D&C 117

The Lord's perspective on wealth is much different than man's. In revelation, the Lord addressed this matter with several individual saints saying -

"Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me?..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 117:4)

The Lord even reasoned -

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

Just as Job said -

"...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Old Testament | Job 1:21)

Oliver Granger was one that had the capacity to earn great wealth, but instead, chose to follow the callings of the Lord. In response to his sacrifices, the Lord said -

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

As we liken the teachings of the Lord to ourselves, our sacrifices will be more sacred to the Lord than our increases.

D&C 115

In Far West, Missouri, the Lord revealed -

"And also unto my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;
4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:3 - 4)

As the Lord asked the Nephites -

"...how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel." (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:8)

This in latter days, the Church is called by His name and is built upon His gospel. But what is also of great significance is the Church of Jesus Christ is also comprised of saints. Elder James E. Talmage commented on the meaning of "saints" -

"...what does the word 'Saint' mean? By derivation, by acceptation, and by the best authority in the language, it means directly, used as an adjective, 'holy,' and when used as a noun, 'a holy one,' and we, therefore, profess to be a body of holy men, holy women. We proclaim ourselves in the name of Jesus Christ to be the holy ones of the last days, a significant proclamation, blasphemous in the extreme if it be not justified. . . .

What should it mean to you and me, to be thus called a holy man, a holy woman? As thus applied, the term does not mean that the one who bears it is necessarily without weakness or devoid of blemish. An authorized usage of the term 'holy' is that it shall apply for exclusive service in the cause of God, and such we profess to be, set apart amongst men and nations as the people of God." (James E. Talmage, CR, April 1922, p. 72.)

The emphasis is that we as members of the Church should be striving for holiness. Is there any wonder the Lord follows with -

"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:5)

D&C 114

In 1838, there had been a great deal of rebellion and falling away of many of the Prophet Joseph Smith's closet friends and leaders. We get a feel of this as George Q. Cannon wrote of this period -

"While the Prophet had been journeying toward Missouri after escaping the Kirtland mob in January, 1838, a general assembly of the Saints in Far West was held on the 5th day of February, at which David Whitmer, John Whitmer and William W. Phelps were rejected as the local presidency; and a few days later Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten, of the Twelve, were selected to act as a presidency until the Prophet should arrive. Oliver Cowdery too had been suspended from his position. Persisting in unchristianlike conduct, W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer had been excommunicated by the high council in Far West, four days previous to the arrival of Joseph.

This was the sad situation as the Prophet approached the dwelling place of the Saints in Missouri. Many of the people went out to meet him, and at a distance of one hundred and twenty miles from Far West they found him and tendered him teams and money to help him forward. The joy they had in his presence arose from an absolute knowledge of his power and authority as a Prophet of God. They were certain that many of their difficulties would end with his presence, because he would give the light of truth by which to guide their footsteps. . . .

At the same conference [April 6, 1838] Brigham Young, David W. Patten and Thomas B. Marsh were chosen to preside over the Church in Missouri.

On the 12th of April, 1838, Oliver Cowdery was found guilty of serious wrong-doing for which he had not made repentance, and he was excommunicated by the high council at Far West. Before the same tribunal on the day following David Whitmer was charged with persistent disobedience of the word of wisdom and with unchristianlike conduct, and he was also cut off. Luke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton were excommunicated about the same time, and less than a month later a similar fate befell William E. McLellin.

It was a sorrowful day for Joseph when he lost the companionship of these men who had been with him during many trials and who had participated with him in the glorious undertaking of heavenly things. But they were no longer anything but dead branches, harmful to the growing tree, and it was necessary for the pruner to lop them off." (George Q. Cannon, LJS, pp. 221-24.)

It was during this difficult period for the Prophet that the Lord revealed -

"...that inasmuch as there are those among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and receive their bishopric..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 114:2)

This was the Lord's work and not the work of man. At this point the Prophet may have recalled -

"Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 3:3)

D&C 112

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles we learn -

"The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107:23 - 24)

Clearly the twelve apostles have the duty of the administration, preaching, teaching, and testifying of the Savior and His Church throughout the world. This calling is of such sacredness and importance that the Lord specifically planted in His vineyard (earth)-

"...twelve olive-trees;
45 And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive-trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:44 - 45)

To the then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Thomas B. Marsh, he provided a great revelation and counsel concerning his duties and the quorum's duties. First, it was importantant that Thomas understood that -

"Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name's sake unto you." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:20)

As president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he was to follow the counsel of the First Presidency. And also in his administration -

"Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:15)

At the time of this revelation, Thomas B. Marsh had received the keys of the kingdom. Had President remained faithful as so counseled in this revelation, he would have presided over the Church with the death of the Prophet and Hyrum Smith.

