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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

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Week 15: April 7 - 13: "Lift Up Your Voices … to Declare My Gospel”

Doctrine and Covenants 30 – 36

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

From the earliest days of the Church, individuals who had just been baptized were called to preach. Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, and others had limited knowledge and experience but were still commanded to declare the gospel. This teaches us that willingness and faith are more important than expertise when it comes to sharing the gospel.(Doctrine and Covenants 30:5, 31:3).

The Lord has always chosen the “weak and simple” to accomplish His work. Early missionaries, though untrained, were promised divine help as they opened their mouths to teach. Today, we can trust that the Lord will magnify our efforts when we testify of Jesus Christ.(Doctrine and Covenants 35:13).

The Lord told Sidney Rigdon and others that He works through the “weak and simple.” This shows that personal ability is less important than faith and willingness. Throughout history, He has chosen ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, ensuring that the glory goes to Him, not human effort. (Doctrine and Covenants 35:13-15)

Parley P. Pratt’s previous spiritual journey and connection to Sidney Rigdon led to Rigdon’s conversion, which greatly impacted the early Church. Similarly, our experiences, relationships, and even struggles shape us for future callings and service in God’s plan. (Doctrine and Covenants 32:2)

Thomas B. Marsh was promised that his family would be blessed if he remained faithful. This illustrates a core gospel principle: obedience and faithfulness bring divine help in family matters. God does not guarantee perfect families, but He gives principles that lead to greater unity, love, and support. (Doctrine and Covenants 31:1-2, 5-6).

Just as a strong foundation prevents a house from collapsing, centering family life on gospel principles prevents division and instability. Regular scripture study, prayer, service, and Christlike love create an environment where family members can grow together spiritually.(Doctrine and Covenants 33:12-13).

