Table of Contents
SECTION 106
Section 106 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, November 25, 1834. This revelation is directed to Warren A. Cowdery, an older brother of Oliver Cowdery.
n this revelation the Lord called Warren A. Cowdery, an older brother of Oliver Cowdery and a recent convert to the Church, to preside over the growing number of Saints in Freedom, New York, and the surrounding area. The Lord also promised Warren great blessings for his faithful service.
SECTION 107
Section 107 This section was associated with the organization of the Quorum of the Twelve in February and March 1835. The Prophet likely delivered it in the presence of those who were preparing to depart May 3, 1835, on their first quorum mission.
Doctrine and Covenant Stories “Chapter 37: Priesthood Leaders”
At first glance, Doctrine and Covenants 107 might seem to be only about organizing priesthood offices into a leadership structure for the Lord’s Church. Indeed, by the time this revelation was published, Church membership was already outgrowing the capacity of the few leaders it had in place. So outlining the roles and responsibilities of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, the Seventy, bishops, and quorum presidencies was surely needed and helpful. But there’s so much more to the divine instruction in section 107 than just how to organize priesthood offices and quorums. Here the Lord teaches us about an ancient priesthood order that was “instituted in the days of Adam” (verse 41). Its purpose from the beginning has been to make it possible for God’s children—including you—to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel and enjoy “all the spiritual blessings of the church—to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, [and] to have the heavens opened unto them” (verses 18–19).
See “Restoring the Ancient Order,” Revelations in Context,208–12.
President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles acknowledged this: “Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He [Jesus Christ] would do if He were present” (“The Power of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 7).
Jesus Christ blesses me through His priesthood power.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–20
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- As you and your children read together Doctrine and Covenants 107:18–19, emphasize the phrase “all the spiritual blessings.” Perhaps you and your children could list blessings that come from the priesthood. You might make a game of it—see who can make the longest list.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 84”
- Your children could also draw or find pictures to represent these blessings (see this week’s activity page). You could then talk about how priesthood ordinances (like baptism or the sacrament) help us receive God’s blessings. Draw on the board or show the picture that represents “the heavens [being] opened unto [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:19) because of the priesthood (such as light rays shining through a cloud). Give the children pictures representing blessings that come from the priesthood, such as baptism, the sacrament, and the temple. Invite them to share why they are thankful for the blessing in their picture, and let them put their picture in the light rays on the board. Bear testimony that we can have these blessings because Heavenly Father restored the priesthood.
“Blessings of the Priesthood Are Available to All” (October 2012 Liahona and Friend)
An explanation of priesthood ordinances. Includes a fill-in-the-blank activity and a coloring page.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 106-108”
- Make a path on the floor, and give the children pictures of priesthood ordinances they will need so they can follow the path back to Heavenly Father (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 103–8, 119–20). Help the children put the ordinances in order on the path.
Friend July 2021 “Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness”
- Show a picture of Adam and Eve with their family (see this week’s activity page or Gospel Art Book, no. 5). As children look at the picture, ask them how Adam and Eve seem to feel about their family. Use Doctrine and Covenants 107:53–56 to share with the children what Adam did to show he loved his family. Bear your testimony about how the priesthood has been a blessing to you and your family.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 106-108”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 106-108”
- Write questions that could be answered in Doctrine and Covenants 107:1–8, 13–14, 18–20, such as “What is another name for the Melchizedek Priesthood?” Give the children a few minutes to find answers in the verses to as many of the questions as they can. Share with the children the blessings you have received through the priesthood.
- Read with the children about Melchizedek below or in the Bible Dictionary or Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What do we learn from his life about what it means to exercise priesthood authority?
Friend April 1994 “Melchizedek”
As a child, Melchizedek lived surrounded by very wicked people. They “waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness.” And yet Melchizedek was filled with faith; “he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.” He eventually became not only the high priest to his people but also their king, ruling under his father.
As a result of his own worthiness, Melchizedek was able to exercise great power in teaching his people to turn to righteousness, to change their lives. As they listened to his words, their hearts were softened and they repented. He “did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days.”
Their city was called Salem, which comes from a Hebrew word that means “peace” or “perfection,” and Melchizedek became known as “the prince of peace.” In Hebrew his name means “King of Righteousness.”
Melchizedek was a great high priest “after the order of the Son of God.” Those ordained to this order of the priesthood have a most important work to do. We know, for example, that Melchizedek received tithes and offerings from the faithful, such as Abraham; that he kept “the storehouse of God,” where the “tithes for the poor” were held; that he gave blessings, preached repentance, and administered the ordinances of the gospel to his people so that they could repent and receive a remission of their sins. He did this work with such faith and such goodness that of all God’s ancient high priests, “none were greater.”
Up to the time of Melchizedek, the priesthood he held was called “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.” But to avoid using God’s sacred name too frequently, and to honor this faithful high priest, it became known from his time forth as the Melchizedek Priesthood.
For additional teaching ideas see Priesthood and Ordinances and Resources for Teaching Children “Priesthood”
The Lord’s chosen servants lead His Church.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:21–26, 33–35, 91–92
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 106-108”
- Every conference issue of the Liahona includes a page of pictures of the General Authorities. Consider looking at these pictures with your children as you read about their responsibilities in Doctrine and Covenants 107:21–26, 33–35, 91–92 (or you could invite them to write on the board what they learn about these responsibilities). You and your children could talk about why you are grateful the Lord has given them these responsibilities.
