Seminary Escape Room:

Doctrine and Covenants 22–23

Items needed:
Printout of clues
Bike lock with changeable code
Key to library

Instructions:

Use the code 2223 for the bike lock and place around the handles on the baptismal font.

Tape the library key to the bishop’s door

1. Give students clue #1 After they have discussed the questions. You
may need to hint that they study the quote for a clue. The clue should
lead them to a key (library key) on the Bishops door. (You can make a
puzzle for them to open to get the key). Somewhere on the Bishops
door place Clue #2

2. After reading and discussing the questions you many need to suggest
they study the note for a clue as to what the key will unlock (Our library
has a short door that closes when the main door is open thus the clue
in #2 is a gate if your library doesn’t include a gate you may need to
use a different puzzle and clue for #2)

3. Place somewhere on the gate of the library clue # 3. After reading

each bio and D&C 23 the students hopefully picked up on the repeated
instruction “exhortation”. You many need to hint that the place in the
building where exhortation takes place is the pulpit.

4. On the pulpit place clue #4 which will instruct them to return to the
room to write a principle on the board. On the board place Clue #5 in
an envelop.

5. As they read the review they should take note which section each
principle was taught. Use 2223 as the code to open the bike lock on
the baptismal font doors. Place the journal activity inside the baptismal
font doors. (you may need to ask someone to unlock the doors for you)
Clue 1:
During the Great Apostasy, the ordinances of Jesus Christ’s Church were changed, eliminated, or
performed without proper authority. The revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 22 was
prompted by questions many individuals had about baptism. Many of those seeking membership in
the Church had been baptized in their former faiths. They wondered why they had to be baptized
again. Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord concerning their question. In response, the Lord taught an
important doctrine of the Restoration of the gospel.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 22:1

“The new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel. [See D&C
66:2.] It is composed of ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths,
vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations’ that are
sealed upon members of the Church by the Holy Spirit of promise, or
the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the President of the Church who holds the
keys. [See D&C 132:7.] The President of the Church holds the keys of the
Melchizedek Priesthood. He delegates authority to others and authorizes them to perform
the sacred ordinances of the priesthood.
“Marriage for eternity is a new and everlasting covenant. Baptism is also a new and
everlasting covenant [see D&C 132:22], and likewise ordination to the priesthood, and every
other covenant is everlasting and a part of the new and everlasting covenant which
embraces all things” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols.
[1957–66], 1:65).
Discuss:
 How might learning about the new and everlasting covenant be helpful to those who have been
baptized without priesthood authority?

 By what authority are ordinances administered under the new and everlasting covenant? (The
authority of the priesthood.)

Write the doctrine that we learn from this section on the white board.
Clue 2:
Read Doctrine and Covenants 22:2–4 aloud. Identify phrases that indicate the Lord does not accept
baptisms performed without priesthood authority. In this revelation, the Lord referred to the ordinance
of baptism as entering in at “the strait gate” (see D&C 22:2).
Discuss:
In what sense are unauthorized baptisms “dead works”?
According to Doctrine and Covenants 22:3, what did the Lord do because of the dead works that
were being performed at that time?
How have you been blessed because you belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints—the only church that has the authority to perform essential ordinances?

Clue 3:
Discuss:
Think of a time when you received some much-needed words of encouragement or direction from
another person.

Look at the introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 23 and identify the five men addressed in this
section. This revelation was given with specific instruction from the Lord for each of these men. As
you read look for lessons you can learn as you study the Lord’s words to these men. The following
biographical sketches provide helpful context for Doctrine and Covenants 23.
 Hyrum Smith, an older brother of the Prophet, assisted in the publication of the Book of
Mormon by working directly with the printer. He served as president of the first branch of the Church
in Colesville, New York. Hyrum was faithful to the Lord and the Church throughout his life.

Samuel Smith, a younger brother of the Prophet, was baptized in May 1829. In June 1830, he
departed on a mission and placed a Book of Mormon that would eventually lead to the conversion of
Brigham Young and many of his family members. Samuel was loyal to his family and to the Church
throughout his life. Samuel was not ready to preach when this revelation was given, but two months
later he would begin his missionary service.

Joseph Smith Sr., the Prophet’s father, joined the Church the day it was organized. The
following summer, he and his son Don Carlos embarked on a mission to extended family in New
York. He became a high priest and the first patriarch of the Church. Joseph Smith Jr. described his
father as “a man faithful to his God and to the Church in every situation and under all circumstances
through which he was called to pass” (History of the Church, 4:192).

Joseph Knight Sr. was a close friend of Joseph Smith Jr. and had shown him great
kindness. He provided the Prophet with supplies while he worked on the translation of the Book of
Mormon. He had felt a desire to be baptized with others on the day the Church was organized, but he
refrained because he wanted to study the Book of Mormon further. He later wrote, “I should [have] felt
better if I had … gone forward” to be baptized (as quoted in Larry Porter, “The Joseph Knight
Family,”Ensign, Oct. 1978, 40; spelling and capitalization standardized).
Clue 4:
Read Doctrine and Covenants 23:1–2 aloud.
 What warning did the Lord give to Oliver? How can pride lead to temptation?

 What are some ways we can avoid feelings of pride that would lead us to temptation?

 According to verse 2, what blessing would Oliver have? (The ability to “preach the truth.”)

Read Doctrine and Covenants 23:3–5 aloud..

 How were the Lord’s instructions to these men similar?

The call to exhortation refers to the responsibility to teach the gospel to others.

Look at the biographical sketches of Hyrum Smith, Samuel Smith, and Joseph Smith Sr. What ways
did each of these men fulfilled the calling to exhort and to strengthen the Church.

 What are the similarities and differences between the instructions to Hyrum Smith and Samuel
Smith?

 What are some ways in which we can exhort and strengthen the Church?

Study the biographical sketch of Joseph Knight Sr. Then read Doctrine and Covenants 23:6–7, which
contains the Lord’s counsel to Joseph Knight Sr.
 What was Joseph Knight commanded to do?

 What evidence do you see in Doctrine and Covenants 23:7that the Lord desired to bless Joseph
Knight Sr.?

A short time after the Lord gave this revelation, Joseph Knight Sr. chose to be baptized. He remained
devoted to the Church throughout his life, defending the Prophet Joseph Smith privately and publicly.
The Prophet later described Joseph Knight Sr. as “faithful and true, and even-handed and exemplary,
and virtuous and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left” (Teachings of Presidents of the
Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 462).
Return to the room an write on the board a principle you have learned from studying Doctrine and
Covenants 23.
Clue 5:
Principles we learned today
Check to see if the principles you wrote on the board are correct:

In Section 22 We learn that in order to enter into the first step of the new and everlasting
covenant we must be baptized by one who has authority from God.

In Section 23, We learn: As we desire to serve the Lord, we can receive personal guidance from
Him. And The Lord will bless us as we follow the guidance He gives us.

Note in Baptistry:

Ponder the guidance you have received from the Lord through the Holy Ghost, the words of living
prophets, or the scriptures. Take a few minutes to reflect on how you will obey the counsel you have
received. Write in your class journals any impressions you have received. You will be blessed with
help and guidance from the Lord as you do what He asks.