Come, Follow Me for 2021

ENRICH YOUR COME, FOLLOW ME STUDY with high-quality articles that are well researched, inspirational, and written by scholars, educators, Church leaders, historians, and popular authors. The RSC library is not found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or anywhere else online. The scripture readings and lessons are displayed first, followed by recommended readings.
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Religious Studies Center website home page General Resources
Sperry Symposium Classics: The Doctrine and Covenants
A Firm Foundation
The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
Approaching Antiquity
Using the Joseph Smith Papers Website: An Introduction
Finding Documents on the Joseph Smith Papers Website
Using The Joseph Smith Papers in the Classroom
 
Parents with their young son studying the scriptures together December 28–January 3 · Doctrine and Covenants 1 · “Hearken, O Ye People”
Doctrine and Covenants: A Roundtable Discussion, Part 1
Doctrine and Covenants: A Roundtable Discussion, Part 2
The Literary Power of the Doctrine and Covenants
The Lord’s Preface (D&C 1)
The Early Years, 1805–19
Video: Understanding Latter-day Saint Doctrine and History
 
Several large trees in the sacred grove January 4–10 · Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 · “I Saw a Pillar of Light”
A Seeker’s Guide to the Historical Accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision
The Earliest Documented Accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision
The Appearance of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith in 1820
“Unless I Could Get More Wisdom, I Would Never Know”
 
Joseph seeing Moroni January 11–17 · Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65 · “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers”
The Probation of a Teenage Seer
Redemption for the Dead (D&C 2)
 
Farmers shoveling hay January 18–24 · Doctrine and Covenants 3–5 · “My Work Shall Go Forth”
Joseph Smith and Hearty Repentance
Hefted and Handled
The Lost 116 Pages Story
 
Joseph Smith recording revelation with a quill pen on paper January 25–31 · Doctrine and Covenants 6–9 · “This Is the Spirit of Revelation”
Revelation
A Prophet “As in Days of Yore”
 
Original Book of Mormon manuscript lying open on a table February 1–7 · Doctrine and Covenants 10–11 · “That You May Come Off Conqueror”
“Withstanding the Evil One”
 
Wide open river with trees overhanging February 8–14 · Doctrine and Covenants 12–13; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75 · “Upon You My Fellow Servants”
“Commissioned of Jesus Christ”
Oliver Cowdery as Second Witness of Priesthood Restoration
Video: Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
Video: Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood
 
Four men kneeling in prayer in a circle February 15–21 · Doctrine and Covenants 14–17 · “Stand as a Witness”
Witnesses—Those Who Assist to Bring Forth This Work
Firsthand Witness Accounts of the Translation Process
A Multiplicity of Witnesses
Evaluating the Book of Mormon Witnesses
 
Farmland with houses in the distance February 22–28 · Doctrine and Covenants 18–19 · “The Worth of Souls Is Great”
“You Shall Have My Word”
 
A homestead with a small ravine of water on the side March 1–7 · Doctrine and Covenants 20–22 · “The Rise of the Church of Christ”
Joseph Smith and “The Only True and Living Church”
The Book of Mormon as the Keystone of Church Administration
Fayette
The Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ and the Book of Mormon
“Here Is Wisdom; Yea, To Be a Seer, a Revelator, . . . and a Prophet”
Video: Organization of the Church of Christ
 
Woman standing and reading from the scriptures March 8–14 · Doctrine and Covenants 23–26 · “Strengthen the Church”
The “Elect Lady” Revelation
The Law of Common Consent
 
Statue of Joseph Smith with trees and floral background March 15–21 · Doctrine and Covenants 27–28 · “All Things Must Be Done in Order”
The “Same” Organization That Existed in the Primitive Church
The Lord’s Supper in Early Mormonism
Sacramental Connections
 
Christ surrounded by sheep with sunset background March 22–28 · Doctrine and Covenants 29 · Jesus Christ Will Gather His People
The Second Coming of Christ
One Continuous Flow
 
Close up of The Christus, focused on the nail print in Christ's hand March 29–April 4 · Easter · “I Am He Who Liveth, I Am He Who Was Slain”
Resurrection: The Ultimate Triumph
 
Two 1800s missionaries walking in the woods to spread the gospel April 5–11 · Doctrine and Covenants 30–36 · “You Are Called to Preach My Gospel”
The Gathering of Israel
What Is Our Doctrine?
Video: The Gathering of Israel: A Glorious Duty
 
Early Saints prepare to travel to Kirtland and pack bags onto wagons April 12–18 · Doctrine and Covenants 37–40 · “If Ye Are Not One Ye Are Not Mine”
Why the Ohio?
 
