D&C 83

As part of the plan, the Lord made His will clear regarding responsibilities of spouses and the Church in regards to temporal matters saying -

"...in addition to the laws of the church concerning women and children, those who belong to the church, who have lost their husbands or fathers:
2 Women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 83:1 - 2)

And -

"All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 83:4)

Reading between the lines would also suggest the husbands and fathers have an obligation to provide for their wives and children. The Church or in other words, the saints then have an obligation such that -

"...after that, they have claim upon the church, or in other words upon the Lord's storehouse, if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances.
6 And the storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the church; and widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 83:5 - 6)

There seems to be an order of priority presented here by the Lord. The first obligation is upon the Father and family to be self reliant. Then it seems to fall upon the parents or family if their adult children are struggling in matters of self reliance and temporal needs. The last option is the consecrations of the Church. President Spencer W. Kimball said -

"The Church and its members are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent. (See D&C 78:13–14.)

The responsibility for each person’s social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof.

No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life. (See 1 Timothy 5:8.)” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1977, p. 124; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, pp. 77–78.)

D&C 82

John the Revelator wrote -

"...I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (New Testament Revelation 21:2)

The holy city was Zion of the last days, prepared to receive the Master. We know that Enoch of ancient days -

"...walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Old Testament Genesis 5:24)

In modern day we learn of Enoch, being a great prophet, called on the people and they did. And Enoch -

"...built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even ZION." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:19)

And even -

"...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)

"And after that Zion was taken up into heaven..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:23)

...because it was a city of holiness.

A city of holiness is that which John prophecied would be prepared to receive the Savior. As the saints gathered in Missouri, the Lord wanted his people to be called Zion, "being of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." He taught -

"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 82:14)

Thus Zion would "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband". So the Lord said -

"Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.
16 Behold, here is wisdom also in me for your good.
17 And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
18 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church—
19 Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.
20 This order I have appointed to be an everlasting order unto you, and unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 82:15 - 20)

This was to be the order of Zion, the same order of Enoch. This is the law of consecration. President Harold B. Lee explained -

“Zion, as used here, undoubtedly had reference to the Church. At that time there was but a small body of Church members just beginning to emerge as an organization, after having experienced harsh treatment from enemies outside the Church. . . .

To be worthy of such a sacred designation as Zion, the Church must think of itself as a bride adorned for her husband, as John the Revelator recorded when he saw in vision the Holy City where the righteous dwelled, adorned as a bride for the Lamb of God as her husband. Here is portrayed the relationship the Lord desires in his people in order to be acceptable to our Lord and Master even as a wife would adorn herself in beautiful garments for her husband.

The rule by which the people of God must live in order to be worthy of acceptance in the sight of God is indicated [in this verse]. This people must increase in beauty before the world; have an inward loveliness which may be observed by mankind as a reflection in holiness and in those inherent qualities of sanctity. The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged. The stakes of Zion must be strengthened. All this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1973, pp. 4–5; or Ensign, July 1973, p. 3.)

D&C 80

As Steven Burnett was given the charge to preach the gospel, the Lord said -

"...declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 80:4)

At that time, the Book of Commandments or the Doctrine and Covenants had not been published so Brother Burnett was to declare these things which he had heard. Had these revelations been published, I'm sure the Lord would have referred to those revelations that had been written. This scripture suggests that the more we study and learn, the better we will be prepared to declare the things we have heard. I recently was asked by some youth why it is so important to attend Seminary. My response would be that it better helps us declare these things we hear as well as increase our knowledge of their truthfulness. Many years ago, Elder Orson Pratt commented -

"I have been abroad with several companies of missionaries from this place, and I have seen them lament and mourn, and have heard them tell their feelings one to another, saying—‘O that I had occupied my time that I have spent as it were in folly, in treasuring up the principles of eternal life,—that I had studied the scriptures—that I had made myself acquainted more extensively with the doctrines of the Church—that I had made myself acquainted with those principles revealed from heaven for our guidance! I should then have been prepared to stand before the inhabitants of the earth and edify them with regard to our principles." (In Journal of Discourses, 7:76.)

