2021 - What's coming?
The church just put the curriculum for Come Follow Me online. Since it seems to be a Liahona for each week, I was curious as to what might be coming next year. Here's the introduction to the first quarter of lessons and the summary statements for each week. See what you think?
December
28–January 3
“Hearken, O Ye People”
In November 1831, the restored Church of Jesus Christ was just a
year and a half old. Though growing, it was still an obscure group of believers
living in a sparsely settled frontier, led by a prophet in his mid-twenties.
But God considered these believers to be His servants and His messengers, and
He wanted the revelations He had given them to be published to the world.
Doctrine and Covenants
section 1 is the Lord’s preface to the compilation of
these revelations, and it clearly shows that even though the membership of the
Church was small, there was nothing small about the message God wanted His
Saints to share. It is a “voice of warning” for all “the inhabitants of the
earth,” teaching them to repent and establish God’s “everlasting covenant” (verses 4, 8, 22).
The servants carrying this message are “the weak and the simple,” but humble
servants are just what God needs—then and
now—to bring His Church “out of obscurity and out of
darkness” (verses 23, 30).
For more about the history
behind Doctrine and
Covenants 1, see Saints, 1:140–43.
January
4–10
“I Saw a Pillar of Light”
The Doctrine and Covenants
is a book of answers to prayers: many of the sacred revelations in this book
came in response to questions. So it’s appropriate to begin studying the
Doctrine and Covenants by considering the question that began the latter-day outpouring
of revelation—the one Joseph Smith asked
in a grove of trees in 1820. A “war of
words and tumult of opinions” (Joseph Smith—History 1:10) had left
Joseph confused about religion and the state of his soul; perhaps you can
relate to that. There are many conflicting ideas and persuasive voices in our
day, and when we want to sort through these messages and find truth, we can do
what Joseph did. We can ask questions, study the scriptures, ponder, and
ultimately ask God. In response to Joseph’s prayer, a pillar of light descended
from heaven; God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared and answered his
questions. Joseph’s testimony of that miraculous experience boldly declares
that anyone “who [lacks] wisdom might ask of God, and obtain” (Joseph Smith—History 1:26). We can all
receive, if not a heavenly vision, at least a clearer vision, illuminated by
heavenly light.
January
11–17
Doctrine and
Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History
1:27–65
“The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers”
It had been three years since God the Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in the grove, but Joseph hadn’t received any
additional revelations since then. He began to wonder about his standing before
the Lord. Like all of us, he had made mistakes, and he felt condemned by them.
Yet God still had a work for him to do. And the work Joseph was called to do is
connected to what God asks of us. Joseph would bring forth the Book of Mormon;
what have we been asked to do with it? Joseph would receive priesthood keys to
turn the hearts of the children to their fathers; how are we turning our hearts
to our ancestors? Joseph was told of prophecies that would soon be fulfilled;
what is our part in helping to fulfill them? When we take part in God’s work,
we can expect to face opposition and even persecution, just as the Prophet did.
But we can also have faith that the Lord will make us instruments in His hands,
just as He did for Joseph.
See also Saints, 1:20–48.
January
18–24
“My Work Shall Go Forth”
During his first few years
as the Lord’s prophet, Joseph Smith didn’t yet know everything about the
“marvelous work” he had been called to do. But one thing his early experiences
taught him was that to qualify for God’s work, his eye must truly be “single to
the glory of God” (Doctrine and Covenants
4:1, 5). For example, if the Lord gave him counsel that went
against his own desires, he needed to follow the Lord’s counsel. And even if he
had “many revelations, and … power to do many mighty works,” if his own will
became more important in his eyes than God’s will, he “must fall” (Doctrine and Covenants
3:4). But Joseph learned something else just as important about
doing God’s work: “God is merciful,” and if Joseph sincerely repented, he was
“still chosen” (verse 10).
God’s work is, after all, a work of redemption. And that work “cannot be
frustrated” (verse 1).
January
25–31
“This Is the Spirit of Revelation”
In the fall of 1828, a young schoolteacher named Oliver Cowdery
took a teaching job in Manchester, New York, and stayed with the family of Lucy
and Joseph Smith Sr. Oliver had heard about their son Joseph, who was now
living in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Oliver, who considered himself a seeker of
truth, wanted to know more. The Smiths described visits from angels, an ancient
record, and the gift to translate by the power of God. Oliver was fascinated.
Could it be true? Lucy and Joseph Sr. gave him advice that applies to
anyone seeking truth: pray and ask the Lord.
Oliver did, and the Lord answered, speaking peace and reassurance
to Oliver’s mind. Revelation, Oliver discovered, can be personal—something he would learn even more profoundly in the coming months.
