Come, Follow Me Companion

Doctrine and Covenants 124

“A House unto My Name”

From Come, Follow Me:

Although several prominent leaders left the Church in the late 1830s, the vast majority of members remained faithful. These faithful Saints included those who had endured the trials of Missouri as well as those who had recently joined the Church. In 124:12–21, the Lord spoke highly of a few of them. What insights about discipleship do you find in His words? Is there something about these faithful Saints that inspires you to be like them? 

Doctrine and Covenants 124:12–21

I can be a disciple whom the Lord trusts

From Come, Follow Me

Although several prominent leaders left the Church in the late 1830s, the vast majority of members remained faithful. These faithful Saints included those who had endured the trials of Missouri as well as those who had recently joined the Church. In 124:12–21, the Lord spoke highly of a few of them. What insights about discipleship do you find in His words? Is there something about these faithful Saints that inspires you to be like them? 

See Nauvoo Family Search Records to discover your Nauvoo relatives. 

“It’s a story that’s part of our shared past and will be meaningful to anyone who had ancestors who came through Nauvoo or who are members today of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...Users can see how the timeline of their ancestors in Nauvoo coincides with the listing of key historical events there.” Read more here.

Descriptions of the historical events listed on the timeline are linked to chapters in Saints. You may want to make a list of relatives in Nauvoo from all of your family lines to see if their residence there coincided.

 As early saints received a witness of the truths of the gospel and made the decision to be baptized, they helped build the foundation on which we all stand. Their faith and efforts made it possible for their posterity to have a gospel foundation. If you are the first convert in your family to be baptized, your decision will influence your posterity. 

Writing a letter of gratitude to an ancestor, living relative, to yourself, or to an early saint will document your feelings about how life is different for you because of the decisions that were made. See instructions and suggestions for preserving your recording on FamilySearch Memories. 

You may want to post photos and your gratitude to ancestors in your home to view during the week. 

Doctrine and Covenants 124:25–45, 55

The Lord commands us to build temples so we can receive sacred ordinances.

From Come, Follow Me

What do you find in 124:25–45, 55 that helps you understand why the Lord said, “My people are always commanded to build [temples] unto my holy name”? (verse 39).

Nephi's temple by Joseph Brickey

President Russell M. Nelson: “We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. … Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater” (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints)

In Family History And Temple Work: Sealing And Healing, Elder Dale G. Renlund shares that family history and temple work is not only for the dead, but blesses the living as well. "[As] we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles."

"If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work," Elder Renlund said. "As you do so, your prayers will be answered."

Copy each of the blessings listed below on small pieces of paper and put them into a basket. In a group or as a family, take turns drawing them out one-by-one and discussing the reasons why you would want that particular blessing in your life.

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice
• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives
• Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding
• Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going
• Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts
• Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord
• Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be
• Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone
• Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord's help, serve others
• Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary
• Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole

After the discussion activity, ask, "What one thing can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we love?" Refer to Elder Renlund's talk (see above). Make plans together to do more temple and family history work to receive these blessings. 

Find step-by-step instructions to do temple work in the “Church of Jesus Christ” section of The Family History Guide. See also Take Ancestors To The Temple.

Create family temple traditions. Some sacrifices will need to be made, but having set times may help. See Sacrifice of Time.

See My Ancestor's Temples. 

You need to have a free FamilySearch account and four generations filled in. Use this List of Latter-day Saint Temples to learn about the temples of your ancestors, and check out The Temple - In-Home Activities.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:2–11

From Come, Follow Me

If the Lord told your family “to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel” to “the kings of the world” (verses 2–3), what would your proclamation say? Consider creating one together, and invite family members to suggest gospel truths they want to include.

Family crests and coats of arms are powerful family symbols passed down through generations. Create a family crest for a specific family line, for your current family, or design a collection of symbols that inspire you personally. See this article and find more instructions here. 

See The Family History Guide’s countries section and discover Latter-Day Saint symbols and their meanings here, in this article and here.

Check out Where Am I From? to learn about the homelands of your ancestors. If you are writing a proclamation, what can you incorporate from the above information?

Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92.

From Come, Follow Me

Would your family benefit from a discussion about patriarchal blessings? Family members who have received their patriarchal blessing could share what it was like to receive one and how it has blessed them. 

Thomas S. Monson: "The same Lord who provided a Liahona for Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage—not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home. The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing. Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure.”

Your patriarchal blessing can give you insights into spiritual gifts, blessings, warnings, promises, or challenges you may face and declare your lineage. It may also describe any related blessings that accompany your particular tribe Read more in Understanding Your Patriarchal Blessing.

Church of Jesus Christ website: "Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal ... Church members should not compare blessings and should not share them except with close family members. Patriarchal blessings should not be read in Church meetings or other public gatherings (General Handbook, 18.17.1). They should also not be distributed or shared through electronic means, such as in the Memories section of FamilySearch or on social media, websites, or blogs."

Ancestors' patriarchal blessings may help give you insights into their challenges and promises, help you better understand them, and draw closer.

See Requesting an Ancestor's Patriarchal Blessing. What do you learn about your ancestor from his or her blessing? Talk about how you have been influenced by these ancestors and their blessings, and make some goals about how you will influence generations to come through your faithfulness. 

We can continue to accept President Nelson's invitation through our study of the Doctrine and Covenants:

"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).

Find what the Lord has promised He will do for Covenant Israel in Doctrine and Covenants 124. Write or audio-record what these promises mean to you and those you love.