Scripture Blog

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

Friday, October 30, 2009

D&C 58

As Zion was being established, the Lord said -

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

4 For after much tribulation come the blessings..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 58:3 - 4)

What was interesting to me this morning were the words of George Q. Cannon -

"The Saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if he requires them to endure present privation and trial it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them. If He deprives them of any present blessing it is that he may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by and by." (George Q. Cannon, MS 25:634.)


These words again suggest the Lord loves His children and that from tribulation comes many blessings and even protection from greater and unnecessary tribulation.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

D&C 58

As the saints arrived in Zion, the Lord instructed Bishop Partridge that -

"...this land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; and also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:24)

I believe it is signficant that a bishop has counselors.  Counselors are those appointed to provide counsel to the bishop.  In other words, they are to speak their minds and hearts.  Counselors are exactly that in that they provide counsel but in doing so they should not be offended if their counsel is not accepted.  They should recognize again that they are appointed to counsel.  The Lord then provides this incite -

"...as they shall counsel between themselves and me."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:25)

The prayer of faith should be extended in any circumstances that the Lord will be present in their discussions for the Lord has promised -

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  (New Testament Matthew 18:20)

The Lord continues His instruction for the bishop and his counselors -

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:26 - 28)

And again He promises -

"...inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 58:28)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

D&C 56

The Lord warned His saints -

"...thus saith the Lord unto my people—you have many things to do and to repent of; for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 56:14)

He then explains what He means by "counsel in your own ways" -

"...your hearts are not satisfied. And ye obey not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 56:15)

This is the ways of the world.  The Lord describes three types of people and their ways, first -

"Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!"  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 56:16)

Second -

"Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men's goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!"  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 56:17)

And of the third type, He praises -

"But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 56:18)

It is important that of each type of people understand that you sow what you reap for the Lord promises for -

"...the Lord shall come, and his recompense shall be with him, and he shall reward every man..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 56:19)

And it will be the poor who are pure in heart -

"...shall rejoice;
20 And their generations shall inherit the earth from generation to generation, forever and ever."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 56:19 - 20)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

D&C 52

To the elders of the Church in Kirtland, the Lord taught -

"I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 52:14)

One of those patterns was the manner in which the priesthood is to speak -

"He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 52:16)

I note that he who speaks, he nature should be contrite.  Contrite means -

"feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming" (Merriam - Webster)

and with being contrite, the speakers language should be meek and edifieth.  Edification is light and comes only by the Holy Ghost requiring the speaker to speak by the Holy Ghost.  As the Lord continued, I thought of my days on the high council and having to regularly speak -

"And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 52:17)

That promise in itself brings one that has been asked to speak, age great deal of comfort.

Monday, October 26, 2009

D&C 50

As the Prophet Joseph Smith was being taught the manner of and the influences of the Spirit, the Lord reasoned -

"...he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:21 - 22)

Edify means -

a : build b : establish

 : to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift; also : enlighten, inform (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

To be edified means then to be instructed, built-up, uplifted, and improved in moral and religious knowledge.  What is interesting is the Savior's following words -

"...that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 50:23)
 
That would suggest that when one is edified, it is the opposite of darkness being light.  Edification must then be receiving light for  -
 
"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)
 
so that -
 
"...you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:25)
 
It is the truth taught by the Spirit that edifies, that brings light.  This helps us better understand the teaching of the Lord -
 
"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:36)
 
The glory of God then has a great deal with the idea of edification. 
 

Thursday, October 22, 2009

D&C 49

As the Lord taught that the plan was that man might have an abundance, He said -

"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 49:20)

I've thought a great deal about that and realized that there really isn't any commandment so to speak that the Lord commands that we should differentiate ourselves by possessions.  The very nature of industry is that those who work harder and are somewhat wiser tend to possess more than those that do not.  But what is given is -

"...let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:24)

Does that mean we give all our wealth and possessions to those who possess less?  Or is it more of an attitude that one uses his wealth and possessions according the will of God and the building of the kingdom and in the process have compassion for the poor and needy.  President Joseph F. Smith taught -

"Every individual should be in a position to add something to the wealth of the whole. Everyone should be increasing, improving, and advancing in some way, and accomplishing something for his or her good and for the good of the whole.

