“March 10–16, ‘The Rise of the Church of Christ’: Doctrine and Covenants 20–22,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 20–22,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
March 10–16: “The Rise of the Church of Christ”
Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
The Savior’s work of bringing forth the Book of Mormon was now complete. But His work of Restoration had just started. In addition to restoring doctrine and priesthood authority, the Lord had made it clear through earlier revelations that He also wanted to restore a formal organization—His Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 10:53; 18:5). 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.
Some people wonder why an organized Church is necessary. The answer may be found, at least in part, in the revelations connected with that first Church meeting in 1830. They describe blessings that would not have been 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,” in Revelations in Context, 29–32.
Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church
Jesus Christ has restored His Church.
Why do we have an organized Church? Perhaps the best answer is “Because Jesus Christ organized one.” As you study Doctrine and Covenants 20–21, you might notice similarities between the Church He established anciently and the one He has restored today. Use the following verses to learn about the Savior’s Church in ancient times: Matthew 16:15–19; John 7:16–17; Ephesians 2:19–22; 3 Nephi 11:23–26; Moroni 4–5. Use these verses to learn about the restored Church: Doctrine and Covenants 20:17–25, 60, 72–79; 21:1–2. You could record what you find in a table like this one:
|
Doctrine |
Ordinances |
Priesthood authority |
Prophets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Christ’s ancient Church | Doctrine | Ordinances | Priesthood authority | Prophets |
Christ’s restored Church | Doctrine | Ordinances | Priesthood authority | Prophets |
What do you learn from this activity about why Jesus Christ established—and restored—His Church?
See also Dallin H. Oaks, “The Need for a Church,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 24–26.
Invite sharing. When you invite people to share what they have been learning on their own, they will feel encouraged to continue with their personal study. What could you invite others to share?
Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 75–79; 22
Sacred ordinances help me become like the Savior.
When the Church was organized, the Lord taught His Saints about sacred ordinances, including baptism and the sacrament. As you read about these ordinances, ponder how they help you feel connected to the Savior. For example, how do these ordinances help you maintain your “determination to serve [Jesus Christ] to the end”? (verse 37). You might also read the sacrament prayers (verses 77, 79) and imagine that you are hearing them for the first time. What insights do you receive?
See also D. Todd Christofferson, “Why the Covenant Path,” Liahona, May 2021, 116–19.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–60
Priesthood service blesses Church members and their families.
Have you ever thought about why it was important to the Savior to restore the priesthood in His Church? Reading what He asks priesthood holders to do in Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–60 might give you some insights. How has the Savior blessed you and your family through the work described in these verses?
In addition to those who are ordained to the priesthood, women who are set apart to serve in the Church also exercise God’s authority as they participate in His work. To learn how, see President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 49–52).
See also Topics and Questions, “Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women,” Gospel Library.
Obeying God’s word through His prophets will give me divine protection.
Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–9 contains invitations to follow the Lord’s prophet and powerful promises for people who do. The following ideas can help you ponder these verses:
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What words in verses 4–5 describe what the Savior wants you to do with the words of His living prophet? Why do you feel “patience and faith” are needed to do this?
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Ponder the imagery the Savior uses in verse 6 to describe the blessings of following His prophet. What do think is meant by “the gates of hell”? How does the Lord “disperse the powers of darkness” for you? What does it mean for “the heavens to shake for your good”?
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What is the Lord asking you to do through the current President of the Church? How has the Lord fulfilled His promises as you have followed His counsel?
List additional insights you gain from the following sections of Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “The Prophet of God” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 24–27):
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Why We Follow the Prophet:
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A Watchman on the Tower:
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Don’t Be Surprised:
See also “Watchman on the Tower” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org; Topics and Questions, “Prophets,” Gospel Library; “We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns, no. 22.
Watchman on the Tower
(Ezekiel 33:1-7) The Lord calls prophets to be the "watchmen" on the tower.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
People, Places, Events
Ideas for Teaching Children
The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.
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Consider using the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 21, chapter 9 of Doctrine and Covenants Stories, or the video “Organization of the Church” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to help your children understand what happened on the day the Church was organized.
1:35Chapter 9: Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ: 6•April 1830
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Perhaps your children could match pictures of Jesus Christ, someone ministering, a baptism, and the sacrament with verses in section 20 (see verses 21–23, 47, 72–74, 75–79). Use these pictures and verses to discuss the blessings we have because Jesus Christ restored His Church.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 41, 71–74
When I am baptized and confirmed, I promise to follow Jesus Christ.
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Your children might enjoy seeing a picture of a child being baptized and confirmed. They can point out how it matches the instructions in Doctrine and Covenants 20:41, 71–74. What do we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 about people who want to be baptized? You could also sing “When I Am Baptized” together (Children’s Songbook, 103) or watch the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (Gospel Library).
2:54The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus seeks out John the Baptist and is baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness.
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If your children have already been baptized and confirmed, ask them about their experience. Do they have pictures they could share? Talk with them about what they are doing to follow Jesus Christ and how He is blessing them.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:75–79
I can take Jesus’s name upon me and always remember Him.
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Your children could look for the word “willing” in both Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 (about baptism) and verse 77 (the sacrament prayer). What does Jesus Christ want us to be willing to do? Maybe your children could look at something that has a name on it (such as a brand name or a personal name). What does the name tell us about the item? What does it mean to take Jesus Christ’s name upon us?
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Consider reading together Doctrine and Covenants 20:77 and asking your children to identify the promises we make as part of the sacrament. Maybe they could take turns acting out something they can do to “always remember” the Savior and guessing what each other’s actions are. According to verse 77, how are we blessed when we always remember the Savior?
Jesus blesses me as I follow His prophet.
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After discovering the invitations and promises in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–6, your children could look at a picture of the current prophet and share something they have learned or heard from him. Share with each other ways Jesus Christ has blessed you for following His prophet.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
Oliver Cowdery Ordains Joseph Smith, by Walter Rane