For April 5/18 to Read God Word

"April 12–eighteen. Doctrine and Covenants 37–twoscore: 'If Ye Are Not Ane Ye Are Not Mine,'" Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 (2020)

"April 12–eighteen. Doctrine and Covenants 37–40," Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2021

Tape Your Impressions

To the early Saints, the Church was more than a place to hear some preaching on Sunday. Throughout His revelations to Joseph Smith, the Lord described the Church building with words like cause, kingdom, Zion, and, quite oftentimes, work. That may have been part of what attracted many early members to the Church. As much every bit they loved the Church building'south restored doctrine, many too wanted something they could dedicate their lives to. However, the Lord'due south 1830 command to the Saints to get together in Ohio was not piece of cake for some to follow. For people like Phebe Carter, it meant leaving comfortable homes for an unfamiliar borderland (see "Voices of the Restoration" at the end of this outline). Today we tin can come across clearly what those Saints could see just with the heart of organized religion: the Lord had great blessings waiting for them in Ohio.

The need to assemble to Ohio has long since passed, merely Saints today still unite around the same cause, the same piece of work: to "bring forth Zion" (Doctrine and Covenants 39:13). Similar those early Saints, we abdicate "the cares of the globe" (Doctrine and Covenants forty:2) because nosotros trust the Lord's hope: "You shall receive … a blessing so keen as you never have known" (Doctrine and Covenants 39:10).

Encounter besides Saints, 1:109–xi.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Doctrine and Covenants 37:1

What was Joseph Smith translating in 1830?

In this verse, the Lord was referring to Joseph Smith'south piece of work on an inspired revision of the Bible, which was referred to as a "translation." When Joseph received the revelation recorded in section 37, he had completed a few chapters of the book of Genesis and had just learned about Enoch and his city of Zion (run into Genesis 5:18–24; Moses 7). Some of the principles the Lord taught Enoch are similar to those He revealed in section 38.

See as well Church History Topics, "Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible," ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/topics.

Joseph Smith works with Sidney Rigdon on an inspired revision of the Bible. Illustration by Annie Henrie Nader

Doctrine and Covenants 38

God gathers u.s. to anoint us.

The Lord concluded His command to assemble to Ohio by saying, "Behold, hither is wisdom" (Doctrine and Covenants 37:4). Just non everyone saw the wisdom in it right away. In section 38, the Lord revealed His wisdom in more particular. What practice you lot learn from verses 11–33 about the blessings of gathering? Church building members are no longer commanded to gather past moving to ane location; in what ways exercise we gather today? How do these blessings apply to us? (run into Russell 1000. Nelson, "The Gathering of Scattered Israel," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 79–81).

As you lot read the residual of this section, look for passages that may take helped the Saints gain the faith they needed to obey God's commandment to gather in Ohio. Besides retrieve virtually commandments He has given y'all and the organized religion you need to obey them. The following questions could guide your study:

• What do you lot find in verses 1–4 that gives you lot confidence in the Lord and His commandments?

• How can verse 39 assist you obey God'southward commandments even when they require sacrifice?

What else practise you discover?

Doctrine and Covenants 38:11–13, 22–32, 41–42

If I am prepared, I need not fright.

The Saints had already faced much opposition, and the Lord knew more than was coming (encounter Doctrine and Covenants 38:11–thirteen, 28–29). To aid them non be afraid, He revealed a precious principle: "If ye are prepared ye shall not fearfulness" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). Accept a minute to ponder the challenges you face. And then every bit you study section 38, heed for promptings from the Spirit about ways you can set for challenges so that you demand non fright.

See likewise Ronald A. Rasband, "Be Non Troubled," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18–21.

Doctrine and Covenants 39–xl

The cares of the earth must non distract me from obeying God's word.

Read sections 39–twoscore, including the historical background in the section headings, and consider ways James Covel'southward experience might utilise to you. For example, think of times when your "heart … was right earlier [God]" (Doctrine and Covenants 40:1). How were you blest for your faithfulness? Too think of what "cares of the world" yous face (Doctrine and Covenants 39:9; 40:ii). What exercise you lot observe in these sections that inspires yous to be more consistently obedient?

Encounter likewise Matthew 13:3–23.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Doctrine and Covenants 37:3.

To help your family empathize the sacrifice the Saints made to assemble to Ohio, yous could refer to the map that accompanies this outline.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:22.

How can we make Jesus Christ our family's "lawgiver"? How does following His laws make us "a free people"?

Doctrine and Covenants 38:24–27.

To teach children what it means to "exist 1," yous could help them count the members of your family and talk about why each person is important to your family. Emphasize that together you are ane family. You could help your children describe a large ane on a affiche and decorate it with names and drawings or pictures of each family unit member. You could too write on the affiche things y'all will practice to exist more than united as a family. You might also watch the video "Love in Our Hearts" (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or read Moses 7:eighteen.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:29–thirty.

You could discuss contempo family or personal experiences that required preparation. How did your preparation bear upon the experience? What does the Lord desire us to set for? How can being prepared aid u.s. not to exist fearful? What can we do to prepare?

Doctrine and Covenants 40.

What does the phrase "cares of the world" (poetry 2) mean to us? Are there whatever cares of the world that are preventing united states from receiving God's word "with gladness"? How will we overcome them?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week's outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: "Jesus Said Dear Everyone," Children's Songbook, 61.

Voices of the Restoration

Gathering to Ohio

Kirtland Hamlet, by Al Rounds

Phebe Carter

Among the many Saints who gathered to Ohio in the 1830s was Phebe Carter. She joined the Church in the northeastern Us in her mid twenties, though her parents did not. She afterward wrote of her conclusion to move to Ohio to unite with the Saints:

"My friends marveled at my course, as did I, but something within impelled me on. My mother's grief at my leaving domicile was almost more than I could bear; and had information technology non been for the spirit within I should take faltered at the final. My female parent told me she would rather run into me buried than going thus alone out into the heartless world.

"'[Phebe],' she said, impressively, 'volition you come up back to me if you find Mormonism false?'

"I answered, 'yes, mother; I will.' … My respond relieved her problem; merely it price us all much sorrow to part. When the time came for my departure I dared not trust myself to say bye; so I wrote my adept-byes to each, and leaving them on my table, ran downstairs and jumped into the wagon. Thus I left the beloved abode of my childhood to link my life with the saints of God."¹

In ane of those farewell messages, Phebe wrote:

"Beloved Parents—I am now nearly to leave my paternal roof for a while … I know not how long—merely not without grateful feelings for the kindness which I accept received from my infancy until the present fourth dimension—merely Providence seems to guild it otherwise now than it has been. Allow u.s.a. commit all these things into the hands of Providence and be thankful that we have been permitted to live together so long nether so favorable circumstances every bit we have, assertive that all things will work for our proficient if we honey God supremely. Let united states realize that we can pray to i God who will hear the sincere prayers of all his creatures and give united states that which is best for us. …

"Female parent, I believe it is the will of God for me to go to the west and I have been convinced that it has been for a long time. Now the style has opened … ; I believe that information technology is the spirit of the Lord that has done information technology which is sufficient for all things. O be not anxious for your child; the Lord will comfort me. I believe that the Lord will have intendance of me and requite me that which is for the best. … I go because my Master calls—he has fabricated my duty obviously."²

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-doctrine-and-covenants-2021/16?lang=eng