Sunday, July 21, 2013

Lesson 28: Zion’s Camp Marches to Missouri

Abraham 3: 24-25
 24 And there stood aone among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and bwewill make an earth whereon these may cdwell;
 25 And we will aprove them herewith, to see if they will bdo all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
 26 And they who akeep their first bestate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second cestate shall have dglory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

Purpose

To help the children understand that trials and tests of faith can strengthen us if we are faithful and obedient.

Preparation

  1. 1. 
    Prayerfully study Doctrine and Covenants 103:1–6, 27–36; the historical account given in this lesson; and Doctrine and Covenants 105:1–13, 18–23. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scriptural and historical accounts. (See“Preparing Your Lessons,” pp. vi–vii, and “Teaching the Scriptural and Historical Accounts,” pp. vii–ix.)
  2. 2. 
    Additional reading: Abraham 3:24–26 and the rest of Doctrine and Covenants 103 and 105.
  3. 3. 
    Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
  4. 4. 
    Materials needed:
    1. a. 
      Doctrine and Covenants for each child.
    2. b. 
      A Pearl of Great Price.
    3. c. 
      A piece of paper and a pencil for each child.
    4. d. 
      Picture 5-27, The Lord Protects Zion’s Camp (62033).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Tell the children you are going to give them a test. Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil, and have the children write the numbers 1 through 7 down one side of the paper. Ask them to decide if each statement you read is true or false and write T for true or F for false by the appropriate number. Read the following statements:
  1. 1. 
    Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. (T)
  2. 2. 
    The angel Moroni talked to Joseph. (T)
  3. 3. 
    Joseph translated the Book of Mormon from silver plates. (F; they were gold plates.)
  4. 4. 
    Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery baptized each other after receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. (T)
  5. 5. 
    The Melchizedek Priesthood was given to Joseph and Oliver by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (F; the Melchizedek Priesthood was given by Peter, James, and John.)
  6. 6. 
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on 6 April 1830. (T)
  7. 7. 
    Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet. (T)
Briefly discuss the answers. If the children have any incorrect answers, have them correct the answers.
Discuss with the children the tests they take in school.
  • Why do teachers give tests? (To see if we are learning certain information or learning how to do certain things, and to help us know if we are learning.)
  • What other tests do we have in life?
Explain that one of the reasons we are sent to earth is to have our faith in Jesus Christ tested. We are here to prove that we will live the way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to live (see Abraham 3:24–25), despite the trials and difficulties we face. Sometimes we do not live the way Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to, but we can repent and change to doing what is right. Tell the children that in this lesson they are going to learn about Zion’s Camp, an experience that tested the faith of some of the early members of the Church.

