D&C 97

Parley P. Pratt was given the charge to preside over a school of instruction in Zion with the Lord saying -

"...concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, and also with my servant Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me.
4 And inasmuch as he continueth to abide in me he shall continue to preside over the school in the land of Zion until I shall give unto him other commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:3 - 4)

He took this calling very seriously, writing -

"...in the latter part of summer and in the autumn [1833], I devoted almost my entire time in ministering among the churches; holding meetings; visiting the sick; comforting the afflicted, and giving counsel. A school of Elders was also organized, over which I was called to preside. This class, to the number of about sixty, met for instruction once a week. The place of meeting was in the open air, under some tall trees, in a retired place in the wilderness, where we prayed, preached and prophesied, and exercised ourselves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here great blessings were poured out, and many great and marvelous things were manifested and taught. The Lord gave me great wisdom, and enabled me to teach and edify the Elders, and comfort and encourage them in their preparations for the great work which lay before us. I was also much edified and strengthened. To attend this school I had to travel on foot, and sometimes with bare feet at that, about six miles. This I did once a week, besides visiting and preaching in five or six branches a week." (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 93–94.)

Many great doctrinal teachings are had in the Church by Elder Pratt. Knowing that Bro. Pratt would be diligent in his calling, the Lord said -

"...I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, in expounding all scriptures and mysteries to the edification of the school, and of the church in Zion." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:5)

I believe the same promises are given to those that preside and give instruction to the priesthood today. The Lord commanded the priesthood in Missouri -

"...this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion—
13 For a place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices;
14 That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 97:12 - 14)

Even though the Lord is referring to a temple in Zion, I think it also has great reference to any of our facilities that allows instruction to the saints.

D&C 96

The essential nature of providing the means that the saints would have the written word becomes apparent as the Lord instructs a building committee -

"...the second lot on the south shall be dedicated unto me for the building of a house unto me, for the work of the printing of the translation of my scriptures, and all things whatsoever I shall command you...And this house shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, for the work of the printing, in all things whatsoever I shall command you, to be holy, undefiled, according to the pattern in all things as it shall be given unto you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 94:10 - 12)

And shortly thereafter He commands -

"...let my servant Newel K. Whitney take charge of the place which is named among you, upon which I design to build mine holy house.
3 And again, let it be divided into lots, according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek inheritances, as it shall be determined in council among you.
4 Therefore, take heed that ye see to this matter, and that portion that is necessary to benefit mine order, for the purpose of bringing forth my word to the children of men." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 96:2 - 4)

Of three important lots, the very purpose of one was to bring forth the word, the revelations, the "iron rod" to the saints as well as those searching for truth. It's great importance and purpose is clearly stated by the Lord -

"...this is the most expedient in me, that my word should go forth unto the children of men, for the purpose of subduing the hearts of the children of men for your good." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 96:5)

I believe the magnitude of the printed word is sensed by "most expedient in me". I don't know anywhere else in scripture where the Lord added the adverb "most" to expedient.

D&C 95

To the priesthood in Kirtland, the Lord said -

"...there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen.
6 They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 95:5 - 6)

We learned in Section 93 -

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:36)

Wisdom and intelligence is choosing God and thus receiving light and truth. When we choose other than God, we "are walking in darkness at noon-day". The Lord asked -

"...there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:34)

He answers -

"Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:35)

As the Lord commanded -

"...the strength of my house, my young men and the middle aged—Gather yourselves together unto the land of Zion..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:22)

...to rescue the saints in Missouri, He also commented -

"...this is my will; ask and ye shall receive; but men do not always do my will." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:31)

Thus their hearts are set upon the things of this world, walking in darkness at noon-day and thus not being the chosen. Elder David A. Bednar explained how man becomes "chosen" -

"As we learn in these scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency is we are to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God’s chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God." (David A. Bednar, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord," Ensign, May 2005, 99)

D&C 93

By revelation, the Lord provided us a little bit more profound truth as he taught -

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:36)

Light is that which shows the way. It is light that enlightens our minds and provides guidance, knowledge and direction. The Savior said -

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:24)

As we receive light we find -

"...truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:24)

Jacob taught -

"...for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be..." (Book of Mormon Jacob 4:13)

This is "intelligence" that is receiving light, grace for grace, knowledge upon knowledge, and truth upon truth, and then with that knowledge and truth, living such that the greatest blessings and promises are acquired. That would be one that is wise, that possesses great wisdom and not the wisdom of man.

