February 17–23: “Upon You My Fellow Servants”: Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
“February 17–23: ‘Upon You My Fellow Servants’: Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Most people around the world have probably never heard of Harmony, Pennsylvania. The Lord often chooses humble places for the most significant events in His kingdom. In a wooded area near Harmony on May 15, 1829, John the Baptist appeared 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).
John the Baptist was the trusted servant of God who baptized the Savior and prepared the way for His coming (see Matthew 3:1–6, 13–17). To these two young men in their twenties, it must have been humbling, perhaps even overwhelming, to be called John’s fellow servants. 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 and marvelous work” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:1).
I can participate in God’s “great and marvelous work.”
Joseph Knight and David Whitmer both wanted to know how they could help in the work of the Lord. As you read the Lord’s answer to them (Doctrine and Covenants 12; 14), think about what it means to you “to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (12:6; see also 14:6). What principles and Christlike attributes do you find in these sections that can help you do this?
Jesus Christ sent John the Baptist to restore the Aaronic Priesthood.
John the Baptist called Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery his “fellow servants.” What do you think it means to be a fellow servant with John the Baptist? (see Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 1:13–17; 3:2–20).
As you read what John the Baptist said about the Aaronic Priesthood in section 13, ponder how the keys of this priesthood help accomplish John’s mission to prepare the way of the Lord. For example:
How do the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood (such as baptism and the sacrament) help prepare the way for you to receive the Savior in your life?
What are priesthood keys?
Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Ruth, offered this explanation about priesthood keys:
“The term priesthood keys is used in two different ways. The first refers to a specific right or privilege conferred upon all who receive the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. … For instance, Aaronic Priesthood holders receive the keys of the ministering of angels and the keys of the preparatory gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 84:26–27). Melchizedek Priesthood holders receive the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, the key of the knowledge of God, and the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19; 107:18). …
“The second way the term priesthood keys is used refers to leadership. Priesthood leaders receive additional priesthood keys, the right to preside over an organizational division of the Church or a quorum. In this regard, priesthood keys are the authority and power to direct, lead, and govern in the Church” (The Melchizedek Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [2018], 26).
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be with Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery for the major events of the Restoration? As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75, including the note at the end of verse 71, you might understand at least some of what they felt. What impresses you about their words? Note, in particular, the blessings they received because they received the priesthood and were baptized. What blessings has the Savior given you through priesthood ordinances?
To learn more, consider creating a table with the headings Ordinances and Blessings. Then you could search scriptures like these to list ordinances and the blessings that come from them: John 14:26; Acts 2:38; Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22; 131:1–4; Joseph Smith—History 1:73–74. What other blessings would you add to the list? How have the ordinances you’ve received brought the Savior’s power into your life?
Have you ever wondered, as John and Peter Whitmer did, what “would be of the most worth” in your life? (Doctrine and Covenants 15:4; 16:4). As you read Doctrine and Covenants 15–16, ponder why bringing souls to Christ is of such great worth. What are you doing to “bring 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. (See also “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” in the Book of Mormon.) How do witnesses help bring about God’s “righteous purposes”? (verse 4).
What can you bear witness of?
See also Saints, 1:73–75; “A Day for the Eternities” (video), Gospel Library.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
The artwork in this outline could help your children visualize the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (see also “Chapter 6: Joseph and Oliver Are Given the Priesthood,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 26–27, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). Would they enjoy drawing a picture of the event based on what you read with them in Joseph Smith—History 1:68–74?
You could also show a picture of John the Baptist while you read together Matthew 3:13–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:68–70. Why was it important that the Lord sent John the Baptist to give Joseph Smith the priesthood authority to baptize?
Preparing your children for a lifetime on God’s covenant path. For more ideas to help your children learn about priesthood power, authority, and keys, see appendix A or appendix B.
Heavenly Father blesses me through the Aaronic Priesthood.
To prompt a discussion about the keys mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 13, you and your children could look at a set of keys and talk about what keys allow us to do. Maybe you could help them find the word keys in section 13. What other words or phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 13 describe the blessings of the Aaronic Priesthood? Your children could also identify ways Heavenly Father blesses us through the priesthood in the video “Blessings of the Priesthood” (Gospel Library).
Helping others come to Jesus Christ is “of the most worth.”
John and Peter Whitmer wanted to know what would be of the most worth to them (see Doctrine and Covenants 15:4; 16:4). Maybe you and your children could talk about things that are worth a lot to you. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 15:6 or 16:6, ask your children to raise their hands when they hear what the Lord said is “of the most worth.”
What does it mean to “bring souls unto [Jesus Christ]”? Help your children make a list of ideas, such as being friends to others, sharing the scriptures with a friend, or praying for someone in need. Your children could look for pictures of these things in Church magazines or the Gospel Art Book. Or they could draw their own pictures. Invite them to pick something from their list that they will do. You could also sing together the fourth verse of “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75).
“Chapter 7: Witnesses See the Gold Plates” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 31–33, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) can help your children learn about the Three Witnesses. After reading Doctrine and Covenants 17:5–6, tell your children how you know the Book of Mormon is true. How can we be witnesses of the Book of Mormon?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
