Come Follow Me - Doctrine and Covenants 81-83: "Much Given, Much Required"

A verse-by-verse study of Doctrine and Covenants 81-83, revelations concerning the calling of a counselor to Joseph Smith, the organization of the United Firm, and caring for widows and orphans. This lesson focuses on filling leadership holes, being faithful in counsel, balancing initiative and deference, falling back into former sins, spiritual musical chairs, binding God, spiritual border wars, learning from Babylon, regular maintenance, and more. Join Jared Halverson for your weekly Come Follow Me study of the Doctrine and Covenants!
Time stamps:
- Study of D&C 81 - 6:45
- Study of D&C 82 - 35:39
- Study of D&C 83 - 1:40:20
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Disclaimer: The content of these videos is the sole responsibility of their creator and does not reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Church Educational System. Images used herein are intended for educational purposes alone and remain the intellectual property of their creators.

[@rockpearl5224]

The way you teach is like Maxwell, but you have the talent to break down Maxwell’s versions of explaining any deep doctrine and translating it into simpler terms so the Masses understand.

[@Unshaken]

What a compliment! Undeserved but definitely not unappreciated. Elder Maxwell has always been one of my heroes--his words seem even more applicable now than when he gave them!

[@angieanderson5788]

In section 82 you reference returning to Jesus as a dog, not returning to his vomit, but returning to a master with his tail between his legs. I understand the humility involved in this image but I hope that we return to him with all the joy that my dog displays when she “ returns to me “ at the end of the day. 🥰🤣🐾

[@Unshaken]

What a beautiful mental image! I couldn't agree more. Thank you for sharing!

[@Leap3D17]

My wife and I really appreciate these weekly videos. It has been such a blessing for us! Thank you brother!

[@carolinagaribay2582]

Hello brother. Great to hear from you this morning. Thank you for your awesome D&C teaching. Love to listen to these lessons each week.

[@afrost6113]

Brother Jared🙏🏽 thank you for these most valuable lessons. Words can’t express. After being with you for the last few months….My wife and I are now Seminary Teachers!! And… we’ve only been back at church for the last 10-12 months. A testament to the gift of knowledge you have offered and we have gratefully received ❤️

[@Unshaken]

Bless you for accepting that calling! It's a heavy load, but one the Lord loves to carry alongside you. I pray your students are as eager to learn as you are!

[@ClintK.]

I had to pull over on the side of the road as I openly wept and thanked God and his Son for their mercy and love. Thank you for this episode and your explanation of that scripture on repentance and analogy of musical chairs. At long last I have bee able to take one of my collected items off of the "doubt/question" shelf. The doubt wasn't in the church or doctrine but in myself knowing that I didn't have a full understanding of it yet. Thank you for sharing your gift of education to so many. This lesson has helped lighten a burden and removed an anxiety. Light has filled my soul, I am so appreciative of personal revelation and the Holy Ghost.

[@johannamartin9101]

🤗

[@davidspjut9365]

We are truly blessed😇

[@harleygeorge100]

Yes, have to be careful when I'm driving and listening to Brother Jared.

[@brianjex9945]

Beautiful real world examples and analogies.

[@01kmichelle]

Thank you for taking the time to explain these verses and sharing your great talent, I love the opportunity to learn from you.

[@heatherwaite6675]

As a currently serving relief society President I call you my spiritual therapist 😂. Thank you for helping me to hear my part in these scriptures and helping me to feel the burden and the joy of leadership. My joy comes as my faith in Jesus Christ grows. I recognize all of my struggles in these scriptures while Gathering and caring for the gathered and when I’m weary and frightened and feeling faithless. I turn on your lessons and you remind me that the voice of the Lord is loud and clear and calling to me. Keep going! Don’t give up! You’re fine. Just keep trying. Stay balanced. Prove those contraries!! Use your faith! And as I do those things I see so many miracles. I feel like I am learning to peer through the fence instead of staring at it and the solutions and blessings and inspirations are there before me. Thank you for the help❤️ I feel like your videos are one of my covid miracles.

[@Unshaken]

What a beautiful comment. Thank you for sharing your faith--and for doing so much of the "heavy lifting" in your ward. I pray you feel the Lord lifting beside you!

[@annsharp2570]

Thank you so much. Your explanation of Ch.83 was so beautiful and timely.I have volunteered in a bishops store house and often wondered about some orders. But we are not here to judge but to do our very best and love our fellow man but above all our Savior who gave His all. Thank you for your testimony. It sure strengthens mine.

[@Unshaken]

Well said, and I totally agree. Bless you for your service!

