Church History Study Guide

5 December 2016

The Church’s online resources offer a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Church. As we study the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history this year, these resources can help teachers and students understand the background of different revelations, bring lessons to life with extra stories and visual materials, and better prepare to answer questions.

Lessons:

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History

“William McLellin’s Five Questions”: This article includes a section that explains how the revelation now found in Doctrine and Covenants 1 was received.
“This Piece of Stone Come to Us Now”: This article illustrates lesson points such as being an active participant and not a mere onlooker and seeing the Church as the stone spoken of in Daniel.

Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”

“Man Was Also in the Beginning with God”: This article gives context for the revelation now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 93.
Life of Christ online art exhibits: This series of exhibits features paintings depicting different elements of Christ’s life and ministry.

Lesson 3: “I Had Seen a Vision”

“First Vision Accounts”: This Gospel Topics essay introduces the different accounts of the First Vision recorded during Joseph Smith’s lifetime.
“The First Vision: Journey to the Sacred Grove”: This multimedia narrative uses immersive images from the Smith farm and the Sacred Grove to tell how Joseph Smith’s experiences led to the First Vision.

“Joseph Smith’s Accounts of the First Vision”: In this series of short videos, scholars address differences between Joseph Smith’s accounts of the First Vision.
Artistic Interpretations of the First Vision: This online exhibit includes selections of artwork from the Church History Museum’s collection depicting Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
“Preparation of Joseph Smith: The First Vision”: This two-minute video depicts the First Vision story as told in the Pearl of Great Price.

Lesson 4: “Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon”

“Book of Mormon Translation”: This Gospel Topics essay discusses historical accounts of the Book of Mormon translation process and the earliest Book of Mormon manuscripts.
“The Book of Mormon: From Cumorah to Grandin’s Press”: This multimedia narrative covers the 10 years between the First Vision and the publication of the Book of Mormon and uses immersive images from the Smith farm and the Grandin Building.
“The Contributions of Martin Harris”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 3, 5, 10, 17, and 19.
“The Experience of the Three Witnesses”: This article gives additional context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 17.
“A Bit of Old String: Mary Whitmer’s Unheralded Contributions”: This article discusses the hosting role of Mary Whitmer, whose contributions helped make the rapid translation of the Book of Mormon possible.

The Grandin Building: Book of Mormon Publication Site: This online exhibit gives details about the publication process for the first edition of the Book of Mormon.
“Ministry of Joseph Smith: The Book of Mormon”: This one-minute video introduces the translation of the Book of Mormon.
“The Gold Plates and the Translation of the Book of Mormon”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website links to known accounts of the translation process.

Lesson 5: “This Is the Spirit of Revelation”

“Oliver Cowdery’s Gift”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 6–9.
“Time Line: Palmyra, Fayette, and Harmony”: This time line lists significant events in early Church history by location and helps show how Oliver Cowdery’s translation work fit into the longer Book of Mormon translation process.
“Your Passion, the Lord’s Purpose”: This excerpt is from an article by Evan Stephens, a hymn composer and former Tabernacle Choir director, on how the Lord has guided the development of music in the Church.

Lesson 6 : “I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost”

“Oliver Cowdery’s Gift”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 6–9.
“All Things Must Be Done in Order”: This article discusses the revelations now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 28 and 43.
“Revelation, May 1829–A [D&C 11]”: This document from the Joseph Smith Papers website is a copy of a manuscript of Doctrine and Covenants 11 in Hyrum Smith’s handwriting, which may have been written as the revelation was dictated.

Lesson 7: “The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel”

“James Covel and the ‘Cares of the World’”: This articles discusses the experience of an early investigator, James Covel, who had to choose between faith and familiarity.
“More Than Food”: This short story describes the gift of faith one girl gained from her mother.
“Repentance as Medicine”: In this excerpt, a bishop from Brazil shares an insight about helping people through the repentance process.
“Rare Footage of First Baptisms in West Africa”: The second video on this page includes footage showing groups of believers making their way into a river for baptism in Nigeria in 1978.

