FAIR

Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 18: April 28 - May 4: "My Law to Govern My Church”

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 41 – 44

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

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

In the scriptures, the Lord emphasizes that order ensures unity, proper worship, and the fulfillment of His purposes. Without order, confusion and contention can arise, making it difficult for individuals to grow spiritually and serve effectively.

Bishops, teachers, and other leaders are called to guide the Church according to God’s commandments. Their roles are not just administrative but spiritual, ensuring that members receive instruction, ordinances, and care in a manner that aligns with God’s plan.

Throughout history, God has given commandments to His followers, not to restrict them, but to lead them to greater joy and holiness. Obedience to His laws brings promised blessings and prepares individuals to enter His presence.

Making and keeping covenants, such as baptism and temple covenants, binds individuals to God in a sacred relationship. These covenants provide strength, guidance, and access to divine power, helping members navigate life’s challenges.

  • The Lord inspires callings in the Church to bless both the one called and those they serve. Through service, individuals develop Christlike attributes and strengthen the body of the Church, fulfilling His commandment to love and serve one another.

When individuals serve with humility and seek to do the Lord’s will, He magnifies their efforts. Even small acts of service, performed with love, can have lasting impacts on individuals and communities, furthering the work of salvation.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study

The early Saints were striving to establish the Church in a time of great religious and societal change. The restoration of priesthood authority and church organization was still in its early stages.

  • In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provided commandments concerning order, governance, and the law of the Church. Leaders were called to help administer spiritual and temporal matters, reinforcing the need for revelation, structure, and obedience.
  • This period was foundational for the Church’s development. Without clear guidance and divine instruction, confusion could have undermined the work. The Lord’s direction ensured unity, helped resolve disputes, and strengthened faith.
  • Understanding the importance of order in the early Church helps modern members appreciate the divine organization of the Church today. It reaffirms the principle that God works through authorized leaders and continues to reveal His will to guide His people.
  • Bishops were given significant responsibilities to oversee spiritual and temporal welfare.
  •  
  • The early Church needed leaders who could care for the needs of members while ensuring adherence to the Lord’s commandments. Bishops were tasked with administering church funds, helping the poor, and maintaining doctrinal purity. Their role was not just one of governance but of shepherding the Lord’s flock.
  •  
  • The call of a bishop was not based on personal ambition but divine appointment. This ensured that the Church remained guided by revelation rather than political or personal motives.
  •  
  • Modern bishops continue to fulfill similar responsibilities, offering inspired leadership to help members both temporally and spiritually. Their work highlights the ongoing need for structured, Christ-centered service.
  • The Lord established principles of consecration to help early Saints live in unity and meet each other’s needs.
  •  
  • One of the key teachings during this time was the law of consecration, which required members to dedicate their resources to the Lord’s work. While this law was not always lived in its fullness, it reflected God’s expectation that His people care for one another and prioritize spiritual wealth over material gain.
  •  
  • The law of consecration was not simply about giving up possessions—it was about aligning one’s heart with God’s will. By consecrating their resources, members demonstrated faith and reliance on divine providence.
  •  
  • Though members today follow a different economic model, the principles of sacrifice, generosity, and using resources for God’s purposes remain vital in the Church. Tithing, fast offerings, and acts of service continue to embody the spirit of consecration.

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

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: “Joseph Smith and early Church leaders created rules and offices arbitrarily.”
  •  
  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The organization of the Church follows biblical patterns, including apostles, bishops, and deacons, demonstrating continuity with God’s ancient order. Early revelations about Church government predate their full implementation, indicating foresight rather than reactionary decisions.
  •  
  • Eyewitness Support: Contemporary records show that members saw the growing organization as divinely guided, not arbitrary. Many early Saints bore testimony of the revelations that established Church leadership and practices.
  •  
  • Spiritual Confirmation: The consistency of Church governance, from the early days to now, aligns with Christ’s pattern of guiding His Church through revelation. Many members receive personal witness of the divine structure through prayer.
  •  
  • Logical Analysis: If Joseph Smith were merely fabricating rules, inconsistencies and contradictions would be expected. Instead, the Church’s organization remains systematic and deeply rooted in scripture.
  • Claim: “The Church attempted to control members’ property and wealth.”
  •  
  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The law of consecration was rooted in biblical principles, resembling early Christian communal living (Acts 4:32–35). Unlike coercive systems, participation was voluntary and based on covenant, not force.
  •  
  • Eyewitness Support: Many early Saints testified of the blessings they received from living the law, and records show that those who left the Church did not report financial coercion. Even after its full implementation waned, members continued to contribute voluntarily.
  •  
  • Spiritual Confirmation: The principle behind the law remains today through tithing and service, demonstrating that it was never about control but about aligning with God’s will. Members continue to receive spiritual and temporal blessings from living the law in adapted forms.
  •  
  • Logical Analysis: Unlike communism, which enforces equal wealth distribution, the law of consecration was about stewardship—those who had surplus gave freely, and those in need received based on their needs, while maintaining personal responsibility.
  • Claim: “New Church laws were invented to benefit Church leaders.”
  •  
  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The revelations given through Joseph Smith are consistent with biblical patterns of divine instruction. Many revelations included commandments that were difficult to follow, contradicting the idea that they were self-serving.
  •  
  • Eyewitness Support: Those who knew Joseph testified of his sincerity in receiving revelations. Many Saints recorded spiritual confirmations that these laws were divinely inspired rather than human inventions.
  •  
  • Spiritual Confirmation: Members today can pray and receive personal witness of modern revelation, just as early Saints did. The consistency of revelation over time demonstrates divine guidance.
  •  
  • Logical Analysis:  If Joseph Smith were fabricating revelations, inconsistencies and contradictions would likely appear. Instead, the doctrines he revealed remain doctrinally cohesive and applicable across generations..

