Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Lesson 17—Doctrine and Covenants 6: “Look unto Me in Every Thought; Doubt Not, Fear Not”

“Lesson 17—Doctrine and Covenants 6: ‘Look unto Me in Every Thought; Doubt Not, Fear Not,’” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Doctrine and Covenants 6,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 17: Doctrine and Covenants 6-9

Doctrine and Covenants 6

“Look unto Me in Every Thought; Doubt Not, Fear Not”

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the resurrected Savior’s outstretched arms

On April 5, 1829, Oliver Cowdery met Joseph Smith for the first time. Two days later, he became Joseph’s scribe for the Book of Mormon translation. Doctrine and Covenants 6 includes counsel from the Lord that addresses many of the questions and concerns Oliver had about participating in the Lord’s work. This lesson is intended to help students put their trust in the Savior when they face doubts and fears.

Possible Learning Activities

Doubts and fears

Consider writing the following question on the board and inviting students to write their answers beneath it. This could be done before class starts or at the beginning of the lesson.

What are some fears, doubts, or worries teenagers may have?

After discussing the previous question, invite students to think about fears, doubts, or worries they may have in their own lives. Explain that Doctrine and Covenants 6 contains truths that can help them during such times. Invite students to look for these truths as they study.

Oliver Cowdery begins to assist Joseph Smith

Oliver Cowdery was a schoolteacher who began boarding with Joseph Smith’s parents in the fall of 1828. While staying with the Smith family, Oliver learned about Joseph’s divine calling and the ongoing translation of the Book of Mormon. Oliver felt prompted to ask if he could help Joseph with the translation. In the spring of 1829, Oliver accompanied Joseph’s brother Samuel to Harmony, Pennsylvania, to meet the Prophet for the first time.

If you were in Oliver Cowdery’s situation, what questions or concerns might you have had during this time?

Soon after arriving in Harmony, Oliver became Joseph Smith’s scribe. Although Oliver had previously received a divine confirmation of Joseph’s prophetic gift to translate, he still had questions about his own participation in the Lord’s work. Joseph Smith received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 6 during this time.

Knowing and trusting the Savior

Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–24, 32–37, looking for some of the Lord’s counsel to Oliver. Pay special attention to what the Lord taught about Himself that can help us during times of uncertainty or fear.

To help students internalize what they are reading, consider displaying a picture of Jesus Christ on the board. As students identify the Savior’s teachings from these verses, they could write those teachings around the picture on the board.

What did you learn about Jesus Christ that can help you place your trust in Him when you face fears, doubts, or worries?
How can these truths about the Savior help you during such times?

Look unto Jesus Christ

Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider inviting students to mark doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so they can locate them easily.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36–37 again, looking for the Savior’s invitations to Oliver.

How would you summarize the truth taught in verse 36?

You may want to emphasize that as we look unto Jesus Christ, we can overcome doubt and fear.

What do you think it means to look unto Jesus Christ in every thought?

To help students see the relationship between the Savior’s teachings in verses 36 and 37, consider displaying the image from the beginning of the lesson. Explain that to behold something means to see and observe. Then ask the following questions:

Why do you think the Savior wants us to “behold” His wounds? (Doctrine and Covenants 6:37).
What effect can remembering His Atonement and Resurrection have on us?

To help students better understand how they can look unto Jesus Christ, consider displaying the following scenarios. You could also create other scenarios that are relevant to your students’ circumstances.

Anna has some unanswered questions about the gospel. Sometimes she feels like her testimony is not strong enough to help her overcome her doubts.

Eric is struggling with feelings of self-worth. He does not feel like anybody notices him at school.

Sophie’s parents are having a hard time providing for their family financially. She worries that her parents may not have enough money to meet all of her family’s needs.

Consider dividing students into small groups and assigning each group one of the scenarios to focus on as they discuss the following questions.

What are at least three ways these people could look unto Christ in their situations?
How could doing those things make a difference in the lives of these individuals?

After students have discussed with their groups, invite them to share some of their responses with the class. As part of this discussion, it may be helpful to ask the students how the actions they identified are examples of looking unto Christ.