D&C 78

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord constantly reminds us of our obligations for the poor and the needy. Again, on this matter the Lord commands -

"...the time has come, and is now at hand; and behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion—
4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 78:3 - 4)

And with most commandments, the Lord explains -

"...that you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.
6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;
7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 78:5 - 7)

It becomes apparent that this commandment in connection with others are part of and a requirement of The New and Everlasting Covenant as the Lord warns -

"...a commandment I give unto you, to prepare and organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken.
12 And he who breaketh it shall lose his office and standing in the church, and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 78:11 - 12)

The serious nature of this of this covenant becomes quite apparent. As the Church in general struggled with this new order or the law of consecration, more focus was placed to prepare the saints with tithing and the Church welfare program to help the saints understand -

"That through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 78:14)

Elder Marion G. Romney taught on this matter -

"I do not want to be a calamity howler. I don’t know in detail what’s going to happen in the future. I know what the prophets have predicted. But I tell you that the welfare program, organized to enable us to take care of our own needs, has not yet performed the function that it was set up to perform. We will see the day when we will live on what we produce.

We’re living in the latter days. We’re living in the days the prophets have told about from the time of Enoch to the present day. We are living in the era just preceding the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told to so prepare and live that we can be . . . independent of every other creature beneath the celestial kingdom. That is what we are to do.

This welfare program was set up under inspiration in the days of President Grant. It was thoroughly analyzed and taught by his great counselor, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. It is in basic principle the same as the United Order. When we get so we can live it, we will be ready for the United Order. You brethren know that we will have to have a people ready for that order in order to receive the Savior when he comes.

I know from my own experience and the witnesses by the thousands that I have received of the Spirit that this is the Lord’s work. It is to prepare us. If you’ll think of the most sacred place you ever have been, you’ll remember that the final thing that we are to do is to be able and willing to consecrate all that we have to the building up of the kingdom of God, to care for our fellow men. When we do this we’ll be ready for the coming of the Messiah." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 165–66.)

D&C 77

In reference to Revelations 4:6, the Prophet Joseph Smith addressed the question -

"Q. What are we to understand by the four beasts, spoken of in the same verse?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:2)

By revelation, he answered -

"A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:2)

Even though these were figurative expressions of these things, they were also very real as the Prophet again addressed the question -

"Q. Are the four beasts limited to individual beasts, or do they represent classes or orders?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:3)

The Prophet again answered -

"A. They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 77:3)

There is very little scriptural reference to the destiny, order, and sphere of all God's creations, yet they are still part of the "plan". Every creature was created both spiritually and physically. John the Revelator records that -

"...every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (New Testament Revelation 5:13)

The Prophet taught -

"I suppose John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this,—strange beasts of which we have no conception: all might be seen in heaven. The grand secret was to show John what there was in heaven. John learned that God glorified Himself by saving all that His hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men; and He will glorify Himself with them." (Teachings, pp. 289–91.)

D&C 76

In vision, the Prophet Joseph -

"...saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:50)

These are they who were valiant and -

"...who received the testimony of Jesus..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:51)

And among other conditions, these are they -

"...who overcome by faith..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:53)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie spoke of what it means to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus and to overcome by faith -

"To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him’; it is to deny ourselves ‘of all ungodliness,’ and ‘love God’ with all our ‘might, mind and strength.’ (Moro. 10:32.)

To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to believe in Christ and his gospel with unshakable conviction. It is to know of the verity and divinity of the Lord’s work on earth.

But this is not all. It is more than believing and knowing. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only. It is more than lip service; it is not simply confessing with the mouth the divine Sonship of the Savior. It is obedience and conformity and personal righteousness. ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 7:21.)

To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.’ It is to ‘endure to the end.’ (2 Ne. 31:20.) It is to live our religion, to practice what we preach, to keep the commandments. It is the manifestation of ‘pure religion’ in the lives of men; it is visiting ‘the fatherless and widows in their affliction’ and keeping ourselves ‘unspotted from the world.’ (James 1:27.)

To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to bridle our passions, control our appetites, and rise above carnal and evil things. It is to overcome the world as did he who is our prototype and who himself was the most valiant of all our Father’s children. It is to be morally clean, to pay our tithes and offerings, to honor the Sabbath day, to pray with full purpose of heart, to lay our all upon the altar if called upon to do so.

