D&C 120

 As the Savior provides His will concerning the method of the disposition of tithing funds, He instructs - 

"...it shall be disposed of by a council, composed of the First Presidency of my Church, and of the bishop and his council, and by my high council; and by mine own voice unto them, saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants 120:1)

I specifically note His instruction that He be included in this process.

D&C 119

Members of the Church are warned that if they do not live the law of tithing - 

"...to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 119:6)

And I add...stakes of Zion.

D&C 118

It becomes clear that there are times with our obedience, that others will receive blessings as the Lord addresses the Quorum of the Twelve - 

"...continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 118:3)

But even so in a day when everyone is claiming victimhood, President Brigham Young states -

“Who has influence over any one of you, to cause you to miss salvation in the celestial kingdom of God? I will answer these questions for myself. If brother Brigham and I shall take a wrong track, and be shut out of the kingdom of heaven, no person will be to blame but brother Brigham and I. I am the only being in heaven, earth, or hell, that can be blamed. “This will equally apply to every Latter-day Saint. Salvation is an individual operation. I am the only person that can possibly save myself. When salvation is sent to me, I can reject or receive it” (in Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, page 312).

D&C 117

The Lord chastised Newel K. Whitney -

"Let my servant Newel K. Whitney be ashamed of the Nicolaitane band and of all their secret abominations, and of all his littleness of soul before me, saith the Lord, and come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people, saith the Lord, not in name but in deed, saith the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants 117:11)

A thought came to me this morning, Bishop Whitney obeyed and proved faithful yet died, compared to our day, at a relative young age.  So did many other early faithful brethren (i.e. Parley Pratt, .Oliver Granger, David Patten, etc.)  From the Lord's perspective, that had proved themselves and maybe needed for the work on the other side of the veil.

President Russell M. Nelson - Covid-19 and Temples

 As President Nelson concluded April 2021 general conference - 

"I pray that your desire to worship and serve in the temple burns more brightly now than ever."

and - 

"Meanwhile, keep your temple covenants and blessings foremost in your minds and hearts. Stay true to the covenants you have made."

D&C 116

The Lord revealed - 

"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."  (Doctrine and Covenants 116:1)

Of such event, Bruce R. McConkie made an interesting statement -

"...we need not suppose that all these things shall happen in one single meeting or at one single hour in time. It is proper to hold numerous meetings at a general conference, some for the instruction of leaders, others for edification of all the saints. In some, business is transacted; others are for worship and spiritual refreshment..."  (The Millennial Messiah, page 585).

D&C 115

Several years ago, I visited the Church sites of Independence and Far West.  I remember experiencing a very "spiritually cold" feeling at Independence.  But for some reason, a "spiritually warm" feeling at Far West, even though there isn't much there.  I recalled this experience this morning as I read - 

"Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy."  (Doctrine and Covenants 115:7)

This seemed to confirm my feelings.

D&C 114

In Far West, the Lord made it clear - 

"For verily thus saith the Lord, that inasmuch as there are those among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and receive their bishopric. Amen."  (Doctrine and Covenants 114:2)

Unlike some worldly institutions in our day, in His Church, nobody is indispensable 

D&C 113

Elias Higbee asked the Prophet Joseph Smith - 

"...What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?"  (Doctrine and Covenants 113:7)

The Prophet answered - 

"He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost."  (Doctrine and Covenants 113:8)

In my mind, the reference to "hold the power of the priesthood" included priesthood keys.  I note that Moses - 

"...committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north."  (Doctrine and Covenants 110:11)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - Why the Covenant Path

 Concerning the so called "covenant path", Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught - 

"Some might say, “I can make good choices with or without baptism; I don’t need covenants to be an honorable and successful person.” Indeed, there are many who, while not on the covenant path themselves, act in a way that mirrors the choices and contributions of those who are on the path. You might say they reap the blessings of walking a “covenant-consistent” path. What, then, is the difference of the covenant path?

Actually, the difference is uniquely and eternally significant. It includes the nature of our obedience, the character of God’s commitment to us, the divine help we receive, the blessings tied to gathering as a covenant people, and most importantly, our eternal inheritance."

Think about the differences stated.

D&C 112

I believe the Lord's instruction to Thomas B. Marsh applies to us all - 

"Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you."  (Doctrine and Covenants 112:20)

Very simply, follow the Prophet (or the First Presidency).

D&C 112

 As Thomas B. Marsh is instructed to teach and admonish his fellow members of the Quorum of the Twelve, the Lord also instructs - 

"I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy love be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name."  (Doctrine and Covenants 112:11)

Just because he was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, he was not to treat them with preference over all faithful members of the Church.

D&C 111

After what the Lord suggests a folly, the Prophet Joseph Smith with his associates are counseled - 

"Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin; and I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 111:11)

Obviously, the Lord is not displeased with them.  Just wants them to be more careful.

D&C 110

I had a thought this morning that may not necessarily be established doctrine, but the Lord has stated that He will give us a pattern in all things.  A pattern I have seen in all covenants and ordinations is the administering authority and then the sealing of that covenant, ordinance, and/or blessing.  We read that in the Kirtland Temple that - 

"...Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed."  (Doctrine and Covenants 110:12)

In my mind, as I read the Abrahamic covenant, knowing that Abraham has already been exalted, that what was dispensed was the keys of exaltation for himself and his seed.  To be exalted, one would have to obtain all temple ordinances including eternal marriage.  Thus in my mind, the keys Elias committed were that associated with temple ordinances and covenants.