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

Teach the children about the experiences of the Saints in Zion’s Camp, as described in the following historical account and Doctrine and Covenants 103 and 105. Show the picture at an appropriate time.
In the winter of 1833–34 the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, were persecuted and driven out of their homes by enemy mobs. The Saints had very little food and no protection from the winter weather. Governor Daniel Dunklin of Missouri promised to help the Saints get their land and homes back if they organized a group of men to protect themselves from the mobs, so the Church leaders in Missouri sent Parley P. Pratt and Lyman Wight to Kirtland to seek help and guidance from the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Prophet received a revelation (D&C 103) directing him to organize a group of men to march to Missouri and help the Saints there. This group, which would be called Zion’s Camp, was to take food, clothing, and money to the Missouri Saints and help them recover their homes and land.
The Lord wanted Zion’s Camp to have five hundred men, but if the Church leaders could not gather five hundred they were to find at least one hundred (see D&C 103:30–34). Men gathered slowly, but by the time the camp reached Missouri it contained just over two hundred men, the youngest sixteen years old and the oldest seventy-nine. Several women and children also traveled with the camp. Camp members brought twenty-five wagons with them, but the wagons were filled with supplies to help the Missouri Saints, so the men had to walk most of the way to Missouri.
Before Zion’s Camp started out, the Prophet organized the men into companies, with a captain over each company, and set the rules they were to follow. On 5 May 1834 the men of Zion’s Camp started the one-thousand-mile march from Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri. The men prayed every morning and evening and met together on Sundays to partake of the sacrament and listen to sermons. They had mock (pretend) battles and drills to prepare for attacks by the mobs. The Prophet Joseph said of their journey: “God was with us, and His angels went before us, and the faith of our little band was unwavering. We know that angels were our companions, for we saw them” (History of the Church, 2:73; see also D&C 103:20).
The long march was difficult, and the men experienced many trials. The weather was hot and humid and the roads were bad. The men’s feet became sore and blistered and often bled. The men had trouble obtaining enough good food and drinking water. They often had to eat spoiled food and sometimes had to strain their water to remove insects before drinking it. Because of these hardships, quarreling and contention occurred among some of the men. Some men blamed Joseph Smith for the hardships.
One evening there was an argument between Sylvester Smith (who was not related to the Prophet) and some of the other men. They asked the Prophet to settle the argument. Because Sylvester Smith and some of the other men were so rebellious, the Prophet told them, they would have more problems before they left the place where they were currently camped. The next morning almost every horse in camp was sick. The Prophet told the men that if they repented and humbled themselves before the Lord, their horses would be made well again. The men did repent, and by noon all of the horses were well except Sylvester Smith’s, which died.
When Zion’s Camp reached Missouri, Joseph Smith sent Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde to the state capital to meet with Governor Dunklin. When these two brethren returned, they reported that the governor had changed his mind and now refused to help the Saints regain their homes and property. The governor suggested that the Saints give up all their property in Missouri and find another place to live. Despite this discouraging news, Zion’s Camp continued on toward Jackson County.
As they marched, members of Zion’s Camp were spied on and bothered by members of the Missouri mobs. One mob leader named James Campbell swore that “the eagles and turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Joe Smith and his army … before two days are passed.” Campbell and his companions tried to cross the Missouri River, but their boat sank in the middle of the river and James Campbell and six other men drowned. Campbell’s body floated downstream, and eagles, buzzards, and other birds and animals ate his flesh before his remains were found. (See History of the Church,2:99–100.)
One night Zion’s Camp stopped by the Fishing River. As the men were setting up camp, five mobbers armed with guns rode into the camp and threatened them, warning that the mob was going to attack. Some members of Zion’s Camp wanted to fight against the mob, but Joseph Smith told them to trust in the Lord’s protection. Very soon a terrible storm came up. Rain and hail fell and the earth trembled. Lightning flashed continuously and thunder roared. The storm soaked the mob’s ammunition, frightened their horses into running away, tore holes in their hats, and even broke some of their rifles. The rain raised the level of the river so much that the mob could not cross it and attack the men of Zion’s Camp.
a scourge prophecied 
Early in the march Joseph Smith gave Zion’s Camp a prophetic warning. He told the people in the camp that if they quarreled and complained and did not keep the Lord’s commandments, a scourge (a great affliction or illness) would come upon the camp. The Prophet even prophesied that some people would die because of the scourge. But he also said that if the people would humble themselves and repent, most of the scourge would be turned away.
Cholera 
About three weeks later this prophecy came to pass when a violent illness called cholera hit the camp. The illness attacked those who had been obedient as well as those who had quarreled and complained. Even the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum became sick. Joseph and Hyrum were so sick they thought they were going to die, and they tried several times to pray for help. Suddenly Hyrum sprang to his feet and exclaimed, “Joseph, we shall return to our families. I have had an open vision, in which I saw mother kneeling under an apple tree; and she is even now asking God, in tears, to spare our lives. … The Spirit testifies, that her prayers, united with ours, will be answered” (quoted in Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, p. 229).
After eight days of illness in the camp, Joseph met with many of the group and said that if they would humble themselves before the Lord and covenant to keep his commandments, the cholera would leave immediately. The men raised their hands and covenanted with the Lord, and the illness stopped. About sixty-eight people of Zion’s Camp had suffered from the disease, and fourteen people had died.
At the end of June 1834 Joseph Smith received a revelation (D&C 105) from the Lord ordering the men of Zion’s Camp not to fight against the Missouri mobs. Some of the men of Zion’s Camp returned to the mission fields where they had been serving, and some remained in Missouri, but most of them returned to their homes and families. Although Zion’s Camp did not help the Missouri Saints get their homes and lands back from the mob, it served an important purpose as a test of faith for the men involved. They had to learn to follow the Prophet Joseph Smith without complaining and to overcome the obstacles they faced. The men who passed this test and remained faithful became strong leaders in the Church: most of the first members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Quorum of the Seventy were chosen from this group.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.
  • Why did Joseph Smith organize Zion’s Camp? (D&C 103:1.) What was this group originally organized to do? How many men did the Lord want in Zion’s Camp? (D&C 103:30.) Why was he willing to accept only one hundred? (He knew that not all of the men asked would be willing to help; D&C 103:31–34.

