June 16–22: “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind”: Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
“June 16–22: ‘The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind’: Doctrine and Covenants 64–66,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 64–66,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Daviess County, Missouri
Daviess County, Missouri
June 16–22: “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind”
In the miserable heat of August 1831, several elders were traveling back to Kirtland from the land of Zion in Missouri. The travelers were hot and weary, and tensions soon turned into quarrels. It may have seemed like building Zion, a city of love, unity, and peace, was going to take a long time.
Fortunately, building Zion—in Missouri in 1831 or in our hearts, families, and wards today—doesn’t require us to be perfect. Instead, “of you it is required to forgive,” the Lord said (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10). He requires “the heart and a willing mind” (verse 34). And He requires patience and diligence, for Zion is built on the foundation of “small things,” accomplished by those who do not become “weary in well-doing” (verse 33).
Think about a time when the Lord forgave you. How did you feel?
Is there someone you need to forgive? Why can forgiving others be so difficult? What helps you overcome these difficulties?
What truths about forgiveness in Doctrine and Covenants 64:1–11 seem important to you? Why do you think the Lord commands us “to forgive all”? (verse 10).
If you struggle to forgive, consider studying Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “The Ministry of Reconciliation” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 77–79) or Kristin M. Yee’s message “Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness” (Liahona, Nov. 2022, 36–38). What do you learn about how Christ can help you forgive?
Family relationships can provide many opportunities to forgive. Think about your family members. Whom do you need to forgive? How are we “afflicted” (verse 8) when we don’t forgive each other? How would forgiveness affect your family relationships?
See also Topics and Questions, “Forgiveness,” Gospel Library; “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light” (video), Gospel Library.
Have you ever felt “weary” with all the “well-doing” you’re trying to accomplish? Look for the Lord’s message to you in Doctrine and Covenants 64:31–34. What does the Lord want you to do to bring about His “great work”?
Think of an object lesson that would illustrate verse 33—something large that’s made up of small things, like a mosaic or a brick building. What “small things” can you do every day to “[lay] the foundation” of God’s great work? What are some examples of the “great work” that the Lord has given you?
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom suggested this possible meaning for the phrase “heart and a willing mind”:
“The heart is symbolic of love and commitment. We make sacrifices and bear burdens for those we love that we would not endure for any other reason. If love does not exist, our commitment wanes. …
“Having ‘a willing mind’ connotes giving our best effort and finest thinking and seeking God’s wisdom. It suggests that our most devoted lifetime study should be of things that are eternal in nature. It means that there must be an inextricable relationship between hearing the word of God and obeying it” (“The Heart and a Willing Mind,” Ensign, June 2011, 31–32).
An ensign is “a flag or standard around which people gather in a unity of purpose or identity” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Ensign,” Gospel Library). How has Zion—or the Lord’s Church—been like an ensign to you? Consider these other examples of things that are held up, like an ensign, to bless the people: Numbers 21:6–9; Matthew 5:14–16; Alma 46:11–20. Look for other ways the Lord describes Zion in Doctrine and Covenants 64:41–43.
The kingdom of God on earth prepares the world for the Savior’s return.
Doctrine and Covenants 65 gives an inspiring description of the mission of the Lord’s Church in the latter days. Consider searching this section, looking for answers to questions like these: What does the Lord want His kingdom to accomplish on the earth? What does He want me to do to help?
See also “Prepare Today for the Second Coming” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Shortly after joining the Church, William E. McLellin asked Joseph Smith to reveal God’s will for him. Joseph didn’t know it, but William had five personal questions he was hoping the Lord would answer through His Prophet. We don’t know what William’s questions were, but the revelation addressed to him, now Doctrine and Covenants 66, answered each question to William’s “full and entire satisfaction” (“William McLellin’s Five Questions,” in Revelations in Context, 138).
As you read section 66, think about what the Lord knew about William McLellin and the concerns and intents of his heart. How has the Lord shown you that He knows you? If you have a patriarchal blessing, consider studying it. As you do, what does the Holy Ghost help you understand about God’s will for you?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
Note: As you teach your children about the Lord’s command “to forgive all,” you may want to clarify that forgiving does not mean allowing people to hurt us. Encourage them to tell a trusted adult if someone hurts them or touches them inappropriately.
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 64:10 with your children, talk with them about what it means to forgive someone. You might share a few simple examples. Perhaps they could role-play these examples to practice forgiving.
You might ask your children to plan how they would teach someone—such as a younger sibling—about forgiving others. Help them find phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 64:7–10 that they could use as they teach.
Sing a song about forgiveness, such as “Help Me, Dear Father” (Children’s Songbook, 99). What does this song teach us about forgiving others?
You could show your children some things that are made up of small parts, like a puzzle or a rug. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 64:33. What is God’s “great work”? What are the “small things” we can do that will help?
As you read to your children from Doctrine and Covenants 64:34, you could point to your heart and head as you read “heart” and “mind,” and invite the children to do it with you. How can we give our hearts (desires) and minds (thoughts) to the Savior?
Emphasize the example of Jesus Christ. Consider how you can emphasize the example of the Savior when you study or teach. For example, when teaching about Doctrine and Covenants 64:34, you could talk with your children about how the Savior gave His heart (desires) and mind (thoughts) to His Father in Heaven. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 6.)
Help your children understand that William E. McLellin had five questions for the Lord. Joseph Smith received answers to these questions even though he did not know what William’s questions were. Tell your children about a time when the Lord showed you what He wanted you to do, and talk about the blessings that came from following His direction. You could then read Doctrine and Covenants 66:4 together and invite your children to seek opportunities to understand what the Lord wants them to do.
I can help prepare the world to receive Jesus Christ.
As your children look at a picture of the Savior’s Second Coming, ask them to describe what they see or what they know about this event. You could also give your children words and phrases about the Second Coming to find in Doctrine and Covenants 65. What do these words and phrases teach us? How can we prepare for the Savior’s return?
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
