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 64-66: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind"
An ensign is "a flag or standard around which people gather in a unity of purpose or identity" (Guide to the Scriptures, "Ensign," scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How has Zion—or the Lord's Church—been like an ensign to you? Consider these other examples of things that are held up, like an ensign, to bless the people: Numbers 21:6–9; Matthew 5:14–16; Alma 46:11–20. What do these verses teach you about how you can help the Church be an ensign where you live? Look for other ways the Lord describes Zion in Doctrine and Covenants 64:41–43.
"Anyplace where the Saints gather is Zion, which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children." (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 15: Establishing the Cause of Zion)
How can you create a Zion in your home? In the scriptures, an ensign is "a flag or standard around which people gather in a unity of purpose or identity. In ancient times an ensign served as a rallying point for soldiers in battle. The Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ are symbolic ensigns to all nations of the earth." (Ensign, Guide to the Scriptures) What "ensigns" might your family have?
Create a Family Crest
Family crests and coats of arms are powerful family symbols passed down through generations. Have fun discussing and making a family crest. Also, see 2021 Week 18 for additional ideas on how to make a family crest or coat of arms.
Create a Family Flag
As a family you may want to create a family flag or motto as suggested in this article Creating a Family Flag. Pictures, shapes and colors all have different meanings to different people. Are there some with unique meaning to your family? Design Your Own Family Flag may give you additional ideas on how to determine what your family flag should look like.
Shortly after joining the Church, William E. McLellin asked Joseph Smith to reveal God's will for him. Joseph didn't know it, but William had five personal questions he was hoping the Lord would answer through His Prophet. We don't know what William's questions were, but we do know that the revelation addressed to him, now Doctrine and Covenants 66, answered each question to William's "full and entire satisfaction" ("William McLellin's Five Questions," Revelations in Context, 138).
As you read section 66, think about what the Lord knew about William McLellin and the concerns and intents of his heart. How has the Lord revealed that He knows you? If you have a patriarchal blessing, consider studying it. As you do, what does the Holy Ghost help you understand about God's will for you?
Patriarchal Blessing - Personal Scripture
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see your name in the Doctrine and Covenants, like one of the early Church members mentioned there? Well, according to President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), a patriarchal blessing is ‘personal scripture to you.' So if you think about how you study the scriptures, you can apply those ideas to studying your patriarchal blessing&madash;making cross-references, keeping a journal of promptings you receive while you read, praying, pondering, making lists, memorizing "verses," and so on. (What a Patriarchal Blessing Can Do for You)
Make a copy of your patriarchal blessing that you can write notes on. Read through your patriarchal blessing. As you do, identify and make note of your lineage, personal counsel, admonitions, gifts or talents, and promised blessings mentioned. Record in your journal ways you can use your patriarchal blessing to help guide your life any promptings you receive. Understanding Your Patriarchal Blessing may give you some additional insights.
2021 Come, Follow Me Companion Weeks 3 and 6 also provide additional activity ideas regarding patriarchal blessings.
Ancestor's Patriarchal Blessing
Request an ancestor's patriarch blessing by following the instructions in the FamilySearch Wiki, or at Patriarchal Blessings on churchofjesuschrist.org. When you receive it, read it and see how their blessing may relate to your life. What do you learn about your ancestor from his or her blessing?
What does Heavenly Father want your family to do to bring about His "great work"? Maybe it's going to the temple, sharing the gospel with a neighbor, or overcoming contention. Perhaps each family member could collect small objects, like rocks or buttons or puzzle pieces, and use them to represent "small things" we can do every day to "[lay] the foundation" for God's great work. As a family, pick one of these small things to work on this week.
By following the small and simple things that Jesus Christ taught, we can help bring about great things for ourselves and for others. Dallin H. Oaks stated, "We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these small things bring to pass great things." Small and Simple Things, General Conference, April 2018
A Few Minutes
Do you struggle finding time to do your family history? As you know, "small things bring to pass great things." By using small amounts of time consistently, you can accomplish much in your family history. Here are a few ways to help you get the most out of your family history experience in a limited amount of time:
Make a list, perhaps on your phone, to have handy for the odd moments when you could use a family history time filler! Some ideas are:
"I am thinking of an ancestor who (lived in this place ... did this ... was this age when ... had this many children ... etc.)". Everyone guesses who it is as more clues are given.
20 Questions, to discover who you are thinking of (everyone asks you yes-or-no questions).
Tell family stories with a twist, such as each person telling a part of the story and the next person starting when the previous person stops).
Family History Pictionary, where you draw pictures about your family history, and everyone guesses what they are.
Write a letter of gratitude to a deceased ancestor.
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)