Lesson 8: The Restoration of the Priesthood

“Oliver Cowdery’s Gift”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 13.
Priesthood Restoration Site: A series of articles, maps, and other content helps visitors learn more about Harmony Township, Pennsylvania, where priesthood authority was restored.
“Ministry of Joseph Smith: The Restoration of Priesthood Authority”: This one-minute video introduces the priesthood restoration.
“Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women”: This Gospel Topics essay gives an overview of Joseph Smith’s teachings involving the priesthood and women.
Daughters in My Kingdom, chapter 8: This chapter gives an overview of Joseph Smith’s teachings involving the priesthood and women.
“Race and the Priesthood”: This Gospel Topics essay discusses the history of the racial restrictions on priesthood, which were Church policy from the 1850s until 1978.
“Witnessing the Faithfulness”: This article discusses the experiences of a few black members of the Church in the United States, Brazil, and Ghana leading up to and just after the 1978 revelation that once again extended the priesthood to worthy men of African descent.

Lesson 9: “The Only True and Living Church”

“Build Up My Church”: This article discusses preparations that led up to the formal organization of the Church.
“The Articles and Covenants of the Church”: This article gives further context on earlier documents that influenced Doctrine and Covenants 20.

“Peter Whitmer Home in Fayette, NY”: This article on the Whitmer home has a section about the meeting on April 6, 1830, at which the Church was formally organized.
“Gathering for Church Organization”: This infographic shows the distances people traveled to attend the Church’s organizational meeting.
“Articles and Covenants, circa April 1830 [D&C 20]”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives in-depth information about the Articles and Covenants of the Church and features an early newspaper reprint of them.

Lesson 10: “This Is My Voice unto All”

“Thou Art an Elect Lady”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 25.
Relief Society minutes for March 17, 1842: In these original minutes of the first Relief Society meeting, Joseph Smith explains that Emma’s calling to lead the Relief Society fulfilled the 1830 revelation to her and that “not she alone, but others, may attain to the same blessings” mentioned in the revelation.
“Emma’s Susquehanna: Growing Up in the Isaac and Elizabeth Hale Home”: This article gives background information on Emma Smith’s early life.

“Sally Phelps’s Hymnal”: This article discusses the 1835 hymnal that was compiled according to instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 25.

Lesson 11: “The Field Is White Already to Harvest”

“Joseph Smith’s Support at Home”: This article gives context for the revelations that have been canonized as Doctrine and Covenants 4 and 11.
“The Knight and Whitmer Families”: This article gives context for the revelations contained in Doctrine and Covenants 12, 14, 15, and 16.
“Ezra Thayer: From Skeptic to Believer”: This article gives context for the revelation now found in Doctrine and Covenants 33.
“‘I Quit Other Business’: Early Missionaries”: This article discusses early efforts by men and women to share the gospel, both informally and as formally called missionaries.

“Ministry of Brigham Young: A Faithful Missionary”: This two-minute video discusses Brigham Young’s many missions.

Lesson 12: “The Gathering of My People”

“A Mission to the Lamanites”: This article describes the mission that led to the first conversions in Ohio and Missouri.
“Go to the Ohio”: This article gives context for the Saints’ gathering to Ohio.
“The Center Place”: This article gives context for the revelations now known as Doctrine and Covenants 52, 57, and 58.
“The Journey of the Colesville Branch”: This article describes the experience of Saints from the Colesville Branch in New York with the gathering to Ohio and Missouri.
“A Prophet and a Temple in Kirtland, Ohio: Through the Eyes of Eliza R. Snow and Lorenzo Snow” Get a glimpse into the lives of two new converts: Eliza R. Snow and Lorenzo Snow. Learn about their interactions with Joseph Smith and their experiences in the Kirtland Temple.

Lesson 13: “This Generation Shall Have My Word through You”

“Joseph Smith’s Bible Translation”: This article discusses the translation process and the ways in which different sections of the Doctrine and Covenants relate to the Bible translation.
“William McLellin’s Five Questions”: This article discusses William McLellin as a witness to revelation through Joseph Smith.

“Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham”: This Gospel Topics essay discusses the book of Abraham, addressing questions that have been raised about the relationship between the papyri Joseph Smith obtained and the text we have today.
“Old Testament Revision 2”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website introduces Joseph Smith’s Bible translation.
“Revelation and Family: Joseph and Emma’s Five Ohio Homes” Explore five places in and around Kirtland, Ohio, where Joseph and Emma Smith lived—homes that became places of revelation.

