D&C 42

 The Lord instructed - 

 "If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.

62 Thou shalt ask, and it shall be revealed unto you in mine own due time where the New Jerusalem shall be built."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61–62)

My thoughts this morning seem to be concerning His temples.  Over the years, His temples were used for varying purposes, ie sacrifices.  Today, temples are primarily used for knowledge, mercy, ordinances, covenants, and sealing.  But the temple in the New Jerusalem may be for priesthood administration for the work of the millennium.  Who knows.

D&C 42

 As the Savior gave His law concerning faith, healing, and death, He stated - 

"Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious resurrection."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:45)

As I read that, it suggests to me that we should not be happy (like someone you do not like), when someone dies.

D&C 42

 Of the Holy Ghost, we learn - 

"...behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and of the Son."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:17)

The truth...the Holy Ghost knows all things.

D&C 42

 As the Lord presents His laws, He states that the saints - 

"...shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:13)

"...shall hereafter receive church covenants, such as shall be sufficient to establish you, both here and in the New Jerusalem."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:67)

and - 

"...every person who belongeth to this church of Christ, shall observe to keep all the commandments and covenants of the church."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:78)

Obviously, covenants are important to the Lord.

D&C 42

 Concerning the law of consecration, the Lord instructed - 

"...behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:30)

I specifically note "with a...deed".  I becomes the property of others.

President Jeffrey R. Holland - As a Little Child

 In the conference opening remarks, President Holland taught -

"One day Jesus witnessed an argument among the Twelve and later asked, “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves?” Apparently embarrassed, they “held their peace,” the record says. But this greatest of all teachers perceived the thoughts of their hearts and sensed the first blush of personal pride. So He “called a little child unto him, …

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”"

"...King Benjamin’s farewell sermon included this profound comment on a child’s humility. It says, “The natural man is an enemy to God, … and will be, forever and ever, unless he … becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, … humble, … full of love, … even 

"...What was Jesus teaching when He called down heavenly fire and protective angels to surround those children, commanding the adults to “behold [their] little ones”?

We don’t know what prompted all of that, but I have to think it had something to do with their purity and innocence, their inborn humility, and what it could bring to our lives if we retain it."

"As Elder Richard L. Evans quoted some 60 years ago: “Many of us profess to be Christians, yet we … do not take Him seriously. … We respect Him, but we don’t follow Him. … We quote His sayings, but we don’t live by them.” “We admire Him, but we don’t worship Him.”"

"Faith, loyalty, purity, trust, honor, and, in the end, love for that father he so wished to please. These and a dozen other qualities make us also say, “Whosoever … shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”"

D&C 42

 Concerning teaching the gospel or prophesying, the Lord instructed - 

"...the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.

15 And all this ye shall observe to do as I have commanded concerning your teaching, until the fulness of my scriptures is given.

16 And as ye shall lift up your voices by the Comforter, ye shall speak and prophesy as seemeth me good..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14–16)

This is a law.

D&C 41

 I find it interesting that the Prophet Joseph Smith compared Edward Partridge to, as follows - 

"...because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile."  (Doctrine and Covenants 41:11)

I too at times in blessings have compared the recipient to a scriptural saint.

D&C 40

 Although James Covel was promised great blessings, he chose to walk away from them.  The Lord's response was very simple to the Prophet -

"Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good..."(Doctrine and Covenants 40:3)

D&C 39

 James  Covel, a method minister for 40 years was promised - 

 "...behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known.

11 And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

12 And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face.

13 Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish.

14 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou art not called to go into the eastern countries, but thou art called to go to the Ohio.

15 And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves at the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth into all nations."  (Doctrine and Covenants 39:10–15)

But He chose to walk away.

D&C 38

 The Lord teaches us how He wants us to preach His gospel - 

"...let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness."

(Doctrine and Covenants 38:41)

D&C 38

 In this recent general conference, President Nelson counseled us to - 

"...let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)

As the Lord commanded the saints to go to the Ohio, He commaned - 

"...let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me"  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:24)

Adding - 

"...Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:42)

D&C 38

 The Lord tells us - 

"...behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 38:7)

I remembered the Savior appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus, and they did not recognize him.

D&C 38

 The Lord counsels His followers - 

"...I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief; for verily some of you are guilty before me, but I will be merciful unto your weakness.

15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth..."(Doctrine and Covenants 38:14–15)

Obviously, the Lord has patience with us.

D&C 38

 The Lord instructed the saints - 

"Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high..." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:32)

In my mind, His law we follow as we enter into covenants.  "Power" is received comes from entering and keeping our covenants.

D&C 36

The Lord says to Edward - 

 "...I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 36:2)

When authorized servants lay their hands on recipients, they are if the Lord Himself is doing so.