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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 32: August 4 - 10: "Stand Ye in Holy Places'"

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 85 – 87

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

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 teaches that in times of turmoil and tribulation, individuals who stand in holy places will find spiritual strength and protection. Holy places include temples, homes where righteousness prevails, and personal spiritual devotion.

Consistently seeking out holy places and maintaining personal righteousness builds resilience against temptation and adversity. By anchoring ourselves in sacred settings, we align with God’s will and receive His guidance in difficult times.

Doctrine and Covenants 87 discusses wars and calamities in the last days but assures that God’s people can find peace by following Him. Peace does not always mean the absence of conflict but rather the presence of divine assurance and guidance.

In Doctrine and Covenants 98:16, the Lord counsels His followers to “renounce war and proclaim peace.” This teaches that while conflict may arise, God’s people are called to be peacemakers, promoting love, understanding, and faith rather than contention.

  • Doctrine and Covenants 85 emphasizes the importance of keeping accurate records of the faithful. Spiritual journals, family history, and personal testimonies serve as a means of preserving divine truths for future generations and strengthening our own commitment to the gospel.

Just as earthly records document righteous actions, the Lord keeps a spiritual record of those who remain faithful. This principle reassures us that our obedience and sacrifices are not forgotten, and we will be blessed accordingly in this life and the next.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The revelations in Doctrine and Covenants 85–87 were received during a time of great unrest in the early 1830s, as tensions between Latter-day Saints and local Missourians escalated. Additionally, national and global conflicts were increasing, fulfilling the prophecies of wars and destruction in the last days.
  • In November 1832, Joseph Smith received Doctrine and Covenants 85 as he wrote to William W. Phelps about the importance of keeping accurate Church records. A month later, Doctrine and Covenants 87 prophesied of wars that would begin with South Carolina and spread worldwide—foreseeing the Civil War and other global conflicts.
  • These sections underscore the Lord’s awareness of future events and His guidance for His people in times of tribulation. The emphasis on keeping records also reflects the Lord’s pattern of preserving spiritual knowledge and ensuring accountability.
  • Understanding these revelations helps us recognize that God’s warnings and instructions are timely and relevant. As we face modern challenges, we can find peace in prophetic guidance and the importance of standing in holy places.
  • The revelation states that war would “begin at the rebellion of South Carolina,” which came true when the state seceded from the Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War. This prophecy highlights God’s omniscience and His willingness to reveal warnings to His people in advance. Doctrine and Covenants 87.
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  • The prophecy extends beyond the Civil War, foretelling “wars and rumors of wars” spreading worldwide. This aligns with the global conflicts of the 19th and 20th centuries, including World War I and World War II.
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  • The Lord’s purpose in revealing this was not to incite fear but to prepare His people. Understanding that turmoil was foreseen by God allows us to trust in His plans and focus on spiritual preparedness.
  • The Lord instructed Church leaders to keep a book of remembrance, a principle rooted in biblical traditions. This was particularly relevant as the Church was growing, and there was a need to record membership, tithing, and covenant-keeping. Doctrine and Covenants 85.
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  • The idea of spiritual records extends beyond official Church documents. Personal journals, testimonies, and family histories serve as ways to strengthen faith and leave a legacy for future generations.
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  • This principle also teaches accountability—both in a Church setting and before God. Just as the faithful are recorded, those who disregard their covenants are also noted, underscoring the importance of commitment to the gospel.

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

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Many people in the early 1800s speculated that the United States might go to war, so this prophecy is not unique.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: At the time of the prophecy (1832), there were tensions between South Carolina and the federal government, but war did not seem imminent. The Civil War did not break out until 1861, making Joseph’s specific details (South Carolina as the starting point) remarkable.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Contemporary records show that Joseph’s prophecy was written and shared long before the war began, proving it was not a post-dated addition. Early Church members recorded their awareness of the prophecy well before 1861.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The fulfillment of this revelation strengthens faith in modern prophecy, demonstrating that God foresees world events and prepares His people. Those who seek personal revelation can receive confirmation of divine truth.

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  10. Logical Analysis: If Joseph had been making vague guesses, he likely would have predicted war beginning elsewhere (e.g., the North-South divide broadly). The specificity of South Carolina seceding, leading to widespread war, suggests divine insight rather than chance.
  • Claim: “The emphasis on record-keeping in Doctrine and Covenants 85 is a man-made bureaucratic requirement, not a divine command.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Throughout the Bible, keeping records was a divinely sanctioned practice (e.g., the Book of Life, genealogies in the Old Testament). The Lord has always commanded His people to document sacred events.
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  • Eyewitness Support: The Church’s meticulous record-keeping has preserved vital doctrines and history, ensuring accurate transmission of faith over generations. Without records, key revelations and ordinances would be lost or forgotten.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Personal record-keeping, such as journaling and temple work, often leads to greater spiritual insights and stronger testimonies. Many members report personal experiences of inspiration from recorded family histories.
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  • Logical Analysis: If record-keeping were unnecessary, there would be no need for scriptures at all. The existence of ancient and modern scriptures shows that written records are vital in preserving and teaching truth.
  • Claim: “The Latter-day Saint view of prophecy seems to embrace inevitable conflict rather than advocating peace.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The revelation does not command war but merely predicts that it will happen as a result of human actions. Other sections of the Doctrine and Covenants (e.g., 98:16) explicitly command believers to renounce war and seek peace.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Joseph Smith and early Church leaders actively sought peaceful resolutions to conflicts, even when persecuted. Church history shows numerous examples of Saints attempting peaceful coexistence despite hostility.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The gospel of Jesus Christ is centered on peace. Believers who seek divine guidance often find that these prophecies serve as warnings, urging them to spiritually prepare rather than participate in violence.
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  • Logical Analysis: If this prophecy were meant to promote war, it would encourage active rebellion or violence. Instead, it counsels standing in holy places and trusting in God’s protection, which aligns with Christian teachings on peace.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Make time each day to be in a spiritually uplifting environment, such as the temple, church, or a dedicated place for prayer and scripture study.

