Weekly Free Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Resources, Activities, Ideas, Printables, and Supports for Your Students, Toddlers, Family, and Individual Study!
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Week 8 COME FOLLOW ME: Doctrine and Covenants – TEACHING IDEAS & RESOURCES | D&C Sections 14 – 17
Questions to Ponder:
Weekly Free Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Resources, Activities, Ideas, Printables, and Supports for Your Students, Toddlers, Family, and Individual Study!
As you read, Doctrine and Covenants 14 – 17 ponder how other people’s opinions may be influencing you. You may also note that in addition to rebuking Joseph Smith, the Lord spoke words of mercy. So each week I will list out some of the questions issued in Come Follow Me. Maybe you pick to ponder about all of them, maybe you pick just one. Whatever you do, ponder on this for the ENTIRE week. Pray about it, discuss it with loved ones, then at the start of the new week, take the time to write down your impressions or thoughts, share them with your family, testify of powerful insights. Each Come Follow Me Lesson asks important and reflective questions. When I first began my individual study… these questions threw me off. Simply because many of these questions required so much depth and individual reflection in order to answer honestly. My first approach to Come Follow Me was to get in, get out, get it done, check it off. These questions simply didn’t allow me to do so. In fact, I felt a little sick when I would read a question like, “How does the spirit speak to you?” and I wouldn’t know the answer right away. After a time, and pondering on that specific question I realized IT’S OKAY. In fact, I think these questions were meant to be set aside, thought about, and pondered. When we try and come up with the quick easy, obvious, answer, we are depriving ourselves of an opportunity to reflect, ponder, pray, and RECEIVE REVELATION. Is this not the whole reason for Come Follow Me? Are we not trying to finetune and recognize how we, and how to receive personal revelation.
- As you read Doctrine and Covenants 14:1–4, notice how the Lord compares His work to the kind of work David was familiar with. What do you learn about the work of the Lord from this comparison?
- The Lord compared His word to a “two-edged sword” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:2). What does this comparison suggest to you about the word of God? For instance, how is His word quick, powerful, and sharp?
- How have you experienced the power of God’s word?
- As you read Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, ponder why eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” This insight from President Russell M. Nelson might help: “Under God’s great plan of happiness, families can be sealed in temples and be prepared to return to dwell in His holy presence forever. That is eternal life!”
- John and Peter Whitmer both wanted to know what “would be of the most worth” in their lives (Doctrine and Covenants 15:4; 16:4). Have you ever wondered about this for yourself? As you read Doctrine and Covenants 15–16, ponder why bringing souls to Christ is of such great worth. How can you invite souls unto Christ?
- What is a witness? Why does the Lord use witnesses in His work? (see 2 Corinthians 13:1). Ponder these questions as you read God’s words to the Three Witnesses in Doctrine and Covenants 17. It might also be helpful to review “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” in the Book of Mormon. How do witnesses help bring about God’s “righteous purposes”?
Lesson:
I’ve shared this before, but couldn’t think of a more appropriate week to share Daniel Peterson’s Fair Mormon address, “Idle Tales, The Witness of Women.” If you haven’t already, take the time to listen to this!
If you are short on time, I’ve embedded this video to begin where Peterson begins to link Women and their witness to the Book of Mormon.
Also, this is the video Peterson shared at the same Fair Mormon Conference address above. I’ve been anxiously awaiting its debut ever since. Set to premiere summer of 2021, make sure to check out this trailer!
Don’t Forget:
In case you missed this last week, I wanted to reshare the coloring app again!
To all my friends with younger children… I couldn’t wait to share the new Gospel Kids App with you, just put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! If you’re like me one of the biggest hurdles for the majority of the fun Come Follow Me lessons is a PRINTER. Which makes it difficult when you haven’t entered into that stage of adulting yet, despite making teacher products for teachers that require a printer 50% of the time… It’s fine.
This is one of those things where you didn’t realize how NECESSARY it was until using it. Now the majority of the fun coloring pages I link can be accessed through the app and used again and again. Both my children (Ages 3 & 5) completely enjoyed this, my 5-year-old especially so. I would not hesitate to recommend this app to all children primary aged.
