Lesson 120: Doctrine and Covenants 106–108

Doctrine and Covenants 107:21–100

Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ

Just as He did in New Testament times, Jesus Christ has called prophets, apostles, and others to lead His Church today and bear witness of Him throughout the world. In Doctrine and Covenants 107, Jesus explained the role of these chosen leaders. This lesson can help students feel increased confidence that the Apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

The Church of Jesus Christ

Consider bringing six cups to class and building a small pyramid with them. Place three cups at the bottom, two in the middle, and one on the top. Label the top cup Saints and tell students it represents the members of the Savior’s Church. Explain that in the New Testament, Jesus organized His Church in a way that would bless its members.

Read the following verses. Look for callings the Savior used to administer His Church and support the Saints in His day.

• Luke 10:1

• Ephesians 2:19–20

• 1 Timothy 3:1–2

• What did you find?

  As students share, you might label the two cups in the middle Seventies and Bishops and the bottom three cups Jesus Christ, Prophets, and Apostles. Explain that although all Apostles are considered prophets, seers, and revelators, we commonly refer to the senior Apostle as the prophet.

• Why is it important for us to understand that Jesus Christ, prophets, and apostles are at the foundation of the Church? (see Ephesians 2:20).

  Help students understand that anciently, a “chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20) was a large stone laid at the corner of a foundation. The angle and placement of all other stones was measured out from the chief cornerstone.

• What do you know about Jesus Christ that is comparable to a chief cornerstone?

Invite students to think about the blessings of having these leaders in the Savior’s Church. Students might ask themselves what they are doing to receive the blessings that can come through those the Savior has placed in these positions.

Encourage students to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost as they seek to understand the role Church leaders play in strengthening their testimony of Jesus Christ.

You might summarize or read the following context for Doctrine and Covenants 107.

Under the direction of His Father, Jesus Christ has organized His restored Church in our day upon the same foundation He did during His mortal ministry (see Articles of Faith 1:6). The Lord began revealing the organizational structure to the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues to reveal it today. By 1835, the Savior had called a First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Seventies, bishops, and other priesthood officers to serve the Saints and administer His Church on the earth. Doctrine and Covenants 107 outlines some of the responsibilities the Savior has given to those who are called to these positions.

Responsibilities of the Lord’s chosen leaders

Consider writing each of the following callings on separate pieces of paper and posting them around the room. You could assign students to gather in groups to study specific callings, or you could allow them to move to the calling they would like to study.

Be sure to leave sufficient time for the final section of the lesson.

Study the following passages, looking for how Jesus Christ uses those He places in these callings to support the Saints in His Church:

• Prophet or President of the Church: Doctrine and Covenants 107:65–67, 91–92

• First Presidency: Doctrine and Covenants 107:9, 22

• Twelve Apostles: Doctrine and Covenants 107:23–24, 33, 35, 58

• Seventies: Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38

• Bishops: Doctrine and Covenants 107:13–15, 71–74

When groups have finished studying, invite them to share what they learned with the class.

• How has the Savior blessed you through those who hold these callings?

• What are some things we can do to support those who hold these sacred callings? (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:22).

Special witnesses of Jesus Christ

When groups have finished sharing, encourage students to highlight words or phrases in verse 23 that teach that Jesus Christ calls Apostles to bear special witness of Him throughout the world.

• In what ways do Apostles bear testimony of Christ throughout the world in our day?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained what it means for Apostles to be “special witnesses of the name of Christ” (verse 23).

The role of an Apostle today is the same as it was anciently (see Acts 1:22; 4:33). Our commission is to go into all the world and proclaim “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (see Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 2:2). An Apostle is a missionary and a special witness of the name of Christ. The “name of Christ” refers to the totality of the Savior’s mission, death, and resurrection—His authority, His doctrine, and His unique qualifications as the Son of God to be our Redeemer and our Savior. As special witnesses of the name of Christ, we bear testimony of the reality, divinity, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His infinite and eternal Atonement, and His gospel. (David A. Bednar, “Special Witnesses of the Name of Christ,” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel, vol. 12, no. 2 [2011], 1)

• Why do you think Jesus Christ has provided living Apostles as His special witnesses in addition to His witnesses in the scriptures?

Consider watching a video of an Apostle bearing special witness of Jesus Christ, such as “Neil L. Andersen: Special Witness of Christ” (5:24; watch from time code 4:15 to 5:24). Invite students to pay attention to how they feel as they listen to his testimony.

