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December, Week 1

Day 1

Primary
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 137.
2. In 1823, the sudden death of Alvin, the oldest son, devastated the Smith family. The family asked a local minister to officiate at Alvin’s funeral. As Alvin had not been a baptized member of the minister’s congregation, the clergyman claimed that Alvin could not be saved. Joseph’s brother William later said, “[The minister] … intimated very strongly that [Alvin] had gone to hell, for Alvin was not a church member” (in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 401–3). Throughout his life, Joseph experienced even more loss with his wife Emma, as they buried four of their six infant children.
3. Read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

Mercifully, God’s great plan of happiness and its eternal blessings can be extended to those who did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel in mortality. Temple ordinances can be done vicariously for them. (Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 94)

4. Read this statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

What about those who are not able to marry in this life or those who cannot be sealed to their parents in this life? We know that the Lord will judge each of us according to the desires of our hearts, as well as our works, and that the blessings of exaltation will be given to all who are worthy. (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 10)

5. What will happen to those who are not able obtain the blessings of the gospel in this life? President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained:

Only a very small minority of God’s children obtain during this life a complete understanding of God’s plan, along with access to the priesthood ordinances and covenants that make the Savior’s atoning power fully operative in our lives. …

… Our Heavenly Father is anxious to gather and bless all of His family. While He knows that not all of them will choose to be gathered, His plan gives each of His children the opportunity to accept or reject His invitation. And families are at the heart of this plan. (Henry B. Eyring, “Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 20–21)

Youth
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 137.
2. In 1823, the sudden death of Alvin, the oldest son, devastated the Smith family. The family asked a local minister to officiate at Alvin’s funeral. As Alvin had not been a baptized member of the minister’s congregation, the clergyman claimed that Alvin could not be saved. Joseph’s brother William later said, “[The minister] … intimated very strongly that [Alvin] had gone to hell, for Alvin was not a church member” (in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 401–3). Throughout his life, Joseph experienced even more loss with his wife Emma, as they buried four of their six infant children.
3. Read the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

Mercifully, God’s great plan of happiness and its eternal blessings can be extended to those who did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel in mortality. Temple ordinances can be done vicariously for them. (Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 94)

4. Read this statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

What about those who are not able to marry in this life or those who cannot be sealed to their parents in this life? We know that the Lord will judge each of us according to the desires of our hearts, as well as our works, and that the blessings of exaltation will be given to all who are worthy. (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 10)

5. What will happen to those who are not able obtain the blessings of the gospel in this life? President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained:

Only a very small minority of God’s children obtain during this life a complete understanding of God’s plan, along with access to the priesthood ordinances and covenants that make the Savior’s atoning power fully operative in our lives. …

… Our Heavenly Father is anxious to gather and bless all of His family. While He knows that not all of them will choose to be gathered, His plan gives each of His children the opportunity to accept or reject His invitation. And families are at the heart of this plan. (Henry B. Eyring, “Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 20–21)

Day 2
Primary
1. Today, read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1-24.
2. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, a great-grandson of President Joseph F. Smith, shared the following about the vision that is now Doctrine and Covenants 138.

On October 3, 1918, having experienced intense sorrow over the millions who had died in the world through war and disease as well as the deaths of his own family members, President Smith received the heavenly revelation known as “the vision of the redemption of the dead.” …

The revelation he received on October 3 comforted his heart and provided answers to many of his questions. We too can be comforted and learn more about our own future when we and our loved ones die and go to the spirit world by studying this revelation and pondering its significance in the way we live our lives each day. (M. Russell Ballard, “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 72–73)

3. Read the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency about the work of salvation for all Heavenly Father’s children in the spirit world.

The work of salvation in the spirit world consists of freeing spirits from what the scriptures frequently describe as “bondage.” All in the spirit world are under some form of bondage. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26)

4. Elders David A. Bednar and Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The Savior said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of [heaven].” Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is an essential saving ordinance in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And here in the temple, we do baptisms for the dead. Two members of our Church will come into the baptismal font dressed in white, and there they will be baptized for their departed ancestors. Baptism for the dead was taught by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, and we have the privilege of continuing that ordinance in the Church today in all of the temples throughout the world.

