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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 6: February 3-9: “This is the Spirit of Revelation”

Doctrine and Covenants 6-9

Close-up of hands writing in a journal, emphasizing the importance of recording revelation.
Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
    • The Lord assured Oliver Cowdery that He had already spoken peace to his mind regarding the truthfulness of Joseph Smith’s work (D&C 6:22-23). This illustrates that revelation is not limited to prophets but is available to all who sincerely seek guidance. The same principle applies to us today—when we ask in faith and trust in God’s timing, He will reveal His will to us in ways we can understand.

  • The Lord taught Oliver Cowdery that revelation would come to his mind and heart by the Holy Ghost (D&C 8:2-3). Sometimes, we expect revelation to be dramatic or unmistakable, but more often, it comes gently as impressions, thoughts, and feelings. President Russell M. Nelson emphasized that increasing purity, obedience, and daily study of the Book of Mormon enhances our ability to receive revelation​6 Revelation.

    • In D&C 6:36, the Lord instructs, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” President Nelson has taught that focusing on Christ with spiritual discipline dispels doubt and fear​. When we trust Him and align our thoughts with His will, we experience peace even amid life’s uncertainties.
    • Oliver Cowdery desired to translate but was unable to because he “feared” and did not fully understand the process (D&C 9:11). This principle applies to us when we hesitate to act on spiritual promptings due to fear or lack of confidence. Faith, rather than fear, enables us to move forward and fulfill the work God has for us.
  • President Nelson taught that it is doctrinally incomplete to refer to Christ’s atoning sacrifice as “the Atonement” without connecting it to Him personally​. Jesus Christ Himself is the source of healing, redemption, and power in our lives, and we must seek Him directly.
  • The Lord promised Oliver Cowdery that if he remained faithful, he would be encircled in the arms of divine love (D&C 6:20). Keeping sacred covenants binds us to Christ and gives us access to His power, guidance, and sustaining grace. When we honor our commitments, we are strengthened in ways beyond our natural abilities.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  •  In April 1829, Oliver Cowdery traveled to Harmony, Pennsylvania, to meet Joseph Smith and assist in the translation of the Book of Mormon. This period was pivotal in the unfolding of the Restoration, as it marked a time of rapid revelation and divine instruction.
  • Oliver Cowdery had heard accounts of Joseph Smith’s visions and the golden plates while boarding with the Smith family in Palmyra. He prayed for personal confirmation and received a peaceful witness from the Lord (D&C 6:22-23). Shortly after arriving in Harmony, Oliver began serving as Joseph’s scribe, and in response to his faith and desires, he was promised spiritual gifts, including the ability to translate (D&C 8:6-11). However, he struggled to successfully translate, leading to an important revelation about how revelation is received (D&C 9:7-9).
  • This period set the foundation for key doctrines about personal revelation, priesthood authority, and the role of divine gifts in the Restoration. Oliver’s experience highlights both the Lord’s willingness to grant spiritual gifts and the necessary preparation required to exercise them.
  •  Like Oliver, we may have righteous desires to serve in God’s work but must be willing to follow the Lord’s process, including patience, study, and faith. The Lord often requires us to actively engage in learning before He grants us greater spiritual capacities.
    • The translation of the Book of Mormon involved both the Urim and Thummim and Joseph Smith’s seer stone.
    • The Urim and Thummim were sacred instruments buried with the gold plates, and Joseph used them during the translation process. However, historical accounts also indicate that Joseph sometimes used a small seer stone, which he placed in a hat to block out external light while dictating the text. These methods align with biblical and ancient traditions of revelatory tools used to receive divine communication.
    • Oliver Cowdery was promised the opportunity to translate, but he failed to do so because he expected the process to be automatic rather than requiring deep mental and spiritual effort (D&C 9:7-8). The Lord clarified that revelation requires both study and divine confirmation.
    • The use of seer stones and the Urim and Thummim may seem foreign today, but they demonstrate how God adapts revelation to cultural and historical contexts. The essential principle remains the same: spiritual truth is received through diligent effort, faith, and the power of God.
  • Early revelations emphasized that divine guidance was available to all—not just to the prophet.
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  • Doctrine and Covenants 6-9 stress that revelation is accessible to those who diligently seek it. Oliver Cowdery’s experience reinforced the idea that the Spirit speaks to both the mind and heart (D&C 8:2-3). This principle was essential in establishing the young Church, where personal revelation was crucial for members navigating new spiritual experiences.
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  • Oliver’s revelation in D&C 6 confirmed his previous spiritual experience, showing that God had already spoken peace to his mind (D&C 6:22-23). This teaches that we often receive revelation without fully recognizing it at first.
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  • Later, Oliver struggled with revelation when he attempted to translate. The Lord’s instructions (D&C 9:8-9) clarified that revelation involves both personal effort and divine confirmation. This pattern remains relevant today, as we seek spiritual guidance through prayer, study, and thoughtful discernment.