- Your children can learn more about the Lord’s servants at “General Church Leadership” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Maybe each of your children could learn about one of these leaders and teach each other about him or her. Share with each other how you know that these leaders are true servants of Jesus Christ.
- After reading Doctrine and Covenants 107:22 together, you and your children could take turns holding up a picture of the First Presidency and sharing ways you can sustain them as the Lord’s servants.
- Write the words confidence, faith, and prayer on the board. Ask the children how we can uphold the First Presidency of the Church with our confidence, faith, and prayer (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:22). Why is it important to sustain the Lord’s chosen servants?
Liahona March 2021 “What does “common consent” mean in the Church?”
When members receive callings or priesthood ordinations in the Church, we have the opportunity to formally sustain them by raising our right hands as a show of support. The principle of demonstrating public support and agreement is called common consent. As President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “The procedure of sustaining is much more than a ritualistic raising of the hand. It is a commitment to uphold, to support, to assist those who have been selected” (“This Work Is Concerned with People,” Ensign, May 1995, 51).
Sustaining is a chance to show and give our support and to acknowledge the will of God.
Learn and Do Duty with Diligence
Doctrine and Covenants 107:99–100.
Give a family member written instructions for a household task, and invite him or her to choose how to do the task: diligently, slothfully, or without reading the instructions. Let the rest of the family watch him or her do the task and guess which approach the family member chose. Then let other family members have a turn. Why does the Lord need us to both learn our duties and do them with all diligence? (See Becky Craven, “Careful versus Casual,” Ensign or Liahona,May 2019, 9–11.)
SECTION 108
Section 108 This section was received at the request of Lyman Sherman, who had previously been ordained a seventy and who had come to the Prophet with a request for a revelation to make known his duty.
I can be careful in living my covenants.
3 And arise up and be more careful henceforth in observing your vows, which you have made and do make, and you shall be blessed with exceeding great blessings.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- To start a conversation about this verse, you could invite your children to do something that requires careful attention, like filling a cup without spilling. What happens when we are not careful?
- Then you could read Doctrine and Covenants 108:3 to find out what the Lord wants us to do carefully.
- What “vows” (promises or covenants) do we make with God?
List with the children the promises they make with Heavenly Father when they are baptized and partake of the sacrament.
Friend February 2019 “The Baptism Covenant” Cut out and mix up these cards. Then take turns matching cards that go together. With each match, talk about that part of the baptism covenant.
- Help the children think of ways they can be careful about observing these promises.
Friend September 2021 “Trying to Help Like Jesus” The prophet said the Lord loves effort, so Emilie tries hard to follow Jesus. She helps her mom and brothers, she prays for others, she tries to set good examples, and she tries to do the things she learns at church.
- You might share parts of Sister Becky Craven’s message “Careful versus Casual” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 9–11) . Give the children portions of Sister Becky Craven’s talk “Careful versus Casual” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 9–11) that you feel could inspire your children to keep their covenants. Ask them to share something that inspires them to be more careful about living their covenants.
- You could sing a song with the children about keeping covenants, such as “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162) If time allows, help them make a sign with a phrase from the song that reminds them to keep their covenants, and encourage them to display their sign at home.
I Can Strengthen Others.
7 Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.
- Draw a person on the board, and ask the children to name some things the person could do to become physically stronger. (You might draw bigger muscles on the person as the children name things.) Read Doctrine and Covenants 108:7, and ask the children to listen for ways we can “strengthen [our] brethren [and sisters].” Explain any words that might be difficult.
- Help the children think of people they know who may need strengthening. What could we say to them or do for them? Work together to make cards for these people, or encourage the children to remember them in their personal and family prayers.
How can we strengthen each other in our conversations? in our prayers? in our exhortations, or encouragement? in all our doings? You might choose one of these to work on as a family.
In Conversation
Friend October 2019 “Words Matter” The words we say make a big difference. Trace your finger along the lines to see how the words you say can make others feel. Also, make some kind notes to give to others.
In Prayers
Friend March 2020 “Praying for Uncle Dan” At bedtime Isabelle’s family prayed together. They always started by talking about people who might need extra blessings. This time dad asked them to pray for Uncle Dan who had lost his job. Every day they prayed for him, and eventually he started making progress in finding a new job.
Friend September 2019 “Praying Like Alma” Joplin got hit by a tornado and Isaac wants to go help, but he’s too young. While learning about Alma’s prayer for his son, Isaac got the idea to pray for the people of Joplin. He said prayers for them everyday.
In Your Exhortations
Friend July 2020 “Kind Enough to Speak Up” Charlie’s friend was mean to people and called them names. Charlie talked to his friend about it and he agreed to stop being mean.
Friend February 2018 “Standing up for Church” Easton is surprised when kids in his international school class laugh when a boy says he goes to church. He decides to do his family identity presentation on church so that others would see why it’s important and not silly.
In Your Doings
Latter Day Kids “Strengthening Others” Lesson, story, and activity ideas to go along with below video.
Additional Resources:
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Lyman Sherman
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: Warren A. Cowdery
- Quorums of the Seventy
- Quorum of the Twelve
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
The Red Crystal Lesson ideas