Being unintelligent would be the contrary, that is to limit knowledge and choose to become less than our potential with little knowledge of how things are and how they can really be. You could almost say that that is being stupid for -

"Light and truth forsake that evil one." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:37)

God as acquired a fulness of all knowledge and power suggesting that His glory is perfect intelligence. As we love our children, we must also desire that they become intelligent where the Lord has stated -

"I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:40)

Why? So they may be intelligent in choosing the right. Elder John A. Widtsoe explained -

"Among the many great truths revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, none is more beloved by the Church than ‘The Glory of God is intelligence. The word intelligence, as used in common speech, means readiness in learning, quickness of mind. Its higher Gospel meaning is more profound. The intelligent man is he who seeks knowledge and uses it in accordance with the plan of the Lord for human good. This is implied in the revelation from which the quotation is made, for the full sentence reads, ‘The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth.’ When men follow the light their knowledge will always be well used.

Intelligence, then, becomes but another name for wisdom. In the language of mathematics we may say that knowledge, plus the proper use of knowledge, equals intelligence, or wisdom. In this sense intelligence becomes the goal of the successful life. Knowledge is one of the means by which such intelligence is attained; the use of knowledge is equally as important, for it gives life and direction to knowledge. . . . Thus it often happens that a person of limited knowledge but who earnestly and prayerfully obeys the law, rises to a higher intelligence or wisdom, than one of vast Gospel learning who does not comply in his daily life with the requirements of the Gospel. Obedience to law is a mark of intelligence." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1938, p. 50.)

D&C 93

We learn by revelation the potential of man as we learn of the more of the progression of the Savior as He explained -

"...I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
4 The Father because he gave me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:3 - 4)

The gift of "fulness" came from the Father because the Savior did the will of the Father -

"I was in the world and received of my Father, and the works of him were plainly manifest." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:5)

John the Baptist testified -

"...I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:12 - 13)

Then John testifies -

"And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:16 - 17)

Then John testifies of man -

"I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:19 - 20)

Emphasizing -

"...no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:27)

For if man follows the pattern set by the Savior and -
"...keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:28)

As we begin to understand this, we begin to understand the "plan" or His plan of salvation in that -

"...this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:39)

Again, John explains the purpose of this revelation -

"...that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:19)

In conference, Elder Bruce R. McConkie provided a great outline of what is means to know how to worship -

"To worship the Lord is to follow after him, to seek his face, to believe his doctrine, and to think his thoughts.

It is to walk in his paths, to be baptized as Christ was, to preach that gospel of the kingdom which fell from his lips, and to heal the sick and raise the dead as he did.

To worship the Lord is to put first in our lives the things of his kingdom, to live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, to center our whole hearts upon Christ and that salvation which comes because of him.

It is to walk in the light as he is in the light, to do the things that he wants done, to do what he would do under similar circumstances, to be as he is.

To worship the Lord is to walk in the Spirit, to rise above carnal things, to bridle our passions, and to overcome the world.

It is to pay our tithes and offerings, to act as wise stewards in caring for those things which have been entrusted to our care, and to use our talents and means for the spreading of truth and the building up of his kingdom.

To worship the Lord is to be married in the temple, to have children, to teach them the gospel, and to bring them up in light and truth.

It is to perfect the family unit, to honor our father and our mother; it is for a man to love his wife with all his heart and to cleave unto her and none else.

To worship the Lord is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

It is to work on a welfare project, to administer to the sick, to go on a mission, to go home teaching, and to hold family home evening.

