Post # 276 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 5 --January 25–31. Doctrine and Covenants 6–9: “This Is the Spirit of Revelation”
The Lord reveals truths to us in our minds and hearts (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3). As you read Doctrine and Covenants 6–9, record any impressions you receive.
As you are studying these chapters Doctrine and Covenants 6–9 during this week be sure to look for the important principles which are taught about receiving revelation.
Then remember to apply those principles you find by seeking revelation from the Lord to know how you can help your family members and friends learn the principles in these chapters. The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
In the fall of 1828, a young schoolteacher named Oliver Cowdery took a teaching job in Manchester, New York, and stayed with the family of Lucy and Joseph Smith Sr. Oliver had heard about their son Joseph, who was now living in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Oliver, who considered himself a seeker of truth, wanted to know more. The Smiths described visits from angels, an ancient record, and the gift to translate by the power of God. Oliver was fascinated. Could it be true? Lucy and Joseph Sr. gave him advice that applies to anyone seeking truth: pray and ask the Lord.
Oliver did, and the Lord answered, speaking peace and reassurance to Oliver’s mind. Revelation, Oliver discovered, can be personal—something he would learn even more profoundly in the coming months. Revelation isn’t just for prophets; it’s for anyone who desires it and seeks it. Oliver didn’t know everything yet, but he knew enough to take his next step. The Lord was doing something important through Joseph Smith, and Oliver wanted to be part of it.
For more information about the history behind Doctrine and Covenants 6–9, see Saints, 1:58–64; “Days of Harmony” (video, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
As you were studying Doctrine and Covenants 6–9, this week what messages did the Lord have for you? Did you remember to write down any spiritual impressions during your study? You might want to have a discussion with your family members and friends: you could ask the following questions.
You should ask your family members and friends to share any experience they may have had during their study. Ask them what messages the Lord had for them. Ask them if they wrote down any spiritual experience they had. Be patient and encourage their sharing with one another what they gained from their study,
Heavenly Father speaks to me through “the Spirit of truth.”
Now might be a good time for you and your family members and friends to break up into pairs or small groups, you will need three pairs or groups. Inviting each group to search through one of the following sections -- section 6, 8, or 9.
You will each be looking for the answers to the questions below. Or you could do this all together taking one section at a time. It is within these the Lord teaches us so much about personal revelation. The Lord has a great deal to teach us about personal revelation!
Here are a few questions for you and your family members and friends to find answers too. You may have also come up with questions of your own as you were studying each of these sections during the week.
You may want to write the following questions on a piece of poster board for all to see as they search for the answers. How does the Holy Ghost speak to us? How can we recognize personal revelation? How can we prepare ourselves to receive revelation?
If you have divided you and your family members into groups or pairs you could have someone from each group share with one another what answers or other important information about personal revelation they have found in their searching of their section.
You might want to encourage your family members and friends to share their own experiences with any personal revelation which they have had. Here’s another question for you: Is there anything you found in the following verses Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–24?
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
24 And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
There could possible be something within these verses which may remind you and your family members and friends of experiences you have each had or some of you have had that you would share with one another.
I have found it somewhat discouraging when faced with the possibility of talking about ‘my’ personal revelation during classes because i have not felt as though i have had any personal revelation or at least nothing profound or important to share.
Some of your family study group may feel as I have in the fact that they pray for guidance but often don't feel as though they receive any. I have sat in class before and felt that way. I have since that time tried hard to learn how the Spirit speaks to me.
You may want to share with your family members and friends that OLiver Cowdery who struggled with similar feelings when he wasn't able to translate as easily as he had hoped. This may help them to know this and might even give them some comfort.
It might also be beneficial for you and your family members to search through section 9 for the Lord’s counsel to Oliver. What messages in this section could help someone who feels the Lord isn’t answering their prayers?
The following statements below could also help:
Understanding how Heavenly Father answers prayers.
“In my life I have learned that sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready. When He does answer, it is often ‘here a little and there a little’ [2 Nephi 28:30] because that is all that I can bear or all I am willing to do” (Robert D. Hales, “Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 73).
“What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. … When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision” (Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 10).
Oliver Cowdery, by Lewis A. Ramsey
The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Heavenly Father speaks to me through “the Spirit of truth.”
In spring 1829 Oliver Cowdery traveled to Harmony and volunteered to be Joseph Smith’s scribe as he translated the Book of Mormon. Oliver now had a close view of the revelatory process of translation. The experience thrilled him, and he wondered if he could also be blessed with a gift to translate. The Lord allowed him to attempt to translate, but receiving revelation was new for Oliver, and his attempt did not go well. He still had a lot to learn, and Doctrine and Covenants 6, 8, and 9 show that the Lord was willing to teach him.
As you read these sections, notice what the Lord taught about personal revelation. How do His words relate to experiences you’ve had—or would like to have?
For example, what do Doctrine and Covenants 6:5–7; 8:1; 9:7–8 suggest about what the Lord requires of you before He will reveal His will?
What do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–17, 22–24; 8:2–3; 9:7–9 about the different ways revelation might come?
Is there anything else you learn about revelation from these sections?
To learn more about revelation, see Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 93–96; Julie B. Beck, “And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 10–12. For more information about the “gift of Aaron” described in section 8, see “Oliver Cowdery’s Gift,” Revelations in Context, 15–19.
To learn more about what living prophets and apostles are teaching about revelation, see the “Hear Him!” video collection.
“Even as you desire of me so it shall be.”
If you have looked through This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families you will find that it suggests noting instances of words like desire in sections 6–7. You might want to do this exercise with your family members and friends.