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • In late 1830, the early Church was still in its infancy, with only a few dozen members. Many early converts had little formal religious training but were eager to share the gospel. The Lord began calling newly baptized members to missionary service, sending them to preach in surrounding areas and even into the western frontier.
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  • One of the most significant missionary efforts of this time was the mission to the Lamanites (Doctrine and Covenants 32). This mission was part of the Church’s early expansion beyond New York and Ohio, sending missionaries such as Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and others toward Native American territories. During this period, the Lord also called Orson Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, and Sidney Rigdon to share the gospel. The urgency of missionary work reflected the belief that the Second Coming was near, motivating early Saints to spread the message quickly.
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  • The Lord’s willingness to call new converts to preach the gospel highlights that missionary service is not about personal qualification but divine empowerment. This period also set the foundation for the Church’s future growth, as many of these early efforts led to large groups of people embracing the gospel.
  • Today, we don’t need to be scriptural scholars to share the gospel. The Lord calls those who are willing, just as He did in the early days of the Church. Whether through formal missions or daily interactions, we can be effective witnesses of Christ when we rely on the Spirit.
  • The mission to the Lamanites (Doctrine and Covenants 32) was one of the first major missionary efforts of the Church, aiming to bring the gospel to Native Americans. While this mission was not as immediately successful as hoped, it played a crucial role in the Church’s westward expansion. The missionaries’ journey took them through Ohio and Missouri, leading to the conversion of Sidney Rigdon and many of his followers, which significantly strengthened the Church.
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  • Although direct missionary work among the Native American tribes faced challenges, the journey itself opened new doors for the Church. The missionaries’ teachings in Ohio helped establish Kirtland as an early Church center, where many converts—including future Church leaders—joined.
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  • This mission also demonstrated the Church’s commitment to fulfilling Book of Mormon prophecies about the gospel going to the descendants of the Lamanites. Though the mission did not lead to large numbers of Native American converts at the time, it set a precedent for future outreach efforts.
  • Thomas B. Marsh was among the early converts called to serve as a missionary (Doctrine and Covenants 31). Though he was deeply committed at first, he later fell away due to personal conflicts and pride. His story is a reminder that faithfulness requires humility, endurance, and a willingness to resolve conflicts in a Christlike manner.
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  • Marsh’s departure from the Church stemmed in part from a dispute over a dairy cow, which escalated into accusations and bitterness. This shows how small offenses, if not handled with humility, can lead to serious spiritual consequences.
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  • Later in life, Marsh repented and returned to the Church, acknowledging that pride had led him away. His story teaches us that no one is beyond redemption, and it warns against letting pride or offense weaken our commitment to the Lord.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: “Many of the first missionaries were inexperienced, uneducated, and had only recently joined the Church, making them unreliable messengers.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Many early missionaries, such as Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt, were indeed new converts, but this was common in the biblical tradition as well. Christ called fishermen and tax collectors to be His apostles, showing that divine calling matters more than formal education.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Contemporary records show that despite their lack of formal training, these missionaries were effective in their work. Sidney Rigdon, an educated preacher, was converted after hearing their message, demonstrating their sincerity and power in teaching.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that missionary work is performed “by the power of [the] Spirit” (D&C 35:13). Many who heard their testimonies felt the witness of the Holy Ghost, confirming the truth of their message.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If their lack of education made them unqualified, how did they manage to inspire thousands of converts and lay the foundation of a worldwide Church? Their success suggests divine assistance rather than mere human effort.
  • Claim: “The 1830 mission to the Native Americans (Lamanites) resulted in little to no lasting impact, proving it was not divinely inspired.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: While direct missionary efforts among Native Americans did not lead to mass conversions, the journey itself opened crucial doors. It led to the conversion of Sidney Rigdon and many others in Ohio, establishing Kirtland as an early Church center.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Parley P. Pratt’s own writings detail how their mission was not in vain. He described the enthusiastic reception of their teachings in some areas, including among the Delaware Nation, despite government restrictions that hindered further work.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation:  The Book of Mormon prophesies that the gospel will be brought to the descendants of the Lamanites in due time. Though the 1830 mission had limited success, later outreach efforts have led to significant growth among Indigenous peoples.
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    7. Logical Analysis:  Measuring success only by immediate results ignores the long-term impact. This mission was a stepping stone that helped the Church expand westward and laid a foundation for future missionary work.
  • Claim: “Doctrine and Covenants 30–36 is just Joseph Smith telling people what to do, not real divine guidance.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Many revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants contain specific details that were later fulfilled. For example, the missionaries called in these sections played crucial roles in the Church’s expansion, something Joseph could not have predicted without divine guidance.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Those who received these revelations, such as Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt, recorded their own powerful spiritual experiences affirming that the revelations were genuine and not fabricated.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: Those who sincerely study and pray about the Doctrine and Covenants often receive a personal witness of its truth. The consistency and power of these revelations testify of their divine origin.
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    7. Logical Analysis:  If Joseph were fabricating revelations for control, why did many of them require great personal sacrifice from those involved, including himself? True leaders seeking power usually offer rewards, not difficult missions with uncertain outcomes.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Look for one opportunity this week to share a gospel principle or testimony with a friend, family member, or coworker.

Many early missionaries were called to preach soon after baptism, showing that extensive knowledge isn’t required—just faith and willingness. Sharing our testimony strengthens both us and those who hear it.

  1. – Pray for guidance on who to share the gospel with.
  2. – Identify a gospel truth you love and feel confident sharing.
  3. – Look for a natural opportunity in conversation to bear testimony or invite someone to learn more.
  4. – Follow up with kindness and love, regardless of their response.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught, “Proclaiming the gospel can be accomplished through simple, easily understandable principles taught to each of us from childhood: love, share, and invite” (“Love, Share, Invite,” Liahona, May 2022, 85).
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Action Step: Evaluate your personal spiritual habits and commit to improving one area (prayer, scripture study, Sabbath observance, etc.).

Doctrine and Covenants 33:12–13 teaches that those who build upon Christ’s gospel will not fall. A strong foundation in daily gospel living helps us stay faithful and endure challenges.

  1. – Identify one spiritual habit you want to improve.
  2. – Set a small, achievable goal (e.g., read scriptures for 10 minutes daily).
  3. – Track your progress and reflect on how it strengthens your faith.
  4. – Share insights with a friend or family member for added encouragement.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Helaman 5:12 reminds us, “It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation.”
  • Action Step: Identify one way you can improve a relationship within your family and act on it.

Doctrine and Covenants 31 shows that the Lord cares deeply about our family relationships. Strengthening these bonds leads to greater peace, unity, and spiritual growth.

