Come, Follow Me – 2021 (Doctrine and Covenants)

On Tuesday, November 1, 1831, a group of church leaders met in Hiram, Ohio and decided to publish a collection of revelations previously received by Joseph Smith. At the request of the group, three of those leaders drafted a preface for the book during the meeting. Their proposal was not well received, and the group……

In the spring of 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith prayed to know which church he should join. In response to that prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him, initiating the Restoration of the Gospel. Although he wrote four different accounts of this experience, each of which emphasized different……

How do we react when we are called by God to assist Him in his work? Do we focus on our weaknesses and worry that we will not do well enough? Do we place too much confidence in our own abilities and fail to rely sufficiently on Him? Are we impatient to get started and……

God’s work will not fail. We can rely on that. Furthermore, we can be part of it, if we’re willing to do things His way, instead of insisting on doing them our way. That’s the main message I get from three revelations Joseph Smith received in 1828 and 1829. Here is a brief overview of……

How can we prepare ourselves to receive revelation? How can we recognize it when we receive it? What is the relationship between personal revelation and the words of prophets? Oliver Cowdery was wrestling with these kinds of questions in April of 1829, as he assisted Joseph Smith with the translation of the Book of Mormon….…

About 600 years before the coming of Christ, God commanded Nephi to make a second version of his record. Why did He command this? “For a wise purpose in him,” Nephi wrote, “which purpose I know not” (1 Nephi 9:5). (See also 1 Nephi 19:1-6.) Nearly 1,000 years later, as Mormon wrote a history of……

As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated the account of Jesus visiting the American continent after His death and resurrection, they were filled with the desire to be baptized. “No men in their sober senses,” wrote Oliver, “could translate and write the directions given to the Nephites, from the mouth of the Savior…without desiring a……

In May of 1829, David Whitmer helped Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery move from Harmony, Pennsylvania to Fayette, New York to stay with his family. Oliver was a friend of David and had written to him about the translation of the Book of Mormon. David wanted to help. “He proposed that we should have our……

People have infinite value. We may take others for granted at times, but God always recognizes their true worth, and He wants us to learn to see it too. Shortly after learning for themselves of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the Three Witnesses received specific assignments: Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were instructed……

On April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ was organized in the home of Peter Whitmer in Fayette, New York. In preparation for this event, Joseph Smith received a revelation with detailed instructions on how to administer the church. That revelation, which has been called “the Constitution of the Church,” contains information about: Church……

What was Emma’s role in the church of Jesus Christ? Soon after the church was organized, the Lord instructed her husband, Joseph, to prioritize his leadership role in the church. He was told to travel again after his crops were planted, and to visit the members of the church in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester. The……

In August of 1830, Newel and Sally Knight visited Joseph and Emma Smith at their home in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Both Sally and Emma had been baptized, but neither had yet been confirmed members of the Church, so they decided to partake of the sacrament and perform the confirmations during their visit. Joseph went to obtain……

In September 1830, a few days before the second conference of the church, a group of nine church members met with Joseph Smith to ask some doctrinal questions which had arisen from their study of the Book of Mormon. They wondered when and how Zion, or the New Jerusalem, would be established. They also wanted……

This week, as we commemorate the final week of the Savior’s mortal life, I am going to structure my scripture study around the events of the week. Here are some thoughts and relevant blog posts about each day: Palm Sunday I will remember the people who lined the streets of Jerusalem to welcome Him as……

A successful businessman who built bridges and dams, a laborer in a type foundry (which produced typefaces for printing presses), a self-employed hatmaker, and a popular preacher—these were among the people who were called to serve in the newly organized church between October and December of 1830. What did they have in common? A willingness……

Before the church was organized, Joseph Smith was engaged in work which could be performed in small groups: translating the Book of Mormon, receiving revelation on behalf of specific individuals, and obtaining authority under the hand of heavenly beings. But as the church grew, he needed to dedicate more time and energy to the needs……

“I am the law and the light,” the Savior said to an ancient group of people on the American continent. “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live” (3 Nephi 15:9). “I am your lawgiver,” He told members of His newly organized church in January 1831. He promised that if they……

How can we prepare for the Savior’s return to the earth? During His mortal ministry, Jesus provided some guidance to His disciples. As recorded in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21, He foretold wars and rumors of wars, false prophets, and natural disasters preceding His glorious return. Like a careful observer who can detect……