To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to take the Lord’s side on every issue. It is to vote as he would vote. It is to think what he thinks, to believe what he believes, to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one with him as he is one with his Father.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1974, pp. 45–46; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, pp. 33–35.)

But valiance is only a condition to overcome. To overcome requires a greater power and gift. For -

"These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:69)

It is through the Savior and the infinite atonement that -

"...they shall overcome all things." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:60)

And of those that overcome all things, they become -

"...even the sons of God—
59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:58 - 59)

For Christ has so declared for -

"...I, the Lord, will own them..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 63:63)

D&C 76

Very little is written in the Bible of the "devil and his angels". But in modern revelation we learn much more regarding Satan and "the sons of perdition". We learn -

"...that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
26 And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:25 - 26)

Lucifer means "light bearer" or "shining one" and perdition means "loss or destruction". I think the words -

"...he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:27)

...is significant. Even a son of the morning suggests that those who were also sons of the morning were the more valiant in the premortal life. It suggests that even the more valiant can become perdition. But these are they who -

"...maketh war with the saints of God..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:29)

These are they who are so rebellious that -

"...denied the Holy Spirit after having received it..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:35)

even such that -

"...having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:35)

Which means that these are them that are fully evil, that there is no good left in them at all in that they rebel against all that is good. Of these -

"...there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:34)

because there is no repentance or sorrow, just evil and hate. These are -

"...the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:37)

Which suggest that all others, there is glad tidings that they will be rewarded according to their works and obedience. This is the essence of the gospel.

But of Satan and his followers, they are -

"...the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:38)

"...they shall go away into everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment—
45 And the end thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their torment, no man knows;
46 Neither was it revealed, neither is, neither will be revealed unto man, except to them who are made partakers thereof...wherefore, the end, the width, the height, the depth, and the misery thereof, they understand not, neither any man except those who are ordained unto this condemnation." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:44 - 48)

D&C 76

The Prophet Joseph Smith records -

"For while we [he with Sidney Rigdon] were doing the work of translation, which the Lord had appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows—
16 Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man:
17 And shall come forth; they who have done good in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.
18 Now this caused us to marvel..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:15 - 18)

The Prophet explained this special type of "marvel" that comes by studying the scriptures, he said -

"...for it was given unto us of the Spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:18)

We are touched and enlightened by the Spirit as we are worthy on ponder the words of Christ. The Prophet continued -

"...while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:19)

We see this pattern amongst many of the modern revelations. Nephi had a similar experience as he -

"...had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:1)

Joseph F. Smith records -

"...I sat in my room pondering over the scriptures..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 138:1)

And -

"...As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 138:11)

It appears that pondering and meditation is required to be "given of the Spirit" and fulfil the Lord's promise that -

"...to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught.
10 For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:7 - 10)

President David O. McKay said -

“I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. . . .

Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1967, p. 85.)

D&C 75

To those who were called to preach the gospel, the Lord commanded -

"...proclaim the things which I have commanded them—
10 Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them—
11 Praying always that they faint not..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 75:9 - 11)

We have read much that -

"...the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:14)

Prayer of faith and teaching by the Spirit are two essential requirements to preach. One cannot be accomplished without the other. This principle is even recognized by one that is not of my faith as he comments -

"What is preaching without praying! Sermons are but pulpit performances, learned essays, rhetorical orations, popular lectures, or it may be political harangues, until God gives, in answer to earnest prayer, the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue. It is only he who prays that can truly preach. Many a sermon that has shown no intellectual genius and has violated all homiletic rules and standards has had dynamic spiritual force. Somehow it has moved men, melted them, moulded them. The man whose lips are touched by God’s living coal from off the altar may even stammer, but his hearers soon find out that he is on fire with one consuming passion to save souls" (Arthur T. Pierson, The Fundamentals, Vol. IX., p. 67).” (Commentary, p. 435.)

It is only when -

"...he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:22)

One more thought. The Lord gave this charge to those that have not been sent forth to preach -

"...that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 75:24)

The Lord makes it clear that all the saints have a economic responsibility to support the families of those that are called on missions. We are all in this work together.

