Elder Gary E. Stevenson

 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Elder Stevenson counseled = 

"In summary, I offer an invitation. Peacemaking demands action—what might that be, for each of us, starting tomorrow? Would you consider a one-week, three-step peacemaker plan?

1.  A contention-free home zone: When contention starts, pause and reboot with kind words and deeds.

2.  Digital bridge building: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, Will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send. Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.

3.  Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite."

"Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute. Peacemakers are sometimes labeled naive or weak—from all sides. Yet, to be a peacemaker is not to be weak but to be strong in a way that the world may not understand. Peacemaking requires courage and compromise but does not require sacrifice of principle. Peacemaking is to lead with an open heart, not a closed mind. It is to approach one another with extended hands, not clenched fists. Peacemaking is not a new thing, hot off the press. It was taught by Jesus Christ Himself, both to those in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Peacemaking has since been taught by modern-day prophets from the earliest days of the Restoration even to this day."

D&C 123

 The Lord counseled - 

"Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."  (Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17)

In my mind, any individual calling may seem small, but the promises are great.

D&C 121

 The Lord taught eternal laws to the Prophet - 

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—,,,"  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–42)

And - 

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly..."   (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)

D&C 121

While the Prophet Joseph Smith suffered in Liberty Jail, the Lord declared - 

Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.

17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:16–17)

I believe this applies to many in this day.

He also promised - 

God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;

27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;

28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.

29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:26–29)

In my mind, those who believe that the Bible is it are fools.

D&C 121

 You can feel the Prophet Joseph Smith's remarkably controlled frustration as he writes -

"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?

2 How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?

3 Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them?

4 O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.

5 Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs.

6 Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6)

I have experienced this frustration to a much lesser degree for a much shorter period of time.  I wonder how the Prophet did it.

D&C 119

 The Lord revealed the commandment - 

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion,

2 For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church.

3 And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people."  (Doctrine and Covenants 119:1–3)

It appears that at that time, first, the saints were required to donate their surplus property, and after that the saints were to live the law of tithing forever more..

...and - 

"...this shall be an ensample unto all the stakes of Zion"  (Doctrine and Covenants 119:7)

D&C 118

 While in Far West, the Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied concerning the twelve - 

"...next spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the fulness thereof, and bear record of my name.

5 Let them take leave of my saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next, on the building-spot of my house, saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants 118:4–5)

By the following spring, the saints had been run out of Missouri to Illinois.  I think one of the greatest and illogical acts of obedience took place on that day when the twelve returned the opposite way to go overseas at great risk to their lives - 

By the time April 26, 1839 arrived, the Saints had been completely driven from Missouri and into Illinois. Not only that, some of the Missourians knew of the plan of the Twelve to leave from Far West on that date. They were determined to prevent it, so that Joseph Smith would become a false prophet, at least as far as this prophecy was concerned. Any Mormons who entered Missouri were “fair game.  Nevertheless, the prophecy was fulfilled. Just after midnight, on April 26, 1839, Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith, along with about twenty other members of the Church, gathered at the Far West Temple site, as a preliminary to the mission of several of the Twelve to England. They sang part of a hymn, rolled a large stone up to the southeast corner of the foundation, all seven of the Apostles present offered prayers, and then the group sang the hymn “Adam-ondi-Ahman.”  )Ridges, David J.. The Doctrine and Covenants Made Easier, Part 3 (The Gospel Studies Series) . Cedar Fort, Inc.. Kindle Edition.)

In the History of the Church, the following story was recorded - 

“As the Saints were passing away from the meeting, Brother Turley said to Elders Page and Woodruff, “Stop a bit, while I bid Isaac Russell [an apostate and enemy to the Church] good bye;” and knocking at the door, called Brother Russell. His wife answered, ‘Come in, it is Brother Turley.’ Russell replied, ‘It is not; he left here two weeks ago;’ and appeared quite alarmed; but on finding it was Brother Turley, asked him to sit down; but the latter replied, ‘I cannot, I shall lose my company.’ ‘Who is your company?’ enquired Russell. ‘The Twelve.’ ‘The Twelve!’ ‘Yes, don't you know that this is the twenty-sixth, and the day the Twelve were to take leave of their friends on the foundation of the Lord's House, to go to the islands of the sea? The revelation is now fulfilled, and I am going with them.’ Russell was speechless, and Turley bid him farewell. “The brethren immediately returned to Quincy, taking with them the families from Tenney's Grove” (History of the Church, Vol. 3, page 340).

