March 15–21

Doctrine and Covenants 27–28

“All Things Must Be Done in Order”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson said that as you study the scriptures and record impressions, “you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you” (“When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11).

Record Your Impressions

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), which meant having only one “appointed to receive commandments and revelations” for the entire Church (Doctrine and Covenants 28:2). Even so, others 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).

See also “All Things Must Be Done in Order,” Revelations in Context, 50–53.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Doctrine and Covenants 27:1–4

I should take the sacrament with an eye single to God’s glory.

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, came to visit Emma and Joseph, and it was decided that the confirmations should now be performed 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. What did the angel teach him about the sacrament? (see Doctrine and Covenants 27:1–4).

What do these verses teach you about how the Savior wants you to approach the sacrament? What do you feel inspired to do because of what you are learning?

The sacrament reminds us of the Savior’s sacrifice.

Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18

The armor of God will help me stand against evil.

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 read Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18, you could create a chart like the one below. What are you doing to put on each piece of the armor of God?

Piece of armor	Part of body protected	What that body part may represent
Piece of armor Breastplate of righteousness	Part of body protected Heart	What that body part may represent Our desires and affections
Piece of armor Helmet of salvation	Part of body protected Head or mind	What that body part may represent

See also Ephesians 6:11–18; 2 Nephi 1:23.

Doctrine and Covenants 28

The living prophet is God’s mouthpiece for His Church.

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, there was confusion among Church members. 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 from the Lord’s words to Oliver Cowdery in verse 3? What do you learn from this section about how God can direct you?

See also Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Lines of Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 83–86.

Doctrine and Covenants 28:8–9

Why was Oliver Cowdery’s mission to the Lamanites significant?

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’s mission to nearby American Indian tribes, see “A Mission to the Lamanites” (Revelations in Context, 45–49). What does this mission teach you about the Lord and His work?

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Doctrine and Covenants 27:1–2.How can we better remember the Savior’s sacrifice for us as we partake of the sacrament?

Doctrine and Covenants 27:5–14.What do we know about the prophets in these verses? You could search for information about them in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What blessings have been unlocked for us through the keys they held? For more information about some of these keys, see Matthew 16:16–19; Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16.

Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18.Perhaps your family would enjoy staging a pretend battle with additional clothing to represent the armor of God, such as hats, vests, aprons, or shoes. How does armor help protect us in battle? Discuss some of the evil influences your family faces and the things you can do to put on spiritual armor. Consider showing the video “Put on the Whole Armor of God” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Doctrine and Covenants 28:2–7.What do we learn from these verses about a prophet’s calling? Maybe family members could review past messages from our living prophet and share how his counsel helps us follow Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 28:11.When we want to offer someone correction, why is it important to handle it “between him and thee alone”?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns, no. 21.

Improving Personal Study

Study the words of latter-day prophets and apostles. Read what latter-day prophets and apostles have taught about the principles you find in the scriptures. Consider reviewing the general conference topic index on conference.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or on the Gospel Library app.