Lesson 14: The Law of Consecration

“The Law”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 42.
“A Bishop unto the Church”: This article discusses Edward Partridge’s role in administering the law of consecration as the Church’s first bishop.
“Newel K. Whitney and the United Firm”: This article discusses the role of the United Firm in handling finances to move forward the work of the early Church.
“Sacrificing Soccer for Service”: This article tells the story of Samuel Borén, a pioneer of the Church in Argentina who turned down a soccer contract to focus on Church service.
“Building the Kirtland Stake of Zion: The Ashery and Sawmill” Examine the sawmill and ashery in Kirtland, Ohio. Consider how these operations helped the Saints prepare to receive blessings in the temple.

Lesson 15: “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”

“Religious Enthusiasm among Early Ohio Converts”: This article gives context for the revelation contained in Doctrine and Covenants 46.
“A Love for Words: The Legacy of Mabel Jones Gabbott”: This article shares the story of Mabel Jones Gabbott, who developed a gift for spiritual expression and blessed the Saints with her poems, songs, and hymns.
“Suddenly the Thought Came to Me”: This article describes how the prophetic dream of a young girl in northern Italy led to some of the first conversions there.
Daughters in My Kingdom, chapter 8: This chapter includes a section that discusses spiritual gifts.

Lesson 16: “Thou Shalt . . . Offer Up Thy Sacraments upon My Holy Day”

“The Journey of the Colesville Branch”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 59.

“Our Living Room Became the Sacrament Hall”: This two-minute video describes how Saints in Ghana kept the Sabbath at a time when the government banned formal Latter-day Saint meetings.
“Revelation, 7 August 1831 [D&C 59]”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives an in-depth historical introduction for Doctrine and Covenants 59.

Lesson 17: The Law of Tithing and the Law of the Fast

“The Tithing of My People”: This article gives context for the revelations included in Doctrine and Covenants 119 and 120.
“Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman”: This article discusses the place and time in which the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 115–17 were received.
“Ministry of Lorenzo Snow: Leading the Church Out of Financial Bondage”: This two-minute video discusses President Snow’s teachings on tithing in St. George, Utah.
“Teachings of Heber J. Grant: The Lord’s Law of Financial Success”: This two-minute video discusses President Grant’s teachings on tithing, fast offerings, and debt.

Lesson 18: “Establish . . . a House of God”

“A School and an Endowment”: This article discusses the endowment of spiritual power the Saints worked toward in Kirtland and the process of spiritual preparation for the Kirtland Temple.
“A House for Our God”: This article discusses the roles revelation and sacrifice played in the planning and construction of the Kirtland Temple.
“Teachings of Joseph Smith: Temple Ordinances”: This two-minute video uses quotes from Joseph Smith to give an overview of the reasons for temple building.
“Sealed Together: The Manaus Temple Caravan”: This 14-minute video describes the long journey Saints from Manaus, deep in the Amazon, made in order to attend the São Paulo Brazil Temple.
“Ministry of Howard W. Hunter: Love for the Temple”: This two-minute video describes Howard W. Hunter’s joy when his parents were sealed in the temple.
“Six Things to Remember About the Kirtland Temple” Learn about the role the Kirtland Temple played in the lives of the early Saints.

Lesson 19: The Plan of Salvation

“Man Was Also in the Beginning with God”: This article discusses an early revelation on the premortal existence that is now found in Doctrine and Covenants 93.
“The Vision”: This article gives context for the vision about life after death and the three kingdoms of glory, which is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76.
“Becoming like God”: This Gospel Topics essay gives some historical context for Church teachings on exaltation.
“Accounts of the ‘King Follett Sermon’”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website links to accounts of Joseph Smith’s last general conference address, which laid out some of his teachings about our divine nature and potential.

Lesson 20: The Kingdoms of Glory

“The Vision”: This article gives context for the vision about life after death and the three kingdoms of glory, which is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76.
“Our Hearts Rejoiced to Hear Him Speak”: This article gives context for the revelations now known as Doctrine and Covenants 129, 130, and 131.
“Vision, 16 February 1832 [D&C 76]”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives in-depth historical background about the vision that became Doctrine and Covenants 76.

