This guide is not meant to replace the Come, Follow Me curriculum by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is merely a study tool and a helpful guide to aid in your study as you follow along the church’s curriculum. If there are any questions feel free to reach out to us.
We cover some frequently asked questions, include some criticisms that occur often, as well as the answers to them with some helpful resources from our website and of course, the Church’s website. While we cannot address every question and criticism and cannot provide every resource, we hope what we have included in this guide will be helpful to you.
WEEK 27 (June 30 - July 6)
Week 27
June 30-July 6
Doctrine and Covenants 71-75
“No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper”
Weekly Questions
The Lord’s instruction reflects a principle of defending truth while also seeking reconciliation. Public challenges served to clarify misinformation, particularly during a time when anti-Mormon publications were widespread. This approach was transparent and allowed others to evaluate the Church’s teachings directly, fostering understanding rather than perpetuating falsehoods
Sources and Resources:
The Obligation to Do Apologetics
The emphasis on recordkeeping aligns with the growing needs of the Church during its expansion. Accurate records allowed leaders to steward resources effectively and provide support to members in need, demonstrating a practical aspect of consecration principles.
Sources and Resources:
Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 3 Nephi 20–26 – Autumn Dickson
The Sacred Duty of Record Keeping
Teachings of Wilford Woodruff: The Importance of Record Keeping
The inspired translation of the Bible (often referred to as the Joseph Smith Translation) was an essential task for clarifying gospel principles and correcting doctrinal misunderstandings. By providing a clearer scriptural foundation, the translation supported both missionary efforts and the spiritual education of members. Balancing the defense of truth with ongoing revelation ensured the Church was spiritually prepared for growth and opposition. The directive to resume translating also highlights the Lord’s pattern of prioritizing tasks based on immediate needs and eternal goals (Doctrine and Covenants 73:3–5)
Sources and Resources:
The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible
WEEK 28 (July 7 - 13)
Week 28
July 7-13
Doctrine and Covenants 76
“Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory”
Weekly Questions
The concept of the three degrees of glory in Doctrine and Covenants 76 draws from biblical references, particularly Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42, where he speaks of different glories likened to the sun, moon, and stars. The revelation expands on this metaphor, offering a detailed framework of the afterlife. Critics point out that this structure seems foreign to mainstream Christian theology. However, Latter-day Saint teachings emphasize continuing revelation, where God provides additional understanding beyond what is contained only in the Bible.
Joseph Smith taught that this vision was revealed to clarify God’s plan for humanity’s eternal progression, emphasizing fairness and individual accountability. The degrees of glory reflect varying levels of obedience and spiritual readiness. Critics often view this as a divergence from sola scriptura (scripture alone), a principle held by many Christian denominations. Latter-day Saints respond by affirming that the vision does not negate but complements biblical teachings, providing a broader perspective on salvation and exaltation.
This doctrine is seen by adherents as a testimony of God’s mercy and justice, offering rewards tailored to individual faithfulness while maintaining Christ as the central figure of redemption
Sources and Resources:
Question: Do the Latter-day Saint “Three Degrees of Glory” have a basis in the Bible?
Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: The Three Degrees of Glory
The telestial kingdom is not hell but a degree of glory incomprehensible to mortals (Doctrine and Covenants 76:89). Those who inherit it suffer consequences for their choices in mortality but ultimately benefit from Christ’s Atonement. This teaching emphasizes that all of God’s children, except the sons of perdition, receive a reward of glory after repentance, even if it is the least. This contrasts with the eternal despair traditionally associated with hell, underscoring the expansive reach of God’s mercy. The description of the telestial state serves as both a warning about rejecting Christ and a testament to the boundless scope of His grace.
Sources and Resources:
The rejection of eternal torment for all but a small group aligns with God’s justice and mercy. Doctrine and Covenants 76 reveals that Christ’s Atonement extends to nearly all of humanity, ensuring eventual resurrection and a level of glory. This teaching reflects God’s love and fairness, emphasizing progression and individual accountability. While traditional Christian teachings often describe eternal punishment, scriptures like John 3:16 and 1 Timothy 2:4 highlight God’s desire for all to be saved. Section 76 expands on these ideas, showing how God’s plan accommodates varying levels of faithfulness while providing hope beyond mortal life.
