President Dallin H. Oaks - The Need for a Church

Speaking on the need for general church attendance, President Oaks taught - 

'We are concerned that attendance in all of these is down significantly, nationwide. If we cease valuing our churches for any reason, we threaten our personal spiritual life, and significant numbers separating themselves from God reduce His blessings to our nations."

Adding - 

"President Spencer W. Kimball taught that “we do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord. It is an individual responsibility. … If the service is a failure to you, you have failed. No one can worship for you; you must do your own waiting upon the Lord.

Church attendance can open our hearts and sanctify our souls."

To the saints, he specifically taught - 

"Despite the good works that can be accomplished without a church, the fulness of doctrine and its saving and exalting ordinances are available only in the restored Church. In addition, Church attendance gives us the strength and enhancement of faith that come from associating with other believers and worshipping together with those who are also striving to stay on the covenant path and be better disciples of Christ."

D&C 132

Over the years, I have struggled trying to understand the verse - 

"And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead."  (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7)

It was the insert "...of him who is anointed" that I struggled with.  Who is him?  The thought came to me this morning this is the "sealer" that has been set apart or anointed, receiving such authority from he that holds this power on the earth...the prophet.  It seems to follow that both the sealer and Holy Spirit of promise "both", with the power and authority they have do so "for time and all eternity".

D&C 131

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught - 

"The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood."  (Doctrine and Covenants 131:5)

There are scriptural references for individuals where this has taken place.

I've wondered what this would be like, but obviously, I am far from this happening to me.

D&C 130

The Lord revealed - 

"The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;

7 But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord."  (Doctrine and Covenants 130:6–7)

The Lord also revealed - 

"There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 129:1)

And - 

"Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory."    (Doctrine and Covenants 129:3)

I believe that those angels referred to in Section 130 are "beings in heaven".

D&C 129

We learn a simple doctrine and nature concerning spirit bodies, as the Lord reveals - 

"If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 129:6)

Spirits cannot withhold glory.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson - The Love of God

 Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught - 

"Because God’s love is all-embracing, some speak of it as “unconditional,” and in their minds they may project that thought to mean that God’s blessings are “unconditional” and that salvation is “unconditional.” They are not. Some are wont to say, “The Savior loves me just as I am,” and that is certainly true. But He cannot take any of us into His kingdom just as we are, “for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence.”7 Our sins must first be resolved."

Adding - 

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland observed, “Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once).”11

Despite our present imperfections, however, we can still hope to attain “a name and standing,”12 a place, in His Church and in the celestial world. After making it clear that He cannot excuse or wink at sin, the Lord assures us:

“Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.”13

“And as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”14

D&C 128

 The Prophet Joseph Smith taught new and interesting doctrine - 

"...as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge."  (Doctrine and Covenants 128:14)

The sealing power binds that which is done on earth with priesthood keys to be bound in heaven!

"...for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times."  (Doctrine and Covenants 128:18)

Obviously, at this time, there were still things that are yet to be revealed in this last dispensation.

D&C 127

I can almost sense the intensity of the Prophet Joseph as he knew his time was short as he writes - 

"...as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it."  (Doctrine and Covenants 127:2)

For he also writes the word of the Lord - 

"For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts"  (Doctrine and Covenants 127:8)

In my mind, before the Prophet would pass on, he still had to restore and train priesthood leaders concerning the ordinances and covenants of exaltation.

D&C 126

As a true apostle of the Lord and after years of faithful international missionary service, the Lord instructs - 

"Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me.

2 I have seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name.

3 I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take especial care of your family from this time, henceforth and forever. Amen."  (Doctrine and Covenants 126:1–3)

This left Brigham Young two to three years of intimate time of training with the Prophet Joseph Smith before the Prophet's death.  It was during this period that the Lord revealed much concerning His eternal ordinances and covenants.

D&C 125

As the Prophet Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord concerning a settlement in Iowa, the Lord responded - 

"...I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come."  (Doctrine and Covenants 125:2)

Basically, follow the prophet!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - The Greatest Possession

 As Elder Holland addresses the love that God has for us, he says - 

"But God is our Father and is exceptionally good at forgiving and forgetting sins we have forsaken, perhaps because we give Him so much practice in doing so. In any case, there is divine help for every one of us at any hour we feel to make a change in our behavior."

He adds - 

"...the first great truth in the universe is that God loves us exactly that way—wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. And when those majestic forces from His heart and ours meet without restraint, there is a veritable explosion of spiritual, moral power."  (General Conference, October 2021)

D&C 124

 As The Church continues to grow, the Lord explains - 

"The above offices I have given unto you, and the keys thereof, for helps and for governments, for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of my saints."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:143)

These revelations continue today as needed.

D&C 124

As the Lord instructs the saints to build a temple in Nauvoo, He explains - 

"For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:28)

Therefore - 

"I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:31)

 "For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:34)

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.

40 And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people;

41 For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.

42 And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:39–42)

Without such - 

"...the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming."  (Doctrine and Covenants 2:3)

D&C 124

The Lord said - 

"...let my servant John C. Bennett help you in your labor in sending my word to the kings and people of the earth, and stand by you, even you my servant Joseph Smith, in the hour of affliction; and his reward shall not fail if he receive counsel.