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

Apologetic Application

      • Claim: “The ‘burning in the bosom’ described in D&C 9:8 is merely a psychological phenomenon rather than a confirmation from God.”
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      • Response:
        1.  
        2. Historical Evidence: The idea of divine revelation through the heart and mind is not unique to Joseph Smith. Biblical figures, including Moses (Exodus 3-4) and the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32), describe similar experiences of spiritual enlightenment. The phrase “burning in the bosom” is consistent with scriptural descriptions of divine communication.
        3.  
        4. Eyewitness Support: Oliver Cowdery, who received this revelation, later bore testimony that he had personal experiences confirming the reality of revelation. Other early Latter-day Saints also testified of receiving direct revelation, consistent with D&C 8:2-3, which explains that revelation comes to both the mind and the heart.
        5.  
        6. Spiritual Confirmation: Many individuals who have sought revelation through prayer have reported experiences similar to those described in D&C 9:8-9. The principle that God speaks through the Spirit aligns with Christ’s promise that the Comforter will “teach you all things” (John 14:26).
        7.  
        8. Logical Analysis: If revelation were purely an emotional response, it would not consistently lead to profound life changes, sacrifices, and lasting faith among millions. The consistency of spiritual experiences across different cultures and historical periods suggests a legitimate divine influence rather than mere psychological self-suggestion.
  • Claim: “Joseph Smith used folk magic practices, such as peering into a stone in a hat, which discredits his claim to divine translation.”
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  • Response:
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    1. Historical Evidence: Ancient scripture records that God has used physical instruments, including the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30), the Liahona (1 Nephi 16:10), and prophetic rods (Numbers 17:8), to communicate His will. The use of seer stones in religious contexts is well-documented throughout biblical history.
    2.  
    3. Eyewitness Support: Multiple firsthand accounts, including those from Emma Smith and David Whitmer, affirm that Joseph dictated the Book of Mormon without any manuscripts or notes, despite using a seer stone. They consistently testified that the translation process was divine, not fraudulent.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The accuracy and complexity of the Book of Mormon’s translation, its alignment with ancient Near Eastern texts, and its doctrinal depth suggest divine influence. Millions have received spiritual confirmation of its truthfulness.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If Joseph Smith were fabricating the translation, using a seer stone would have been an unnecessary risk that could have easily discredited him. Instead, he produced a sophisticated and internally consistent religious text that has stood the test of time.
  • Claim: “Joseph must have copied or fabricated the Book of Mormon since he had little formal education.”
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  • Response:
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    1. Historical Evidence: Joseph Smith had very limited formal education, as noted by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith. Contemporary accounts confirm that he lacked the literary skills necessary to produce a complex and structured 500+ page historical and doctrinal text.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Multiple scribes, including Oliver Cowdery and Emma Smith, attested that Joseph dictated lengthy passages of scripture without referring to any notes. The process was rapid and continuous, which would have been impossible if he were fabricating or plagiarizing.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: Many who study the Book of Mormon prayerfully, as invited in Moroni 10:4-5, receive a spiritual witness of its truth. The book’s doctrinal coherence and ability to inspire faith suggest a divine origin.
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Logical Analysis: If Joseph had plagiarized or fabricated the text, there should be evidence of source materials or earlier drafts, yet none have been found. The book’s complexity, internal consistency, and historical authenticity exceed what would be expected from an uneducated 19th-century farm boy.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Dedicate time each day to study the scriptures and seek revelation through prayer.

  • Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8 teaches that revelation requires both effort and divine confirmation. When we diligently study and then seek the Lord’s guidance, we create a foundation upon which revelation can come. The Lord often enlightens our minds as we study and ponder.
  • – Choose a specific question or concern for which you need guidance.
  • – Study relevant scriptures, Conference talks, or Church resources related to your question.
  • – Write down thoughts and impressions as you study.
  • – Pray sincerely, asking the Lord for further understanding and confirmation.
  • – Be patient and attentive to promptings throughout your day.

Encouraging Thought: President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”

Action Step: Memorize and apply Doctrine and Covenants 6:36: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

Fear often prevents us from acting on spiritual impressions. The Lord’s counsel to Oliver Cowdery reminds us that focusing on Christ dispels doubt and fear. By shifting our mindset to trust in Christ’s promises, we can move forward in faith rather than being paralyzed by uncertainty.

  • – Write D&C 6:36 somewhere visible, such as a phone wallpaper or journal.
  • – When feelings of fear or doubt arise, pause and repeat the scripture to yourself.
  • – Say a quick prayer, turning your thoughts to Christ instead of dwelling on fear.
  • Take a small step forward in faith, acting on the promptings you have received.
  • – Reflect at the end of the day on how shifting your focus affected your feelings.