D&C 117

 The Lord gave an eternal perspective to Newel K. Whitney - 

"Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me? saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants 117:4)

In my mind, this falls under the law of sacrifice...things that we possess

Again, from an eternal perspective - 

"Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 117:8)

D&C 116

Through revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught - 

"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."  (Doctrine and Covenants 116:1)

Though my thoughts this morning are not doctrine, I noted that Daniel's prophecy did not suggest the events that would transpire at Adam-ondi-Ahman would be a single meeting or single event.  It could transpire over a long range of time.  I assume those attending Adam-ondi-Ahman could span a long time and not only include the living, but the dead, meaning - 

"thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand"  (Daniel 7:10)

...could be those that visited the site.

D&C 115

 The Lord declared through Joseph Smith - 

"Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy."  (Doctrine and Covenants 115:7)

Several years ago, as I visited Independence, Liberty Jail, Adam-ondi-Ahman, I made an out-of-the-way path to Far West.  Though there was very little left, I felt a powerful Holy Spirit there.

D&C 113

 The question was asked of the Prophet Joseph Smith - 

"...Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 113:7)

He answered - 

"He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost."  (Doctrine and Covenants 113:8)

Which suggests to me that it would be those of the lineage of Israel "should hold the power" the Lord covenanted with Abraham -

"...in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal."  (Abraham 2:11)

D&C 112

 The Lord counseled Thomas B. Marsh with these popular words - 

"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."   (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10)

...which apply to all of us.

D&C 111

 The Lord reveals another means of recognizing revelation, teaching - 

"...it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you."

(Doctrine and Covenants 111:8)

D&C 110

The very purpose that the Lord commanded the Kirtland Temple to be built was -

"...the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors."  (Doctrine and Covenants 110:11–16)

In my mind, the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham are all the temple ordinances, covenants, knowledge, and power that are essential for eternal increase.  The Keys brought by Elijah was the keys to bind on earth and in heaven...the sealing power and authority that validates all other priesthood works.

D&C 110

 The Savior appeared in the Kirtland Temple and declared - 

"For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house."  (Doctrine and Covenants 110:7)

I believe that when we feel the Spirit of the Lord, it is evidence or a manifestation that we have received forgiveness and mercy.

D&C 109

 In the Prophet Joseph Smith's dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, this verse touched me - 

"O Jehovah, have mercy upon this people, and as all men sin, forgive the transgressions of thy people, and let them be blotted out forever.

35 Let the anointing of thy ministers be sealed upon them with power from on high."  (Doctrine and Covenants 109:34–35)

D&C 109

 Before I comment on the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple, I wanted to note some spiritual testimonies and experiences that happened that day - 

“President Frederick G. Williams arose and testified that while President Rigdon was making his first prayer, an angel entered the window and took his seat between Father Smith and himself, and remained there during the prayer.

 “President David Whitmer also saw angels in the house.

“Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place. This continued until the meeting closed at eleven p. m.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 428).

D&C 108

 I personally loved the Savior's comforting words to Lyman Sherman - 

 "Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.

2 Therefore, let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.

3 And arise up and be more careful henceforth in observing your vows, which you have made and do make, and you shall be blessed with exceeding great blessings."  (Doctrine and Covenants 108:1–3)

D&C 107

 We learn by modern revelation that - 

"Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.

54 And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.

55 And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.

56 And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.

57 These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:53–57)

That will be an interesting day.

D&C 107

 The Lord again give instruction on priesthood quorums saying - 

"Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.

23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.

25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

26 And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22–26)

I note that the Seventy are not equal in power which in my mind are priesthood keys.

And - 

"The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and secondly unto the Jews.

34 The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:33–34)  

Though they are equal in priesthood authority, the Quorum of the Twelve serves under the direction of the First Presidency, and the Seventy serves under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Finally - 

"Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called President of the High Priesthood of the Church;

66 Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the Church."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:65–66)

D&C 107

 The Lord instructs - 

"There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:1)

Of the Aaronic Priesthood, it - 

 

"...has power in administering outward ordinances."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:14)

In my mind, the difference between Aaronic and Levitical (which is part of the Aaronic priesthood), Aaronic includes the office of priests in administering outward ordinances and covenants, the Levitical is in reference to offices of deacons and teachers who serve in priesthood duties.

D&C 106

 The Lord said to Warren Cowdery - 

"...I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.

8 And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand..."   (Doctrine and Covenants 106:7–8)

I loved the promise of grace and assurance in our callings.  In my mind, grace being His enabling power and assurance is that is some means you are on the right path.

D&C 105

 Though I have mentioned this before, again I was struck this morning with these words - 

"I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith."   (Doctrine and Covenants 105:19)

These words have great application to all of us.