Lesson 21: “Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come”

“Peace and War”: This article gives context to the revelation now found in Doctrine and Covenants 87 and discusses how the early Saints responded to prophecies about destruction before the Second Coming.

“Likening the Scriptures”: This quote from Joseph Fielding Smith in a letter to his son during World War II emphasizes the promise of peace in the Millennium.

Lesson 22: The Word of Wisdom: “A Principle with Promise”

“The Word of Wisdom”: This article gives context for the revelation that has been canonized as Doctrine and Covenants 89.
“A School and an Endowment”: This article discusses the School of the Prophets, where the Word of Wisdom was given, and its connection with temple preparation.
“Brother Notaro and the Word of Wisdom”: This excerpt tells the story of one member’s strategy for keeping the Word of Wisdom.

Lesson 23: “Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith”

“A School and an Endowment”: This article discusses the School of the Prophets.

“Preparation of Brigham Young: A Seeker of Truth”: This one-minute video deals with Brigham Young’s desire to study things out and learn by faith.

“Unto the Least of These”: This 14-minute video tells the story of Olivas Aoy, an early Latter-day Saint and pioneer in education in El Paso, Texas.
“Revelation, 27–28 December 1832 [D&C 88:1–126]” and “Revelation, 3 January 1833 [D&C 88:127–137]”: These pages from the Joseph Smith Papers website introduce two revelations that were merged into Doctrine and Covenants 88.

Lesson 24: “Be Not Deceived, but Continue in Steadfastness”

“All Things Must Be Done in Order”: This article gives context for the revelations included in Doctrine and Covenants 28 and 43.
“The Faith and Fall of Thomas Marsh”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 31 and 112.
“Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley”: This article contrasts the different ways in which two early missionaries dealt with their unmet expectations and disappointment following their first trip to Missouri.

Lesson 25: Priesthood: “The Power of Godliness”

“Restoring the Ancient Order”: This article describes the origins of priesthood councils and quorums.
“Within the Walls of Liberty Jail”: This article gives context for the revelation contained in Doctrine and Covenants 121, 122, and 123.
“Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women”: This Gospel Topics essay gives an overview of Joseph Smith’s teachings involving the priesthood and women.
“Revelation, 22–23 September 1832 [D&C 84]”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives an in-depth historical introduction for Doctrine and Covenants 84.
“Priesthood Offices Restored”: This infographic illustrates the restoration and organization of priesthood offices leading up to the Kirtland Temple dedication and the subsequent restoration of additional priesthood keys.

Lesson 26: “Go Ye into All the World, and Preach My Gospel”

“‘I Quit Other Business’: Early Missionaries”: This article discusses early efforts by men and women to share the gospel, both informally and as formally called missionaries.
“This Grand Opportunity”: This eight-minute video tells the story of how sisters began to be called as full-time missionaries in the 1890s.
“Take Special Care of Your Family”: This article gives insight into Mary Ann Angell Young’s experience during Brigham Young’s missions.

Lesson 27: “They Must Needs Be Chastened and Tried, Even as Abraham”

“Waiting for the Word of the Lord”: This article discusses the crisis created by early persecution of the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, and the role that revelation played in the Saints’ response.
“The Acceptable Offering of Zion’s Camp”: This article uses the perspective of Nathan Baldwin to help tell the story of Zion’s Camp.
“Revelation, 16–17 December 1833 [D&C 101]”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives in-depth historical background for Doctrine and Covenants 101.

Lesson 28: “O God, Where Art Thou?”

“Light in the Darkness, Liberty in a Jail”: This narrative will help you contemplate the suffering of Joseph Smith and other captives in Liberty Jail and ponder the power of the revelations Joseph received there.
“Within the Walls of Liberty Jail”: This article gives context for Doctrine and Covenants 121, 122, and 123.
“Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints”: This Gospel Topics essay gives historical context for violence both against and by Latter-day Saints in the 19th century.
“Waiting for the Word of the Lord”: This article discusses the crisis created by early persecution of the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, and the role that revelation played in the Saints’ response.
“Preparation of Joseph Smith: Strengthened by Trials”: This two-minute video features quotes from Joseph Smith about trials.
The Armenian Exodus: This online exhibit describes the trials of Latter-day Saints in Turkey and Syria during and after World War I.
“Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 March 1839”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives the text of the longer letter that Doctrine and Covenants 121 and 122 were extracted from.