D&C 111

As the Prophet and several priesthood leaders visited Salem, Massachusetts, in hopes to relieve some of their debts, the Prophet received this very interesting revelation. As the Lord initiated this revelation, He said -

"I, THE Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 111:1)

It seems that the Lord was pleased that they were trying to do everything they though they should, but also that in their efforts, they just hadn't quite gotten it or understood the ways of the Lord as He said -

"Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 111:5)

But in doing so, the Lord gives this interesting counsel -

"...be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 111:11)


It seems clear that His servants are to actively and worthily learn and strive to use wisdom in their decisions. And by doing so, the Lord will work out all things for our good.

D&C 110

Where I blogged yesterday -

We learn in the dedicatory prayer of the first temple of this last dispensation that it is the temple that -

"...thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109:26)

And as His name is put upon us, He will also -

"Put upon thy servants the testimony of the covenant..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109:38)

As the Lord appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in accepting His temple (Kirtland), he said -

"Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 110:6 - 7)

D&C 109

Active members of the Church weekly witness -

"...that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:77)

We learn in the dedicatory prayer of the first temple of this last dispensation that it is the tempt that -

"...thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109:26)

And as His name is put upon us, He will also -

"Put upon thy servants the testimony of the covenant..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 109:38)

Thus -

"...because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters..." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:7)

D&C 108

The Lord said to Lyman Sherman, an early president of the Seventies that he should -

"Wait patiently until the solemn assembly shall be called..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 108:4)

It was to be in this solemn assembly that -

"...you shall be remembered with the first of mine elders..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 108:4)

I understand that a solemn assembly is one that is called by priesthood leaders for special instruction, blessings, or sustainings. President Kimball said -

"Solemn assemblies have been known among the Saints since the days of Israel. They have been of various kinds but generally have been associated with the dedication of a temple or a special meeting appointed for the sustaining of a new First Presidency or a meeting for the priesthood to sustain a revelation, such as the tithing revelation to President Lorenzo Snow...." (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, May 1974, pp. 45-46.)

In my mind, ward conferences are somewhat of a solemn assembly where ward members are given the opportunity to sustain Church, stake, and ward officers. In a sense -

"...be remembered with the first of mine elders..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 108:4)

D&C 107

In regards to the priesthood,the Lord revealed -

"High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107:10)

And -

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

I wanted to post the definitions of two words -

Standing: a position from which one may assert or enforce legal rights and duties. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Officiate: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Definitions many times help me better understand doctrine.

D&C 106

As Warren Cowdery was called to a presiding high priest over a Church jurisdiction, the Lord provided some personal inspiration -

"...verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter, and separated himself from the crafts of men..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 106:6)

And then the Lord followed with this counsel and promise-

"...blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him; and, notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.
8 And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 106:7 - 8)

I know that we are commanded to -

"...liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 19:23)

But in the case of Warren Cowdery, I personally sense even to a greater extent that these very same words could have easily been said to me.

D&C 105

Last week, I commented on the meaning of Zion and that Zion would only be redeemed by power. In my mind, true power comes only by holiness and worthiness as we make and keep sacred covenants. As Zions
Camp was positioned by Fishing River to redeem or rescue Zion, the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"...this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:11)

And then He tells the prophet -

"...I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:12)

Again, suggesting that this power only comes to those that are faithful and keep His commandments. It seems Zion can only exist as the saints make sacred covenants and keep them. This is the power sufficient to redeem and keep Zion. It explains why, what seems to be very hard word, the Lord explains the initial words of this revelation -

"...I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:2 - 6)

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

What may seem as hard words are in reality the Lord teaching His doctrine which is the truth.

D&C 104

The Lord said to all -

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:21)

When it comes to wealth and riches, it is apparent that the Lord has his hand in all things. Or as Job summarized -

"..the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Old Testament | Job 1:21)

In the Lord's plan for each of us, to some He gives wealth and to some He chooses not to. But nonetheless, in a eternal perspective, each has its purpose and blessing. In modern day, the Lord said to several of His saints -

"...inasmuch as they are faithful, behold I will bless, and multiply blessings upon them." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 104:31)

In some cases this meant wealth. Elder Orson Hyde provided a very interesting perspective -

"Now some persons may begin to harrow up their feelings, and to cherish in their hearts murmurings because God in his providence and in his mercy and kindness, may begin to pour upon this man and upon that man blessings by which he accumulates wealth, and by which he is made comfortable and happy; they are envious and jealous. . . . If we envy those that are really beginning to participate a little in the inheritance of all things, is not this a strong presumptive evidence within ourselves that we are not heirs to all things, neither are we willing that our brethren should be.

When a man of God is blessed from on high and shall begin to gather around him means sufficient to place him beyond the reach of immediate want, God hath done it—God hath blessed that person—and every Saint will feel thankful to see his brethren so prospered and blessed of the Lord, feeling encouraged that his time will come sometime if he continues faithful. . . .

The Lord sees us all and knows what our feelings are—the very thoughts and intents of our hearts are laid bare before Him [Sec. 38:2], and when He sees that we are prepared to endure great earthly blessings, do you think that any trifling circumstance will cause him to delay and wait and put us off and make us wait for his blessings." (Orson Hyde, JD 10:263.)

A very interesting thought that we should rejoice when others are successful, not envy or be jealous.