One of the great questions in Christianity is what happens to those who have never heard of Jesus Christ. His is the only name under heaven whereby a man or a woman can be saved. But yet among all those who have ever lived, only a relative few have heard of Him, have had the opportunity to learn His doctrine, and to receive the saving ordinance of baptism by immersion. That is made possible through proxy baptism for the dead. There are some people who will ask if we are compelling or constraining our ancestors to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And the answer is no. It is a loving offering. And they then have the opportunity to accept or reject that ordinance. (David A. Bednar and Ronald A. Rasband, in “Two Apostles Lead a Virtual Tour of the Rome Italy Temple” , ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Youth
1. Today, read Doctrine and Covenants 138:1-24.
2. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, a great-grandson of President Joseph F. Smith, shared the following about the vision that is now Doctrine and Covenants 138.

On October 3, 1918, having experienced intense sorrow over the millions who had died in the world through war and disease as well as the deaths of his own family members, President Smith received the heavenly revelation known as “the vision of the redemption of the dead.” …

The revelation he received on October 3 comforted his heart and provided answers to many of his questions. We too can be comforted and learn more about our own future when we and our loved ones die and go to the spirit world by studying this revelation and pondering its significance in the way we live our lives each day. (M. Russell Ballard, “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 72–73)

3. Read the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency about the work of salvation for all Heavenly Father’s children in the spirit world.

The work of salvation in the spirit world consists of freeing spirits from what the scriptures frequently describe as “bondage.” All in the spirit world are under some form of bondage. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26)

4. Elders David A. Bednar and Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The Savior said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of [heaven].” Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is an essential saving ordinance in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And here in the temple, we do baptisms for the dead. Two members of our Church will come into the baptismal font dressed in white, and there they will be baptized for their departed ancestors. Baptism for the dead was taught by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, and we have the privilege of continuing that ordinance in the Church today in all of the temples throughout the world.

One of the great questions in Christianity is what happens to those who have never heard of Jesus Christ. His is the only name under heaven whereby a man or a woman can be saved. But yet among all those who have ever lived, only a relative few have heard of Him, have had the opportunity to learn His doctrine, and to receive the saving ordinance of baptism by immersion. That is made possible through proxy baptism for the dead. There are some people who will ask if we are compelling or constraining our ancestors to become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And the answer is no. It is a loving offering. And they then have the opportunity to accept or reject that ordinance. (David A. Bednar and Ronald A. Rasband, in “Two Apostles Lead a Virtual Tour of the Rome Italy Temple” , ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Day 3
Primary
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 138:25-52.
2. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life” (“Let Us All Press On,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 118–19).
3. Watch the video about Susa Young Gates and Joseph F. Smith.

Youth
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 138:25-52.
2. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God’s children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life” (“Let Us All Press On,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 118–19).
3. President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained that until the Savior initiated the preaching of the gospel to those in bondage in the postmortal spirit world, there was no redemptive work for the dead:

“The Savior opened the door for the salvation of the dead. Before that time the unworthy dead were shut up in prison and were not visited. (Moses 7:38–39; Isaiah 24:22.) We have good reason to believe that the righteous spirits in paradise did not mingle with the unrighteous spirits before the visit of our Lord to the spirit world. He declared that there was a gulf fixed that could not be crossed which separated the righteous from the unrighteous [see Luke 16:26], therefore there was no sound of the voice of prophets and the Gospel was not declared among the wicked until Christ went into that world before his resurrection. He it was who opened the prison doors.—Isaiah 42:6–7; 61:1.

