Come, Follow Me 2021 Doctrine and Covenants 135-136 Resources and Insights,
This post contains affiliate links. See the full disclosure.
Last week, we will be discussing how the Doctrine of Covenants can help prepare us to do the Lord's work. We learn that wants us to continually prepare for His second coming and that it will be glorious for those who are righteous and prepared.
This week, we will be studying the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. How they sealed their testimonies of this restored gospel with their blood. We also discuss how the Lord will give you counsel for your journeyings.
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:
The other night I was preparing for a talk that I’d be giving at a Stake Primary leadership meeting. I had the topic of my talk on my mind as I was going to bed. As often happens when I’m trying to go to sleep my mind is wandering and thinking. The topic of my talk was Christlike love for others. I had been asked to share an image for our handout. I wanted something new, so that was on my mind as well.
The image of the Savior speaking to a child and women and children surrounding him came to my mind. Then, the scripture, “Suffer the little children to come unto me” (Matthew 10:14), came to my mind. Then I thought about how, we are invited to bring our children unto Christ. We do this as we teach our primary children and children in our own homes about Him. I knew this is what I needed to paint & what I needed to talk about. It was dark in our room, but I knew that if I didn’t write this inspiration down, I might forget it when morning came. But I also didn’t want to wake up my husband. Finally, I had resolved that it was important and needed to get written down, so I grabbed my phone & hurried & typed it up in my notes.
I tell you this big long story, because I have a testimony that the Lord will prompt us and inspire us. When those inspirations come, we need to write them down and act upon them. Whether it be when we are studying the scriptures, busy doing our work throughout the day, or laying in a dark room at night!
I saw this quote at the top of this week’s study and knew that it had to be shared! How grateful I am for the promptings of the Lord in my life!! ♥️♥️
Here’s the link to this week’s study:
Day 2:
I always love to see how I have apply the scriptures and gospel teachings into my own life. So, I spent a lot of time reading, studying and pondering over the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. Here are somethings we can learn from their martyrdom:
1- Joseph and Hyrum were examples of taking upon them the nane of Christ and submitting to the Father’s will. We can learn much from their examples of faith.
2- What mattered to Joseph is what the Lord thought of him. I think that is what I love from this scripture, that “he died great in the eyes of God”. Do we worry more about what the world thinks or what God thinks?
3- Joseph’s work continues as does the work of the Lord and the restoration of the gospel. The deaths of Joseph & Hyrum did not stop their work or progression, I’m sure they have much work that they are participating in on the other side of the veil. Their death did not stop the progression of restoration of the gospel and the Lord’s church! It continues today!!
4- What Joseph, Emma & the early Saints went through strengthens my testimony. Some argue that Joseph & Emma made everything up. I can not see that! It is not even a possibility to me! My testimony is solid!! The more I learn and study about Joseph and Emma and the early days of the church, the more solidified my testimony is. They remained faithful throughout everything that they went through! And they went through a lot!!!
I’m sure I could continue on and on about things that I’ve learned from the martyrdom and how it effects and applies to my life. I am grateful to Joseph and Hyrum and their families. They sacrificed so much, and we are direct recipients of the blessings that come from their faith and the restoration of the Lord’s church ♥️
Here’s some great resources:
The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
Joseph Smith Lecture 8: The Last Months and Martyrdom
The Martyrdom: The Prophet Seals His Testimony with His Blood
Day 3:
One day, I was watching a movie about the prophet, Joseph Smith titled, “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” while watching this movie I had the spirit strongly confirm to me that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I had thought I had a testimony of Joseph before, but that moment solidified it and the more I have learned of Joseph the more that testimony has been reaffirmed.
In this week’s lesson it asks for us to write down and share our testimony of Joseph Smith. There might be someone out there that needs to hear it. In a world where there is much negative spoken of Joseph, those who have a testimony of him, need to share it.
I know that Joseph was not perfect, he is a mortal man, who was called of God to do his work. But to me it is undeniable the blessings in my life that have come from the restoration of the Lord’s gospel and the translation of the Book of Mormon. I look at everything Joseph went through throughout his life. Even in the deepest darkest trials he faced, he turned to the Lord and remained faithful to him. As I’ve studied the Doctrine and Covenants and the Saints books, my faith has been strengthened and my appreciation for Joseph and his role in the restoration has grown. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God! I know that he is a prophet of God! I’m grateful for that testimony.
Here’s a link to that movie:
Day 4:
Oh how I love this quote!! ♥️ Gratitude is a very powerful thing!! I received a phone call the other day, asking me to speak in our sacrament meeting this upcoming Sunday on the topic of gratitude
So, between that and the fact it’s Thanksgiving today, let’s just say that gratitude has been on my mind!! From experience, when I fill my mind and heart with gratitude, it definitely changes my attitude. It changes the way I look at things, making my outlook be more positive.
So as, Thanksgiving day is coming to an end, might we make every day a day of thanksgiving. That we might be more mindful of the things we do have, that we might recognize the Lord’s hand in our lives. As I’ve thought about the saints who had to leave their land and property and migrate west, I am sure that having a grateful heart helped to sustain them through their hardships. It can sustain us through ours as well! ♥️♥️
Here’s a wonderful article I found & it’s where I got the quote:
Day 5:
We were discussing D&C 136 tonight. I really liked that it pointed out in the study that the conduct of the Saints was more important than their destination. How can we apply that into our own lives?
When we are living the doctrine of Christ, it shows in our conduct. It shows that we are striving to be more like our Savior. How important it is in our world today, to live our lives with integrity. Not just saying what we believe, but actually living it.
We had extended family over the other night & were doing some Come, Follow Me discussion. One thing we talked about is that there is always someone watching and that we want to be good examples and representatives of Christ. We never know what seed we might plant in someone’s heart because of our conduct. ❤️
Here’s the link to that talk I got the quote from:
Day 6:
Do you remember the covenants you’ve made through ordinances? That’s one of the questions I asked my family tonight. For my boys it’s the ordinance of baptism.
The next question was, do you live your covenants?
With baptism, we are reminded of the promises we’ve made, each time we listen to the sacrament prayers. We promise to keep the commandments, take the Savior’s name upon us and to remember Him always. I think that the latter two, helps us to keep the commandments. When we remember the Savior and think about what He would have us do, then we will be more prone to keep His commandments.
From keeping our covenants, we receive the blessings of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Who will inspire us to do good and witness to us the truth of all things.
I’m grateful for a Heavenly Father who makes covenants with us and gives us every opportunity to help us keep our side of the promise ♥️
Here’s a link to a great talk that I studied tonight:
Great Podcasts/YouTube Videos that go with this week's discussion:
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:
November Kits
Here are some links to some of the past Come, Follow Me posts:
No comments:
Post a Comment