D&C 128

As the Prophet wrote to the saints concerning his impressions on the baptisms of the dead, he said -

"...let there be a general recorder, to whom these other records can be handed, being attended with certificates over their own signatures, certifying that the record they have made is true. Then the general church recorder can enter the record on the general church book, with the certificates and all the attending witnesses, with his own statement that he verily believes the above statement and records to be true, from his knowledge of the general character and appointment of those men by the church. And when this is done on the general church book, the record shall be just as holy, and shall answer the ordinance just the same as if he had seen with his eyes and heard with his ears, and made a record of the same on the general church book." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:4)

These instructions came as he pondered the words of John the Revelator -


"...And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:6)

The Prophet explained -

"You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:7)

He continued -

"Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:8)

Note that he emphasized that all of the "consists in the power of the priesthood" -

"This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:14)

And with this sealing and binding power, the Prophet said -

"It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 128:9)

Joseph Smith - Words of Hope and Consolation at the Time of Death

The Prophet Joseph Smith provided some great incite on the comfort that can be provided for those who lost love ones. Much of the following are quites given by the Prophet when varying saints had passed on -

“… I know that my testimony is true; hence, when I talk to these mourners, what have they lost? Their relatives and friends are only separated from their bodies for a short season: their spirits which existed with God have left the tabernacle of clay only for a little moment, as it were; and they now exist in a place where they converse together the same as we do on the earth. … "

“… What have we to console us in relation to the dead? We have reason to have the greatest hope and consolation for our dead of any people on the earth; for we have seen them walk worthily in our midst, and seen them sink asleep in the arms of Jesus...you mourners have occasion to rejoice, speaking of the death of Elder King Follett; for your husband and father is gone to wait until the resurrection of the dead—until the perfection of the remainder; for at the resurrection your friend will rise in perfect felicity and go to celestial glory. …"

“I am authorized to say, by the authority of the Holy Ghost, that you have no occasion to fear; for he is gone to the home of the just. Don’t mourn, don’t weep. I know it by the testimony of the Holy Ghost that is within me; and you may wait for your friends to come forth to meet you in the morn of the celestial world. … :"

“I have a father, brothers, children, and friends who have gone to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again. The time will soon arrive when the trumpet shall sound. When we depart, we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and all whom we love, who have fallen asleep in Jesus. There will be no fear of mobs, persecutions, or malicious lawsuits and arrests; but it will be an eternity of felicity.”

“Would you think it strange if I relate what I have seen in vision in relation to this interesting theme? Those who have died in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of joy when they come forth, which they possessed or anticipated here."

“With respect to the deaths in Zion, we feel to mourn with those that mourn, but remember that the God of all the earth will do right.”

Joseph Smith - Establishing the Cause of Zion

In modern day we learn -

"...this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:21)

And that the

"...the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:18)

The Lord also referred to the place where -

"...righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:62)

The establishment of the Zion began -

"In the early 1830s, the Saints attempted to lay the foundation of Zion in Jackson County, Missouri, as commanded by the Lord, but were unable to do so because they were not spiritually prepared."

The Prophet Joseph Smith said concerning the establishment of Zion -

“I cannot learn from any communication by the Spirit to me, that Zion has forfeited her claim to a celestial crown, notwithstanding the Lord has caused her to be thus afflicted, except it may be some individuals, who have walked in disobedience, and forsaken the new covenant; all such will be made manifest by their works in due time. I have always expected that Zion would suffer some affliction, from what I could learn from the commandments which have been given. But I would remind you of a certain clause in one which says, that after much tribulation cometh the blessing [see D&C 58:4]. By this, and also others, and also one received of late, I know that Zion, in the due time of the Lord, will be redeemed; but how many will be the days of her purification, tribulation, and affliction, the Lord has kept hid from my eyes; and when I inquire concerning this subject, the voice of the Lord is: Be still, and know that I am God! All those who suffer for my name shall reign with me, and he that layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. … May God grant that notwithstanding [our] great afflictions and sufferings, there may not anything separate us from [the] love of Christ."

Preparation seems to be the key to the establishment of Zion -

“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory.”

The Prophet taught -

"Anyplace where the Saints gather is Zion, which every righteous man will build up for a place of safety for his children.”

“There will be here and there a Stake [of Zion] for the gathering of the Saints. … There your children shall be blessed, and you in the midst of friends where you may be blessed. The Gospel net gathers of every kind."

