April 20, 2025, 12:00 PM MDT
This week’s “Come, Come, Follow Me” research guide covers Doctrines and Contracts 37-40, including revelation given to James Kobel through Joseph Smith.
Below are some quotes from past and present church leaders regarding these sections of the Doctrine and Covenant.
Doctrine and Contract 37
“After the church was organized in April 1830, persecution halted the growth of the church in New York, and the number of members increased in neighbouring Ohio. In the winter, a revelation ordered members of the church to “go to Ohio” and gathered there with saints (Doctrine and Covenant 37:1).
“Lucy (Mac Smith) and dozens of saints responded to the command of the revelation, and traveled by boat to Lake Erie on the Erie Canal, then crossed the lake to Ohio.
“Lucy begged the saints to pray that the ice would break and they could continue their journey. At that moment, a noise of “thunder like bursts” was heard, leaving a narrow passage for the boat that had been closed earlier than the boat passed (‘Lucy Mac Smith, History (1845), thank you for the prayer of the Holy Man. Rescue.”
– Sharalyn D. Howcroft, Church History Department, January 2021 Liahona article “Lucy Max Miss: A Faithful Witness”
Doctrine and Contract 38
“The true followers of Jesus Christ long for peace and actively seek to build a different kind of society — based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. For this purpose, the Lord accused us of “You are not mine.”
“Each of us will respect his brother as ourselves” (D&C 38:24). If we are the Lord’s people and united, we must not only treat each other equally, but we must feel equal to each other.
– President Russell M. Nelson’s article, “Patterns for the Unity of Jesus Christ” in October 2024
“Rely on God. When we ask him to have real intentions, he reveals God’s assignments to us. When we discover them, he helps us to fulfill those assignments.
– Elder John C. Pingley Jr., Directorate General 70, October 2017 General Meeting, “I’m working for you.”
“While a priesthood holder is not inherently superior to others, one should act differently. A priesthood holder should not only receive a priesthood right, but also become a valuable and faithful conduit of God’s power.
– Elder David A. Bednar of the quorum of the 12 Apostles, General Conference, April 2012, “The Power of Heaven”
“As the gospel is preached and the church is organized, there is an inexhaustive supply of faithful brothers and sisters who will be willing to answer their testimony and call for service.
“This principle sets the church on a course that is different from all other Christian churches in the world. We find ourselves in an extraordinary position of having an infinite supply of teachers and leaders between our nations and people in the world, as well as the people of the same family, tongues and people.
– The late President Boyd K. Packer, then 12 representative presidents of the apostle quarter, General Conference in October 2007, “The Church’s weak and simple”
“In the early days of the restoration, new members gathered to create Zion. Shion was both a place and purpose. We no longer gather in the same way. Our branches and wards are now our Zion. But they only accept the spirit of Zion when the members are careful of each other. Ask for forgiveness.
– Sister Kathleen H. Hughes, the first counselor of the Relief Society’s General Presidency, said, “What can we know: Friends like Christ.”
“Women who follow the maternal covenant know whether motherhood is earlier or later. Whether they are dead here or not, they know whether they are single, married, or left to take responsibility for their parents, and they have accepted them” (Hebrews 11:13). ”
– Sister Julie B. Beck and then the first counselor for the young female general, April 2004 General Conference “Mother’s Heart”
“In one of the early meetings of the Church, held on January 2, 1831, the Lord gave the Prophet Joseph Smith a vision through revelation how he appreciated the land he had created for his children.
“And I have enriched the planet, and see that it is my footstool, so I will stand up to it again.
“And I will stand up and resign to give you great wealth, the promised land, even land flowing with milk and honey.
“‘And I will give it to you for the land of your inheritance if you seek it in your heart.
“And this will be my contract with you, you have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the eternal inheritance of your children, the earth will stand, and you will own it forever again, and you shall not die any more.
“The Lord blessed us with a promised land to enjoy while we are on human probation. The earthly nation could be a blessing for his children here if we continue in His path.
“The best way I know to contribute to the land where I live is to prepare for the future. The Lord has promised that if we are not prepared, we should not be afraid of us (see Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).
– The late Elder L. Tom Perry, then a member of the quorum of the 12 Apostles, October 1998 General Conference, “Youth Elderly Young”
“This is a glorious time to live, become younger, face an exciting future. But it is also a very threatening and terrifying time. If you are not ready, see Doctrine and Contract 38:30, if you are ready.
– The late sister Ardes G. Cup, then young female general president, October 1990 General Conference, “Cricket can be destroyed by spirituality.”
“It is important to note the desire that Satan must own us, but we do not need to live in fear. In the doctrine and covenant, “If ye should not be afraid” (38:30).
– Sister Mikaen P. Grasli, General President in October 1989, and subsequent major general presidents, “Follow him.”
Doctrine and Contract 39
“In a revelation to James Corbel, the Lord said to him, “You may thrive and prosper on the hill, so that you will work in my vineyards, and that you will build my church, and create Zion” (D&C 39:13).
– Elder Jorge F. Zeboros, Seventy Seventy in the January 2025 article, “Establishment of the Kingdom of God.”
“The accusations and responsibilities that these self-committed saints had to themselves evolved as depicted in the revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, as depicted as depicted as depicted as depicted as revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Gospel – repentance and baptism through water, and the baptism of the fire and the Holy Spirit, and even all, and teach the peace of the kingdom” (Teaching Doctrine and Covenant 39:6).
“Following the acceptance of the gospel, Brother Corbel was accused of fulfilling the uncompromising obligations of all of us today. As the Lord says, “If you do this, I have prepared you for a greater task. 39:11) And here, “And you will be with you, with you, and you will go before your face” (go before your face.”
“What James is saying here in this distribution is that the Church is only nine months old and now has equal power in us. And the incredible, powerful repetition of the promises made by the Savior during his earthly ministry. An intimate circle of our family.”
– The late Elder Joseph B. Worthlin, then the assistant of the 12 Council at the General Conference in April 1976, “I’m in the middle of them.”
Doctrine and Contract 40
“As a partial self-assessment of our spiritual precedent position, how do we act when we attend church meetings? …We have a ‘I’ve heard it all’ mentality.
“A prominent early investigator of the restored church, who had covened to obey the orders that the Lord gave to him, said, “And he was willing to receive the words, but straight away Satan seduced him… and he rejected him” (D&C 40:2). Contract 41:5). ”
– Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, 70 years old at the time, General Meeting of the October 2007 “Do it now”
