September 22–28: “The Order of the Son of God”: Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
“September 22–28: ‘The Order of the Son of God’: Doctrine and Covenants 106–108,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 106–108,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2025
At first glance, Doctrine and Covenants 107 seems to be only about organizing priesthood offices into a leadership structure for the Lord’s Church. By the time this revelation was published, Church membership was outgrowing the capacity of the few leaders it had in place. Outlining the roles and responsibilities of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, bishops, and quorum presidencies was definitely needed and helpful. But there’s so much more to the divine instruction in section 107 than just how Church leadership should be organized. Here, the Lord teaches us about His power and authority, “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (verse 3). The purpose of the priesthood is to unlock “all the spiritual blessings of the church” so that all of God’s children can “have the heavens opened unto them” and “enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” (verses 18–19). In teaching us about His priesthood, the Savior is teaching us about Himself and how we can come unto Him.
In Doctrine and Covenants 106 and 108, the Lord gave counsel and promises to two members who were called to serve in His Church. As you study His counsel, you might think about your own opportunities to serve the Lord—perhaps a ministering assignment, a Church calling, responsibilities in your family, or spiritual promptings to do good.
What do you feel the Lord’s message to you is in these revelations? Which phrases seem particularly meaningful to you? Here are a few to consider:
When has the Lord given you “grace [or divine help] and assurance” to be able to serve Him? (Doctrine and Covenants 106:8).
When Elder Carl B. Cook received a difficult Church assignment, he drew strength from the experience of an ancestor. Read about it in his message “Serve” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 110–12). Consider writing a letter to encourage your descendants—or your future self—to accept opportunities to serve the Lord. Include in your letter the truths you learn from Elder Cook’s message, Doctrine and Covenants 106 and 108, and your own experiences.
See also Henry B. Eyring, “Walk with Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 82–85; Topics and Questions, “Serving in Church Callings,” Gospel Library; “Warren Cowdery” and “‘Wrought Upon’ to Seek a Revelation,” in Revelations in Context, 219–23, 224–28.
The priesthood is “after the Order of the Son of God.”
The Lord begins His “revelation on the priesthood” (Doctrine and Covenants 107, section heading) by teaching us the original name of the Melchizedek Priesthood (see verses 1–4). Why do you think it’s important to know that? How does this name influence the way you think about the priesthood?
Keep these thoughts in mind as you read about the priesthood, especially in verses 18–20. What does it mean to “have the heavens opened”? What does it mean to “enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus”? How do the Savior’s priesthood power and authority make all of this available to you?
Focus on Jesus Christ. “There are many things to teach about in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ—principles, commandments, prophecies, and scripture stories. But all of these are branches of the same tree, for they all have one purpose: to help all people come unto Christ and be perfected in Him (see Jarom 1:11; Moroni 10:32). So no matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 6). For example, as you teach—and learn—about the priesthood in Doctrine and Covenants 107, frequently ask, “What are we learning about the Savior?”
Joseph Smith shared section 107 in 1835 with the newly called Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (see the section heading). What did the Lord teach them about their calling in verses 23–24, 33–35, 38? How has your witness of Jesus Christ been strengthened by the teaching and ministry of His living Apostles?
In verses 91–92, the Lord teaches about His senior Apostle, the President of the Church. How is he “like unto Moses”? (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Moses,” Gospel Library).
Notice what the Lord taught about councils in Doctrine and Covenants 107:27–31, 85–89. What makes a council effective? How might you apply these principles in your Church calling, your home, or your other responsibilities?
See also M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 63–65; General Handbook, 4.3–4.4, Gospel Library.
Jesus Christ blesses me through His priesthood power.
As you and your children read together Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–19, emphasize the phrase “all the spiritual blessings.” Perhaps you and your children could list blessings that come from the priesthood. You might make a game of it—see who can make the longest list. Your children could also draw or find pictures to represent these blessings (see this week’s activity page). You could then talk about how priesthood ordinances (like baptism or the sacrament) help us receive God’s blessings.
Every conference issue of the Liahona includes a page of pictures of the General Authorities. Consider looking at these pictures with your children as you read about their responsibilities in Doctrine and Covenants 107:21–26, 33–35, 91–92. You and your children could talk about why you are grateful the Lord has given them these responsibilities.
Your children can learn more about the Lord’s servants at “General Church Leadership” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Maybe each of your children could learn about one of these leaders and teach each other about him or her. Share with each other how you know that these leaders are true servants of Jesus Christ.
After reading Doctrine and Covenants 107:22 together, you and your children could take turns holding up a picture of the First Presidency and sharing ways you can sustain them as the Lord’s servants.
To start a conversation about this verse, you could invite your children to do something that requires careful attention, like filling a cup without spilling. What happens when we are not careful? Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 108:3 to find out what the Lord wants us to do carefully. What “vows” (promises or covenants) do we make with God? How can we be more careful about keeping them? You might share parts of Sister Becky Craven’s message “Careful versus Casual” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 9–11) that you feel could inspire your children to keep their covenants. You could also sing a song about keeping covenants, such as “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162).