“… We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. … The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes.”

“Let every one labor to prepare himself for the vineyard, sparing a little time to comfort the mourners; to bind up the broken-hearted; to reclaim the backslider; to bring back the wanderer; to re-invite into the kingdom such as have been cut off, by encouraging them to lay to while the day lasts, and work righteousness, and, with one heart and one mind, prepare to help redeem Zion, that goodly land of promise, where the willing and the obedient shall be blessed..."

D&C 124

The purposes and commandments of the Lord are not always understood by man. The Lord has said -

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Old Testament Isaiah 55:8 - 9)

As we study many of the modern revelations, we recognize that many of the commandments were never accomplished. We can receive a great deal of comfort as the Lord explained -

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:49)

The doctrine seems to suggest that the issue isn't that the work is accomplished but more the faith and diligence of those to whom the commandment is given. And as much as many have challenged the truthfulness and prophecies of the Prophet, the Lord said -

"Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:51)

In several instances in the scriptures, the Lord has basically said -

"I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:52)

But is this case, he provides a little bit more incite on the matter -

"...so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:52)

The Lord has always said that those that repent and come to him with a contrite and broken heart, He will forgive saying -

"All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:37)

D&C 123

While unjustly imprisoned in the Liberty jail while also living under the most heartless conditions of living, the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote -

"It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand, and also to ourselves, to our wives and children..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:7)

And -

"...not only to our own wives and children, but to the widows and fatherless..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:9)

"And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:11)

The duty -

"...that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:13)

Because -

"...there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:12)

As one comes to know the conditions that the Prophet lived under in the Libery jail, these words of compassion are in themselves evidence of his divine calling and willingness to do the Lords will. These duties -

"...should then be attended to with great earnestness." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:14)

"...Let no man count them as small things..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:15)

The Prophet explains -

"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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 123:16)

And then he provides this great condition and promise to those who do their duty -

"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 Section 123:17)

D&C 117

As the Lord revealed his will to William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger, we begin to understand in what manner He would want us to consider our personal possessions. He said to these brethren -

"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 Section 117:4)

In answer, He teaches these truths -

"...have I not the fowls of heaven, and also the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?
7 Therefore, will I not make solitary places to bud and to blossom, and to bring forth in abundance? saith the Lord.
8 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..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 117:6 - 8)

For in the Lord's perspective -

"...every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:32)

Therefore, to the saints, He asks why -

"...that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 117:8)

With this explanation He instructs -

"Let the properties of Kirtland be turned out for debts, saith the Lord. Let them go, saith the Lord, and whatsoever remaineth, let it remain in your hands, saith the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 117:5)

This all falls under the Law of Consecration. Even as the Lord promised Oliver Granger, which I believe is a promise to all that -

"...when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 117:13)

D&C 115

The Lord speaking first to -

"...my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also my servant Hyrum Smith, and your counselors who are and shall be appointed hereafter..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:1)

Then to -

"...my servant Edward Partridge, and his counselors..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:2)

And to others that hold the Melchizedek priesthoo -

"...my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:3)

And finally to the -

"...people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;
4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:3 - 4)

The Lord says to them all -

"...Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:5)

For the purpose -

"...that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 115:6)

I see this as one of the primary purposes of the stakes of Zion

D&C 110

After several visions had been manifested to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, the prophet records -

"...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 Section 110:13 - 16)

The keys of the priesthood that was restored by was the sealing power. The same power the Savior referred to while speaking to Peter -

"...I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (New Testament Matthew 16:19)

The keys of this sealing power that without such -

"...All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations...are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:7)

These last keys restored by the prophet Elijah are the crowning keys to all other keys and were restored last as -

"Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:8)

Last Thursday, I was able to witness the manifestation of this great sealing power at the wedding of my daughter. I can testify without any hesitation that the Spirit witnessed to me that this power has been restored and so demonstrated in the temple that day.

"Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:20)

D&C 109

As the Prophet Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple, he spoke of forgiveness and the welfare of his enemies. Speaking of the wicked that had persecuted the saints in Missouri he prays -

"Have mercy, O Lord, upon the wicked mob, who have driven thy people, that they may cease to spoil, that they may repent of their sins if repentance is to be found..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:50)

This reminds me of the teachings of the Savior -

"...behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 12:44)

It takes a very humble and obedient person to live according to these teachings. The Prophet as prayed for the -

"...cause that the remnants of Jacob, who have been cursed and smitten because of their transgression, be converted from their wild and savage condition to the fulness of the everlasting gospel..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:65)

And with the wicked -

"Remember all thy church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections, with all their sick and afflicted ones, with all the poor and meek of the earth; that the kingdom, which thou hast set up without hands, may become a great mountain and fill the whole earth..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:72)

This prayers reflects a great deal on the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

D&C 109

In the inspired dedicatory prayer of the Prophet Joseph Smith, recounts the revelation of the Lord praying -

"...thou hast said in a revelation, given to us, calling us thy friends, saying—Call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you;
7 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith;
8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
9 That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:6 - 9)

And then the Prophet prayerfully pleads -

"...that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord's house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.
14 And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;
15 And that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:13 - 15)

All for the very purpose to -

"...be prepared to obtain every needful thing..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:15)

In my mind, every needful thing is all covenants, oaths, powers, sealings, and knowledge to satisfy entry and live into the presence of God. This is the purpose of the temple or His house that it -

"...may be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even thy house;
17 That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord;
18 That all their outgoings from this house may be in the name of the Lord;
19 And that all their salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with holy hands, uplifted to the Most High..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:16 - 19)

And -

"...that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:22)

And also that -

"That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;
26 That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:25 - 26)

He reminds us -

"...that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:20)

And because of His mercy and grace -

"...when thy people transgress, any of them, they may speedily repent and return unto thee, and find favor in thy sight, and be restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:21)

What a wonderful thought that these blessings are available to all that repent and are willing to make and keep sacred covenants.

Section 107

The Lord revealed in modern day -

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

Of this first priesthood -

"The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:8)

This philosopy "presidency" is not recognized or used in other churches or in the business or political world. The Merriam-Webster dictionary provides the following of one of its definitions -

"a Mormon executive council of the church or a stake consisting of a president and two counselors"

And it is this -

"...Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:9)

One of the offices in this greater priesthood is the office of high priest and the -

"High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the office of an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:10)

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary -

Standing means:

"a position from which one may assert or enforce legal rights and duties:

Officiate means:

"to carry out (an official duty or function)"
"to serve as a leader..."

High Priests then have rights, authority, and duties to carry out in administering spiritual things. And even -

"The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeable to the covenants and commandments of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when there are no higher authorities present." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:12)

But nevertheless remembering they officiate -

"...under the direction of the presidency..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:10)

Or those who hold priesthood keys, for -

"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:18)

In the early days of the Church, it may seem that this revelation seemed to be refering to the First Presidency, many of the principles are directly true to stake presidencies also.

Joseph Smith - Obedience: "When the Lord Commands, Do It"

In the 105th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord told the brethren in Zions Camp -

"...behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:3)

The Lord then followed with -

"...Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:5)

Which is the law of obedience. Samuel told Saul -

"...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." (Old Testament 1 Samuel 15:22)

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

“Any man may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and be happy in that belief, and yet not obey his commandments, and at last be cut down for disobedience to the Lord’s righteous requirements.”

“The law of heaven is presented to man, and as such guarantees to all who obey it a reward far beyond any earthly consideration; though it does not promise that the believer in every age should be exempt from the afflictions and troubles arising from different sources in consequence of the acts of wicked men on earth. Still in the midst of all this there is a promise predicated upon the fact that it is the law of heaven, which transcends the law of man, as far as eternal life the temporal; and as the blessings which God is able to give, are greater than those which can be given by man. Then, certainly, if the law of man is binding upon man when acknowledged, how much more must the law of heaven be! And as much as the law of heaven is more perfect than the law of man, so much greater must be the reward if obeyed. … The law of God promises that life which is eternal, even an inheritance at God’s own right hand, secure from all the powers of the wicked one. …"

The Lord has revealed that -

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:20 - 21)

The Prophet taught -

“All blessings that were ordained for man by the Council of Heaven were on conditions of obedience to the law thereof.”

“Live in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and walk humbly before Him, and He will exalt thee in His own due time.”

