Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred upon them both by John the Baptist on May 15, 1829. Featured in this week’s RSC recommended readings is "Oliver Cowdery as Second Witness of Priesthood Restoration,” by Steven C. Harper. Using many of Oliver Cowdery’s own words, this reading celebrates Oliver Cowdery’s testimony of his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood that day. Read it at: https://rsc.byu.edu/days-never-be-forgotten-oliver-cowdery/oliver-cowdery-second-witness-priesthood-restoration Painting: "Upon You My Fellow Servants," by Linda Curley Christensen and Michael T. Malm

Did you know that you can search RSC articles by topic? Check out our collection for hundreds of resources written by religious scholars and BYU faculty members. Use the “Gospel Topics” feature on the RSC website or go to https://rsc.byu.edu/my-gospel-study/gospel-topics

Tonga has the highest percentage of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world. How did this come to be? “Saints of Tonga: A Century of Island Faith,” by Riley M. Moffat, Fred E. Woods, and Brent R. Anderson, illustrates how missionary work in Tonga initially appeared to be a failure, but eventually the truths of the gospel resonated with the Tongan people and the Church grew to be a strong influence with the people of the country. Buy a physical copy or an e-book by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/book/saints-tonga

For 2021, BYU Religious Education created a series of new videos highlighting historical context and crucial doctrine taught in the Doctrine and Covenants. They can be viewed by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/media and selecting “Doctrine and Covenants/Church History Videos” or by going directly to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLc5yYrpPFm2v2ch-Ag4rpGcR6TA1ytYU_&fbclid=IwAR14xdxrRjl7EznhHJjo7Vt80CuLoFH0Zd0H_hImFV3VE_7CL1kCpUuXNz4

This week for “Come, Follow Me” we read about the Lord’s counsel given to Joseph Smith following the lost 116 manuscript pages. The featured article on the RSC website “Withstanding the Evil One,” by P. Scott Ferguson, encourages us to understand the difference between God’s testing and Satan’s tempting. Supplement your gospel study by checking out it out by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-12-no-2-2011/withstanding-evil-one Painting: "Joseph and Hyrum Smith" by Ken Corbett

The latest issue of the Religious Educator aims to help readers more fully adopt the message of the Restoration we will be studying and teaching this year. Articles seek to deepen understanding of the First Vision as taught in general conference, the Atonement of Jesus Christ as discussed in Doctrine and Covenants 19, and ascension as taught across scripture. Other articles address practical matters of adapting teaching to the needs of students and the challenges of a pandemic weary world. Subscribe to receive your copy of the Religious Educator by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/religious-educator

13 beautiful artistic depictions of the First Vision
To celebrate and honor the Restoration and our study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year, here are 13 of our favorite artistic depictions of the First Vision that can enhance the spirit in your home.

Looking for something different for your gospel study? Visit the BYU Religious Education YouTube page to watch the “Discussions on the Doctrine and Covenants.” Faculty members from BYU Religious Education discuss the writings and teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants in this series. Each of the half-hour episodes covers several sections from this book of modern scripture. https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc5yYrpPFm2u8cgwhncfMrfnCgsSWOGaK

In the most recent episode of “Y Religion,” BYU professor Michael Goodman and Religious Education’s own Devan Jensen discuss how many doctrines revealed to Joseph Smith actually came little by little and not all at once. Beginning with the tragic death of Joseph’s brother Alvin up through temple ordinances in Nauvoo, this episode discusses how the Prophet grew in his understanding of doctrines related to the eternal family and how God works with all of us line upon line. Check it out by going to https://rsc.byu.edu/media/y-religion

This week in “Come, Follow Me” we learn about how the Lord reveals truth to us in our minds and hearts. “Revelation,” by President Dallin H. Oaks, expounds on eight purposes of revelation and how we can better receive it in our daily lives. This selection can be found by visiting the RSC website. Supplement your gospel study this week by visiting https://rsc.byu.edu/sperry-symposium-classics-doctrine-covenants/revelation-0

Have you subscribed to the Religious Educator yet? Subscribe now to get the latest edition! The Religious Educator is an academic journal with a focus on the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saint scriptures, and Latter-day Saint history. Its goal is to provide carefully prepared, inspirational, and informative articles that will benefit a broad range of Latter-day Saints who love the gospel and its teachings. Issues published up to a year ago are available to everyone. To view more recent issues or to receive the print version, please subscribe ($15 annually for three issues of the printed version plus online access or $10 for online access only).