  • What were some of the tests the members of Zion’s Camp faced? (See enrichment activity 1.) What did they do to bring some of these problems upon themselves? How do we sometimes cause problems for ourselves? Why did trials come to those who remained obedient as well as those who quarreled and complained? Why do we sometimes experience trials and problems even when we have been obedient? (Possible answers include to help us learn and grow; to test us; because of accidents; because other people have agency and may make wrong choices that affect us.)

  • How did the members of Zion’s Camp know the Lord was watching over them? How can we know the Lord is watching over us? What can we do to seek the Lord’s help in our lives?

  • Why didn’t Zion’s Camp accomplish what it set out to do, namely recover the homes and lands of the Missouri Saints? (D&C 105:1–6.) What do the Saints need to do before Zion can be established in Missouri? (D&C 105:9–11.)

     Therefore, in consequence of the atransgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the bredemption of Zion—
     10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be ataught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their bduty, and the things which I require at their hands.
     11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine aelders arebendowed with power from on high.
    Point out that the establishment of Zion in Missouri is still in the future. It will happen shortly before the Savior’s second coming.

  • Why did the Lord have these men go through the experience of Zion’s Camp, since he later commanded them not to fight the mobs as they had planned? (D&C 105:19.) What does “trial of their faith” mean? Point out that many of the men in Zion’s Camp proved they could remain faithful. They did not complain, quarrel, or lose their tempers. Their faith became stronger and they learned much about leadership as they listened to and watched the Prophet.
  • How is our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ tested? What trials of your faith have you experienced? How have these trials made you a stronger person?

  • Have a child read aloud Doctrine and Covenants 105:23. What qualities did the Lord ask the Saints to have? How can being faithful, prayerful, and humble strengthen us and help us during trials of our faith? (See enrichment activity 4.)

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
  1. 1.  Bring a small piece of rough, slivery wood and a piece of sandpaper (or bring a sharp or jagged stone and a smooth one, and adjust the activity accordingly).
    •  
      What were some of the problems faced by the members of Zion’s Camp? (Answers may include illness, persecution by enemies, quarreling, bad tempers, spoiled food, unsafe water, and sore feet.)
      As the children name the problems, pass the rough wood around and let them feel it. Compare the rough, slivery wood to God’s children before they are tested with trials and problems.
    • • Would you want to use something (such as a spoon or pencil) made out of this piece of wood? Why not?
    •   What are some of the tests we face in life?
    • Write the children’s answers on the chalkboard. How can we pass these tests?
    As you discuss the tests we face and how we can meet them, rub the wood with the sandpaper until at least a part of the wood is smooth. Compare this to the refining influence of facing our problems and overcoming them. As we overcome problems, our imperfections are “smoothed out” and we become better people and more useful to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
    Pass the wood around again so the children can feel the difference between the rough part and the smooth part.
  2. 2.  Draw two large circles on the chalkboard. Label one Premortal Life and the other Life on Earth. Read with the children Abraham 3:24–26. Explain that our first estate was our premortal life, our life before we were born on earth.
    •   How do we know that we passed our test there? (We kept our first estate—we were born on earth.)
    • Explain that our second estate is our life on earth.
    •  What do we have to do to pass our test here and “prove [that we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]”?
     24 And there stood aone among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and bwe will make an earth whereon these maycdwell;
     25 And we will aprove them herewith, to see if they will bdoall things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
     26 And they who akeep their first bestate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second cestate shall havedglory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

