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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 25: June 16 - 22: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind"

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 64 – 66

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

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • In Doctrine and Covenants 64:34, the Lord emphasizes that He requires “the heart and a willing mind.” This means that true discipleship is not just about outward obedience but about sincerely aligning our desires with God’s will. When we submit our hearts and minds to Him, we open ourselves to greater spiritual growth and personal revelation.

Those who serve with a willing heart are promised divine support and guidance. The Lord does not expect perfection but asks for sincerity and effort. By giving our whole selves to Him, we develop a closer relationship with God and become instruments in His hands to bless others.

In Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10, we learn that withholding forgiveness places us in spiritual danger. The Lord reminds us that He is the ultimate judge and that it is not our place to harbor resentment. By forgiving others, we free ourselves from bitterness and allow God’s peace to enter our hearts.

When we let go of grudges, we make room for the Savior’s healing power. Holding on to offenses can burden our souls and block spiritual progression. Choosing to forgive, even when difficult, aligns us with Christ’s example and helps us move forward with faith.

  • In Doctrine and Covenants 65, the Lord declares that His work will roll forth until it fills the earth. He calls individuals to preach the gospel and strengthen His kingdom. Those who respond to His call with faith will be magnified in their efforts and receive His sustaining power.

In Doctrine and Covenants 66, the Lord encourages William McLellin to embark on a mission, illustrating that God’s work is carried out by those who are willing to serve. The Lord provides strength and guidance to those who answer His call. This principle reminds us that every disciple has a role in sharing the gospel, whether formally or informally.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The revelations in Doctrine and Covenants 64–66 were given in Kirtland, Ohio, in September and October 1831. This was a time of transition and tension within the Church as members were preparing to relocate to Missouri while also facing internal disputes and external opposition.
  • Joseph Smith and other early Saints were dealing with significant personal and communal challenges, including financial struggles, interpersonal conflicts, and the difficulties of spreading the gospel. In Doctrine and Covenants 64, the Lord commands the Saints to forgive each other, emphasizing that forgiveness is a divine requirement. Additionally, the Lord affirms that His work will move forward, regardless of human imperfections.
  • This revelation underscores the necessity of unity among the Saints. The command to forgive was especially relevant as early Church members faced contention and hardships that tested their faith. The Lord’s instruction provided both a spiritual mandate and practical wisdom to help the fledgling Church progress.
  • The principles in these sections are timeless. Whether in personal relationships or Church service, we are all required to develop forgiving hearts and be willing participants in the Lord’s work. Just as the early Saints had to trust in God’s timing and plan, we too must exercise faith and commitment in our own spiritual journeys.
    •  In Doctrine and Covenants 64:34, the Lord explicitly states that He requires “the heart and a willing mind.” At this time, many Church members felt unqualified or overwhelmed by the responsibilities of building Zion. The Lord reassured them that what mattered most was their willingness to serve.
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    • This principle reflects the broader scriptural theme that God works through imperfect people. From Moses’ reluctance to Nephi’s humility, scripture teaches that the Lord magnifies those who are willing to follow Him.
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    • For modern disciples, this means that we should not let feelings of inadequacy hold us back. Whether we are called to serve in the Church, share the gospel, or simply live faithfully, what matters most is our sincerity and desire to act.
  • Doctrine and Covenants 64:9–10 highlights the Lord’s commandment to forgive all people, warning that those who refuse to forgive are condemned. This was particularly relevant as early Saints were experiencing betrayal and persecution, even from within their own ranks.
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  • The Saints were dealing with serious conflicts, including disputes over land, leadership, and personal grievances. Without forgiveness, these issues could have led to deeper division and hindered the progress of the Church.
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  • Today, we often face challenges in our relationships—whether in families, workplaces, or Church communities. The Lord’s command to forgive is a reminder that harboring grudges only prevents spiritual growth. Forgiving others allows us to align ourselves with God’s will and receive His blessings.

