This week’s “Come, Follow Me” study guide covers Doctrine and Covenants 6-9, which includes the Lord’s teachings to Oliver Cowdery about receiving personal revelation.
Doctrine and Covenants 6
“We cannot foresee the details, but we know the larger picture. We know that in the last days, the world will be in commotion. We know that in the midst of whatever trouble comes, the Lord will lead faithful Latter-day Saints to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. And we know that the Lord’s true disciples will be worthy and prepared to receive Him when He comes again. We need not fear.
“So, as much as we have already built faith and courage in our hearts, the Lord expects more from us — and from the generations after us. They will need to be stronger and braver because they will do even greater and harder things than we have done. And they will face increasing opposition from the enemy of our souls.
“The way to optimism as we go forward was given by the Lord: ‘Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).”
— President Henry B. Eyring, then first counselor in the First Presidency, October 2017 general conference, “Fear Not To Do Good”
“How can we let God prevail in our lives and not the adversary? In Doctrine and Covenants 6:34 we read, ‘Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.’ It is a significant promise. Although earth and hell may combine against us, they cannot prevail if we choose to let God prevail by establishing our lives upon His rock.”
— Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, General Authority Seventy, April 2021 general conference, “They Cannot Prevail; We Cannot Fall”
“Gathered in this meeting, which stretches across the world, are millions of disciples of Jesus Christ who are under covenant to always remember Him and serve Him. By the miracle of modern technology, the separation of time and of vast distances vanishes. We meet as if we are all together in one great hall.
“But even more important than our gathering together is in whose name we do so. The Lord promised that even with the great number of His disciples on the earth today, He would be close to each of us. He said to His little band of disciples in 1829, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, … where two or three are gathered together in my name … behold, there will I be in the midst of them — even so am I in the midst of you’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:32).
“Now numbering more than one or two, a multitude of His disciples are gathered in this conference, and as promised, the Lord is in our midst. Because He is a resurrected and glorified being, He is not physically everyplace where Saints gather. But, by the power of the Spirit, we can feel that He is here with us today.”
— President Henry B. Eyring, then first counselor in the First Presidency, April 2016 general conference, “Where Two or Three Are Gathered”
“In our daily lives, endless reports of criminal violence, famine, wars, corruption, terrorism, declining values, disease and the destructive forces of nature can engender fear and apprehension. …
“We can be blessed to conquer our fears and strengthen our faith as we follow the Lord’s instruction: ‘Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).”
— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2015 general conference, “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears”
“The Lord is most generous in giving revelation. Did He not remind Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, ‘As often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:14)? And so it can be with you deacons quorum presidents. The Lord loves you and wants to reveal to you His mind and will. Could you ever imagine the Lord having a problem He could not solve? I can’t. Because you are entitled to revelation, He can help you solve every concern you have as president of your quorum if you will but seek His help.”
— Elder Tad R. Callister, then a General Authority Seventy, April 2013 general conference, “The Power of the Priesthood in the Boy”
“Secular voices are growing in volume and intensity. They increasingly urge believers to abandon beliefs the world considers irrational and unreasonable. … At times we may feel vulnerable and in need of greater spiritual assurances. The Lord told Oliver Cowdery:
“‘If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
“‘Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23).
“The Lord reminded Oliver and us to rely on sacred personal witnesses already received when our faith is challenged. Like Moses’s, Alma’s and Joseph’s before, these divine encounters serve as spiritual anchors to keep us safe and on course in times of trial.”
— Elder Paul B. Pieper, General Authority Seventy, April 2012 general conference, “To Hold Sacred”
“The Savior subsequently revealed to Oliver [Cowdery] that as often as he had prayed for guidance, he had received direction from the Spirit of the Lord. ‘If it had not been so,’ the Lord declared, ‘thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time. Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:14-15).
“Thus, Oliver received a revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith informing him that he had been receiving revelation. Apparently Oliver had not recognized how and when he had been receiving direction from God and needed this instruction to increase his understanding about the spirit of revelation. In essence, Oliver had been walking in the light as the sun was rising on a cloudy morning.
“In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon, and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying — but without absolute assurance — that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances.”
— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2011 general conference, “The Spirit of Revelation”
“I recently had the opportunity to speak to a woman who asked me about Joseph Smith. She was clearly skeptical about his calling and mission. As I spoke to her, the words of the Lord to Oliver Cowdery came to me: ‘Stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:18). I hope that on that day, and at every moment in my life, it can be said of me, ‘She stood by Joseph.’ I want to be his friend.”
