Welcome to the Come Follow Me podcast for teens and for parents of teens. A podcast to supplement your weekly study of the Come Follow Me curriculum. with thoughts, ideas, principles, stories and questions all geared towards helping teenagers better follow Christ through their teenage years. Hey everybody, welcome once again to another edition of the Come Follow Me for Teens podcast. As always, I'm your host Josh Downs and...
This week we're going to be taking a look at Doctrine and Covenants sections 12 through 17 upon you my fellow servants. Basically in this week's study we get to take a look at the beginning of the restoration of the priesthood which... is obviously absolutely paramount to being able to perform the ordinances that god has in store for
all of us for his children to perform to experience and to have in our lives in order for us to better walk the covenant path the background of this week's study is as follows most people around the world have probably never heard of harmony pennsylvania The Lord often chooses humble places for the most significant events in His kingdom.
There's a great pattern, I think, and even lesson for us to learn that. In a wooded area near Harmony on May 15, 1829, John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He placed his hands on their head and conferred the arrival of Joseph Smith. John the Baptist was the trusted servant of God who baptized the Savior and prepared the way for His coming.
to these two young men in their twenties it must have been humbling perhaps even overwhelming to be called john's fellow servants at the time joseph and oliver were relatively unknown much as harmony was But service in God's work has always been about how we serve, not about who notices. However small or unseen your contribution may seem at times, you too are a fellow servant in the Lord's great and marvelous work. Gosh, I just really, really love that.
introduction, you guys, because we live in a world that sends pretty much the opposite message to every one of us, that life is designed to be noticed, that we are meant to be noticed and to live in the limelight. We need to show everything and share everything so that people People see us because that's what is going to help us to feel of worth and feel validated as a person when it really is just the opposite in terms of heaven and the way that things work.
While Joseph and Oliver were translating the Book of Mormon, the thing that brought this about is they came across some passages of Scripture that mentioned baptism for the remission of sins. And so this led them on a certain day there in May of 1829 into the... woods to pray concerning the Lord's will regarding baptism. And it was while they were praying that John the Baptist, as a messenger from heaven, descended and laid his hands upon their head, ordaining them to the Aaronic priesthood.
And with that, the priesthood was once again restored to the earth. And we have John's words in delivering and restoring the priesthood to Joseph and Oliver in section 13. of the doctrine covenants it's one verse so it's very simple there's a couple things in this section a couple phrases that i really would like to to focus on for this week's study the verse basically reads as this.
Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels and the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. And this shall never be taken again. Now one of the things that you'll see in some of the other...
I don't know, podcasts or Come Follow Me Study materials is a discussion about priesthood keys and what they are. And that's very important to understand. I kind of just, I'd like to simplify it and just look at them almost as like the keys to... unlocking a door in your home or the keys to your car. We need those keys in order to access whatever it is that they are a part of, whether it's to start a car and generate that energy and power.
in the engine or just opening a door and entering a place that you want to go to or be in that provides shelter and comfort. The same is true with priesthood keys. They really are designed to be able to kind of turn. the powers of heaven on in our behalf to open up areas that can bring safety and peace and help prepare us to become more like
Heavenly Father, and eventually live with Him again. And that's why those keys are so important. Just without them, we don't have that opportunity to be able to access to the same level that power, the places that we need in life to provide. all that the priesthood can provide for us. So they're very important. And then the other aspect is that they really provide kind of direction and order in God's kingdom. Everything is kind of run and governed by keys.
holds keys, holds keys to specific responsibilities or areas within the church and within God's kingdom. It helps make sure that God's house is not a house of confusion, but a house of order. Now you can look a little bit... in more depth regarding what those are and how exactly they work but
For this week's study, I just really wanted to keep it very simple and focus on a couple of these key phrases in here that I feel like are really helpful and important, especially to young people. And the phrase that I really love... probably the most from all of this, is what John the Baptist uses as was referred to in the background of this week's study.