Gifts of the Spirit On March 8, 1831, the Lord revealed an important principle to Joseph Smith: All are welcome in the meetings of His church. “Ye are commanded never to cast any one out from your public meetings,” He said (Doctrine and Covenants 46:3), echoing the guidance He had given anciently on the American continent. (See 3……

God wants us to receive light. He wants to help us recognize truth and overcome false beliefs. In May, 1831, the Lord said to Leman Copley, a recent convert to the church: “Be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness” (Doctrine and Covenants 49:23). He corrected some inaccurate beliefs, and then promised to help Leman grow……

This week, we will study seven revelations on various topics received between May and July, 1831. For each revelation, here is a brief synopsis with key principles taught and relevant blog posts. Section 51 – The Bishop’s Storehouse The Lord instructs Edward Partridge, the bishop, to establish a “storehouse” consisting of everything the members possess……

Agency doesn’t mean doing what you want. It means being proactive in doing good: making decisions, taking initiative, and acting for ourselves instead of being acted upon. Lehi taught this principle to his sons soon after arriving in their promised land. (See 2 Nephi 2:16, 26-30.) Likewise, as members of the church began arriving in……

The journey from Missouri to Ohio was challenging. The problem wasn’t the weather or the terrain. It was the travelers themselves. They made some poor decisions, clashed with one another, and neglected their most important responsibility. After dedicating the land near Independence, Missouri, identifying the location for the future temple, and helping some newly arrived……

After Joseph Smith and other church leaders returned to Ohio from Independence, Missouri, in August, 1831, he and other church members had many questions, most of them practical and immediate: How should they organize themselves to immigrate to Missouri? When should they move? How should they acquire land? How could they obtain sufficient resources to……

Shortly after returning to Ohio from Missouri, Joseph Smith received a revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 64) which provided guidance for church members on building Zion. Among the principles taught in this revelation were the importance of forgiving one another (v. 1-14) and paying tithing (v. 23-24). The Lord also encouraged them to keep working hard,……

In November 1831, church leaders in Kirtland decided to publish a collection of revelations received by Joseph Smith. This new publication would be called The Book of Commandments. During that month, church leaders met multiple times and Joseph received several new revelations related to the project: On Tuesday, November 1, the Lord provided a preface……

Between December 1831 and January 1832, Joseph Smith received revelations on at least three topics: missionary work, his translation of the Bible, and the role of a bishop. Here is a summary of these revelations, and some principles I’ve learned from them: December 1: The Lord instructed Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to set aside……

As Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon worked on an inspired translation of the Bible, they had a number of questions about life after death. In particular, they wondered about a passage in which the Savior spoke of “the resurrection of life” and “the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29). In their version of this passage, the……

77 As Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon produced an inspired translation of the Bible, they continually sought guidance from the Lord about the passages they were reading. Doctrine and Covenants 77 contains fifteen questions Joseph asked about the Book of Revelation, together with the answers he received. He asked questions about specific symbols (“What are……

81 – Frederick G. Williams becomes a counselor to Joseph Smith The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two counselors. Together, they form the First Presidency of the Church. In March 1832, Jesse Gause was called to serve as a counselor in the First Presidency. A year later, he was……

Joseph Smith called Doctrine and Covenants 84 a revelation on priesthood. If you think of priesthood primarily in the context of roles, responsibilities, and official church actions, you may be puzzled by the topics addressed in this revelation, including temples, the scriptures (particularly the Book of Mormon), and missionary service. But if you think of……

Between November and December 1832, Joseph Smith received specific revelation about multiple topics: CHURCH ADMINISTRATION (Doctrine and Covenants 85): How to manage inheritances for church members who refused to consecrate their properties. The Lord answered the question while clarifying the duties of the clerk, including the responsibility for accurate record-keeping. SCRIPTURAL INTERPRETATION (Doctrine and Covenants……

Spiritual learning and growth don’t just happen. They require sustained effort over time, and they therefore require structure. We need to establish appropriate spaces, schedules, and habits in order to learn about God and grow closer to Him. In late 1832 and early 1833, when many church members had returned home from missionary service, Joseph……

Wisdom is good judgment. It’s the ability to make reasonable decisions. Wisdom requires more than adherence to minimum standards of behavior. It requires striving toward ideals of behavior. That’s why Jacob concludes his counsel to his readers with the far-reaching admonition, “O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12). That’s why Alma counseled……

