It took Martin and Lucy Harris years to acquire one of the finest farms in Palmyra, New York. But in 1829 it became clear that the Book of Mormon could be published only if Martin mortgaged his farm to pay the printer. Martin had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but Lucy did not. If Martin went forward with the mortgage and the Book of Mormon did not sell well, he would lose his farm, put his marriage at risk, and damage his reputation in the community. Although our circumstances are different from Martin’s, at some time or another we all face difficult questions like those he faced: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ worth to me? What am I willing to sacrifice to help build God’s kingdom? Martin Harris ultimately decided that he would mortgage his farm so the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon could be printed. But even this sacrifice—and any sacrifice we might make—is small compared to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “the greatest of all” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18), who bled from every pore to save the repentant.
D&C 19: Revelation given through Joseph Smith, at Manchester, New York, likely in the summer of 1829. In his history, the Prophet introduces it as “a commandment of God and not of man, to Martin Harris, given by him who is Eternal.”
- Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 1: D&C 1, Jonn Claybaugh
- Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 1 (D&C 1)
- “How long can rolling waters remain impure?”: Literary Aspects of the Doctrine and Covenants, Richard Dilworth Rust, October 6, 2017
- Interpreter Radio Show — March 18, 2018, Administration, March 20, 2018
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 1, Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History, Administration, December 29, 2016
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 41, "Every Member a Missionary", Administration, October 12, 2013
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 42, Continuing Revelation to Latter-day Prophets, Administration, October 12, 2013
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 1 (2013), Administration, December 13, 2012
- Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Come, Follow Me—For Primary (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- “Follow the Prophet,” Children’s Songbook, 110–11, especially the last verse.
- How does the restored gospel bless us? , Liahona – Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants
- Section 1, The Lord’s Preface: “The Voice of Warning”, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 3–6
- Chapter 2: Doctrine and Covenants 1, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- William McLellin’s Five Questions, Revelations in Context
- Seek the Lord, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, Elder M. Russell Ballard
- Testimony of Joseph Smith, Video Collection, Joseph Smith—Prophets of the Restoration
- The True and Living Church, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, President Henry B. Eyring
- Saints, 1:140–43
- Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants.
- Proverbs 3:11–12
- Ether 12:27
- Moroni 6:8
- “Follow the Prophet”, Children’s Songbook, 110–11, especially the last verse
- Doctrine and Covenants 1, FAIR
- The Parable of the Chickens, Book of Mormon Central
- The Story of the Doctrine and Covenants with Casey Paul Griffiths, Book of Mormon Central
- Meet the Hosts of “Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine”, Book of Mormon Central
- “Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine” guest, Patricia Oveson, Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me with Casey Paul Griffiths (Doctrine and Covenants 1, JS-H 1:1-26), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me Don’t Miss This Doctrine and Covenants 1 (Dec. 28-Jan. 3), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me Insights (Doctrine and Covenants—Section 1, Dec 28-Jan 3), Taylor Halverson and Tyler Griffin
- Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 1, Dec 28-Jan 3), Book of Mormon Central
- Samuel Smith’s (ORIGINAL) Personal Copy of the Doctrine and Covenants!, Book of Mormon Central
- Come, Follow Me with Taylor Halverson (Doctrine and Covenants 1/JSH 1:1-26), Book of Mormon Central
- Come, Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 1/JS:H 1:1-26), Book of Mormon Central
- Section 1, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
- Doctrine & Covenants 1 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 1, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Hard Questions in Church History: Joseph Smith’s Family History (1700-1816), Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Come Follow Me – Doctrine and Covenants 1: “Hearken, O Ye People”, Unshaken
- Come, Follow Me Podcast #1: “Hearken, O Ye People”, Doctrine and Covenants 1, Meridian Magazine
- December 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021 Come, Follow Me Songs, Music for Latter-day Life
- Doctrine & Covenants 1 – “Hearken, O Ye People”, BYU Studies
The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were given in response to specific circumstances nearly 200 years ago, but the principles they teach are timeless. Look for these principles as you read, and consider how they apply to you.