    Help the children make a list on the chalkboard of the things God has asked them to do (such as pay tithing, go to church, and love each other). Have each child choose one or two things to work on during the week and write them on the back of his or her test paper from the attention activity.
    Help the children understand that we will be tested throughout our lives—we cannot keep the commandments for a day or a week and think that we have passed the test. On the other hand, if we break a commandment we have not permanently failed; if we repent and keep the commandment in the future, we will still be worthy to return to Heavenly Father.
  3. 3.  Choose part of the historical account for the children to dramatize. You could write dialogue for the children to use, or you could narrate the story and let the children role-play what the characters might say in those circumstances.

  4. 4.  List and discuss the principles in Doctrine and Covenants 105:23–24 that apply to the children, such as being faithful, prayerful, and humble and not boasting or bragging about what we believe and do. Help the children understand how following these principles can help them in times of trial. Have the children decide what they can do this week to live these principles better.

  5. 5.  Organize the class into a “Zion’s Camp” and discuss what you as a class could do to help members of your ward or branch, such as visiting a widow, participating in a ward or branch clean-up project, or inviting a less-active member of your class to come to Primary. With the approval of your priesthood leader, select and carry out a service project.

  6. 6.  Sing or say the words to “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, p. 164).

Conclusion

Testimony

Share your feelings about having the opportunity to come to earth, and express your desire to be worthy of one day returning to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Remind the children that if they are faithful and obedient, even during trials and tests, they will prove themselves worthy of this great blessing.

Suggested Home Reading

Suggest that the children study Doctrine and Covenants 105:1–6, 9–10 at home as a review of this lesson.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Invite a child to give the closing prayer
.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Lesson 27: The Saints Are Expelled from Jackson County

Lesson 27: The Saints Are Expelled 

from Jackson County

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History, (1997), 147–52

Purpose

To help the children understand that even though we experience problems and trials, we will be blessed if we are obedient and endure to the end.

Review Kirtland Temple:  cut and folds
map
Where?  Map
Who?  
How many Saints had settled in Missouri? 



When? Timeline

"Keep the Commandments"  on iTunes
  
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/doctrine-and-covenants/doctrine-and-covenants-stories?lang=eng&start=25&end=36#2010-06-35-chapter-34-god-warns-the-people-of-zion-july-august-1833

******  http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/doctrine-and-covenants/doctrine-and-covenants-stories?lang=eng&start=25&end=36#2010-06-36-chapter-35-the-saints-leave-jackson-county-missouri-september-december-1833

iTunes or  http://www.lds.org/music/library/search?query=I+will+follow+God%27s+Plan&x=-660&y=-514&clang=eng&lang=eng#d


http://murrayandmathews.blogspot.com/2013/07/primary-5-leson-27.html


Would you stand by while someone else is persecuted? 

Preparation

  1. 1. 
    Prayerfully study Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 and 57:1–6; the historical accounts given in this lesson; and Doctrine and Covenants 97:1–298:1–6, 11–14, 22–27101:1–9. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scriptural and historical accounts. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” pp. vi–vii, and “Teaching the Scriptural and Historical Accounts,” pp. vii–ix.)
  2. 2. 
    Additional reading: Ether 13:1–8Doctrine and Covenants 45:64–67;90:34; and Gospel Principles (31110), chapter 41.

    D&C 45
     64 Wherefore I, the Lord, have said, gather ye out from theaeastern lands, assemble ye yourselves together ye elders of my church; go ye forth into the western countries, call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto me.
     65 And with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may apurchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you.
     66 And it shall be called the aNew Jerusalem, a bland ofcpeace, a city of drefuge, a place of esafety for the saints of the Most High God;
     67 And the aglory of the Lord shall be there, and the bterror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
  3. 3. 
    Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
  4. 4. 
    Practice the chemical reaction used in the attention activity. On the day of class bring baking soda, vinegar, measuring spoons, and two open containers large enough to contain the reaction. If you choose to do the alternate attention activity, bring instead a pencil and a copy of the following message for each child:
    Go di scon stant. Hew ill alwa ysb less uswh enweo beyh im.
  5. 5. 
    Materials needed:
    1. a. 
      Doctrine and Covenants for each child.
    2. b. 
      Picture 5-26, Mormons Driven from Missouri.








Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Place two open, empty containers on a table. In one of the containers, cause a chemical reaction by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of vinegar (if these items are not available, use the alternate attention activity on the next page). Invite a child to try the same experiment in the other container. Observe that the resulting chemical reaction was the same both times. When vinegar and baking soda are combined, they produce an identical reaction each time. This reaction is constant. Ask the children to define the word constant (possible synonyms might be unchanging, dependable, reliable, always the same).
Explain that our Father in Heaven is constant and unchanging. When he makes a promise, we can depend on him to keep it. Have a child read aloudDoctrine and Covenants 82:10. Explain that no matter what trials and problems we may experience, if we are faithful and obedient we will eventually receive the promised blessings.

Alternate Attention Activity

Give each child a pencil and a copy of the message. Explain that the letters of the message are in the correct order, but the spaces between the words are not in the right places. Ask the children to examine the message and put a line where each word space should be. Tell the children not to reveal the message until everyone has had a chance to finish.
Have a child read aloud the correct message (“God is constant. He will always bless us when we obey him”). Ask the children to define the wordconstant (possible synonyms might be unchanging, dependable, reliable, always the same).
Explain that our Father in Heaven is constant and unchanging. When he makes a promise, we can depend on him to keep it. Have a child read aloud Doctrine and Covenants 82:10. Explain that no matter what trials and problems we may experience, if we are faithful and obedient we will eventually receive the promised blessings.

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

Emphasize the importance of continually obeying God’s commandments as you teach the children about the New Jerusalem (Zion); the persecution suffered by the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri; and the Saints’ eventual expulsion from the county, as described in the historical accounts below and the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. Show the picture at an appropriate time.

The Location of Zion Is Revealed and the Land Is Dedicated

Prophets in the Book of Mormon prophesied that a holy city called Zion, or the New Jerusalem, where everyone would be righteous, would be established on the American continent (see Ether 13:1–8). The Doctrine and Covenants describes this city as a place of peace and safety for the Saints, a place where Jesus Christ shall dwell and where the wicked will not come (see D&C 45:66–67).
 66 And it shall be called the aNew Jerusalem, a bland of cpeace, a city of drefuge, a place of esafety for the saints of the Most High God;
 67 And the aglory of the Lord shall be there, and the bterror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
In July 1831 Joseph Smith received a revelation (D&C 57) that this city of Zion would be located in Jackson County, Missouri, and that a temple would be built in Independence, a town in Jackson County (see D&C 57:1–3). On 2 August 1831 Sidney Rigdon dedicated the land of Jackson County to the Lord for the gathering of the Saints, and Joseph Smith dedicated the temple site in Independence the next day. As part of the dedication of the land, the members of the Church attending the dedicatory service promised to keep the laws of God and to help their neighbors do the same.