The Savior is our source of light. He gives light to everyone. The tragedy is that, so often, we refuse to receive the light He offers us. We do this by turning away from the truth and by behaving in a way that is contrary to the truth. The good news is that if we……

How do you build a house for God? As imperfect mortals, it seems presumptuous to build a dwelling place for the Creator of the Universe. Yet that is what the Lord commanded a small group of believers to do in the city of Kirtland, Ohio in 1833. In a series of revelations received in June……

Trouble in Missouri During the summer of 1833, church members experienced severe persecution in Jackson County, Missouri. By July, some people in the community demanded that they leave and inflicted violence on members of the community and on their property. Their printing press was destroyed, and church leaders were tarred and feathered. On August 6,……

The High Council (Doctrine and Covenants 102) In February 1834, a group of church members gathered at the home of Joseph Smith and organized a new governing organization called the high council. The group consisted of twelve high priests and operated under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church. Their purpose was to……

King David prophesied that God would confirm Jesus Christ’s authority with these words: “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4). Melchizedek was the king of Salem during Abraham’s life. He blessed Abraham, and Abraham paid tithing to him. (See Genesis 14:18-20.) Alma later explained to the people of Ammonihah……

On Sunday, March 27, 1836, about 1,000 people gathered in the newly constructed Kirtland Temple for the dedication of the building. They sang hymns, including “The Spirit of God,” which was composed for the occasion. They heard sermons and testimonies. They participated in the sacrament and in a Hosanna Shout. But the heart of the……

111 – “More treasures than one” In August 1836, the Church faced serious financial challenges. Several church leaders, including Joseph Smith, traveled to Salem, Massachusetts, after hearing rumors of “hidden treasures” in the city. While they were there, Joseph Smith received a revelation in which the Lord reproved them for their “follies” but promised, “I……

“Strengthen Thy Stakes” (Doctrine and Covenants 115-117) “Enlarge the place of thy tent,” said Isaiah, as he prophesied of the gathering of Israel. “Let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes” (Isaiah 54:2). The imagery is one of thrilling expansion and growth. When the Savior visited the……

Sometimes the darkest circumstances can lead to the brightest inspiration. On March 20, 1839, after enduring 109 days in the inhumane environment of Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith wrote an epistle to the Church containing extraordinary gems of wisdom. Excerpts from that letter now appear as three sections in the Doctrine and Covenants. Here are some……

After fleeing persecution in Missouri, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rallied in Illinois. By January 1841, they had purchased a small town, renamed it Nauvoo, and begun turning it into a city. The state legislature had authorized them to pass their own laws, establish a militia, and build a university….…

125 – “Let them gather themselves together.” As church members began to establish the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, Joseph Smith contemplated the future for church members who had settled on the west side of the Mississippi River, in Iowa. In answer to his prayer, the Lord revealed that those people could remain in Iowa and……

In 1843, William Clayton, who served as secretary to Joseph Smith, recorded a number of truths taught by Joseph in a variety of settings. Some of his notes are now part of the Doctrine and Covenants: Instructions Joseph gave to Parley P. Pratt about how to distinguish heavenly visitors from Satan and his angels (Doctrine……

133 – “Prepare Ye” Originally intended as an appendix (or epilogue) to the Book of Commandments, Doctrine and Covenants 133 is a patchwork of biblical quotations and paraphrases. This remarkable revelation blends Old and New Testament passages seamlessly as it declares the following messages: The Savior (the Bridegroom) will return to the earth suddenly, so……

135 – The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum What would you be willing to give your life for? The prophet Abinadi was offered the chance to avoid execution by recanting the message God had sent him to deliver. In response, he declared, “I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this……

138 – “I saw the hosts of the dead.” Alma taught his son Corianton that there is a period of time between death and the resurrection, in which we will dwell as spirits. He further explained that we will be in one of two states: paradise, which is a state of rest and peace, or……

An article of faith is a foundational belief, a core assumption which forms the basis for other beliefs and practices. In 1842, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, summarizing the events associated with the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See Times and Seasons (Nauvoo,……

In the October 1995 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced “The Family: a Proclamation to the World,” which he described as “a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history.” After reading the proclamation, President……

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ this week, let’s remember what He accomplished before, during, and after His mortal ministry. On January 1, 2000, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a brief document entitled “The Living Christ,” which emphasizes that the Savior’s life “neither began in Bethlehem nor……