Lesson 29: Doctrine and Covenants 18

Doctrine and Covenants 18:21–47

“By Your Hands I Will Work a Marvelous Work”

the ordination of one of the first Apostles in this dispensation

In June 1829, the Savior gave Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer the responsibility to seek men who would take His name upon them with “full purpose of heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:27). These men would later be called as the first members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. This lesson can help students understand how the Lord helps and blesses us through the calling of His Apostles.

Possible Learning Activities

The Twelve Apostles

The following activity can help prepare students to think about the help the Lord gives them through modern-day apostles and prophets.

Write the following careers on the board: doctors, mechanics, carpenters, ironworkers, teachers. You could also ask students to name other careers in which people are uniquely qualified to help us.

Think of a circumstance when you were grateful for one of these people.

• What help are these people uniquely qualified to give us?

• How do they become qualified?

Consider displaying a current picture of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. You could invite students to briefly share any information they know about these men, including their names, family details, or professional backgrounds. Ensure that students understand that Apostles are called by Jesus Christ to testify of Him throughout the world (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Apostle,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The Savior loves us and calls Apostles to help us in unique ways.

• What help are the Savior’s Apostles uniquely qualified to give us?

• What qualifications do you think the Lord uses to choose His Apostles?

Explain that today students will learn more about the apostles and prophets the Savior calls to lead us. Consider inviting students to think about how their lives have been impacted by having apostles and prophets on the earth today. Encourage them to look for teachings that can help them better understand how their lives can be blessed through latter-day prophets and apostles.

Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ

In Doctrine and Covenants 18, the Lord instructed David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery to seek out men who would someday be called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:37–38).

Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:21–25, looking for the Savior’s counsel to David and Oliver.

• Why do you think the Lord wanted David and Oliver to understand what you read in these verses?

Invite students to share what they think it means to take upon themselves the name of Christ. It may be helpful to point out that through baptism and the sacrament we show that we are willing to take upon us the name of the Savior. The following statement may also be useful:

Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy explained what it means to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ:

Elder Paul B. Pieper

By taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, we commit to take His teachings, His characteristics, and ultimately His love deep into our beings so that they become part of who we are. (Paul B. Pieper, “All Must Take upon Them the Name Given of the Father,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 44)

Qualifications and responsibilities of the Apostles

The Lord also instructed David and Oliver about necessary qualifications for those who would be called as Apostles.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:26–27, looking for the qualification in these verses. Note that the word disciples in verse 27 is a reference to those who would be called as Apostles.

• What qualification did the Savior desire His Apostles to have?

• Why do you think the Savior would want this qualification for those who serve as His Apostles?

• How can knowing this about the Savior’s Apostles help you?

Explain that the Savior outlined additional apostolic responsibilities in Doctrine and Covenants 18 and elsewhere in the Doctrine and Covenants. Consider drawing the following chart on the board and inviting students to copy it into their study journals. You could add what students have already learned from verses 26–27. Students could then read the given verses individually or in small groups and fill in the chart in their study journal. Then each group could add one or two of their answers to the list on the board.

Use Doctrine and Covenants 18:26–36 and 107:23 to fill in the following chart:

What qualities did the Lord want in the Twelve Apostles?	What did the Lord want the Apostles to do to help bring others to Him?

Invite a few students to circle on the board something about Apostles that they think is important or meaningful. Have them share why. You could also discuss the following questions:

• What did you learn from these verses about how the Lord can help you and others through His Apostles?

• How would you summarize what you have learned about the Apostles from these verses?

  Help students summarize the following truth on the board: the Savior’s Apostles help us come unto Him and learn His words.

• How do you see the Savior’s Apostles helping you and others come unto Him today?

Examples and teachings from modern Apostles

Give the students time to see examples of modern-day Apostles meeting the qualifications and fulfilling the responsibilities the Lord outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 18. The following activity can help with this.

Take some time to study teachings of one or more current Apostles. You could study recent general conference talks, Church magazine articles, or social media posts. As you study, look for how the Apostles fulfill their role of helping us come unto Christ. You might even look for a message from an Apostle that addresses a specific need or question you have.