Section 57

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. In compliance with the Lord’s command to travel to Missouri, where He would reveal “the land of your inheritance” (section 52), the elders had journeyed from Ohio to Missouri’s western border. Joseph Smith contemplated the state of the Lamanites and wondered: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will Thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” Subsequently he received this revelation.
1–3, Independence, Missouri, is the place for the City of Zion and the temple;4–7, The Saints are to purchase lands and receive inheritances in that area;8–16, Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, William W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material for publication.
 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of aMissouri, which is the bland which I have appointed and cconsecrated for thedgathering of the saints.
 Wherefore, this is the aland of promise, and the bplace for the city of cZion.
 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the acenter place; and a spot for the btemple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
 Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be apurchased by the saints, and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly bbetween Jew and Gentile;
 And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to abuy lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may bobtain it for an everlasting inheritance.
 And let my servant Sidney Gilbert stand in the office to which I have appointed him, to receive moneys, to be an aagent unto the church, to buy land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be done in righteousness, and as wisdom shall direct.
 And let my servant aEdward Partridge stand in the boffice to which I have appointed him, and cdivide unto the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded; and also those whom he has appointed to assist him.
 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Sidney Gilbert plant himself in this place, and establish a astore, that he may sell goods bwithout fraud, that he may obtain money to buy clands for the good of the saints, and that he may obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to plant them in their inheritance.
 And also let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a license—behold here is awisdom, and whoso readeth let him bunderstand—that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will as clerks employed in his service;
 10 And thus provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached unto those who sit in adarkness and in the region andbshadow of death.
 11 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant aWilliam W. Phelps be planted in this place, and be established as a bprinterunto the church.
 12 And lo, if the world receive his writings—behold here is wisdom—let him obtain whatsoever he can obtain in righteousness, for the good of the saints.
 13 And let my servant aOliver Cowdery assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place I shall appoint unto him, to copy, and to correct, and select, that all things may be right before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him.
 14 And thus let those of whom I have spoken be planted in the land of Zion, as speedily as can be, with their afamilies, to do those things even as I have spoken.
 15 And now concerning the gathering—Let the bishop and the agent make preparations for those families which have been commanded to come to this land, as soon as possible, and plant them in their inheritance.
 16 And unto the residue of both elders and members further directions shall be given hereafter. Even so. Amen.

The Saints Settle in Jackson County

Many members of the Church were eager to move to Jackson County to help build the city of Zion. Following the Lord’s instruction, they bought as much land as possible for farms and homes (see D&C 57:4–6). The Saints who came to build Zion enjoyed a time of peace. There were no thieves or idlers among them, and they all worshiped God together. Parley P. Pratt said of the Saints in Jackson County at this time, “There has seldom, if ever, been a happier people upon the earth than the Church of the Saints now were” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 93).
As time passed, however, some of the Saints became disobedient. Some were disappointed that the Prophet Joseph Smith had not moved to Missouri, and they began to criticize him. Some argued with or ignored their priesthood leaders because they thought they could do a better job than the men who had been called by God to lead the Church. The Saints allowed a spirit of jealousy and disobedience to come among them.
The Saints were told to repent. They were reminded to read the Book of Mormon and obey the commandments they had been given. Most of the Saints did repent, and they pledged to keep God’s commandments in the future. When the Saints began to repent, the Lord told Joseph Smith that “the angels rejoiced over them” (D&C 90:34).
 March 18, 1833   34 Behold, I say unto you that your brethren in Zion begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them.

The Saints Face Persecution in Jackson County

Although the members of the Church in Jackson County had peace among themselves, some nonmembers in Missouri were afraid of them or angry toward them. When the Saints began moving into Jackson County, the town of Independence was a rough frontier village with about twenty houses and just a few stores. Few of the people living there could read or write. Most of the Saints who came to Jackson County could read and write. Some people had heard the Saints say that God had given them the land in Jackson County. These people feared that members of the Church would take over the county and drive everyone else out. The preachers in the area were also afraid, because they feared the members of their churches would join with the Saints. The preachers tried to stir up fear and contention among the people.
In April 1833 feelings of hate and envy led a mob of three hundred men to meet in Independence to plan how to get rid of the Saints. The leaders of the Church heard of this meeting and prayed fervently for the Lord to stop the mob’s evil plans. Their prayers were answered: members of the mob, unable to agree on a plan, got drunk and ended up fighting each other. However, the members of the mob did not give up their efforts to make the members of the Church leave Jackson County.
In July 1833 a large group of enemies of the Church met again in Independence. At the meeting they pledged to get rid of the Saints “peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.” The people at the meeting formed a mob and destroyed the printing press of William W. Phelps, where the Book of Commandments was being printed (see lesson 22). A few days later a mob of armed men burned the Saints’ crops and destroyed some of their buildings, then threatened to destroy the Saints themselves. Six Church leaders—Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, Sidney Gilbert, John Whitmer, and John Corrill—bravely offered to surrender if the mob would leave the other Saints alone, but the mob refused. The Church leaders finally signed an agreement to leave Jackson County by the beginning of the next year if the mob would leave the Saints in peace.
The Saints in Jackson County were angry and fearful because of the persecution they experienced, and they naturally considered revenge. But even before the Prophet knew completely what the Saints were facing in Jackson County, he received a revelation (D&C 98) in which the Lord told the Saints not to seek revenge but to patiently endure and to work within the laws of the land. The Saints obeyed the laws of the land and asked the government to stop the persecution from the mob, but the mob ignored the law and made their persecution more severe. The Saints were unable to get help from the government; some local government officials were even part of the mob. Most people living in Jackson County were friendly toward the Saints, but they were afraid to defend the Saints against the mob.