— Sister Kathleen H. Hughes, then the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, April 2005 general conference, “What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends”
“This Church is a church of revelation. Our challenge is not one of getting the Lord to speak to us. Our problem is hearing what He has to say. He has promised, ‘As often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:14).”
— Sister Sheri L. Dew, then the second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, October 1998 general conference, “We Are Not Alone”
“Parents have been given a sacred responsibility. But parents need help. Uncles, aunts, friends, leaders and teachers add their witness when they share their testimonies with children and youth. Several times the scriptures tell us that ‘in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:28).”
— Sister Susan L. Warner, then the second counselor in the Primary general presidency, October 1998 general conference, “Bear Record of Him”
“It is important for all of us to know who we are and what God expects of us. …
“Jesus knew who He was. He has declared that message clearly to each of us: ‘Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God!’ (Doctrine and Covenants 6:21.) He is our Savior, our advocate with the Father.”
— The late Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, then the recently released Young Women general president, April 1992 general conference, “A Mighty Force for Righteousness”
Doctrine and Covenants 7
“God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us. No wonder we will not complain at the final judgment, especially since even the telestial kingdom’s glory ‘surpasses all understanding’ (Doctrine and Covenants 76:89). God delights in blessing us, especially when we realize ‘joy in that which [we] have desired’ (Doctrine and Covenants 7:8).”
— The late Elder Neal A. Maxwell, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 1996 general conference, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts”
Doctrine and Covenants 8
“Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery gained valuable experience with the spirit of revelation as they translated the Book of Mormon. These brethren learned they could receive whatever knowledge was necessary to complete their work if they asked in faith, with an honest heart, believing they would receive. And over time they increasingly understood the spirit of revelation typically functions as thoughts and feelings that come into our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Doctrine and Covenants 8:1-2; 100:5-8.) As the Lord instructed them: ‘Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it’ (Doctrine and Covenants 8:3-4).
“I emphasize the phrase ‘apply unto it’ in relation to the spirit of revelation. … Because the Spirit whispers to us gently and delicately, it is easy to understand why we should shun inappropriate media, pornography, and harmful, addictive substances and behaviors. These tools of the adversary can impair and eventually destroy our capacity to recognize and respond to the subtle messages from God delivered by the power of His Spirit. Each of us should consider seriously and ponder prayerfully how we can reject the devil’s enticements and righteously ‘apply unto it,’ even the spirit of revelation, in our personal lives and families.”
— Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelves Apostles, April 2011 general conference, “The Spirit of Revelation”
“If we sincerely desire and strive to measure up to the high expectations of our Heavenly Father, He will ensure that we receive all the help we need, whether it be comforting, strengthening or chastening. If we are open to it, needed correction will come in many forms and from many sources. It may come in the course of our prayers as God speaks to our mind and heart through the Holy Ghost (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2). It may come in the form of prayers that are answered no or differently than we had expected. Chastening may come as we study the scriptures and are reminded of deficiencies, disobedience or simply matters neglected.”
— Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2011 general conference, “As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten”
Doctrine and Covenants 9
“How do we seek with our minds? With our intellect we can ponder, we can analyze our circumstances, we can sort and sift information, weigh our options; we can store ideas, we can draw conclusions from our experiences, find answers to our problems; we can treasure thoughts and receive revelation. Isn’t that what the Lord meant when he said, ‘You must study it out in your mind’ and then ask me if these things are not true (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8)?”
— Sister Elaine L. Jack, then the Relief Society general president, October 1994 general conference, “Seek, and Ye Shall Find”
“The correct relationship between study and faith in the receipt of sacred knowledge is illustrated in Oliver Cowdery’s attempt to translate ancient records. He failed because he ‘took no thought,’ but only asked God (Doctrine and Covenants 9:7). The Lord told him he should have ‘stud[ied] it out in [his] mind’ and then asked if it was right (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8). Only then would the Lord reveal whether the translation was correct or not. And only on receiving that revelation could the text be written, because ‘you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me’ (Doctrine and Covenants 9:9). In the acquisition of sacred knowledge, scholarship and reason are not alternatives to revelation. They are a means to an end, and the end is revelation from God.”
— President Dallin H. Oaks, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 1989 general conference, “Alternate Voices”
