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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 33: August 11 - 17: "Establish...a House of God'"

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 88

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 88 teaches that “the light of truth…is the light of Christ” (D&C 88:6–13). As we live by this light and align our lives with it, we are promised that more truth and understanding will come to us through the Holy Spirit. This makes spiritual knowledge accessible to all who sincerely seek it.

The Lord declares that “he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light” (D&C 50:24). This principle teaches that spiritual growth is a process. As we act on the light we have, more will be given, reinforcing the importance of living righteously to invite further revelation and understanding.

In D&C 88:119, the Lord outlines what kind of house He wants us to build—a house of prayer, fasting, faith, learning, and glory. This instruction goes beyond physical temples; it applies to our homes, churches, and even our own lives. Each of these should reflect divine attributes to invite the Spirit.

When our lives reflect the attributes of a “house of God,” we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can dwell. This brings peace, unity, and inspiration. It also prepares us to receive personal revelation and instruction from the Lord, just as the early Saints were commanded to prepare themselves for temple worship.

  • D&C 88:118 teaches, “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” This dual approach shows that both intellectual effort and spiritual receptiveness are needed to gain gospel understanding. The Spirit is the ultimate teacher and can confirm truth as we diligently study.

As emphasized in the “Seeking Knowledge by the Spirit” resource, revelation through the Holy Ghost is personal and often comes quietly. Those who cultivate humility and sensitivity to the Spirit are more likely to receive divine insight that leads to wisdom, growth, and direction.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  •  In late December 1832 through early January 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a lengthy revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 88. It was given at a time when the early Saints were still organizing the Church and receiving foundational instruction.
  • This revelation was given in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time when the Saints were growing in numbers and preparing for greater spiritual responsibilities. In particular, they were being directed to establish the School of the Prophets, which would help them prepare spiritually and intellectually to preach the gospel and eventually build a temple.
  •  Doctrine and Covenants 88 is sometimes called the “Olive Leaf” revelation because Joseph described it as “the olive leaf…plucked from the Tree of Paradise.” It offered peace and instruction following earlier, more chastening revelations. It emphasized preparation for temple worship, instruction by the Spirit, and the sanctity of God’s house.
  •  This matters now because we are still called to prepare spiritually to dwell with God—both in temples and in our daily lives. The balance of study and faith, the command to build spiritually edifying environments, and the promise of divine light are as applicable to us today as they were to the early Saints.
  • The command to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118) reflects the Lord’s emphasis on both intellectual effort and spiritual sensitivity. The Saints were not only to learn gospel truths, but also scientific, historical, and worldly knowledge—all within a spiritual framework. This holistic approach was a radical concept in 1832, especially for a frontier church.
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  • The early School of the Prophets exemplified this balance, offering instruction in languages, science, and theology to prepare the elders for missionary service and leadership. It was a model of combining secular and spiritual learning.
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  • Today, this pattern helps guide Latter-day Saints in their education and personal development, encouraging members to pursue truth from all good sources while seeking divine guidance through prayer and the Holy Ghost.
  •  Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 calls the Saints to organize a “house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith…” and so on. While this revelation ultimately led to the construction of the Kirtland Temple, it also introduced a new standard for homes, schools, and churches—to become places where the Spirit could dwell and truth could be taught.
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  • The Kirtland Temple became the first sacred space built by the Saints, and it served as a spiritual and educational center. Its construction was a direct fulfillment of this revelation, demonstrating obedience and unity among the Saints.
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  • In modern times, this vision extends to our own homes and meetinghouses. The Lord calls us to make every space we occupy one of learning, reverence, and preparation for divine experiences—echoing the sacred purpose of that first “house of God.”

