Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, December 29, 2017

D&C 88

The Lord teaches what becomes of those sanctified saying that they -

"...are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world."  (Doctrine and Covenants 88:2)

Sanctification and celestial glory then in my mind are synonymous.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

D&C 87

In these latter days the Lord instructs -

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

In my mind, places being plural would suggest our homes, meetinghouses, and temples.  Herein we know the Spirit of the Lord is present.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

D&C 86

I'm returning to my blog after almost two weeks of chest cold or flue.

I have probably mentioned this before, but there are many members that wonder why the Prophet Joseph Smith was required to introduce what some consider modern-day doctrines such as polygamy, united order, etc.  They feel that things would be much better had he not.

But I believe the answer to any and all of these concerns is given in the following -

"Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began."  (Doctrine and Covenants 86:10)

Much like Peter said at the temple, that all things of previous dispensations would be restored in this the dispensation of the fullness of times.  The Lord said it would be so and so it was.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

D&C 84

In a revelation given to several elders, the Savior said -

"...as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God’s high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:63)

Knowing that "Ye are my friends" is significant to me in my relationship with the Savior. I can't think of kinder words.  I find this same relationship as I have served with many faithful saints.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

D&C 84

After teaching and providing warnings related to receiving the doctrine of the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood, the Spirit of Christ, reading the Book of Mormon and modern scripture, and keeping His commandments, the Lord then follows -

"That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion.
59 For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:58–59)

These are some of the conditions to live as or in Zion.  Is it any wonder that the saints were unable to remain in Zion at that time?

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

D&C 84

The Lord revealed in modern day that -

"...John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.
28 For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:27–28)

I've heard some say that John received the priesthood at eight days old.  But it is clear that an angel ordained, or blessed and set him apart at that age to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews and prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Monday, December 11, 2017

D&C 83

The Lord said -

"...if they are not faithful they shall not have fellowship in the church; yet they may remain upon their inheritances according to the laws of the land."  (Doctrine and Covenants 83:3)

Another scriptural evidence that properties were owned under the united order.

Friday, December 08, 2017

D&C 82

As we contemplate our responsibility to rescue the less active, the Savior taught -

"...now, verily I say unto you, and this is wisdom, make unto yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, and they will not destroy you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 82:22)

Thursday, December 07, 2017

D&C 81

As we have recently been instructed for quorum and group meetings to sit in council, the Lord taught (speaking first of the Prophet) -

"...verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the land of the living, and among thy brethren.
4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.
5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
6 And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father."  (Doctrine and Covenants 81:3–6)

I believe this applies to high priests as much as it applied to Frederick G. Williams and other counselors.

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

D&C 78

The Lord taught the "high priesthood" of His Church -

"For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven;
5 That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.
6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;
7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 78:4–7)

In my mind, the law of consecration is a personal covenant.  The United Order was priesthood administration of the law of consecration.  It must be clear that the word "equality" must be considered as defined in D&C 51:4

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

D&C 77

Being a high priest group leader, I was particularly touched by the answer -

"We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:11)

This is our rescue effort.

This morning I want to add another scripture to my blog.  I have thought much lately about the law of justification, the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace.  The Lord said to Nephi -

"...because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works..."  (Book of Mormon | Helaman 10:5)

It is the Lord that justifies us, whose grace is an enabling power, even to perfection.

Monday, December 04, 2017

D&C 77

Of the four beasts, being symbolic, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained -

"They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:3)

In addition to, we learn in modern revelation that -

"This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ’s."  (Doctrine and Covenants 130:9)

As I read these, it suggested to me as exalted "Gods" that they will preside over their own kingdoms and posterity which would be lower and in some cases inferior kingdoms.

Friday, December 01, 2017

D&C 76

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

"...behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;
110 And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;
111 For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;
112 And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:109 - 112)

To me it sounds more like a reward of love than punishment allowing his own dominion and mansions.