“President Brigham Young declared that ‘Jesus was the first man that ever went to preach to the spirits in prison, holding the keys of the Gospel of salvation to them. Those keys were delivered to him in the day and hour that he went into the spirit world, and with them he opened the door of salvation to the spirits in prison.’ (J. D. 4:285.) This is in full accord with the scriptures. President Joseph F. Smith, in the vision he beheld of the spirit world, confirmed this view [see D&C 138]. In that world Christ taught the righteous spirits and commissioned them to carry his message and sent them forth among the un-baptized dead. In this way he fulfilled his promise made to Isaiah that he would preach to the spirits of the dead and open their prison doors that they might go free” (The Way to Perfection, 6th ed. [1946], 315–16).
4. Doctrine and Covenants 138:30 teaches that while the Savior was in the world of spirits, He “organized his forces” so that the gospel message might be preached “to all the spirits of men.” Shortly before his death, President Jedediah M. Grant (1816–56) of the First Presidency shared with President Heber C. Kimball (1801–68), also of the First Presidency, an experience that illustrates the order and structure established in the spirit world.

At President Grant’s funeral, President Kimball said: “[Brother Grant] said to me, [Brother] Heber, I have been into the spirit world two nights in succession, and, of all the dreads that ever came across me, the worst was to have to again return to my body, though I had to do it. But O, says he, the order and government that were there! When in the spirit world, I saw the order of righteous men and women; beheld them organized in their several grades, and there appeared to be no obstruction to my vision; I could see every man and woman in their grade and order. I looked to see whether there was any disorder there, but there was none; neither could I see any death nor any darkness, disorder or confusion. He said that the people he there saw were organized in family capacities; and when he looked at them he saw grade after grade, and all were organized and in perfect harmony” (“Remarks at the Funeral of President Jedediah M. Grant, by President Heber C. Kimball; Tabernacle, Thursday, December 4, 1856,” Deseret News, Dec. 10, 1856, 316).

5.President Joseph Fielding Smith pointed out that in our Heavenly Father’s perfect plan, not one soul shall be left out or denied an opportunity for salvation:

“In the justice of the Father, he is going to give to every man the privilege of hearing the gospel. Not one soul shall be overlooked or forgotten [see D&C 1:1–3]. This being true, what about the countless thousands who have died and never heard of Christ, never had an opportunity of repentance and remission of their sins, never met an elder of the Church holding the authority? Some of our good Christian neighbors will tell you they are lost forever, that they cannot believe in the grave, for there is no hope beyond.

“Would that be fair? Would it be just? No! The Lord is going to give to every man the opportunity to hear and to receive eternal life, or a place in his kingdom. We are very fortunate because we have had that privilege here and have passed from death unto life.

“The Lord has so arranged his plan of redemption that all who have died without this opportunity shall be given it in the spirit world” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:132).

Day 4
Primary
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 138:53-60.
2. As part of his vision of the spirit world, President Joseph F. Smith saw many of Heavenly Father’s noble and great spirits. He saw ancient prophets who had faithfully performed the Lord’s work. He also saw others the Lord reserved to be born in the latter days to build temples and perform ordinances for the dead. Such ordinances are made possible through temple and family history work.
3. President Russell M. Nelson testified:

Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that!

Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you! (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

4. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The Lord has given your generation greater access to His holy temples than any other generation in the history of the world.

Have you ever stood in the temple, dressed in white, waiting to do baptisms? How did you feel? There is a tangible feeling of holiness in the temple. The peace of the Savior subdues the swirling whirlwinds of the world.

The way you feel in the temple is a pattern for how you want to feel in your life.

Find your grandfathers and grandmothers and your distant cousins who have gone before you. Take their names to the temple with you. (Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 20–21)

5. How do our ancestors feel about temple and family history work? President Brigham Young (1801–77) taught:

What do you suppose the fathers would say if they could speak from the dead? Would they not say, “We have lain here thousands of years, here in this prison house, waiting for this dispensation to come?” … What would they whisper in our ears? Why, if they had the power the very thunders of heaven would be in our ears, if we could realize the importance of the work we are engaged in. All the angels in heaven are looking at this little handful of people, and stimulating them to the salvation of the human family. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 309)

Youth
1. Today read Doctrine and Covenants 138:53-60.
2. As part of his vision of the spirit world, President Joseph F. Smith saw many of Heavenly Father’s noble and great spirits. He saw ancient prophets who had faithfully performed the Lord’s work. He also saw others the Lord reserved to be born in the latter days to build temples and perform ordinances for the dead. Such ordinances are made possible through temple and family history work.
3. President Russell M. Nelson testified:

Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that!

Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you! (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

4. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The Lord has given your generation greater access to His holy temples than any other generation in the history of the world.

Have you ever stood in the temple, dressed in white, waiting to do baptisms? How did you feel? There is a tangible feeling of holiness in the temple. The peace of the Savior subdues the swirling whirlwinds of the world.

The way you feel in the temple is a pattern for how you want to feel in your life.

Find your grandfathers and grandmothers and your distant cousins who have gone before you. Take their names to the temple with you. (Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 20–21)

5. How do our ancestors feel about temple and family history work? President Brigham Young (1801–77) taught:

What do you suppose the fathers would say if they could speak from the dead? Would they not say, “We have lain here thousands of years, here in this prison house, waiting for this dispensation to come?” … What would they whisper in our ears? Why, if they had the power the very thunders of heaven would be in our ears, if we could realize the importance of the work we are engaged in. All the angels in heaven are looking at this little handful of people, and stimulating them to the salvation of the human family. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 309)

Week 2

Day 1

Primary
1. Today, let’s learn the 13th Article of Faith.
2.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

3. Listen to the 13th Article of Faith song. Can you memorize it?

Youth
1. Today, let’s learn the 13th Article of Faith.
2.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

3. Listen to the 13th Article of Faith song. Can you memorize it?

Day 2

Primary
1. On March 1, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith responded to a request from newspaper editor John Wentworth to provide information about the history and beliefs of the Church. As part of his response, Joseph declared 13 fundamental principles of the gospel known today as the Articles of Faith.
2. Read the Articles of Faith. Now is your chance to memorize and pass off any that you missed!
3. Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following about how learning the Articles of Faith can help us.

I encourage you to use your bright minds to study and learn the Articles of Faith and the doctrines they teach. They are among the most important and certainly the most concise statements of doctrine in the Church. If you will use them as a guide to direct your studies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will find yourself prepared to declare your witness of the restored truth to the world. You will be able to declare in simple, straightforward, and profound ways the core beliefs you hold dear as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (L. Tom Perry, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 48)

Youth
1. On March 1, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith responded to a request from newspaper editor John Wentworth to provide information about the history and beliefs of the Church. As part of his response, Joseph declared 13 fundamental principles of the gospel known today as the Articles of Faith.
2. Read the Articles of Faith. Now is your chance to memorize and pass off any that you missed!
3. Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following about how learning the Articles of Faith can help us.

I encourage you to use your bright minds to study and learn the Articles of Faith and the doctrines they teach. They are among the most important and certainly the most concise statements of doctrine in the Church. If you will use them as a guide to direct your studies of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will find yourself prepared to declare your witness of the restored truth to the world. You will be able to declare in simple, straightforward, and profound ways the core beliefs you hold dear as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (L. Tom Perry, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 48)

Day 3

Primary
1. Today read Official Declaration 1 and Official Declaration 2.
2. Since Joseph Smith’s First Vision, God has continued to guide His Church by revelation. In some cases, that revelation has included changes to the policies and practices of the Church. Official Declarations 1 and 2 announced this kind of revelation—one led to the end of plural marriage, and the other made the blessings of the priesthood available to people of all races. Changes like these are part of what it means to have a “true and living church” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30), with a true and living prophet, led by a true and living God.

But eternal truth doesn’t change, though our understanding of it does. And sometimes revelation casts additional light on truth. The Articles of Faith serve this clarifying purpose. The Church is solidly founded on eternal truth yet can grow and change “according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:15). In other words, “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9).

