Looks like a workable plan to me, mine went fine with the teenagers, we got a lot of history in sideways and discussed the idea of godhood and what that might mean.

Should we start a thread on Lesson 32 do you think?

I am planning to start with more background about Nauvoo, where Joseph was, the political climate in the state, how many members of the church were gathering there, where they were at with their temple construction etc. etc. etc. From there we will talk about Celestial marriage, read passages mostly focusing on the Holy Spirit of Promise and having your calling and election made sure, I think I may also dabble in verses 5-8 of section 131 (although not in the lesson) and talk about man being saved in ignorance and spiritual matter. As none of us are married, I think it best to talk about preparation, and open the discussion to how to avoid having a jaded outlook, and how class members keep Faith in the Lord’s timing. We’ll see how much they can take of that, and then I want to briefly touch on Joseph Smiths presidential candidacy and set the stage for the next lesson on the martyrdom.

I am thinking that I will start with verses 19 to 21

19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

and use it to have every student in the class talk about what they think is the most interesting part or the most important part.

I always try to add in basic historical context but I am not sure whether I should indicate that the letter was prompted by Hyrum to get Joseph to write down the commandment so that Hyrum could take it to Emmas and help her to understand plural marriage. I kind of like the idea because I think it is important that teenagers learn that Joseph did indeed have plural wives within a faithful context and not from antagonistic sources.

What do you think

Do you recall any of the scriptures read?

Our teacher also told some true stories about people she personally knew, or knew of, who had lost a spouse shortly after being sealed. It wasn’t in a let’s-scare-you-into-the-temple sort of way, but she shared the testimonies of those people and the comfort they received from the doctrine and the Spirit.