5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 84

This week’s topics are New Jerusalem, magnifying the priesthood, light of Christ, making daily choices, and fellowshipping.

You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.

All blue quotes from the Doctrine and Covenants (unless otherwise noted).

Lesson Prep

• If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also text or email it.
• Ask various people to read and participate—especially those who aren’t asked as much.

Lesson Delivery

You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working your way down. Don’t worry about covering all the quotes.

• Ensure every class member has a set of scriptures in front of them or on their phone. Always invite the class to read along—hearing and seeing the words together increases comprehension and engagement.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
• If the discussion becomes too non-spiritual, pull it back by moving on to the next quote or question.
• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already, and letting others read allows more people to participate.
• Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating, and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• If the discussion takes a different turn than your planned lesson, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.

Quote #1 (new jerusalem)

Possible Intro: This is a significant prophecy yet to be fulfilled and a sign of the times. New Jerusalem will be established before the Second Coming.

Note: Can be divided among several readers.

2 Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.

3 Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.

4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:2-4)

Note: “this generation” can mean “this era” or “dispensation.”

“When the Lord speaks of a generation in connection with his coming, it is not necessarily the span of a man’s life, but rather the period of time or the dispensation in which certain events are to occur.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation)

—AND—

Footnote for D&C 84:3b

3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse. (Doctrine and Covenants 57:3)

—AND—

62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. (Moses 7:62)

Possible discussion questions: Where will New Jerusalem be built? (Independence, MO) Who will live in New Jerusalem? (“Mine elect” or valiant Saints) How would you describe a valiant Saint? What do you need to be more valiant?

Quote #2 (priesthood)

Possible Intro: (Have someone read this statement): “The priesthood is the authority of God given to men to act in His name. It’s how we serve, bless, and help others, like performing baptisms or giving blessings.” (Elder David A. Bednar, The Powers of Heaven – April 2013)

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

Possible discussion questions: What are the two priesthoods? Why is the priesthood important to us? How important is our having the priesthood to the Lord? Do you remember getting the Aaronic (or Melchizedek) priesthood for the first time? How did you feel about it? What does it mean to “magnify” a calling?

“When we accept a calling, no matter how small it may seem, we are accepting an opportunity to serve as the Lord’s hands. Magnify that calling by giving your very best, and you will see miracles unfold.” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Greatest Among You – April 2017)

Quote #3 (every word)

Possible engagement tool:

43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Possible discussion question: Where can we find God’s word? (Scriptures, General Conference talks, music, BYU devotionals, firesides, Church magazines, Church meetings, in the temple, etc.) What are your favorite ways to “heed the words of eternal life”? How often should we study the gospel? (daily) What’s a good time of day to study the gospel? (Accept all reasonable answers)

Quote #4 (choices)

Every person is given a powerful tool to recognize truth and find their way back to God.

Divide verse 46 into two parts:

46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world;

Possible discussion question: Who does the Spirit of Jesus Christ give light to when they are born? (Everyone – probably why babies are so cute.)

46 (cont.) and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

Possible discussion question: Once we’re born, what do we need to do to keep the light of Christ (vs. 45)? Is it possible to lose this light? How do we lose it? (Accept all reasonable answers – by CHOOSING to ignore or disregard it. By being drawn to darkness.)

47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.

Possible discussion question: Who will be guided back to the Father? (Accept all reasonable answers – those who choose to be drawn toward light will be guided to exaltation. Those who choose to be drawn to untruths and entertain darkness will prevent their own progress.)

51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.

Possible discussion question: What effect does sin have on our ability to recognize new light or even existing light?

52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.

Possible discussion question: Do we have a choice to accept the promptings of the light of Christ (vs. 45) or disregard Him?

Author’s Note

Each day, light and truth surround us, as do darkness and untruth. Both exist; both are choices.

Our daily decisions reveal what we gravitate toward.

We are responsible for our choices. The Lord views attraction to darkness and untruth as sin.

But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall. (D&C 58:15)

These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. (D&C 76:75)

As I read these verses, the Spirit whispered, “It’s willful.” Meaning unbelief, blindness of heart, and embracing untruths are wilful preferences.

I’ve contemplated these seemingly harsh qualifiers and realized—passing up truth, being attracted to partial truths and non-truths, and espousing them do set us apart from glory. Such things are a deep flaw in our spiritual character.

“Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light” (D&C 93:31)

The Light of Christ (in its many forms) is in plain sight. The chance to choose goodness is given to all.

Quote #5 (fellowship)

Possible intro: If your testimony is strong, let your light shine for others!

106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:106)

Possible discussion questions: In what ways can we strengthen others? (Accept all reasonable answers – service, friendliness, share your faith, invite them to church events, hang out, answer their questions, etc.)

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.

Final Comment

As you study and teach, you can help others find more truths in the scriptures. Thank you for bringing powerful Doctrine and Covenant teachings into the lives of others.

If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching, try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.