D&C 74

The Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith to do a revised translation, or the better use of the word would be an inspired correction, of the scriptures. As he did so, the Lord revealed what Paul meant as he wrote to the Corinthians -

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 7:14)

The Lord explained by revelation -

"...in the days of the apostles the law of circumcision was had among all the Jews who believed not the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3 And it came to pass that there arose a great contention among the people concerning the law of circumcision, for the unbelieving husband was desirous that his children should be circumcised and become subject to the law of Moses, which law was fulfilled.
4 And it came to pass that the children, being brought up in subjection to the law of Moses, gave heed to the traditions of their fathers and believed not the gospel of Christ, wherein they became unholy." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:2 - 4)

As I read this, I have come to understand that as a father, one that holds incorrect traditional views, thus being considered an unbeliever, who carries on and teaches such incorrect views to his children, they will most likeling follow such views and become an unbeliever or as Paul wrote, unholy. This was the case with the Jewish law of circumcision. Jews considered children unclean that were not circumcised. Paul taught -

"...little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 74:7)

The true intent of circumcision was a covenant or a reminder to look forward for redemption through the Messiah. I see two important principles taught here. First that little children are saved through atonement of Jesus Christ and require nothing else, and second, by Paul's own personal recommendation, believers should not be united with unbelievers.

We read in the For the Strength of the Youth pamphlet, the youth are counseled -

"Date only those who have high standards and in whose company you can maintain your standards. A young man and a young woman on a date are responsible to help each other maintain their standards and to protect each other’s honor and virtue. You must honor the sanctity of the priesthood and of womanhood."

D&C 69

As of November 1831, John Whitmer had already been called to be the Church historian. Again in revelation, the Lord instructed Brother Whitmer -

"...he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 69:3)

"...let my servant John Whitmer travel many times from place to place, and from church to church, that he may the more easily obtain knowledge—
8 Preaching and expounding, writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations that shall grow up on the land of Zion, to possess it from generation to generation, forever and ever." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 69:7 - 8)

Even though this instruction was given to John Whitmer specifically, the saints have sinced been instructed to do the same - that is, keep a journal. This is an instruction in which I have been less than diligent in. Elder Orson Pratt had once contemplated -

"If every elder had, during the last nineteen years kept a faithful record of all that he had seen, heard, and felt of the goodness, wisdom and power of God, the Church would now have been in possession of many thousand volumes, containing much important and useful information. How many thousands have been miraculously healed in this Church, and yet no one has recorded the circumstances. Is this right? Should these miraculous manifestations of the power of God be forgotten and pass into oblivion? Should the knowledge of these things slumber in the hearts of those who witnessed them? . . . We should keep a record because Jesus has commanded it. We should keep a record because the same will benefit us and the generations of our children after us. We should keep a record because it will furnish many important items for the general history of the Church which would otherwise be lost.” (Millennial Star, 15 May 1849, p. 152.)

President Spencer W. Kimball counseled -

"Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity. Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant. . . .

Your own journal, like most others, will tell of problems as old as the world and how you dealt with them.

Your journal should contain your true self rather than a picture of you when you are ‘made up’ for a public performance. There is a temptation to paint one’s virtues in rich color and whitewash the vices, but there is also the opposite pitfall of accentuating the negative. Personally I have little respect for anyone who delves into the ugly phases of the life he is portraying, whether it be his own or another’s. The truth should be told, but we should not emphasize the negative. Even a long life full of inspiring experiences can be brought to the dust by one ugly story. Why dwell on that one ugly truth about someone whose life has been largely circumspect?

The good biographer will not depend on passion but on good sense. He will weed out the irrelevant and seek the strong, novel, and interesting. . . .

Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life. There may be a flash of illumination here and a story of faithfulness there; you should truthfully record your real self and not what other people may see in you.

Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available.

A journal is the literature of superiority. Each individual can become superior in his own humble life.

What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?

Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.

Get a notebook, my young folks, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events.” (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Oct. 1975, pp. 4–5.)

