D&C 76

Of those that will reside in the telestial kingdom, the Lord said -

 "These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:82)

"These are they who are thrust down to hell."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:84)  (which I believe are those that are in hell in the spirit prison)

"These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:85)

But even so -

"...thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding..."
(Doctrine and Covenants 76:89)

I believe that through all eternity, we will still possess our agency.  The Lord said -

"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–17)

In my mind, having their agency and thus the capacity to sin, if they will not learn to repent (maybe due to pride) they will continue to suffer for their sins through eternity

D&C 76

Having defined much concerning the sons of perdition, the Lord states -

"For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:39)

Adding -

"Wherefore, he saves all except them..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:44)

In my mind, this does not mean that all will be saved "in the kingdom of God", just that they will be saved through His atonement to some level of glory.  It also does not mean that they will not be punished for their sins.  Only those that truly repent will not suffer for their sins.

D&C 76

In vision, the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon testified -

"...we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son..."  Doctrine and Covenants 76:25)

In my mind, "whom the Father loved", does not mean He doesn't love others.  But even so, loving does not mean merciful.  Elder Russell M. Nelson taught -

“While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional. The word does not appear in the scriptures. On the other hand, many verses affirm that the higher levels of love the Father and the Son feel for each of us—and certain divine blessings stemming from that love—are conditional.

“The resplendent bouquet of God’s love—including eternal life—includes blessings for which we must qualify, not entitlements to be expected unworthily.”  (February 2003 Ensign)

D&C 76

Just a note.  I've haven't written for several days because I was sick and unable to excercises.

As the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon worked on the translation and correction of the Bible, he comments that -

"...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 76:18–19)

In my mind, the Prophet's description "marvel" suggested that this created questions. It is important to realize that the Spirit can stir our thoughts in terms of questioning.   Which can lead to understanding the mysteries of God.

D&C 75

After William E. McLellin did not faithfully complete his mission to the East, the Lord said to him -

"...verily I say unto my servant William E. McLellin, I revoke the commission which I gave unto him to go unto the eastern countries;
7 And I give unto him a new commission and a new commandment, in the which I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
8 And he sinned; nevertheless, I forgive him and say unto him again, Go ye into the south countries."  (Doctrine and Covenants 75:6–8)

I find it interesting that the Lord does not necessarily immediately forsake us abut continues to forgive and love us giving us opportunities to repent and try again.

D&C 72

As the Lord begins His instructions on the duty of purposes of Bishops, He teaches -

"...for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
4 For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 72:3 - 4)

As much as we are promised blessings as we keep the commandments, it is also important to understand that we are stewards of blessings and responsibilities and will have to account for such.

D&C 70

To be really able to live the law of consecration or celestial law. the Savior explains -

"...inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse;
8 And the benefits shall be consecrated unto the inhabitants of Zion, and unto their generations, inasmuch as they become heirs according to the laws of the kingdom.
9 Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship, even as I, the Lord, have appointed or shall hereafter appoint unto any man.
10 And behold, none are exempt from this law who belong to the church of the living God..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 70:7–10)

Obviously, this is a personal decision and should not be judged by others.

D&C 68

The Lord said -

"...inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."  (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25)

I specific note that the word "sin" is singular suggesting to me the sin of the obligation to teach our children truth.  We must remember that our 2nd Article of Faith is that man will be punished for their own sins.

D&C 67

What the Lord said to some brethren in conference, I consider to be to all -

"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"   (Doctrine and Covenants 67:1)

With that, He also said -

"Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive."  (Doctrine and Covenants 67:3)

I don't have any idea what this blessing was, but it does suggest that "fears in our hearts" may limit our faith.

What I found instructive to me is -

"...verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual."  (Doctrine and Covenants 67:10)

D&C 64

The Lord establishes -

"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34)

And adds -

"Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business."  (Doctrine and Covenants 64:29)

Being on the Lord's errand, I hope I am always doing all things according to His will.

D&C 64

The Savior declared -

"...verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death."  (Doctrine and Covenants 64:7)

I was struck this morning with the words "confess their sins before me".  As we wonder if it is necessary to confess all sins to ecclesiastical leaders, I feels it is only necessary with "serious" sins.

D&C 63

The Lord warned the saints -

"Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips—
62 For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:61–62)

In my mind, there are multiple ways to take the name of the Lord in vain.  One being in making sacred covenants in the name of the Lord and then not honoring those covenants.  Elder James E. Talmage explained several ways in that we might take the name of the Lord in vain -

“1. We may take the name of God in vain by profane speech.
“2. We take it in vain when we swear falsely, not being true to our oaths and promises.
“3. We take it in vain in a blas-phemous sense when we presume to speak in that name without authority.
“4. And we take his name in vain whenever we wilfully do aught [anything] that is in defiance of his commandments, since we have taken his name upon ourselves.” (In Conference Report, October 1931, page 53.)

In this same revelation, the Savior declares -

"For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:58)

We mock him as we fail to keep our covenants.

D&C 63

I find it interesting that the Lord told the saints -

"...let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:40)

And in the case of Newel K. Whitney -

"...let him impart all the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion.
44 Behold, these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:43–44)

Other than tithing, it is obvious that the Lord allows us to decide in wisdom how we might consecrate personal funds to the Lord.

D&C 62

In my mind, speaking of justification, the Lord said as the Prophet was returning to Kirtland-

"Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."  (Doctrine and Covenants 62:1)

And then as the Prophet returned to Kirtland, speaking of many that -

"...have turned away from my commandments and have not kept them."   (Doctrine and Covenants 63:13)

...the Lord said -

 "...behold, I, the Lord, say unto you that ye are not justified, because these things are among you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:19)

The Lord and His Spirit will not extend grace or His power to those that will not strive to keep the commandments.

D&C 61

I understand that as the Prophet Joseph Smith and a group of elders began their return to Kirtland from Missouri, that there arose contention among the brethren.  This seems apparent as the Lord said -

"I, the Lord, was angry with you yesterday, but today mine anger is turned away."  (Doctrine and Covenants 61:20)

It appears their differences were reconciled.  This becomes apparent as the revelation began -

"Behold, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who are assembled upon this spot, whose sins are now forgiven you, for I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 61:2)

A great lesson is learned that the Lord is angered when we allow contention amongst one another.