Come, Follow Me Daily Study Guide for the week of May 31-June 6, 2021 covering Doctrine and Covenants 60-62. For personal and/or family study of the scriptures, geared towards families with teenagers.
*These are suggested resources that coincide with the Come, Follow Me manual that I have gathered along with my own thoughts and testimony.
*SCRIPTURE JOURNALS – I strongly suggest having a scripture journal. On occasion it is suggested to write something down in your scripture journal. These are also great for writing down any impressions or “Aha” moments that you might have as you study the scriptures.
*A free PDF DOWNLOAD of the Study Guide is available at the bottom of this post. You can also add Melanie’s Library to your mobile device home screen by following these instructions, click HERE
*SONGS – For a list of suggested songs for each day of the week, be sure and check out the blog called Music for Latter-day Life by clicking HERE. Suggestion for NON-SINGERS: Instead of singing, listen to the song suggested on Music for Latter-day Life and as you listen, write in our scripture journals how you have seen the hand of the Lord in your life or something you are grateful for. It is a great way to invite the Spirit to your scripture study.
FHE DAY
For additional resources to help you prepare a Family Home Evening that goes along with Come Follow Me, sign up for the Teach Me FHE email group and receive FHE resources delivered right to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up at the bottom of this post.
THE LORD IS ALL POWERFUL AND CAN PRESERVE ME
SCRIPTURE
D&C 61:1-6, 14-18; 62:1-2, 6
SUMMARY
1. The Lord’s warning in Doctrine and Covenants 61 was, in part, a warning about the dangers His people could face while traveling to Zion on the Missouri River, which was known at that time for being dangerous. This warning should not be interpreted to mean that we should avoid traveling by water. The Lord has “all power,” including power over the waters (verse 1). (CFM manual)
2. On the way back to Kirtland, Joseph Smith and other Church leaders had a life-threatening experience on the Missouri River (see Saints, 1:133–34). The Lord used this opportunity to warn and instruct His servants. (CFM manual)
VIDEOS
Studio C – Hot Tub Scare (4:23), click HERE (*Great video if you wanted to start off with a video involving water and start a discussion about whether they think water is dangerous or not)
ACTIVITIES
Have everyone take a moment and make a list of all of their favorite characteristics of Jesus in their scripture journals. After they have made their list, ask each person to circle one characteristic that means the most to them right now. Read together D&C 61:1-2 and 62:1-2, 6 and list some of the key characteristics of Jesus Christ.
- D&C 61:1 He has all power.
- D&C 61:1 He is from everlasting to everlasting.
- D&C 61:2 He is merciful.
- D&C 62:1 He is our advocate.
- D&C 62:1 He knows our weaknesses and how to help us.
- D&C 62:2 He sees us and is mindful of those in need.
- D&C 62:6 He cannot lie.
Which of these truths do you have a testimony of? How do these truths help you trust in the Lord? (Adapted from Come Follow Me Through the Doctrine and Covenants)
QUOTES
D&C STUDENT MANUAL FOR INSTITUTE: “The Lord’s words in Doctrine & Covenants 61:4-9 do not prohibit Latter-day Saints from traveling on or swimming in water. In describing the curse on the waters in the last days, the Lord may have been referring to passages in the book of Revelation in which the Apostle John described destruction that will occur in the waters before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (see Revelation 8:8-11; 16:2-6). In Doctrine and Covenants 61, the Lord refers specifically to the danger of “these waters,” meaning the Missouri River (see D&C 61:5, 18). At the time of this revelation, the dangers of the Missouri River included accidents due to difficulties in navigating the waters and contracting cholera, a disease most commonly spread by contaminated water…”
A COMMENTARY ON THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS BY ROBINSON & GARRETT: “Since some of the Missouri elders had been rebellious the day before, the power of Satan had increased and they had experienced difficulty in their journey. We too will find that contention invites the evil one. The elders had become vulnerable to Satan’s power over the waters because of their murmuring, hard feelings, and lack of faith. If they had repented, they would not have become as vulnerable and could have traveled by water if necessary.”