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

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Forgiving others without consequence enables wrongdoing and prevents justice.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: In Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10, the Lord commands the Saints to forgive, even when it is difficult. At the time, Church members were facing persecution and betrayal, including from former friends. The command to forgive was not about ignoring justice but about maintaining unity and avoiding spiritual destruction.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Joseph Smith himself modeled forgiveness by extending mercy to those who had wronged him, including W.W. Phelps, who had contributed to his imprisonment. Other early Church leaders who forgave offenders, such as Parley P. Pratt, saw their relationships and testimonies strengthened.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord’s teachings align with Christ’s doctrine in the New Testament (Matthew 6:14-15). Many who have chosen to forgive—even in extreme cases—have testified of the healing and peace that follows.
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  10. Logical Analysis: Forgiveness does not mean the absence of justice. Rather, it allows individuals to move forward without being weighed down by resentment. Holding grudges only harms the person carrying them, while forgiveness enables emotional and spiritual healing.
  • Claim: “Doctrine and Covenants 66, where the Lord calls William McLellin to serve a mission, is just Joseph giving his own instructions.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: William McLellin was a highly educated man who initially doubted Joseph Smith’s prophetic abilities. He secretly prayed that Joseph would reveal five specific concerns of his heart. When Joseph gave him a revelation (D&C 66) that answered all five, McLellin was convinced of its divine origin.
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  • Eyewitness Support: McLellin himself later testified that Joseph could not have known his private prayers. Many early Saints recorded similar experiences where personal revelation confirmed their divinely appointed callings.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The principle of divine callings is affirmed throughout scripture. Acts 13:2 describes the Holy Ghost directing the apostles to call missionaries. Modern Church members often receive spiritual confirmations of their own callings.
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  • Logical Analysis: If Joseph were merely assigning callings arbitrarily, there would be inconsistencies in how people responded. Instead, many Saints—including those skeptical at first—felt the Lord’s hand in their callings and later bore testimony of their divine guidance.
  • Claim: “The idea that the gospel would ‘fill the earth’ (D&C 65:2) was an unrealistic prophecy with no divine origin.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: At the time this revelation was given (1831), the Church was a small and struggling movement with only a few hundred members. The idea that it would spread worldwide seemed unlikely. Yet, today, the Church has millions of members across the globe.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Early missionaries, such as Parley P. Pratt and Heber C. Kimball, recorded miracles and unexpected success in their missionary work. Converts in England, Canada, and later Africa and Asia testified that they were spiritually led to the gospel.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Many modern converts have reported similar experiences of divine guidance leading them to the Church. The continued growth of the Church, despite opposition, aligns with Christ’s promise in Matthew 24:14 that His gospel would be preached in all nations.
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  • Logical Analysis: If the Church’s growth were purely due to social enthusiasm, it should have faded like other 19th-century religious movements. Instead, it has endured and expanded even in countries where religious opposition is strong, suggesting divine influence rather than mere chance.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Make a conscious decision to forgive someone who has wronged you, even if they haven’t apologized.

Holding onto resentment can weigh us down spiritually and emotionally. Forgiveness frees us from bitterness and allows us to experience God’s peace. The Lord promises that as we forgive, we too will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15).

  1. – Identify someone you need to forgive.
  2. – Pray for strength and a softened heart.
  3. – Try to understand the other person’s perspective.
  4. – Actively choose to let go of negative feelings.
  5. – If appropriate, express kindness or reconciliation toward the person.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you, it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10). Forgiveness is not about excusing wrongdoing; it’s about freeing ourselves from its burden.

Action Step: Identify one way you can more fully consecrate your heart and mind to the Lord’s work.

The Lord requires not just obedience but willingness (D&C 64:34). When we serve with real intent, we grow spiritually, experience joy, and develop a closer relationship with God.

  1. – Reflect on your current Church and personal service efforts.
  2. – Pray to recognize any areas where you might be hesitant or holding back.
  3. – Actively commit to an opportunity to serve—whether in Church, your family, or your community.
  4. – Maintain a positive attitude and seek joy in your efforts.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “When we are engaged in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God” (Mosiah 2:17). The Lord magnifies our efforts when we serve with a willing heart.
  • Action Step: Choose one area of your life where you feel uncertain or discouraged, and turn it over to the Lord in faith.

