D&C 132

Peter spoke of -

"...the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."  (New Testament | Acts 3:21)

The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things.  Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:40)

Adding -

"For I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, wherein I restore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:45)

It becomes clear that Joseph Smith was commanded to restore all things as directed in due time.

D&C 132

To be honest, I have always struggled to understand the conditions of God's law with the words -

"...and that too most holy..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:7)

...included with the Holy Spirit of promise and priesthood authority.  The meaning seemed to dawn on me this morning when the Lord asked -

"...Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?
10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed?"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:9 - 10)

The Lord then proceeds to review the conditions of His laws over and over with

"...but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:12)

In other words, in my mind, "that too most holy" is in reference to that it must be done by Him or by His word, which I His law.

D&C 132

The Lord instructed the saints -

"...I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:4)

In my opinion, "the new and everlasting covenant" includes all laws and covenants.  But in this case the Lord introduces "a new and everlasting covenant" that in my mind is a law and part of the overall covenant.  Obviously, this new and everlasting covenant spoken herein is celestial marriage or marriage for time and all eternity.

D&C 131

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught an important doctrine in his day -

"There is no such thing as immaterial matter.  All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;
8 We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:7 - 8)

I find it interesting that the emphasis is seeing spirit matter.  It does not necessarily mean that we cannot feel such.

D&C 130

From my study of the scriptures, it has always been my opinion that the so called "spirit world" is right here upon the earth.  But the Prophet taught -

"The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
7 But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:6 - 7)

I can't help but interpret that to mean that even though angels reside on this earth, to them it seems to be somewhat difference

D&C 128

As the Prophet writes concerning the work and salvation of the dead, after quoting Malachi 4:5-6, he says -

"...It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject?  It is the baptism for the dead.  For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.  Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:18)

I was struck this morning that these words are more addressed to a welding link between the fathers and the children.  In other words, it is not all about temple work but family history and temple work of our own ancestors.

D&C 127

As the Lord was impressing the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning baptism for the dead, He adds -

"For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 127:8)

In the final days of the Prophet, it appears that the Lord is suggesting that He still has other priesthood temple ordinances that will yet be revealed.

D&C 124

As the Prophet Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord concerning the gathering of the saints and their individual agency, the Lord answers -

"...if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 125:2)

Among several noted cities, the Lord also includes -

"...and in all the stakes which I have appointed..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 125:4)

I believe the Lord is saying, is that if possible, we should live where we can receive the blessings of the gospel and Church organization.

D&C 124

The Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith, concerning William Law -

"...let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:91)

In doing so, whether or not he received priesthood keys, the Lord instructs -

"Let my servant William Law also receive the keys by which he may ask and receive blessings; let him be humble before me, and be without guile, and he shall receive of my Spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.
98 And these signs shall follow him—he shall heal the sick, he shall cast out devils, and shall be delivered from those who would administer unto him deadly poison;
99 And he shall be led in paths where the poisonous serpent cannot lay hold upon his heel, and he shall mount up in the imagination of his thoughts as upon eagles' wings.
100 And what if I will that he should raise the dead, let him not withhold his voice."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:97 - 100)

These keys seem to me to be more of gifts of the Spirit or power to unlock these gifts.

D&C 124

As the saints are told that many temples were to be built -

"For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:36)

...they were commanded to build a temple in Nauvoo where the Lord explains -

"For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.
42 And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:41 - 42)

Which suggest to me that those that only believe in the Bible and not living prophets, are mission out on all that would be revealed in this last dispensation.

D&C 124

As the Lord commanded the Prophet to send a proclamation to all the leaders in the world, He says -

"...I will visit and soften their hearts, many of them for your good, that ye may find grace in their eyes, that they may come to the light of truth, and the Gentiles to the exaltation or lifting up of Zion."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124:9)

Since that day, leaders hearts have been softened and doors have been opened.  A thought came to me this morning how just recently, the heart of the Chinese president seems to have been changed in a small degree.

D&C 121

As one is called to serve, he or she should remember -

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:41 - 42)

D&C 121

I have written my thoughts concerning the "waste place" of Zion.  As the Prophet writes to the saints, the Lord says because of the wickedness of the Missourians -

"...not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.
16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:15 - 16)

D&C 123

While the Prophet suffered in Liberty Jail, the Lord told him -

"THE ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 122:1)

Not only him, but also the saints -

"...who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and care, under the most damning hand of murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123:7)

But even so, we are counseled -

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123:17)

Justice will prevail.

D&C 121

As the Prophet continued to be inspired, the Lord reveals -

"God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:26)

Explaining -

"Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:27)

Though many forefathers were allowed to write concerning such great knowledge, it seems they were not allowed to write with such clarity. The promises of this dispensation, the last dispensation  are such -

"...How long can rolling waters remain impure?  What power shall stay the heavens?  As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:33)

Oh that the world would realize what knowledge has been given and much more may come.

D&C 121

Blogger was down last Friday.

As the Prophet Joseph Smith suffered in Liberty Jail, I note his greatest concern -

"Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:6)

It is apparent that the Prophet already had charity.

D&C 120

With the introduction in modern day of -

"...the beginning of the tithing of my people."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 119:3)

The Lord outlines the council that will dispose these funds which includes -

"...the First Presidency of my Church, and of the bishop and his council, and by my high council [twelve apostles..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 120:1)

Obviously being numbered at 18...then He includes one more -

"...and by mine own voice unto them, saith the Lord..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 120:1)

It is important to understand that the Lord is very much involved with the disposition of Church tithing funds.

D&C 117

After commanding the saints to hastily come to Far West, the Lord issues a scathing rebuke to William Marks and Newel K. Whitney (with no foreknowledge of Joseph Smith), saying -

"...let them settle up their business speedily and journey from the land of Kirtland, before I, the Lord, send again the snows upon the earth.
2 Let them awake, and arise, and come forth, and not tarry, for I, the Lord, command it.
3 Therefore, if they tarry it shall not be well with them.
4 Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me?  saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 117:1 - 4)

The Lord who "owns" all things and controls all things reminds the saints that "what is property" to Him.  He can bless and He can curse.  Obedience is the principle He expects of all.  This would also apply to tithing.

D&C 115

The Lord instructed -

"Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:7)

In my visit to Independence, Liberty, Adam-ondi-Ahman, and Far West, though I found Independence cold and dark, I experienced a very sweet and peaceful feeling as I stood at the temple site in Far West.

D&C 114

We learn that no one is indispensable in the Church as -

"...thus saith the Lord, 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)

...or calling.