Come, Follow Me
Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 8:
February 15–21
“Stand as a Witness”
Doctrine and Covenants 14–17
Joseph Smith’s family and friends sometimes asked him to seek revelation about what God wanted them to do. As you read these revelations, consider what direction God has for you.
D&C 14: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829. The Whitmer family had become greatly interested in the translating of the Book of Mormon. The Prophet established his residence at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr., where he dwelt until the work of translation was carried to completion and the copyright on the forthcoming book was secured. Three of the Whitmer sons, each having received a testimony as to the genuineness of the work, became deeply concerned over the matter of their individual duty. This revelation and the two following (sections 15 and 16) were given in answer to an inquiry through the Urim and Thummim. David Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
D&C 15: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829 (see the heading to section 14). The message is intimately and impressively personal in that the Lord tells of what was known only to John Whitmer and Himself. John Whitmer later became one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
D&C 16: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Peter Whitmer Jr., at Fayette, New York, June 1829 (see the heading to section 14). Peter Whitmer Jr. later became one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
D&C 17: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated (see Ether 5:2–4; 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.
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 Primary (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” Hymns, no. 270.
- Chapter 6: Doctrine and Covenants 7; 13; 18, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- The Knight and Whitmer Families, Revelations in Context
- Endure to the End, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- Section 14, Revelation to David Whitmer, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 29–30
- Chapter 7: Doctrine and Covenants 4; 11–12; 14–16, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- Sections 15–16, Revelations to John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer Jr., Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 31
- The Experience of the Three Witnesses, Revelations in Context
- Section 17, Revelation to the Three Witnesses, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 32–34
- The Contributions of Martin Harris, Revelations in Context
- Chapter 4: Doctrine and Covenants 5; 17, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
- Who was David Whitmer? , Liahona – Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants
Resources Mentioned in the Lesson Manual
- Saints, 1:68–71
- Psalm 119:105
- Isaiah 55:10–11
- Matthew 4:4
- 1 Nephi 15:23–24
- Alma 32:28
- “Thanks Be to God”, President Russell M. Nelson, Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 77
- Guide to the Scriptures: “Eternal Life”
- Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–16
- 2 Corinthians 13:1
- “The Testimony of Three Witnesses”
- Saints, 1:70–71
- Saints, 1:73–75
- “The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon”, Ulisses Soares, Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 32–35
- “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”, Hymns, no. 270
Resources on Interpreter Foundation
- Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 8: D&C 14–17, Jonn Claybaugh
- Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 8 (D&C 14–17)
- The Three Witnesses, Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
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 4, "Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon", Administration, January 24, 2017
Resources on Other Sites
- Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, FAIR
- Section 14-16, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
- Section 17, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)
- Come Follow Me with Casey Paul Griffiths (Doctrine and Covenants 14–17, Feb 15–21), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me Insights (Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, Feb 15-21), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 14–17, Feb 15–21), Book of Mormon Central
- Come Follow Me with Taylor Halverson (Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, Feb 15–21), Book of Mormon Central
- Why Did the Lord Command the Three Witnesses to Rely upon His Word?, Book of Mormon Central KnoWhy #596
- Come Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, Feb 15-21), Book of Mormon Central
- How were the Book of Mormon Gold Plates made? w/ Brian Patch, Book of Mormon Central
- First Missionary of the Church PERSONAL copy of the Book of Mormon!, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- The Christ-Eternal Gospel in the Book of Mormon – Interview with Robert L. Millet, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Intertextuality in the Book of Mormon – Interview with John Hilton III, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- The Witnesses and Translation of the Book of Mormon – Interview with Michael Hubbard McKay, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine and Covenants 17, with Scott Woodward, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine and Covenants 14-16, with Scott Woodward, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 14 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 15 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 16 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Doctrine & Covenants 17 – Section Resource, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon – Interview with Richard Bennett, Doctrine & Covenants Central
- Come Follow Me Don’t Miss This Doctrine and Covenants 14-17 (Feb. 15-21), Don’t Miss This
- Come Follow Me – Doctrine and Covenants 14-17: “Stand as a Witness”, Unshaken
- Come Follow Me for Sunday School: “Stand as a Witness”, Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, Meridian Magazine
- Come Follow Me Podcast #8: “Stand as a Witness”, Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, Meridian Magazine
- February 15-21, 2021 Come, Follow Me Songs, Music for Latter-day Life
- Doctrine and Covenants 14 to 17 – “Stand as a Witness”, BYU Studies