Come, Follow Me 2021 Doctrine and Covenants 121-123 Resources and Insights,
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Last week, we learned about the name the Lord gave for His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We learned about how we can be great examples and lead other to Christ. We also learedn about sacrifice and the law of tithing and how it is used to build God's Kingdom here on earth.
This week, we will be discussing adversity, our Savior descending below all things, and that our adversity can be used for our good. We also learn about hope, accessing the powers of heaven and go forth and cheerfully do what we can.
Throughout this blog post you will find images I create daily, which I am offering as free printables. As well as insights and links to resources to help with individual, family and even class room study. Remember to check back throughout the week as more printables and resources are added daily.
Day 1:
I can only imagine what Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin, experienced in Liberty Jail. For me learning about what they went through helped further solidify my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Their conditions were physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually trying.
These opening words of D&C 121, express just how bad things were, that Joseph was asking God, where He was. Not only were things bad for these brethren, but for their families and the rest of the Saints as well.
So, my question is, has there been a time in your life, when your trials have been so heavy that you wonder, maybe even ask God, why that burden has not been eased? Where God is at?
I’m not going to dive into the answer Joseph received. That will be for another discussion. But I am going to say, that even when we may feel abandoned by God, we truly never are. I am sure He weeps with us in our sorrows. He loves us! We are His children ♥️ In my life, when experiencing a difficult trial, while in the midst of it, I maybe have not understood the purpose. But from my trials I have learned to truly turn to my Savior and to communicate with my Father in Heaven. I’ve learned to be more empathetic and patient. Because I have chosen to turn to my Father, I have grown from my trials.
I look at Liberty Jail and I see from the most horrific of trials, some of the most inspiring scripture. We see the prophet turn to his Father in Heaven. We can also see testimonies such as mine strengthened from this experience.
I do believe that God does not create the trials, but from them, when we turn to Him, can make them be for our good. For this life is about progression, coming unto Christ and striving to be like our Eternal Father.
Here’s an excellent supplement to our study, that gives further details of the events of Liberty Jail:
Within the Walls of Liberty Jail
Day 2:
There is a talk from this past General Conference that goes so well with this week’s study!! It is by Elder Anthony D. Perkins.
One of the things he talks about is how the Savior’s enabling power can help us endure our trials well. Because we have made covenants with our Heavenly Father we have access to this enabling power.
At baptism we promise to take our Savior’s name upon us and to remember Him always. Even during our trials and sufferings. I loved the example that Elder Perkins gave of the people of Alma who were taken into bondage and forbidden to worship and pray. They remained faithful and true to their covenants. It states, “The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease.” (Mosiah 24:13-15)
Sometimes, our burdens are not taken away, but rather we are given the strength to be able to bear them.
I have had such trials in my life and I can testify that in those trials we truly need to rely upon the Savior.
It feels my heart with so much love and gratitude for my Savior, for all that He has done for each of us and that He is ALWAYS there.
Here’s the link to the talk:
Day 3:
Don’t you love that this is one of the lessons taught from Liberty jail?! The powers of Heaven can only be accessed by principles of righteousness.
I found a great lesson on this section and topic in the Doctrine and Covenants. I’ll link to it below. In it, it explains “that the phrase “the rights of the priesthood” (verse 36) refers to the privileges, gifts, and blessings that come through the keys and ordinances of the priesthood, which are available to all worthy Church members”. These “rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven” (D&C 121:36)
So the question we can each ask ourselves is how well are we living the principle of righteousness? ♥️ what things can we be a little bit better at each day? It’s worth it and so important to have that access to the powers of Heaven in our lives!
Here’s the link to the lesson, it’s great! Scroll down to the heading D&C 121:34-36.
Day 4:
I just loved this quote about Christ descending below all things, “It was further necessary that He should descend below all things, in order that He might raise others above all things; for if He could not raise Himself and be exalted through those principles brought about by the atonement, He could not raise others; He could not do for others what He could not do for Himself.” (President John Taylor)
There is no trial we will ever face that is more difficult than what the Savior went through. Only He could do it & He did it so He could raise us up. His atonement has enabling power to strengthen us during trials. His atonement can raise us back up to live in our Father’s presence. The key to the atonement is that we need to have faith in Christ and we need to turn to Him to partake of the blessings of His atonement.
For me, this scripture has always helped me face my trials, “The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (D&C 122:8) It has helped me to see that we all will experience trial, even the Savior could not escape it in mortality. He chose to experience it all, suffer through it all for us. That was His earthly mission. He knows how to perfectly comfort us and strengthen us. That in itself gives me comfort 💕 We are never alone in our trials, because He is always there!
Here is a link to a great article, where I found the quote:
Day 5:
I have a friend who is always cheerful, I just love her & love being around her. She makes me want to be more cheerful! You may have heard that a smile is contagious. Well, I think being cheerful is contagious as well, and it makes doing hard things, so much easier!!
Think about the Saints and the hard things they were asked to go through, why do you think it was so important that Joseph would ask them to, “let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power”? There are some things we have no control over, but our attitude and the way we go about doing things is something we do. The Saints had a lot of frustrating things happening, things out of their control. But they could choose to keep faith in God and go about their duties cheerfully and endure their trials well.
We too have our trials, this counsel is important for us to live by today! I think that keeping a grateful heart, can help us have that cheerful attitude. We have the knowledge of the gospel of Christ!!! That in itself, should feel us with joy!! ♥️
Here’s a link to a great article:
Day 6:
I just really love this counsel that the Lord gave to Joseph 💕 We are going to experience things sometimes, even hardships that are due to the actions or even words of others. At those times, it is so important to remember this counsel that God is always there. We can pray at any time, He is always listening. He is there for us, He loves us! His glory is in our progression towards Him. There is great comfort in knowing that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who truly is always there for us.
Side note, did you read the letter from Emma to Joseph and the one from Joseph to Emma, found at the bottom of the lesson. So heartbreaking & also so beautiful. Their love for each other can definitely be felt through those letters. Here’s a link:
Great Podcasts/YouTube Videos that go with this week's discussion:
Don't Miss This
Follow Him Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Real Talk
Here are some activities and lessons that could go with this week's study:
You could also check out these great resources from the Red Headed Hostess:
Here are some links to some of the past Come, Follow Me posts:
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