place. It is a people. And it can even apply to one soul who is pure in heart and right with the Lord.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/94?lang=eng

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August 2, 1833. Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter are appointed as a Church building committee.

Doctrine and Covenants 94:2–12 What impresses you about what the Lord says about these buildings: an administration office and a printing office?

And behold, it must be done according to the pattern which I have given unto you.

The Lord wanted the building build to his design and his dedication.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/95?lang=eng

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 1, 1833. This revelation is a continuation of divine directions to build a house for worship and instruction, the house of the Lord (see section 88:119–36).

Vs 1-2 Be thankful when the Lord chastises you. That means He loves you.

Doctrine and Covenants 95:8, 11–17 Ponder why you think they were so eager to get to work?

And for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end.

11 Verily I say unto you, it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.

12 If you keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness.

Vs 13-14 Our temples must be built according to the guidance and directions of the Lord.

How does the Lord correct them in section 95? What do you learn from the Lord’s example?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/96?lang=eng

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, showing the order of the city or stake of Zion at Kirtland, Ohio, June 4, 1833, as an example to the Saints in Kirtland. The occasion was a conference of high priests, and the chief subject of consideration was the disposal of certain lands, known as the French farm, possessed by the Church near Kirtland. Since the conference could not agree who should take charge of the farm, all agreed to inquire of the Lord concerning the matter.

For behold, verily I say unto you, this is the most expedient in me, that my word should go forth unto the children of men, for the purpose of subduing the hearts of the children of men for your good. Even so. Amen.

Vs 8-9: Are you striving to be part of the Lord's order, so that you can assist in bringing His word to His children? What incumbrances can you remove so that you can better serve the Lord?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/97?lang=eng

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August 2, 1833. This revelation deals particularly with the affairs of the Saints in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, in response to the Prophet’s inquiry of the Lord for information. Members of the Church in Missouri were at this time subjected to severe persecution and, on July 23, 1833, had been forced to sign an agreement to leave Jackson County.

Vs 1 This is consistent with my experience. The Lord often speaks to us by the voice of His Spirit, and we hear with the ears of our spirits.

Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.

For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.

Vs 5 Wouldn't you like to have this blessing of being able to teach and expound scriptures and doctrine to the edification of those that you teach?

97:10–17 What does He says about the temple?

D&C 97:10–17. Ponder why you think they were so eager to get to work?

Vs 10-12 We should have extreme gratitude that the Lord invites us to the work of building temples, so that all who desire it may be endowed with power from on high. Our sacrifices and our tithing helps us to receive the blessings of joint-stewardship with the Lord.

13 For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;

14 That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.

15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

Vs 18-20 Will we as a people choose to be the Lord's Zion People? Will other nations look to us as the city of our God and want to come join us? We need to work more for that and honor our covenants and devote ourselves to the Lord's work, especially to making His covenants and promises available to all through faith on His name.

21 Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.

25 Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.

28 And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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