To worship the Lord is to study the gospel, to treasure up light and truth, to ponder in our hearts the things of his kingdom, and to make them part of our lives.

It is to pray with all the energy of our souls, to preach by the power of the Spirit, to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.

To worship is to work, to be actively engaged in a good cause, to be about our Father’s business, to love and serve our fellowmen.

It is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to comfort those that mourn, and to hold up the hands that hang down and to strengthen the feeble knees.

To worship the Lord is to stand valiantly in the cause of truth and righteousness, to let our influence for good be felt in civic, cultural, educational, and governmental fields, and to support those laws and principles which further the Lord’s interests on earth.

To worship the Lord is to be of good cheer, to be courageous, to be valiant, to have the courage of our God-given convictions, and to keep the faith.

It is ten thousand times ten thousand things. It is keeping the commandments of God. It is living the whole law of the whole gospel.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1971, pp. 168–69; or Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 130.)

D&C 91

As the Prophet Joseph was in the process of finishing the translation of the Bible as he was commanded, he came to the Apocrypha, which books had become controversial over the years. He approached the Lord on the matter and was told -

"...There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly;
2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 91:1 - 2)

Because of that the Lord said -

"...it is not needful that it should be translated." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 91:6)

Suggesting that -

"...whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 91:4 - 6)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie provided this historical explanation of the Apocrypha -

"Scholars and Biblical students have grouped certain apparently scriptural Old Testament writings, which they deem to be of doubtful authenticity or of a spurious nature, under the title of the Apocrypha. There has not always been agreement as to the specific writings which should be designated as apocryphal, but the following are now generally so listed: 1st and 2nd Esdras (sometimes called 3rd and 4th Esdras, because in the Douay Bible, Ezra is 1st Esdras, and Nehemiah, 2nd Esdras); Tobit; Judith; the rest of the chapters of Esther; Wisdom of Solomon; Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus; Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremiah; additional parts of Daniel, including the Song of the Three Holy Children, the History of Susanna, and the History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon; Prayer of Manasses; 1st and 2nd Maccabees (called in the Douay Version, 1st and 2nd Machabees).

These apocryphal writings were never included in the Hebrew Bible, but they were in the Greek Septuagint (the Old Testament used by the early apostles) and in the Latin Vulgate. Jerome, who translated the Vulgate, was required to include them in his translation, though he is quoted as having decided they should be read ‘for example of life and instruction of manners’ and should not be used ‘to establish any doctrine.’ Luther’s German Bible grouped the apocryphal books together (omitting 1st and 2nd Esdras) at the end of the Old Testament under the heading: ‘Apocrypha: these are books which are not held equal to the sacred scriptures, and yet are useful and good for reading.’

The Apocrypha was included in the King James Version of 1611, but by 1629 some English Bibles began to appear without it, and since the early part of the 19th century it has been excluded from almost all Protestant Bibles. The American Bible Society, founded in 1816, . . . and the British and Foreign Bible Society [excluded the Apocrypha from most of their Bibles during the 19th century].

From these dates it is apparent that controversy was still raging as to the value of the Apocrypha at the time the Prophet began his ministry. Accordingly, in 1833, while engaged in revising the King James Version by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet felt impelled to inquire of the Lord as to the authenticity of the Apocrypha. From the answer it is clear that the books of the Apocrypha were inspired writings in the first instance, but that subsequent interpolations and changes had perverted and twisted their original contexts so as to leave them with doubtful value.

Speaking of the Apocrypha the Lord says: ‘There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly; There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men. Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated. Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom; And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated.’ (D. & C. 91.) . . .

Obviously, to gain any real value from a study of apocryphal writings, the student must first have an extended background of gospel knowledge, a comprehensive understanding of the standard works of the Church, plus the guidance of the Spirit.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 41–42.)

