D&C 84

Knowing that God created man on the seventh day, suggest that the word "rest" in God's terminology is not the same as ours.  In fact, He says -

"...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)

It sounds to me that this is his definition of rest. He also states that -

"...in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:20 - 23)

It appears to me that His rest is the work of sanctifying men.  Rest is also defined as the Lord continues -

"...which rest is the fulness of his glory."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:24)

His rest then is the fullness of His glory which is His "work and glory".

D&C 84

As I began the 84th section of the D&C, what caught my attention this morning was the words of the Savior -

"...Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:16)

Contrary to modern science, by revelation, the Savior states that Adam was the first man.  I go with the words of the Savior.

D&C 82

As the Lord mentions that the land of Kirtland is designated for a stake of Zion, He follows -

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

I believe that "Zion" in this case is in reference to the Church.  And specifically, "her stakes must be strengthened".  I my mind, strengthening a stake would include greater righteousness, rescuing the less-active, and gathering Israel including the conversion of the elect (missionary work).

D&C 82

The Lord promised that in this dispensation, all things would be restored.  Obviously, the saints were thirsting for more revelations and truth when the Lord said -

"Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law."  (Doctrine and Covenants 82:4)

In other words, be careful what you hope for.  With this He would reveal the United Order, plural marriage and many other things.   To me it is wonderful, but we must be committed and faithful with every revelation.

D&C 78

I find it quite comforting as the Lord says -

"...Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, who are ordained unto the high priesthood of my church, who have assembled yourselves together;
2 And listen to the counsel of him who has ordained you from on high..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 78:1 - 2)

Whether it be being ordained to an office in the priesthood or being set apart for a calling, the Lord is suggesting that it is He that is doing...of course by delegation.

D&C 77

In answer to a question, we learn that the much of the work done in preparation to the second coming takes place in the 7th seal for -

"We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:12)

I also note that man was created on the 7th day.

D&C 77

The Prophet Joseph Smith was asked -

Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:9)

He answered -

"We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:9)

In my mind, this means until Israel is gathered and receives the sealing power of ordinances, oaths, and covenants for the Prophet adds -

"...And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:9)

We learn that Elias signifies a gatherer or preparer and can be many people.  In a sense, Elias could be all those that participating in the preaching the gospel and gathering Israel.

D&C 76

Speaking of those that would inherit the Terrestrial  kingdom, the Lord said -

"Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:74)

I couldn't help but ponder what it meant to "receive the testimony of Jesus".  The more I thought about it, the more I felt that having a testimony of Jesus would be those that had experienced His forgiveness and redemption.  In other words has practiced true repentance. It does not necessarily mean that an individual continues to keep their covenants and be valiant.

D&C 76

Of those that satisfy the condition of those -

"...who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:50)
(See verses 51-53)

...the Savior declares -

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

Nothing is said as to when they shall...but they shall.  What an amazing deal of comfort.

D&C 76

In a recent high priest group meeting, the teacher suggested that the term "First Vision" was inadequate , and called it the 'first contact.

I found it interesting that of the events the Prophet described in the "First Vision" seemed to be the same in the vision where the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon experienced -

"...we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fullness..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:20)

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:22 - 23)

To me, it sounds much the same.

D&C 76

As the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were engaged in the translation of the Bible, the Prophet comments -

"Now this caused us to marvel, for it was given unto us of the Spirit.
19 And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:18 - 19)

For -

"By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:12)

This falls much in line with a scripture related to the 2017 Youth Theme -

"But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:7)

D&C 72

For those members that are moving to another location (specifically Zion), the Lord said -

"...that as every elder in this part of the vineyard must give an account of his stewardship unto the bishop in this part of the vineyard—
17 A certificate from the judge or bishop in this part of the vineyard, unto the bishop in Zion, rendereth every man acceptable, and answereth all things, for an inheritance, and to be received as a wise steward and as a faithful laborer..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 72:16 - 17)

Today, a temple recommend is used for the same purpose.  It is my own personal wish that the priesthood of a male also be noted for priesthood ordinances.

D&C 71

As the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were in the process of translating the Bible, the Lord instructed them to stop for a period and preach the gospel.  In doing that, the Lord instructed -

"Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 71:7 - 9)

Some may interpret this to mean to argue, debate, "Bible bash".  but the term confound suggests to me that we teach true doctrine and with such, let it lie.  I note that Abinadi taught true doctrine which confounded the wicked priests.  Of those that are enemies to God, remember -

"...if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 71:10)

It suggests that it I the Lord that confounds the wicked.

D&C 68

Besides the responsibility of parents to teach their children the doctrine of Christ, the Lord adds -

"...they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
29 And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
30 And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 68:28 - 30)

It seems to me that the Lord is not only commanding parents to teach and keep these commandments, but I note that the Lord is not pleased when we allow our children to be idle.

D&C 68

We are all familiar with the revelation -

"...this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 68:3 - 4)

A script is something that is written.  The saints are often encouraged to record or write inspired instruction given to them.  But script or scripture does not mean that such is scripture for the entire Church which only comes through the prophet.  That is why we have the "standard works".

At that time, Elder Harold B. Lee taught -

“It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they read and write. Now you keep that in mind. I don’t care what his position is, if he writes something or speaks something that goes beyond anything that you can find in the standard church works [the scriptures], unless that one be the prophet, seer, and revelator—please note that one exception—you may immediately say, ‘Well, that is his own idea.’ And if he says something that contradicts what is found in the standard church works (I think that is why we call them ‘standard’—it is the standard measure of all that men teach), you may know by that same token that it is false, regardless of the position of the man who says it.” (“The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator” address delivered to seminary and institute of religion faculty, July 8 1964, page 14; quoted in Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, page 144.)

D&C 67

This morning I felt the Lord was speaking directly to me -

"BEHOLD and hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together, whose prayers I have heard, and whose hearts I know, and whose desires have come up before me.
2 Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 67:1 - 2)

It is comforting to knw that the Lord knows our hearts and our desires even though such may not be according to His will.

D&C 65

In our day, the Lord commands -

"...Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 65:1 - 2)

And then the Lord explains -

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

It becomes clear that the kingdom of God is the restored Church and the kingdom of heaven is that of the millennium.  In my mind, it also makes clear that the timing of the second coming of the Savior is not a condition of the world's wickedness but that of gathering and preparing the kingdom of God for His return.

D&C 64

As the Lord describes Zion flourishing in the last days, I was touched this morning with -

"...the day shall come when the nations of the earth shall tremble because of her, and shall fear because of her terrible ones.  The Lord hath spoken it. Amen"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 64:43)

I am convinced that after much mockery and persecution that we may experience, as the Church hold by the Lord's standards, the day will come as spoken.