Youth
1. Today read Official Declaration 1 and Official Declaration 2.
2. Since Joseph Smith’s First Vision, God has continued to guide His Church by revelation. In some cases, that revelation has included changes to the policies and practices of the Church. Official Declarations 1 and 2 announced this kind of revelation—one led to the end of plural marriage, and the other made the blessings of the priesthood available to people of all races. Changes like these are part of what it means to have a “true and living church” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30), with a true and living prophet, led by a true and living God.

But eternal truth doesn’t change, though our understanding of it does. And sometimes revelation casts additional light on truth. The Articles of Faith serve this clarifying purpose. The Church is solidly founded on eternal truth yet can grow and change “according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:15). In other words, “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9).

Week 3

Day 1

Primary
1. Even before we were born, we were part of a family—the family of our heavenly parents. That pattern continues on earth. Families here, at their best, are meant to echo the perfect pattern in heaven.

Of course, there are no guarantees that earthly families will be ideal or even functional. But as President Henry B. Eyring taught, families “give God’s children the best chance to be welcomed to the world with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven—parental love” (“Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 20). Knowing that families are imperfect and subject to attacks from the adversary, God sent His Beloved Son to redeem us and heal our families. And He sent latter-day prophets with a proclamation to defend and strengthen families. If we follow the prophets and put faith in the Savior, even though mortal families fall short of the divine ideal, there’s hope for families—on earth and in heaven.
2. Today, read The Family Proclamation.
3. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Knowing why we left the presence of our Heavenly Father and what it takes to return and be exalted with Him, it becomes very clear that nothing relative to our time on earth can be more important than physical birth and spiritual rebirth, the two prerequisites of eternal life. …

A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive—the setting for the birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and eternal life in the world to come. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why Family,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 51–52)

4. How can focusing on my relationship to heavenly parents bless me? President Russell M. Nelson explained:

Who are you?

First and foremost, you are a child of God.

Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Tonight, I plead with you not to replace these three paramount and unchanging identifiers with any others, because doing so could stymie your progress or pigeonhole you in a stereotype that could potentially thwart your eternal progression. …

There are various labels that may be very important to you, of course. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that other designations and identifiers are not significant. I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: “child of God,” “child of the covenant,” and “disciple of Jesus Christ.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Youth
1. Even before we were born, we were part of a family—the family of our heavenly parents. That pattern continues on earth. Families here, at their best, are meant to echo the perfect pattern in heaven.

Of course, there are no guarantees that earthly families will be ideal or even functional. But as President Henry B. Eyring taught, families “give God’s children the best chance to be welcomed to the world with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven—parental love” (“Gathering the Family of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 20). Knowing that families are imperfect and subject to attacks from the adversary, God sent His Beloved Son to redeem us and heal our families. And He sent latter-day prophets with a proclamation to defend and strengthen families. If we follow the prophets and put faith in the Savior, even though mortal families fall short of the divine ideal, there’s hope for families—on earth and in heaven.
2. Today, read The Family Proclamation.
3. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Knowing why we left the presence of our Heavenly Father and what it takes to return and be exalted with Him, it becomes very clear that nothing relative to our time on earth can be more important than physical birth and spiritual rebirth, the two prerequisites of eternal life. …

A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive—the setting for the birth of children, who come in purity and innocence from God, and the environment for the learning and preparation they will need for a successful mortal life and eternal life in the world to come. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Why Marriage, Why Family,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 51–52)

4. How can focusing on my relationship to heavenly parents bless me? President Russell M. Nelson explained:

Who are you?

First and foremost, you are a child of God.

Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Tonight, I plead with you not to replace these three paramount and unchanging identifiers with any others, because doing so could stymie your progress or pigeonhole you in a stereotype that could potentially thwart your eternal progression. …

There are various labels that may be very important to you, of course. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that other designations and identifiers are not significant. I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: “child of God,” “child of the covenant,” and “disciple of Jesus Christ.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Day 2

Primary
1. The Lord’s prophets proclaimed the importance of children in Heavenly Father’s plan. Wives and husbands can participate in God’s plan by bringing children into the world and raising them in love and righteousness.
2. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained the importance of children in God’s plan.