The Saints Leave Jackson County

On 4 November 1833, near the Big Blue River, members of the mob began a battle against a small group of Latter-day Saint men and boys. One of the Church members was a ventriloquist, and for a time he frightened the mob by making his voice sound like many Saints who were ready to fight. In reality, however, the mob outnumbered the Saints two to one and had nearly three times as many weapons. Though mob members fired first and the Saints were defending themselves, enemies of the Church spread the story that the members of the Church were attacking Jackson County residents. Church leaders urged all the Church members to leave the county for safety.
During the next two days more than 1,000 Saints fled from their enemies in the bitter cold. One group of 190, mostly women and children, were driven thirty miles over sharp prairie stubble, which cut their feet as they fled. Most of the Saints camped along the banks of the Missouri River, some in tents and some in the open air around campfires, while heavy rain fell. Although the Saints were suffering, they knew Heavenly Father still loved them. One night they saw amazing meteor showers in the sky. The long streaks of light curled into amazing shapes all through the night. The Saints considered this a sign that Heavenly Father would take care of them. Members of the mob, riding toward the river to persecute the Saints again, also saw the meteor showers and were so surprised that they turned back to their homes. They did not bother the Saints for ten days.
The Saints were never able to return to their homes in Jackson County. They suffered much persecution, but they knew that if they were faithful and obedient they would eventually receive all the blessings they had been promised, if not in this life, then in the next. The early Saints were not able to establish the city of Zion, the New Jerusalem, but it will eventually be built in preparation for the Savior’s second coming.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.
  • According to the revelation Joseph Smith received, where will the city of Zion be located? (D&C 57:1–2.) Where will the temple be built? (D&C 57:3.) When will the city of Zion be established? (Just before the Second Coming.) What will it be like?
     (D&C 45:66–67.)     66 And it shall be called the aNew Jerusalem, a bland of cpeace, a city of drefuge, a place of esafety for the saints of the Most High God;
     67 And the aglory of the Lord shall be there, and the bterror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
  • How were some of the Saints in Jackson County disobedient?
     (D&C 101:6–7.)   Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and acontentions, and benvyings, and cstrifes, and dlustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.
     They were slow to ahearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

    What does it mean to be slow to hearken? Why should we be quick to obey? How does being obedient affect the answers to our prayers?
  • What kind of temptations and pressures do children your age face that might lead to disobedience? How can you resist these temptations and pressures?
  • What did the Lord tell the Saints in Jackson County when he counseled them not to seek revenge?
    (D&C 98:1–3.)   Verily I say unto you my friends, afear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give bthanks;
     aWaiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
     Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been aafflicted shall work together for your bgood, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.

     How did he tell them to deal with the persecution of their families? 

    (D&C 98:23–24; see enrichment activity 2.)   23 Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men willasmite you, or your families, once, and ye bbear it patiently andcrevile not against them, neither seek drevenge, ye shall beerewarded;
     24 But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being ameted out as a just measure unto you.