D&C 90

One of the definitions for "presidency" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is -

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

suggesting a unique organization in the LDS Church. By revelation, the Lord said to the counselors of Joseph Smith in the First Presidency -

"...they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 90:6)

This principle holds true to all presidencies, that counselors are accounted equal with the president in holding keys of the presidency. This doesn't mean that each counselor holds keys, just the presidency by virtue of the keys held by the president. It only suggests that counselors can any that the president can do as directed by the president conditioned that the president has authority to delegate such. Elder John A. Widtsoe taught of the First Presidency -

"...the pre-eminence of the President of the Church was maintained. . . . The Counselors do not possess the power of the President and cannot act in Church matters without direction and consent of the President. All this defined clearly the position and authority of the President of the Church." (Joseph Smith, p. 303.)

To these early counselors of the Prophet, the Lord warned -

"Be not ashamed, neither confounded; but be admonished in all your high-mindedness and pride, for it bringeth a snare upon your souls." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 90:17)

Significant counsel for anyone that serves in a presidency.

D&C 89

Recently, as part of ward conferences, I have participated in a brief period of questions and answers with the youth our stake. A portion of the questions continue to evolve around the "Word of Wisdom" -

"A WORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89:1 - 3)

This Word of Wisdom was initially given "not by commandment or contraint" to allow the saints adequate to overcome physical uses and habits. But in September 1851, Brigham Young proposed that the saints formally covenant to abstain from tea, coffee, tobacco, and whiskey and the motion was accepted unanimously and became a commandment for all Church members from then on. Several of these questions related to "hot drinks" and drinks with caffiene where the Lord said -

"...hot drinks are not for the body or belly." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89:9)

The Prophet Joseph Smith clarified -

"...there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.” (“The Word of Wisdom,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, p. 800.)

Brigham Young also said coffee and tea in 1851 where tea was black tea or English tea. Many of the questions evolve around herbal type teas. Herbal teas are teas that extract vitamins out of natural herbs that are not addicting or privide physical stimulation. On the topic of drinks with caffiene and other stimulants such as cola drinks, kava, some health or sports drinks, or other drinks containing stimulants, an official statement by the Church states -

"With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided." (Priesthood Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 4.)

D&C 88

In the very early days of the Church, the Lord instructed -

"And again, the order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests, even down to the deacons—
128 And this shall be the order of the house of the presidency of the school: He that is appointed to be president, or teacher, shall be found standing in his place, in the house which shall be prepared for him." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:127 - 128)

Of of the president -

"...he shall be first in the house of God, in a place that the congregation in the house may hear his words carefully and distinctly, not with loud speech." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:129)

It is clear the Lord wanted his priesthood leaders to receive instruction in their ministry and duties. I see this as the very beginning of what of now has evolved into priesthood and priesthood leadership meetings throughout the Church. For -

"...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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:118)

And also -

"Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:122)

Of these initial meetings, President Brigham Young said -

"...the members of that school were but few at first, and the Prophet commenced to teach them in doctrine to prepare them to go out into the world to preach the gospel unto all people, and gather the select from the four quarters of the Earth, as the prophets anciently have spoken. While this instruction prepared the Elders to administer in word and doctrine, it did not supply the teachings necessary to govern their private, or temporal, lives; it did not say whether they should be merchants, farmers, mechanics, or money-changers. The Prophet began to instruct them how to live, that they might be better prepared to perform the great work they were called to accomplish." (In Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p. 567.)

D&C 88

The teaches the importance of laws and obedience to laws saying -

"All kingdoms have a law given;
37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
38 And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:36 - 39)

I specifically note that for every law there are conditions. The question is, what are these conditions. I think it may have more to do with how we feel about these laws and the reason for our obedience. Is it out of fear, conscience, or love. The Lord stated one of the great commandments or conditions -

"...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:5)

I note the condition of "love". He has also stated the condition -

"...for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory..." (Book of Mormon Mormon 8:15)