IMAGE
*The Missouri River; Used for educational purposes
PONDER & DISCUSS
1.What do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 61 that encourages you to put your trust in the Lord as you face your own challenges? For example, why is it important to know that God is “from everlasting to everlasting”? (verse 1). (CFM manual)
2. What does the Lord teach you about Himself and His power in this revelation? (CFM manual)
3. Ponder faith-building experiences you have had when the Lord helped you overcome spiritual or physical adversity. (CFM manual)
CONFERENCE TALKS
Our Only Chance by Sheri L. Dew, click HERE
BE OF GOOD CHEER…FOR I AM IN YOUR MIDST
SCRIPTURE
D&C 61:36-39
SUMMARY
The Lord was with the Saints in their journeys, their struggles, their triumphs, or short-comings and he will be with us too. The Lord reminds us to “be of good cheer…for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you…” (Adapted from The Essential Doctrine and Covenants Companion)
VIDEOS
- A Promise of Comfort (0:59), click HERE
- Facing Tribulation: “Be of Good Cheer” – Camille Fronk (1:30), click HERE
- Be of Good Cheer (0:56), click HERE
- Laughing Will Extend Your Life – Joseph B Wirthlin (3:09), click HERE
- Come What May, and Love It (3:36), click HERE
- Blessed and Happy are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God (5:42), click HERE
ACTIVITIES
1. GAME: I Love You Baby, But I Just Can’t Smile
How to Play: Form a circle facing the middle. One person is going to be “it” and go up to someone else in the circle and say, “I love you, baby.” That person must then respond by saying, “I love you baby, but I just can’t smile.” If that player smiles while saying those words, he/she becomes “it.” If the play doesn’t smile, “it” picks a new person to try and make smile. “It” is not allowed to touch a player as he/she speaks, but funny faces or anything else is ok 🙂
2. Perhaps your family could write or draw pictures of things that bring them joy and collect them in a “good cheer” jar. (Be sure to include pictures of the Savior and reminders of His love for us.) Throughout the week when family members need a reminder of reasons to be happy, they could choose something from the jar. (CFM manual)
3. You could decide together where to prominently display a picture of Christ in your home. (CFM manual)
QUOTES
PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF: Some years ago my wife, Harriet, and I…were in West Africa, a beautiful part of the world where the Church is growing and the Latter-day Saints are delightful. However, West Africa also has many challenges. In particular, I was sorrowed by the poverty that I saw. In the cities there is high unemployment, and families often struggle to provide for their daily needs and for their safety. It broke my heart to know that many of our precious members of the Church live in such deprivation. But I also learned that these fine members help each other to lighten their heavy burdens. [When] we…arrived at one of our meetinghouses near a large city…instead of finding a people burdened and absorbed by darkness, we discovered a joyful people who were radiating with light! The happiness they felt for the gospel was contagious and lifted our spirits. The love they expressed for us was humbling. Their smiles were genuine and infectious. I remember wondering at the time if there could possibly be a happier people on the face of the planet. Even though these dear Saints were surrounded by difficulties and trials, they were filled with light! (The Hope of God’s Light)
PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON: “Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” (Be of Good Cheer, April 2009)
IMAGE
*Used for educational purposes; taken from the church website
PONDER & DISCUSS
- What reasons do we see in D&C 61:36-39 to “be of good cheer”? (see also John 16:33). (CFM manual)
- How can we strive to find more joy among the mundane and/or stressful days of our lives?
- How can we invite the Savior into our daily lives? (CFM manual)
- How can we remember that the Savior is “in [our] midst”?
CONFERENCE TALKS
- The Hope of God’s Light by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, click HERE
- Come What May, and Love It by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, click HERE
- Be of Good Cheer by President Thomas S. Monson, click HERE
THE LORD WANTS ME TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS “AS SEEMETH [ME] GOOD”
SCRIPTURE
D&C 62: 4-9
SUMMARY
Sometimes the Lord gives us specific direction, and other matters He leaves up to us to decide.
VIDEOS
Wrong Roads (3:57), click HERE
ACTIVITIES
1. Share the following case studies with your family. After you read each case study, ask your family if they think it is necessary to pray for guidance in this situation:
- Your family is going to repaint the trim on your home. Someone suggests you pray about what color of paint you should purchase.
- You are choosing a counselor to serve with you in the deacons quorum presidency. Your bishop suggests that you pray for direction.
- Your parents ask you to fix dinner. You have many options and are not sure what to choose.
- You have just finished reading the Book of Mormon and want to know if it is true.
- A friend at school asks you a question about the Church, and you are not sure what to say.
Talk about why prayer is appropriate in some situations and not always necessary in others. Read D&C 62:4-9 together and ask your family to note which things the Lord specifically commands these missionaries to do and the things he leaves to their choice. Why doesn’t God give revelation about every decision? On the other hand, how can we make sure we will have God’s Spirit to direct us when we need it? See verse 9 (Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families)
QUOTES
DALLIN H. OAKS: “The Spirit of the Lord is not likely to give us revelations on matters that are trivial. I once heard a young woman in a testimony meeting praise the spirituality of her husband, indicating that he submitted every question to the Lord. She told how he accompanied her shopping and would not even choose between different brands of canned vegetables without making his selection a matter of prayer. I think that is improper. I believe the Lord expects us to make most of our decisions by using the intelligence and experience he has given us.” (The Lord’s Way, 37)
IMAGE
*Used for educational purposes
PONDER & DISCUSS
- Why is it good for us to make some decisions without specific direction from God? See also Ether 2:18–25; Doctrine and Covenants 58:27–28. (CFM manual)
- Why doesn’t the Lord give commandments about every aspect of our lives? According to verse 8, how are we to make decisions? (CFM manual)
CONFERENCE TALKS
Answers to Prayer by Elder Brook P. Hales, click HERE
GENERAL CONFERENCE DAY
Study a recent General Conference talk. A great way to study a conference talk is to read along as you listen and highlight the parts that stand out to you. Then after the talk, review and discuss what you have highlighted.
THIS WEEK’S TALK: You Can Gather Israel! By Ahmad S. Corbitt, click HERE
CATCH UP DAYS
Do one of the days that you missed OR any of the additional resources listed.
Yours Truly,
P.S. For more Come, Follow Me resources, check out my post Your Ultimate Guide to Come, Follow Me. It lists over 100 Come, Follow Me resources that are available online starting with the church’s resources at the top. You can find it by clicking HERE.
P.P.S. Sign up here for the Teach Me FHE email group and receive FHE resources delivered right to your inbox every Sunday morning.
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