Encouraging Thought:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Fear not. Believe only. God has great things in store for you. Trust in Him. Trust in His love.”

  • Action Step:

  • Keep a revelation journal to recognize how the Lord speaks to you.

  •  In Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23, the Lord reminded Oliver Cowdery that He had already given him a witness. Often, we receive spiritual impressions but forget them over time. Writing them down helps us recognize patterns and gain confidence in how the Lord communicates with us.
  • – Get a dedicated notebook, app, or document for recording spiritual impressions.
  • – Each night, write any thoughts, feelings, or experiences that seemed spiritually significant.
  • – Review past entries to recognize patterns of revelation in your life.
  • – When facing challenges, look back at past answers and reassurances from the Lord.
  • – Share meaningful insights with trusted friends or family members to strengthen faith.
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Encouraging Thought:

Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Spiritual experiences require reflection to be truly meaningful. Recording them will help you recognize God’s hand in your life and increase your ability to receive personal revelation.”

Ideas for Teaching

Objective:  Help learners understand that receiving revelation is a process that requires both study and faith.

  • A simple jigsaw puzzle (or cut-up picture)
  • Scriptures: D&C 8:2-3, D&C 9:7-9
  • Whiteboard or paper for writing key takeaways
    • Introduction (5 min): Give small groups a puzzle with missing pieces and ask them to put it together. When they struggle, explain that this represents how revelation often comes—piece by piece, not all at once.
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    • Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 8:2-3 and D&C 9:7-9, discussing how revelation involves both the heart (spirit) and mind (study). Ask: Why does God want us to study things out before expecting an answer?
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    • Application (5 min): Have students think of a time they sought guidance but didn’t get an immediate answer. Discuss how they can “find the missing pieces” by continuing to study, pray, and act in faith.

Follow-Up Question: How can we recognize when revelation is from God and not just our own thoughts?

Objective: Teach learners how to replace fear and doubt with faith by focusing on Jesus Christ.

  • A blindfold
  • An image of Jesus Christ
  • Scriptures: D&C 6:36, Matthew 14:25-31 (Peter walking on water)
  • Introduction (5 min): Blindfold a volunteer and ask them to walk toward an object while others distract them with noises. Then, let them try again with someone guiding them by voice. Explain how focusing on Christ helps us overcome distractions (doubts/fears).
  • Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 6:36 and discuss how Peter walking on water relates to this principle. Ask: Why do we sometimes doubt even after receiving spiritual experiences?
  • Application (5 min): Have each participant write down a current fear or doubt. Challenge them to replace that thought with a scripture or testimony about Christ when fear arises.
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Follow-Up Question: What practical ways can we “look to Christ in every thought” during daily life?

Objective:  Demonstrate how revelation follows a process of effort, asking, and spiritual confirmation.

  • Ingredients for a simple recipe (e.g., lemonade: lemons, sugar, water, cups)
  • Scriptures: D&C 9:7-9, James 1:5
  • Introduction (5 min): Ask for a volunteer to make lemonade without any instructions. Let them struggle a little, then give them the correct recipe. Relate this to how revelation requires following a process, not just asking for an answer.
  • Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read D&C 9:7-9 and James 1:5, discussing the steps involved in receiving revelation (study, ask, feel confirmation). Ask: Why does the Lord require effort before giving answers?
  • Application (5 min): Have participants write down a gospel question they have. Challenge them to use the “revelation recipe” this week—study it out, pray, and seek spiritual confirmation.
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Follow-Up Question: How can we recognize when we have received an answer from God?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – Revelation is a process that involves study, prayer, and spiritual confirmation (D&C 9:7-9).
  • – God speaks to both the mind and heart through the Holy Ghost (D&C 8:2-3).
  • – Fear and doubt can block revelation—faith in Christ is essential (D&C 6:36).
  • – Personal revelation is available to all who seek it diligently (D&C 6:22-23).
  • – God’s pattern includes granting gifts based on righteous desires (D&C 7:1, 8:10).
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  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • – Biblical precedent: God has always called prophets (Amos 3:7, Ephesians 4:11-14).
  • – The Restoration fulfilled prophecies of a latter-day prophet (Isaiah 29:14).
  • – The consistency of revelation from Joseph Smith to today strengthens the case for divine authority.
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  • Why does God allow mistakes in revelation?
  • – Revelation requires effort and learning (D&C 9:7-9).
  • – Prophets, though inspired, are still human (1 Corinthians 13:9-10).
  • – Even biblical prophets sometimes misunderstood or learned progressively (Acts 10:9-16).
  • – Mistakes help refine understanding and reinforce reliance on the Spirit rather than personal assumptions.
    1. Doctrine & Covenants 6:36 – “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”
    2. James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
    3.