Teachers: The lessons in the manual contain more information than you will probably be able to teach in one class period. Seek the Spirit of the Lord in selecting the scripture accounts, questions, and other lesson materials that best meet the needs of class members.

Basic Resources

• Do you want to see this week's Gospel Doctrine lesson? Lesson 40

• Would you like to see the class member study guide for this week? Lesson 40

• You can read the assigned scriptures for this week online: Isaiah 54–56; 63–65.

• Do you have an MP3 player? Try downloading Isaiah 55, which is in this week's reading. For more Old Testament audio, click here.

• The book called True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference is designed as a companion to studying the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets. The book is available online or through Church distribution centers (item no. 36863). It contains brief, simple statements on gospel doctrines and principles, arranged alphabetically. It can be particularly helpful for teaching youth. For this week's lesson, you could read and discuss the definition of "Millennium" in class.

Art

The picture in the upper-right corner of this page depicts the Second Coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The picture is available online or in your meetinghouse library: The Second Coming, Gospel Art Picture Kit, no. 238.

Recent Talks and Articles in Church Magazines

What can we do to strengthen the stake in which we live? Read Elder Charles Didier's personal experience regarding his conversion to the Church: "The church services were so different from anything we had experienced. We easily could have decided never to come back, but instead, we decided to return. What was the motivation? We were immediately and warmly welcomed by the few members there; we observed true worship as we saw the members partake of the emblems of the sacrament in such a simple but true way; we watched as they participated in teaching, singing, praying, and administering the sacrament; and we felt the Spirit of the Lord. These things convinced us that we were among a community of true believers" ("The Church: A Community of Saints," Ensign, Apr. 2006, 48–49). Listen to this article online or download the MP3 audio file.

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated in his April 2006 general conference address, "the children of God in all nations have His promise that He will manifest Himself to them" ("All Men Everywhere," Ensign, May 2006, 78). For examples of how the Lord is manifesting Himself to people of all nations, read section III of this talk. Listen to this talk online or download the MP3 audio file.

Music

Below is a Church hymn that relates to this week's lesson. You could read words from the hymn in class or have your class sing it together. Click on the hymn title below to go to the Church Music site, where you can read or listen to the hymn online. Or, search for other hymns that relate to the lesson.

Isaiah 55:10–11

• "As the Dew from Heaven Distilling," Hymns, no. 149

Additional Helps

• As of December 31, 2005, there were 2,701 stakes located throughout the world (see "Statistical Report, 2005," Ensign, May 2006, 24).

• Do you feel you should cover all the material in each lesson? The Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual provides the answer: "The lessons have been designed to contain more information than you will probably be able to teach in one class period. Seek the Spirit of the Lord in selecting the scripture accounts, questions, and activities that best meet the needs of class members" ("Lesson Format," page vi).

• It may be helpful to read aloud (to yourself and in class) the italicized chapter headings of these chapters in the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible.

• Compare the prophetic vision of Isaiah in Isaiah 63:1–6 with the Lord’s word to Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 133:46–51.

Historical Context

• Isaiah used Hebrew literary techniques that may sound odd to us in modern times. One technique is personification, a form of symbolic expression. For example, the mountains burst into song and the trees clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12)—this is one way to describe the effect the Lord's word engenders among the righteous.