Come, Follow Me Daily Study Guide for the week of June 28-July 4, 2021 covering Doctrine and Covenants 71-75. 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
>>>>>>PLEASE READ MY IMPORANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING FUTURE STUDY GUIDES. CLICK HERE<<<<<<<<
BISHOPS ARE STEWARDS OVER THE SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL AFFAIRS OF THE LORD’S KINGDOM
SCRIPTURE
D&C 72
SUMMARY
When Newel K. Whitney was called to serve as the second bishop of the Church, his duties were a little different from those of today’s bishops.
VIDEOS
- Chapter 17: The First Bishops of the Church: February and December 1831 (1:44), click HERE
- The Office of Bishop (1:22), click HERE
- Saints Unscripted: What Mormon bishops are actually like (16:39), click HERE
ACTIVITIES
1.What does the word bishop mean?
A. Judge
B. Shepherd
C. Overseer
D. Young Men President
Turn to Guide to the Scriptures>>Bishop to find the answer and to learn more about Bishops. (Come Follow Me Through the Doctrine and Covenants)
2. SHOW APPRECIATION: Think of a way your family can show appreciation for your Bishop. This could include a simple thank you note, text message, or a plate of cookies.
QUOTES
Quote by Gordon B. Hinckley when he served as First Counselor in the First Presidency in 1988: A young man said to me one day, “Do you belong to a ward and have a bishop?” I replied, “Of course I do.” He asked further, “Do you attend tithing settlement with your local ward bishop?” I replied that I do, that I, even though serving as a member of the Presidency of the Church, have an accountability to my local ward bishop just as every other man and woman in this church is accountable either to a bishop or to a branch president. He was somewhat amazed. I was surprised to think that he would even raise such questions. I thought of the genius of the Lord’s work and the wisdom of the organization of His church. I have heard President Benson speak with appreciation for his bishop. I feel a kinship with my bishop. I hope that each of you feels similarly. (To the Bishops of the Church)
Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has promised that “if we will sustain and support our bishops, learn to be concerned for their welfare, and pray for their success in all they have to do, it will bless our lives as we are placed under their leadership and have opportunity to follow their inspired direction, as they lead the wards of the Church.” (Liahona, Supporting Your Bishop)
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PONDER & DISCUSS
1.As you read section 72, mark all of the responsibilities of a bishop that are listed. What is basically the same about a bishop’s responsibilities today? What is different?
2. Bishop Whitney oversaw the consecration of property and permission to settle in Missouri, in the land of Zion. But as you read about his calling and duties in Doctrine and Covenants 72, you might notice some connections to what bishops do today—at least in the spirit, if not the specifics, of their duties. For example, in what ways do you “render an account” to your bishop? (verse 5). In what sense does your bishop “keep the Lord’s storehouse” and manage the consecrations of ward members? (see verses 10, 12). How has a bishop helped you? (CFM manual)
3. How have bishops blessed our family? What has our bishop asked us to do, and how can we sustain him? (CFM manual)
CONFERENCE TALKS
To the Bishops of the Church by Gordon B. Hinckley, click HERE
I CAN SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
SCRIPTURE
D&C 73 AND 75:1-13, 16
SUMMARY
After Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon returned from their brief preaching mission to repair some of the damage Ezra Booth had done (see Doctrine and Covenants 71), the Lord told them to return to the work of translating the Bible (see Bible Dictionary, “Joseph Smith Translation”). But He also wanted them to keep preaching the gospel. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 73, consider how you can make preaching the gospel an ongoing, “practicable” (verse 4)—or realistic—part of your life among your other responsibilities. (CFM manual)
VIDEOS
- #ShareGoodness – Elder David A. Bednar (2:31), click HERE
- Elder Bednar – Apostolic Invitation – Sweep the Earth as with a Flood (2:24), click HERE
- Elder Uchtdorf: Missionary Work – Sharing What is In Your Heart *5 Guilt-free things to do* (3:35), click HERE
- How to Member Missionary for Latter-day Saints (2:42), click HERE
- Sharing the Gospel (3:49), click HERE
- Priesthood Duty: Preaching the Gospel (4:48), click HERE
- Whom the Lord Calls (0:29), click HERE
- Music Video – Missionary Mash Up (4:23), click HERE
ACTIVITIES
1.You can help your family understand how the Lord wants us to serve Him by talking about the difference between being “idle” and “labor[ing] with [our] might.” Perhaps you could select some household chores and invite family members to demonstrate doing those chores idly and then with all their might. How can we serve the Lord with all our might? According to Doctrine and Covenants 75:3–5, 13, 16, what does He promise His faithful servants? (CFM manual)
2. Review the blog post Missionary Work that is NOT out of Your Comfort Zone, click HERE and come up with your own ideas on how you can share the gospel this week.
