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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 8: February 17 - 23: “Upon You My Fellow Servants”

Doctrine and Covenants 12-17

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

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • This priesthood includes the keys of the ministering of angels, the gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1). The ordination was essential in preparing the way for the restoration of the higher priesthood and the organization of the Church​.

When Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized after receiving the Aaronic Priesthood, they experienced great spiritual blessings. Through priesthood ordinances, we receive divine power and guidance in our lives (Joseph Smith—History 1:73–74)​.

Doctrine and Covenants 17 reveals that Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were chosen as the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Their testimonies help establish the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and strengthen the faith of others​.

Just as the Three Witnesses testified of the Book of Mormon, we are all called to bear witness of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Our testimonies can serve as a foundation for others to strengthen their faith​.

In Doctrine and Covenants 15–16, John and Peter Whitmer were told that the thing of “most worth” was to declare repentance and bring souls to Christ. This principle applies to all members of the Church, emphasizing missionary work and service​.

  • As we share the gospel, our own testimonies grow, and we experience the joy of seeing others come unto Christ. Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16 promises that great joy comes from bringing even one soul to repentance​

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The event took place in a wooded area near Harmony, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1829. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were in the process of translating the Book of Mormon and sought guidance on the authority to baptize.
  • While translating 3 Nephi, Joseph and Oliver realized that proper priesthood authority was necessary for baptism. They prayed for answers, and John the Baptist appeared, conferring upon them the Aaronic Priesthood under the direction of Peter, James, and John. This priesthood included the keys of the ministering of angels, the gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins​.

This event marked the first restoration of priesthood authority in the latter days. It was a crucial step in the organization of the Church, enabling ordinances such as baptism to be performed with divine authority. It also set the stage for the later restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The restoration of priesthood authority reminds us that God’s work is organized and follows divine order. It also underscores the importance of seeking revelation and acting in faith, just as Joseph and Oliver did when they sought answers from the Lord.

  •  The Lord establishes His truth through witnesses.
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  • The principle of having multiple witnesses is a consistent theme in the scriptures. In Doctrine and Covenants 17, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were chosen as the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. They were shown the gold plates by an angel and testified of their reality​.
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  • This practice follows biblical precedent (2 Corinthians 13:1) and emphasizes that God confirms truth through multiple testimonies. The Three Witnesses’ testimony has been included in every edition of the Book of Mormon, helping to build faith in its divine origin.
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  • Just as the Three Witnesses were called to testify of the Book of Mormon, members of the Church today are called to bear personal witness of Christ and His restored gospel. This strengthens individual faith and the faith of others.
  • Missionary work is the most valuable service one can offer.
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  • In Doctrine and Covenants 15 and 16, John and Peter Whitmer were told that the thing “of most worth” to them would be to declare repentance and bring souls to Christ​. This divine counsel applies to all disciples of Christ.
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  • Sharing the gospel blesses both the receiver and the giver. Those who engage in missionary work develop stronger testimonies and experience the joy of helping others come to Christ.
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  • Bringing souls to Christ is not limited to full-time missionaries. Every member can participate by sharing their testimony, inviting others to learn more about the gospel, and setting an example of Christlike living.

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

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: “Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery fabricated the story of John the Baptist restoring the Aaronic Priesthood years after the Church was established.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Accounts of the priesthood restoration were recorded early in Church history. Oliver Cowdery wrote about the event in 1834, and references to the restoration were included in Joseph Smith’s history, compiled in the 1830s​.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Oliver Cowdery consistently testified of the experience until his death, and other early Church members, such as David Whitmer and Martin Harris, supported the reality of angelic visitations in their testimonies​.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood fulfills biblical prophecy, aligning with Malachi’s prophecy of a messenger preparing the way for Christ (Malachi 3:1) and John the Baptist’s role in Christ’s mortal ministry​.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If Joseph and Oliver had fabricated the priesthood restoration, why would they claim a lesser priesthood first and then later claim the higher Melchizedek Priesthood? A purely self-serving fabrication would likely have introduced the full authority at once rather than following a sequential restoration process.
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  • Claim: “The testimonies of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris about seeing the gold plates and an angel were either forced or the result of hallucination.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: The Three Witnesses never denied their testimonies, even after falling away from the Church. They reaffirmed their witness of the plates multiple times, even under pressure​.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: In separate settings and without external influence, all three men remained consistent in their accounts. Additionally, the Eight Witnesses physically handled the plates, providing another layer of testimony​.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord declared in Doctrine and Covenants 17 that these men were chosen as witnesses and that their testimonies would stand as a foundation for faith​.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If the witnesses had been deceived or coerced, it would be expected that at least some would have retracted their testimonies under social or legal pressure. Instead, all maintained their testimonies throughout their lives.
  • Claim: “Joseph Smith’s claims to revelation and priesthood authority were a means of controlling others and gaining personal influence.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Joseph Smith faced severe persecution, financial struggles, and personal hardship due to his prophetic calling. If he had been seeking power, he would not have endured such opposition​.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Those who knew Joseph Smith personally, including members of the Knight and Whitmer families, testified of his sincerity and spiritual experiences​.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord’s instructions to early Church members in Doctrine and Covenants 12–16 emphasized humility, self-sacrifice, and a focus on bringing souls to Christ rather than personal gain​.
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    7. Logical Analysis: Many self-proclaimed religious leaders throughout history have sought wealth and comfort, yet Joseph Smith gave his life for his testimony. His willingness to suffer for his beliefs aligns more with genuine conviction than manipulation.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Look for ways to serve in the Church and community, focusing on bringing others to Christ.

