Doctrine and Covenants Sections 3 & 10

Historical Context:

Martin Harris, a friend of the family of Joseph Smith, Sr., had assisted the Prophet Joseph as a scribe while Joseph translated the plates given to him by Moroni. The Harris family mocked Martin for his involvement in this project. Martin looked for some way to save face with his family and asked if Joseph would let him take the manuscript Martin had created as Joseph dictated the translation and show it to his family. Joseph made the request of the Lord three times. Finally, on the third try, the Lord granted Joseph’s request and Martin took the manuscript from Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Palmyra, New York. Martin lost the manuscript. The result was that Moroni took the plates from Joseph and, by means of the Urim and Thummim, the Lord communicated His feelings on the matter.

D&C 3:1-4 The Nature of God

The Lord communicates many things concerning Himself and how he is different from mankind. Invite students to read these verses and list the things the Lord reveals about Himself. When is it alright for us to follow our own desires rather than do the will of God? What reward awaits those, even those who have received great revelations, if they ignore the counsel of God?

D&C 3:5-15 Joseph Learns a Lesson

Joseph Smith was 22 years old when these events took place. In verses 5-7 the Lord lists those mistakes that Joseph made because of his lack of experience. Why, according to verse 8, should Joseph have remained faithful? What does this verse teach us about our own relationship with our Heavenly Father? In verses 9-15, the Lord continues to help Joseph understand the mistakes he made. What were those mistakes? Ask students how they feel when they are given correction. What do we learn about Joseph Smith when we see that he was willing to have this chastisement from the Lord to him included in the revelations that govern the Church?

D&C 3:16-20 The Preservation of the Book of Mormon

In these verses, the word “testimony” has reference to scripture, most often the Book of Mormon. As students read these verses, have them list the things the Lord desired to happen by the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. How has Lord’s desire been granted in your own life and the life of your family?

D&C 10:4-5 Do Your Best

In these verses the Lord gives counsel that all members of the Church ought to apply to their own lives. Have students explain how following this counsel would bless their own lives.

D&C 10:20-29 The Plan of Satan

Satan desired to destroy the work that God was restoring to the earth. The Lord explained that the thieves who stole the manuscript from Martni Harris were going to change the words to carry out a plan to make Joseph Smith look like a liar. In verses 20-29, the Lord explains how Satan carries out his plans. What important principles do we learn about Satan and his ways of destroying people? What key words describe the emotions that Satan plays upon to persuade us to do evil?

D&C 10:37 Revealing the Wicked

Scripture Analysis

37 But as you [Joseph Smith] cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked [evil people] from the righteous [good people], therefore [because you cannot always tell the difference between good and evil people] I [the Lord] say unto you [Joseph Smith], hold your peace [do not make judgments about people] until I shall see fit [decide the time is right] to make all things known unto the world [everyone] concerning the matter [the matter of whether a person is good or evil].

Most of us have difficulty making judgments about the goodness or wickedness of people. What comfort do these words give us?

D&C 10:40-46 The Plates of Nephi

In these verses, the expression “plates of Nephi” refers to the small plates of Nephi that Joseph Smith translated. These words eventually became that part of the Book of Mormon that begins in 1 Nephi and ends at Omni 1:30. Remember the things that Nephi said about this record. See 1 Nephi 9:5; 19:1-5. How are we blessed today because Nephi followed the commandment of the Lord to make an additional set of plates? Nephi wrote his record 2400 years before Joseph Smith translated the record. How will future generations be blessed because of the way you follow the Lord’s promptings today?

D&C 10:47-52 Faith and Prayers

Have students read these verses to explore the relationship between faith and prayer. What blessings came to us because of the faith that the Nephites had in their prayers? What prayers do we offer to the Lord that will bless future generations?

D&C 10:57-62 Jesus is the Light

Ask students to mark the word light in these verses. Explain that it is used in a little different way than we often use the word. What does it mean to bring something to light? What things did the Lord say he would bring to light? How are those things blessing our lives today?

D&C 10:67 The Doctrine of Christ

What is the doctrine of Christ? What does it mean to repent and come to Christ. In Preach My Gospel, the purpose of missionary work is defined as follows: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (page 1). How do faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end help us come to Christ? How are repentance and coming to Christ synonymous? Have students read verses 68-69 and explain how the Lord defines His Church. How can we know by this that we are a part of the Lord’s true Church?