“February 1–7. Doctrine and Covenants 10–11: ‘That You May Come Off Conqueror,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 (2020)
“February 1–7. Doctrine and Covenants 10–11,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2021
Replica of the original Book of Mormon manuscript.
February 1–7
Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
“That You May Come Off Conqueror”
Recording impressions while reading the scriptures is like planting seeds; even small impressions can lead to meaningful personal revelation.
Record Your Impressions
As the translation of the Book of Mormon progressed, a question naturally arose: What should Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery do about those pages of the translation that had been lost? The logical thing might be to go back and retranslate that portion, but the Lord could see something that they could not—wicked men were plotting to alter the words on those pages to cast doubt on Joseph’s inspired work. God had a plan to thwart Satan’s efforts and compensate for what was lost. This plan was put into motion thousands of years earlier when the prophet Nephi felt inspired to create a second record that covered the same time period. Later, Mormon was inspired to include this record in the Book of Mormon “for a wise purpose” known to the Lord (see Words of Mormon 1:3–7).
“My wisdom,” the Lord said to Joseph, “is greater than the cunning of the devil” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:43). That’s a reassuring message in a day like ours, when the adversary’s ongoing efforts to weaken faith are intensifying. Like Joseph, we can be “faithful and continue on” in the work God has called us to do (verse 3). Then we will find that He has already provided a way so that “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against us (verse 69).
See Saints, 1:51–61.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Doctrine and Covenants 10:1–33
Satan seeks to destroy the work of God.
Satan would prefer that we forget he exists—or that we at least fail to recognize his attempts to influence us (see 2 Nephi 28:22–23). But the Lord’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 10 reveal that Satan is in constant, active opposition to God’s work. As you read verses 1–33, identify how Satan sought to destroy God’s work in Joseph Smith’s time (see also verses 62–63). What similarities do you see with the ways Satan works today? You could ask the Lord to help you see how Satan may be tempting you. What do you learn from section 10 that can help you resist Satan’s efforts?
Doctrine and Covenants 10:34–52
The Lord’s “wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.”
More than 2,400 years in advance, the Lord prepared to compensate for the lost pages of the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 9). What do you learn about the Lord from Doctrine and Covenants 10:34–52? What evidence of the Lord’s wisdom and foreknowledge have you seen in your life?
The record that God prepared to replace the lost manuscript is now found in 1 Nephi through Omni. How have the stories and teachings in this record “[thrown] greater views upon [the] gospel” for you? (Doctrine and Covenants 10:45).
Mormon Abridging the Plates, by Tom Lovell
If I ask of God, I will receive.
Several of Joseph Smith’s family members and friends asked him to seek the Lord’s will on their behalf. Joseph was happy to do so, but the Lord was also willing to give them personal revelation. In Doctrine and Covenants 11, a revelation that Joseph received for his older brother Hyrum, the Lord said, “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, … and then shall ye know … all things whatsoever you desire of me” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13–14).
The Lord said His words were for “all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap” (verse 27). In Doctrine and Covenants 11, what is the Lord trying to tell you about personal revelation? about participating in God’s work? What other messages does He have for you?
Doctrine and Covenants 11:15–26
As I seek to “obtain [God’s] word,” I will receive His Spirit and power.
Even before the Book of Mormon had been translated, Hyrum Smith was anxious to preach the gospel. As you read the Lord’s response to his desires, consider what it means to you to “obtain [God’s] word” (verse 21). How does obtaining God’s word help you serve in the Church? How does it bring God’s power into your life?
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening
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Doctrine and Covenants 10:5.What do we learn from this verse about the power of prayer? How do we “pray always”? (For some ideas, see David A. Bednar, “Pray Always,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 41–44.)
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Doctrine and Covenants 10:38–46.To help your family discuss how the Lord compensated for the lost pages of the Book of Mormon translation, perhaps family members could talk about something they have recently lost. How did they feel when they discovered it was lost? How did they feel when it was found? Although the lost Book of Mormon pages were never found, how did the Lord compensate for their loss, according to Doctrine and Covenants 10:38–46?
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Doctrine and Covenants 10:55–70.Invite family members to find or mark phrases that begin with “I am” or “I will.” What do we learn from the “I am” phrases about who Jesus Christ is and what He is like? What do we learn from the “I will” phrases about what He does? Encourage family members to share how these truths strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
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Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–14.Reading these verses can help your family members recognize when the Spirit is communicating with them. You could shine a flashlight on the floor and invite a family member to move to where the light is shining. How is this like following the guidance of the Holy Ghost? What personal experiences could you share?
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Doctrine and Covenants 11:15–30.Consider making a list of the things the Lord told Hyrum Smith to do so that he would be ready to share the gospel. What should we work on as a family?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “Search, Ponder, and Pray,” Children’s Songbook, 109; see “Ideas to Improve Your Family Scripture Study.”
Improving Our Teaching
Apply the scriptures to your life. After reading a scripture passage, ask family members to share ways the message applies to their lives. For instance, they could share how the Spirit has influenced them in the ways described in Doctrine and Covenants 11:12–13.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, by Ken Corbett