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18: “My Presence Shall Go with Thee” (Exodus 24; 31–34)

After reading this week’s lesson in Exodus, you may be wondering, Why did the Israelites make a golden calf? Didn’t they just see all these miracles that proved there was only one God they should worship? But in this week’s discussion of Exodus 24 and 31–34, we’ll see how the Israelites' experience relates to us and how we can remember to put God first in our lives.

30: "I Am Doing a Great Work" (Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8)

Do you watch DIY shows for hours on end or daydream about home improvement projects? If so, this episode is for you. But if you don’t, this episode is still for you because today we are talking about one of the most monumental moments in all of scripture: the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem. This event was crucial to the Jews who had gone without a temple since their Babylonian captivity. And after the past two years of a worldwide pandemic, we can relate to their hardships and the joys of having a temple once again, even if we have no idea how to read a blueprint.

14: “Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt” (Exodus 7–13)

What is it about the heart? Phrases like, “bless your heart,” “cross my heart,” “young at heart,” and more pepper our everyday speech. But other than the obvious fact that a beating heart is essential for life, what compels us to so often speak figuratively about it? In this week’s lesson, we’ll dive into that question as we study Pharaoh’s response to the ten plagues of Egypt in Exodus 7–13. And we’ll learn what actually softened his heart enough to let the Israelites go.

25: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind" (Doctrine and Covenants 64–66)

Panning for gold isn’t what most people think it is. It takes time. It takes patience. And the payoff usually isn’t a large gold nugget. More often, it’s just a few tiny flecks of gold for hours and hours of work. But over time, those tiny flecks add up to something of great value. The same is true of studying Doctrine and Covenants 64–66. In these sections, the Lord is asking the Saints to be patient, to offer Him a willing heart and mind, and to work for these flecks of gold in their lives. The value of the Saints' determination and sacrifice was beyond measure to them, and it can be for us as well when we take the time to dig into these verses.

24: "That Which Cometh from Above Is Sacred" (Doctrine and Covenants 63)

If trying to follow along with what's happening in Doctrine and Covenants 63 has ever left you feeling like you're on a challenging hike without a map, all is not lost! This week’s guest is an excellent guide as we navigate these intriguing verses. In fact, there’s very few people who would know more about what was going on in the lives of the Saints and the prophet Joseph Smith at this time than her. So grab your scriptures, and maybe a compass, and let’s dig into to this week’s lesson of Doctrine and Covenants 63.

1: “Hearken, O Ye People” (December 28–January 3)

And so it begins—our study of the Doctrine and Covenants! If you’re feeling a little wary, maybe a little intimated, don’t freight. If you feel like you already know everything there is to know about the Doctrine and Covenants, hold onto your hats because we are going study like never before. So grab your scriptures, and let’s dive into Doctrine and Covenants section 1.

30: "The Great Plan of Happiness" (July 27—August 2)

Okay, let's take a second to send a big, heartfelt thank you to Corianton. It's not easy to have a parent call you out for the sins you've committed, let alone have those sins immortalized in the scriptures—ouch. But because of Corianton, and other teachings recorded in Alma 39–42, we learn very important lessons about what it means to be converted to Christ. In this week's study group, we are going to dig into those lessons and learn the foundational doctrines we need nourish our testimony of the gospel.

49: “Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him” (Moroni 10)

This is the time of year we all think about gifts, whether it’s the gifts we’ve been given or the gifts we would like to receive. But what if we could all receive a gift that didn’t come with a price tag? And not just one gift, but as many gifts as we asked for? In this week’s lesson, we’ll dig into Moroni 10 to study spiritual gifts and how we can discover what ours might be and how to cultivate more.

2: “I Saw a Pillar of Light” (Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26)

What do you think of when you picture the First Vision? If you picture Joseph Smith kneeing in a lush grove with his hand raised as two figures surrounded by heavenly light stand above him, you wouldn't be the only one. While this image inspired by the Del Parson painting is an important depiction of the First Vision, it's only one depiction of this historic moment. And so in this week's study group, we invited BYU professor and artist Anthony Sweat to share important details of the First Vision found in Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 that will help you re-picture this vital event in Church history.

36: "For the Salvation of Zion" (Doctrine and Covenants 94–97)

“I love to see the temple. I’ll go inside someday.” For many Latter-day Saints, these lyrics from the Primary song “I Love to See the Temple” are familiar and meaningful. But the early Saints didn’t grow up singing that song; the idea of a temple and temple ordinances was mostly unfamiliar to them. So when the Lord commanded that they build His “house,” there was some hesitation. As we study this week’s lesson in Doctrine and Covenants 94–97, we will see how the Lord lovingly reproved the Saints and the instructions He gave to them that can enhance our temple worship today.