Doctrine and Covenants 2021
August 23–29. Doctrine and Covenants 93: “Receive of His Fulness”


“August 23–29. Doctrine and Covenants 93: ‘Receive of His Fulness,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 (2020)

“August 23–29. Doctrine and Covenants 93,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2021

Image
Stephen sees God and Jesus Christ

I See the Son of Man Standing on the Right Hand of God, by Walter Rane

August 23–29

Doctrine and Covenants 93

“Receive of His Fulness”

Doctrine and Covenants 93 teaches that “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (verse 24). As you study this section, look for truth and record what you learn. What are you willing to do to receive truth? (see verses 27–28).

Record Your Impressions

“When you climb up a ladder,” Joseph Smith taught, “you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).

Sometimes that ladder of exaltation seems impossibly high, but we were born to climb to the top. Whatever limitations we may see in ourselves, Heavenly Father and His Son see something glorious in us, something godlike. Just as Jesus Christ “was in the beginning with the Father,” so “ye were also” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21, 23). Just as He “continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness,” so also “you shall receive grace for grace” (verses 13, 20). The restored gospel teaches us about the true nature of God, and so it also teaches us about ourselves and what we can become. Despite the efforts of the “wicked one” (verse 39)—and despite what you feel you may lack—you are a literal child of God with the potential to “in due time receive of his fulness” (verse 19).

Image
personal study icon

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Doctrine and Covenants 93

We worship God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Speaking of the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 93, the Lord explained, “I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness” (verse 19). As you study this revelation, mark truths you find about the Beings we worship: God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. What do you learn about “how to worship” Them? about how to “come unto the Father”?

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 40). As you learn about the Savior by studying Doctrine and Covenants 93, look for what you also learn about yourself. For example, what do you learn about Him from verses 3, 12, 21, and 26? What similar truths do you find about yourself in verses 20, 23, and 28–29? (See also 1 John 3:2; 3 Nephi 27:27; Dean M. Davies, “The Blessings of Worship,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 93–95.)

Doctrine and Covenants 93:1–39

The glory of God is light and truth.

You might notice that glory, light, and truth come up frequently in this revelation. As you study verses 21–39 in particular, create a list of truths you learn about glory, light, and truth. How do these truths inspire you to seek greater light and truth? How might these truths affect the way you live your everyday life?

Image
glass window

We receive light and truth when we keep God’s commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:40–50

“Set in order your own house.”

At about verse 40, Doctrine and Covenants 93 seems to transition from teachings about God’s glory and our divine potential to instruction about parenting and putting our houses in order. How do the Lord’s teachings about light, truth, and glory in verses 1–39 help you understand and follow the counsel in verses 40–50?

See also David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 17–20.

Image
Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources banner
Image
family study icon

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Doctrine and Covenants 93:2.How has Jesus Christ been a “true light” in our lives? How have we seen His Light in other people around us?

Doctrine and Covenants 93:3–29.To help your family discuss what they learn in section 93 about the Savior and themselves, you could play a matching game. For example, you could prepare one set of cards with verses from section 93 that teach truths about the Savior (see verses 3, 12, 21, 26) and another set that teaches something similar about ourselves (see verses 20, 23, 28–29). Family members could take turns picking a card from each set, reading the verses, and trying to find truths that match. How do these truths influence how we feel about the Savior and about ourselves?

Doctrine and Covenants 93:12–13, 20.What does it mean to receive “grace for grace” and to continue “from grace to grace”? (verses 12–13). What do these verses suggest about the way we grow and learn? How does knowing this affect the way we treat others—and ourselves?

Doctrine and Covenants 93:24.Read the definition of truth found in this verse, and invite family members to share something from section 93 that they consider to be a priceless truth. What other definitions of truth do we find in John 14:6; Jacob 4:13; or a hymn about truth, such as “Oh Say, What Is Truth?” (Hymns, no. 272).

Doctrine and Covenants 93:40.Perhaps when you read this verse, your family could sing a song about learning at home, such as “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (Children’s Songbook, 177). Small children might enjoy making up actions to go with the words. What do you feel inspired to do to invite more “light and truth” into your home?

Doctrine and Covenants 93:41–50.Counsel together as a family about what may not be “right in your house.” What can we do to “set in order [our] house”? (verses 43–44).

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, 2–3.

Improving Our Learning

Read more than once. You may choose to read Doctrine and Covenants 93 more than once during the week. Each time you read, you may notice that different truths stand out to you or inspire you in a new way. Reading multiple times will also provide opportunities for you to ponder more deeply.

Image
Jesus Christ

Light and Truth, by Simon Dewey