  1. – Pray for guidance on which relationship to focus on.
  2. – Reach out with an act of kindness, such as a message, phone call, or service.
  3. – Listen with love and understanding in your interactions.
  4. – Continue nurturing the relationship with patience and consistency.
  5. Pray for guidance on which relationship to focus on.
  6. Reach out with an act of kindness, such as a message, phone call, or service.
  7. Listen with love and understanding in your interactions.
  8. Continue nurturing the relationship with patience and consistency.

Encouraging Thought:

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “Love is the very essence of family life” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 319).

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand that they don’t need to be experts to share the gospel—just willing.

Paper, pens, a small mirror.

    1. Activity Steps:
      1. Introduction (5 min): Ask learners to try saying a phrase with their mouths closed (e.g., “Jesus Christ is our Savior”) while others try to guess. Discuss how sharing the gospel requires “opening our mouths.”
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      3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 33:8–10, where the Lord repeatedly commands missionaries to “open your mouths.” Discuss how early missionaries, despite being new converts, shared the gospel successfully.
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      5. Application (5 min): Have learners write down one way they can “open their mouths” this week (e.g., sharing a social media post, inviting a friend to church). Look in a mirror and practice saying a simple testimony.

Follow-Up Question: What holds you back from sharing the gospel, and how can you overcome it?

Objective: Teach learners the importance of building their lives on gospel principles.

A small container of sand, a rock, a cup of water.

  1. Activity Steps:
  2. Introduction (5 min): Show the sand and the rock. Pour water on the sand to show how it shifts, then pour water on the rock to show its stability. Ask: “What happens when life’s storms hit us?”
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  4. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 33:12–13 and discuss what it means to build on the rock of Christ. Connect this to Matthew 7:24–27 (the wise man and foolish man).
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  6. Application (5 min): Have learners write down one habit that strengthens their spiritual foundation. Invite them to commit to one action that will help them “build on the rock” this week.

Follow-Up Question: What daily habits help you stay spiritually grounded?

Objective: Help learners see how gospel principles can improve family relationships.

A small tangled ball of string or a puzzle with missing pieces.

  • Activity Steps: 
  • Introduction (5 min): Show the tangled string and ask someone to untangle it. Discuss how family relationships can be complicated and need effort to repair. Alternatively, show a puzzle with missing pieces and discuss how each piece matters.
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  • Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 31:1–2, 5–6, 9, 13, where the Lord gives promises about families. Ask: “What does this teach us about God’s role in our family life?”
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  • Application (5 min): Have learners write down one way they can strengthen a family relationship this week (e.g., expressing gratitude, resolving a conflict, spending time together).

Follow-Up Question: How has the gospel helped you improve relationships with family members?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – The Lord calls all who accept the gospel to share it, regardless of their experience (D&C 30:5, 31:3).
  • – Missionary work is accomplished through the power of the Spirit, not personal ability (D&C 35:13).
  • – The mission to the Lamanites paved the way for Church expansion, even if immediate results were limited (D&C 32:2).
  • – Building a spiritual foundation on Christ prevents us from falling away (D&C 33:12–13).
  • – The Lord cares about our family relationships and provides guidance to strengthen them (D&C 31:1–6).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • – Prophets, like those in scripture, are called by God to guide His people (Amos 3:7).
    • – The consistency of prophetic teachings across time shows divine direction.
    • – The fruit of prophetic teachings—such as restored ordinances and inspired guidance—demonstrates their truth (Matthew 7:16).
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  • Why does God allow mistakes in His Church?
    • – The Lord works through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect work (D&C 35:13).
    • – Early missionaries and leaders made mistakes, yet the gospel spread rapidly, showing God’s hand in the process.
    • – Agency is central to God’s plan; He allows learning and growth through challenges.
  • Teaching in the Savior’s Way – A guide on how to teach with love and inspiration.
  • Revelations in Context: “A Mission to the Lamanites” – Background on early missionary efforts.
  • “Love, Share, Invite” (Elder Gary E. Stevenson, May 2022) – Simple principles for sharing the gospel.
  • Church History Topics: “Thomas B. Marsh” – A deeper look at his faith journey and return to the Church.