The Lord declared that His work would roll forth until it fills the earth (D&C 65:2). Just as the early Saints had to trust in God’s timing, we too can find peace knowing that He is in control.

  1. – Identify a situation in your life where you are struggling with uncertainty.
  2. – Study scriptures about faith and God’s promises.
  3. – Pray sincerely, asking God for peace and guidance.
  4. – Take small steps forward with trust, even if you don’t see the full picture.
  5. – Look for ways God is already working in your life and acknowledge His hand.

Encouraging Thought:

“Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work” (D&C 64:33). Even when results are not immediate, faith and persistence lead to lasting blessings.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand the burden of holding grudges and the freedom that comes from forgiving others.

A heavy backpack, rocks (or books), slips of paper, a trash can.

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Have a volunteer wear a backpack. Hand out slips of paper and ask learners to write down something that has hurt them or a situation where they struggled to forgive. As each person shares or thinks about their experience, add a rock to the backpack.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 64:9-10 and discuss why the Lord requires us to forgive. Ask how the weight of unforgiveness affects us spiritually and emotionally.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to take their slip of paper, crumple it up, and throw it into the trash can as a symbol of choosing to forgive. Discuss how letting go brings peace.

Follow-Up Question: How has forgiveness (or lack of it) affected your personal peace and spiritual growth?

Objective: Teach learners that a willing heart and mind qualify us for the Lord’s work.

A piece of paper for each participant, markers or pens.

Activity Steps:

    1. Introduction (5 min): Write “Excuses” on one side of the board and “Willingness” on the other. Ask learners to share common excuses people make for not serving God. Then, ask what a willing heart looks like.
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    3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 64:34 and discuss what it means to give our whole heart to God. Share an example of someone who served willingly despite challenges (e.g., Nephi, early missionaries, Joseph Smith).
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    5. Application (5 min): Hand out papers and have each learner write one thing they will do this week to show a willing heart. Have them share (if comfortable) and encourage them to act on their commitment.

Follow-Up Question: What changes when we stop making excuses and fully commit to serving the Lord?

Objective: Demonstrate how the gospel spreads and grows as we actively participate in the Lord’s work.

A small ball (representing the gospel), paper and pens.

Activity Steps: 

    1. Introduction (5 min): Roll a ball across the floor and ask, “What makes something move forward?” Discuss how small actions create momentum.
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    3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 65:2 and discuss how the gospel spreads like a rolling stone. Share examples of missionary work and Church growth.
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    5. Application (5 min): Have learners write one way they can contribute to God’s kingdom (sharing their testimony, serving in a calling, helping someone in need). Roll the ball to different participants and have each person share their idea before rolling it to the next.

Follow-Up Question: What is one small action you can take this week to help move the Lord’s work forward?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – The Lord requires a willing heart and mind (D&C 64:34) rather than perfection.
  • – Forgiveness is a divine commandment (D&C 64:9-10), essential for spiritual growth.
  • – The gospel will roll forth until it fills the earth (D&C 65:2).
  • – The Lord calls and directs His servants (D&C 66) to fulfill His work.
  • – Patience and endurance are key—God’s promises are fulfilled in His time (D&C 64:33).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • – Historical Evidence: The prophecies and leadership of modern prophets align with scriptural patterns and are backed by historical fulfillment.
  • – Eyewitness Support: Countless testimonies affirm the inspiration and spiritual guidance of living prophets.
  • – Spiritual Confirmation: The Holy Ghost confirms their divine calling to those who seek with faith.
  • – Logical Analysis: A world without prophets would contradict the precedent set in both biblical and modern revelation.
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  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • – Historical Evidence: Even ancient prophets, like Moses and Peter, made errors yet were still chosen by God.
  • – Eyewitness Support: Early Church leaders, such as Brigham Young, acknowledged that prophets are human but divinely guided.
  • – Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord allows growth through imperfection, teaching humility and reliance on revelation.
  • – Logical Analysis: If perfection were required, no mortal could lead the Church. Instead, God refines His servants as they serve.

Teaching in the Savior’s Way – How to effectively teach gospel principles.

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles – Witness of modern prophets.