Sources and Resources:
WEEK 29 (July 14 - 20)
Weekly Questions
The number 144,000 is symbolic rather than literal. It represents the complete gathering of Israel, where 12 (a number tied to divine organization, such as the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles) is squared and multiplied by 1,000 to indicate a vast and complete gathering of covenant-keeping Saints. This group includes high priests who will serve as saviors on Mount Zion, performing ordinances for the dead. The imagery underscores the global nature of the Church and the work of salvation, extending blessings to all nations, not just a select few. The “innumerable multitude” described in Revelation 7:9 clarifies that salvation is accessible to everyone willing to come to Christ and honor covenants.
Sources and Resources:
Section 77 provides a Q&A format where Joseph Smith seeks understanding of the symbolic imagery in the book of Revelation. Critics sometimes view these explanations as overly literal or dismissive of symbolic interpretations found in traditional Christianity.
The responses in Section 77 balance symbolism with literal prophecy. For example:
- The four beasts (Doctrine and Covenants 77:2–4) are explained as living beings representing different orders of creation, showing that all life glorifies God.
- The 144,000 (Doctrine and Covenants 77:11) is symbolic of a perfected and complete gathering of Israel, tied to temple ordinances and eternal covenants.
- The “seals” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:6–7) represent periods of time in Earth’s history, grounding John’s vision in a framework of dispensations and divine preparation.
This section highlights the principle of continuing revelation, where additional insight builds on biblical text to guide Latter-day Saints in understanding their place in God’s plan. By weaving together symbolism and literal applications, the section offers a richer interpretation while affirming the relevance of Revelation’s themes to the latter days.
Sources and Resources:
Come, Follow Me Week 29 – Doctrine and Covenants 77-80
Question: Why do Mormon’s believe that ongoing divine revelation is necessary?
Joseph Smith Papers: Answers to Questions, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832
The counsel to go “whithersoever ye will” emphasizes the principle of agency and adaptability in fulfilling one’s calling. Missionaries Steven Burnett and Eden Smith, who were given such instructions, demonstrated that the success of their missions did not depend solely on precise guidance but on their faith and willingness to preach the gospel wherever they felt inspired to go. This approach highlights the balance between divine guidance and individual accountability in missionary work, showing that the Lord trusts His servants to act with wisdom and the Spirit as their guide.
Sources and Resources:
Section 79, The Lord Will Bless His Faithful Servants
WEEK 30 (July 21 - 27)
Weekly Questions
Revelations are often given in a manner suited to the circumstances of the time, and adjustments reflect the ongoing guidance of the Lord. When first given in March 1832, Gause was called as a counselor in the First Presidency and served, for a short time, in that calling. He was excommunicated in December 1832 and Williams was called and set apart in March 1833 in the position previously held by Gause. Since the Doctrine and Covenants was compiled after this time, Williams’s name was substituted in the revelation.
There are several factors at play here, and none of them adversely affect the concept of divinely dictated scripture. The primary factor is the agency exercised by Gause to accept the Lord’s call and, later, to act in a way that required his excommunication. Gause was told that “inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:3), that he would be blessed. The fact that Gause was not faithful does not mean that the revelation was in error. The substitution of Williams for Gause in the calling was done according to the will of the Lord, under the direction of the Prophet and with priesthood authority.
Regardless of whose name is in the revelation, the Lord’s blessing on counselors in the First Presidency are sure and true. They are contingent on the behavior and efforts of the person in the position.
Sources and Resources:
Standards for prophetic succession
Joseph Smith Papers: Gause, Jesse
July 21–27: Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”: Doctrine and Covenants 81–
Doctrine and Covenants 82 should be read in conjunction with Doctrine and Covenants 78. These revelations lay out how the Lord expected Joseph Smith and other leaders to conduct the temporal affairs of the Church and to see to the needs of the poor. Section 82 led to the formation of the “United Firm,” which was later expanded and renamed as the “United Order.”
Sources and Resources:
Question: Did Joseph own 144 acres of land in Kirtland?
Latter-day Saint scholars often point out that the revelation should be understood in its historical context. They argue that the core message of care and provision for families transcends cultural norms and can be applied in ways that honor gender equality in modern times.
Sources and Resources:
Foundational to Our Faith: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”
