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.
Doctrine and Covenants 45: "The Promises ... Shall Be Fulfilled"
The The Lord's promises will be fulfilled.
From Come, Follow Me :
War, iniquity, and desolation will precede the Savior’s Second Coming. But "be not troubled," the Lord said, "for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled" (Doctrine and Covenants 45:35).
As you study Doctrine and Covenants 45:11–75, consider focusing not just on the troubling events that are prophesied but also on the blessings the Lord promises (for example, the promises in verses 54–59 about the Savior's millennial reign).
Elder Holland gives a description of our day, the work we have been sent to do, and the gratitude of those prophets who have gone on before as they cheer us on to "be not troubled," but to work to accomplish our part in the "drama of history." Watch this video.
"In short, apostasy and destruction of one kind or another was the ultimate fate of every general dispensation we have ever had down through time. But here's my theory. My theory is that those great men and women, the leaders in those ages past, were able to keep going, to keep testifying, to keep trying to do their best, not because they knew that they would succeed but because they knew that you would. I believe they took courage and hope not so much from their own circumstances as from yours ..."
"Ours, not theirs, was the day that gave them heavenly and joyful anticipations and caused them to sing and prophesy of victory. Ours is the day, collectively speaking, toward which the prophets have been looking from the beginning of time, and those earlier brethren are over there still cheering us on! In a very real way, their chance to consider themselves fully successful depends on our faithfulness and our victory."
"I love the idea of going into the battle of the last days representing Alma and Abinadi and what they pled for and representing Peter and Paul and the sacrifices they made. If you can't get excited about that kind of assignment in the drama of history, you can't get excited!" Jeffrey R. Holland, Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast. Listen to the entire presentation here.
Angels Cheering Us On
Joseph F. Smith said, "When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends . . . . In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh." Gospel Doctrine (read more here).
How can you learn more about these loved ones who are cheering you on, right alongside the prophets? Getting to know about their lives can help open the door to receive their influence in your life to help you through troubled times.
"The Lord so declared: 'I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.' What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us." (Russell M. Nelson, April General Conference 2011)
See what Sister Wendy Nelson shares about asking for angels to help you. Watch a video of her presentation here, or use the clip below. To express gratitude to these ancestors, honor their names and perform temple ordinances for them.
"So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." Jeffrey R. Holland, Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You
You may also be interested in reading this article by Larry E. Dahl and watching this short video clip by Elder Holland: Angels Round About You. Also, see these inspirational items from Elder Holland:
Share Your Testimony Of The Gathering On Social Media
President Nelson said, "Just think of the excitement and urgency of it all: every prophet commencing with Adam has seen our day. And every prophet has talked about our day, when Israel would be gathered and the world would be prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior. Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that! ...I testify that the gathering is now, and it is real." Worldwide Devotional for Youth
Elder Bednar said, "I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and much more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father and His plan of happiness for His children, of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world, to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days, and to accomplish the Lord's work." (David A. Bednar, BYU Education Week Devotional, August 19, 2014)
If your family had a "standard," or flag, to represent your commitment to the gospel, what would it look like? It might be fun to make a family flag together and discuss how you can help others follow the gospel standards.
Create a Flag or Coat of Arms
Consider creating a flag or coat of arms or crest for a specific family line, for your current family, or consider designing a collection of symbols that simply inspire you personally. See this article for ideas to help children create a family coat of arms, and check out more instructions here.
Find information about ancestors' homelands and what symbolizes these places in The Family History Guide Countries section. Discover many Latter-Day Saint symbols and their meanings here and in this article. Learn about symbolism in gospel ordinances here.
Pedigree Pie offers a single, easy-to-read chart for your ancestor locations so you can trace your family’s path through history. Another option is to use the FamilySearch fan chart. By using the Birth Country option you can see what countries your ancestors come from. See also Where Are My Ancestors From? to find out more while making interactive discoveries, along with Homelands and Research and other resources from Week #17.
Fulfillment of Promises in Your Life
Note: President Nelson encouraged us to do the following for six months, but it may be a wonderful opportunity to carry this invitation through your study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year:
"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)