The word and phrase that he referred to is his relationship with Joseph and Oliver, which is the phrase that, again, is the theme for this week, which is upon you, my fellow servants. I just, I really love... the simplicity of that phrase and what it teaches and how it kind of comes into alignment with how the priesthood was restored in a very relatively unknown place to some very
unknown people at the time that's just how god works this phrase upon you my fellow servants echoes the savior's teaching that if any man desire to be first the same shall be last of all and the servant of all see even in the restoration of the priesthood god is teaching that principle that in order to be first in god's kingdom We need to be okay being last and the servant of all. It's not about the recognition. It's not about the limelight.
which is exactly what this phrase teaches upon you, my fellow servants, and is what is exactly the opposite to what the world teaches today. I love that John the Baptist, the man who baptized Christ, who was... meant to prepare the way for the savior that he refers to joseph and oliver again two untrained inexperienced young men who are just trying to figure things out as they went as his fellow servants
Again, unlike in the world, there is no jockeying for position or for power or for fame or fortune when it comes to heaven. All are alike unto God. And so all need to be alike unto us. The ability to see others in this way is a gift. The ability to see ourselves in this way is also a gift. It develops and cultivates the element of humility.
really contentment with those things that have been allotted to us. It helps to... provide kind of a space to celebrate others successes without envy and jealousy it removes the element of competition and comparison And this view gives space for you, again, to be content with the things which God has allotted to you, to have and to do in your life, whatever that may be. Which also means that...
What you do and what you have, when you think this way, no longer defines who you are. Instead, what defines who you are is who you are doing it for. That's what takes the front seat in everything. There's a wonderful poem that I came across in going through some of my old grandmother's keepsakes, some of her journals and things that she kind of held on to throughout her life that I really love that teaches this important principle.
The poem is titled, Brighten the Corner Where You Are, and it reads like this. We cannot all be famous or be listed in who's who, but every person, great or small, has an important work to do. For seldom do we realize the importance of small deeds, or to what degree of greatness unnoticed kindness leads. For it is not the big celebrity in a world of fame and praise, but its doing unpretentiously in
in undistinguished ways. The work that God assigned to us, unimportant as it seems, that makes our task outstanding and brings reality to dreams. So do not sit and idly wish for wider new dimensions where you can put in practice your many good intentions.
But at the spot God placed you, begin at once to do little things, to brighten up the lives surrounding you. For if everybody brightened up the spot on which they're standing, by being more considerate and a little less demanding this old dark world would very soon eclipse the evening star if everybody brightened up the corner where they are
Isn't that beautiful? Again, I love poems. I love the way they kind of teach these kind of concepts and messages in just a fun way. But a beautiful way of just teaching this concept of... We don't need to always be in the limelight. There's something good about accepting our role, young people, and doing our best in it no matter what it is.
Captain Moroni, as an example, was one that was in the spotlight quite a bit in the Book of Mormon. He's talked about often, all throughout the war chapters. But... in a very powerful verse and a verse that's become one of my favorites and a reminder to me and really to everyone else of this principle we're talking about mormon records this he says now behold helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was moroni there were many men that were just as important
that did just as much, that were no less serviceable to the people and to the cause as Moroni was. But they just weren't mentioned. We don't read very much about their names. And that's okay. They are okay with that. President Hunter gave a wonderful talk that I would recommend everyone read, especially as a young person. because i know what you're up against i know how common it is
to want to be seen, to want attention. That's very natural. And in the world we're living in today, it seems like that's what it's all about. Everything is driving and pushing us to be seen more, to be bigger, to be better. to be recognized. And I'm telling you, that's against the order of heaven. And in many ways can lead to some real spiritual dangers. Listen to what President Hunter teaches about this concept of being no less serviceable.
but just as impactful, although maybe not as easily seen or recognized. And in this talk, he is actually speaking to a group of young people that have just left high school and are coming into college for the first time, who are probably feeling a little overwhelmed and just lost in something so big as college. In speaking about this, he says, unless I miss my guess, some of you are going to feel a little lost this coming year, perhaps a little lonely and forgotten.
