Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Holiday weeks + heavy Church history can feel impossible to cover well. This episode gives Seminary teachers a realistic, faith-focused plan for teaching the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum (D&C 135), succession in the Presidency, and D&C 136 (Brigham and the pioneers)—all while managing shortened schedules and end-of-semester pressures. Learn how to trim, sequence, and stay Christ-centered without turning these days into rushed history lectures.
What you’ll learn
How to frame a short Thanksgiving week: adjust goals, protect tone, and keep it spiritual—not frantic
Teaching D&C 135 with doctrinal clarity (using v. 3) while avoiding “we worship Joseph” misunderstandings
Succession in the Presidency: keys, authority, and why the Twelve lead (what students actually need to know)
Using Saints and selected media to supply context fast—without losing the devotional core
Turning D&C 136 + pioneer stories into “pioneers today” application (agency, covenant keeping, resilience)
When to move/merge lessons and how to communicate “home-centered, Church-supported” to parents
Practical ideas for reflection days, relationship-building, and credit/assessment housekeeping
Quick takeaways for your classroom
Launch the week with D&C 135:3 and ask: How does testimony of a living prophet support—not replace—our testimony of Jesus Christ?
If you taught succession during the recent transition of Church leadership, compress that day and give time back to 135/136.
Pair brief Prophet of the Restoration clips or Saints, vol. 1, ch. 44 with stop-and-discuss prompts.
Recast pioneer as a present verb: students are first-generation pathmakers in discipleship, tech, and service.
Communicate early with families: what class will and won’t cover this week, and how to continue at home.
Suggested chapter markers
00:00 Welcome + why this week is tricky
05:37 Context for D&C 135
14:42 Teaching D&C 135: clarity, reverence, Christ-centered focus
23:46 Succession and priesthood keys (what to teach, what to skip)
31:32 D&C 136 and modern pioneers: turning history into practice
41:12 When to shift lessons; using Saints and media wisely
Resources mentioned
Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
Saints, Vol. 1, Ch. 44 (martyrdom context)
Prophet of the Restoration (selected scenes)
Teaching in the Savior’s Way (Christ-centered planning)
About the podcast
Seminary Teachers Helping Seminary Teachers shares tools, frameworks, and real classroom experience to help you teach youth and YSA with power—week by week.
Subscribe for weekly ideas. Comment with your best hooks for D&C 135/136 or how you manage holiday weeks.
#SeminaryTeaching #ComeFollowMe #DoctrineAndCovenants #DandC135 #DandC136 #JosephSmith #Succession #Pioneers #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #LDS #ChurchOfJesusChris
Holiday weeks + heavy Church history can feel impossible to cover well. This episode gives Seminary teachers a realistic, faith-focused plan for teaching the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum (D&C 135), succession in the Presidency, and D&C 136 (Brigham and the pioneers)—all while managing shortened schedules and end-of-semester pressures. Learn how to trim, sequence, and stay Christ-centered without turning these days into rushed history lectures.
What you’ll learn
How to frame a short Thanksgiving week: adjust goals, protect tone, and keep it spiritual—not frantic
Teaching D&C 135 with doctrinal clarity (using v. 3) while avoiding “we worship Joseph” misunderstandings
Succession in the Presidency: keys, authority, and why the Twelve lead (what students actually need to know)
Using Saints and selected media to supply context fast—without losing the devotional core
Turning D&C 136 + pioneer stories into “pioneers today” application (agency, covenant keeping, resilience)
When to move/merge lessons and how to communicate “home-centered, Church-supported” to parents
Practical ideas for reflection days, relationship-building, and credit/assessment housekeeping
Quick takeaways for your classroom
Launch the week with D&C 135:3 and ask: How does testimony of a living prophet support—not replace—our testimony of Jesus Christ?
If you taught succession during the recent transition of Church leadership, compress that day and give time back to 135/136.
Pair brief Prophet of the Restoration clips or Saints, vol. 1, ch. 44 with stop-and-discuss prompts.
Recast pioneer as a present verb: students are first-generation pathmakers in discipleship, tech, and service.
Communicate early with families: what class will and won’t cover this week, and how to continue at home.
Suggested chapter markers
00:00 Welcome + why this week is tricky
05:37 Context for D&C 135
14:42 Teaching D&C 135: clarity, reverence, Christ-centered focus
23:46 Succession and priesthood keys (what to teach, what to skip)
31:32 D&C 136 and modern pioneers: turning history into practice
41:12 When to shift lessons; using Saints and media wisely
Resources mentioned
Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
Saints, Vol. 1, Ch. 44 (martyrdom context)
Prophet of the Restoration (selected scenes)
Teaching in the Savior’s Way (Christ-centered planning)
About the podcast
Seminary Teachers Helping Seminary Teachers shares tools, frameworks, and real classroom experience to help you teach youth and YSA with power—week by week.
Subscribe for weekly ideas. Comment with your best hooks for D&C 135/136 or how you manage holiday weeks.
#SeminaryTeaching #ComeFollowMe #DoctrineAndCovenants #DandC135 #DandC136 #JosephSmith #Succession #Pioneers #TeachingInTheSaviorsWay #LDS #ChurchOfJesusChris