Revelation isn’t just for prophets; it’s for anyone who desires it and seeks
it. Oliver didn’t know everything yet, but he knew enough to take his next
step. The Lord was doing something important through Joseph Smith, and Oliver
wanted to be part of it.
For more information about
the history behind Doctrine and Covenants
6–9, see Saints, 1:58–64; “Days
of Harmony” (video, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
February
1–7
“That You May Come Off Conqueror”
As the translation of the
Book of Mormon progressed, a question naturally arose: What should Joseph Smith
and Oliver Cowdery do about those pages of the translation that had been lost?
The logical thing might be to go back and retranslate that portion, but the
Lord could see something that they could not—wicked
men were plotting to alter the words on those pages to cast doubt on Joseph’s inspired work. God had a
plan to thwart Satan’s efforts
and compensate for what was lost. This plan was put into motion thousands of
years earlier when the prophet Nephi felt inspired to create a second record
that covered the same time period. Later, Mormon was inspired to include this
record in the Book of Mormon “for a wise purpose” known to the Lord (see Words of Mormon 1:3–7).
“My wisdom,” the Lord said
to Joseph, “is greater than the cunning of the devil” (Doctrine and Covenants
10:43). That’s a reassuring message in a day like ours, when the
adversary’s ongoing efforts to weaken faith are intensifying. Like Joseph, we
can be “faithful and continue on” in the work God has called us to do (verse 3).
Then we will find that He has already provided a way so that “the gates of hell
shall not prevail” against us (verse 69).
See Saints, 1:51–61.
February
8–14
Doctrine and Covenants
12–13; Joseph Smith—History
1:66–75
“Upon You My Fellow Servants”
Most people around the
world have probably never heard of a place called Harmony, Pennsylvania. But
the Lord often chooses obscure locations for the most significant events in His
kingdom. In a wooded area near Harmony on May 15, 1829, John the Baptist
appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He placed
his hands on their heads and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon them,
calling them “my fellow servants” (Doctrine and Covenants
13:1).
To be considered a fellow
servant with John the Baptist, who baptized the Savior and prepared the way for
His coming (see Matthew 3:1–6, 13–17),
must have been humbling, perhaps even overwhelming to these two young men in
their twenties. At the time, Joseph and Oliver were relatively unknown, much as
Harmony was. But service in God’s work has always been about how we
serve, not about who notices. However small or unseen your contribution may
seem at times, you too are a fellow servant in the Lord’s great work.
February
15–21
“Stand as a Witness”
Even though the work of
translation was progressing well, by May 1829 the situation in Harmony had
become more difficult for Joseph, Emma, and Oliver. Hostility from neighbors
was growing while support from Emma’s family was waning. Feeling that Harmony was
no longer safe, Oliver reached out to a friend who had expressed interest in
Joseph’s work: David Whitmer. David lived with his parents and siblings in
Fayette, New York, about 100 miles away. He had met Oliver a year earlier,
and Oliver had written him several letters since then, sharing his experiences
working with the Prophet. Neither David nor anyone in his family had ever met
Joseph. But when Oliver asked if he and Joseph might move to the Whitmer home
to finish translating the Book of Mormon, the Whitmers readily opened their
doors. And the Lord had more in store for the Whitmers than simply housing the
Prophet. He had some specific instruction for them, found in Doctrine and Covenants
14–17, and in time they were to become one of the foundational
families of the Church and witnesses to the unfolding Restoration.
For more about the Whitmer
family, see Saints, 1:68–71.
February
22–28
“The Worth of Souls Is Great”
Martin and Lucy Harris had
one of the finest farms in Palmyra, New York. It had taken them years to
acquire, had enabled them to raise a family, and had given them good standing
in the community. But in 1829 it became clear that the Book of Mormon could be
published only if Martin mortgaged his farm to pay the printer. Martin had a
testimony of the Book of Mormon, but Lucy did not. If Martin went forward with
the mortgage and the Book of Mormon did not sell well, he would lose his farm
and jeopardize his marriage. At some time or another, we all face questions
similar to those that Martin may have been facing: What is the gospel of Jesus
Christ worth to me? What am I willing to sacrifice to help build God’s kingdom?
It may help us to remember that no one has ever paid a higher price to bless
God’s children than Jesus Christ, “the greatest of all” (Doctrine and Covenants
19:18).
Martin made the decision to mortgage his farm. His sacrifice paid
for the printing of the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. And now, more
than 190 million copies later, millions of souls around the world have been
blessed.
For more information about
the publication of the Book of Mormon, see Saints, 1:76–84.