That may be especially true of the freshmen or maybe those just back from missions or those facing other changes in their patterns of life. Not everyone at school is going to be the student body president or the Relief Society president. or the teacher of the elders quorum. Not all of you are going to be like Moroni, catching the acclaim of your colleagues all day, every day.
No, most of you will be quiet, relatively unknown folks who come and go and do their work without fanfare. To those of you who may find that lonely or frightening or just unspectacular, I say you are no less serviceable than the most spectacular of your associates. You too are a part of God's army.
understandably enough the quarterback he said is often given more attention and media coverage than the other players but his skill learning and efforts would be of little value if the other players did not do their share and play their part. Imagine what would happen if on each play of the game, the guard or one of the other offensive linemen walked off the field or laid down on the job or gave up his effort to protect the quarterback.
What if the rest of the team decided not to put forth their very best effort? The answer of course is obvious. The quarterback could contribute nothing to the success of the team. did you hear that this is important for you guys to understand and recognize like the offensive linemen and other unsung heroes on the football team Most of us, including most of you, may spend much of your life in giving service in relative obscurity. Consider the profound service of a mother or father.
what they give in the quiet anonymity of a worthy latter-day saint home think of the gospel doctrine teachers and primary choristers and scoutmasters and relief society visiting teachers who serve and bless millions but whose names will never be publicly applauded or featured in the nation's media. I think we should be aware that there can be a spiritual danger to those who misunderstand the singularity of always being in the spotlight.
They may come to covet the notoriety and thus forget the significance of the service being rendered. As students, you are at a crucial juncture in your lives when life-shaping judgments are made and future courses set. He said you must not allow yourselves to focus on the fleeting light of popularity or substitute that attractive glow for the substance of true but often anonymous labor.
that brings the attention of God even if it does not get coverage on the six o'clock news. In fact, applause and attention can become the spiritual Achilles heel of even the most gifted among us. As I've been kind of studying a little bit of this this week, I remember coming across an article a while ago that said, for the first time ever, the number one job that most young people aspire to is no longer something like a doctor or a surgeon or a business CEO or anything like that.
it's a social media influencer this is what you so many young people are striving for today this is what they think will bring true lasting success and happiness and fulfillment in life But it doesn't. Those kinds of experiences are really shallow and hollow and fleeting.
uh that fulfillment or success really only lasts as long as as the number of likes come in and it is a constant effort to chase those things over and over and over again you see that in social media you see that just in general media uh celebrity always chasing the limelight, trying to do the next big thing to get and to gain people's attention and adoration.
And that kind of approach to life can become absolutely suffocating to true joy, to true happiness, and to the spirit that is inside of us. One of the best things you can do at a young age, young people, is to learn to just be content with whatever experiences and opportunities God places in front of you to, in effect, brighten whatever corner you are in. Just do your best. to bring light and joy to those around you in whatever space or capacity.
that you have the opportunity to do that in. That's what will bring you lasting joy and fulfillment in your life. I have been so blessed and so grateful for those that have been in my life that have just quietly served. lifted me up and guided and directed me all throughout my life. From the deacon's quorum advisors that I've had, my bishops, my scoutmasters, my Sunday school teachers, let alone my parents or other school teachers that I've had.
They have all played a huge part in the building of my life. And although none of them have gotten critical acclaim or recognition for those things that they've done, I will be eternally grateful for everything that they have done for me in the quiet acts of service that have gone into shaping my life.