Participating in God’s work gives us purpose and deepens our testimony. Doctrine and Covenants 12:6 and 14:6 emphasize that all who seek to “bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” will be blessed​.

  1. – Pray for guidance on how you can serve.
  2. – Identify a need in your family, ward, or community.
  3. – Offer to help—whether it’s ministering, missionary work, or supporting a Church program.
  4. – Act consistently and follow up on your service efforts.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “Service in God’s work has always been about how we serve, not about who notices”​.

Action Step: Regularly share your testimony with others, whether in church settings, social media, or everyday conversations.

Just as the Three Witnesses bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, our testimonies can strengthen the faith of others and our own conviction​.

  1. – Write down your personal testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon, or the Restoration.
  2. – Share it in a testimony meeting, social media post, or personal conversation.
  3. – Reflect on how your testimony grows each time you bear witness.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “What can you bear witness of?” The Lord uses witnesses to establish His word, and we can each be a witness of Him in our own way​.
  • Action Step: Attend and participate in priesthood ordinances, such as the sacrament, temple work, or baptisms.
  • Ordinances give us access to God’s power. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were spiritually strengthened after receiving the Aaronic Priesthood and being baptized​.
  1. – Study the purpose of priesthood ordinances in scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).
  2. – Make a plan to attend the temple or partake of the sacrament more mindfully.
  3. – Reflect on how these ordinances bring spiritual blessings into your life.

Encouraging Thought:

“What blessings has the Savior given you through priesthood ordinances?” Taking time to reflect on this can deepen gratitude and faith​

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand the role of witnesses in the Restoration and how they can bear witness of Christ.

Printouts of the Testimony of the Three Witnesses, a blank paper for each learner, pens or pencils.

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask, “What does it mean to be a witness?” Have students write their thoughts and share.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 17. Discuss why the Lord chose witnesses and how their testimonies have influenced others​.
  3. Application (5 min): Invite students to write down their personal witness of Christ, the Book of Mormon, or another gospel truth. Encourage them to share their testimony with someone that week.

Follow-Up Question: How does sharing our testimony strengthen our own faith?

Objective: Help learners recognize the spiritual blessings of priesthood ordinances.

A set of keys, scriptures (Doctrine and Covenants 13), a whiteboard.

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask, “What does it mean to be a witness?” Have students write their thoughts and share.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 17. Discuss why the Lord chose witnesses and how their testimonies have influenced others​.
  3. Application (5 min): Invite students to write down their personal witness of Christ, the Book of Mormon, or another gospel truth. Encourage them to share their testimony with someone that week.

Follow-Up Question: How does sharing our testimony strengthen our own faith?

Objective: Teach that bringing souls to Christ is of “most worth” (Doctrine and Covenants 15–16). 

Slips of paper, a bowl, a marker board.

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask, “What is something valuable to you?” Have each person write their answer on a slip of paper, then discuss.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 15:6 and 16:6, where John and Peter Whitmer learn what is “of the most worth”​.
  3. Application (5 min): Make a list of ways to bring souls to Christ (missionary work, ministering, inviting friends to church, etc.). Encourage learners to set a goal to act on one idea.

Follow-Up Question: What small daily actions can help us bring others closer to Christ?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – The Aaronic Priesthood was restored by John the Baptist to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, enabling baptism with proper authority (D&C 13).
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  • – The Three Witnesses—Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—testified of the Book of Mormon plates and never denied their testimonies (D&C 17).
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  • – Bringing souls to Christ is “of most worth” (D&C 15–16), emphasizing missionary work and personal testimony.
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  • – The Lord calls humble individuals to His work, as seen with Joseph Knight Sr. and David Whitmer (D&C 12, 14).
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  • – Priesthood ordinances provide access to God’s power and require proper authority (Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75).

 Why trust modern prophets?

  • Historical Evidence: Biblical precedent shows God calls prophets in every age (Amos 3:7).
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  • Eyewitness Support: Early members, including the Whitmers and Knights, testified of Joseph Smith’s calling.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Book of Mormon testifies of continuing revelation (2 Nephi 29:6–9).
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  • Logical Analysis: If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), why would He stop calling prophets?
  1. Why does God allow mistakes?
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  • Historical Evidence: Biblical prophets like Moses and Peter made mistakes but were still chosen by God (Exodus 4:10–14, Matthew 16:22–23).
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  • Eyewitness Support: Joseph Smith acknowledged his weaknesses, showing humility rather than deceit.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Lord declared that He works through the “weak things of the world” (D&C 1:24–28).
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  • Logical Analysis: If prophets were perfect, faith would not be required. Mistakes show God’s grace and the reality of agency.
  • Revelations in Context – “The Knight and Whitmer Families.”
  • Joseph Smith—History (Pearl of Great Price) – The process of priesthood restoration.