[@kennethhinton1585]

Brother Halverson, thank you so very much for these incredible scripture study sessions that you are blessing us with. My wife and I discovered these study opportunities last autumn, and have diligently Learned from you almost every day since then. We are so grateful for your insights and perspectives. Although I have read the Scriptures all my life, you have taken my understanding to a whole new level. Words cannot express how grateful we are for teaching us. In doctrine and covenants 82, You mention debits and credits. You referred to debits as a bad thing and credits as a good thing. I am a retired CPA, and in my profession both debits and credits can be good or bad. For example, a debit increases an asset or decreases a liability and so can be good. However, a debit also decreases a revenue, and equity, or increases an expense; and that could be referred to as being bad. The opposite could be said for credits. That is the perspective from the accounting profession. As I understand it, the banking profession looks at debits and credits exactly the opposite. In other words, in the banking world, a debit decreases the balance in a savings or checking account, while a credit increases the balance in a checking or savings account. Thus, from the bankers perspective, a credit would be good and a debit would be bad, just as you characterized them. Thus, what I am trying to express to you is that a debit is not necessarily a bad thing or a good thing. It depends on its usage. That is true also for a credit. Please do not take this additional information as a negative criticism. My intention is to help you be more knowledgeable as you refer to debits and credits in your future Podcasts and classes. Once again, thank you so very much for blessing our lives spiritually. We look forward to continuing to learn at your feet.

[@Unshaken]

This is so helpful! I'm always amazed at how our particular backgrounds, education, and experiences give us a unique lens on life, on truth, on the gospel. So thank you for drawing water from your professional well to add some needed water to my garden! I really appreciate it!

[@841577]

Thank you for these videos! I learn so much and I am grateful. I especially liked the part in this video concerning musical chairs and dying on a good day vs a bad day. I’ve always wondered about that and the way you explain it makes perfect sense.

[@jodavedavies6815]

Thank you Mrs Halverson . I do have some addiction issues. I am in AA and been in addiction services. I really appreciate your guys service.

[@GFSongbird]

Brother Halverson, On your comments about "bound" related to vs 10, I tried to find the scripture where Abigail says to David "bundle up with the bundle of life," but could not find it in the references. Is there another scripture with this comment or did I need to look deeper into the context of the ones listed? Thanks. PS I wish you could see my Journal edition of the D&C. Between all my notes, markings and all your comments, it is loaded with post its and teeny writing often filling each page. What a great blessing these lessons have been for me. I am hoping that I can at least have gained some understanding by the end of the year on how to personally extract my own spiritual understandings albeit very insignificant. I have "studied" faithfully for decades but NOTHING I have done has blessed me with the insights I have so eagerly gleaned from the lessons you present each week. Which begs the question, how can I have studied so faithfully for over 30 years with Institute manuals, books, scripture journals, prayer, remembering, memorizing and still not be able to glean "meat" and spiritual understanding as you have shown us you do? What AM I missing? Thank you. (I know you are busy, but I would really love an answer if it is pleasing for you to do so.) Thanks again, Elizabeth.

[@susannetingey8046]

I know how you feel to some degree. While I do get many of my own insights, I learn so much more from different teachers like Brother Halverson. I think it has to do with the spiritual gifts different people are given. We are all given different gifts. . And I am grateful to have access and desire to listen to and learn from others who have great capacity to understand and teach the scriptures. It enhances my learning in many ways. I will continue to also read on my own seeking greater learning from heaven and trying to grow the spiritual gifts of learning that I have been given but also spend time learning from others. I am so grateful for the technology that allows us to access these lessons.

[@davidspjut9365]

When the Bountiful Temple was being dedicated…in one of the sessions, President Hunter was speaking, and began to wobble as he did. President Oaks, bowed his head, stretched out his arm and stabilized the prophet so that he. Could deliver his message. This view that I was afforded has never left me . A very powerful demonstration of how we all should be. Thank you for your wonderfully taught lessons…my love for the scriptures has been greatly blessed…Keep up the good work Jared😇👍

[@841577]

Bountiful temple is my favorite. It is the temple I was sealed to my family in. (So I might be biased lol)

[@Unshaken]

What a beautiful illustration of strengthening the feeble knees. Thank you for sharing!

[@johannamartin9101]

Thanku so much for sharing that experience 💗🌷

[@harmonywoodrome9911]

Thank you very much! 😍👏

[@chesnut2367]

You truly are Jared….and his brother wrapped up in one! Or perhaps a reincarnated younger Hugh Nibley

[@Unshaken]

Haha! I wish! Hugh Nibley was legendary!

[@wendyfreestonemeibos7254]

I have a hard time understanding the scriptures. This video help me so much. I can't wait to watch more. Thank You

[@Unshaken]

Glad it was helpful! The scriptures can be a hard door to open, but once inside, what a world awaits us! Bless you for persisting in your righteous efforts!