And I know that if you can adopt this mindset, even at a young age, that you don't need the limelight, you don't need the attention to be happy, that you just focus on being content with whatever opportunities God places before you, and that you take them and just simply... brighten whatever corner you're in, you will find great happiness, great joy and great fulfillment in that thing.
in that experience in that opportunity whatever it is and you'll find that without the need for recognition and the praise of the world now some journal and discussion questions for you on this principles number one What do you personally like about that phrase upon you, my fellow servants? Is there something that resonates with you in it? And how can craving the spotlight and attention lead to spiritual challenges and to pride?
What can help us to remain humble even when experiencing attention and success, which at times you might? How can we direct the praise to God instead of to ourselves? How can you learn to be content with whatever it is that God has in store for you to do or to have? And how can you remember this principle when you don't feel like anyone is noticing all that you're doing?
To apply this, I would just maybe invite you to write, I don't know, of those that are in your life who have had a significant impact in your life without receiving significant attention. How has your life been blessed by them and by their quiet service? Now, for the second principle, there's another phrase that I want to kind of focus on in that verse, in section 13. And it comes following the first phrase, Upon you, my fellow servants.
He goes on to say, John the Baptist does, that in the name of Messiah I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels. I want to focus on that for just a moment because young people, I want to share a little bit with you about the reality of the ministering of angels. You need to know and believe that you are not. And will never be alone in the things that you experience and go through in life.
Now, young men, you hold the keys through the Aaronic Priesthood to the ministering of angels, meaning that you have the power and the right to call for heavenly help when you or others need it. And young women, please know that you also have every opportunity and right to also call for that heavenly help and assistance as well. I don't know all the reasons why the priesthood is delegated to men. I personally believe that men probably need a little bit more.
of a push to develop the capacity to serve that just comes so naturally to women that could be a part of it but prophets have taught that any woman that has a need any girl that has a need has every right to access and to ask for heaven's help, as anyone with the priesthood does. So please keep that in mind for yourself. One of the best places that I've come to learn about the ministering of angels has been from Elder Holland.
For whatever reason, he has really spoken at length about the reality of angels and our opportunity to be blessed, influenced, and guided, and directed, and empowered by them. It's one of the talks that he gave. He talked a little bit about this, and he said, from the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as his emissaries in conveying love and concern for his children.
he said time in this setting does not even allow a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day saint history which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth but it is rich doctrine and and rich history indeed. Usually such beings are not seen, sometimes they are, but seen or unseen, they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world.
Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn, but most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times. He said, And he then posed the question, what do we do to merit such a defense? Well, he said we are to search diligently, pray always and be believing. Then all things shall work together for our good.
If we walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith we have covenanted, the latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants. He said, so long as time shall last or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man or woman or child upon the face thereof to be saved.
On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone, in dark and dreary places. Often enough, that distress can be of our own making. But even then, the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.
He said, May we believe more readily in and have more gratitude for the Lord's promise as contained in one of President Monson's favorite scriptures, I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left. My spirit shall be in your heart and mine angels round about you to bear you up.
In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith, and the covenant wherewith we have covenanted. And I just... I wanted to focus on that because as I've gone around and met with young people and have spoken to young people, whether it was in schools or church settings or just individually,
Almost universally, there has been an expression of feeling alone, that no one understands what you're going through, or you don't feel like you have anywhere to turn or to go to for help. And I wanted to share this with you to help you to understand that that's not true. You are never alone. There literally are angels all around you at any given time.
to help and to direct and to lift. They are sent to you and I in moments of our greatest need, to comfort, to whisper peace as much as possible into our hearts and minds, and sometimes just to be near us.
in hopes that maybe we'll feel a little bit of heaven's steady hand guiding us through some of the more difficult and challenging things that we'll face and go through in our life. And you know, one of the things too is I've come to recognize... is sometimes those angels are sent to us as actual people.
There have been so many times I've had friends reach out to me just when I needed them most. Or a family member that has been at my side when I needed them. And a lot of times I haven't equated those kinds of experiences to... or with god but over time i've kind of learned like sometimes he doesn't just send us unseen angels that sometimes those that are there with us when we need them most
have found their way to us because of a prompting or a thought to check on us. And who's to say that God hasn't directed them to do just that because he knew we needed an angel. to comfort us and to be with us and going through some hard things. I believe in the reality of angels.
