Family Home Evening for D&C 137-138

 Before reading Doctrine and Covenants 137:1–5. Grab a paper and some crayons, colored pencils, paint, paint sticks, or something else to color with. As you read, pause between descriptions and have your children draw what they think the celestial kingdom might look like based on these verses. 

Discuss: What do you find in these verses that helps you look forward to living there? What are we doing now to prepare to live in the celestial kingdom with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

1 The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.

2 I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire;

3 Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.

4 I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.

5 I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept;

Now, explain that in D&C 138 Joseph F. Smith (son of Hyrum Smith) described whom he saw in the Spirit world. He listed the following people

1. Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all,

2. Our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God.

3. Abel, the first martyr, was there, and his brother Seth, one of the mighty ones, who was in the express image of his father, Adam.

4. Noah, who gave warning of the flood; Shem, the great high priest

5.  Abraham, the father of the faithful

6. Isaac

7. Jacob

8. Moses

9. Isaiah

10. Ezekiel

11. Daniel

12. Elias, who was with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration;

13. Malachi, the prophet who testified of the coming of Elijah (The Prophet Elijah was to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers, foreshadowing the great work to be done in the temples of the Lord The prophets who dwelt among the Nephites

14. The Prophet Joseph Smith

15. Hyrum Smith

16. Brigham Young

17. John Taylor

18. Wilford Woodruff

19. Other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work, including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world.

Now, talk about some people that you know are in the spirit world. Tell your children a small story about a few of their ancestors that are waiting there.

Here is our version of this lesson.

Family Home Evening for D&C 133-134

 Read D&C 134:1-2

1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.

2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

Watch and Discuss:

To help your family understand the importance of government, watch the video below, and pause to discuss when prompted to do so.

FHE for D&C 129-132

 Read or Summarize 

D&C 130:2, 18-19 and 132:13, 19

2 And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

Activity

Today, you are going to "pack" for the celestial kingdom. Use these verses to find things that you can take with you when you die, and add in your own. For example, you could use a school book and scriptures to represent "knowledge gained in this life." You could use a family picture or other objects to represent other things that you can take with you. You may want to throw in some objects like video games, computers, or phones. Explain that though these things can be good, in moderation, they don't come with you, when you die. This could lead to a discussion on prioritizing things of celestial importance vs earthly entertainment.

Click the Picture below to see how we did this.

FHE for D&C 125-128

Read or Summarize D&C 128:18

18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Activity

Make a paper chain to represent your family. Start with your children and move up, writing each family member's name on a link. If temple work has not been done for a ancestor, you could explain that that link is not yet welded to the rest of the family, and that break in the chain unwelds all of the ancestors after them to your family chain. If this happens, plan a time that you can go to the temple to do the work for this chain link. You can discover family members on familysearch.org. If your chain is short, now might be a good time to start looking for family members and growing your chain.

Watch

Click on the picture below to view a video about the blessings of family history. 

Here is our video of this lesson