Lesson 87 Doctrine and Covenants 84:43–61

Doctrine and Covenants 84:43–53

The Lord teaches the importance of giving heed to the word of God

Book of Mormon: Messages from Heaven

What are some challenges you face in trying to study the scriptures each day?

Why do you choose to study the scriptures even though it can be hard to do at times?

Please, read Doctrine and Covenants 84:43–44 silently and identify words and phrases that teach the importance of studying and applying the word of the Lord.

What words and phrases did you find that teach the importance of studying and applying the word of the Lord?

How to Get More Out of Your Scripture Study

Doctrine and Covenants 84:45–46

45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

What words and phrases did you find?

If we give diligent heed to the word of God, then …

we will be enlightened through the Spirit of Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:45–46

Based on what you found in verses 45–46, how would you complete the statement on the board?

45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

The Light of Christ is “an influence for good in the lives of all people. … [However,] the Light of Christ should not be confused with the Holy Ghost. It is not a personage, as the Holy Ghost is” (True to the Faith [2004], 96). The Light of Christ is within each person and provides a “knowledge of right and wrong, [or] moral sense, or conscience.” It “can direct us to moderate our actions—unless, that is, we subdue it or silence it” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Light of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2005, 9).

Study the Book of Mormon

I don't have time to study the scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 84:47–48

47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.

48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.

In addition to having the Light of Christ, individuals can receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost after they enter into the covenant of baptism. Through this gift they can receive additional light and be guided back to the presence of the Father to receive eternal life.

According to verse 47, how will we be blessed if we hearken to the Spirit of Jesus Christ?

According to verse 48, what will the Father do as we come unto Him?

In verse 48, we read that the Father will teach us not only for our sakes but also for the sake of the whole world. What does this mean to you?

Doctrine and Covenants 84:49–53

49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.

50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.

51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.

52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.

53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.

Who is in darkness?

Why are they in darkness?

Doctrine and Covenants 84:54–61

The Lord chastens the Saints for treating the Book of Mormon lightly

Doctrine and Covenants 84:54–56

54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—

55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.

56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.

According to verse 54, why had the minds of Church members been darkened?

What does it mean to treat something lightly?

Doctrine and Covenants 84:57

57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—

What had the Saints been treating lightly?

According to what you have learned from verses 54–58, what consequences will we face if we treat the word of God lightly?

What did the Lord say the Saints needed to do in addition to repenting for having treated His words lightly?

How would you summarize what the Lord wants us to do with the Book of Mormon?

Book of Mormon: Testimonies