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Set aside time each week to organize spiritual habits (prayer, scripture study, church service) alongside work, school, and family duties.

Order in our daily lives reflects God’s divine order in the Church. When we plan with purpose, we invite peace and direction into our lives, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.

  1. – Identify key spiritual and temporal responsibilities.
  2. – Create a simple weekly schedule incorporating these priorities.
  3. – Set reminders or accountability measures to stay on track.
  4. – Adjust as needed, but remain consistent in core spiritual habits.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Our lives are the workmanship of our own hands, and the Lord has given us guidance so that we may shape them well.

Action Step: Make a commitment to pray specifically for local Church leaders and offer support where needed.

Bishops and other leaders carry significant responsibilities and rely on members’ faith and encouragement. Strengthening our leaders allows them to better serve and receive revelation for their stewardship.

  1. – Pray daily for your bishop, quorum leaders, and Relief Society presidency.
  2. – Look for ways to serve in your ward (ministering, volunteering, offering to help).
  3. – Express gratitude through kind words or notes of appreciation.
  4. – Follow their counsel with faith and seek personal confirmation through prayer.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Sustaining our leaders is not just about raising a hand—it’s about raising our hearts in faith and support.
  • Action Step: Look for ways to share excess time or resources with those in need through tithing, fast offerings, and service.

The principle of consecration teaches selflessness and helps us align our priorities with God’s will. Giving not only blesses others but increases our faith and trust in divine provision.

  1. – Assess areas where you have abundance (time, skills, material resources).
  2. – Set a personal goal for how you can give more meaningfully.
  3. – Identify Church programs, charities, or individuals who may need support.
  4. – Act with faith, knowing that small sacrifices make a big difference.

Encouraging Thought:

When we consecrate what we have to the Lord, He magnifies it beyond what we could ever imagine.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand the importance of order in their personal lives and in the Church.

Small building blocks (e.g., Jenga, Legos), a picture of a well-organized home and a messy home.

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Show the two pictures (organized vs. messy home) and ask, “Which home would you rather live in? Why?” Explain that just like a home, the Church and our lives function best when there is order.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 28:13 and discuss how the Lord instructs His people to do all things in order. Use building blocks to demonstrate how an ordered structure stands strong while a disorganized one collapses.
  3. Application (5 min): Ask learners to share one way they can bring more order into their lives (e.g., setting spiritual goals, organizing time better). Have them write down one action step they will take this week.

Follow-Up Question: How does bringing order into our lives help us better follow God’s plan?

Objective: Help learners understand the role of Church leaders and how to support them.

A chair, a small but heavy object, and slips of paper with leadership roles (e.g., bishop, ministering brother/sister, youth leader).

  1. Activity Steps:
  1. Introduction (5 min): Have a volunteer try to hold up the heavy object alone. Then, have others come help. Explain that just like this, Church leaders need our support to carry out their responsibilities.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:22-23 about Church leadership and discuss why God calls leaders. Hand out slips of paper with leadership roles and ask each person to describe a way that role serves others.
  3. Application (5 min): Have learners write a short note of appreciation to a Church leader or discuss one action they can take to support their bishop, youth leader, or ministering brothers/sisters.

Follow-Up Question: What are some specific ways we can sustain and support our leaders beyond raising our hands in Church?

Objective: Help learners see how the principles of consecration still apply in modern times.

A jar labeled “Consecration,” slips of paper, and pens.

  • Activity Steps: 
  •  
  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask, “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘consecration’?” Write responses on the board. Clarify that while we may not live the law in its fullest form today, we still consecrate time, talents, and resources to God.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 42:30-34 and discuss how early Saints lived the law of consecration. Compare this to tithing, fast offerings, and acts of service today.
  3. Application (5 min): Have each learner write on a slip of paper one thing they can consecrate to the Lord this week (e.g., an hour of service, a talent to help others, a renewed effort in prayer). Place the slips in the jar as a commitment.

Follow-Up Question: How can consecrating a part of our time, talents, or resources to God bring blessings into our lives?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • The Lord commands that all things in His Church be done in order (Doctrine and Covenants 28:13).
  • Bishops and other leaders are divinely appointed to guide and serve (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22-23).
  • The law of consecration teaches selflessness and stewardship, not forced communal living.
  • Church leadership relies on revelation, scripture, and service, not personal ambition.
  • Supporting our leaders and living in order brings personal and communal spiritual strength.
  • Why trust modern prophets?

     

    • – Prophets have guided God’s people throughout history, and the pattern continues today (Amos 3:7).
    • – Their teachings align with scripture, revelation, and personal spiritual confirmation.
    • – Fulfilled prophecies and consistent doctrine testify of their divine calling.
  •  
  • Why does God allow mistakes in the Church?

     

    • – The Lord works through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect purposes.
    • – Church leaders are called to act in wisdom and revelation, but they learn and grow just as all disciples do (Doctrine and Covenants 1:24-28).
    • – The principle of continuing revelation allows for correction, adaptation, and increased understanding over time.
  • Teaching in the Savior’s Way – Guide for effective gospel teaching.
  • General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Instructions on Church order and governance.