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Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 9: February 24 - March 2: “The Worth of Souls is Great”

Doctrine and Covenants 18

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 18:10 states, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” This truth underscores why God sent His Son to atone for the sins of the world and why He desires all His children to return to Him​.
  • The Savior suffered “the pain of all men” so that each soul might repent and come unto Him (Doctrine and Covenants 18:11). This illustrates the immense value God places on each of His children​.

The knowledge that we are spirit children of Heavenly Parents provides purpose and direction in life. As stated in Romans 8:16-17, we are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”​.

The gospel teaches that all people, regardless of differences, are part of God’s eternal family. This perspective encourages kindness, respect, and unity​.

Despite the vastness of creation, the Lord declares that “the worth of souls is great” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). This means we are not insignificant but are central to His work and glory​.

  • President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches that, while we may feel small compared to the universe, we are everything to God. Our worth is determined by our divine heritage, not by our accomplishments or status.​ (You Matter to Him, Oct 11)

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 18 was given in June 1829 in Fayette, New York, during the early organization of the Church. At this time, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer were preparing for the establishment of the Church and seeking guidance on leadership.
  • The revelation outlines the calling of Twelve Apostles in the latter days. Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were instructed to seek out individuals who would serve in this capacity. This revelation came before the official organization of the Church in 1830, highlighting the Lord’s emphasis on building a foundation for His Church.

This instruction foreshadowed the formation of a governing body that would help guide the Church, ensuring continuity in leadership. It also established the importance of personal revelation in selecting leaders.

Understanding this context helps us appreciate the divine order in Church governance. It reinforces the role of apostles and prophets today and the importance of revelation in guiding the Church.

  • The emphasis on the “worth of souls” (D&C 18:10) reflects the foundational mission of the Restoration.
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  •  This revelation came at a time when missionary work was just beginning. The Lord’s command to call others to repentance (D&C 18:14–16) underscores the importance of every individual in God’s plan. The instruction to labor even for one soul illustrates how the Lord values each person.
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  •  The early Saints faced much opposition, yet they pressed forward with missionary work, trusting that even a single convert was worth great effort. This principle encouraged the early missionaries, including those like Samuel Smith, whose efforts led to the conversion of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.
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  • Today, this teaches us that no effort in sharing the gospel is wasted. Even small acts of service and sharing testimony can change lives in ways we may not immediately see.
  •  Repentance is central to the joy of the Lord and to fulfilling our divine purpose.
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  • Doctrine and Covenants 18 repeatedly emphasizes repentance (verses 9–16). The Lord’s joy is great when a soul repents, and He commands His followers to call others to repentance. This reveals how deeply He desires our return to Him and the transformative power of repentance.
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  • In the early Church, repentance was not just personal but communal—many were leaving previous beliefs and traditions to embrace the restored gospel. The command to preach repentance was crucial for gathering Israel and establishing Zion.
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  • For us today, repentance remains a joyful process, not just a correction of wrongdoing but a continual return to God’s presence. It shifts our perspective from fear of failure to embracing divine grace and growth.

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

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: “The teaching that ‘the worth of souls is great’ (D&C 18:10) is an emotional appeal rather than a theological doctrine.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: The worth of souls has been a foundational Christian doctrine since Christ’s teachings (e.g., Luke 15:1–10, the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin). The early Restoration emphasized missionary work, indicating that this was a guiding principle for the Church from the beginning.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Early converts, such as Parley P. Pratt and Wilford Woodruff, recorded how missionary work and the emphasis on individual worth profoundly affected them and others they taught. Many risked their lives to share this doctrine, reinforcing its sincerity.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: Many have testified through personal revelation that they have felt God’s love confirming their worth. This aligns with numerous scriptural accounts that depict God’s deep concern for each of His children.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If God created all things and sent His Son to atone for mankind (John 3:16), then logically, each soul must be of immense worth to Him. The Restoration did not invent this idea but reaffirmed it as a central truth.
  • Claim: “Joseph Smith added the idea of the Twelve Apostles after the Church had already been established.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Doctrine and Covenants 18 was received in June 1829—months before the official organization of the Church in April 1830. This demonstrates that the calling of the Twelve was part of the Lord’s instructions from the start.
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, who were given the charge to seek out the Twelve, testified of this revelation. Their testimonies remain consistent throughout their lives, despite Whitmer later distancing himself from the Church.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: The role of apostles in receiving revelation and directing Christ’s Church aligns with New Testament teachings (Ephesians 4:11–14). Members have received spiritual witness confirming modern apostles as divinely called.
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    7. Logical Analysis: If Joseph Smith had fabricated this after the fact, why would he have recorded it so early? The structure of the Church mirrored Christ’s original organization, making it unlikely to be an arbitrary addition.
  • Claim: “Doctrine and Covenants 18’s command to ‘cry repentance’ (v. 14) reflects a rigid, fear-based approach rather than a loving God.”
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  • Response:
    1. Historical Evidence: Calls to repentance were central in biblical teachings, from John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) to Christ Himself (Mark 1:15). The early Church’s mission in 1830 mirrored this pattern to bring people closer to Christ. 
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    3. Eyewitness Support: Converts like Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball described repentance as a joyful and transformative process. The idea that repentance is oppressive is contradicted by firsthand experiences of relief and renewal.
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    5. Spiritual Confirmation: Those who sincerely repent often testify of feeling peace and joy. Doctrine and Covenants 18:13 states that God’s joy is great when a soul repents, demonstrating that repentance is a gift, not a burden.
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    7. Logical Analysis: 
    8.  If repentance were merely an oppressive control mechanism, why would it result in greater happiness and change for individuals? The scriptures present it as a necessary part of growth and divine transformation.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Spend time in prayer and scripture study, seeking to understand how God sees you.