The prophet Nephi, in fact, on one occasion taught that angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore they speak the words of Christ. With that kind of understanding, Is it possible that sometimes the feelings of the Spirit, the whisperings of the Spirit, the words of the Spirit that enter our minds and hearts, is it possible that they at times could be delivered to us through angels?
And what angels would be more interested in our eternal welfare or well-being than those of our ancestors, family members even, that have passed on before? I know that if I were to pass away at any given time here in the future, that there's no better place or other place I would rather be. than trying to help my children, help my family members from the other side. Even if I wasn't able to directly speak to them or to comfort them, just trying to be near them or with them or doing what...
Whatever I was allowed to do in that sphere and space to be able to help is exactly what I would choose to be doing. And so I really believe that if the veil were to be moved at any given time, young people, that you would see. innumerable numbers of angels attending you, being with you, trying to bear you up as you go through some of life's
challenging experiences that I know you have gone through and that you will go through in your life. So I guess my hope is that in sharing some of this, that you also will choose to believe in the ministering of angels. which would help you to see how much God loves you, to send both those seen and unseen to be with you and support you as you walk the journey of life. Now, some general discussion questions to consider on this one might be,
How about why is it important to believe in the ministering of angels for you? How does it help you to know that you have access to help from angels? As a priest or holder, how does it... feel to know that you hold the keys to the ministering of angels? And how can you use those keys to bless the lives of others? How can you become an angel to others, for others? And who has been an angel to you in your life?
To apply this, I invite you to write down how you have felt God's love and support for you through another person, through an angel. And how has He sent these angels to you when you have needed them most?
For the last principle today, we're going to take a look at sections 15 and 16. In these sections, and in each of the verses that are in them, both John and Peter Whitmer... two of the eight witnesses, basically asked Joseph for direction from the Lord as far as what would be of most worth for them to do as a part of the restoration.
great question to ask something that i know i probably would have asked like what's the most important thing i can be doing here well the lord's answer is not only to them but really to all of us that want to know what is the most important thing for us to do
Not only in the Lord's work, but just in our lives in general. And so as you go through both of those sections, take a look and mark for yourself what the Lord's answer is for both of them. I think it's... pretty insightful that he delivers it not just to one person but to both almost word for word because it's important it's universally important to all of us
In section 15 verse 6 and in section 16 verse 6, it basically reads the same, which is, And now behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people. that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen. Now, honestly, young people, there really isn't much to say or to expound upon with these verses. The Lord is as simple and direct and clear as he can be.
and as we've talked about already we live in a world where everything is measured in worth in acclaim and how much attention it brings or it provides the price of a car the cost of a home the net worth of a person These are all worldly measurements of success and of value. But this is not the case, once again, with eternal things.
There are a lot of things that we can spend our time doing and try to acquire that have worth, at least in the eyes of the world. But if you want to know what will be of the greatest worth to you, not just in this life, but throughout all of eternity, Listen to the Lord's words here. The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls to me.
In preparing for this, some of the things I put into this study and teaching guide, I came across a home that was priced in the absolute millions, a yacht that I think was priced in the billions, cars that were millions of dollars. I looked up some of the most rich and successful people on the planet that had their net worth in the billions of dollars.
And you know what's so interesting is I was looking at all that. Yeah, they look super nice. Whoa, it would be super fun to have that much money or power recognition. But just think about this. How much or how many of those things... can they take with them when they die? What happens to the cars? What happens to the house? What happens to the boats? What happens to the money and to the wealth and to the recognition? It all
ends. It completely goes away. Why in the world would we want to put so much of our time and effort in pursuing something that will not last beyond this life when true wealth will be found in the eternities and will last forever. And how do we acquire eternal wealth that will last throughout the eternities? The Lord is telling us right here in this verse, the thing that will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people that you may bring souls unto me.