D&C 68

The Lord said to the saints -

"And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord.
31 Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.
32 These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 68:30 - 32)

Is is apparent that the Lord expects and commands that man is not to be idle in industry or spiritual matters. In our day, we see more and more government handouts, unearned compensation, and welfare. Even in a recent election, much of the discussion was on socialist type issues where the government should be more involved in re-distribution of wealth. The Lord has always allowed agency and required man to care for the poor and the needy - but not necessarily, idlers. Elder David B. Haight taught some 30 years ago -

"What has this monstrous thing called government welfare done to the people? Today we have second- and third-generation welfare recipients. Millions have learned how to live off the government. Children are growing up without knowing the value and the dignity of work. The government has succeeded in doing what the Church welfare program seeks to prevent. . . .

But Church members are not immune to the perils of the government dole. There is evidence that some of our people are receiving something for nothing from the government. The fact that this condition exists in the Church highlights the need of our members to be knowledgeable about Church welfare principles. President Kimball has stated: ‘No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able, will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family’s well-being to someone else’ (Ensign, May 1978, p. 79." (In Conference Report, Oct. 1978, p. 86; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 86.)

The will of the Lord seems to be in direct conflict to some modern-day political philosophies of men.

D&C 67

To the elders of the Church, the Lord provides this profound promise -

"...I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 67:10)

This isn't the only time He has provided such a profound promise. At other times He has said the same thing, noting that each promise has particular conditions -

"And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:45)

"...sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:68)

And -

"...it shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:1)

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that -

"...after a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses. . . .

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions—Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (Teachings, pp. 150–51.)

This is what the Lord has promised. The Prophet also taught the process to obtain this great promise -

"We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same." (Teachings, p. 51.)

It becomes apparent this promise will not be fulfilled overnight, but in a lengthy testing process of proving worthy.

D&C 66

At the request of William E. McLellin, the Lord said -

"...Blessed are you, inasmuch as you have turned away from your iniquities, and have received my truths..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 66:1)

Obviously, William had repented and received the gospel. But then the Lord says -

"...you are clean, but not all; repent, therefore, of those things which are not pleasing in my sight, saith the Lord, for the Lord will show them unto you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 66:3)

There seemed to be some lingering issue that that William was struggling with. Something that the Lord only knew about. Probably related to his thoughts. This seems to be brought out as the Lord said -

"Seek not to be cumbered. Forsake all unrighteousness. Commit not adultery—a temptation with which thou hast been troubled." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 66:10)

I sense the Lord is not necessarily saying William is presently guilty of adultery, but the temptation and thoughts thereof was that which he was troubled with. It seems thoughts and desires always precede any action.

Elder Spencer W. Kimball wrote -

"To want, to desire, to crave—that is to lust. So when the thought is born which starts a chain reaction, a sin has already been committed. If the thought is sown, then develops into lust, it is almost certain to bring eventually the full harvest of the act of the heinous sin, adultery. . . .

.. . adultery is not the result of a single thought. There first is a deterioration of thinking. Many sinful chain-thoughts have been coursing through the offender’s mind before the physical sin is committed.

Yes, as a man thinketh, so does he. If he thinks it long enough he is likely to do it, whether it be theft, moral sin, or suicide. Thus the time to protect against the calamity is when the thought begins to shape itself. Destroy the seed and the plant will never grow.

Man alone, of all creatures of earth, can change his thought pattern and become the architect of his destiny." (Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 113–14.)

D&C 65

There is a verse I read in section 64 that seems to have a great connection to section 64. The Lord said in section 64 -

"...verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:36)

The contrary of this verse would be that the blood of Ephraim then has a great deal to do with the righteous and obedient. We know that Ephraim received the birthright under the hands of Jacob in the 48th chapter of Genesis, and was considered by the Lord to be Joseph’s firstborn. This would lead to the blood of Ephraim was to take the lead. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained -

"It is essential in this dispensation that Ephraim stand in his place at the head, exercising the birthright in Israel which was given to him by direct revelation. Therefore, Ephraim must be gathered first to prepare the way, through the gospel and the priesthood, for the rest of the tribes of Israel when the time comes for them to be gathered to Zion. The great majority of those who have come into the Church are Ephraimites. It is the exception to find one of any other tribe, unless it is of Manasseh.