D&C 18: Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. According to the Prophet, this revelation made known “the calling of twelve apostles in these last days, and also instructions relative to building up the Church.”
D&C 19: Revelation given through Joseph Smith, at Manchester, New York, likely in the summer of 1829. In his history, the Prophet introduces it as “a commandment of God and not of man, to Martin Harris, given by him who is Eternal.”
Resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org
- Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- Come, Follow Me—For Primary (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193.
- The Worth of Souls, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, President Thomas S. Monson
- Section 18, The Worth of a Soul, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 34–36
- “Build Up My Church”, Revelations in Context
- Chapter 6: Doctrine and Covenants 7; 13; 18, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- Christ Suffered for All, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, Elder M. Russell Ballard
- Section 19, The Gift of Repentance, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 36–39
- Chapter 8: Doctrine and Covenants 19, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- The Contributions of Martin Harris, Revelations in Context
- What is the gospel of Jesus Christ worth to you? , Liahona – Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants
- The Worth of Each Soul , Liahona – Brother Jan E. Newman
Resources Mentioned in the Lesson Manual
- Saints, 1:76–84
- Alma 36:18–21
- “Repentance: A Joyful Choice”, Dale G. Renlund, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 121–24
- John 15:13
- Mosiah 3:7
- Alma 7:11–12
- Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13
- Revelations in Context: “The Contributions of Martin Harris”
- Mosiah 5:7
- “I Stand All Amazed”, Hymns, no. 193
Resources on Interpreter Foundation
- Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 9: D&C 18–19, Jonn Claybaugh
- Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 9 (D&C 18–19)
Additional Posts & Roundtables on the Interpreter Foundation Website
- “Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon” D&C 16-23, Taylor Halverson, November 29, 2013
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 11, "The Field Is White Already to Harvest", Administration, March 11, 2017
- Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 35, "A Mission of Saving", Administration, August 2, 2017
Articles in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship
- Compassion as the Heart of the Gospel, Daniel C. Peterson, July 5, 2019
- The Crucifixion as a Mockery, Witness, and Warning of the Judgment, George L. Mitton, April 19, 2019
Resources on Other Sites
- Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, FAIR
- Section 18, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
- Section 19, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
- Come Follow Me with Casey Paul Griffiths (Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Feb 22-28), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me Insights (Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Feb 22-28), Taylor Halverson and Tyler Griffin
- Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 18–19, Feb 22–28), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me with Taylor Halverson (Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Feb 22-28), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Feb 22-28), Book of Mormon Central
- Why Was Martin Harris Needed to Pay for the Printing of the Book of Mormon?, Book of Mormon Central KnoWhy #597
- Hard Questions in Church History with Lynne Hilton Wilson: Publication Book of Mormon (Lesson 9), Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine and Covenants 19, with Scott Woodward, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Oliver Cowdery’s Ministry as Second Elder of the Church – Interview with Alex Baugh, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine and Covenants 18, with Scott Woodward, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 18 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 19 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Hard Questions in Church History with Lynne Hilton Wilson: The 12 Witnesses (Lesson 8), Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Come Follow Me Don’t Miss This Doctrine and Covenants 18-19 (Feb. 22-28), Don’t Miss This
- Come Follow Me – Doctrine and Covenants 18-19: “The Worth of Souls”, Unshaken
- Come Follow Me for Sunday School: “The Worth of Souls Is Great”, Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Meridian Magazine
- Come Follow Me Podcast #9: “The Worth of Souls is Great”, Doctrine and Covenants 18-19, Meridian Magazine
- February 22-28, 2021 Come, Follow Me Songs, Music for Latter-day Life
- Doctrine and Covenants 18 to 19 – “The Worth of Souls Is Great”, BYU Studies