Once you have completed this activity you can ask your family members and friends to share what they have learned from completing this activity. You can also ask them the following questions:
What do our daily actions teach us about our desires? How can the Lord help us change our desires? The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Doctrine and Covenants 6–7; 9:3, 7–14
“Even as you desire of me so it shall be.”
Notice how many times words like “desire” or “desires” appear in sections 6 and 7. What do you learn from these sections about the importance God places on your desires? Ask yourself the Lord’s question in Doctrine and Covenants 7:1: “What desirest thou?”
One of Oliver Cowdery’s righteous desires—to translate as Joseph Smith did—was not fulfilled. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9:3, 7–14, what impressions do you receive that might help you when your righteous desires go unfulfilled?
See also Doctrine and Covenants 11:8; Dallin H. Oaks, “Desire,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 42–45. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/desire?lang=eng
Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37
If we look to the Lord, He can help us overcome doubt and fear.
If you take a look at Doctrine and Covenants 6:33 the Lord tells each one of us to ‘Fear not to do good.’ So why is it that we sometimes do ‘fear to do good’?
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
You can ask your family members and friends to share with you some reasons why people sometimes ‘fear to do good’? Then you could read the following passage Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37 together looking for some thoughts that give you and them courage to do good.
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
For the next part of this activity you can ask your family members and friends to share with you some things that people may have a fear of.. You can write these things on a piece of poster board for all to see as you begin your discussion.
This discussion is about just how Jesus Christ helps us to ‘doubt not, fear not’ as it teaches us in verse 36. You should have on hand or look up on your electronic device the following talk where Elder Ronald A. Rasband gave some examples in his message “Be Not Troubled” [Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18].)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/be-not-troubled?lang=eng
Refer to the ideas written on your poster board. Choose a few to read aloud to your family members and friends and discuss how the Savior and His Atoning power can help us when we are afraid. Then you can refer to the following passages:
In Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37 and also in 1 John 4:18 you can find some insights. What does it mean to “look unto [Christ] in every thought” as we find in verse 36? How does this focus on the Savior help us when we face doubt or fear?
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
It is very important to remember about fear and faith is that we must choose faith over fear every time. There is a good video about fear and faith below.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2017-01-0004-live-by-faith-not-by-fear?lang=eng
The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37
Look unto Christ in every thought.
Even though Joseph had already experienced “difficult circumstances” while doing the Lord’s work (Doctrine and Covenants 6:18), he and Oliver likely had no idea how difficult those circumstances would become over the next several years. But the Lord knew, and He knows what trials are in your future too. His counsel to Joseph and Oliver in Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37 can also help you. How might Joseph and Oliver have felt after hearing these words? What do you find in these verses that helps you trust the Lord? How can you look unto Christ more in your life?
Improving Our Teaching
Express confidence in learners’ abilities. Some people in your class may not be confident in their ability to learn the gospel. Consider how you can reassure them that as they strive to learn on their own, the Holy Ghost will teach them. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 29.)
Above you will find another tip for improving your teaching of your family members and friends. Below are the ideas for family scripture study and family home evening activities.The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening
Doctrine and Covenants 6:7, 13.
How can you help your family understand that real “riches” are found in eternal life? (verse 7). You could invite family members to make pretend money and write or draw on it some of the many blessings your family has received because of the restored gospel.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:15, 22–23; 8:2–3; 9:7–9.
Reading these verses about how God speaks to His children may be a wonderful opportunity to share with your family how He has spoken to you.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:33–37.
Family members could share ways they can “do good,” even when they feel afraid. It could also help to watch all or some of Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s message “Be Not Troubled” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18–21). What does it mean to “look unto [Christ] in every thought”? (verse 36). What are some other examples of people who turned to the Lord to overcome doubt and fear? (see, for instance, Esther 4; Alma 26:23–31).
This may be a wonderful opportunity to share how faith in Jesus Christ has strengthened you and your family. Why is it important that we “ask in faith”? What blessings have you seen from seeking answers or help in faith?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “Dare to Do Right,” Children’s Songbook, 158.
You will find below the Voices of the Restoration which are words from the people who were there with Joseph when he translated The Book of Mormon.The following comes to you directly from the Come. Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Voices of the Restoration
Translation of the Book of Mormon
In April 1829, the month when sections 6–9 of the Doctrine and Covenants were received, Joseph Smith’s main work was the translation of the Book of Mormon. When asked later to relate how this record was translated, Joseph said “that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars.”1 He often stated simply that it was translated “by the gift, and power of God.”2
We don’t know many details about the miraculous translation process, but we do know that Joseph Smith was a seer, aided by instruments that God had prepared: two transparent stones called the Urim and Thummim and another stone called a seer stone.3
The following statements, from eyewitnesses to the translation process, support Joseph’s witness.
It is believed that this box, which belonged to Hyrum Smith, was used to temporarily hide the gold plates.
Emma Smith
“When my husband was translating the Book of Mormon, I wrote a part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while I was writing them, if I made any mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time. Even the word Sarah he could not pronounce at first, but had to spell it, and I would pronounce it for him.”4
“The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a `small linen tablecloth, which I had given him to fold them in. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book. …
“My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity—I have not the slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for, when acting as his scribe, [Joseph] would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.”5
Illustration of Emma and Joseph Smith by Michael T. Malm
Oliver Cowdery
“I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the prophet, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, holy interpreters. I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. I also beheld the interpreters.”6
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery learned much through the process of translating the gold plates.
I bet you can't guess just where we are right now, can you? Oh, okay. I guess you knew all along after all of our reading that we are at the end of our lesson for this upcoming week:) i hope that you and your family members and friends have gained a lot from this week’s lesson
I always include so much just in case you want to use it for some family home evenings or if you want to break the lesson down into sections to work on during the week. Until my next post please keep you and your family members and friends safe, healthy and doing well!!!
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