Then again, it is written that 'It is not given that one man should possess that which is above another.' Of course, there is some allowance to be made for this expression. A man who has ability superior to another man, and who is able to manage and control larger affairs than another, may possess far more than another who is not able to control and manage as much as he. But if they each had what they were capable of managing and of using wisely and prudently, they would each have alike." (Joseph F. Smith, CR, October 1898, pp. 23-24.)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

D&C 48

As I read the revelation now known as Section 38 of the Doctrine and Covenants, I sensed the beginning or the introduction of the law of consecration as the Lord said -

"I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.
17 And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool, wherefore, again I will stand upon it.
18 And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh;
19 And I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.
20 And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away.
21 But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you.
22 Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what can stay my hand?
23 But, verily I say unto you, teach one another according to the office wherewith I have appointed you;
24 And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me.
25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:16 - 25)

As short time later, the Lord said -

"...thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:30)

It is in the revelation I read this morning that the beginnings regarding the administration of this law or united order was introduced -

"...they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city; and then shall ye begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family, according to his circumstances, and as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the church, according to the laws and commandments which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 48:6)

It is always interesting how the Lord teaches -

"...precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little..."  (Old Testament Isaiah 28:13)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

D&C 46

As the Lord described the varying gifts of the Spirit -

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 46:11 - 12)

He taught one of these gifts is -

"...to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 46:15)

I have had the privilege of serving with several individuals where I have had the opportunity to witness or know the differences of administration even though it is the same Church.  What seemed to catch my attention is the instruction of "why" there is differences of administration at differing times or seasons.  I repeat again that the Lord taught -

"...as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 46:15)

It seems that the Lord calls different individuals for different periods of service according to His forknowledge of the conditions of men.  I've felt this way lately as we are lead today by President Thomas S. Monson.  Today, in this economical difficult time, he has always had the vision of rescuing and helping our fellow man.

Monday, October 19, 2009

D&C 45

One of the more popular parables given in the meridian of time is that of the ten virgins.  In modern day, the Lord builds upon this parable saying -

"...at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 45:56)

And then he teaches us the two principles that whereby we will be prepared for his coming or in other words, that our lamps will be trimmed with oil -

"For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived..."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 45:57)
 
The first principle is that the wise receive the truth.  In my mind, "receiving" the truth is not merely professing an acceptance of the Savior, but something more.  It is receiving or treasuring up His words, reading and pondering the scriptures, hearkening and obeying the words of His servants the prophets, and doing His will.  But with this there is more - that is taking the Holy Ghost as our guide.  In connection with receiving the truth, praying to the Father and then listening to and following the promptings of the Spirit.  Those two principles are promises the we will not be deceived for -
 
"...verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 45:57)

Friday, October 16, 2009

D& C 44

In preface to giving His law, the Lord told the saints -

"...for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 38:16)
 
He then followed with this commandment -
 
"...let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me.
25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself.  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 38:24 - 25)
 
And as he gave the saints His law he said -
 
"...thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.
31 And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 42:30 - 31)

And then, in the very same month, the Lord again reminds His people -

"...ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief...according to my law which ye have received."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 44:6)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

D&C 43

There were a few of the Savior's words that touched me this morning.  To all of His children, He said -

"O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!"  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 43:24)
 
But then He tells us how He has gone about gathering His children -
 
"How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!"  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 43:25)
 
The first one He mentions is that He has called by the mouth of His servants.  In my mind, "my servants" are those called with authority and sent forth among the children of men to testify of the truth, or in other words - missionaries. 
 
The second is "by the ministering of angels".  By definition, angels are messengers sent by God.  Angels could then be both spiritual as well as physical beings.  My thoughts of "ministering angels" include visiting teachers, home teachers, and leaders who invite all to come to Christ.
 
