235.2: Homecoming (D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 12)

Belonging is one of our greatest human needs, and there aren’t many more poignant and powerful ideas than that of “coming home.” This lesson will explore the concept of “gathering”, or more poetically put, our Heavenly Parents bringing us together so we can help each other come home. We will discuss:

• The concepts of exile and return/gathering in the Jewish Scriptures
• The history of the twelve tribes
• the role of the idea of the twelve tribes in the ministry of Jesus (hint: How many disciples did he have?)
• the concept of gathering in early Mormonism
• the place of gathering in the current church, including declarations of lineage in Patriarchal blessings

Recurring Donation:

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One Time Donation:

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Student Reading: D&C 29:1–8; 33:3–7; 37; 38:24–41; 52:2–5,42–43; 57:1–3; 110:11; Articles of Faith 1:10; Our Heritage pages 16–23, 37–39, D&C 39:15, D&C 95:8; 105:33; 110:9, D&C 123:12, 1 Nephi 15:12–17, 1 Nephi 22:11–12

Additional Teacher Reading: D&C 31:3, D&C 45:71, 39:11; 88:81,Isaiah 2:2–3; 3 Nephi 20:22; 3 Nephi 21:22–28; Ether 13:2–12; Moses 7:61–62,D&C 63:24, 36–48, D&C 28:9, D&C 30:5–6; 32:1–3, D&C 42:62, D&C 54:8, D&C 115:6 Isaiah 11:12  2 Nephi 25:15; 2 Nephi 25:14 3 Nephi 20:33; 1 Nephi 15:19–20; 2 Nephi 9:1–2; 2 Nephi 10:8 D&C 109:62–67

Jenne and Ryan contribute an engaging and enjoyable conversation that balances out the lesson.

Continue the conversation by posting your questions and comments here, in the facebook group, or email them to me at MormonSundaySchool at gmail.

You can access my Lesson Notes here

You can access my Reading Notes here.

Recommended Resources

• Conference talk by Elder Nelson on the scattering and gathering of Israel
• Article by Armand Mauss on the early search for the “tribe of Ephraim”
• Article by Armand Mauss on Mormon conceptions of race and lineage 
• Article by Irene Bates on Patriarchal blessings 
• An amazing National Geographic resource about the history and interrelatedness of humanity
• A Nova program and Guardian article on some of the speculative but fun explorations of genetics and quests for the Lost Tribes

Many thanks to Devin Roth for the beautiful bumper music. Check out his arrangement of hymns and other work at DevinRothMusic!

Thanks to Nathan Jones for the audio editing and James Estrada of Oak Street Audio for adding the finishing touches.