17 And for his love he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord. I have seen the work which he hath done, which I accept if he continue, and will crown him with blessings and great glory."  (Doctrine and Covenants 124:16–17)

Again, the Lord warns with an "if".  John C. Bennett eventually apostatized and became an ardent enemy of the Church.  One might ask why the Lord would give such an important calling knowing what would happen?  John Taylor answered - 

“Respecting John C. Bennett: I was well acquainted with him. At one time he was a good man, but fell into adultery, and was cut off from the Church for his iniquity” (History of the Church, Vol. V, p. 81).

A warning to us all!

D&C 123

 As I continued to read the letter by the Prophet Joseph Smith, that contains the D&C 121, 122, and 123, written in the Liberty Jail, two things caught my mind.  As we were promised that in this last dispensation - 

"...he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."  (Acts 3:20–21)

Even with the restitution of all things, including plural marriage and United Order, the Prophet commented - 

“We have reason to believe that many things were introduced among the Saints before God had signified the times; and notwithstanding the principles and plans may have been good, yet aspiring men, or in other words, men who had not the substance of godliness about them, perhaps undertook to handle edged tools. Children, you know, are fond of tools, while they are not yet able to use them."  (History of the Church, Vol. 3, pages 289-303)

And the second thought was the Constitution of the United States - 

"Hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of its liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun."  (History of the Church, Vol. 3, pages 289-303)

Therefore the Prophet testifies - 

“We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true; that the Book of Mormon is true; that the Book of Covenants is true; that Christ is true; that the ministering angels sent forth from God are true, and that we know that we have an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God..." (History of the Church, Vol. 3, pages 289-303)

Just before the Lord addressed - 

 "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–35)

...Prophet penned - 

“We have a fervent desire that in your general conferences everything should be discussed with a great deal of care and propriety, lest you grieve the Holy Spirit, which shall be poured out at all times upon your heads, when you are exercised with those principles of righteousness that are agreeable to the mind of God, and are properly affected one toward another, and are careful by all means to remember, those who are in bondage, and in heaviness, and in deep affliction far your sakes. And if there are any among you who aspire after their own aggrandizement, and seek their own opulence, while their brethren are groaning in poverty, and are under sore trials and temptations, they cannot be benefited by the intercession of the Holy Spirit, which maketh intercession for us day and night with groanings that cannot be uttered."  (History of the Church, Vol. 3, pages 289–303.)

D&C 121

 As the Lord is about to reveal - 

"That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36)

The Prophet Joseph Smith counsels - 

"...we would suggest the propriety of being aware of an aspiring spirit, which spirit has often times urged men forward to make foul speeches, and influence the Church to reject milder counsels, and has eventually been the means of bringing much death and sorrow upon the Church. 

“We would say, beware of pride also; for well and truly hath the wise man said, that pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. And again, outward appearance is not always a criterion by which to judge our fellow man; but the lips betray the haughty and overbearing imaginations of the heart; by his words and his deeds let him be judged. Flattery also is a deadly poison. A frank and open rebuke provoketh a good man to emulation; and in the hour of trouble he will be your best friend; but on the other hand, it will draw out all the corruptions of corrupt hearts, and lying and the poison of asps is under their tongues; and they do cause the pure in heart to be cast into prison, because they want them out of their way. 

“A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination beware of; because the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. “How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world! We are called to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation of the world until now. Some have tasted a little of these things, many of which are to be poured down from heaven upon the heads of babes; yea, upon the weak, obscure and despised ones of the earth. Therefore we beseech of you, brethren, that you bear with those who do not feel themselves more worthy than yourselves, while we exhort one another to a reformation with one and all, both old and young, teachers and taught, both high and low, rich and poor, bond and free, male and female; let honesty, and sobriety, and candor, and solemnity, and virtue, and pureness, and meekness, and simplicity crown our heads in every place; and in fine, become as little children, without malice, guile or hypocrisy." (History of the Church, Vol. 3, pages 289–303.)

D&C 123

While the Prophet Joseph Smith suffered in Liberty Jail, the Lord instructs the early saints to - 

"...gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them by the people of this State;

2 And also of all the property and amount of damages which they have sustained, both of character and personal injuries, as well as real property;

3 And also the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions, as far as they can get hold of them and find them out."  (Doctrine and Covenants 123:1–3)

Why?

"...for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things."  (Doctrine and Covenants 123:15)

Now, many years later, we have witnessed why as much of the world have come to acknowledge such.

D&C 122

 As we contemplate the word of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith because of his righteousness - 

"...thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever."  (Doctrine and Covenants 122:4)

And then consider His following word - 

"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."  (Doctrine and Covenants 122:5–7)

It would suggest that the Lord may not relieve us of tribulation, but in our righteousness, He will stand by and strengthen us.

D&C 121

"As we witness the humble pleadings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, under these circumstances, it seems to me that it is now the Savior teaches - 

"...there is a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be.

26 God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;

27 Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the fulness of their glory;

28 A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.

29 All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

30 And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars—

31 All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times—

32 According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:25–32)

He then follows with the doctrine of the priesthood.  It appears as we willingly humble ourselves, revelations then follow.

D&C 121

 As the Prophet Joseph Smith, in Liberty Jail, pleads with the Lord for relief for himself and his fellow saints, the first thing the Lord responds with is - 

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."   (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8)

But then He addresses his foes - 

"...not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.

16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.

17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.

18 And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—

19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.

20 Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.

21 They shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation.

22 It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea.

23 Wo unto all those that discomfort my people, and drive, and murder, and testify against them, saith the Lord of Hosts; a generation of vipers shall not escape the damnation of hell.

24 Behold, mine eyes see and know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift judgment in the season thereof, for them all;

25 For there is a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:15–25)

In other words, justice will be served.