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Conference Talk
For more information on this topic read “The Doctrine of Christ,” by D. Todd Christofferson (Ensign, May 2012, 86).
Thought
The Savior taught His doctrine in the meridian of time. . . . The centuries that followed were illuminated by occasional rays of gospel light until, in the 19th century, a brilliant dawn of Restoration broke upon the world, and the gospel of Christ, full and complete, was once again upon the earth. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ,” Ensign, May 2012, 86.)
Song
“The Priesthood is Restored,” Children’s Songbook, p. 89.
Scripture
And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
(3 Nephi 11:32, 39)
Lesson
Have someone read D&C 11:1 and ask if anyone recognizes the words in this verse. Have family members quickly review D&C 4:1 and 6:1. (See also D&C 12:1; and 14:1.) Ask:
- Why do you think these words appear in so many of these early revelations?
- What “great and marvelous work” do you think the Lord is referring to? (Answers could include the Book of Mormon translation and the restoration of the priesthood, the gospel, and the true Church.)
- What was “marvelous” about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?
- Why is the restoration of the priesthood and the Lord’s true Church “great and marvelous” to you?
Explain that the phrase “a marvelous work is about to come forth” is not found again in the scriptures after D&C 14:1. Read D&C 11:1 again to your family but insert the word “has” in place of “is about to.” Testify of the wonderful thing the Lord has done in bringing forth the Book of Mormon and restoring His kingdom upon the earth.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 21.)
Story
From N. Eldon Tanner:
Two years after this Church was organized, two missionaries of the Church were out in a rural area where there was a man by the name of John Tanner. That man heard that some missionaries from a new church were going to have a meeting in the schoolhouse. Though he was a cripple, and had been for months, and the doctors couldn’t find a cure for his ailment—he was in a wheelchair—he insisted that his boys take him to hear those missionaries speak so that he could put them right—keep them in their place and see that no false doctrine was taught.
He sat right down in front of the speaker, and he heard the one missionary tell about the restoration of the gospel and the apostasy; and the other told about the Book of Mormon, that the priesthood was restored, and so on. John sat there and listened to them, and he never checked them on anything, he didn’t heckle them, he didn’t try to put them right.
When the meeting was over he said to his son, “I want to meet those missionaries.” His son went up and got the missionaries and brought them down and introduced them to him. John said, “Would you men like to come and stay with me tonight in my home?” There he discussed the gospel with them for hours, on into the early hours of the morning. He finally said, “If I weren’t a cripple, I think I would like to apply for baptism.” See the change in that man that took place in less than twenty-four hours when the gospel was preached to him!
One of the missionaries said, “Do you think the Lord could heal you?”
He thought about it and said, “I think he could if he wanted to.”
Then they told him that the Lord has said, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him. . . .” (James 5:14.) They said, “We said, “We are elders and we hold the priesthood of God, which is the power of God delegated to man to act in his name. Would you like us to administer to you?”
He said, “Yes.”
They administered to him, and that very day he left his wheel chair and got up and walked three-quarters of a mile to be baptized, and never went back to his wheel chair. He had real courage, and I am so thrilled to think that that great-great-grandfather of mine had the courage to join the Church and to realize that the thing that meant most in his life was the gospel plan of life and salvation. Because he lived up to the teachings of the gospel, and his son, and his son, and his son (who was my father) did the same thing, I am here today. The most important thing in the lives of any one of those men was the gospel of Jesus Christ and living its teachings.
(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 1, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1970], p. 205.)
Activity
Use a soft rubber ball or bean bag. Players stand in an informal group. Whoever is “It” stands in front of the group, with his back turned. He tosses the ball or bean bag over his head, and waits until he hears the signal from the group. Somebody catches the ball or bag, and then everybody puts his hands behind him and calls out “Find Me!” Whoever is “It” turns around and tries to guess who really has the ball or bag. If he guesses right, the person with the ball is the new “it.” If he is wrong, he is “it” again.
Discuss how the gospel was once lost to the people on earth, but how it was found again.
Refreshment
Rocky Mountain Cookies
These will disappear fast.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups Rice Crispies® cereal
- 1 (12-ounce) bag chocolate chips
In a large bowl cream together sugars and butter. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl. Add to mixture. Fold in oats, cereal, and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350° F. for 10 to 12 minutes or until very lightly browned. Makes 6 dozen.
(Julie Badger Jensen , Essential Mormon Cookbook, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 26.)