D&C 6–9

Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.

Monday

• Commentary: Section 6 Context (Steven C. Harper)
• Scripture: D&C 6:1–13
• KnoWhy 145: Why Was a Stone Used as an Aid in Translating the Book of Mormon?

Tuesday

• Scripture: D&C 6:14–27
• Bio: Oliver Cowdery by Susan Easton Black
• KnoWhy 270: How Important was Oliver Cowdery in Bringing Forth the Book of Mormon?

Wednesday

• Scripture: D&C 6:28–37
• Quote: In a season of increasing tumult in the world, those increases in testimony have driven out doubt and fear and have brought us feelings of peace. Heeding President Monson’s counsel has had two other wonderful effects on me: First, the Spirit he promised has produced a sense of optimism about what lies ahead, even as the commotion in the world seems to increase. And, second, the Lord has given me—and you—an even greater feeling of His love for those in distress. We have felt an increase in the desire to go to the rescue of others. That desire has been at the heart of President Monson’s ministry and teaching.
  The Lord promised love for others and courage to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when the tasks ahead of them could have seemed overwhelming. The Lord said that needed courage would come from their faith in Him as their rock:
  “Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
  “Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
  “Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
  “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
  “Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.”
  The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson’s invitation to plant in our hearts a testimony of Jesus Christ, we gain the power, the desire, and the courage to go to the rescue of others without concern for our own needs.
  Henry B. Eyring, “Fear Not to do Good,” General Conference October 2017.
• Video: Behold My Wounds – John Hilton III (D&C 6)

Further Reading

• KnoWhy 521: Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See What They Claimed?

Thursday

• Scripture: D&C 7:1–8
• Commentary: Section 7 Context (Steven C. Harper)
• Quote: The Apostle John asked the Lord if he, John, might remain on the earth beyond the normal span of life for no other purpose than to bring more souls unto God. In granting that wish, the Savior said that this was “a greater work” and a nobler “desire” even than that of desiring to come into the presence of the Lord “speedily.”
  Like all prophets and apostles, the Prophet Joseph Smith understood the deep meaning of John’s request when he said, “After all that has been said, [our] greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.” I bear witness of that gospel and of Jesus Christ, who embodied it. I testify that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” and that saving those souls through the redeeming Atonement of His Beloved Son is at the very heart of His work and His glory. In pursuing that work I testify with Jeremiah that this last great missionary declaration to modern Israel will, in the end, be a greater miracle than ancient Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea. That we will courageously and enthusiastically share the miracle of this message, I pray in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
  Jeffrey R. Holland, “Witnesses Unto Me,“ General Conference April 2001.
• Video: A Prophet’s Revelation – Casey Griffiths (D&C 6–9)

Friday

• Commentary: Section 8 Context, Steven C. Haprer.
• Scripture: D&C 8:1–5
• KnoWhy 273: Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle?
• Quote: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery gained valuable experience with the spirit of revelation as they translated the Book of Mormon. These brethren learned they could receive whatever knowledge was necessary to complete their work if they asked in faith, with an honest heart, believing they would receive. And over time they increasingly understood the spirit of revelation typically functions as thoughts and feelings that come into our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. As the Lord instructed them: “Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it.”
  I emphasize the phrase “apply unto it” in relation to the spirit of revelation. In the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost frequently is described as “a still small voice” and a “voice of perfect mildness.” Because the Spirit whispers to us gently and delicately, it is easy to understand why we should shun inappropriate media, pornography, and harmful, addictive substances and behaviors. These tools of the adversary can impair and eventually destroy our capacity to recognize and respond to the subtle messages from God delivered by the power of His Spirit. Each of us should consider seriously and ponder prayerfully how we can reject the devil’s enticements and righteously “apply unto it,” even the spirit of revelation, in our personal lives and families.
  David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation,” General Conference April 2011.

Saturday

• Commentary: Section 9 Context, Steven C. Harper
• Scripture: D&C 9:1–6
• KnoWhy 506: Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormon’s Translation So “Marvelous”?

Sunday

• Scripture: D&C 9:7–14
• Quote: The correct relationship between study and faith in the receipt of sacred knowledge is illustrated in Oliver Cowdery’s attempt to translate ancient records. He failed because he “took no thought,” but only asked God. The Lord told him he should have “stud[ied] it out in [his] mind” and then asked if it was right. Only then would the Lord reveal whether the translation was correct or not. And only on receiving that revelation could the text be written, because “you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.” In the acquisition of sacred knowledge, scholarship and reason are not alternatives to revelation. They are a means to an end, and the end is revelation from God.
  Dallin H. Oaks, “Alternate Voices,” General Conference April 1989.
• Commentary: At an 1834 conference when Hyrum Smith asked Joseph Smith to tell the story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Joseph told the assembled group “that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things.”  In later histories, Joseph did relate the historical details surrounding the translation, but of the translation process itself he simply stated, “Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift, and power of God.”
  Of the people involved in the translation of the Book of Mormon, both Joseph and Oliver died fairly young and left behind only a few reminiscences about the process. It can be frustrating that the two people most involved in the translation process are the ones from which we have the least amount of information. At the same time, it is clear that both men sincerely saw the process as anything but a normal translation; rather, they saw the process as one that came through the divine power of God. The strength given to Joseph (verse 12) came not of his learning or his own understanding. It was a divine gift he received to carry out a divine, inspired process.
  Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute, D&C 9:12–14.
• Video: God’s Mysterious Ways – Taylor Halverson (D&C 9)