The app also includes the Scripture Stories and acts as a read-aloud. Kiddos click on the chapter, then swipe through the pictures as each page is read aloud to them. The words are on display ***This is GREAT for fluency and reading skills, made my teacher heart flutter.
Also included in the app are sing-along videos, where you can toggle between children’s voices singing and instrumentals without skipping a beat. The words are included in the video again allowing your child to follow along as they sing. This includes the primary songbook AND HYMNS.
I’ll share about the Come Follow Me Playlists next week!
So if you have a smartphone or tablet… MAKE sure to download this app. For us it was a GAME-CHANGER!
Apple Device: Click Here to Download
If you find the link for Android Devices, please comment the link below!
David Whitmer—like the other witnesses—had been charged with being deluded into thinking he had seen an angel and the plates. One observer remembers when David was such accused, and said:
“How well and distinctly I remember the manner in which Elder Whitmer arose and drew himself up to his full height—a little over six feet—and said, in solemn and impressive tones: ‘No sir! I was not under any hallucination, nor was I deceived! I saw with these eyes, and I heard with these ears! I know whereof I speak!’[3]“
When another anti-Mormon published an article claiming that David had denied his testimony, David printed a “proclamation” testifying to the truth of the Book of Mormon and reiterating the fact that he had never denied that testimony. He wrote:
“It is recorded in the American Cyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the Three Witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon: and that the two other witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, denied their testimony to that book. I will say once more to all mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver Cowdery nor Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony. They both died affirming the truth of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon.[4]“
Following David Whitmer’s death the Richmond Conservator wrote:
“On Sunday evening before his death he called the family and his attending physician, Dr. George W. Buchanan, to his bedside and said, “Doctor do you consider that I am in my right mind?” to which the Doctor replied, “Yes, you are in your right mind, I have just had a conversation with you.” He then addressed himself to all present and said: “I want to give my dying testimony. You must be faithful in Christ. I want to say to you all that the Bible and the record of the Nephites, (The Book of Mormon) are true, so you can say that you have heard me bear my testimony on my death bed….”
“On Monday morning he again called those present to his bedside, and told them that he had seen another vision which reconfirmed the divinity of the “Book of Mormon,” and said that he had seen Christ in the fullness of his glory and majesty, sitting upon his great white throne in heaven waiting to receive his children.[6]“
The Richmond Democrat also added this comment:
“Skeptics may laugh and scoff if they will, but no man can listen to Mr. Whitmer as he talks of his interview with the Angel of the Lord, without being most forcibly convinced that he has heard an honest man tell what he honestly believes to be true.[7]“
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Teaching Ideas for Toddlers & Young Children
Watch or Listen To:
With young children, I understand the STRUGGLE and the attention span you are dealing with. Below are some of my favorite videos or audio recordings|podcasts you can listen to and watch with your children. Many of these are PERFECT for when everyone is strapped in the car seat. My 5-year-old now requests many of these over the radio. This allows us to listen, review and discuss together, and listen again throughout the week. Many of the videos I share can be found on the Saint’s Radio Channel App. (Formerly Mormon Channel App, If you don’t already have this, DOWNLOAD NOW.)
I am absolutely LOVING the YouTube Channel, Latter Day Kids. Each week they put out a beautifully illustrated video meant for young children to be used in conjunction with the Come Follow Me Lessons. This week’s video is all about All Things Denoting there is a God! You can even head to their website to download discussion questions to go along with the video and a fun coloring page.
Drawn In: Free Sample of Subscription Videos
The ONLY Paid Subscription I use for Come Follow Me
I’ve recently teamed up with David Bowman artist, author and creator of the Drawn-In Video Subscription to bring a discount to all Living on Lemon Lane readers. This is the ONLY Paid Come Follow Me product that I have a subscription to, and it is worth every cent. Each week you get TWO engaging and fun videos (around 20 minutes long each!) as well as exclusive content and printables! Like his books, instead of just introducing the scripture story he explains a principle, then takes it a step further by exploring APPLICATION. Click here to watch his Free Videos, If you’re interested make sure to use the promo code LEMONLANE10 at checkout to receive 10% off of the yearly membership!
