Come, Follow Me
Doctrine and Covenants 84; 87; 93
Hidden Treasures
See the wealth of knowledge you can find if you go deep into the scriptures.
Illustrations by Tim Bradford
The Church needs everyone’s contribution.
If the Church were a machine, it would be a huge one with many parts. Some parts would be more visible and seem more “important” than others, but even the small, hidden cogs and bolts would play a role.
The Lord said: “Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:109–110).
Our wards and branches need people who are good speakers as well as people who are good listeners. We need bishops and Relief Society presidents as well as Sunday School secretaries and nursery leaders. We need quiet people, bold people, funny people, somber people; introverts, extroverts, engineers, artists. The Church needs everyone’s different talents and strengths.
It doesn’t matter how “prestigious” the job is. Every task in the Church is important to the Lord.
Where are the ‘holy places’ to stand in?
When the Lord revealed that “war [would] be poured out upon all nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:3), He also told the Saints what to do about it:
“Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8).
What are the “holy places”? Temples, of course (if we enter worthily). The same goes for our chapels. We’ve been told by our leaders to make our homes holy places too. We do that by showing love and harmony at home, studying the gospel, and inviting the Spirit.
But the Lord doesn’t want us hiding in our homes, chapels, and temples all the time. He wants us out in the world spreading joy and serving others.
That’s why we have the Holy Ghost: almost any place can be a “holy place” if the Spirit can dwell there.
That includes our classrooms, playing fields, offices, cars, waiting rooms, gyms—anywhere you go can be a place of inspiration if you are humble, faithful, and sincere.
Of course, we need to be wise and not seek out negative or dangerous environments. But the Lord’s point was that we don’t need to be too worried about the disasters of the last days. We can go about our business—school, work, recreation, life—and still be protected if we follow the Spirit’s guidance.
A little extra love helps when you have to reprimand.
Have you ever had to scold someone you loved? It’s hard! As with most things, we can look to the Savior’s example. The Lord does a fair amount of chastising in the Doctrine and Covenants, but always with love.
For example, there’s section 93. Joseph Smith, Frederick G. Williams, and Sidney Rigdon all needed to be corrected on some things. The Lord addresses them as “servants” (verses 41, 44, 45), but then He clarifies: “Or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me” (verse 45). Later, the Savior calls the whole group His “friends” (in verse 51).
Why does this matter? Well, it hurts to be chastised, doesn’t it? The Lord shows an increase of love by reminding Joseph and the others that, despite their mistakes and weaknesses, they are, after all, His friends.
His friends! People He likes and wants to be around! He feels that way about you, too. We are all His friends.