D&C 46

 The Lord instructed the saints - 

"...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.

8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;

9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts."  (Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–9)

One of the purposes of "gifts of the Spirit" is so that we "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."  Adding that with these gifts, they are "not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts."  Let us be warned.

D&C 45

 As the Lord reveals doctrine concerning a New Jerusalem, he explains - 

"...it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;

67 And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.

68 And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:66–68)

It becomes apparent to me that "Zion" is not limited to a single city for we later learn - 

"Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth."  (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5–6)

D&C 45

 After revealing many of the signs of His coming, the Lord counseled - 

"...Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:35)

The promises to the faithful are great.

D&C 45

 As the saints were wondering much like the ancient disciples concerning the second coming of the Savior and the signs of His coming, we are told - 

"...in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.

27 And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.

28 And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel;

29 But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

30 And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.

32 But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die."  (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–32)

Though I believe the desolating sickness to be wickedness, it could also be referencing a great pandemic.

D&C 45

 I was touched this morning as the Savior shared - 

"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)

Even though there are still conditions, His mercy is ever present.

D&C 44

 Why attend conferences and other meetings?   The Lord told His saints - 

"...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."  (Doctrine and Covenants 44:2)

I believe that to be the greatest blessing.

D&C 43

The Lord revealed to the early saints - 

"...Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 43:16)

It becomes clear that we are endowed with power as we are obedient and strive for holiness.

D&C 43

 As the Lord teaches the doctrine of councils, He gives instructions - 

"...behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.

9 And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me—

10 That inasmuch as ye do this, glory shall be added to the kingdom which ye have received. Inasmuch as ye do it not, it shall be taken, even that which ye have received.

11 Purge ye out the iniquity which is among you; sanctify yourselves before me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 43:8–11)

D&C 42

 Regarding His laws and commandments, the Lord reveals - 

"...he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue.

61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:60–61)

Obviously, obedience brings more revelations, knowledge, commandments, and happiness.

D&C 42

Concerning death and healing, the Lord revealed - 

"Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection.

46 And it shall come to pass 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.

48 And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:45–48)

It becomes apparent in the grand scheme of thing that the time of death for some has already been appointed.  Obviously, the Lord wisdom on death is an eternal perspective.

D&C 42

 Throughout differing scriptural times, we read that the saints - 

 "...had all things common."  (Acts 4:32)

Which suggest to me that if there was a very common item, all the saints had one.  Some scholars have suggested that this was joint ownership.  But as the Lord revealed His law, he stated - 

"...thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:30)

I note the consecration to the poor was with a deed.  The Lord added - 

"...every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration..." (Doctrine and Covenants 42:32)

In my mind, the law of consecration included ownership or as the Lord us the term "stewardship" for He stated -

"...it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine."  (Doctrine and Covenants 104:15)

D&C 42

 After Edward Partridge was called to be the first Bishop, the Lord declares - 

"...I say unto you, that my servant Edward Partridge shall stand in the office whereunto I have appointed him. And it shall come to pass, that if he transgress another shall be appointed in his stead. Even so. Amen."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:10)

A warning to all members of the Church.  No on is indispensable. Therefore - 

"...thou shalt not be proud in thy heart..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:40)

D&C 42

 As the Lord reveals His law, He states - 

"If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:29)

As you consider you own obedience, this is a thought provoking statement.

D&C 41

The Lord explains what constitutes a disciple saying - 

"He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 41:5)

I specific note that "receiveth" His law is a condition.

D&C 40

 After having made a covenant with the Lord, the Lord speaks of James Covel - 

"...he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.

3 Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good."  (Doctrine and Covenants 40:2–3)

At first it may seem the Lord is going to punish James, but as I pondered His words, He will do a righteous and good judgement.  Justice is good.

D&C 39

 James Covel is promised, if obedient, that - 

"...if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

12 And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face."  (Doctrine and Covenants 39:11–12)

I note the work and blessings in the last days is to recover His people...the house of Israel.

D&C 38

The saints are counseled - 

"...if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:39)

I note that riches of the earth are the Savior's will to give, so don't start thinking it was of yourselves...beware of pride.

D&C 38

 The Lord reveals - 

"...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;

14 But now I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief; for verily some of you are guilty before me, but I will be merciful unto your weakness.

15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:13–15)

Obviously, the Savior is merciful if we strive to repent.