I end this blog with this quote from the Prophet -

“Remember, brethren, that He has called you unto holiness; and need we say, to be like Him in purity? How wise, how holy; how chaste, and how perfect, then, you ought to conduct yourselves in His sight; and remember, too, that His eyes are continually upon you. Viewing these facts in a proper light, you cannot be insensible, that without a strict observance of all His divine requirements, you may, at last, be found wanting; and if so, you will admit, that your lot will be cast among the unprofitable servants. We beseech you, therefore, brethren, to improve upon all things committed to your charge, that you lose not your reward.”

I emphasize, we are called unto holiness which is the result of obedience and grace.

D&C 105

As directed by the Lord, a group of the faithful known as Zions Camp, having traveled a great distance and having endured great affliction for the purpose to redeem the land of Zion. As Zions Camp was camped on Fishing River a short distance from their final destination the Lord tells the camp -

"...I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:1)

And His will was that -

"...it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:9)

I've thought how the men must have felt after all they had endured. There must have been - "why"s and "you have got to be kidding". But the Lord then explains. At first the voice may sound like a lecturing voice, but since I have come to feel a very compassionate, loving voice -

"...were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the union

The people were not ready or properly prepared to be redeemed -

"...Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:5)

I'm sure many of the saints thought that they just needed to show up and all would be as Zion. But the Lord explained -

"...my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:6)

And then He teaches the process of acquiring Zion -

"Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—
10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:9 - 10)

And even -

"...this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.
12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.
13 Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:11 - 13)

For Zion to be redeemed, it must first become "the pure in heart". In conclusion, the Lord teaches -

"There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:35)

And those that choose righteously, that are proven worthy become chosen and -

"And it shall be manifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are chosen; and they shall be sanctified..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 105:36)

D&C 104

In the preface to section 104 of the Doctrine and Covenants, it reads -

"Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, April 23, 1834, concerning the United Order, or the order of the Church for the benefit of the poor. " (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:Heading)

There are some principles therein that apply to current policies for the benefit of the poor. The Lord states that -

"I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:14)

First and foremost, it is important that His children understand that all is His. But through His grace He reveals -

"And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:15)

But their is a condition to how He will provide for His saints -

"...it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:16)

For He knows -

"...the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:17)


As agents unto themselves, He instructs -

"It is wisdom in me; therefore, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man his stewardship..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:11)

And with that -

"...every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:12)

And

"...if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:18)

With emphasis He again repeats -

"And again, a commandment I give unto you concerning your stewardship which I have appointed unto you.
55 Behold, all these properties are mine, or else your faith is vain, and ye are found hypocrites, and the covenants which ye have made unto me are broken;
56 And if the properties are mine, then ye are stewards; otherwise ye are no stewards.
57 But, verily I say unto you, I have appointed unto you to be stewards over mine house, even stewards indeed." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 104:54 - 57)

D&C 103

We learn that during the days of Enoch -

"...the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:18)

In modern day, the Lord referred to the place where the saints were gathering in Missouri as "the land of Zion" or the land where the saints or people were to live with one heart and one mind dwelling in righteousness. But we learn that this was not the case as the Lord said of -

"...those who call themselves after my name might be chastened for a little season with a sore and grievous chastisement, because they did not hearken altogether unto the precepts and commandments which I gave unto them." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:4)

These saints were good people striving to live in the manner the Lord had prescribed yet the purpose was to work to "become" a people called Zion. The Lord loves His children and -

"...whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (New Testament Hebrews 12:6 - 7)

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (New Testament Hebrews 12:9)

The Lord then provided His saints a promise. A promise that I don't think is just a point in time but and ongoing promise that His children realize as they strive to "become" a people called Zion saying -

"...I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
6 Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
7 And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:5 - 7)

"For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:12)

D&C 100

There are two short scriptures that stood out in my reading this morning. We are taught in th 50th section of the Doctrine and Covenants the critical nature of teach by the Spirit -

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?
14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth..Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.
17 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God.
19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20 If it be some other way it is not of God.
21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:13 - 22)

With instruction, I've thought "what can I do to help others receive by the Spirit". To the Prophet the Lord taught -

"...a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.
8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 100:7 - 8)

My second thought was in regards to gathering. In the early days of the Church, the saints were gathering in Ohio and Missouri. As the Church would grow the Lord provided this guidance -

"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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 101:21)

And it is within these "stakes" that the Lord tells His saints -

"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;
23 And prepare for the revelation which is to come..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 101:22 - 23)

What great instruction as we come near our next stake conference.