Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

D&C 59

The Lord has declared some very special blessings for the obedient saints that come to Zion. Those that -

"...come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:1)

He promises -

"...those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:2)

It is apparent the Lord's perspective is much higher than man as he considers death a great blessing for the righteous. For those that live -

"Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength.
4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time—they that are faithful and diligent before me." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:3 - 4)

These blessings appear to me more spiritual as the see more commandments or covenants as the crowning of blessings from Him. He then follows with a reminder of His commandments -

"Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.
6 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:5 - 6)

And even with the pending tribulations previously foretold, He says -

"Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:8)

And His desire for the saints to keep the Sabbath day holy -

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;
12 But remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.
13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:9 - 13)

It is again apparent that the perspective of the Lord is much higher as he relates fasting with joy following with -

"Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:14)

The reader should review the following verses of the great blessings that follow those that keep these commandments.