After students have had sufficient time to study, allow them to share what they have learned with the class or in small groups.

Additional Resources

Who was selected to be in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was formed in February 1835, nearly six years after the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 18 was received. The Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, “apparently in consultation with Joseph Smith,” selected these men (see Church History Topics, “Quorum of the Twelve,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/history/topics). They were Lyman Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton, Orson Pratt, William Smith, Thomas B. Marsh, and Parley P. Pratt.

Where can I learn more about the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Shortly after a new member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is sustained, a biography is published in the Church magazines. Most recently, these articles have been written by fellow members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These articles contain more details and stories than the biographies found at prophets.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. If new Apostles have been called since the publishing of this manual, you may find an article about them in the Liahona magazine from a few months after they were sustained in general conference.

• “President Russell M. Nelson: Guided, Prepared, Committed” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “President Dallin H. Oaks: Following the Lord’s Ways” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “President Henry B. Eyring: Towering Intellect, Childlike Humility” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder M. Russell Ballard: True to the Faith” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: On to New Horizons” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder David A. Bednar: Going Forward in the Strength of the Lord” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Quentin L. Cook: A Willing Heart and Mind” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Prepared to Serve the Lord” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Neil L. Andersen: Man of Faith” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Gifted Leader, Devoted Father” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Gary E. Stevenson: An Understanding Heart” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Dale G. Renlund: An Obedient Servant” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Gerrit W. Gong: Love the Lord and Trust Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

• “Elder Ulisses Soares: A Man without Guile” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

The following webpage contains short biographical videos about the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

• Meet the Apostles (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

What are the Apostles’ motives?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder Neil L. Andersen

Some view the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as having worldly motives, like political, business, and cultural leaders.

However, we come very differently to our responsibilities. We are not elected or selected from applications. Without any specific professional preparation, we are called and ordained to bear testimony of the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world until our final breath. We endeavor to bless the sick, the lonely, the downhearted, and the poor and to strengthen the kingdom of God. We seek to know the Lord’s will and to proclaim it, especially to those who seek eternal life. (Neil L. Andersen, “Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker,” Liahona, May 2022, 19)

How does the Lord minister to individuals through His Apostles?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following experience:

Elder David A. Bednar

Apostles are servants of the Lord. They travel to visit members of the Church around the world.

The first time I traveled as an Apostle, I met a man who had a hard time living the Word of Wisdom. I told him, “The Lord sent me here to give you a very simple message: ‘You can do this. I promise you will have His help as you face this challenge.’”

Would the Lord send one of the Twelve Apostles halfway around the world to help just one person? The answer is yes. He does it all the time. (“What Do Apostles Do?,” Liahona, Apr. 2016, 12)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 18:27. Full purpose of heart

After identifying the principles in the lesson, consider inviting students to read the account of Jesus Christ calling His Apostles in Matthew 4:18–22, looking for how these men demonstrated “full purpose of heart.” You could ask questions such as “What might these men have done differently if they had acted with a partial purpose of heart?” or “What are some ways prophets and apostles today are like these fishermen?” You could remind students that Apostles give up their professions and other priorities to serve Jesus Christ full-time for the rest of their lives. This is one way they serve with full purpose of heart. Consider sharing an example from the life of a modern Apostle.

President Russell M. Nelson

Consider watching “President Nelson: Prophet of God” (6:26). Invite students to look for evidence that President Russell M. Nelson desires to take the name of Jesus Christ upon him with full purpose of heart.

I can hear the Lord’s voice by studying the scriptures

If you feel it would be useful to focus on students’ scripture study, give students time to read Doctrine and Covenants 18:34–36 and evaluate their own study. Invite them to identify one way we can hear the voice of the Lord. You may need to explain that “these words” refers to the scriptures. Consider asking questions such as “When have you heard the voice of the Lord as you’ve studied the scriptures?” or “What can help us hear His voice more clearly as we study?”