[@jenniejennie3884]

I do trust and follow and serve Jesus Christ so much as always and forever. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@joshuayerxa5290]

When and where might one be able to read your dissertation?

[@ljj2189]

Yes please. If also live to know.

[@Melybelle]

I would love to read it!

[@donstelfox2936]

Thank you for this.

[@timeparame9934]

Thank you for this lesson, your teaching and storytelling have opened a great curiosity for more knowledge with my kids, I love how my son now reads the scriptures willingly and when I see my daughter kneel to pray when she needs help has confirmed to me that your teachings are opening their desire to learn the scriptures.

[@Unshaken]

What a beautiful comment. It sounds like you're raising incredible children. Tell them I'm impressed!

[@lisalowe6922]

Thank you so much for these weekly videos. I was having a hard time understanding the "Make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness" thing. I also learned a thing or two about what it means to be a counselor. Thank you.

[@marcimichelson4499]

Wow monson was the apostle when I got baptised that Iooked to ,when died I couldn't stop crying & getting the spirit !

[@gordonandtamarakirkham543]

Thank you so much, Bro. Halvorsen, for the witness to my soul that your witness brings.

[@leswalker2639]

Well done Jared thanks so much for this lesson

[@Jon_Browne]

Our worth is the “investment portfolio” not the “daily budgeting”. In other words, it is our relationships, callings, works, sacrifices, and covenants that we are judged on instead of the immediate state we are in when we die (bad day or blip on the radar compared to what we’ve done in the past).

[@Unshaken]

Well said, my friend! Great analogy!

[@n.ergy_therapy]

Oh man! What an amazing bishop you would be though! Thank you for all you do and your great counsel to us!

[@maximilianlionel]

I just want to say thank you! Your friend in Switzerland is so grateful for your faith....!

[@lesley4215]

I just want to say that the Spirit testifies to me of the truthfulness of the things that you are teaching. When I watch your videos and I have from the beginning it is that feast of fat things! My growth has been astounding to me and I thank you for being an integral part in that process!

[@Unshaken]

There's no better feast! I'm so grateful that you're finding truth and light in the scriptures--and I'm honored to be able to join you for the experience! Thank you!

[@jenniejennie3884]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@flutedspires]

I like to think that the way Heavenly Father never remembers our sins that we repent of, yet the sins can come back if we do them again, is that He puts the record of our repented sins in the trash bin (as in emails) and never looks at the trash bin unless we sin again. But if we sin again, the records in our trash bin are brought forward to the active file (as restoring to the inbox). But if we repent the rest of our lives, then in the judgment the Delete Forever is pushed and all allusions to our sins are erased forever.

[@Unshaken]

What a great analogy! Thank you for sharing!

[@SherrillGraff]

Good to re-listen to. The story about your car accident touched my heart. Hope we all go on a good day

[@kevdonald1298]

I enjoy seeing the manifestation of teaching gifts when listening to various teachers particular styles.So grateful for your efforts.Gracias

[@TheLolacook50]

Thank you for sharing heartfelt insights.

[@steph20204]

Thank you, wonderful lesson!!

[@michellemaddox17]

I loved your discussion of section 83. It makes me want to give more to fast offerings. We have been very blessed and I'd love to pay it forward more than I do now.

[@Unshaken]

What a beautiful, selfless desire. The Lord will definitely bless you and others as you live into that divine invitation!

[@brickhouserecoverytv6668]

My grandpa Faust was an amazing man. Thank you for the respect you showed him and my grandma Ruth in this lesson. I’d love to meet you someday. 🙏🏼

[@Unshaken]

Likewise! What a legacy you come from. President Faust had such a gentleness combined with such strength. A rare combination. I miss him, and am sure you do infinitely more.

[@brickhouserecoverytv6668]

@@Unshaken if you ever want to connect, find me on social media Jason Coombs

[@gregbergesen2365]

Brother Halverson. That was very beautifully taught in section 83. Outstanding description of the the bishop explaing the importance of and the sacred use of the fast offerings of the church❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@elisariding1400]

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[@elisariding1400]

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[@nathanfarber8185]

I learned that ye should forgive those who have trespassed against you or else the lord cannot forgive you amongst many other important lessons similar to and different from that specific lesson on this and many other videos of yours I have seen on the “Unshaken” channel on “KZbin” Jared Halverson, and I would like to say that it makes me feel bad that I could not keep my integrity intact because my family members and other people like friends and acquaintances wouldn’t let me keep my word I made to certain people because they judged them without really getting to know them or even give them a chance to prove that they are a good person because of all the bad things that they have heard about them by word of mouth from other people who think they know that person very well, so with that being said Jared Halverson I wanted to ask you does that sort of thing bar me from the “Celestial” Kingdom of heaven? And if so, does it make me go as low as being damned to the kind of Hell that is the worst one ever of them being utter darkness and all that you talked about in previous videos?

