5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Doctrine and Covenants 121 -123

This week’s lesson plan includes: who is chosen and why, President Nelson’s analogy about priesthood power, comfort from Christ in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith’s ship and small rudder analogy, and repentance brings in the Spirit and power.

Tips for delivering a successful lesson are located at the end of the article.

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

Quote #1 (chosen)

Possible engagement tool: Invite the class to ponder the question: “Why are many called but few chosen”? Perhaps write the question on the board.

Note: Please divide among several readers.

40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:40-42)

—AND—

Recently, Wendy and I were in a meeting where the organist was poised and ready to play the opening hymn. His eyes were on the music, and his fingers were on the keys. He began pressing the keys, but there was no sound. I whispered to Wendy, “He has no power.” I reasoned that something had stopped the flow of electrical power to that organ.

Well, brethren, in like manner, I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world.

I fear that there are too many priesthood bearers who have done little or nothing to develop their ability to access the powers of heaven. I worry about all who are impure in their thoughts, feelings, or actions or who demean their wives or children, thereby cutting off priesthood power. (Russell M. Nelson, The Price of Priesthood Power – April 2016)

Possible discussion questions: What point was President Nelson making about the organist having no power? How does one become “chosen”? What qualities are important when exercising the priesthood? What part stood out to you from the quotes we just read—what thoughts came up for you? How do you feel when a priesthood leader exhibits the positive qualities mentioned in verses 41 and 42?

Quote #2 & #3 (below them all)

Possible Intro: “We’re about to read three different times that Jesus Christ comforts Joseph Smith as he was confined in Liberty Jail. See which one resonates with you the most.

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)

—AND—

29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:29)

—AND—

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8)

Possible discussion questions: Three times the Lord comforts Joseph Smith in his suffering—how might these verses apply to us? What message from these verses really stood out to you today? Who are some favorite scripture heroes that had terrible, trying events in their lives, but were the Lord’s most chosen? What happened to them? (Accept all reasonable answers – Joseph of Egypt, Nephi, Moses, Jesus Christ Himself, Alma, Moroni, etc.) What does it mean to “endure valiantly” (vs. 29)? Why is it important to remain faithful, even when the going gets really rough?

Possible Follow-up Quotes – What Helps Us Endure

(Use one to four of these quotes to help prompt a follow-up discussion.)

Possible activity: Have four people read these four quotes in a row. I would have all four printed on a class handout so everyone can read along. It will increase their retention. If someone raises their hand to make a comment, allow for a quick discussion and go with the flow. Then move on to the following quote.

I believe the Savior Jesus Christ would want you to see, feel, and know that He is your strength. That with His help, there are no limits to what you can accomplish. That your potential is limitless. (Elder Uchtdorf, Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth – Oct 2022

Of course, our ultimate security comes as we yoke ourselves to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! Life without God is a life filled with fear. Life with God is a life filled with peace. This is because spiritual blessings come to the faithful. Receiving personal revelation is one of the greatest of those blessings. (President Nelson, Embrace the Future with Faith – Oct 2020)

The Lord has promised that if we will ask, we may receive ‘revelation upon revelation.’ I promise that as you increase your capacity to receive revelation, the Lord will bless you with increased direction for your life and with boundless gifts of the Spirit. (President Nelson, Embrace the Future with Faith – Oct 2020)

Because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world, and because He atoned for each of us, you too can overcome this sin-saturated, self-centered, and often exhausting world. Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world. (President Nelson, Overcome the World and Find Rest – Oct 2022)

Possible discussion questions: Is there anyone who does not need to repent of something? (No and no.) Which quote really resonated with you today and why? What can we do to help us endure difficult times? (Accept all reasonable answers – draw closer to the Savior, attempt to spend more minutes and hours on spiritual things, bring in the Spirit more, read scriptures, pray, pray, pray, and REPENT.)

Quote #4 (blinded)

Possible engagement tool: Both Joseph Smith and Lehi were shown the confusion of many throughout the world.

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it. (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12))

—AND—

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. (1 Nephi 8:21-23)

Possible discussion question: Why would the Church want to spend so much time and money on missionary work?

Quote #5 (ship)

Possible intro: Joseph Smith shares a descriptive metaphor to help us step back and view life’s troubles from a different perspective.

Note: Please divide between two or more readers.

16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17)

“Workways with the wind and waves” means navigating the storm wisely while staying on course with your values and faith. You don’t fight the wind by standing still or ignoring it—that could capsize you or get you lost. Instead, you adjust your direction, lean into the wind slightly, and keep your eyes on the charted course (your faith and values). For example, you might choose to pray, read scriptures, honor the Sabbath day, seek the prophet’s counsel, or talk to a trusted mentor when things get tough, rather than giving in to peer pressure or shortcuts that don’t align with who you are. These small acts—like being honest in a tough situation, serving others, or sticking to your beliefs—keep you anchored to your path, no matter how wild the storm gets. (Divine Code – Sept 2025)

Possible discussion questions: What are the small things that help you during tough or challenging times? Why might it be hard to be honest sometimes? (Accept all reasonable answers – because we might be afraid of the consequences.) Should that stop us? In what ways do you like to serve others? Have you ever had to stick to beliefs despite someone else’s actions or words?

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.

(You can find the Church’s Come, Follow Me lesson here.)

How to Teach Successfully and Give a Better Lesson

You have great content; now let’s ensure the lesson goes smoothly.

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.

Lesson Prep

• If you want the discussion to be more robust and meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (i.e. 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 send it via text or email.
• 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 during class. If you want more discussion and engagement, here are some tips:

• 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 you had planned, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.