Closeup of Christ looking toward the distance endearingly April 19–25 · Doctrine and Covenants 41–44 · “My Law to Govern My Church”
“All Things Are the Lord’s”
Conquest of the Heart
 
Three youth walk around the temple grounds, with the temple in the background April 26–May 2 · Doctrine and Covenants 45 · “The Promises . . . Shall Be Fulfilled”
The Second Coming of Christ
 
An outdoor church meeting by the lakeside May 3–9 · Doctrine and Covenants 46–48 · “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”
Gifts of the Spirit
The Unifying Power of Spiritual Gifts
 
Beautiful sunset on the horizon of a lake May 10–16 · Doctrine and Covenants 49–50 · “That Which Is of God Is Light”
Discerning and Meeting Needs
 
Two cattle driving a plow on farmland May 17–23 · Doctrine and Covenants 51–57 · “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
William W. Phelps
Evaluating Latter-day Saint Doctrine
“Her Borders Must Be Enlarged”
 
Dirt road alongside two brick houses in Independence, Missouri May 24–30 · Doctrine and Covenants 58–59 · “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
“Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise”
The Education of a Prophet
 
Nighttime view of the Missouri River with campfire in the background May 31–June 6 · Doctrine and Covenants 60–62 · “All Flesh Is in Mine Hand”
Gathering the Lord’s Words into One
 
Sunrise over the hilly Missouri countryside June 7–13 · Doctrine and Covenants 63 · “That Which Cometh from Above Is Sacred”
“That They Might Come to Understanding”
“The Word of the Lord in the Original”
 
Countryside view of hilly Daviess County, Missouri June 14–20 · Doctrine and Covenants 64–66 · “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind”
“A Covenant and a Deed Which Cannot Be Broken”
 
Handwritten manuscript lying open on a display table June 21–27 · Doctrine and Covenants 67–70 · “Worth . . . the Riches of the Whole Earth”
“A History of All the Important Things” (D&C 69:3)
 
Christ holding a lamb, endearing looking upon his other sheep from the top of a hill June 28–July 4 · Doctrine and Covenants 71–75 · “No Weapon That Is Formed against You Shall Prosper”
The Joseph Smith Translation
Video: The Joseph Smith Translation: “A Branch of My Calling”
 
The galaxy spotted with stars and shades of blue July 5–11 · Doctrine and Covenants 76 · “Great Shall Be Their Reward and Eternal Shall Be Their Glory”
Joseph Smith, Emanuel Swedenborg, and Section 76
Joseph Smith and “The Vision,” 1832
Six Visions of Eternity
Video: Doctrines of Exaltation: Doctrine and Covenants 76, 84, 88, 93, 137
 
Christ with a lamb on his shoulders, looking back toward his other sheep who are following behind him July 12–18 · Doctrine and Covenants 77–80 · “I Will Lead You Along”
The Laws of Consecration, Stewardship, and Tithing
Video: Consecration
 
Christ looking at the Rich Young Ruler, pointing downward July 19–25 · Doctrine and Covenants 81–83 · Where “Much Is Given Much Is Required”
Sharing Authority
 
Three angels place their hands upon Joseph Smith's head July 26–August 1 · Doctrine and Covenants 84 · “The Power of Godliness”
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood (D&C 84)
 
A family walking up stairs toward the temple August 2–8 · Doctrine and Covenants 85–87 · “Stand Ye in Holy Places”
“Have We Not Had a Prophet among Us?”
Video: The School of the Prophets
 
Wooden chairs and benches facing one another in a small room with a fireplace August 9–15 · Doctrine and Covenants 88 · “Establish . . . a House of God”
The Olive Leaf and the Family of Heaven
 
A couple washing fruit in their kitchen together August 16–22 · Doctrine and Covenants 89–92 · “A Principle with Promise”
“Health in Their Navel and Marrow to Their Bones”
The Sanctity of Food
Video: The Word of Wisdom
 
Painting of God and Christ descending from heaven surrounding by clouds August 23–29 · Doctrine and Covenants 93 · “Receive of His Fulness”
Doctrine and Covenants 93
“He Received . . . Grace for Grace” (D&C 93:12)
Light, Truth, and Grace
Illuminating the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants through the Gospel of John
 
Painting of an open road between the Nauvoo temple and a house August 30–September 5 · Doctrine and Covenants 94–97 · “For the Salvation of Zion”
The First Presidency
Video: Zion: A People, a Place, a State of Heart
 
Painting of Saints being driven from their log homes September 6–12 · Doctrine and Covenants 98–101 · “Be Still and Know That I Am God”
Redemption’s Grand Design for Both the Living and the Dead
Revealing Parables
 
Painting of Saints with covered wagons crossing a river and ascending a hill September 13–19 · Doctrine and Covenants 102–105 · “After Much Tribulation . . . Cometh the Blessing”
Expulsion from Zion, 1833
 
