Elder Neil L. Anderson - The Personal Journey of a Child of God

 Elder Neil L. Anderson talked about the personal journey of a child of God, including the wickedness of abortion and motherhood.  One of his comments included - 

"Some may question if life begins with the formation of an embryo, or when the heart begins to beat, or when the baby can live outside of the womb, but for us, there is no question that spirit daughters and sons of God are on their own personal journeys coming to earth to receive a body and experience mortality."

Adding - 

"Years ago, feeling deep concern for the number of abortions in the world, President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed the women of the Church with words that are relevant for us today. He said: “You who are wives and mothers are the anchors of the family. You bear the children. What an enormous and sacred responsibility that is. … What is happening to our appreciation of the sanctity of human life? Abortion is an evil, stark and real and repugnant, which is sweeping over the earth. I plead with the women of this Church to shun it, to stand above it, to stay away from those compromising situations which make it appear desirable. There may be some few circumstances under which it can occur, but they are extremely limited.10 … You are the mothers of the sons and daughters of God, whose lives are sacred. Safeguarding them is a divinely given responsibility which cannot be lightly brushed aside.”

D&C 84

The Lord instructed the saints - 

"...if any man shall give unto any of you a coat, or a suit, take the old and cast it unto the poor, and go on your way rejoicing."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:105)

This is my own personal opinion, but instead of holding a garage sale, just give not used items to Deseret Industries or Goodwill.

D&C 84

 Concerning both physical and spiritual miracles or "wonderful works" that follow them that believe, the Lord instructs - 

"...a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:73)

Obviously, signs follow those that believe, not the reverse.

D&C 84

 As we are taught concerning the Spirit of Jesus Christ or the Light of Christ, we learn - 

"...the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:46)

I note that enlightenment only comes to those that hearken to Light of Christ.  And thus we learn - 

"...the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.

50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.

51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:49–51)

Thus, by the Lord's definition - 

"...by this you may know the righteous from the wicked..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:53)

Obviously, this includes members of the Church.

D&C 84

 Regarding the Oath and Covenant of the priesthood, I find myself intrigued with the doctrine - 

"And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:35)

In my mind, receiving suggests accepting something.  The Lord then explains - 

"For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:36)

Which suggests to me receiving something from His servants or priesthood bearers.  Thus in my mind the Lord Oath and Covenant includes all those receiving ordinances and making covenants through the priesthood.

Elder Dale G. Renlund - Infuriating Unfairness

Elder Dale G. Renlund counseled regarding all unfairness - 

"When faced with unfairness, we can push ourselves away from God or we can be drawn toward Him for help and support. For example, the prolonged warfare between the Nephites and the Lamanites affected people differently. Mormon observed that “many had become hardened” while others “were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God.”

Do not let unfairness harden you or corrode your faith in God. Instead, ask God for help. Increase your appreciation for and reliance on the Savior. Rather than becoming bitter, let Him help you become better. Allow Him to help you persevere, to let your afflictions be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”  Join Him in His mission “to heal the brokenhearted,” strive to mitigate unfairness, and become a stonecatcher.

D&C 84

Through revelation, we learn that John the Baptist - 

"...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 84:28)

I don't believe the Aaronic Priesthood was given to John when he was 8 days old.  I believe this, so called ordination, was more of a blessing and authority given to prepare for the coming of the Lord.  Much like a baby blessing and patriarchal blessing.

D&C 84

 The Lord prophesied concerning the building of Zion and a temple that - 

"...the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house."  (Doctrine and Covenants 84:4–5)

Obviously, it is apparent that this hasn't happened yet.  Many have declared that Joseph Smith can't be a prophet. There are many definitions of "generation" being that it's root is generate.  One being one development or design following a previous one.  How the Lord defines generation will be left to Him.

My personal opinion is generation maybe synonymous with dispensation.  There is no question in my mind that the restoration of the Church with doctrine is still in the generation of dispensation.