More important than any career you choose, any activity that you engage in, anything that you choose to buy, the decision that you make. to bring others to Christ, in particularly the young people. This is one of the reasons why serving a mission is such an important decision to make.
It really will be, in the end, one of the most valuable things that you could possibly do. One of the things that will be of the most worth unto you, not just in this life, but in eternity. The decision that you make to serve a mission.
is one of the most valuable decisions that you can make. And you may not see the results financially or professionally, although you could, but either way, When the God of heaven and earth says that bringing souls to Him is what will be of the most worth to you, well, it would probably be wise to trust Him and to do just that. There's some incredible blessings and opportunities that can come from serving a mission. That's one of the things I want you to better understand.
Elder Carlos C.S.A. gave a talk about the blessings that can come from missionary service, and he listed, I think, where 17 blessings that can come from missionary service. One of the things he said is perhaps your desire to serve would increase if you understood more fully the blessings associated with missionary service.
God often reveals commandments and blessings together. For example, He gave the word of wisdom, listing the commandments, and then at the same time He recited a number of blessings that those who obey the commandments would receive.
He said, One of the things he talked about is just simply, eternal life leadership training the building of the kingdom memorable experiences that you'll have establishing abiding friendships developing love and understanding of people rendering service becoming a peacemaker, developing and polishing character.
The forgiveness of sins. There are a number of verses, young people, where it talks about because of your service in the kingdom of God for going on a mission from bearing testimony that your sins will be forgiven. That was a big one for me. I'm like, hey, I can use all the... forgiveness of sins that I can get so I'm going to go bear my testimony I want to serve a mission because I need that blessing
There's the growth of your testimony, the companionship of the Holy Spirit, closeness to the Lord that will be achieved and acquired, the growth in faith from serving the mission, growth in the knowledge of the gospel, a peace of conscience. from serving the Lord in that way and just joy in general. President Heber J. Grant testified, I had more joy while in the mission field than ever before or since.
That's a bold statement from a prophet of the Lord. President Benson taught that missionaries are engaged in the greatest work in all the world, saving the souls of our Father and Heaven's children. He said there isn't anything so important, so precious, so enjoyable, or so soul satisfying. Through the prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord proclaimed, The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me.
Young people, I would just share my conviction and my testimony. I have learned as I've lived the course of now almost 50 years of my own life that... Of all the things I have done, I don't feel like I've done anything that has been as valuable to me or more impactful or helpful than serving a mission. And I've done a lot of different things, but that choice, that decision has had more of a ripple effect on the rest of my life than anything else I have done.
And I know that it can and it will for you as well. When the Lord says that the thing that will be of most worth unto you is to declare repentance and bring souls unto Him, that really is the truth. And it's not just for this life. We haven't even begun to see the effects and the blessings that will and can be ours from serving missions, from bringing God's children to Him, that will be seen and felt and experienced. all throughout the eternity. That will not end when we die.
Now some journal discussion questions for you to consider. Number one, why do you think the Lord says that declaring repentance and bringing souls to Him is the thing that will be of most worth unto you? How does this relate to serving a mission? How might it be of more worth to you than a college degree or a professional career or a new home or a new car? What blessings can come to you in your life now from serving a mission?
and what blessings might come to you in eternity. To apply this, I invite you to write down the blessings that you have seen come to others in their life from serving a mission. And maybe as a follow-up, write down as many reasons as you can think of as to why serving a mission might be of worth to you.
There you go. A few thoughts from this week's study from one of your fellow servants in this great work. I hope that those have been helpful to you and that you'll find ways to apply them this week and just throughout your life. As always, please remember that that person is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ.
This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life. And he invites us all to come follow me. So as always, let's follow him better this week and become better as we follow him. Until next week, everyone, I'm Josh Downs, and you've been listening to Come Follow Me for Teens.