D&C 64

 Speaking of the gathering of Israel, the Lord said - 

"...behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her;

42 And she shall be an ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.

43 And the day shall come when the nations of the earth shall tremble because of her, and shall fear because of her terrible ones. The Lord hath spoken it."  (Doctrine and Covenants 64:41–43)

D&C 63

 When it comes to the law of consecration, I refer first to the word of the Lord to Titus Billing -

"...let my disciples in Kirtland arrange their temporal concerns, who dwell upon this farm.

39 Let my servant Titus Billings, who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.

40 And 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 63:38–40)

And to Newel 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)

Those words, "it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much" and "let him do according to wisdom" should be considered with the law of consecration.

D&C 63

 Just two thoughts this morning.  First concerning the second coming and transfiguration.  The Lord revealed - 

"...he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come;

21 When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:20–21)

Obviously, we have more to be revealed regarding transfiguration.  The second  thought - 

"...unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:23)

Again, obviously, more will be revealed to the obedient.

D&C 63

 The Lord addresses faith and its relationship with signs - 

"...he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.

8 Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;

9 But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.

10 Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.

11 Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation.

12 Wherefore, I, the Lord, am not pleased with those among you who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men unto my glory."  (Doctrine and Covenants 63:7–12)

I specifically note - 

"...faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe..."

"...for without faith no man pleaseth God..."

D&C 62

 I was touched by the Savior's words - 

"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)

Knowing He is my advocate and succors those that are tempted in any weakness gives me hope.

D&C 61

 In troubling times that may exist, the Lord said - 

"...now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;

37 And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of the kingdom are yours."  (Doctrine and Covenants 61:36–37)

Humbling one self suggests and attitude of "let God prevail".

D&C 60

As we are commanded to go about doing good, the Lord reveals we are - 

"...lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7)

I believe as we strive to serve, he will make our hands and efforts holy.  He has the power to forgive sins.

D&C 59

 The Lord's blessing promised to those that keep the Sabbath day holy - 

that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;

17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;

18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion."  (Doctrine and Covenants 59:16–20)

I specifically note..."unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion."  I find it interesting the Lord added "extortion", which suggest to me government policies such as "climate change".

D&C 59

 The Lord made it very clear - 

"...that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 59:9)

"Thou shalt" does not leave any doubt.

D&C 58

Many have wondered why the Lord would have the saints begin to settle Zion when he knew they would eventually be expelled.  The explanation is simple - 

"Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.

13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 58:12–13)

To me, it is so simple.

D&C 57

 As the Prophet Joseph Smith with other saints assemble in Missouri, the Lord reveals - 

"...in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.

2 Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.

3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse."  (Doctrine and Covenants 57:1–3)

D&C 56

 The Lord clearly stated - 

"...he that will not take up his cross and follow me, and keep my commandments, the same shall not be saved."  (Doctrine and Covenants 56:2)

In my mind, "cross" would suggest trials, tribulations, covenant keeping, and willingness to serve.

D&C 55

 The Lord reveals to W.W. Phelps, essential first ordinances saying - 

"...after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 55:1)

The Lord specifically teaches that the reception of the Holy Spirit does not automatically come but is given by the laying on of hands.

D&C 54

 The Lord takes it very serious when we make covenants with Him, for when they are broken (of course by us), He stated - 

"...as the covenant which they made unto me has been broken, even so it has become void and of none effect.

5 And wo to him by whom this offense cometh, for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea."  (Doctrine and Covenants 54:4–5)

In other words, all promises are lost.

D&C 53

The Lord told Algernon Sidney Gilbert - 

"Behold, these are the first ordinances which you shall receive; and the residue shall be made known in a time to come, according to your labor in my vineyard.

7 And again, I would that ye should learn that he only is saved who endureth unto the end."  (Doctrine and Covenants 53:6–7)

I believe the word ordinances had reference to present term "setting apart" or callings.  I believe this applies to all.  Continued callings will depend on faithfulness.

D&C 52

 Keeping with the Prophet's request of noting the promises of Israel in the scriptures, I noticed this morning the Lord's promise - 

"...I, the Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time until the next conference, which shall be held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people, which are a remnant of Jacob, and those who are heirs according to the covenant."  (Doctrine and Covenants 52:2)

For - 

"...even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.

43 But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing."  (Doctrine and Covenants 52:42–43)

Obviously, "I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time" is from a different perspective than our own.

D&C 51

 As the Lord continues to reveal principles of the law of consecration, he instructs Bishop Partridge - 

"...appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.

4 And let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his portion, give unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this inheritance in the church..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 51:3–4)

Obviously, this is not Marxism.

D&C 50

 The Lord taught - 

"Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world.

3 And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 50:2–3)

In that we encounter such "spirits" or influences among men, the Lord instructed - 

Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God.

32 And it shall be given unto you, power over that spirit; and you shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice that it is not of God—

33 Not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome, neither with boasting nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith."  (Doctrine and Covenants 50:31–33)

D&C 49

 Correcting the philosophy of the Shaking Quakers, the Lord clearly presents "the plan" - 

 "...verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.

16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;

17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made."  (Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17)

D&C 48

 As the saints wonder if Ohio was the New Jerusalem prophesied and whether to set up permanent roots, it is apparent to me that it was only temporary as He reveals - 

"It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances."  (Doctrine and Covenants 48:1)

"...for it must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present time."  (Doctrine and Covenants 48:3)

For - 

"The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed."  (Doctrine and Covenants 48:5)

D&C 47

Having been called to keep a history of the Church, John Whitmer is told - 

"Wherefore, it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 47:4)

In my mind, it becomes clear that in any calling we receive, we are to be faithful in doing so relying of the Spirit of the Lord.

D&C 46

 After teaching concerning the gifts of the Spirit, the Lord adds - 

"He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.

31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit;

32 And ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.

33 And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually."  (Doctrine and Covenants 46:30–33)

I note the conditions to receive the gifts of the Spirit including answered prayers.