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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 29: July 14 - 20: "I Will Lead You Along"

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 77-80

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 80, Stephen Burnett is called to preach the gospel but is not given a specific location, only the instruction to go “whithersoever” he chooses (D&C 80:3). This demonstrates that sometimes the Lord gives broad direction and allows His servants to act in faith.

The Lord reassures His followers in Doctrine and Covenants 78:18 by stating, “Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.” This reminds us that even when we do not see the full picture, we can trust that God is leading us in the right direction.

In Doctrine and Covenants 77, the Lord answers Joseph Smith’s questions about the Book of Revelation, explaining its symbols and meanings. This teaches that scripture study should be accompanied by revelation to gain deeper understanding.

Joseph Smith did not hesitate to seek answers about complex scriptural topics. His example teaches that when we seek knowledge through sincere inquiry and faith, the Lord will provide guidance and insights tailored to our understanding.

  • In Doctrine and Covenants 78:14, the Lord instructs His people to prepare to establish Zion. Though challenges may arise, He promises that He will help provide the necessary resources and leadership.

The Lord instructs the early Saints to work together for the good of all. This principle of unity remains relevant today, as members of the Church are invited to serve and support one another in building Zion.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • In 1832, the Church was still in its early stages, and leaders sought direction regarding both doctrinal matters and the practical affairs of building Zion. The Saints were spread across different areas, including Ohio and Missouri, and faced persecution and economic struggles.
  • Doctrine and Covenants 77–80 includes revelations that answer doctrinal questions about the Book of Revelation (D&C 77), provide instructions on financial management and Church organization (D&C 78), and call individuals to serve missions (D&C 79–80). These revelations were given to guide Church leadership and missionary efforts while establishing principles of consecration and stewardship.
  • These sections illustrate the Lord’s ongoing guidance in both spiritual and temporal matters. They emphasize personal revelation, priesthood responsibilities, and the need for faith in uncertain circumstances. The Lord reassures His people that He will lead them as they act in faith.
  • Understanding the historical setting of these revelations helps us see how the Lord provides direction in both doctrinal and practical matters. Just as early Church members faced challenges in building Zion, we too must learn to trust God’s guidance in our daily lives and Church responsibilities.
  • Joseph Smith’s questions about the Book of Revelation led to specific answers that explain symbolic meanings. This pattern shows that divine understanding is available to those who seek it, reinforcing the principle that personal revelation is essential to scripture study.
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  • The Lord provided interpretations for symbols such as the beasts, the elders, and the seals, showing that prophecy often requires revelation for clarity. Without these explanations, some aspects of John’s vision might remain obscure.
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  • This insight reminds us that scriptural study should be accompanied by prayer and seeking the Spirit. Just as Joseph Smith received clarification, modern readers can receive personal revelation to apply scriptures to their own lives.
  • In Doctrine and Covenants 80, Stephen Burnett is called on a mission without a designated location—he is simply told to go “whithersoever” he feels directed. This highlights the principle that the Lord trusts us to use our agency and act in faith.
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  • While some mission calls in scripture are very specific (e.g., Paul being directed to Macedonia), others allow for personal decision-making. This suggests that God values both revelation and our ability to act within His framework.
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  • This principle applies to modern discipleship. Often, we may not receive every answer we seek right away, but as we move forward in faith, the Lord will guide us step by step.

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

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Joseph Smith’s explanations of Revelation’s symbols were personal opinions, not divine revelation.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Many early Christians, including Church Fathers, acknowledged the complexity of Revelation’s symbolism. Joseph Smith’s interpretations align with prophetic patterns seen in biblical times, where visions often required further revelation for clarity.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Early Saints recorded that Joseph frequently received revelations in response to sincere inquiry, just as he did in Doctrine and Covenants 77. Many witnessed his process of seeking and receiving divine guidance.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Modern readers can pray for personal confirmation of these interpretations, just as we do with all scripture. Many Latter-day Saints have felt the Spirit confirm the truth of these explanations.
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  10. Logical Analysis: If Joseph were fabricating explanations, his interpretations would likely reflect contemporary 19th-century views. Instead, they provide a distinct and consistent theological framework that aligns with restored doctrine.
  • Claim: “Heaven is only divided into heaven and hell, not three degrees of glory.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The idea of different levels of glory in the afterlife is found in early Christian writings and in scripture (1 Corinthians 15:40–42). The concept was lost over time but restored through revelation.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon both received the vision of the three degrees of glory (D&C 76), providing a dual-witness account. Their testimonies remained consistent despite persecution.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Many members of the Church have received personal witness that this doctrine reflects God’s mercy and justice, giving all people a fair and loving judgment.
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  • Logical Analysis: The idea that God provides varying rewards based on faithfulness aligns with both scriptural justice and common sense—just as earthly rewards are proportional to effort and obedience.
  • Claim: “If God were truly directing missionaries, He would provide clear, specific instructions rather than vague guidance.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Throughout scripture, God sometimes provides specific direction (e.g., Moses leading Israel) and other times allows agency (e.g., Paul choosing where to preach). Doctrine and Covenants 80 follows this biblical pattern.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Early missionaries, including Stephen Burnett, reported that even when given general instructions, they felt the Spirit guide them to the right places, resulting in successful conversions.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Modern missionaries and members frequently experience moments where, despite lacking specific direction, the Lord blesses their efforts as they act in faith.
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  • Logical Analysis: The absence of rigid instructions in every situation is a testament to God’s respect for agency, not a flaw in revelation. Faith-based decision-making is a principle seen throughout scripture.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Pray for direction and then move forward with faith, even if answers aren’t immediately clear.