- Click Here to Learn More, Use Code LEMONLANE10 for an exclusive discount off the yearly membership!Head to davidbowmanart.com to watch more FREE episodes and learn more about subscribing ($4.95 per month – gets you 2 episodes PER WEEK that go directly with Come Follow Me as well as supplemental PDF print outs)
Read:
Activity Suggestions:
***Also Available as a DIGITAL coloring page through the Gospel for Kids App
Activity Suggestions From Come Follow Me:
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Possible Activities
- Use a present to teach the children about God’s gift of eternal life. For example, show the children a present with a paper inside that reads, “Eternal Life” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Let a child unwrap the gift, and read Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 aloud. Share that eternal life means to live forever with God and to be like Him. Share your testimony of the blessings of keeping the commandments and receiving eternal life.
Teaching Ideas for Families
Watch or Listen To:
The church recently released, “Saints,” A New Narrative approach to church history. It. Is. WONDERFUL. This gives such depth and understanding to the early saints. Historians did a remarkable job marrying facts, conversations, and primary sources with the art of storytelling. Every conversation read, or detail noted, comes from a primary account. Saints is also intended to be read and comprehended at an 8th-grade reading level making it accessible to nearly every Latter-Day Saint. Please add this to your study this year!
…I am SO EXCITED to share the following videos with you! In a nutshell, they are a short introduction and overview of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. You get a brief, historically accurate backstory to the section, as well as a quick look at what it contains. In other words, this is the PERFECT support to add to your family’s study!
These videos are put together by Doctrine and Covenants Central, like Book of Mormon Central. Their vision is to “build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Doctrine and Covenants accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to people everywhere.”
I remember first hearing about their vision during a Fair Mormon Conference a few years ago when this vision was still just a vision, tears filled my eyes and my heart swelled at the thought of how needed and necessary their vision and efforts are, especially today. I wish I could put into words how grateful I am to those that share their talents so freely. If you really want to dive in deep to each section, consider visiting their website and looking up the section you would like to study, or downloading their FREE Scripture Study App, (Scripture Plus)
Click Here to Visit Doctrine and Covenants Central
Click Here to Download the Scripture Plus App
Read:
- I LOVE using the Institute and Seminary Manuals to aid my study! They answer questions, provide insight and background coupled with beautiful quotes from Prophets and Apostles.
- You HAVE to start reading or listening to SAINTS: (“Saints” was recently released by the church it is a narrative approach, (all primary-sourced insights) to Church History) It is intentionally written in a way the entire family can enjoy and benefit from!
- Another GREAT Resource is Revelations in Context: This is another book released by the church, its purpose is to give you the behind the scene details to the Section of the revelation given. What prompted the question, what was going on…etc.
- “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.” This book will help provide that background…
Activity Suggestions:
I’m SO EXCITED to share these new, FREE coloring pages by the talented Hadley Mae @Colorwinkstudio Each week she shares a new coloring page related to the Come Follow Me lesson!
Click Here for this week’s Coloring Page by Color Wink Studio
My other favorite find comes from the efforts of Tiffany over at Saving Talents. She puts together DAILY, FREE Devotionals for Come Follow Me. One of my favorite resources she creates are these Scripture of the Week Handwriting Practice Verses in both print and cursive. This makes my teacher heart swell! To download these, head to her site, click on the image then use the shortcuts like {control P} or right click on the image to print!
Click Here to visit this week’s Saving Talents Post for Come Follow Me
Individual Study & Extension
Watch or Listen To:
Really enjoying the new podcast “Follow Him,” by John Bytheway and Hank Smith, each week they bring in a new expert to discuss the sections covered in Come Follow Me. A dear friend David Perry actually helps produce this podcast and it is truly exceptional.
Read:
- Doctrine & Covenants Timeline and Chart
- Chronology of the Doctrine & Covenants
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Close Friends as Witnesses: Joseph Smith and the Joseph Knight Families: William G. Hartley
:MOST IMPORTANT PART:
Comment below and share YOUR favorite resources for This week of Come Follow Me in the Doctrine and Covenants. Join the conversation on @livingonlemonlane on Instagram and stay updated on new blog posts! If you enjoyed this PLEASE SHARE! Another great way to share or support the efforts of Living on Lemon Lane is to simply pin your favorite images to Pinterest! Till next week