It is Ephraim, today, who holds the priesthood. It is with Ephraim that the Lord has made covenant and has revealed the fulness of the everlasting gospel. It is Ephraim who is building temples and performing the ordinances in them for both the living and for the dead. When the ‘lost tribes’ come—and it will be a most wonderful sight and a marvelous thing when they do come to Zion—in fulfilment of the promises made through Isaiah and Jeremiah, they will have to receive the crowning blessings from their brother Ephraim, the ‘firstborn’ in Israel." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:252–53.)

As we turn to the 65th section, we see this work and leadership taking place as the priesthood prepares the world for the second coming of the Savior. The Lord said -

"HEARKEN, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth, yea, whose voice is unto men—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 65:1)

"...Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 65:3)

The Lord then references this work with the great revelation given to Daniel -

"The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 65:2)

"Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 65:6)

This is the calling and charge given to them of the blood of Ephraim in the last days.

D&C 64

The Lord taught the early members of the Church -

"I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:10)

And then followed with -

"...ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:11)

But then He provides this important instruction to His priesthood leaders regarding -

"...him that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation.
13 And this ye shall do that God may be glorified—not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your lawgiver—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:12 - 13)

The Lord makes it clear that in the case of repentance, he requires discipline to be exercised by the priesthood so He is not offended, in the manner which the priesthood is instructed by commandment or as directed by revelation, so that all things are done according to His will -

"...not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law..."

Such discipline is done with love to help the sinner confess and repent of his sins. The Lord concludes with the seriousness of this responsibility -

"Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:14)

D&C 63

For those of whom the Savior has redeemed, He teaches a very important concept -

"Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 63:63)

Even though He loves us and allows agency, He makes it clear that for those of whom He redeems, He owns. We become His servants. He has so stated -

"...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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:5)

Paul taught the Corinthians -

"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 7:23)

As we feel the songs of redeeming love, are feelings should also reflect our desire to be His servant and do whatever is His will.

D&C 62

I read this morning the words of the Savior -

"...hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 62:1)

These simple words provides each of us a great deal of comfort and hope as the Lord tells us that He is on our side - he is our advocate, especially in matters related to our weakness and to that of which we are tempted. To succor means to provide -

"to run to the rescue, bring aid, help, and relief" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary")

As I read this morning, my thoughts turned to times in my life, when I was tempted in my weakness, and His tender mercies were extended to protect me. I'm sure if I had persisted, those tenders mercies would not have continued indefinitely. Doesn't it bring great comfort to know the Savior understands how to succor us.

“Succor means ‘to go to the aid of one in want or distress’ or ‘to relieve.’ Fortunately, the Savior succors those ‘who are tempted’ so they will not commit sin, and if they should sin, he will succor them if they repent.” (Ludlow, Companion, 1:330.)

D&C 60

As many of the Elders were about to return from Zion to Kirtland, the Lord said to them -

"...with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 60:2)

The Lord has made it clear -

"...it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:81)

And we are to do it by opening our mouths. The wicked priests of King Noah's court asked Abinadi -

"...What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:
21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 12:20 - 21)

After teaching them the doctrine of Christ, Abinadi answers -

"...every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 15:13)

...or to bear testimony -

"...these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!" (Book of Mormon Mosiah 15:14)

Opening our mouths at times is a difficult thing. We don't necessarily want to offend anyone. Joseph Fielding Smith wrote of these early Elders in the Church -

"They had been commanded to preach the Gospel along the way and bear testimony among the people, but some had failed to magnify this commandment because of their fear of man. It is true that not every man is a natural missionary, and there are those who shrink from the responsibility of raising their voices in proclamation of the Gospel, and yet this is an obligation that we owe to this fallen world. The elders in the very beginning had been commanded to serve the Lord with all their ‘heart, might, mind and strength,’ for the field is white and ready for the harvest. A penalty was to be inflicted upon those who failed and they were not to stand blameless at the last day. The preaching of the Gospel was to be a means to them by which they were not to perish, but bring salvation to their souls. There are many who have been sent forth who have had a fear of man, yet the Lord has promised to support them in their labors if they will trust in him." (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:220–21.)