5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 51 – 57

This week’s topics are how to endure, attitude, missionaries, seeking the Lord “early,” and the downfall of greed.

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 gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going 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 (missionaries)

Possible Intro: Say something like, “The Lord frequently instructed His missionaries in the Doctrine and Covenants. Here are two verses from different years—how are the instructions the same”?

Note: Can be divided between two readers.

9 And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith. (Doctrine and Covenants 52:9)

—AND—

4 And they shall give heed to that which is written, and pretend to no other revelation; and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding. (Doctrine and Covenants 32:4)

Possible discussion questions: How are these verses similar? What important advice do they have for missionaries? Why is it essential for missionaries to know what the prophets and apostles have written? (Accept all reasonable answers – so they can teach pure truth instead of personal theories.) How can we start preparing for a mission now? (Accept all reasonable answers – read the scriptures! Know them well.)

Quote #2 (endure)

The commandment to endure to the end is repeated often throughout the scriptures. This is a chance to teach some life-changing perspectives that will help everyone!

Possible intro: In your own words, say something like, “Enduring to the end is one of the most important qualities we can acquire as Saints. But it doesn’t mean we must be frustrated or sad when called upon to endure. Consider what enduring to the end looks like as we read the following scripture and quotes.”

7 And again, I would that ye should learn that he only is saved who endureth unto the end. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 53:7)

What does “endure” mean?

endure: persevere, persist, remain steadfast, abide, hold fast, continue, sustain, bear up, stand firm, and overcome

Here are several optional quotes that help teach how to endure with more peace and well-being. You can choose one of them or even all of them to help deepen their understanding of “endure.”

The Elder Wirthlin Football Story and His Mother’s Advice

Note: Can be divided among multiple readers.

Elder Wirthlin (a beloved apostle) recounted:

“When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted. When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life. ‘Joseph,’ she said, ‘come what may, and love it.’”

He went on to reflect on this counsel:

“I have often reflected on that counsel. I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.”

Elder Wirthlin explained that this advice wasn’t about denying pain or pretending to be happy in the face of sorrow. Instead, it was about how one’s reaction to adversity can shape their happiness and success:

“How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.”

See the following quote if you want to deepen the understanding, or skip to the last quote below…

—AND—

How can we love days filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. But I believe that how we react to adversity can significantly impact our happiness and success. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me through times of testing and trial.

The first is to laugh. Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? The next time you’re tempted to groan, try laughing instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of those around you more enjoyable.

The second thing we can do is seek the eternal. When adversity enters your life, you may feel singled out, shaking your head and wondering, “Why me?” Learning to endure disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, though difficult to bear at the time, stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering and grief, so we experience hard things to develop greater compassion and understanding for others. The third thing is to understand the principle of compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss, and what is taken away from those who love Him will be restored in His own way. Though it may not come when we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

The fourth thing we can do is put our trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. As it is written, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy and successful.

We can endure hardship and trial, and we can say, as my mother did, “Come what may, and love it.” The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, and leave the rest to Him. Of this, I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

—AND—

“When George A. Smith was very ill, he was visited by his cousin, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The afflicted man reported: “He [the Prophet] told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I were sunk into the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged, but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I should come out on the top of the heap.”

There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. (Ezra Taft Benson – Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, ch. 4)

Possible discussion questions: What does it mean to endure to the end? How would you explain that to a friend? How can our attitudes affect the outcome of hard times in our lives? Why is that important?

Quote #3 (early)

10 And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 54:10)

Possible discussion questions: How do you find patience during challenging times? What does the phrase “I come quickly” mean? Reflecting on the idea of seeking God “early,” how has prioritizing your spiritual journey influenced your sense of well-being?

Quote #4 (hearken)

Possible Intro: The Lord has a very important message for every Saint.

1 Hearken, O ye people who profess my name, saith the Lord your God; for behold, mine anger is kindled against the rebellious, and they shall know mine arm and mine indignation, in the day of visitation and of wrath upon the nations.

2 And he that will not take up his cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, the same shall not be saved. (Doctrine and Covenants 56:1-2)

Possible discussion questions: What does “hearken” mean? (Accept all reasonable answers – “Pay attention, this matters”!) How do you interpret the call to “hearken” in your daily life? What personal practices help you stay attentive to God’s guidance? Does being a church member automatically qualify you to be saved? (NO) What does the phrase “day of visitation and of wrath upon the nations” refer to? Reflecting on the idea of “taking up your cross” to follow Christ, what sacrifices have you made or considered? (Going on a mission is one)

Quote #5 (greed)

Possible engagement tool:

17 Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

18 But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs. (Doctrine and Covenants 56:17-18)

Possible discussion question: Is it possible to be poor and also be prideful, greedy, and selfish? Is it possible to be rich and prideful, greedy and selfish? Is the Lord upset over how much money we have or whether we’re prideful, selfish, and greedy? How important is it to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit? Why does the Lord love meek and humble people? (Accept all reasonable answers – they are often obedient and teachable – the Lord is meek and humble, and we must become like Him.)

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 other people’s lives.

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.