Eternal doctrine … provides a distinctive perspective on children. Through this perspective we see the bearing and nurturing of children as part of the divine plan. It is a joyful and sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. Therefore, we are commanded to teach and contend for principles and practices that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children under God’s plan. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Divine Love in the Father’s Plan,” Liahona, May 2022, 102)

3. Why is having children important in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness? President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The purpose of mortality is to become more like God by gaining physical bodies, exercising agency, and assuming roles that previously belonged only to heavenly parents—roles of husband, wife, and parent. …

Heavenly Father wants us to … obey His first commandment to “multiply and replenish”—not only to fulfill His plan but also to find the joy that His plan was designed to give His sons and daughters. …

… One essential purpose of mortal life is that we can replicate that family experience ourselves, only this time as parents rather than just as the children. (M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 26, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Youth
1. The Lord’s prophets proclaimed the importance of children in Heavenly Father’s plan. Wives and husbands can participate in God’s plan by bringing children into the world and raising them in love and righteousness.
2. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained the importance of children in God’s plan.

Eternal doctrine … provides a distinctive perspective on children. Through this perspective we see the bearing and nurturing of children as part of the divine plan. It is a joyful and sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. Therefore, we are commanded to teach and contend for principles and practices that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children under God’s plan. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Divine Love in the Father’s Plan,” Liahona, May 2022, 102)

3. Why is having children important in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness? President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The purpose of mortality is to become more like God by gaining physical bodies, exercising agency, and assuming roles that previously belonged only to heavenly parents—roles of husband, wife, and parent. …

Heavenly Father wants us to … obey His first commandment to “multiply and replenish”—not only to fulfill His plan but also to find the joy that His plan was designed to give His sons and daughters. …

… One essential purpose of mortal life is that we can replicate that family experience ourselves, only this time as parents rather than just as the children. (M. Russell Ballard, “The Opportunities and Responsibilities of CES Teachers in the 21st Century” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 26, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Day 3

Primary
1. One reason Heavenly Father sent us to earth in families is to help us experience happiness. In the family proclamation, the Lord revealed how we can achieve peace and happiness as individuals and families.
2. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Whatever bad things may have occurred in your family, I testify and promise that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of the healing, renewing, and restoring that you need. …

With the help of the Lord, you can create an eternal family, even if you did not come from the kind of Latter-day Saint home that sometimes is featured on the covers of the Liahona or Ensign magazines. Please always remember: it begins with you! (David A. Bednar, “A Welding Link” [worldwide devotional for young adults, Sept. 10, 2017], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

3. How can I help strengthen my family? Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

With the help of the Lord and His doctrine, all the hurtful effects from challenges a family may meet can be understood and overcome. Whatever the needs of family members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets.

The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path. …

… The family is strengthened as we draw near to the Lord, and each member of the family is strengthened as we lift and strengthen and love and care for one another. (Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty,” Ensign, May 1999, 33–34)

4. What if I do not have an “ideal” family? The Guide to the Scriptures gives the following definition of family:

As used in the scriptures, a family consists of a husband and wife, children, and sometimes other relatives living in the same house or under one family head. A family can also be a single parent with children, a husband and wife without children, or even a single person living alone. (Guide to the Scriptures, “Family,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

5. What hope is there for a family with a troubled past? Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

With Jesus Christ, the Master Healer and Savior, there can always be a new beginning; He always gives hope.

Jesus Christ is the strength of families.

Jesus Christ is the strength of youth.