Holy places invite God’s presence, providing peace and clarity in times of chaos. Standing in holy places—both physically and spiritually—builds resilience against temptation and worldly distractions.

  1. – Identify places that bring you spiritual peace (temple, home, nature, church).
  2. – Set aside time for daily devotion, prayer, or meditation in these spaces.
  3. – Remove distractions and invite the Spirit by playing uplifting music or reading scriptures.
  4. – When facing difficult decisions, seek guidance in a holy place.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” (D&C 87:8) — As we intentionally place ourselves in environments where the Spirit can dwell, we gain divine protection and peace.

Action Step: Start by making a small emergency plan and committing to daily spiritual nourishment.

God warns of future trials not to cause fear but to encourage preparation. Both spiritual and temporal preparedness reduce stress and allow us to serve others in times of need.

  1. – Strengthen faith daily through prayer and scripture study.
  2. – Start small—build a 72-hour emergency kit and gather extra food storage.
  3. – Learn self-reliance skills such as budgeting, gardening, or first aid.
  4. – Trust in God’s plan and remain calm in the face of adversity.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.” (D&C 38:30) — Preparation brings peace and allows us to be a blessing to others when difficult times arise.
  • Action Step: Start a journal or digital record where you document insights, answered prayers, and faith-building experiences.

Writing down spiritual impressions helps us recognize God’s hand in our lives and provides a source of strength during difficult times. These records also bless family members and future generations.

  1. – Choose a method that works for you—physical journal, digital notes, or video/audio recordings.
  2. – Write about moments when you felt the Spirit, received an answer to prayer, or overcame trials with faith.
  3. – Make it a habit—set aside time weekly or monthly to reflect and record insights.
  4. – Share uplifting experiences with family or friends to strengthen collective faith.

Encouraging Thought:

Angels may quote from it.” (D&C 85:2) — Our personal records can serve as a witness of truth, inspiring others long after we are gone.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand how standing in holy places provides protection and spiritual strength.

Masking tape or cones (to mark paths), small obstacles (e.g., chairs, books), pictures of temples/churches, scripture cards (D&C 87:8).

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Set up an obstacle course representing life’s distractions and temptations. Mark “holy places” (safe zones) with images of temples, homes, or scriptures.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 87:8. Discuss what “holy places” are and why they provide spiritual safety.
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  5. Application (5 min): Participants navigate the obstacle course while trying to reach safe zones. Afterward, discuss how standing in holy places in real life protects us spiritually.

Follow-Up Question: What are some “holy places” in your life, and how do they help you stay spiritually safe?

Objective: Help learners recognize the fulfillment of prophecy and apply it to modern events.

Blank paper, markers, printed newspaper headlines, scripture verses (D&C 87:1-6).

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Show recent news headlines about wars, natural disasters, or moral challenges. Ask, “Do you think these events were foreseen?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 87:1-6 and discuss its prophecy about wars and calamities. How does this compare to today’s world?

Application (5 min): Have students create their own “prophetic newspaper” headlines based on scripture and discuss how we can spiritually prepare for challenging times.

Follow-Up Question: How can knowing God’s prophecies help us feel peace instead of fear?

Objective: Emphasize the importance of keeping personal and sacred records as commanded in Doctrine and Covenants 85.

Notebooks or paper, pens, examples of journals (e.g., Joseph Smith’s history, pioneer journals).

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Show an excerpt from a historical Church journal (e.g., Wilford Woodruff’s or Joseph Smith’s writings). Discuss why records are valuable.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 85:1-2 and discuss how keeping spiritual records blesses individuals and future generations.

Application (5 min): Have each participant start their own testimony journal by writing about a recent spiritual experience or an answered prayer.

Follow-Up Question: How can keeping a spiritual record help you recognize God’s hand in your life?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – Standing in holy places provides spiritual safety (D&C 87:8).
  • – Prophecy of the Civil War was given nearly 30 years before the conflict began (D&C 87:1-4).
  • – Keeping sacred records is a divine commandment, ensuring truth is preserved (D&C 85:1-2).
  • – The Lord warns of future events not to cause fear but to encourage preparation (D&C 38:30).
    – Despite wars and tribulations, the righteous can find peace through faith in Christ (D&C 87:6-7).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    •  Prophecies such as the Civil War prediction in D&C 87 demonstrate divine foresight.
    • Those who sincerely pray about modern prophets often receive a personal witness through the Holy Ghost.
      If God guided people through prophets in ancient times, why would He stop today?
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • Even biblical prophets made errors (e.g., Moses striking the rock in Numbers 20:11).
       God allows agency, but He always corrects and refines His people over time.
    • A perfect, error-free record would remove the need for faith; instead, God provides enough evidence to strengthen belief while allowing room for growth and revelation.