The world often defines worth by success, appearance, or status, but Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 teaches that our worth is inherent. Understanding this can bring confidence, peace, and motivation to improve.

  1. – Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 and personal accounts of God’s love (e.g., Luke 15:4–7).
  2. – Write down ways you’ve felt God’s love in your life.
  3. – Pray specifically to feel and recognize your divine worth.
  4. – Serve others—seeing their worth helps reinforce your own.

Encouraging Thought:

  • President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “You matter to Him. If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles… no matter how small you may feel, God sees you as His child with infinite potential.”

Action Step: Look for small, natural ways to share your testimony with someone this week.

Sharing the gospel doesn’t mean being pushy—it means inviting others to feel the joy you have. D&C 18:15 teaches that even bringing one soul to Christ brings great joy.

  1. – Pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
  2. – Be aware of natural moments to bear testimony, such as when discussing life challenges.
  3. – Use social media or casual conversations to share uplifting messages.
  4. – Invite a friend to church, a service project, or a gospel-centered activity.

Encouraging Thought:

  • Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Your actions often teach more than your words.
  • Action Step: Identify one area of your life where you can improve and begin making small, daily changes.
  • Doctrine and Covenants 18:13 reminds us that Christ rejoices when we repent. Instead of fearing repentance, we can embrace it as a path to peace and spiritual growth.
  1. – Reflect on your life and recognize an area that needs improvement.
  2. – Pray for help and strength to change.
  3. – Take small, consistent steps (e.g., replacing negative habits with positive ones).
  4. – Keep a journal of your progress and recognize how the Atonement strengthens you.

Encouraging Thought:

Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “Repentance is not only possible but also joyful because of the Savior.” Every step we take toward Christ brings us closer to lasting happiness.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand that their worth is great in the sight of God.

A $20 bill (or any valuable item), a printed copy of Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, a whiteboard and marker.

  1. Introduction (5 min): Hold up a $20 bill and ask, “Who wants this?” Then crumple it, step on it, or pretend to throw it away and ask again, “Who still wants this?” Discuss why its value hasn’t changed.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 together. Discuss how, like the $20 bill, our worth does not decrease because of mistakes, hardships, or how others see us.
  3. Application (5 min): Have participants write down one way they can remember their divine worth this week (e.g., daily affirmation, scripture study, prayer). Invite volunteers to share.

Follow-Up Question: What are some things that make people forget their worth, and how can we combat those influences?

Objective: Encourage learners to find natural ways to share the gospel.

 A packet of seeds, small cups of soil, a printed copy of Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16.

  1. Introduction (5 min): Give each person a seed and ask what it needs to grow. Compare this to how faith and testimonies grow.
  2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16 and discuss how bringing one soul to Christ is like planting a seed—it requires patience and care.
  3. Application (5 min): Have each person plant their seed in a cup of soil and commit to “nurturing” it (symbolizing nurturing faith in others). Ask them to think of one way they can plant a gospel seed in someone’s life this week.

Follow-Up Question: What are some simple and natural ways to share the gospel with others?

Objective: Help learners see repentance as a positive and joyful process.

A flashlight, a piece of paper with “sin” written on it, and a dark room or dim lighting.

  • Activity Steps:
    1. Introduction (5 min): Turn off the lights and hold up a piece of paper that says “sin.” Shine a flashlight on it and explain how sin separates us from the light of Christ. Ask, “What happens when we turn toward the light?”
    2. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:13 and discuss how repentance brings joy to us and to God.
    3. Application (5 min): Have each participant write down something they want to improve on. Then, symbolically “turn toward the light” by stepping into the flashlight’s glow as they silently commit to taking one step toward Christ.

Follow-Up Question: How can we make repentance a daily, joyful habit instead of something we fear?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – The worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10).
  • – Christ’s Atonement demonstrates our infinite value (D&C 18:11–13).
  • – The Lord calls apostles to guide His Church (D&C 18:26–28).
  • – Repentance brings joy to both the individual and the Lord (D&C 18:13–16).
  • – Every member has a role in bringing others to Christ (D&C 18:14–16).
  • Why Trust Modern Prophets?
    • – The Lord has always led His people through prophets (Amos 3:7).
    • – Doctrine and Covenants 18 reaffirms divine guidance through chosen apostles.
    • – The fruits of modern prophets (such as inspired teachings and global Church growth) testify of their divine calling (Matthew 7:16).
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  • Why Does God Allow Mistakes in His Church?
    • – Agency is central to God’s plan, and learning from mistakes refines us (2 Nephi 2:11).
    • – Even early Church leaders, including Peter, made errors, yet God worked through them (Galatians 2:11–14).
    • – The Restoration is an ongoing process, not a one-time event, allowing for continued revelation and correction.
    • “The Living Christ” – A testimony of Jesus Christ by modern apostles.
    • “Preach My Gospel” – A guide on missionary work and personal conversion.