March 24–30: “All Things Must Be Done in Order”: Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
“March 24–30: ‘All Things Must Be Done in Order’: Doctrine and Covenants 27–28,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 27–28,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
Revelation was still a relatively new concept for the Saints as the Restoration continued to unfold. Early Church members knew that the Prophet Joseph Smith could receive revelation for the Church. But could others? Questions like this became critical when Hiram Page, one of the Eight Witnesses of the gold plates, believed he had received revelations for the Church. Many faithful Saints believed that these revelations were from God. The Lord responded by teaching that in His Church “all things must be done in order” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:13). This meant having only one person “appointed to receive commandments and revelations” for the entire Church (Doctrine and Covenants 28:2). Others, however, could receive personal revelation for their part in the Lord’s work. In fact, the Lord’s words to Oliver Cowdery are a reminder to all of us: “It shall be given thee … what thou shalt do” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:15).
I take the sacrament in remembrance of Jesus Christ.
Sally Knight and Emma Smith were baptized in June 1830, but their confirmations were disrupted by a mob. Two months later, Sally and her husband, Newel, visited Emma and Joseph, and it was decided that they would now be confirmed and that the group would partake of the sacrament together. While on his way to obtain wine for the sacrament, Joseph was stopped by an angel.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 27:1–4 to find out what the angel taught him about the sacrament. What do these verses suggest about how the Savior wants you to approach the sacrament? What do you think it means to partake of it “with an eye single to [His] glory”? Ponder this—and look for other insights about the sacrament—as you read Luke 22:19–20 and 3 Nephi 18:1–11. (See also the videos “The Last Supper,” “Jesus Christ Blesses Bread in Remembrance of Him,” and “Jesus Christ Blesses Wine in Remembrance of Him,” Gospel Library).
To learn about making the sacrament a worshipful experience, consider studying Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 36–39). What did Elder Christofferson teach that can help you feel a greater connection to the Savior through the sacrament? Ponder what you can do to better prepare to partake of the emblems of the Savior’s Atonement and treat them with greater reverence or purpose.
Consider singing, listening to, or reading a sacrament hymn, like “As Now We Take the Sacrament” (Hymns, no. 169), and recording your feelings about participating in this sacred ordinance.
Use music. Sacred music invites the Spirit to testify of gospel truths. It can help you understand and feel these truths in a memorable way. Music also helps make learning more engaging.
The Lord gives His servants priesthood keys to direct His work.
What do you know about the prophets mentioned in these verses? You could search for information about them in the Guide to the Scriptures. What blessings have been unlocked for you through the keys that these prophets held?
President M. Russell Ballard said: “There is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 8).
As you learn about the armor of God in Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18, you could create a table like this one. What are you doing to put on each piece of the armor of God?
Jesus Christ directs His Church through His living prophet.
Imagine what it would be like if anyone could receive commandments and revelation for the entire Church. When Hiram Page claimed to have received such revelation, many Church members were confused. In Doctrine and Covenants 28, the Lord revealed an order for revelation in His Church. What do you learn from this section about the specific role of the President of the Church? What do you learn about how God can direct you?
One purpose of the Book of Mormon is “that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 3:20). This was consistent with promises the Lord made to many Book of Mormon prophets (see, for example, 1 Nephi 13:34–41; Enos 1:11–18; Helaman 15:12–13). Early Church members considered the American Indians to be descendants of the Book of Mormon people. (The official position of the Church today is that the Lamanites “are among the ancestors of the American Indians” [introduction to the Book of Mormon].)
To read more about Oliver Cowdery’s mission to nearby American Indians, see, “A Mission to the Lamanites,” Revelations in Context, 45–49. What does this mission teach you about the Lord and His work?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
Children might wonder why we use water for the sacrament when Jesus used wine (see Luke 22:19–20; 3 Nephi 18:1–11). You could read Doctrine and Covenants 27:1–2 together and discuss what it means to take the sacrament “with an eye single to [God’s] glory” (verse 2). What can we do to focus on the Savior while we take the sacrament?
Perhaps having pictures, scripture verses, or song lyrics about the Savior could help your children remember Him when taking the sacrament. They might enjoy creating a booklet with some of these pictures, verses, and lyrics. They could draw their own pictures or find some in the Friend magazine.
You could show your children a picture of armor like the one in this outline or on the activity page in the outline for Ephesians in Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18, help them find the pieces of armor in the picture. How can the armor of God help us “withstand the evil day”? (verse 15).
The prophet receives revelation for the Church; I can receive revelation for my life.
If you have several children, you might invite them to play “follow the leader,” but ask two or more children to be the leader at the same time. What happens when there is more than one leader? You could then learn about Hiram Page (see “Chapter 14: The Prophet and Revelations for the Church,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 56–57, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library; or the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 28). How did Heavenly Father correct the confusion of the early Church members? How does He lead the Church today? (see Doctrine and Covenants 28:2). Share your testimony that the current prophet is called by the Lord to lead His Church in our day.
While revelation for the Church will always be given through the prophet, we can all be guided by the Holy Ghost. You could help your children search some of the following scriptures and make a list of ways the Holy Ghost can guide us: Doctrine and Covenants 28:1, 4, 15; John 14:26; Moroni 8:26; 10:4–5. Share with each other how you have been guided by the Holy Ghost.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