Elder Rober L. Simpson said the following -

"We do right for various reasons...some people do right simply because they don’t want to be punished for doing wrong. When we do right for fear of retribution, I think our foundation is very shaky. Another might say, ‘I want to do right because I have always been taught that this is the thing to do.’ Well, such reasoning is based on hearsay, on the testimony of others, and I think we need to mature beyond that point. I think we need to have our own testimonies instead of the advice of others on a perpetual basis. Others have been heard to say, ‘I want to do right just to please my parents,’ and although we all should have a desire to please our parents, that reason alone is not sufficient to sustain us throughout eternity. Perhaps you have heard people who have indicated that they are doing the right thing simply because they want to be obedient to God’s commands; this, too, is a very high and noble purpose—provided, of course, that obedience is not blind obedience, without personal conviction. But to me the best reason of all is illustrated by the person who feels the desire to do right because he wants to add glory to his Father in heaven. Whatever stage of motivation we find ourselves in, I think we must eventually reinforce this with our own personal testimony that has been built on a foundation of gospel scholarship and understanding—a testimony which leads us to the life of unselfishness and service, one which finds its highest sanctification in the supreme thought that we are living gospel principles because we desire to glorify his great name." (“Cast Your Burden upon the Lord,” New Era, Jan. 1977, p. 4.)

D&C 88

To a select group of High Priests, the Lord said -

"...the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
4 This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:2 - 4)

There are those that have assumed that this other comforter is our Savior, Jesus Christ, but these verses make it clear that this other comforter -

"...may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise..."

This other comforter then is the Holy Ghost with power to seal one to eternal life. The Lord said much the same thing in the 14th Chapter of John -

"...I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (New Testament John 14:16 - 17)

And of -

"...the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (New Testament John 14:26)

But when the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit of Promise that provides a promise of eternal life, the Lord said -

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (New Testament John 14:21)

In my mind then the Savior manifesting himself to him would be a "Second Comforter" or an additional comforter to that of the Holy Spirit of Promise. I believe this is what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant as he taught -

"...there are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence, . . . expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge. . . .

The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. 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. 149–51.)

D&C 88

As the saints began to gather in Zion, the Lord stated that they would receive -

"...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 59:4)

The blessings then would be commandments or his laws. It is His commandments and laws that allow us to live the life that He lives. One of these laws is the law of consecration which is a higher and perfecting law. Zion was to be a place of holiness. The Lord said -

"...verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:19)

Later as the saints in Zion failed to keep all these laws the Lord said -

"...that 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)

He again promises is they live His laws and commandments such that -

"...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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 103:5 - 6)

Why is the Lord so focused on His saints keeping His commandments and laws, He explains to the Prophet -

"All kingdoms have a law given..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:36)

"And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:38 - 39)

Or cannot reside there -

"For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:22)

Is there any question why a loving Father gives us such laws and commandments? Elder James E. Talmage said -

"The Lord has said that according to the laws we obey here shall we receive from Him. We speak of rewards just as we speak of punishments. But rewards and punishments will come through the operation of law. The Lord has spoken illustrating that great truth by reference to what He had already revealed respecting the kingdoms or orders of glory, to this effect—If a man cannot or will not obey celestial laws, that is, live in accordance with the celestial requirements, he must not think that he is discriminated against when he is excluded from the celestial kingdom, because he could not abide it, he could not live there. If a man cannot or will not obey the terrestrial law he cannot rationally hope for a place in the terrestrial kingdom. If he cannot live the yet lower law—the telestial law—he cannot abide the glory of a telestial kingdom, and he will have to be assigned therefore to a kingdom without glory. I rejoice in the consistency and order of the Lord’s plan and in His revelations to us." (In Conference Report, Oct. 1929, p. 69.)

D&C 87

The focus of this section for most saints is in the Lord's prophecy of the beginning of the Civil War wherein the Lord says -

"...concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;
2 And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.
3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 87:1 - 3)

What I find even more interesting is the continued prophecy -

"...and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 87:3)

As in pondered these words, it says the Southern States will call on other nations. Then as if referring to these other nations, the Lord states that "they"or these "other nations" shall call upon other nations, and at that time, war will be be poured out upon all nations. I sense the Lord is saying that nation will call upon nation, or allies with allies, as war pours out upon the earth. I think this is even more significant as we contemplate wars since the Civil War. Hasn't war grown where groups of nations combine in opposition to other groups of nations?