Sun rays shining through dark clouds September 20–26 · Doctrine and Covenants 106–108 · “To Have the Heavens Opened”
Authority, Power, and the “Government of the Church of Christ,” 1835
The First Presidency
The Calling of the First Presidency and the Twelve in 1835
The Seventies’ Role in Worldwide Church Administration
Early Quorums of the Seventies
Melchizedek
Peter and the Restored Priesthood
 
Painting of the Kirtland Temple with green hills surrounding and the sunset in the background September 27–October 3 · Doctrine and Covenants 109–110 · “It Is Thy House, a Place of Thy Holiness”
Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple, 1836
“I Will Send You Elijah the Prophet”
Elijah’s Mission
Elijah’s Mission, Message, and Milestones of Development in Family History and Temple Work
Video: The Kirtland Temple and Endowment of Power
 
Joseph Smith standing at the pulpit in the Kirtland Temple October 4–10 · Doctrine and Covenants 111–114 · “I Will Order All Things for Your Good”
Treasures, Witches, and the Ancient Inhabitants (D&C 111)
Isaiah in the Doctrine and Covenants
Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Crisis, 1837
The Fall of Kirtland
 
Open farm land with a dirt trail headed into the orange horizon October 11–17 · Doctrine and Covenants 115–120 · “His Sacrifice Shall Be More Sacred unto Me Than His Increase”
The History and Doctrine of the Adam-ondi-Ahman Revelation (D&C 116)
 
Partially snowy hillside leading up to Liberty Jail October 18–24 · Doctrine and Covenants 121–123 · “O God, Where Art Thou?”
Hyrum Smith’s Liberty Jail Letters
The Textual Context of Doctrine and Covenants 121–23
 
Water's edge view of Nauvoo with a beautiful sunset overshadowing the temple October 25–31 · Doctrine and Covenants 124 · “A House unto My Name”
The Nauvoo Temple, 1841
Israel Barlow and the Founding of Nauvoo
Thoughts on Reclaiming the History of Relief Society
Video: The Book of Abraham: A Valuable Discovery
 
Painting of a family surrounded by angels November 1–7 · Doctrine and Covenants 125–128 · “A Voice of Gladness for the Living and the Dead”
“Line upon Line”
“For Their Salvation Is Necessary and Essential to Our Salvation”
 
Joseph Smith sitting in the middle of ten people and teaching the gospel November 8–14 · Doctrine and Covenants 129–132 · “When We Obtain Any Blessing from God, It Is by Obedience”
Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality
Doctrines, Covenants, and Sweet Consolation, 1843
Eternal Marriage
Marriage and Family Relationships—The Lord’s Way
Scenes and Incidents in Nauvoo
“A Subject That Can Bear Investigation”
 
Artistic depiction of the 10 virgins awaiting approval to enter the Bridegroom's party November 15–21 · Doctrine and Covenants 133–134 · “Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom”
The Restoration of All Things
By All Means
 
Snapshot of the brick Carthage Jail up close, surrounded by trees November 22–28 · Doctrine and Covenants 135–136 · He “Has Sealed His Mission and His Works with His Own Blood”
Joseph Smith, Robert Foster, and Chauncey and Francis Higbee
The Prophet’s Final Charge to the Twelve, 1844
Joseph Smith Among the Prophets
Scenes in Nauvoo after the Martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch
Six Days in August
“This Shall Be Our Covenant”
“The Poorest of the Poor and the Sickest of the Sick”
Podcast: When the Saints Fled America
Podcast: Healing at Carthage Jail
 
Joseph Smith seeing a vision of heaven, being greeted by his mother, father, and brother November 29–December 5 · Doctrine and Covenants 137–138 · “The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead”
“And I Saw the Hosts of the Dead, Both Small and Great”
From Obscurity to Scripture
The Vision of the Redemption of the Dead (D&C 138)
Development of the Understanding of the Postmortal Spirit World
 
Quilted image of hands raised to the square, representing sustaining all worthy male members December 6–12 · The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2 · “We Believe”
The Articles of Faith
Official Declaration 2
“That Every Man Might Speak in the Name of God the Lord”
 
Family sitting together enjoying one another's company December 13–19 · The Family: A Proclamation to the World · “The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan”
By Divine Design
The Doctrines of Eternal Marriage and Eternal Families
Faithful Fathering
Motherhood
Podcast: Joseph Smith’s Growing Understanding of the Eternal Family
Podcast: Teaching Children to Believe in Christ
 
Painting of Mary holding baby Jesus December 20–26 · Christmas · The Matchless Gift of God’s Divine Son
What We Worship
Jesus Christ and Salvation
Christmas and Childhood
Podcast: Surprised by Christ
Podcast: The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