Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, February 28, 2025

D&C 21

The called the Prophet Joseph Smith, amongst other things, a prophet saying - 

"Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1)

Of a prophet, Elder Widtsoe taught - 

“A prophet is a teacher. That is the essential meaning of the word. He teaches the body of truth, the gospel, revealed by the Lord to man; and under inspiration explains it to the understanding of the people. He is an expounder of truth. Moreover, he shows that the way to human happiness is through obedience to God’s law. He calls to repentance those who wander away from the truth. He becomes a warrior for the consummation of the Lord’s purposes with respect to the human family. The purpose of his life is to uphold the Lord’s plan of salvation. All this he does by close communion with the Lord, until he is ‘full of power by the spirit of the Lord.’ (Micah 3:8; see also D&C 20:26; 34:10; 43:16) 

“In the course of time the word ‘prophet’ has come to mean, perhaps chiefly, a man who receives revelations and directions from the Lord. The principal business of a prophet has mistakenly been thought to foretell coming events, to utter prophecies, which is only one of the several prophetic functions.

 “In the sense that a prophet is a man who receives revelations from the Lord, the titles ‘seer and revelator’ merely amplify the larger and inclusive meaning of the title ‘prophet.’” (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1:204–5.)

Thursday, February 27, 2025

D&C 20

 As we hear and are promised - 

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

78 The manner of administering the wine—he shall take the cup also, and say:

79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77–79)

It is commonly said that in doing so we "renew" our covenants.  The very definition of "renew" suggests making new.  In my mind, as we enter this covenant each week, it is new.

Friday, February 21, 2025

D&C 20

The Lord teaches us -

"The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;

39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;

40 And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—

41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;

42 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church;

43 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost;

44 And to take the lead of all meetings.

45 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God."  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–45)

Thus, an elder is a Melchizedek priesthood holder.

An elder is also an ordained office in the Melchizedek priesthood.  We are never released from an office in the priesthood.

And Elder is also a title of significant setting apart as dictated by the Church.  Usually for general authorities and missionaries.  Bishop is a set apart position.  We are never called by our ordained office.  The title president is used to referred to presiding quorums. Brother for everyone else.



Thursday, February 20, 2025

D&C 20

The Lord has declared - 

"...he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them;

19 And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship."  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:18–19)

That revelation is interesting..."the only being whom they should worship".  Even the definition of "worship" is interesting - 

"to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power...to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion"

I believe we are to worship the Father in the name of Jesus Christ...but the Father has instructed us to follow Jesus Christ.  I also belief the scriptures us God for Godhead.  By the very definition of  "worship",  we worship both the Father and the Son.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

D&C 20

 We are taught the Lord gave the Prophet Joseph Smith - 

"...power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;

9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;

10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—"  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:8–10)

It becomes clear that ministering angels are aggressively confirming the truth of The Book of Mormon to the world.

Also that The Book of Mormon contains - 

"...the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:9)

In my mind, the law of the "gospel of Jesus Christ" is taught in the temple.  Sherem also suggested - 

"...gospel, or the doctrine of Christ."  (Jacob 7:6)

were being taught as one of the same.





Monday, February 17, 2025

D&C 20

 As the Church was organized - 

"...Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;

3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 20:2–3)

In my mind, "first elder of the Church" is in reference to priesthood presiding officer of the Church.  The "elders" of the quorum of apostles are also considered elders and sit in numerical order.


Friday, February 14, 2025

D&C 19

 Martin Harris was commanded by the Lord as are all of us - 

"Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:38)


Thursday, February 13, 2025

D&C 19

 When the Savior says - 

"...surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless.

5 Wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand.

6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:4–6)

David J. Ridges comments - 

For the most part, the answer is that this punishment and suffering will take place when people who refuse to repent are turned over to Satan to suffer for their own sins. Generally speaking, this takes place while the Millennium is going on upon the earth. We don’t know where Satan is at that time (he is not on earth tempting people (see D&C 101:28), but the wicked will be turned over to him, “thrust down to hell! These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work [the end of the Millennium—see D&C 76:84–85; compare with 88:100–1].” Concerning being turned over to Satan to be punished, Bruce R. McConkie teaches that it means to be turned over to Satan “with all the protective power of the priesthood, of righteousness, and of godliness removed so that Lucifer is free to torment, persecute and afflict such a person without let or hindrance.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 108.)

Monday, February 10, 2025

D&C 19

 The Lord commanded these two things to Martin Harris and to all of us. tjat caught my attention this morning - 

"...thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:29)

and - 

"Learn of me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23)

Friday, February 07, 2025

President Russell M. Nelson - The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again

 President Nelson taught - 

"Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of Him. We make covenants to follow Him. We come to know Him. As we keep our temple covenants, we gain greater access to the Lord’s strengthening power. In the temple, we receive protection from the buffetings of the world. We experience the pure love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father in great abundance! We feel peace and spiritual reassurance, in contrast to the turbulence of the world.

Here is my promise to you: Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple. You will feel His mercy. You will find answers to your most vexing questions. You will better comprehend the joy of His gospel."

"Please listen to this promise of Jesus Christ to you: “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”

There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you! His infinite Atonement is for you!

I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My heart aches for those who are mired in sin and don’t know how to get out. I weep for those who struggle spiritually or who carry heavy burdens alone because they do not understand what Jesus Christ did for them.

Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone! He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you will make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”

It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel."

"The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again! The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening His work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ."

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

D&C 19

 The Savior reveals His doctrine and eternal truths saying - 

"For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it!..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:10)

"Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles."  Doctrine and Covenants 19:8)

"...surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:4)

"Endless punishment is God’s punishment."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:12)

"...for Endless is my name..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 19:10)

Monday, February 03, 2025

D&C 18

 The Lord taught - 

"...I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."  (Doctrine and Covenants 18:33–36)

Adding - 

"Behold, I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, and your Redeemer, by the power of my Spirit have spoken it..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 18:47)