What also struck me this morning was the counsel of the Lord -
 
"Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 43:34)
 
It was the "solemnities of eternity" that caught my attention.  We are counseled that in business of everyday life.  He wants us to stop and ponder, read and pray and treasure up his words in our hearts.  And in doing so, ponder the eternal seriouness and consequences of why we are here and what we hope to become - the solemnities of eternity.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

D&C 42

With the instructions for new converts in the east to gather west, the Lord  prophesied -

"...this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth, and of secret combinations."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:64)

Having written of the secret combinations among the Jaredites, Moroni comments that these secret combinations -

"...have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi."  (Book of Mormon Ether 8:21)

Then Moroni warns that -

"...whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed..."  (Book of Mormon Ether 8:22)

Knowing that these words would come forth in our day, Moroni continues his warning -

"...when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it...For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies..."  (Book of Mormon
Ether 8:24 - 25)
 
Can we not recognize such secret combinations in our government today?  Amongst all political parties and organizations.  Are these secret combinations for our welfare or for their own political power.  Does it not awaken our sense of our awful situation?  Pay attention to Moroni prophesied would take place -
 
"...whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed..." (Book of Mormon Ether 8:22)
 
As we view all nations throughout the history of the world, they have all eventually failed other than those currently exist.  A quick study would reveal that secret combinations was generally the cause.



President David O. McKay wrote
 
". . . Latter-day Saints should have nothing to do with secret combinations and groups antagonistic to the constitutional law of the land, which the Lord suffered to be established, and which 'should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh according to just and holy principles.'" (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 306.)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

D&C 42

As a portion of His law, the Savior revealed -

"...the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.
13 And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 42:12 - 13)

Herein, the Lord said that it is His law that if we are called to teach, we teach out of the scriptures and Church articles, and also the covenants.  But not only rely upon these doctrines but do it as directed by the Spirit for -

"...if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 42:14)
 
How does one receive the Spirit in teaching? 
 
"...the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith..."  (Doctrine and Covenants
Section 42:14)
 
This simple doctrine suggests that we prepare to teach out of the "best books" in  sincere and faithful prayer.  The promise seems to be that if we follow this counsel, we will be directed by the Spirit in our teaching.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught -
 
"Apparently there were in the early Church those who taught for doctrines the sophistries of men. There are those today who seem to take pride in disagreeing with the orthodox teachings of the Church and who present their own opinions which are at variance with the revealed truth. Some may be partially innocent in the matter; others are feeding their own egotism; and some seem to be deliberate. Men may think as they please, but they have no right to impose upon others their unorthodox views. Such persons should realize that their own souls are in jeopardy. The Lord said to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith: [Sec. 42:12-14, quoted.]


The great objective of all our work is to build character and increase faith in the lives of those whom we serve. If one cannot accept and teach the program of the Church in an orthodox way without reservations, he should not teach. It would be the part of honor to resign his position. Not only would he be dishonest and deceitful, but he is also actually under condemnation, for the Savior said that it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he be cast into the sea than that he should lead astray doctrinally or betray the cause or give offense, destroying the faith of one of 'those little ones' who believe in him. And remember that this means not only the small children; it includes even adults who believe and trust in God. . . .

In our own society, the murderer who kills the body is hunted, imprisoned, and executed, but the character who kills the soul by implanting doubt and shattering faith is permitted not only to go free but also is often retained in high places. The body which is killed will rise again in the resurrection with little damage to its eternal welfare, but he whose faith has been shattered may suffer long ages before complete restoration of spiritual stature can be had, if at all." (Spencer W. Kimball, CR, April 1948, p. 109.)

I recently read an article where a institute teacher did just that by voicing his personal opinion causing one to question and leave the Church.

Monday, October 12, 2009

D&C 41

Before the Lord was to reveal His law, he counseled the priesthood -

"Hearken, O ye elders of my church whom I have called, behold I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 41:2)

The priesthood was to assemble, not to vote on the validity of doctrine, but be prepared to learn and accept (agree) upon His word, for He promised -

"by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 41:3)

Why?