[@SherrillGraff]

I feel like I grew during the pandemic. Can't wait to get back to working the temples!

[@nicoswatson]

I'm loving your verse by verse lessons! You have really helped my study of the Doctrine & Covenants. Thank you!

[@davidcutler112]

I really benefit from your spending some time proving these otherwise paradoxical contraries. Thank you 😊

[@Unshaken]

So glad that's a help to you! Proving contraries seems to have such explanatory power in so many situations.

[@caileyleu5555]

This 'forced empathy' that you referenced in Exodus 22:22-24, isn't this along the lines of being punished for the father's sins? I really do get upset at the mindset of women and children being a man's possessions and this sort of language surely feeds into it (which you seem to feel yourself). I despair at places where law prescribes that the female relative of a man who rapes a woman, is then raped as a form of punishment, but when societies are rooted in ancient doctrine such as this, how would they know better? (besides having some sort of innate knowledge that any 'whipping boy' policy is ludicrous) What I'm asking is how can we reconcile this verse with a God of justice? Because a husband abandons these widows and orphans, the wives & children must feel the pain? That doesn't seem right.

[@mimimitchell2541]

The thing that causes me godly sorrow for repetitive sinning is that I am not becoming like Him.

[@Unshaken]

That's beautifully put, and I know what you mean. But in persevering, in developing your determination, in never giving up--you are becoming more like Him in important ways. As long as you hold onto those, the rest will come. Bless you for not giving up on yourself--the Lord never does!

[@kaylenedemasi2894]

I thought you might like to hear a personal testimony of section 82 verse 10. I received my patriarchal blessing at age 12. Middle school and high school turned out to be very very difficult. My mother repeatedly quoted this verse to encourage me to stay on the straight and narrow and I still cling to it to receive the blessings that were and are promised. This verse has been a great comfort and strength to me.

[@Unshaken]

Amen to that verse, to your patriarchal blessing, and to your angel mother! Thank you for sharing your testimony of that beautiful promise!

[@raykitt4858]

Could someone please tell me which lesson of his talked about Dante's Inferno and the 2 bodies of water Dante had to cross wherein he forgot anything negative. He also talked about the story of the onion from the Brothers Karameoff.

[@Unshaken]

It may have been another Come Follow Me channel (there are so many good ones out there!). As much as I love Dante and Dostoevsky, I don't remember using those stories in any of my lessons (though I probably should!).

[@ScottsChristmasChannel]

Love the reference to "It's a Wonderful Life", my favorite movie!

[@Unshaken]

It's such a classic! We watch it every Christmas Eve while we're wrapping presents :)

[@janetconfrey7054]

Please help, I'm trying to find the lesson that you gave were you spoke about The Eye Of The Storm/ The Other Side Of Heaven. You mentioned the Director Mich being struck by lightning and learning how to, Ask in confidence? I want to share it with my family.

[@Unshaken]

I can't remember what lesson I mentioned it in, but here's a link to the original talk in which he shared his experience. It's a BYU Devotional he gave together with Elder and Sister Groberg. speeches.byu.edu/talks/john-h-groberg/the-other-side-of-heaven/

[@janetconfrey7054]

@@Unshaken Thank you.❤

[@rogerrobin2774]

RE. 82:10-Do we believe that God is truly “omnipotent” if He is “bound” by anything? What about His “gift” of agency? Is that not, in actuality, a principle outside of even His control? After all, were there not an “opposition in all things” God would cease to be God” (2 Ne. 2:11-13). Is not the question of God’s omnipotence yet another departure from orthodox, mainstream Christianity?

[@lloydrichmond2262]

How strategically placed are the true principles of work and service that will transform us from who we are to whom He wants us to become. Many of us have spent decades trying to duplicate the acts and attitudes of the world. What did we do it for? Probably that we might somehow benefit from worldly success. But for some of us, we divert from those practices when we get temporarily tempted to believe that we can get ahead while violating those principles. But that never works. What goes around, comes around. Why not recognize that Eternal Principles, when followed, always produce good fruit? Thank you brother Halverson for deep teaching. Without full pondering of the Word of God as you help cause us to do, we stay in shallow spiritual waters and never enjoy progress at the same level that deep-end spiritual swimmers achieve! 🌎🙂

[@brentlarson772]

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[@brentlarson772]

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