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September, Week 1
Day 1
Primary
1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 95.
2. As part of the Restoration of His gospel, Jesus Christ commanded the Saints to build a temple in Kirtland, Ohio. Months later, when the Saints still had not started construction, the Savior lovingly chastened them and restated His commandment to build His house. Obediently, the Saints labored diligently to construct the Kirtland Temple.
3. Building the temple was a difficult challenge. There were only about 150 Church members in the area. They did not have the experience or skills to oversee such a large building. Constructing the temple would also put a financial strain on the Church and the members. Nevertheless, they went to work, and the Lord fulfilled His promise to give them “power to build it” (Doctrine and Covenants 95:11). Artemus Millet, a convert from Canada and an experienced masonry builder, moved to Kirtland and supervised the construction. Another convert, John Tanner, provided financial assistance at a critical moment. Men, women, and children in the area donated, time, labor, and resources to build the temple. (See Lisa Olsen Tait and Brent Rogers, “A House for Our God,” in Revelations in Context [2016], 167; Saints, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 210–11.)
4. Watch the video “Building the Kirtland Temple.”
Youth
1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 95.
2. As part of the Restoration of His gospel, Jesus Christ commanded the Saints to build a temple in Kirtland, Ohio. Months later, when the Saints still had not started construction, the Savior lovingly chastened them and restated His commandment to build His house. Obediently, the Saints labored diligently to construct the Kirtland Temple.
3. Building the temple was a difficult challenge. There were only about 150 Church members in the area. They did not have the experience or skills to oversee such a large building. Constructing the temple would also put a financial strain on the Church and the members. Nevertheless, they went to work, and the Lord fulfilled His promise to give them “power to build it” (Doctrine and Covenants 95:11). Artemus Millet, a convert from Canada and an experienced masonry builder, moved to Kirtland and supervised the construction. Another convert, John Tanner, provided financial assistance at a critical moment. Men, women, and children in the area donated, time, labor, and resources to build the temple. (See Lisa Olsen Tait and Brent Rogers, “A House for Our God,” in Revelations in Context [2016], 167; Saints, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 210–11.)
4. President Russell M. Nelson blessed us to make a sacrifice to worship in the temple:
My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. (Russell M. Nelson, “Let Us All Press On,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 119)
Day 2
Primary
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 97.
2. While experiencing severe persecution, the Saints in the land of Zion (Jackson County, Missouri) wanted to know the Lord’s will for them. The Lord taught them about the blessings of being pure in heart.
3. President Russell M. Nelson taught about what we can do to be pure:
The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
Youth
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 97.
2. While experiencing severe persecution, the Saints in the land of Zion (Jackson County, Missouri) wanted to know the Lord’s will for them. The Lord taught them about the blessings of being pure in heart.
3. President Russell M. Nelson taught about what we can do to be pure:
The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
4. What blessings does the Lord provide through building temples? President Russell M. Nelson taught:
Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined. I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can. (Russell M. Nelson, “Focus on the Temple,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 121)
5. How does qualifying for a temple recommend prepare me for the temple? President Russell M. Nelson explained:
Individual worthiness to enter the Lord’s house requires much individual spiritual preparation. But with the Lord’s help, nothing is impossible. In some respects, it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for a temple. Individual worthiness requires a total conversion of mind and heart to be more like the Lord, to be an honest citizen, to be a better example, and to be a holier person. (Russell M. Nelson, “Closing Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 121–122)
6. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
It is our great desire that members of the Church will live to be worthy of a temple recommend. Please don’t see the temple as some distant and perhaps unachievable goal. Working with their bishop, most members can achieve all righteous requirements in a relatively short period of time if they have a determination to qualify and fully repent of transgressions. (Quentin L. Cook, “See Yourself in the Temple,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 98)
September, Week 2
Day 1
Primary
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-48.
2. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives” (“The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97). While not everything in Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–48 will apply to your personal interactions with others, what principles do you find that can guide you to end personal conflicts in your life?
3. Watch the video “Trouble in Missouri.”
Youth
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-48.
2. When the Saints arrived in Missouri to build Zion, tensions arose with the residents of Jackson County. Political conflicts, religious disagreements, and unwise decisions (including failing to build the temple as the Savior commanded) increased the problems. During the summer of 1833, vigilante groups gathered to drive the Saints from Jackson County by force. Bishop Edward Partridge and Charles Allen were beaten, tarred, and feathered. The printing press of W. W. Phelps was destroyed, and pages of the Book of Commandments scattered. Vienna Jaques, along with sisters Mary and Caroline Rollins, bravely grabbed as many pages of the revelations as they could before they were ruined. They ran and hid themselves and the revelations from the mob. In the attack, many Saints were forced to leave their homes at gunpoint (see Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 172–181).
3. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about waiting on the Lord.
Waiting upon the Lord implies continued obedience and spiritual progress toward Him. Waiting upon the Lord does not imply biding one’s time. You should never feel like you are in a waiting room.
Waiting upon the Lord implies action. I have learned over the years that our hope in Christ increases when we serve others. Serving as Jesus served, we naturally increase our hope in Him.
The personal growth one can achieve now while waiting upon the Lord and His promises is an invaluable, sacred element of His plan for each one of us. (M. Russell Ballard, “Hope in Christ,” Liahona, May 2021, 55)
4. What are some ways we can wait patiently on the Lord in times of affliction? President Russell M. Nelson used Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3 to teach about answers to our prayers.
If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. …
The Lord chose His strongest words to reassure us! Seal! Testament! Sworn! Decreed! Immutable covenant! Brothers and sisters, believe Him! God will heed your sincere and heartfelt prayers, and your faith will be strengthened. (Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 35)
5. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives” (“The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 97). While not everything in Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–48 will apply to your personal interactions with others, what principles do you find that can guide you to end personal conflicts in your life?