3. Invite your local missionaries over for dinner and have them share a message with you and discuss ways you can work together to share the gospel.
4. Role-play scenarios on how you can share the gospel in every day conversation with others.
QUOTES
JOSEPH SMITH: After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI: Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words. (Waiting on the Road to Damascus, Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
DIETER F. UCHTDORF: [Sharing the gospel] is not always easy. Some would rather pull a handcart across the prairie than bring up the subject of faith and religion to their friends and co-workers. They worry about how they might be perceived or how it might harm their relationship. It doesn’t need to be that way because we have a glad message to share, and we have a message of joy. (Waiting on the Road to Damascus, Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
RUSSELL M. NELSON: “Your exemplary lives will attract the interest of your friends and neighbors. Be ready to give an answer to those who ask why you live as you do. Be ready to give a reason for the hope and joy that they see in you.”
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PONDER & DISCUSS
1. D&C 73:3-4 – Would your family benefit from learning about the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible? (see Bible Dictionary, “Joseph Smith Translation”). You could explore a few of the passages that were revised in the Joseph Smith Translation and discuss the precious truths the Lord revealed through the Prophet. For some examples, see the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14:25–40 and Genesis 50:24–38 in the Bible appendix; various footnotes in Matthew 4:1–11; and Luke 2:46, footnote c. (CFM manual)
2. D&C 75:1-12 – Responding to the command to “go ye into all the world” to preach the gospel (Doctrine and Covenants 68:8), many faithful elders sought additional information about how the Lord wanted them to fulfill this command. What words and phrases do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 75:1–12 that help you understand how to preach the gospel effectively? What blessings does the Lord promise to faithful missionaries? Consider how these instructions and blessings apply to you as you share the gospel.
CONFERENCE TALKS
Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, click HERE
LITTLE CHILDREN ARE HOLY
SCRIPTURE
D&C 74:6-7
SUMMARY
Questions had risen among the early Saints regarding the mode of baptism. Such questions led the Prophet Joseph Smith to seek answers on the subject. Joseph Smith’s history states that this revelation is an explanation of 1 Corinthians 7:14, a scripture that had often been used to justify infant baptism. (Section heading)
The Lord instructs that little children are holy and do not need circumcision or baptism. They are sanctified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
VIDEOS
- Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me (2:40), click HERE
- Studio C – Newborn Nut (3:29), click HERE *Great introduction to today’s subject on how the Lord views little children
ACTIVITIES
Look at baby pictures or videos of when your children were born or when they were very little. Talk about your feelings of when they were born and what they were like as babies or toddler age. Let them know how happy you are now to have them in your life. Also talk about how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them too.
QUOTES
DALLIN H. OAKS: Children are our most precious gift from God—our eternal increase. Yet we live in a time when many women wish to have no part in the bearing and nurturing of children. Many young adults delay marriage until temporal needs are satisfied. The average age of our Church members’ marriages has increased by more than two years, and the number of births to Church members is falling. The United States and some other nations face a future of too few children maturing into adults to support the number of retiring adults. Over 40 percent of births in the United States are to unwed mothers. Those children are vulnerable. Each of these trends works against our Father’s divine plan of salvation. (Parents and Children)
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PONDER & DISCUSS
What does this verse teach us about Jesus Christ and little children? (D&C 74:7)
CONFERENCE TALKS
- Little Children by Boyd K. Packer, click HERE
- Children by Boyd K. Packer, click HERE
- Parents and Children by Dallin H. Oaks, 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: The Personal Journey of a Child of God by Elder Neil L. Andersen, 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.
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