D&C 35

To Sidney Rigdon, the Lord declares that -

"...the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;
11 But without faith shall not anything be shown forth except desolations upon Babylon..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 35:10 - 11)

Which suggests to me that the wicked will become desolate no matter what.  But righteous miracles and works will only come by faith in the Savior

Now to the righteous, even in the midst of much tribulation, the Lord counsels -

"Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 35:26)

The constantly reminds to take a eternal perspective and rejoice, be glad, and cheerful no matter what is taking place.

D&C 34

As the Lord instructs Orson Pratt to "lift up you voice as with the sound of a trump...and cry repentance", he describes the world as -

"...a crooked and perverse generation..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 34:6)

...suggesting to me that the world is knowingly and willingly breaking the commandments for personal gain, satisfaction, pleasure, etc.  In addition, the world will pervert true principles and commandments for power in the name of fairness.

D&C 33

In a revelation to Ezra Thayne and Northrop Sweet, the Lord counseled -

"...be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom—
18 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 33:17 - 18)

As I pondered that this morning, I thought of many wonderful saints including returned missionaries where their lamps are trimmed and burning bright.  But the Lord added having "oil with you".  Which suggests to me that just having a testimony and living the commandments, in a sense, trimmed and burning, may not be enough when the prophesied "storms" in the last day will arise.  We will need a reserve of so called "oil". 

I like the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of meekness -

"enduring injury with patience and without resentment"

Thus the Savior counsels, "...be faithful, praying always..."

D&C 32

First, just for my own record, I want to enter a portion of a quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith after their first fall conference -

"...during which time we had much of the power of God manifested amongst us; the Holy Ghost came upon us, and filled us with joy unspeakable; and peace, and faith, and hope, and charity abounded in our midst."   (History of the Church, 1:115.)

We are consider "Joy in the Journey" as our theme for our 2017 youth trek.  Considering that, this is a great quote.

One more thought.  As I read section 31, the revelation given to Thomas B. Marsh, I feel that with much of this, the Lord is speaking directly to me.

For my scripture blog, I note the instruction to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson in their work that -

"...they shall give heed to that which is written, and pretend to no other revelation; and they shall pray always that I may unfold the same to their understanding."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 32:4)

I believe this is important in all our teaching and preaching.

D&C 30

As the Lord instructed Peter Whitmer, Jr. to be a missionary companion to Oliver Cowdery, He said -

"...be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 30:6)

The thought I had this morning that this is His instruction to all companionships, especially husband and wife.

D&C 29

The Lord told Moses -

"...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)

Obviously, His work is to provide immortality for all men and to those that use their agency to keep His commandments, eternal life.  This is the Lord's perspective.  But to make it simple for us living in mortality He explains -

"...all things both spiritual and temporal—
32 First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—
33 Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed.
34 Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:31 - 34)

In my mind, His entire work includes a temporal like world for man to exercise agency.  Thus he does not perceive temporal things from eternal perspective as we do in this life.  It is all a spiritual or an "eternal life of man" perspective.

D&C 29

In the modern day restored, there are many priesthood leaders (bishops, stake presidents) that we sustain as judges in Israel.  In other words, it is to these that we declare in interviews our worthiness for sacred ordinances and covenants and extending callings.  The Savior also revealed that in the millennium -

"...verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my commandments, and none else."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:12)

In my mind, this is what these brethren will be doing as judges of Israel.  They will judge only those of the house of Israel or in other words, the righteous.  The wicked will be left to be judged by the Savior.

D&C 29

The Savior says that He -

"...will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:2)

Of this gathering -

"...they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:8)

In my mind, this "one place" is -

"...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)

Thus, one of the purpose and work of stakes is "to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth".

D&C 28

The Lord teaches us as He did Oliver Cowdery -

"...that it shall be given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and commandments which I have given.
2 But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
3 And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.
4 And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it.
5 But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 28:1 - 5)

As teachers and speakers, we are to use the revelations given in wisdom and by the Comforter.

D&C 27

I may have blogged on this before.  But as the Lord describes the sword in the armor of God, He says -

"...take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 27:18)

I sense that both, the "Spirit" and the "word" is the sword of the armor of God.  Both cut through the false doctrines and philosophies of men.

