July 21–27: Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”: Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
“July 21–27: Where ‘Much Is Given Much Is Required’: Doctrine and Covenants 81–83,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 81–83,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
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Jesus Christ speaking to the rich young man
Detail from Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hofmann
July 21–27: Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”
In March 1832, the Lord called Jesse Gause to be a counselor to Joseph Smith in the Presidency of the High Priesthood (now called the First Presidency). Doctrine and Covenants 81 is a revelation to Brother Gause about his new calling. But Jesse Gause did not serve faithfully, so Frederick G. Williams was called to replace him. Brother Williams’s name replaced Brother Gause’s name in the revelation.
That may seem like a minor detail, but it implies a significant truth: most revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are addressed to specific people, but we can always seek ways to apply them to ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23). When we read the Lord’s counsel to Frederick G. Williams to “strengthen the feeble knees,” we can think of people we might strengthen (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5). When we read the Lord’s invitation to members of the United Firm to “bind yourselves by this covenant,” we can think of our own covenants. And we can read His promise, “I … am bound when ye do what I say,” as if He’s speaking to us (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10, 15). We can do this because, as the Lord declared, “What I say unto one I say unto all” (verse 5).
“Thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings.”
In several passages in Doctrine and Covenants 81–83, the Lord invites us to help people in need around us. Consider marking the passages as you find them. One of the most descriptive examples is in Doctrine and Covenants 81:4–5. Here are some questions to help you ponder these verses:
What are some ways a person can be “weak”? What does it mean to “succor” them? When has the Christlike service of others helped me when I felt weak?
What might cause a person’s hands to figuratively “hang down”? How can I “lift up” those hands?
What might “feeble knees” mean? How are they strengthened?
How does the Savior do these things for you?
Perhaps studying this verse has brought to mind someone you could “succor,” “lift up,” or “strengthen.” What will you do to minister to that person?
What else do you learn about service to others in Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19? You might also watch the video “Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Rescuing Those in Need” (Gospel Library). How did Bishop Monson’s ward members exemplify what these verses teach?
Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890), Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda, 1883, oil on canvas, 100 ¾ x 125 ½ inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by Jack R. and Mary Lois Wheatley, 2001.
The Savior has given me much and requires much of me.
Reading this verse might prompt you to review what God has given you—both physical and spiritual blessings. Keep this in mind as you read the rest of section 82. What do you feel God requires of you?
If you or someone you know has ever wondered why the Lord gives so many commandments, Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–10 could help. Which insights from these verses could help you explain to someone why you choose to follow the Lord’s commandments? What could you compare the commandments to that might help? You could find additional insights in Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38; 130:20–21 and the video “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God” (Gospel Library). What experiences have taught you to see commandments as blessings?
Think about some of the commandments God has given you. What have these commandments taught you about Him and His will? (see verse 8). How has your life been affected by keeping these commandments?
What do you learn about the Lord from verse 10? What do you think it means for the Lord to be “bound”? (see also verse 15).
How has the Lord kept His promises in your life? What might you say to someone who doesn’t feel motivated to keep the commandments because they haven’t received the blessings they hoped for? Do you find any helpful insights in Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message “Our Relationship with God”? (Liahona, May 2022, 78–80).
See also Topics and Questions, “Commandments,” Gospel Library.
Sister Virginia H. Pearce, former member of the Young Women General Presidency, spoke about a woman who worried desperately about her children who were making unrighteous choices. In a near panic, she tried everything she could think of to seek the Lord’s blessings on their behalf. In addition to fervent prayer, she set an ambitious goal of increased temple attendance and felt sure that the Lord would honor this significant sacrifice by changing her children’s hearts. The woman reported:
“After ten years of increased temple attendance and constant prayer, I am sorry to say that my children’s choices have not changed. …
“But I have. I am a different woman. … I have a softer heart. I am filled with compassion. I can actually do more and am free of fear, anxiety, guilt, blame, and dread. I have given up my time limits and am able to wait on the Lord. And I experience frequent manifestations of the Lord’s power. He sends tender mercies, small messages that acknowledge his love for me and my children. My expectations have changed. Instead of expecting my children to change, I expect these frequent tender mercies and am full of gratitude for them. …
“My prayers are changed. I express more love and am more thankful. … The Lord works in marvelous ways, and I truly am filled with the peace that passeth all understanding” (in “Prayer: A Small and Simple Thing,” At the Pulpit [2017], 288–89).
In April 1832, as instructed by the Lord, Joseph Smith traveled nearly 800 miles to visit the Saints who had gathered in Missouri (see Doctrine and Covenants 78:9). While he was there, he visited a community where several widows were raising their children alone. Among them were Phebe Peck and Anna Rogers, whom the Prophet knew personally. In Missouri in the 1830s, state laws gave widows limited rights to their deceased husbands’ property. What do you learn from section 83 about how the Lord feels about widows and orphans? Do you know anyone in this situation who would benefit from your love or care? What are some ways you can share what you have with widows, orphans, single mothers, and others in need?
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 81:3 with your children, help them think of different “public” and “private” places where they can pray. You might also listen to or sing with them a hymn about prayer, such as “Secret Prayer” (Hymns, no. 144). Share with each other something from the hymn that teaches an important truth about prayer. You could also talk about speaking reverently to Heavenly Father.
To encourage your children to pray in their hearts, you could give them paper hearts and invite them to draw or write something they want to pray about to Heavenly Father. Testify that Heavenly Father knows what we are thinking and feeling and He can hear our prayers even if we don’t say them out loud. You might share with them an experience when you prayed in your heart and Heavenly Father heard you.
With your children, draw pictures of hands and knees, and ask your children to find these body parts in Doctrine and Covenants 81:5. What is the Lord asking us to do in this verse? You might share with each other some ways that people have strengthened you when you felt “weak” or “feeble.” The video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) could give your children ideas about how they serve others. You could also sing a song about service, such as “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223). Consider helping your children make a plan to help at least one person in need this week.
You could also use pictures or videos to tell simple stories of Jesus Christ serving others (see the pictures in this outline; Gospel Art Book, nos. 41, 42, 46, 47, 55; or one of the Bible Videos in Gospel Library). How can we follow the Savior’s example of helping others?
We can reach out to people in need as the Savior did.
Help your children receive their own inspiration. Teaching means more than just sharing truth—it means helping other people become independent learners. Instead of simply telling your children how they can serve others, for example, encourage them to seek the Lord’s guidance to know who they can help.
Heavenly Father promises blessings as I strive to obey Him.
You and your children could look in Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–10 for answers to the question “Why does Heavenly Father give us commandments?” You might want to help your children think of examples of His commandments (see, for example, Exodus 20:4–17; Matthew 22:37–39; Doctrine and Covenants 89:5–17). It might help if you and your children find or draw pictures to represent some of them. How do Heavenly Father’s commandments show His love for us?
Perhaps a simple game would help your children see God’s commandments as blessings, not burdens. One person could give instructions to help another person, who is blindfolded, to do something like make a sandwich or draw a picture. Think of something fun and creative! Then talk about how God’s commandments are like the instructions in this game.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