D&C 103

 The Lord revealed to the saints - 

"Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion;

2 Being driven and smitten by the hands of mine enemies, on whom I will pour out my wrath without measure in mine own time."  (Doctrine and Covenants 103:1–2)

There are many saints that want accountability for wrongs committed, but the Lord looks from an eternal perspective...thank goodness.  He always seems to give everyone a full chance to repent before they are punished.

Section 103

 Before I quote scripture from section 103, I wanted to include a litttle bit of the conditions experienced by Parley P. Pratt after being run out of Jackson County to Clay County in the early winter of 1834 - 

“After making our escape into the county of Clay—being reduced to the lowest poverty—I made a living by day labor, jobbing, building, or wood cutting, till some time in the winter of 1834, when a general Conference was held at my house, in which it was decided that two of the Elders should be sent to Ohio, in order to counsel with President Smith and the Church at Kirtland, and take some measures for the relief or restoration of the people thus plundered and driven from their homes. The question was put to the Conference: ‘Who would volunteer to perform so great a journey?’ “The poverty of all, and the inclement season of the year made all hesitate. At length Lyman Wight and myself offered our services, which were readily accepted. I was at this time entirely destitute of proper clothing for the journey; and I had neither horse, saddle, bridle, money nor provisions to take with me; or to leave with my wife, who lay sick and helpless most of the time. “Under these circumstances I knew not what to do. Nearly all had been robbed and plundered, and all were poor. As we had to start without delay, I almost trembled at the undertaking; it seemed to be all but an impossibility; but ‘to him that believeth all things are possible.’ [Mark 9:23.] I started out of my house to do something towards making preparation; I hardly knew which way to go, but I found myself in the house of brother John Lowry, and was intending to ask him for money; but as I entered his miserable cottage in the swamp, amid the low, timbered bottoms of the Missouri river, I found him sick in bed with a heavy fever, and two or three others of his family down with the same complaint, on different beds in the same room. He was vomiting severely, and was hardly sensible of my presence. I thought to myself, ‘well, this is a poor place to come for money, and yet I must have it; I know of no one else that has got it; what shall I do?’ I sat a little while confounded and amazed. At length another Elder happened in; at that instant faith sprung up in my heart; the Spirit whispered to me, ‘is there anything too hard for the Lord?’ I said to the Elder that came in: ‘Brother, I am glad you have come; these people must be healed, for I want some money of them, and must have it.’ “We laid hands on them and rebuked the disease; brother Lowry rose up well; I did my errand, and readily obtained all I asked. This provided in part for my family's sustenance while I should leave them. I went a little further into the woods of the Missouri bottoms, and came to a camp of some brethren, by the name of Higbee, who owned some horses; they saw me coming, and, moved by the Spirit, one of them said to the other, ‘there comes brother Parley; he's in want of a horse for his journey—I must let him have old Dick;’ this being the name of the best horse he had. ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘brother, you have guessed right; but what will I do for a saddle?’ ‘Well,’ says the other, ‘I believe I'll have to let you have mine.’ I blessed them and went on my way rejoicing. “I next called on Sidney A. Gilbert [actually, A. Sidney Gilbert—see D&C 53, heading], a merchant, then sojourning in the village of Liberty—his store in Jackson County having been broken up, and his goods plundered and destroyed by the mob. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘brother Parley, you certainly look too shabby to start a journey; you must have a new suit; I have got some remnants left that will make you a coat,’ etc. A neighboring tailoress and two or three other sisters happened to be present on a visit, and hearing the conversation, exclaimed, ‘Yes, brother Gilbert, you find the stuff and we'll make it up for him.’ This arranged, I now lacked only a cloak; this was also furnished by brother Gilbert. “Brother Wight was also prospered in a similar manner in his preparations. Thus faith and the blessings of God had cleared up our way to accomplish what seemed impossible. We were soon ready, and on the first of February we mounted our horses, and started in good cheer to ride one thousand or fifteen hundred miles through a wilderness country. We had not one cent of money in our pockets on starting. “We travelled every day, whether through storm or sunshine, mud, rain or snow; except when our public duties called us to tarry. We arrived in Kirtland early in the spring, all safe and sound; we had lacked for nothing on the road, and now had plenty of funds in hand. President Joseph Smith and the Church in Kirtland received us with a hospitality and joy unknown except among the Saints; and much interest was felt there, as well as elsewhere, on the subject of our persecution (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pages 107–9).

D&C 102

 This section is about the purpose, process, and duties of high councilors and presidencies in disciplinary councils.  Instead of quoting verses in this section, I wanted to share an experience.  As I do, it should be noted that I served both as a high councilor and member of stake presidency in many such councils.

In the year 2000, I was called to be the newest member of the stake high council.  I felt unqualified, inexperienced, and quite intimidated.  I surely wanted to hide in my chair and go unnoticed.

