Joseph Smith Lesson #35

Joseph Smith Chapter 35- Redemption for the Dead

This lesson begins by telling us about Joseph Smith's older brother Alvin whom becomes very sick and dies. His family asked a Presbyterian minister to officiate the funeral. At which the minister makes it very clear during his sermon that Alvin will go to hell for not being a member of his church. "...but he was a good boy and my father did not like it."(403) How do you think Joseph's family felt during this funeral?

"God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them." What does Joseph Smith mean by "light"? What is another word to use instead of light?

Heavenly Father loves all of us and we are all his children, think of him as our parent. He knows of all the things created in this world, He knew of the Fall of Man and his redemption. He knew the plan of salvation, knows of the living and the dead and gives as many opportunties as possible to be redeemed. "God is perfectly just and merciful to all people living and dead." (407)

The final section talks about our application. It is our duty and privilege to be baptized and confirmed for those who have died with out the gospel. Why is our duty to perform this work for those who have died? How can we benefit from doing this? With the plan of salvation we were sent here to get a body and be tested. The test includes making and keeping covenants here on earth. We have a merciful and just God that want so be fair to all and to do the same for all. That is why we need to do the same work for those whom could not do it for themselves. Scriptures that go along with this chapter include, Isaiah 24:21-22, John 3:5, 1Cor 15:29, Isaiah 49: 8-9, Isaiah 61: 1-3, John 5:25.


This lesson was taught by Michaela Huso
Link to lesson on LDS.org