"...that ye may know how to govern my church and have all things right before me."  (Doctrine and Covenants   Section 41:3)

The priesthood was not to debate how to govern His church, but come to understand how to govern using His laws.  With this specific charge -

"...ye shall see that my law is kept."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 41:4)

For -

"He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 41:5)

The Lord delivered that law several days later in what we now know as the 42nd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Friday, October 09, 2009

D&C 39

To James Covill, the Lord said -

"...I have looked upon thy works and I know thee."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 39:7)

I believe that because we have been known throughout the eternities, the same holds true for each of us - He knows us!  One thing the Lord knew of James was -

"...thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 39:9)

It is clear that James Covill is not the only one that has struggled with this vice.  Of the vision of the Tree of Life, Nephi learned that -

"...the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men."  (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 12:18)

From this vision we learn that a signficant portion of the people have this problem.  This is also apparent in the parable of the sower  -

"...he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."  (New Testament Matthew 13:20 - 22)

We learn later of James Coville that -

"...he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 40:2)

Let this be a warning to all saints when they set their hearts become set on pride and the cares of the world.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

D&C 38

Things always seem to become more clear as we look in hindsight.  The Lord declared -

"...I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little..."  (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:30)

To me, this becomes more apparent as I pondered this revelation (D&C 38) this morning.  I believe by the time the Lord delivered this revelation, the revelations of Moses and that of Enoch and the city Zion had already been received.  It is herein that I noticed the beginning instructions on the commandment and blessings of the law of consecration.  The Lord subtlely introduces -

"And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:16)

The Lord then emphasizes -

"...I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool, wherefore, again I will stand upon it.
18 And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:17 - 18)

And then He promises -

"I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.
20 And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:19 - 20)

I specifically noticed this morning - "if you seek it with all your hearts".  And what is this precept that the saints were to seek with all their hearts? 

"...let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me.
25 And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:24 - 25)

This is the very concept of a people of Zion for -

"...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)

I'm sure the saints may not have had a complete picture of what the Lord was commanding and promising.  It was just the beginning of this instruction - line of upon line and precept upon prescept.  But nonetheless, the Lord still expected of them -

"I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 38:40)

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

D&C 36

To Edward Partridge, the Lord said -

"...I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 36:2)

What are the "peacable things of the kingdom"?  The peaceable things of the kingdom are those principles  of the gospel that if observed, will lead to peace.  Not just any peace, but the -

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you..."  (New Testament  John 14:27)

President David O. McKay explained -

"The peace of Christ does not come by seeking the superficial things of life, neither does it come except as it springs from the individual's heart. Jesus said to his disciples: 'Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.' [John 14:27.] Thus the Son of Man as the executor of his own will and testament gave to his disciples and to mankind the 'first of all human blessings.' It was a bequest conditioned upon obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is thus bequeathed to each individual. No man is at peace with himself or his God who is untrue to his better self, who transgresses the law of right either in dealing with himself by indulging in passion, in appetite, yielding to temptations against his accusing conscience, or in dealing with his fellow men, being untrue to their trust. Peace does not come to the transgressor of law; peace comes by obedience to law, and it is that message which Jesus would have us proclaim among men." (David O. McKay, CR, October 1938, p. 133.)

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

D&C 34

In personal revelation to Orson Pratt, the Lord said -

"...lift up your voice and spare not, for the Lord God hath spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 34:10)

To Orson, this instruction was much the same given to many saints in their patriarchal blessings.  We learn a great deal more about the personality and meekness of Orson Pratt as he related -

"He [Joseph Smith] inquired of the Lord, and obtained a revelation for your humble servant. He retired into the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in the house where this Church was organized in 1830. John Whitmer acted as his scribe, and I accompanied him into the chamber, for he had told me that it was my privilege to have the word of the Lord; and the Lord in that revelation, which is published here in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, made a promise which to me, when I was in my youth, seemed to be almost too great for a person of as humble origin as myself ever to attain to. After telling in the revelation that the great day of the Lord was at hand, and calling upon me to lift up my voice among the people, to call upon them to repent and prepare the way of the Lord, and that the time was near when the heavens should be shaken, when the earth should tremble, when the stars should refuse their shining, and when great destructions awaited the wicked, the Lord said to your humble servant: 'Lift up your voice and prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.' This was a particular point in the revelation that seemed to me too great for me ever to attain to, and yet there was a positive command that I should do it. I have often reflected upon this revelation, and have oftentimes inquired in my heart—'Have I fulfilled the commandment as I ought to have done? Have I sought as earnestly as I ought to obtain the gift of prophecy, so as to fulfill the requirement of heaven?' And I have felt sometimes to condemn myself because of my slothfulness and because of the little progress that I have made in relation to this great heavenly and divine gift. I certainly have had no inclination to prophesy to the people unless it should be given to me by the inspiration and power of the Holy Ghost; to prophesy out of my own heart is something perfectly disagreeable to my feelings, even to think of, and hence I have oftentimes, in my public discourses, avoided, when a thing would come before my mind pretty plain, uttering or declaring it for fear that I might get something out before the people in relation to the future that was wrong." (Orson Pratt, JD 17:290-91.)