Will all of this that has gone on and will continue to go until the second coming of the Savior, we are simply instructed -

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 87:8)

These holy places are Zion, the temples, stakes, wards, and even the home where the Spirit of the Lord resides.

D&C 86

While the Prophet Joseph Smith was editing the manuscript of the translation of the Bible, the Lord revealed greater incite on the parable of the wheat and of the tares saying -

"...behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 86:4)

This revelation was received in 1832 as the restored Church was in its very infancy. At that time the Lord said -

"...the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 86:5)

But in 1832, the time was not yet as the Lord explained -

"...pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 86:6 - 7)

What I noticed that the Lord was saying that when the harvest is fully ripe, the angels were to first gather out the wheat from the tares. Since this revelation, there has been and continues to be a great gathering of the saints. We see this in wards and stakes throughout the world. We have also witness somewhat of a seperation or bundling of the wicked. I wonder if the angels even at this time have been sent forth in this great gathering. In 1894 President Woodruff stated -

"God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, that those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety." (Young Women’s Journal, Aug. 1894, pp. 512–13.)

President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote -

"...The Lord said that the sending forth of these angels was to be at the end of the harvest, and the harvest is the end of the world. Now, that ought to cause us some very serious reflections. And the angels have been pleading, as I have read it to you, before the Lord to be sent on their mission. Until 1893 the Lord said to them no, and then He set them loose. According to the revelation of President Woodruff, the Lord sent them out on that mission.
“What do we gather out of that? That we are at the time of the end. This is the time of the harvest. This is the time spoken of which is called the end of the world." (Signs of the Times, pp. 116–21.)

D&C 85

In a revelation written in letter to W. W. Phelps, the Lord spoke -

"...of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 85:1)

It was the bishop in Zion, the local priesthood leader with priesthood keys, was then to whom the Lord was referring to as he said -

"...I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 85:7)

And then the Lord provides this great warning to this priesthood leader -

"While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 85:8)

There is no question, the Lord is referring to Uzza and Ahio when -

"...they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God." (Old Testament 1 Chronicles 13:9 - 10)

For many, this might seem quite drastic. For all we know, Uzza had great and honorable intentions. But the Lord had set a pattern of authority and purification in the administration and care of the ark. Just because Uzza had good intentions, he did not follow the will and commands of the Lord. So it was and is with the bishop in Zion as well as all saints. Many times we think we know best. We may think our leaders have stumbled. We may feel we need to steady the Church and priesthood leaders in the way we think it should be. With all good intentions, this is not the pattern the Lord has set. Elder Bruce R. McConkie -

"Every person properly appointed and sustained to act in an official capacity in the Church is entitled to the spirit of revelation to guide the particular organization or group over which he presides. The ‘Presidency are over the Church,’ the Prophet said, ‘and revelations of the mind and will of God to the Church, are to come through the Presidency. This is the order of heaven, and the power and privilege of this priesthood. It is also the privilege of any officer in this Church to obtain revelations, so far as relates to his particular calling and duty in the Church.’ (Teachings, p. 111.)

This system of promulgating revelations through the established head of the Lord’s earthly work is so unbending and inflexible that it stands as a test to establish the truth or falsity of purported revelations. ‘There is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken,’ the Lord said of the Prophet. ‘And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me.’ (D. & C. 43:2–7; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 283–89.)" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 646–47.)

President David O. McKay said -

"It is a little dangerous for us to go out of our own sphere and try unauthoritatively to direct the efforts of a brother. You remember the case of Uzzah who stretched forth his hand to steady the ark. (See I Chron. 13:7–10.) He seemed justified, when the oxen stumbled, in putting forth his hand to steady that symbol of the covenant. We today think his punishment was very severe. Be that as it may, the incident conveys a lesson of life. Let us look around us and see how quickly men who attempt unauthoritatively to steady the ark die spiritually. Their souls become embittered, their minds distorted, their judgments faulty, and their spirits depressed. Such is the pitiable condition of men who, neglecting their own responsibilities, spend their time in finding fault with others." (McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 258.)