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

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “Spiritual impressions are subjective and can’t be trusted as real knowledge.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Doctrine and Covenants 88 was received in a setting where multiple witnesses (the early Saints) recorded the circumstances and content of the revelation, showing consistent and documented spiritual experiences. Joseph Smith’s dictated revelations were transcribed and shared, reflecting structure and clarity beyond mere emotion.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Many early Saints who were present during revelatory events, such as those in the School of the Prophets, bore testimony of the reality of spiritual manifestations, including visions and the presence of the Spirit. Their accounts are consistent and often accompanied by observable effects (like speaking in tongues, outpourings of knowledge, etc.).
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The Holy Ghost confirms truth to sincere seekers through peace, clarity, and enlightenment—effects described in scripture and by countless believers. The consistent witness of spiritual confirmation across cultures and eras strengthens its credibility.
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  10. Logical Analysis: If only physical or empirical evidence is accepted as valid, vast areas of human experience—like love, beauty, or moral intuition—are invalidated. Spiritual impressions, like conscience or inspiration, are real and meaningful ways humans discern truth, especially when corroborated by scripture and righteous living.
  • Claim: “Scriptures talk about light, but it’s not an actual force—it’s symbolic only.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Doctrine and Covenants 88 explicitly describes the Light of Christ as a real, sustaining force that “giveth life to all things” (vv. 6–13). Joseph Smith taught this consistently, and early Saints organized their understanding of the universe around these divine revelations.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Saints testified of receiving light—spiritual clarity, healing, and understanding—in powerful ways that transformed their lives. These personal accounts point to more than metaphor; they indicate real spiritual power.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Individuals report genuine experiences where they feel darkness lifted or minds enlightened through prayer and repentance. This kind of spiritual “light” produces discernible, lasting changes in thought and behavior.
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  • Logical Analysis: Light is a fitting metaphor, but it’s also a spiritual principle reflected in natural law. Just as physical light reveals and gives life, so does divine light illuminate truth and animates the soul. It is both symbolic and substantive.
  • Claim: “The idea that God commanded temple building in the 1800s is unfounded.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The command to build the Kirtland Temple in D&C 88 came with precise spiritual preparation. Historical records show it was built with great sacrifice and was later the site of heavenly manifestations, including visitations by Christ and Moses (D&C 110).
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  • Eyewitness Support: Dozens of Saints recorded miraculous spiritual experiences in the Kirtland Temple—seeing visions, angels, and receiving spiritual gifts—which supports the claim that God honored the space as sacred.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Modern temples continue to be places of spiritual peace, revelation, and connection to God. Millions testify of personal revelation, clarity, and divine presence felt within those walls.
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  • Logical Analysis: If God is unchanging and temples were central to worship in ancient Israel and early Christianity (e.g., Jesus teaching in the temple), then it is consistent for temples to play a role in modern worship as well.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Designate and cultivate a specific space in your home as a peaceful, Spirit-filled environment for prayer, study, and worship.

When we mirror the Lord’s instructions to build a “house of prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory” (D&C 88:119), our homes become sanctuaries where the Spirit can dwell more abundantly. These sacred environments help us and our families receive personal revelation and find peace in a chaotic world.

  1. – Choose a specific area or corner to serve as a spiritual space.
  2. – Remove distractions and add uplifting items (scriptures, a picture of Christ, a notebook for impressions).
  3. – Use the space daily or weekly for scripture study, prayer, and pondering.
  4. – Involve your family by establishing routines like Sunday devotionals or quiet reflection time.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing.” (D&C 88:119) — The Lord doesn’t just command sacred spaces; He helps us create them. Even simple efforts to invite His presence can transform our homes.

Action Step: Approach your learning with both intellectual effort and spiritual intent—study with prayer and invite the Holy Ghost into your learning process.

True learning is most powerful when it integrates both mind and spirit. Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 teaches that “the Spirit…shall enlighten your mind,” helping you discern truth and gain wisdom beyond the pages of a book.

  1. – Begin your study time with prayer, asking for guidance and understanding.
  2. – Choose topics that matter to your growth (e.g., a gospel principle, a life decision, a school subject).
  3. – Read thoughtfully and pause to reflect.
  4. – Record impressions and follow through on promptings.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118) — When we bring the Lord into our study, we connect what we learn with who we’re becoming.
  • Action Step: Evaluate your daily actions and remove one thing that dims your spiritual light, while adding one that increases it (e.g., less time on social media, more time in quiet reflection or service).