Also consider inviting students to share examples of how they have been blessed as they have looked unto Jesus Christ in their lives.

Applying it to your life

To help the students apply the Savior’s counsel to look unto Him, invite them to think about their own fears, doubts, or worries they identified at the beginning of the lesson. Display the following questions and give students time to answer them in their study journals.

What have you learned or felt about Jesus Christ today that can help you with the fears, doubts, or worries you have?
What are some specific ways you will strive to apply the Savior’s counsel to “look unto [Him] in every thought; doubt not, fear not”?

Memorize

You may want to help students memorize the reference and key scripture phrase of Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 and review them in future lessons. The key scripture phrase is the entire verse: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” Ideas for memorization activities are in the appendix materials under “Doctrinal Mastery Review Activities.”

Additional Resources

How does the Savior feel about me despite my concerns?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

My dear young friends, if the Savior were here right now, what would He say to you?

I believe He would start by expressing His deep love for you. He might say it with words, but it would also flow so strongly—just from His presence—that it would be unmistakable, reaching deep into your heart, filling your whole soul!

And yet, because we’re all weak and imperfect, some concerns might creep into your mind. You might remember mistakes you’ve made, times you gave in to temptation, things you wish you hadn’t done—or wish you had done better.

The Savior would sense that, and I believe He would assure you with words He has spoken in the scriptures:

“Fear not” [Luke 5:10; 8:50; 12:7; Doctrine and Covenants 38:15; 50:41; 98:1].

“Doubt not” [Doctrine and Covenants 6:36].

“Be of good cheer” [Matthew 14:27; John 16:33; Doctrine and Covenants 61:36; 68:6; 78:18].

“Let not your heart be troubled” [John 14:1, 27].

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 9)

How can I look unto Christ in every thought?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

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President Henry B. Eyring

The way to optimism as we go forward was given by the Lord: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). President Monson told us how to do that. We are to ponder and apply the Book of Mormon and the words of prophets. Pray always. Be believing. Serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. We are to pray with all the energy of our hearts for the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47–48). And above all, we are to be consistent and persistent in following prophetic counsel. (Henry B. Eyring, “Fear Not to Do Good,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 103)

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve shared:

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Elder Ulisses Soares

Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His. … This course of action implies that we continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ and focus daily on everything that is good. (Ulisses Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 82–83)

What can happen to me when I look unto Christ in every thought?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

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President Russell M. Nelson

Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee. (Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 41)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Learning about Oliver Cowdery

To help students learn about Oliver Cowdery’s background at the beginning of the lesson, consider providing the following key words related to Oliver on pieces of paper: schoolteacher, scribe, boarding, Harmony, doubts, peace, and prayer. Place the pieces of paper on the board. After reading from Saints, 1:58–60, have students summarize their readings by organizing the pieces of paper chronologically on the board. Students could summarize what they learned.

Students could also read more about Oliver Cowdery under “Church History Topics” on the Gospel Library app.

Scripture cross-references and links

Consider placing students in small groups and inviting them to spend time looking for scriptures they could add as cross-references or links to Doctrine and Covenants 6:36. They could search words like trust, doubt, and fear in the Topical Guide or the Guide to the Scriptures.

Students could share scriptures they found with their groups and with the class. You could also encourage them to add cross-references or links in their scriptures to passages their classmates share. Alternatively, they could list the references in their study journals.

Scriptural illustrations of looking unto Jesus Christ

To help students see examples from the scriptures that illustrate looking unto Jesus Christ and the blessings that come from doing so, consider inviting students to study Matthew 14:22–32 and Numbers 21:4–11.

To help students visualize Peter’s experience in Matthew 14, you could watch “Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?” (2:06). You could then discuss the difference Peter experienced when he looked unto Christ and when he focused on doubt and fear.

“Live by Faith, Not by Fear”

Consider showing the video “Live by Faith, Not by Fear“ (1:09) to help students see and feel how trusting in the Savior can help them overcome doubts and fears they may face in their lives. You could invite students to share their thoughts or feelings after watching the video.