This guide is not meant to replace the Come, Follow Me curriculum by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is merely a study tool and a helpful guide to aid in your study as you follow along the church’s curriculum. If there are any questions feel free to reach out to us.
We cover some frequently asked questions, include some criticisms that occur often, as well as the answers to them with some helpful resources from our website and of course, the Church’s website. While we cannot address every question and criticism and cannot provide every resource, we hope what we have included in this guide will be helpful to you.
WEEK 9 (February 24 - March 2)
Weekly Questions
Apostles are not required to have been with Christ. Those familiar with the Bible will recognize that Paul referred to himself as an apostle (Galatians 1:1). This, even though he wasn’t originally with Christ, but fought against the early Christians.
If one believes that Jesus is alive and that the heavens are not closed, it is not unreasonable to assume that Jesus can still call men to be apostles today. In the Church, men do not “claim the office of apostle,” but are called to the office by one who currently holds the same priesthood keys originally held by Joseph Smith.
The apostles are, first and foremost, witnesses of Jesus Christ.
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Must All Apostles Literally See Christ?
If the worth of souls is great, then God must allow individuals the freedom to choose their path. His respect for our agency is actually an indication of how much he values us. If he coerced or forced everyone to accept the gospel, it would diminish the significance of our choices and the potential for genuine growth. In this view, the great worth of souls is not dependent on whether someone chooses to follow God but on their potential for eternal progression and their unique identity as children of God.
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Revelations often address practical, immediate needs while simultaneously teaching eternal truths. The practical aspects of Section 18 do not diminish its spiritual significance but reflect God’s guidance in real-world circumstances. While it is easy to dismiss what the prophet says off hand, it has been repeatedly taught that revelation aligns with God’s will when it aligns with set doctrine, is confirmed by the Holy Ghost, and follows Christlike attributes.
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Inspiration, Intellect, and Rethinking Revelation
“What Should I Do If I Think I’ve Received Revelation Different from Apostles and Prophets?
WEEK 10 (March 3 - 9)
Weekly Questions
The scripture doesn’t minimize the consequences of sin but shows that “eternal” refers to God’s authority, aligning with the doctrine that divine punishments are meant to inspire repentance, not hopelessness. The consistent admonition of God is that his children repent and turn to him.
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Plan of salvation/What is “endless punishment”
God most-often often works through practical, real-world circumstances to fulfill his purposes. Martin Harris’s sacrifice is viewed by members of the Church as an example of faith and consecration, a principle taught throughout scripture (e.g., the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41–44).
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The Contributions of Martin Harris
The foundational principle of the gospel is agency, the right that people can choose. Exercising agency does not relieve one of the consequences of that agency. God, knowing the end from the beginning, knows the consequences of choosing wrongly. Because of this, he both warns his children and invites them to repent from previous wrong choices.
The warnings in Doctrine and Covenants 19 reflect God’s love by illustrating the gravity of sin and the necessity of repentance. The intent is not to incite fear but to inspire a sincere desire to avoid spiritual harm and embrace the healing power of the Atonement. This approach aligns with other scriptural warnings, such as those given by prophets in the Bible (e.g., Ezekiel 18:21–32) and the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 2:27).
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Asking Big Questions: How Can I Make the Repentance Process Less Intimidating?
WEEK 11 (March 10 - 16)
Weekly Questions
The Lord has always worked in progression, allowing his children to accept and follow the gospel until more is revealed. Just as the saints were being prepared for a higher law, they were initially given the Aaronic priesthood, the preparatory priesthood, until they were ready for the fullness.
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The early Church was established through a process of progressive revelation, with foundational principles being revealed first, then built upon over time. The initial revelations provided basic organizational principles (such as baptism, priesthood authority, and the roles of elders and deacons), but more detailed structures were gradually revealed as the Church expanded and faced specific challenges. This change and growth is consistent with belief in continuing revelation in unfolding the Kingdom of God on Earth.
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Adherents to some Christian denominations insist that a focus on baptism is a focus on the works of men in preference to a reliance on the grace of Jesus Christ. We believe that baptism is not in opposition to other doctrines, such as grace; we believe in both. Baptism signifies our willingness to enter into a covenant relationship with Christ. His grace, offered in return, signals his acceptance of that covenant. Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and grace are all vital parts of the covenant relationship sought by those who seek to be disciples of Christ.
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WEEK 12 (March 17 - 23)
Weekly Questions
The principle of common consent in Section 26 establishes a process where members sustain Church leaders and decisions through a public expression of agreement with the action. While it does not function as a democratic process in the modern sense, it ensures transparency, accountability, and unity within the Church. Members are invited to thoughtfully consider and express their sustaining of leaders, aligning their actions with their faith.
This principle emphasizes collective commitment and respect for the decisions made by leaders acting under divine inspiration. It also provides members the opportunity to express concerns in a respectful manner, ensuring all voices are valued in maintaining Church unity.