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 teaches that “he that receiveth light and continueth in God receiveth more light.” Small, intentional choices either draw us closer to Christ or distance us from Him. Living by light attracts more light, clarity, and joy.

  1. – Identify one habit or behavior that distracts you from spiritual growth.
  2. – Replace it with a spiritually uplifting habit (e.g., 5 minutes of prayer, scripture journaling, or helping someone).
  3. – Set a short goal (like 7 days) and track your progress.
  4. – Reflect at the end of each day on how you feel.

Encouraging Thought:

“Light cleaveth unto light.” (D&C 88:40) — The Lord multiplies the light we seek. Even a small flicker of effort can grow into steady spiritual brightness.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners visualize what it means to build a spiritual “house of God” in their personal lives and homes.

Paper bricks or blocks, markers, scripture printouts (D&C 88:119), tape or board space

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask, “What does your ideal peaceful space look like?” Then explain how God gave instructions to build a ‘house of God’—a space of learning, prayer, and holiness.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119. As a class, list each “house of…” phrase. Hand out a paper brick for each phrase and let students write what that looks like in their home or life.
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  5. Application (5 min): Build a visual “house” on the board or wall with the bricks. Discuss what it would take to “build” this in real life and let learners set a goal to improve one part of their spiritual home.

Follow-Up Question: What’s one way you can invite more of the Spirit into your home this week?

Objective: Teach that both study and faith are essential for true learning and spiritual growth.

Two clear jars, water, oil (or colored liquids), labels: “Study,” “Faith,” scripture slips (D&C 88:118), notebooks

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Show the two jars: one filled with water (“study”), one with oil (“faith”). Ask, “Can we really learn truth if we only rely on one of these?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:118. Discuss what it means to seek learning “by study and also by faith.” Pour both liquids into a third jar—discuss how even if they don’t mix perfectly, they work together.

Application (5 min): Have learners write down a topic they’re curious about (spiritual or temporal). Then write how they could study it and exercise faith while learning it. Invite them to apply it this week.

Follow-Up Question:  “How do you think faith changes the way you approach learning?”

Objective: Help learners recognize how light and truth from God are found in everyday moments.

Small flashlight or glowsticks, scripture slips (D&C 88:6–13, 40, 67), “light hunt” worksheet

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Dim the lights and turn on a small flashlight. Say, “Even a little light can change everything.” Ask, “Where do you notice spiritual light in your life?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read selected verses from Doctrine and Covenants 88 about light (esp. vv. 6–13, 40, 67). Discuss how light is both literal and symbolic in these verses

Application (5 min): Give learners a “light hunt” worksheet with prompts like “I feel light when…”, “A person who radiates light is…”, “I add light when I…” Have them fill it out silently or in pairs, then share one insight.

Follow-Up Question: “What’s one way you can increase spiritual light for yourself or someone else this week?”

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – God commands His people to build spiritual sanctuaries—places of holiness, learning, and revelation (D&C 88:119).
  • – The Light of Christ is a real, sustaining force that fills the universe and enlightens every soul (D&C 88:6–13).
  • – True knowledge comes through a partnership of study and faith, guided by the Holy Ghost (D&C 88:118).
  • – Sanctifying ourselves prepares us to see God and better understand divine truths (D&C 88:67–68).
  • – Living gospel principles increases spiritual light, while darkness (disobedience/confusion) is replaced by clarity through Christ (D&C 88:40).
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • Prophets are consistent with the biblical pattern of divine communication—God calls messengers in every dispensation to warn, teach, and prepare His people. Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets have brought forth doctrines that uplift and align with Christ’s teachings. The fruits of modern prophets (temples, scriptures, humanitarian work, personal revelation) confirm their divine callings (see Matthew 7:20).
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • God works through imperfect people to fulfill perfect purposes. Mistakes, growth, and repentance are part of the mortal experience—even among leaders. This mirrors scriptural patterns: Moses, Peter, and Paul all had moments of human weakness, yet God still used them. Transparency and course-correction within the Church show its commitment to ongoing revelation and accountability.