February 10–16: D&C 10–11
"That You May Come Off Conqueror"
Valerie Atkisson de Moura (American, born 1971)
The Book of Gold (2005)
Oil on wood panel
Private Collection
artist’s website
Used with permission of the artist
Historical Reflections
More than half of the sections in February’s readings in the Doctrine and Covenants are directed to individuals, the Whitmers, Smiths, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery. And yet some of the most memorable and useful scriptures we have come from these instructions to individuals. They remind us that many of the great truths of life come from the personal experiences of people around us. A favorite of mine are the words to Hyrum Smith: “Put your trust in that spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.” (D&C 11:12)
- Richard Bushman
The painting above is a close detail of Joseph Smith’s face. Events of his early life leading up to the publication of the Book of Mormon are embedded into his eye, eyebrow, lashes, eyelid, and skin. People often say that the eye is the window to the soul. In the case of this painting by Valerie Atkisson de Moura that is approximately 18 x 24 inches, the eye is a window into Joseph’s history. He was witnessing the dawn of a new dispensation.
In 2005, the Music Department at Brigham Young University honored the bicentennial of the prophet Joseph’s birth with an ambitious series of concerts, recordings, productions, and commissions—all created by Latter-day Saint artists. One of the events was the premiere of an opera composed by Murray Boren (with a libretto by Glen Nelson), titled The Book of Gold, about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. On opening night, Valerie’s painting was presented as a gift to the composer. The images in the painting are events that take place in the opera.
Discusion Questions
The Lord gave counsel to Joseph Smith not to “run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided,” but added “be diligent unto the end” (D&C 10:4). How can you maintain diligence in following Jesus while being responsive to your abilities and means?
The Lord tells Hyrum Smith that if he has the desire, he “shall be the means of doing much good in this generation” (D&C 11:8). In what way do you desire to do good? How can your desire to be good bless others?
These chapters include a number of references to wisdom and light, e.g.: "My wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil" (D&C 10:43); "I am the light which shineth in darkness" (D&C 10:58); this record "shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine" (D&C 10:62); “[s]eek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you…” (D&C 11:7); and Jesus' Spirit will “enlighten your mind which shall fill your soul with joy” (D&C 11:13). How have you experienced wisdom and light working together in your life?
For Children & Youth
Hi. The painting titled The Book of Gold is fun to look at as a treasure hunt. Joseph Smith is looking directly at you, but you’re also looking at him and at the memories of things he’s witnessed.
What do you see in the painting? Look closely. Here are a few things to hunt for: the golden plates, Joseph kneeling at the Hill Cumorah, Emma Smith grieving the loss of their baby, the Smith farm, Joseph translating the Book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdry helping translate, tools of the farm and tools of translation, a barrel that hid the plates, and more. Do you know the stories that go with those images? Here’s a fun clue: look closely at the blue iris of his eye. What are all those grey-black lines, and how do they relate to Joseph? Could they be the artist’s reference to the Sacred Grove?
Discussion Questions
Jesus tells Joseph Smith not to "run faster" than he can (D&C 10:4), but also tells him that if he will "pray always" he will "come off conqueror" (D&C 10:5). Sometimes when you get a new pair of sneakers, you feel like they help you run faster than you could before. How have you felt Jesus help you to do more than you otherwise thought you could? How have you seen Jesus help someone else to do something that they didn't think they could?
In a video game or in a movie, there is often a good force and a bad force. In the story that sets up D&C 10, there is a good force (Jesus) and a bad force (Satan). The bad force tried to trick the bad force and stop Joseph Smith in his good work (D&C 10:33). But Jesus was more clever - "I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil" (D&C 10:43). How has Jesus helped you be safe and secure when someone else tried to get you to make a wrong choice?
Verses 1 through 9 of Section 11 are the same as verses 1 through 9 of Section 6. In other places in the scriptures, the same phrases and verses are often repeated. Why do you think Jesus repeats the same ideas in this way over again and again?
Art Activity
Make a hidden picture drawing with symbols from your gospel study this week. Ask someone in your family or study group to find the hidden symbols in your drawing. How does finding these symbols (and the act of hiding them) relate to scripture study?