D&C 83

 Just a matter of note, when The Church makes a distribution of welfare funds, the Lord calls it inheritances saying - 

"...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)

Which again suggests ownership.

D&C 82

 Concerning the law of consecration counseled - 

"...you are to be equal (see 51:3), or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 82:17)

I wanted to note the Lord clarified "wants" as wants that are just.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - Not as the World Giveth

 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught in General Conference - 

"Such help and hope are dearly needed because in this worldwide congregation today are many who struggle with any number of challenges—physical or emotional, social or financial, or a dozen other kinds of trouble. But many of these we are not strong enough to address in and of ourselves, for the help and peace we need is not the kind “the world giveth.” No, for the truly difficult problems we need what the scriptures call “the powers of heaven,” and to access these powers we must live by what these same scriptures call “principles of righteousness.” Now, understanding that connection between principle and power is the one lesson the human family never seems able to learn, so says the God of heaven and earth!

I believe when the Lord commanded the saints to go to the Ohio saying - 

"...there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:32)

...He was referring to the powers of heaven as will live His law.

D&C 81

 Frederick G. Williams was instructed - 

"...hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church, and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.;

2 Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 81:1–2)

Obviously, Joseph Smith held the keys of the kingdom.  But consequently, as a united quorum of the First Presidency, the quorum administered those keys.  That is why, in my mind, if a quorum president is released, the entire presidency is released.

D&C 80

I find it interesting that the Lord instructs Stephen Burnett - 

"Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss."  (Doctrine and Covenants 80:3)

Obviously, there are times the Lord leaves it up to us.

D&C 79

Like many of the saints, Jared Carter was very new to the restored gospel.  The Lord promised him - 

"...I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go..."  Doctrine and Covenants 79:2)

Just as we have been asked to do, the early saints needed the Holy Ghost to guide them in doctrine and teachings.

D&C 78

 As the Lord provides instruction for the establishment for the poor of His people, He explains the purpose - 

"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 78:5–7)

The only definition the Lord has provided on "equality if - 

"...every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs."  (Doctrine and Covenants 51:3)

To me, it sounds like, equal in opportunity and consecration.  A matter of the heart.  President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said - 

“One of the places in which some of the brethren are going astray is this: There is continuous reference in the revelations to equality among the brethren, but I think you will find only one place where that equality is really described, though it is referred to in other revelations. That revelation (D. & C. 51:3) affirms that every man is to be ‘equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.’ (See also D. & C. 82:17; 78:5–6.) Obviously, this is not a case of ‘dead level’ equality. It is ‘equality’ that will vary as much as the man’s circumstances, his family, his wants and needs, may vary.” (In Conference Report, October 1942, page 55.) 

President Henry B. Eyring - I Love to See the Temple

 President Henry B. Eyring taught - 

"On the outside of our temples, we place the words “Holiness to the Lord.” I know for myself that those words are true. The temple is a holy place where revelation comes to us easily if our hearts are open to it and we are worthy of it."

As President Nelson taught, we need to be "worthy and willing".

D&C 77

The Prophet Joseph Smith was asked - 

"...What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 77:14)

One answer was - 

"We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 77:14)

The angel explained to John that the work of the gathering of Israel would "sweet as honey" and "bitter".  Obviously a challenge.

D&C 77

The Prophet Joseph Smith was asked - 

"What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 77:9)

To which he answered - 

"We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things."  (Doctrine and Covenants 77:9)

As mentioned in previous blogs, it appears the second coming is conditioned upon the gathering of Israel and the going forth of the kingdom of God on the earth.

D&C 76

Paul taught - 

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."   (Romans 8:16–17)

The Prophet Joseph Smith saw of those that receive exaltation - 

"They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;

95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:94–95)

What a great gift and promise!

With this great vision we are also told - 

"This is the end of the vision which we saw, which we were commanded to write while we were yet in the Spirit.

114 But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion;

115 Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter;

116 Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him;

117 To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 76:113–117)