President John Taylor commented -

"We have more or less of the principles of insubordination among us. But there is a principle associated with the kingdom of God that recognizes God in all things, and that recognizes the priesthood in all things, and those who do not do it had better repent or they will come to a stand very quickly; I tell you that in the name of the Lord. Do not think you are wise and that you can manage and manipulate the priesthood, for you cannot do it. God must manage, regulate, dictate, and stand at the head, and every man in his place. The ark of God does not need steadying, especially by incompetent men without revelation and without knowledge of the kingdom of God and its laws. It is a great work that we are engaged in, and it is for us to prepare ourselves for the labor before us, and to acknowledge God, his authority, his law and his priesthood in all things." (Taylor, Gospel Kingdom, p. 166.)

These verses and comments have as much application today as it did in the time they were given.

D&C 84

The Lord instructs His saints -

"...I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:43 - 44)

We find the words of eternal life in the scriptures and in the counsel and direction of priesthood leaders. And the Lord provides this explanation -

"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:45 - 46)

This light of Christ which permeates space can be sensed and experienced under the following conditions -

"...the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:46)

For -

"...every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:47)

It is those the cometh to God that -

"...the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:48)

Many times we focus on the temptations of the adversary without any discussion that there is a constant and powerful influence of the Light of Christ if we but choose to hearken. George C. Cannon said -

"Satan has power in the earth, and in the exercise of his agency he tempts the children of men...At the same time we have the sweet influence of the Spirit of God pleading with us to do that which is right, pleading with every human being that does not drive it from him; for every human being has a portion of the Spirit of God given unto him. We sometimes call it conscience; we call it by one name and we call it by another; but it is the Spirit of God that every man and woman possesses that is born on the earth. God has given unto all his children this Spirit. Of course it is not the gift of the Holy Ghost in its fullness; for that is only received by obedience to the commandments of God." (George Q. Cannon, in Journal of Discourses, 26:191.)

D&C 84

With the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the saints learned that Ether -

"...spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land." (Book of Mormon Ether 13:4)

"...that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Ether 13:3)

There was probably great interest in the bringing forth of the Holy City or Zion. And again in modern day came -

"..the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:2)

Enoch saw our day and the millenium and that -

"...before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve..." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:61)

How will they be preserved? -

"...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)

Having been previously instructed on the location of the New Jerusalem, came the instruction in our day -

"Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:4)

It is apparent that Zion would continue to grow from this place or and the gathering will encompass more places. For these places were to be -

"...a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 45:66)

Isaiah saw the gathering of Israel in the last days saying -

"Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes..." (Old Testament Isaiah 54:2)

"For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 82:14)

It becomes clear that stakes are other places of gathering that are considered part of Zion, established -

"...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)

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

"We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion. The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the Saints. . . . The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes." (Teachings, pp. 160–61.)

D&C 84

To the elders that were returning from missions, the Lord said -

"...your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:54 - 56)

And then we receive the explanation for condemnation of treating lightly the things we have received -

"...they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:57)

President Ezra Taft Benson made a direct emphasis of this scripture to the Book of Mormon saying -

"Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or our condemnation.

"Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 96–97; or Ensign, May 1975, p. 65.)

But as I contemplate these verses, I also note the Lord referenced -

"...and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:57)

In my mind, the "former commandments" are those that had previously been received by the Prophet. Those modern revelations that were at that time being prepared for printing in the Book of Commandments. In our day, I believe this would include all revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. It could also easily include Old and New Testament commandments. The new covanant would suggest that we all have an obligation to study the Book of Mormon and all of the standard works with an emphasis on modern day revelation. I believe this is where most of the saints are under condemnation - to do and say what according to that which is written. The Lord promises those who treasure and study that which is written to -

"....treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:85)