February 3–9: “This Is the Spirit of Revelation”: Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
“February 3–9: ‘This Is the Spirit of Revelation’: Doctrine and Covenants 6–9,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 6–9,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Image
an image of Oliver Cowdery writing with a quill pen
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 and his remarkable experiences, 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 to [his] mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:23). Revelation, Oliver discovered, isn’t just for prophets like Joseph Smith. It’s for anyone who wants it and seeks it diligently. Oliver still had a lot to learn, but he knew enough to take his next step. He knew the Lord was doing something important through Joseph Smith, and Oliver wanted to be part of it.
See also Saints, 1:58–64; “Days of Harmony” (video), Gospel Library.
Heavenly Father speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.
In the spring of 1829, Oliver Cowdery volunteered to be Joseph Smith’s scribe as he continued to translate the Book of Mormon. The experience thrilled him, and he wondered if he could also receive revelation and the gift to translate. His first try, though, didn’t go well.
If you’ve ever struggled to receive or understand revelation, maybe you can relate to Oliver’s experience—and learn from it. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 6, 8, and 9, notice what the Lord taught Oliver about personal revelation. For example:
What else do you learn about revelation from these sections?
Oliver’s experiences might cause you to “cast your mind” on moments when you’ve felt that the Lord was speaking to you (Doctrine and Covenants 6:22). Have you ever recorded your thoughts or feelings about these experiences? If so, consider reading what you wrote. If not, take some time to write down what you remember. Consider how you can continue to draw strength from these experiences. For some ideas, see Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “Spiritually Defining Memories” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 18–22).
Several Church leaders have shared their experiences with revelation in the “Hear Him” video collection. After watching one or more of these videos, you might feel inspired to record your own experiences, sharing how the Lord has spoken to you.
See also Topics and Questions, “Personal Revelation,” Gospel Library; “Oliver Cowdery’s Gift,” in Revelations in Context, 15–19.
The Lord knew Joseph Smith would experience “difficult circumstances” in coming years (Doctrine and Covenants 6:18). He knows what trials are in your future too. What do you find in His counsel to Joseph and Oliver in Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37 that helps you trust Him?
What do you feel it means to “look unto [Christ] in every thought”? (verse 36). How can you do this more consistently—during good times and “difficult circumstances”? Consider this counsel from President Russell M. Nelson: “It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee” (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 41).
Why do we sometimes “fear … to do good”? (verse 33). What do you find in Doctrine and Covenants 6:29–37 that gives you courage to do good? Consider singing or listening to a hymn that inspires you to have courage in Christ, such as “Let Us All Press On” (Hymns, no. 243).
Notice how many times words like “desire” or “desires” appear in sections 6 and 7. What do you learn from these sections about the importance God places on your desires? Ask yourself the Lord’s question in Doctrine and Covenants 7:1: “What desirest thou?”
One of Oliver Cowdery’s righteous desires—to translate as Joseph Smith did—was not fulfilled. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9:3, 7–14, what impressions do you receive that might help you when your righteous desires go unfulfilled for now?
Heavenly Father speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.
The truths Oliver Cowdery learned about personal revelation can help your children as they develop their ability to recognize the Holy Ghost. You could use “Chapter 5: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 22–25, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) to teach them about Oliver and what he learned. Share with each other your favorite parts of the story. As you do, emphasize things the Lord taught Oliver about how to hear God’s voice, and read relevant verses, such as Doctrine and Covenants 6:23 or 9:7–9.
Oliver Cowdery learned about revelation while helping Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon.
You could also invite your children to touch their heads and their chests as you read the words “mind” and “heart” in Doctrine and Covenants 8:2. Tell your children, from your experiences, what it’s like when the Holy Ghost speaks to your mind and heart. Help them find answers to the question “How does the Holy Ghost speak to us?” in these verses: Doctrine and Covenants 6:15–16, 22–23; 8:2; 9:7–9.
Use stories. Stories help children understand gospel principles because they demonstrate how other people live these principles. As you teach, find ways to include stories—from the scriptures, from Church history, or from your own life—that illustrate the principles in the scriptures.
The Lord told Joseph and Oliver, “Fear not, little flock” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:34). You might invite your children to repeat that phrase with you several times. They might also enjoy pretending to be a flock of frightened sheep. What might sheep be afraid of? Then you and your children could look at a picture of the Savior as a shepherd (there’s one at the end of this outline) and talk about how He watches over us like a shepherd watches over His sheep.
Consider playing or singing a song about finding courage in Christ, such as “Dare to Do Right” (Children’s Songbook, 158) or “Let Us All Press On” (Hymns, no. 243). What does the song teach about how the Savior helps us not be afraid?
After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, you and your children could make drawings to help you remember to “look unto [Jesus Christ] in every thought.” Share with each other your drawings, and help your children think of places they could put them so they will see them often.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
ImageOliver Cowdery writing, with Joseph Smith looking on