Sometimes, like Stephen Burnett in Doctrine and Covenants 80, we may not receive specific instructions, but the Lord expects us to act in faith. Trusting Him allows us to grow spiritually and receive guidance along the way.

  1. – Identify an area of your life where you need direction.
  2. – Study relevant scriptures and pray sincerely for guidance.
  3. – Take a step forward in faith and observe how the Lord directs your path.
  4. – Reflect on and record any promptings or confirmations you receive.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along” (D&C 78:18). The Lord’s guidance often comes as we move forward in faith.

Action Step: When reading scripture, ask questions and seek answers through study and prayer.

Doctrine and Covenants 77 shows that the Lord is willing to explain difficult concepts when we sincerely seek understanding. Applying this principle deepens our study and invites personal revelation.

  1. – Choose a passage of scripture that you find difficult to understand.
  2. – Write down questions about its meaning.
  3. – Search for answers in study helps, conference talks, and prayer.
  4. – Record impressions and insights that come as you study.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7). Revelation expands our understanding when we approach scripture with real intent.
  • Action Step: Find ways to serve and support others in your ward or home.

Doctrine and Covenants 78 emphasizes the importance of unity and working together to establish Zion. Supporting one another strengthens relationships and brings greater spiritual and temporal blessings.

  1. – Identify someone in your ward or family who may need help.
  2. – Offer a specific act of service (e.g., a meal, a visit, or a kind note).
  3. – Pray for the ability to see others as the Lord sees them.
  4. – Repeat regularly to build a habit of Christlike service.

Encouraging Thought:

“The Lord called His people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind” (Moses 7:18). Unity brings greater blessings into our lives and communities.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand how to seek personal revelation through questions, study, and prayer.

Scriptures, paper, pens, whiteboard/marker.

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask learners: “Have you ever had a scripture or gospel principle you didn’t understand? What did you do?” Write responses on the board.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 77:1–15, highlighting how Joseph Smith asked specific questions and received divine answers. Discuss why seeking revelation is essential.
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  5. Application (5 min): Have learners write down one gospel-related question they have. Discuss how they can find answers through scripture study, prayer, and the Spirit. Encourage them to act on this during the week.

Follow-Up Question: What can we do when we don’t receive immediate answers to our questions?

Objective: Teach that God sometimes gives general direction and trusts us to act in faith.

Blindfold, small obstacles (cups, books, chairs), scriptures.

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Blindfold a volunteer and give them general directions (e.g., “Move forward and trust me.”). Have them navigate through an obstacle course with only limited guidance.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 80:3, where Stephen Burnett is called on a mission without a set destination. Discuss why God sometimes gives broad instructions rather than specific steps.

 

Application (5 min): Ask learners to think of a time they had to trust the Lord without knowing all the details. How did they act in faith? Have them set a small faith-based goal for the week.

Follow-Up Question: Why does God sometimes require us to act before giving us all the details?

Objective: Show the importance of unity in building up the Church and serving others.

A small tower-building game (Jenga or stacking cups), scriptures.

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Have learners work together to build a tower with the materials provided. Remove pieces one by one and discuss what happens when support is lost.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 78:5–7, where the Lord commands unity among the Saints. Discuss why working together is vital for both spiritual and temporal success.

Application (5 min): Have learners brainstorm ways they can contribute to their ward, family, or community. Challenge them to perform one specific act of service this week.

Follow-Up Question: What are some obstacles that prevent unity in our homes and congregations, and how can we overcome them?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – Joseph Smith received revelations by asking specific questions, as seen in Doctrine and Covenants 77.
  • – The Lord sometimes gives broad directions, expecting us to act in faith (D&C 80:3).
  • – The concept of unity is crucial in building Zion, both spiritually and temporally (D&C 78:5–7).
  • – Revelation expands our understanding of scripture and doctrine when we seek it with real intent.
  • – God’s guidance often comes step by step, requiring faith and action before full understanding.
  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • – Prophets follow biblical patterns of revelation, just as in ancient times (Amos 3:7).
  • – The fruits of prophetic leadership include restored doctrine, continuing revelation, and inspired guidance.
  • – Prophetic consistency: Teachings align with scripture and point to Christ.
  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • – Agency is central to God’s plan; even prophets learn and grow through experience.
  • – The Lord refines His people through challenges, helping them develop faith and humility.
  • – Church history shows that mistakes often lead to greater revelation and course correction (e.g., Doctrine and Covenants 3:1–3).
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