As I read a commentary on Orson Pratt this morning, I was touched with a portion of his obituary in the Deseret News -

" 'Orson Pratt was a true Apostle of the Lord. Full of integrity, firm as a rock to his convictions, true to his brethren and his God, earnest and zealous in defense and the proclamation of the truth, ever ready to bear testimony to the Latter-day work, he had a mind stored with Scripture, ancient and modern, was an eloquent speaker, a powerful minister, a logical and convincing writer, an honest man and a great soul who reached out after eternal things, grasped them with the gift of inspiration, and brought them down to the level and comprehension of the common mind. Thousands have been brought into the Church through his preaching in many lands, thousands more by his writings. He set but little store on the wealth of this world, but he has laid up treasures in heaven which will make him eternally rich.' " (Smith and Sjodahl, DCC, p. 179.)

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have similar life summaries of all saints.

Monday, October 05, 2009

D&C 33

Of His modern-day Church, the Lord said -

"...I say unto you, that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 33:5)

We know that the primitive Church was organized by the Savior is his with -

"...apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ..."  (New Testament  Ephesians 4:11 - 13)

For this Church to be "called out of the wilderness", it must have been then driven into the wilderness.  To be driven into the wilderness, the doctrine must have been corrupted, that is -

"...my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 33:4)

The Savior taught that this would be so in the parable of the wheat and tares for  -

"...after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 86:3)

It is the tares or corrupted doctrines sown by Satan that must have driven the Church into the wilderness.  John the revelator saw that this would happen as foretells that -

"...when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (the Church) which brought forth the man child (the priesthood).
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."  (New Testament  Revelation 12:13 - 14)

But John prophesied that the woman or the Church would someday come forth out of the wilderness for -

"...the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  (New Testament  Revelation 12:16 - 17)

And with the organization of the Church - with the Church coming forth out of the wilderness, the Lord declared -

"...even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 33:6)

Friday, October 02, 2009

D&C 31

Paul taught -

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (New Testament James 2:20)

And referring to Abraham -

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"  (New Testament James 2:22)

Throughout the Book of Mormon, we are taught that we are not saved by the Law of Moses, but through Christ and his atonement.  In a sense, we are saved by grace not works.  But nonetheless, where many miss the boat is that works is an essential condition to receive grace and forgiveness of our sins.  The Lord said to Thomas B. Marsh -

"...begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.
5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 31:4 - 5)

Works is that which provides sufficient faith that allows the atonement to become effective in our lives.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

D&C 30

David Whitmer was one of the individuals blessed to be one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon.  One that not only saw and handled the gold plates but received the testimony of their truthfulness from the angel.  Not much time had passed from the glorius event that the Lord said to him -

"...you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.
2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.
3 Wherefore, you are left to inquire for yourself at my hand, and ponder upon the things which you have received."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 30:1 - 3)

David Whitmer is not the only saint that has ever needed this counsel.  Many saints have received spiritual witnesses of the truth.  But it only seems to sustain them for a period unless they continually work, live, and give heed for and to the Spirit.  President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote -

"It seems a little strange that so soon after the wonderful manifestation which he [David Whitmer] had received and the witnessing of the outpouring of the Spirit at other times, that he would forget, but human nature is such that all of us need constant reminding of our responsibilities or we are likely to lapse into some indifference. The need of constant prayer and concentration of our thoughts on the things of the kingdom, and sincere attention to duty, is apparent with most of us, lest we slip. How frequently the Lord has had to caution his people against the weaknesses of the flesh!" (Joseph Fielding Smith, CHMR 1:146.)