February 24–March 2: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”: Doctrine and Covenants 18
“February 24–March 2, ‘The Worth of Souls Is Great’: Doctrine and Covenants 18,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 18,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Christ hugging a child
February 24–March 2: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”
There are many different ways to try to measure a person’s worth. Talent, education, wealth, and physical appearance can all affect how we evaluate each other—and ourselves. But in God’s eyes, our worth is a much simpler matter, and it is stated clearly in Doctrine and Covenants 18: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (verse 10). This simple truth explains so much of what God does and why He does it. Why did He instruct Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to establish the Church of Jesus Christ in our day? (see verses 1–5). Because the worth of souls is great. Why does He “command all men everywhere to repent” and send Apostles to preach repentance? (verse 9). Because the worth of souls is great. And why did Jesus Christ suffer “death in the flesh” and “the pain of all men”? (verse 11). Because the worth of souls is great. If even one of these souls chooses to accept the Savior’s gift, He rejoices, for “great is his joy in the soul that repenteth” (verse 13).
In section 18, the Lord gave Oliver Cowdery instructions to help lay the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ. What do you notice about the counsel He gave—especially in verses 1–5? You might consider how this same counsel applies to you as you “build up” your faith in Christ. For example:
What have you “desired to know” of the Lord? (verse 1).
What does it mean to you to “rely upon the things which are written”? (verse 3). How has the Spirit “manifested unto you” that these things are true? (verse 2; see also Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–24).
How do you build your life on “the foundation of [the Savior’s] gospel and [His] rock”? (verse 5).
Ask questions. The Doctrine and Covenants is evidence that questions lead to revelation. As you study the scriptures, record questions that you have. Then ponder and pray to seek answers.
“The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
How do we determine the worth of something? For example, why is one item at a market more expensive than another? As you read section 18 this week, especially verses 10–13, you might contrast how people often determine value with what makes a soul valuable in God’s eyes. Consider substituting your name in place of the words “soul,” “souls,” and “all men.” How could these verses help someone who questions his or her worth?
Here are some other passages that teach about the worth of a soul: Luke 15:1–10; John 3:16–17; 2 Nephi 26:24–28; Moses 1:39. Based on these passages, how would you summarize the way God feels about you? You might also search President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “You Matter to Him” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 19–22) to find words and phrases that help you know about your worth to God.
How does God show you that you are of great worth to Him? How does this affect the way you feel about yourself and others?
See also Joy D. Jones, “Value beyond Measure,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 13–15; Topics and Questions, “Children of God,” Gospel Library.
Notice how often words like repent and repentance are used throughout Doctrine and Covenants 18. Ponder what you learn from these words each time they are used. Consider especially verses 11–16. How do these verses affect how you feel about repentance—your own repentance and the duty to invite other people to repent and improve? Here’s one way to record what you learn: list several ways you would complete the sentence “Repentance is .”
As you read verses 14–16, ponder what it means to “cry repentance”—and why it brings such joy. What are some ways you’ve found to help others come unto the Savior and receive forgiveness? How have other people done that for you?
If someone asked you what the voice of the Lord is like, what would you say? Think about this question as you read Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36. What have you learned about the voice of the Lord from reading Doctrine and Covenants? What can you do to hear His voice more clearly?
As you and your children read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13, consider substituting each other’s names in place of the words “soul,” “souls,” and “all men.” You could then talk about how these verses help us understand how Heavenly Father feels about each of us.
You could also ask your children about things that people consider valuable. Or you might show them something that is valuable to you. How do we treat things that are valuable to us? Then let them take turns looking in a mirror. As they do, tell each child that they are a child of God and they are of great worth. How can we show others that “the worth of [their] souls is great” in our sight?
To emphasize that all people are of great worth to Heavenly Father, your children could look at the picture at the end of this outline while you read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13. Singing together a song like “Every Star Is Different” (Children’s Songbook, 142–43) could help reinforce this point.
To inspire your children to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, you could talk with each other about experiences when you found something that you wanted to share with your friends or family. Why did you want to share it, and how did sharing it make you feel? Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 18:13, 16. What brings the Lord joy? What does He say will bring us joy? You and your children could talk about any experiences you’ve had sharing the joy of the Savior’s gospel.
A song about sharing the gospel, such as “I Want to Be a Missionary Now” (Children’s Songbook, 168), can help your children think of ways they can share the gospel.
Your children might enjoy a game where they try to identify voices of different people, such as family members, friends, or Church leaders. How do we recognize each other’s voices? How do we recognize the Lord’s voice? You could read together Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36 to discuss this question. You could also share with each other how you have heard the Lord’s voice in the scriptures.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