    How can we develop more patience and forgiveness in dealing with those who are unkind to us?
  • Explain that the Lord told the Saints not to be afraid to die for the gospel (D&C 98:13–14). Today the test we face is usually not whether we will die for the gospel but whether we will live for it. How can we live for the gospel? How does the Lord tell us to live?
     (D&C 98:11.)   11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all agood, that ye shall live by every bwordwhich proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.
     12 For he will agive unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will btry you and prove you herewith.
     13 And whoso alayeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.
     14 Therefore, be not aafraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will bprove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, ceven unto death, that you may be found worthy.
  • How did the Lord feel about the Saints in Jackson County, even though they had been disobedient?

     (D&C 101:1–3, 9.)   Verily I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been afflicted, and apersecuted, and bcast out from the land of their inheritance—
     I, the Lord, have suffered the aaffliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of theirbtransgressions;
     Yet I will own them, and they shall be amine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.
     Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with acompassion towards them. I will not utterly bcastthem off; and in the day of cwrath I will remember mercy.

    Explain that some of the Saints were not guilty of serious sins but were still driven from their homes. They received or will yet receive every blessing promised them for obedience. What are some of the blessings you have already received because of obedience? What are some blessings we hope to receive in the next life for obedience to the commandments in this life?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
  1. 1. 
    Name a commandment that we have been given and one way to keep it; then toss a beanbag or similar object to a child. Have that child name another commandment and a way to keep it and then toss the beanbag to another child. Continue until each child has had at least one turn.
  2. 2. 
    Place inside a large sock or cloth bag five to ten familiar items, such as a small toy, a key, a button, a nail, and a piece of candy. Tie the end of the sock or bag in a knot, or tie some string around it to keep it closed.
    Give the children pencils and paper, and allow each child to feel the sock or bag and make a list of what he or she thinks is in it. After everyone has had a turn, open the sock or bag and show the children the contents. Point out that it was hard to know what was inside the sock or bag by looking at or feeling the outside of it. Similarly, we can see a person’s actions, but we cannot see the thoughts or feelings that cause those actions.
    Explain that the Saints were commanded by the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants 98:23–24 to bear their persecution with patience and not seek revenge against their enemies. The Saints could see their enemies’ actions, but only the Lord knew why the mob members did what they did. Only he knew the intent of their hearts. The Saints were to forgive instead of seeking revenge.
    •  
      What happens to people who refuse to forgive? (Feelings of hate, anger, and revenge drive away the Spirit of God. No person who refuses to forgive can be truly happy.)
  3. 3. 
    Tell the following story in your own words:
    During a battle with the members of the mob in Jackson County, Church member Philo Dibble was shot in the abdomen. He was not expected to live—in those days people wounded this way usually bled to death or died from infection.
    The Saints were fleeing Jackson County, and Philo Dibble’s friends did not want to leave him, but he was too injured for them to take him with them and it was too dangerous for them to stay. One friend, Newel Knight, sneaked past members of the mob into Philo Dibble’s home, quickly gave Philo a priesthood blessing, and then rode away.
    The next day Newel Knight met Philo Dibble, nearly recovered, ten miles from his home. Philo told Newel that when he received the blessing, the pain left and his body “discharged a large amount of infected fluid, along with the bullet and even some cloth from his shirt.” Because of the priesthood blessing, Philo recovered completely. He crossed the plains to Utah and was a faithful member of the Church for the rest of his life. (See Dean Hughes and Tom Hughes, Great Stories from Mormon History[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1994], pp. 35–37; see also Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1975], pp. 99–100; and History of the Church, 1:431.)
  4. 4. 
    Help the children memorize Doctrine and Covenants 82:10,   10 I, the Lord, am abound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no bpromise.

     and emphasize to them that when we keep the commandments, the Lord will bless us.
  5. 5. 
    Help the children memorize or review the third article of faith .   We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

    Remind the children that obedience to the commandments of God is necessary for our salvation.
  6. 6. 
    Sing or say the words to “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, p. 146) or “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children’s Songbook,p. 148).

Conclusion

Testimony

Challenge the children to obey God’s commandments. Testify that even though we all have problems and trials, if we are obedient and endure to the end, we will eventually receive all the promised blessings.

Suggested Home Reading

Suggest that the children study and possibly memorize Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 at home as a review of this lesson.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.