D&C 45

This morning I read concerning -

"...they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:54)

We know from the Prophet's vision of the three degrees of glory where -

"...we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.
72 Behold, these are they who died without law..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:71–72)

I confess I have struggled with these verses in the past where I interpreted "knew no law" was of no fault of the individual.  But this morning a different thought came to me.  Suddenly, I felt "knew no law" was because of an individual's choice.  We are constantly being counseled to study the scriptures, read the Book of Mormon every day, attend Church.  It is herein where we learn of the doctrines and law of the kingdom.

In the 32nd Chapter of Alma, Alma taught how one learns and experiments upon the word, or doctrines and laws of God.  He then explains how one comes to "know laws" are of God.

D&C 45

Concerning the Jews in the last days, the Savior said -

"...when that day shall come, shall a remnant be scattered among all nations;
25 But they shall be gathered again; but they shall remain until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:24–25)

These prophesies are clearly coming to fruition.  No question we are in the times of the Gentiles as the gospel is being preached to all nations.  Though many Jews are gathered, the gospel will eventually be preached to them.

D&C 45

Supporting the doctrine of justification and sanctification the Lord taught that -

"...unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:8)

It is by His power or power of the atonement that we are justified or become.  Because of His divine power, He adds -

"Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—
4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5)

D&C 44

As general conference approaches this weekend, the Lord promised concerning such conferences -

"And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.
3 And it shall come to pass that they shall go forth into the regions round about, and preach repentance unto the people.
4 And many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves according to the laws of man;
5 That your enemies may not have power over you; that you may be preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws; that every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 44:2 - 5)

I underlined some of those promises.

D&C 43

For those that think Chirst has become some sort of mysterious entity, the Savior declares -

"For if I, who am a man, do lift up my voice and call upon you to repent, and ye hate me, what will ye say when the day cometh when the thunders shall utter their voices from the ends of the earth, speaking to the ears of all that live, saying—Repent, and prepare for the great day of the Lord?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 43:21)

He is an exalted man of which we desire to become.

D&C 42

We learn the Lord's position on offense with -

"...if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone; and if he or she confess thou shalt be reconciled.
89 And if he or she confess not thou shalt deliver him or her up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders. And it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.
90 And if thy brother or sister offend many, he or she shall be chastened before many.
91 And if any one offend openly, he or she shall be rebuked openly, that he or she may be ashamed. And if he or she confess not, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of God.
92 If any shall offend in secret, he or she shall be rebuked in secret, that he or she may have opportunity to confess in secret to him or her whom he or she has offended, and to God, that the church may not speak reproachfully of him or her."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:88–92)

I specifically note the need of confidentiality.

D&C 42

Of the event of "death", the Savior said -

"...that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them;
47 And they that die not in me, wo unto them, for their death is bitter."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:46–47)

Obviously, the experience of death is not the same for all.  I believe that for the righteous, it will be a time of rest and peace, free from the physical ailments of mortal life.  But for the wicked, they will be amongst the wicked and Satan himself where there can never be rest and peace.

D&C 42

In follow up to my blog on Monday quoting -

"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:22)

The first thought might be that none else is in reference to another woman.  But my thoughts this morning also include "nothing else" including work, hobbies, money, sports, and other things of the
world

D&C 42

The Lord established as an integral part of His law -

"...that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:11)

I believe that this was new doctrine in that day and continues to be today.

D&C 42

One of the commandments the Lord gives as He delivers His law includes -

"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:22)

Other than deity, this is the only other commandment that I know of that we are to love with all our hearts.

D&C 41

The Savior gives a stern warning to the saints that at one time or another have sincerely professed his name, which I believe whether in testimony or covenant -

"Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings, ye that hear me; and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my name, with the heaviest of all cursings."  (Doctrine and Covenants 41:1)

I consider that serious.

D&C 39

There is no questions that the direction and promises that are given to James Covel are marvelous and great...if he keeps his covenant.  But what I thought interesting was the words of the Savior -

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

I find that comforting as well as a little bit concerning.  I believe this applies to us all.

D&C 38

The early saints are counseled -

"...go ye out from among the wicked..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:42)

I don't believe this counsel is to not associate but more about participating with the wicked..

D&C 38

Alma taught the people of Ammonihah -

"...I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.
2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption."  (Alma 13:1–2)

The Lord again teaches much the same thing to His high priests -

"...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 practice virtue and holiness before me."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:23–24)

D&C 38

In revelation, the Lord declared -

"Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased;
11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:10–12)

Obviously, as we strive to repent and keep His commandments, no one is perfect thus "all flesh is corrupted".  And with such, He is not "well pleased".  He cannot look upon sin with the least allowance.  But He is merciful and forgiving and His grace is sufficient.

But -

"...when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:37)

Thus causeth silence from the powers of heaven and the Holy Ghost.

D&C 38

Some eight or nine months after the Church was organized, the Lord warned the Prophet -

"...now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:13)

I note "chambers" is plural which means to me many secret chambers.  This is serious enough that the Lord reiterated -

"...again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:28)

The He adds -

"Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:29–30)

I'm sure that many believe this is in reference to the Civil War.  But my impressions this morning was far greater.  I believe there are secret chambers today striving to destroy righteous and true doctrine with false philosophies of fairness and tolerance that seeks to destroy His saints.

D&C 36

I was recently chastised for using the word "hate" in a sentence.  But what I found interesting this morning was the Savior's words to Edward Partridge -

"That as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel among the nations—
6 Crying repentance, saying: Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh."  (Doctrine and Covenants 36:5–6)

...which suggest that we hate our sins as we repent of them.

D&C 35

Speaking of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord told Sidney Rigdon -

"...I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him;"  (Doctrine and Covenants 35:17)

Then the Lord instructs Sidney -

"Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things."  (Doctrine and Covenants 35:19)

Sidney was older and had had much more experience in preaching and leading a congregation.  Obviously, there may be a tendency to be critical is such matters.  This might be the case of many in the Church that have had important callings and then have been released.  In all of this, the Lord declares that His servants may be weak and inexperienced.  But nonetheless we sustain and watch over or care for our leaders.

D&C 34

I was touched by the Savior's promise to Orson Pratt with his call to serve -

"And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 34:11)

Like always, promises are conditional..."if".