With that understanding, Elijah returned with the keys of "sealing" and the work for the dead.  Thus the pattern was established with administration of the ordinance and the following sealing thereof including previous ordinances outside the temple.

D&C 109

 Amongst all the pleadings, promises, and doctrine given in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, I note - 

"...have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever." (Doctrine and Covenants 109:54)

I also hope and pray that the Constitution continues forever.

D&C 109

As part of the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, the Lord again instructs - 

"...seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 109:7)

We have been counseled to "Hear Him".  It seems to me that this comes by study and faith in the best books.  This would suggest first, the scriptures.

D&C 109

As we are introduced to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, I wanted to mention what David J. Ridges summarizes the events of the day - 

• Hundreds of people gathered early in the morning, hoping to get a seat in the temple for the services. 

• The doors of the Kirtland Temple were opened at 8:00 A.M. 

• About a thousand members were seated inside, but hundreds remained who could not get in. They were eventually seated in the schoolhouse, and the services were repeated for them the following Thursday. 

• At 9:00 A.M., President Sidney Rigdon began the seven-hour-long services by reading Psalms 24 and 96. 

• The choir sang. • Sidney Rigdon offered an opening prayer. 

• A hymn was sung. 

• Sidney Rigdon spoke for two and a half hours. 

• Joseph Smith was sustained as the Prophet and Seer of the Church. 

• The hymn “Now Let Us Rejoice” was sung. 

• A twenty-minute intermission followed. 

• Services were resumed by singing “Adam-ondi-Ahman.” 

• Joseph Smith spoke briefly. 

• The First Presidency and Twelve were then sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators, followed by the sustaining of other officers and leaders. 

• The Prophet then “prophesied to all, that inasmuch as they would uphold these men in their several stations, (alluding to the different quorums in the Church), the Lord would bless them; yea, in the name of Christ, the blessings of heaven should be theirs; and when the Lord's anointed go forth to proclaim the word, bearing testimony to this generation, if they receive it they shall be blessed; but if not, the judgments of God will follow close upon them, until that city or that house which rejects them, shall be left desolate” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, pages 418–19). 

• A hymn was sung. 

• The dedicatory prayer was offered by the Prophet Joseph Smith (as recorded in section 109). 

• Following the dedicatory prayer, the choir sang “The Spirit of God,” composed especially for the occasion by W. W. Phelps. 

• The Prophet “then asked the several quorums separately, and then the congregation, if they accepted the dedication prayer, and acknowledged the house dedicated. The vote was unanimous in the affirmative, in every instance” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 427). 

• The sacrament was then administered and passed to the congregation. 

• Various testimonies were given, including the witness that several angels had been seen during the services thus far. 

• Sidney Rigdon gave some closing remarks. 

• Sidney Rigdon gave a closing prayer. 

• The congregation stood and participated in the Hosanna Shout. Thus, the first temple in this dispensation was dedicated. Of the final portion of the dedicatory service, beginning with the administration of the sacrament, the Prophet recorded: 

“The Lord's Supper was then administered; President Don Carlos Smith blessed the bread and the wine, which was distributed by several Elders to the Church; after which I bore record of my mission, and of the ministration of angels.

 “President Don Carlos Smith also bore testimony of the truth of the work of the Lord in which we were engaged. 

“President Oliver Cowdery testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon, and of the work of the Lord in these last days. 

“President Frederick G. Williams arose and testified that while President Rigdon was making his first prayer, an angel entered the window and took his seat between Father Smith and himself, and remained there during the prayer. 

“President David Whitmer also saw angels in the house.

 “President Hyrum Smith made some appropriate remarks congratulating those who had endured so many toils and privations to build the house” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 427). 

The Prophet continued by describing the Hosanna Shout (bold added for emphasis): Hosanna Shout “President Rigdon then made a few appropriate closing remarks, and a short prayer, at the close of which we sealed the proceedings of the day by shouting hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb, three times, sealing it each time with amen, amen, and amen.

 “President Brigham Young gave a short address in tongues, and David W. Patten interpreted, and gave a short exhortation in tongues himself, after which I blessed the congregation in the name of the Lord, and the assembly dispersed a little past four o'clock, having manifested the most quiet demeanor during the whole exercise” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 428). 

That evening, a special priesthood meeting was held in the temple. Joseph Smith recorded special manifestations during that meeting. He said: 

“Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place. This continued until the meeting closed at eleven p. m.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 428).

D&C 108

As Lyman Sherman was concerned regarding his worthiness, the Lord comforted - 

"...let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.

3 And arise up and be more careful henceforth in observing your vows, which you have made and do make, and you shall be blessed with exceeding great blessings."  (Doctrine and Covenants 108:2–3)

Obviously, the Lord is always willing to forgive and bless His children if we are willing to keep our covenants.

D&C 107

 As the Lord teaches the equality of authority of the leading quorums, he states - 

"The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:34)

I note that though they are equal in authority, there is an order of "under the direction" also.