Lesson 29: Building the Kingdom of God in Nauvoo, Illinois

“Organizing the Church in Nauvoo”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 124 and 125.
Daughters in My Kingdom, chapter 2: This chapter explains how the Relief Society was founded in Nauvoo.
Nauvoo Relief Society minute book: The original records of the Nauvoo Relief Society are now available online.
“Take Special Care of Your Family”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 126.

Lesson 30: “The Prisoners Shall Go Free”

“Letters on Baptism for the Dead”: This article gives context for the revelations included in Doctrine and Covenants 127 and 128.
“Ministry of John Taylor: Work for the Dead”: This one-minute video highlights John Taylor’s teachings on redeeming the dead.

Lesson 31: “Sealed . . . for Time and for All Eternity”

“Our Hearts Rejoiced to Hear Him Speak”: This article gives context for the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 129, 130, and 131.
“Plural Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”: This Gospel Topics essay discusses the origins of plural marriage in the Church, the practice in early Utah, and the end of plural marriage in the 1890s and early 1900s.
“Mercy Thompson and the Revelation on Marriage”: This article tells the story of Mercy Thompson to introduce early teachings on eternal and plural marriage.
“The Messenger and the Manifesto”: This article gives historical context for Official Declaration 1.

Lesson 32: “To Seal the Testimony”

“Remembering the Martyrdom”: This article discusses the Saints’ early responses to the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
“Ministry of Joseph Smith: Sealed His Testimony with His Blood”: This one-minute video introduces Joseph Smith’s imprisonment in Carthage Jail and his martyrdom.

“Who Killed Joseph Smith?”: This article discusses events leading up to the martyrdom.
“Hyrum Smith: A Man of Mildness and Integrity”: This article discusses Hyrum Smith and includes a photo of the clothes he wore in Carthage Jail.

Lesson 33: President Brigham Young Leads the Saints

“Preparation of Brigham Young: The Preparation of a Leader”: This two-minute video gives background on Brigham Young.
“Preparation of Brigham Young: A Friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith”: This two-minute video describes Brigham Young’s relationship with Joseph Smith.

Lesson 34: Faith in Every Footstep

“This Shall Be Our Covenant”: This article shows how difficulties crossing Iowa helped lead to the Lord revealing what is now known as Doctrine and Covenants 136.
Saints at Devil’s Gate: This exhibit combines artistic depictions of landscapes along the pioneer trail with journal excerpts and photos of the pioneers who wrote them.
Mormon Pioneers: 1847–Today: This page links to a wide variety of resources on Mormon pioneers.
“‘In My Father’s House Are Many Mansions’: Green Flake’s Legacy of Faith”: This article tells the story of Green Flake, an African American member of the 1847 vanguard company.
Pioneer Day infographics: These infographics give insight into pioneer life on the trail.

Lesson 35: “A Mission of Saving”

“Five Things You Might Not Know about the Handcart Rescue”: This gallery highlights some key facts about the rescue of the Willie and Martin handcart companies.
Willie and Martin Remembered: This online exhibit gives artistic depictions of the two handcart companies’ experiences.
“How the Rescue of Handcart Pioneers Helped Revive the Relief Society”: This article discusses the connection between the handcart rescue and Relief Society history.
“Time Line: Rescues of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies and the Hodgetts and Hunt Wagon Companies”: This time line helps lay out the order of events for the companies and rescuers.
“Relief Society and Revolution”: This short story highlights the work of Relief Society sisters who made great sacrifices to care for others during the Mexican Revolution.

Lesson 36: “The Desert Shall Rejoice, and Blossom as the Rose”

“Ministry of Brigham Young: The Master Builder”: This two-minute video introduces some key building and colonization projects led by Brigham Young.
Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Database: This database allows people to search for individual pioneers and find out more about them.

Lesson 37: “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet”

“All Things Must Be Done in Order”: This article discusses early revelations on the role of the prophet in the Church.
Prophets of the Restoration: This section has resources on the life and ministry of each Church President.

Lesson 38: “In Mine Own Way”

“Ministry of Harold B. Lee: Organizing the Church Welfare Program”: This three-minute video highlights the role of Harold B. Lee as a young stake president and then as an Apostle in the foundation of the Church’s welfare plan.
“Teachings of George Albert Smith: A Personal Creed: Care for the Needy”: This two-minute video discusses Church relief efforts after World War II.

“Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Rescuing Those in Need”: This five-minute video discusses Thomas S. Monson’s commitment to personal ministry to those in need.
“That We Might Be One”: This 12-minute video describes how Dutch Saints overcame hard feelings to serve German Saints after World War II.

Lesson 39: “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers”

“Susa Young Gates and the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”: This article gives context for the vision that has been canonized as Doctrine and Covenants 138.
“Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead”: This seven-minute video discusses how Alvin Smith’s death helped shape the questions that led to revelation on baptism for the dead.
“Ministry of Wilford Woodruff: The Work of the Temple”: This two-minute video highlights Wilford Woodruff’s teachings on redeeming the dead.
“Ministry of Joseph F. Smith: A Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”: This three-minute video introduces the vision recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 138.

Lesson 40: Finding Joy in Temple and Family History Work

“Sealed Together: The Manaus Temple Caravan”: This 14-minute video describes the long journey Saints from Manaus, deep in the Amazon, made in order to attend the São Paulo Brazil Temple.
“Teachings of Wilford Woodruff: Gather Family Records”: This two-minute video discusses Wilford Woodruff’s teachings that all members should be sealed to their own ancestors, instead of being sealed as adopted children to missionaries or Church leaders they admired, as many had done in early Utah.
“Ministry of John Taylor: Work for the Dead”: This one-minute video shares some of John Taylor’s teachings on the importance of temple work.

Lesson 41: “Every Member a Missionary”

“Teachings of David O. McKay: Every Member a Missionary”: This two-minute video introduces President McKay’s slogan, “Every member a missionary.”
“Yoga Missionary”: This excerpt describes one member’s strategy for sharing the gospel in Communist-era Czechoslovakia.

Lesson 42: Continuing Revelation to Latter-day Prophets

“Witnessing the Faithfulness”: This article tells selected stories of how Official Declaration 2 changed the lives of Latter-day Saints in the United States, Brazil, and Ghana.
“Race and the Priesthood”: This Gospel Topics essay gives historical context for the priesthood restriction and discusses the Church’s position on some past theories about it.
“A Personal Essay on Race and the Priesthood”: In a four-part essay, Ahmad Corbitt gives his perspective on race and the priesthood.
“Ministry of David O. McKay: Church Correlation”: This two-minute video discusses the early stages of Church correlation.
“Ministry of Harold B. Lee: The Purposes of Priesthood Correlation”: This one-minute video highlights President Lee’s teachings on correlation and families.
“Ministry of Spencer W. Kimball: The Priesthood to All Worthy Men”: This two-minute video discusses Official Declaration 2.

Lesson 43: “Take upon You My Whole Armor”

“Preparation of Joseph F. Smith: I Am Clean”: This two-minute video shares the story of a dream Joseph F. Smith had about moral cleanliness.

Lesson 44: Being Good Citizens

“Of Governments and Laws”: This article gives context for the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 134.
“Housewife in a Foreign War Zone”: This presentation tells the story of Carol Gray’s commitment to working with others to promote peace in her region.
“Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson: Patriotism and Love of Country”: This one-minute video highlights President Benson’s service to his country.
John Taylor sermon, October 10, 1852: This sermon’s section “Reflections on War and Power” acknowledges some of the shortcomings of governments even as Church members try to contribute positively to society.
“Religious Freedom”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website contains writings and statements from Joseph Smith on religious freedom and includes links to the original sources.

Lesson 45: “The Family Is Ordained of God”

“Teachings of Harold B. Lee: Protecting the Home, Marriage, and Family”: This two-minute video discusses the origin of family home evening.
“Ministry of Joseph F. Smith: Family Home Evening Inaugurated”: This two-minute video discusses the origin of family home evening.
“Teachings of David O. McKay: The Importance of a Strong Family”: This two-minute video talks about the value of family.

Lesson 46: “Zion—The Pure in Heart”

“Newel K. Whitney and the United Firm”: This article describes the purpose of the United Firm, which came to be known as the United Order.
“Teachings of Joseph Smith: Preparing for Zion”: This two-minute video introduces the concept of Zion.