D&C 27

This morning, I should admit that these are my thoughts this morning and not necessarily verified doctrine.  I read the words of the Savior this morning concerning a meeting where he will partake of the sacrament with many prophets that he particularly mentions.  First, after mentioning Moroni, He states -

"And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 27:6)

He then proceeds to mention other great prophets that I noticed held and in some cases restored priesthood authority and keys. 

What caught my attention was that He begins with "Elias", one He suggests held all committed keys and would restore them all.  After which He specifically mentions several that did.

In my mind then, "Elias" must be a group name for all those that held and restored keys.  In other words, by saying Elias, would refer to all those that would restore and commit keys.

D&C 26

I find it interesting that in the study of early day apostates, many claim that the Prophet gave them some authority or whatever in privacy to be a leader in some form or another.  But the Lord revealed that -

"...all things shall be done by common consent in the church..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 26:2)

Obviously not in private but openly before the Church.

D&C 25

In a revelation to Emma Smith, I sense the love and promises of the Savior as He tells her -

"HEARKEN unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 25:1)

In my mind, "my daughter" suggests eternal life in that we may become His sons and daughters as we are spiritually born of Him.  But there are conditions as He continues -

"Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive.  And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 25:15)

The Lord then adds -

"...verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 25:16)

So these words apply to all of us that desire these blessings.

D&C 24

By revelation, the Lord two ways we are blessed or cursed.  The first being in regards to the saints -

"Magnify thine office; and after thou hast sowed thy fields and secured them, go speedily unto the church which is in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester, and they shall support thee; and I will bless them both spiritually and temporally;
4 But if they receive thee not, I will send upon them a cursing instead of a blessing."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 24:3 - 4)

Obviously, we are blessed as we sustain and support Church leaders and servants.  The second being -

"...thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church.
6 And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 24:5 - 6)

Thus we are blessed as we sustain, support, and hearken to the words of the prophet.  If not, we are cursed or in my mind, we will not receive the blessings and gifts of the gospel.

D&C 23

I believe from the beginning or as I understand when we became infants in a pre-mortal existence, we were taught the necessary or essential ordinances and covenants that we must enter into and keep to receive the greatest blessings of God.  Though the Lord made temporary covenants with the children of Israel, these were only temporary and a schoolmaster.  Thus the Lord said -

"...all old covenants have I caused to be done away in this thing; and this is a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 22:1)

D&C 21

Being that the Lord has -

"...called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 21:1)

...to lead His Church, the saints are commanded to -

"...give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 21:4 - 5)

I find the commandment "in all patience and faith" to be interesting.  It suggests to me that the Lord will reveal teachings, doctrines, and His will in His own manner and in His own timing...not ours.

D&C 20

From day one with the organization of the Church, we were instructed to maintain -

"...a list of the names of the several members uniting themselves with the church since the last conference; or send by the hand of some priest; so that a regular list of all the names of the whole church may be kept in a book by one of the elders, whomsoever the other elders shall appoint from time to time..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:82)

I believe this to be one of the signs of the true Church.  Many other religious organizations cannot produce such a list. 

Even today as in days of old -

"...they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 6:4)

D&C 20

After describing the duties and assisting of priesthood offices, the Lord instructs -

"...neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands;
59 They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:58 - 59)

I note then that all priesthood offices are to "warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ".  I specifically note that we are to invite all to come to Christ which would suggest to me, His ordinances and covenants.  In my mind, that invitation would specifically include the sacrament.

D&C 20

Speaking of the translation of the Book of Mormon, the Lord said -

"Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—
11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:10 - 11)

I believe that not is the Lord suggesting "ministering angels" in the flesh but also ministering angels or spirits of those that have come and will yet come in the flesh.

　

　

D&C 20

As the Church was being organized, the Lord said -

"After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world;
6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness;
7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him;
8 And gave him power from on high..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:5 - 8)

This has to provide a great deal of confidence for all that have been called to the work, with all the inadequacies and feelings of unworthiness, that they to can repent and be sustained in their calling.