Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
(January 27–February 2)

Three Thoughts from Me:

• “What have I done?” This must have been the cry of both Joseph Smith and Martin Harris when the first 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon translation were lost. Succumbing to the persuasions of men, then being chastised by the Lord must have been terribly distressing. Publishing the account in D&C 3, for the world to see, even more humbling. 

• This is a story about worth, worthy and worthless. Worth is eternal, unchanging. We don’t have to earn our worth because we are children of God. We are everything to Him. Worthiness is ever-changing depending on our daily choices and actions. But it is always coupled with repentance and the truth that He is relentlessly pursuing us to return to Him. Worthlessness is a belief or feeling that would have us deny the truth of our divine worth and our inherent capacity to be a little better each day. It is an evil lie that spreads despair and hopelessness and promotes quitting as the best choice.

• This experience tutored Joseph and Martin about falling and getting back up to try again, but this time with God as the director, not man. Joseph become the prophet of the restoration. Martin turned from being a “wicked man” (DC 3:12), to an unfailing witness of the gold plates. 

2 Quotes from Others

• “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). 

“Growth mindset is a buffer against defeatism. It reframes failure as a natural part of the change process. And that’s critical because people will persevere only if they perceive falling down as learning rather than as failing.”    -Carol Dweck

One Question for You

• How do you remind yourself of your worth to avoid feelings of worthlessness?