Come, Follow Me is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program.
Week 1: Doctrine and Covenants 1—"Hearken, O Ye People"
The Lord invites me to "search these commandments."
From Come, Follow Me :
A preface introduces a book. It identifies the book's themes and purposes and helps readers prepare to read. As you read section 1—the Lord's "preface" to the Doctrine and Covenants (verse 6)—look for the themes and purposes the Lord gave for His revelations. What do you learn from section 1 that will help you get the most benefit from your study of the Doctrine and Covenants? For example, you might ponder what it means to "hear the voice of the Lord" in these revelations (verse 14) or to "search these commandments" (verse 37).
When you "search" for something, it involves effort on your part. What will you do to get the most benefit from your scripture study and efforts in family history this year? What does the Lord want you to accomplish in family history this year? "Now more than ever, we need a deliberate effort to feast on the words of Christ." (quote from the video below)
Are you relying on other family members to do your family history and temple work? Just as you are commanded to feast on the words of Christ for your own benefit and conversion, so will a deliberate effort to participate in family history activities bless your life. Learning is increased when you are actively involved in doing rather than just hearing someone talk about it or even watching them do it. You can definitely benefit from other family members' efforts, but you will find much more satisfaction and additional personal blessings as you yourself actively engage and participate.
Read Your Own Book—Involved Learning
You will need a child's picture book and two volunteers for this activity. Volunteer 1 (V1) will read Volunteer 2 (V2) a book. V2 will listen but not give any feedback. Have volunteers sit in a chair facing each other.
Volunteer 1
Read the book to V2. However, read at various speeds and volumes. You may skip pages or turn back and reread a page.
Show pictures indiscriminately, such as some will be shown for a long length of time, while others will be a quick flip around or not at all.
Volunteer 2
Pay attention to V1 reading the book and follow along with the story and view pictures.
Do not give any feedback.
Discussion:
Discuss this experiment from the different viewpoints of Volunteer 1, Volunteer 2 and observers. What frustrations were encountered? How involved was V2? Did V2 receive full enjoyment from the story? How would V2's involvement have changed this experience? Does reading a book and looking at its pictures at your own pace bring more satisfaction and enjoyment? How does this relate to studying your scriptures (present but not involved versus feasting on the word)? How could your active participation in family history bring you more satisfaction and enjoyment?
God speaks through His servants, and His words will be fulfilled.
From Come, Follow Me :
Section 1 begins and ends with God's declaration that He speaks through His chosen servants (see verses 4–6, 23–24, 38). Write down what you learn from this revelation about the Lord and His voice. What do you learn about the Lord's servants? When have you heard the Lord's voice in the voice of His servants? (see verse 38).
What have the Lord's servants told you about doing temple and family history work?
Search the Prophets
As a family, search through talks from the prophets and apostles to see what they say about temple and family history. Make a list of their counsel and challenges for you. Decide as a family what you want to do individually and collectively to follow their counsel. Make a plan. Here are a few resources to help get you started:
Finding Temple and Family History Work in the Scriptures
Look for scriptures that relate to temple and family history work. Compare and contrast the messages in these verses to the list you have created in the activity above. Discuss as a family how the Lord works through his servants both past and present.
You have probably realized that "Family History" is not likely listed as a topic. Try words such as Genealogy in the Guide to the Scriptures or Genealogy and Temple Work in the Topical Guide. In the aforementioned sources and in scriptural indexes, you may get better results using words related to family history such as: baptism, baptize, book of remembrance, family, ordinances, priesthood, salvation, salvation for the dead, and temples as some to get you started.
Consider planning as a family how you will "search these commandments" in the Doctrine and Covenants this year. How will you make your scripture study a regular part of family life? What study ideas can help you learn from the scriptures?
What do you want to accomplish in your temple and family history work during the year? Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote: "A goal without a plan is just a wish." By defining your goals for the upcoming year and creating a plan to achieve those goals, you will be more likely to progress and attain success in your temple and family history work efforts.
Focus Your Efforts
Discuss as a family what areas of temple and family history work you would like to focus on this year. Do you want to do more indexing, add more memories to your collection, find out more information on a particular family line, or increase your temple attendance (as permitted in your area)? You will probably want to work on all of these and other areas of temple and family history during the year, but what one or two things do you absolutely want to accomplish by year end? Discuss, decide, and write them down. Continue on to the next activity (Setting Smart Goals) to set some goals.
Setting SMART Goals
Determine the goals you would like to accomplish for the upcoming year (See Focus Your Efforts activity). Now, put some structure to your goals to help you accomplish them. Watch this complete guide to goal setting:
Set SMARTER Goals for each of your selected goals.
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Relatable
T - Time-bound
E - Evaluate
R - Reward
Fulfillment of Promises in Your Life
"As you study your scriptures during the next six months, I encourage you to make a list of all that the Lord has promised He will do for covenant Israel. I think you will be astounded! Ponder these promises. Talk about them with your family and friends. Then live and watch for these promises to be fulfilled in your own life." (President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail, October 2020 General Conference)
As you read your Come, Follow Me lesson this week, begin a list of what the Lord has promised He will do for you. Follow President Nelson's admonition to talk about them and watch for their fulfillment in your life. Write these promises in your journal and explain your appreciation for these blessings. How has fulfillment of these promises blessed your life? Below are just a couple of promised blessings. What additional promises do you find?
The humble can receive revelation, strength, and blessings. (D&C 1:28)
All will have an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. (D&C 1:34-35)