Jesus Christ is the strength of parents. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents,” Liahona, May 2023, 59)

Youth
1. One reason Heavenly Father sent us to earth in families is to help us experience happiness. In the family proclamation, the Lord revealed how we can achieve peace and happiness as individuals and families.
2. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Whatever bad things may have occurred in your family, I testify and promise that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of the healing, renewing, and restoring that you need. …

With the help of the Lord, you can create an eternal family, even if you did not come from the kind of Latter-day Saint home that sometimes is featured on the covers of the Liahona or Ensign magazines. Please always remember: it begins with you! (David A. Bednar, “A Welding Link” [worldwide devotional for young adults, Sept. 10, 2017], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

3. How can I help strengthen my family? Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

With the help of the Lord and His doctrine, all the hurtful effects from challenges a family may meet can be understood and overcome. Whatever the needs of family members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets.

The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path. …

… The family is strengthened as we draw near to the Lord, and each member of the family is strengthened as we lift and strengthen and love and care for one another. (Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty,” Ensign, May 1999, 33–34)

4. What if I do not have an “ideal” family? The Guide to the Scriptures gives the following definition of family:

As used in the scriptures, a family consists of a husband and wife, children, and sometimes other relatives living in the same house or under one family head. A family can also be a single parent with children, a husband and wife without children, or even a single person living alone. (Guide to the Scriptures, “Family,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

5. What hope is there for a family with a troubled past? Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

With Jesus Christ, the Master Healer and Savior, there can always be a new beginning; He always gives hope.

Jesus Christ is the strength of families.

Jesus Christ is the strength of youth.

Jesus Christ is the strength of parents. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents,” Liahona, May 2023, 59)

Week 4

Day 1

Primary
1. Today, read “The Living Christ.”
2. On January 1, 2000, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued a declaration known as “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.” Their testimony commemorated the 2,000th anniversary of the Savior’s birth.
3. Watch “The Nativity.”

Youth
1. Today, read “The Living Christ.”
2. On January 1, 2000, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued a declaration known as “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.” Their testimony commemorated the 2,000th anniversary of the Savior’s birth.
3. Watch “The Nativity.”

Day 2

Primary
1.

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, … and on the morrow come I into the world” (3 Nephi 1:13).

“The scriptural story of Jesus Christ,” President Russell M. Nelson taught, “is indeed a two-hemisphere story. While Mary and Joseph in the East were making preparations for the holy child’s birth in Bethlehem, Nephi in the West was being taught by the premortal Messiah. To Nephi the Lord said, ‘Be of good cheer; … on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets’ [3 Nephi 1:13].”
2.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

The angelic announcement to the shepherds was a divine declaration that the Savior’s birth is a cause to celebrate! It replaces fear with joy, glory, peace, and goodwill. The angel said this good news “shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10), so the shepherds “made [it] known abroad” (verse 17).

Elder Neil L. Andersen observed: “What comfort and reassurance Joseph and Mary must have felt as they realized there was purpose in the difficulty that surrounded them. The angels had declared His coming and His noble mission.” As humble shepherds worshipped at the manger, they were adding their witness to Mary’s and Joseph’s that this baby was God’s Son and a divine plan was at work.

Youth
1.

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, … and on the morrow come I into the world” (3 Nephi 1:13).

“The scriptural story of Jesus Christ,” President Russell M. Nelson taught, “is indeed a two-hemisphere story. While Mary and Joseph in the East were making preparations for the holy child’s birth in Bethlehem, Nephi in the West was being taught by the premortal Messiah. To Nephi the Lord said, ‘Be of good cheer; … on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets’ [3 Nephi 1:13].”
2.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

The angelic announcement to the shepherds was a divine declaration that the Savior’s birth is a cause to celebrate! It replaces fear with joy, glory, peace, and goodwill. The angel said this good news “shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10), so the shepherds “made [it] known abroad” (verse 17).

Elder Neil L. Andersen observed: “What comfort and reassurance Joseph and Mary must have felt as they realized there was purpose in the difficulty that surrounded them. The angels had declared His coming and His noble mission.” As humble shepherds worshipped at the manger, they were adding their witness to Mary’s and Joseph’s that this baby was God’s Son and a divine plan was at work.