March
1–7
“The Rise of the Church of Christ”
The Prophet Joseph Smith’s
work of translating the Book of Mormon was now complete. But the work of the
Restoration had only just begun. It was clear from earlier revelations that in
addition to restoring doctrine and priesthood authority, the Lord wanted to
restore a formal organization—His Church (see Doctrine and Covenants
10:53; 18:5). So on
April 6, 1830, more than 40 believers crowded into the Whitmer family’s
log home in Fayette, New York, to witness the organization of the Church of
Jesus Christ.
Still, some people wonder,
why is an organized Church necessary? The answer may be found, at least in
part, in the revelations connected with that first Church meeting in 1830.
Here, blessings are described that would not be possible if the true Church of
Jesus Christ had not been “regularly organized and established” in the latter
days (Doctrine and Covenants
20:1).
See also Saints, 1:84–86; “Build Up My Church,” Revelations
in Context, 29–32.
March
8–14
“Strengthen the Church”
After the Church was
organized, the Saints faced a new challenge—to spread
the gospel and strengthen those who had already united with the Church, all
while persecution continued to increase. Emma Smith witnessed the opposition
firsthand. In June 1830, Emma and members of the Knight family wished to
be baptized. But enemies of the Church tried to disrupt what should have been a
sacred experience. First they destroyed the dam that had been built to provide
deep enough water for the baptisms. Even after the dam was repaired, the
persecutors gathered to shout threats and mock those being baptized. Then, just
as Joseph was about to confirm the new members, he was arrested for upsetting
the community by preaching about the Book of Mormon. It seemed like an
unpromising start for the Lord’s newly restored Church. But in the midst of
this uncertainty and upheaval, the Lord provided precious words of counsel and
encouragement, which represent His “voice unto all” (Doctrine and Covenants
25:16).
See also Saints, 1:89–90, 94–97.
March
15–21
“All Things Must Be Done in Order”
Revelation was still a
relatively new concept for the Saints as the Restoration continued to unfold.
Early Church members knew that the Prophet Joseph Smith could receive
revelation for the Church, but could others? Questions like this became
critical when Hiram Page, one of the Eight Witnesses of the gold plates,
believed he had received revelations for the Church. Many faithful Saints
believed that these revelations were from God. The Lord responded by teaching
that in His Church “all things must be done in order” (Doctrine and Covenants
28:13), which meant having only one “appointed to receive
commandments and revelations” for the entire Church (Doctrine and Covenants
28:2). Even so, others could receive personal revelation for their
part in the Lord’s work. In fact, the Lord’s words to Oliver Cowdery are a
reminder to all of us: “It shall be given thee … what thou shalt do” (Doctrine and Covenants
28:15).
See also “All Things Must Be Done
in Order,” Revelations in Context, 50–53.
March
22–28
Jesus Christ Will Gather His People
Even though the Church of
Jesus Christ had been organized in 1830, many gospel truths were still to be
revealed, and several early Church members had questions. They had read
prophecies in the Book of Mormon about the gathering of Israel and the building
up of Zion (see 3 Nephi 21).
How would that happen? The revelations Hiram Page claimed to receive addressed
that subject, which only increased members’ curiosity (see Doctrine and Covenants 28).
Other people wondered about the Fall of Adam and Eve and spiritual death. The
Lord welcomed these questions in 1830: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith,” He
told the Saints, “being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall
receive” (Doctrine and Covenants
29:6). And He welcomes our questions today; He’s just waiting for us
to ask Him in prayer. In fact, as the doctrinally rich revelation in Doctrine and
Covenants 29 shows, He sometimes responds by imparting
truth and knowledge beyond the questions we asked in the first place.
March
29–April 4
Easter
“I Am He Who Liveth, I Am He Who Was Slain”
April 3, 1836, was
Easter Sunday. After helping administer the sacrament to Saints gathered in the
newly dedicated Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery found a quiet
place behind a veil in the temple and bowed in silent prayer. Then, on this sacred
day when Christians everywhere were commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus
Christ, the risen Savior Himself appeared in His temple, declaring, “I am he
who liveth, I am he who was slain” (Doctrine and Covenants
110:4).
What does it mean to say
that Jesus Christ is “he who liveth”? It doesn’t just mean that He rose from
the tomb on the third day and appeared to His Galilean disciples. It means that
He lives today. He speaks through prophets today. He leads His Church today. He
heals wounded souls and broken hearts today. So we can echo the words of Joseph
Smith’s powerful testimony: “After the many testimonies which have been given
of him, this is the testimony … which we give of him: That he lives!” (Doctrine and Covenants
76:22). We can hear His voice in these revelations. We can witness His
hand in our lives. And we can each feel “the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know
that my Redeemer lives!’” (Hymns, no. 136).
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