Special Witnesses of Christ – Elder Neil L. Andersen

If needed for the following activity, consider providing students with recent general conference addresses or other recent statements from Apostles.

Search in recent conference addresses or other recent statements for examples of Apostles bearing their special witness of Jesus Christ. As you do, consider answering one or more of the following questions in your study journal:

• How do the special witnesses of these Apostles influence your feelings toward Jesus Christ?

• What is something an Apostle shared about Jesus Christ that you also believe to be true? How have you learned that truth for yourself?

• What are some things we can do throughout our lives to continue learning from the Apostles’ special witnesses of Jesus Christ?

Invite a few students to share what they studied along with insights they may have written.

Encourage students to continue using the Apostles’ special witnesses of Jesus Christ to strengthen their faith in Him. For example, you could suggest that students study one general conference talk each week, follow the Apostles on social media, or focus specifically on Apostles’ testimonies and teachings about Jesus Christ in the upcoming general conference.

Additional Resources

Doctrine and Covenants 107:27. Why must the decisions of these quorums be unanimous?

While speaking of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, all of whom are considered Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The calling of 15 men to the holy apostleship provides great protection for us as members of the Church. Why? Because decisions of these leaders must be unanimous. Can you imagine how the Spirit needs to move upon 15 men to bring about unanimity? These 15 men have varied educational and professional backgrounds, with differing opinions about many things. Trust me! These 15 men—prophets, seers, and revelators—know what the will of the Lord is when unanimity is reached! They are committed to see that the Lord’s will truly will be done. (Russell M. Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 75)

Doctrine and Covenants 107:15–16, 73, 76. Should all bishops be descendants of Aaron?

Similar language is found in Doctrine and Covenants 68:14–21. President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught that these provisions refer only to the office of the Presiding Bishop of the Church:

This has reference only to the one who presides over the Aaronic Priesthood. It has no reference whatever to bishops of wards. Further, such a one must be designated by the First Presidency of the Church and receive his anointing and ordination under their hands. … In the absence of knowledge concerning such a descendant, any high priest, chosen by the Presidency, may hold the office of Presiding Bishop. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie [1956], 3:92–93)

Doctrine and Covenants 107:21, 60–62, 65, 85–95. What does it mean to preside?

The following explanation can apply to both men and women who are called of God to preside:

A leader who presides in a Church organization, meeting, or activity ensures that the Lord’s purposes are accomplished. In doing this, the leader follows gospel principles, Church policies, and the direction of the Holy Ghost.

Those who preside follow the example of Jesus Christ in serving with gentleness, meekness, and pure love (see John 13:13–15). A calling or assignment to preside does not make the person who receives it more important or valued than others (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:109–10). (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4.2.4, ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Also note the repeated instruction given to presiding officers in verses 85–87, 89. Those who preside are to sit in council with others and teach them their duty.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Standing as a witness of Jesus Christ

The following activity could be done after students have studied the special witnesses of the Apostles.

Explain that as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, students have made a covenant to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Consider giving students time to write their personal testimony of Jesus Christ. Invite a few volunteers to share their witness of Jesus Christ with the class.

Doctrine and Covenants 107:39. Patriarchal blessings

Invite students to read Doctrine and Covenants 107:39. Ask them if they know what “evangelical ministers” are called in the Church today. If students do not know, you could invite them to cross-reference this verse with Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92 to see what an evangelical minister is. You could also share the following statement.

The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught:

An evangelist is a Patriarch. … Wherever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints, as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 140)

Invite one or more willing students who have received their patriarchal blessing to share their experience with the class. Remind them not to share specific details of their patriarchal blessing. The following questions could be helpful:

• Why did you choose to receive your patriarchal blessing?

• What has receiving and studying your patriarchal blessing taught you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• How has your patriarchal blessing been a help to you?

Doctrine and Covenants 107:99–100. Learning our duty

Invite students to read the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008):

Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere. No calling in this church is small or of little consequence. All of us in the pursuit of our duty touch the lives of others. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Is the Work of the Master,” Ensign, May 1995, 71)

• What do you think it means that “no calling in this church is small or of little consequence”?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:99–100, and ponder how President Hinckley’s statement relates to these verses.

• What does the Lord ask us to do in these verses?

Students should identify the following principle: The Lord asks us to learn our duty and act in all diligence to fulfill it. Consider inviting students to mark this truth in their scriptures.

• How have you been blessed by the service of a Church member who has diligently fulfilled his or her duty?

• What are you doing to learn your duty and act in all diligence to fulfill responsibilities the Lord has given you?