Shortly after my calling, I participated in my first disciplinary council.  I studied the 102nd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants in preparation.  Fortunately, if I remember right, my lot was the fifth seat.  As the council proceeded with an elderly brother, I felt some strong feelings develop about what should be the final outcome.  At the conclusion of facts, the stake president (whom I really felt intimidated by) only asked for recommendations from the first four seats.  The majority of the recommendations were for excommunication.  I honestly continued to have this, what I felt was a spiritual impression, was for disfellowshipment, and I had my thoughts and reasons why.  The presidency convened to discuss the matter in the stake president's office.  As we waited for their return and decision, I had the feeling that I could not agree with excommunication without being heard. I remember being highly troubled by this response.  Could I be a sole troublemaker, in a sense?  As the presidency returned and recommended disfellowshipment I was very much relieved.  I don't think that ever happened again.  I don't thing I ever told anyone.

D&C 101

 I think it is quite thought provoking as the Lord commands His saints not to sell their land in Jackson County even though they have been forced from their land where we read - 

"Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and hold claim upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not be permitted to dwell thereon.

100 Nevertheless, I do not say they shall not dwell thereon; for inasmuch as they bring forth fruit and works meet for my kingdom they shall dwell thereon.

101 They shall build, and another shall not inherit it; they shall plant vineyards, and they shall eat the fruit thereof."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:99–101)

I believe this condition and promise was extended to the entire Church, not just those in Zion.  His chastisement is always with love.

D&C 101

 Even though the saints were experiencing great hardship in Missouri, the Lord instructs - 

"...verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—

64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:63–64)

In my mind, these holy places include stakes and temples of Zion.

D&C 101

 We read in this section, the Lord states - 

"And now, I will show unto you a parable..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:43)

The parable is long. Sidney B. Sperry provides the following summary - 

“It would seem that the parable is to be interpreted in this way: the nobleman is the Lord, whose choice land in His vineyard is Zion in Missouri. The places where the Saints live in Zion are the olive trees. The servants are the Latter-day Saint settlers, and the watchmen are their officers in the Church. While yet building in Zion, they become at variance with each other and do not build the tower or Temple whose site had been dedicated as early as August 3, 1831. Had they built it as directed, it would have been a spiritual refuge for them, for from it the Lord's watchmen could have seen by revelation the movements of the enemy from afar. This foreknowledge would have saved them and their hard work when the enemy made his assault. “But the Saints in Missouri were slothful, lax, and asleep. The enemy came, and the Missouri persecutions were the result. The Lord's people were scattered and much of their labors wasted. The Almighty rebuked His people, as we have already seen, but He commanded one of His servants (v. 55), Joseph Smith (103:21), to gather the ‘strength of Mine house’ and rescue His lands and possessions gathered against them. “Subsequently, the Prophet and his brethren in the famous Zion's Camp did go to Missouri in 1834 in an attempt to carry out the terms of the parable. Before they went, additional revelation was received (see 103:21–28) concerning the redemption of Zion. The brethren were instructed to try to buy land in Missouri, not to use force; and if the enemy came against them, they were to bring a curse upon them. Zion was not redeemed at that time but we may look for it in the not-too-distant future. Verily, it will be redeemed when the Lord wills it”

“Though Joseph Smith followed the Lord's instructions to gather together the ‘strength of my house’ (D&C 103:22) by organizing Zion's Camp to go forth to redeem Zion, the Lord's purpose in sending them and his will concerning the redemption of Zion were not fully understood by his people. The redemption of Zion did not take place at that time. When the servant in the parable asked when the land would be possessed, the Lord responded, ‘When I will’ (D&C 101:60). “The parable further states that all things will be fulfilled ‘after many days’ (v. 62), which passage indicates that a long period of time will pass before Zion will be redeemed. The redemption of Zion still had not taken place even after the Saints had been expelled from Missouri and from Nauvoo. The Lord then told Brigham Young that ‘Zion shall be redeemed in mine own due time’ (D&C 136:18). The redemption of Zion (meaning, the city of New Jerusalem in Missouri) is still future, although of course it is much closer now than it was when the Saints first sought to regain their inheritance in the land of Zion.

I marvel at how often the Lord commands just to prove us whether the final outcome is not what we thought.

D&C 101

 To the early saints, the Lord outlined - 

"...behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—

21 Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.

22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:20–22)

In my mind, the gathering of saints to stake or the strength of Zion is significant.

The Lord also instructed - 

"Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.

38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:36–38)

D&C 101

 The Lord declared that in the last days, before His second coming - 

"I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass.

11 Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:10–11)

I find comfort in that promise.  Obviously, the condition is "when the cup of iniquity is full".  I don't know when that will be other than it will be.