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Standards for prophetic succession
WEEK 13 (March 24 - 30)
Weekly Questions
The revelation in Section 27 reflects a key principle in Latter-day Saint theology: God reveals guidance tailored to the needs and circumstances of his people. In this case, the instruction to use any liquid for the sacrament highlights the symbolic nature of the ordinance rather than focusing on specific substances. The sacrament is a renewal of sacred covenants made with Christ, and its spiritual significance transcends the physical elements used. By emphasizing the heart and intent of the participants over the material used, the Lord reaffirms that the ordinance is meant to strengthen faith and devotion to him, not to rigidly adhere to external forms.
The historical context sheds light on the revelation’s practical aspects. Early Church members faced opposition, and there was concern that enemies might adulterate wine intended for sacramental use. The revelation provided a way to safeguard the integrity of the sacramental ordinance. Rather than prescribing a specific substitute, the Lord expanded the understanding of the ordinance by teaching that it is the act of remembrance and the covenants it symbolizes, not the type of liquid, that truly matters. This principle of adapting divine commandments to meet the needs of his people is consistent with God’s dealings with humanity throughout scripture.
As for the apparent tension with the Word of Wisdom, it is important to note that the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89) was revealed several years after Section 27. Initially given as a principle and a recommendation, the Word of Wisdom was not strictly enforced during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. Over time, however, the Church adopted it as a binding standard of conduct, and the use of alcohol, including wine, was prohibited. This development demonstrates the principle of continuing revelation, where God provides additional light and knowledge as his people are prepared to receive it.
Sources and Resources:
Method of administering the Latter-day Saint sacrament
The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants align with broader Christian theology by expanding and clarifying principles found in the Bible, rather than contradicting them. In the case of sacramental practices (Doctrine and Covenants 27), the New Testament teaches that ordinances like the Last Supper are symbolic acts of remembrance (Luke 22:19–20). The Lord’s instruction to the early Saints emphasizes this same principle: it is not the physical substance that matters but the intent and faithfulness of those partaking. This teaching builds on the biblical idea that God looks upon the heart rather than outward forms (1 Samuel 16:7).
Regarding the centralization of authority in a prophet (Doctrine and Covenants 28), this principle is also rooted in biblical precedent. In the Old Testament, prophets like Moses and Isaiah were divinely appointed to lead God’s people and receive revelation on their behalf (Amos 3:7). Similarly, in the New Testament, Christ established a structure for his Church, appointing apostles to guide it under his direction (Ephesians 2:19–20). Doctrine and Covenants 28 reaffirms this divine pattern by the Lord identifying Joseph Smith as his prophet, tasked with receiving revelation for the Church while allowing for individual members to receive personal revelation within their own stewardships. Far from contradicting the Bible, this reflects a continuation of God’s practice of working through chosen servants.
While members of the Church understand that some teachings in the Doctrine and Covenants differ from traditional Christian interpretations, these differences stem from a belief in ongoing revelation. Members of the Church see this as a restoration of lost truths rather than a divergence from Christian theology. For instance, the authority to receive revelation for the entire Church is seen as a necessary safeguard to preserve unity and doctrinal purity, particularly during times of significant growth or chaos. This principle complements biblical teachings on the need for orderly governance within the Church (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).
Ultimately, members of the Church view the Doctrine and Covenants as an extension of the biblical canon, tailored to address modern circumstances while preserving eternal truths. The belief in continuing revelation does not diminish the Bible’s authority but rather fulfills its promise that God will guide his people in every age (John 16:13). For those exploring these teachings, it may be helpful to approach them with the same spirit of faith and openness that early Christians exercised when receiving new revelation in their time.
Sources and Resources:
The Nature of Prophets and Prophecy
Question: Why do Mormon’s believe that ongoing divine revelation is necessary?
The difference between legitimate and illegitimate seer stones and their uses in early Church history lies in the principle of divinely authorized revelation. In Doctrine and Covenants 28, the Lord clarified that only the prophet of the Church, at that time Joseph Smith, was authorized to receive revelation for the entire Church. While others could receive personal revelation within their own stewardships, the authority to guide the Church as a whole was vested solely in the prophet. This distinction underscores that the legitimacy of spiritual practices, including the use of seer stones, depends on their alignment with God’s established order of priesthood authority.
Joseph Smith’s use of a seer stone was sanctioned by divine authority. Joseph was called by God as the prophet of the Restoration, and his use of seer stones was part of his divinely appointed mission to translate the Book of Mormon and establish the Church. In contrast, Hiram Page’s revelations were not authorized by God and caused confusion among Church members. Page’s claims conflicted with the principle of unified leadership under the prophet, which is essential for maintaining order and doctrinal purity in the Church (Doctrine and Covenants 28:2).
The incident with Hiram Page also highlights a broader principle about spiritual gifts and their appropriate use. The Lord grants spiritual gifts, such as the ability to receive revelation, to bless individuals and those within their stewardship. However, when such gifts are used outside the bounds of divine authority or to challenge established leadership, they are considered illegitimate. This principle aligns with biblical teachings, where prophets like Moses and Paul emphasized the importance of orderly governance and respecting divinely appointed leaders (Numbers 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).
Thus, the distinction between Joseph Smith’s and Hiram Page’s seer stones was not about the physical object itself but about the authority by which revelation was received. For members of the Church, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of sustaining God’s chosen servants and adhering to the established channels of revelation to avoid confusion and division within the Church. It also illustrates how God uses clear lines of authority to ensure unity among His people.
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