D&C 109

 Before I comment on the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple, I wanted to note some spiritual testimonies and experiences that happened that day - 

“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.

“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

 I personally loved the Savior's comforting words to Lyman Sherman - 

 "Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.

2 Therefore, 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 108:1–3)

D&C 107

 We learn by modern revelation that - 

"Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.

54 And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.

55 And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.

56 And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation.

57 These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:53–57)

That will be an interesting day.

D&C 107

 The Lord again give instruction on priesthood quorums saying - 

"Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.

23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

24 And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.

25 The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

26 And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22–26)

I note that the Seventy are not equal in power which in my mind are priesthood keys.

And - 

"The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and secondly unto the Jews.

34 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 107:33–34)  

Though they are equal in priesthood authority, the Quorum of the Twelve serves under the direction of the First Presidency, and the Seventy serves under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Finally - 

"Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called President of the High Priesthood of the Church;

66 Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the Church."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:65–66)

D&C 107

 The Lord instructs - 

"There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:1)

Of the Aaronic Priesthood, it - 

 

"...has power in administering outward ordinances."  (Doctrine and Covenants 107:14)

In my mind, the difference between Aaronic and Levitical (which is part of the Aaronic priesthood), Aaronic includes the office of priests in administering outward ordinances and covenants, the Levitical is in reference to offices of deacons and teachers who serve in priesthood duties.

D&C 106

 The Lord said to Warren Cowdery - 

"...I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.

8 And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand..."   (Doctrine and Covenants 106:7–8)

I loved the promise of grace and assurance in our callings.  In my mind, grace being His enabling power and assurance is that is some means you are on the right path.

D&C 105

 Though I have mentioned this before, again I was struck this morning with these words - 

"I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith."   (Doctrine and Covenants 105:19)

These words have great application to all of us.

D&C 103

 The Lord revealed to the saints - 

"Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion;

2 Being driven and smitten by the hands of mine enemies, on whom I will pour out my wrath without measure in mine own time."  (Doctrine and Covenants 103:1–2)

There are many saints that want accountability for wrongs committed, but the Lord looks from an eternal perspective...thank goodness.  He always seems to give everyone a full chance to repent before they are punished.

Section 103

 Before I quote scripture from section 103, I wanted to include a litttle bit of the conditions experienced by Parley P. Pratt after being run out of Jackson County to Clay County in the early winter of 1834 - 

“After making our escape into the county of Clay—being reduced to the lowest poverty—I made a living by day labor, jobbing, building, or wood cutting, till some time in the winter of 1834, when a general Conference was held at my house, in which it was decided that two of the Elders should be sent to Ohio, in order to counsel with President Smith and the Church at Kirtland, and take some measures for the relief or restoration of the people thus plundered and driven from their homes. The question was put to the Conference: ‘Who would volunteer to perform so great a journey?’ “The poverty of all, and the inclement season of the year made all hesitate. At length Lyman Wight and myself offered our services, which were readily accepted. I was at this time entirely destitute of proper clothing for the journey; and I had neither horse, saddle, bridle, money nor provisions to take with me; or to leave with my wife, who lay sick and helpless most of the time. “Under these circumstances I knew not what to do. Nearly all had been robbed and plundered, and all were poor. As we had to start without delay, I almost trembled at the undertaking; it seemed to be all but an impossibility; but ‘to him that believeth all things are possible.’ [Mark 9:23.] I started out of my house to do something towards making preparation; I hardly knew which way to go, but I found myself in the house of brother John Lowry, and was intending to ask him for money; but as I entered his miserable cottage in the swamp, amid the low, timbered bottoms of the Missouri river, I found him sick in bed with a heavy fever, and two or three others of his family down with the same complaint, on different beds in the same room. He was vomiting severely, and was hardly sensible of my presence. I thought to myself, ‘well, this is a poor place to come for money, and yet I must have it; I know of no one else that has got it; what shall I do?’ I sat a little while confounded and amazed. At length another Elder happened in; at that instant faith sprung up in my heart; the Spirit whispered to me, ‘is there anything too hard for the Lord?’ I said to the Elder that came in: ‘Brother, I am glad you have come; these people must be healed, for I want some money of them, and must have it.’ “We laid hands on them and rebuked the disease; brother Lowry rose up well; I did my errand, and readily obtained all I asked. This provided in part for my family's sustenance while I should leave them. I went a little further into the woods of the Missouri bottoms, and came to a camp of some brethren, by the name of Higbee, who owned some horses; they saw me coming, and, moved by the Spirit, one of them said to the other, ‘there comes brother Parley; he's in want of a horse for his journey—I must let him have old Dick;’ this being the name of the best horse he had. ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘brother, you have guessed right; but what will I do for a saddle?’ ‘Well,’ says the other, ‘I believe I'll have to let you have mine.’ I blessed them and went on my way rejoicing. “I next called on Sidney A. Gilbert [actually, A. Sidney Gilbert—see D&C 53, heading], a merchant, then sojourning in the village of Liberty—his store in Jackson County having been broken up, and his goods plundered and destroyed by the mob. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘brother Parley, you certainly look too shabby to start a journey; you must have a new suit; I have got some remnants left that will make you a coat,’ etc. A neighboring tailoress and two or three other sisters happened to be present on a visit, and hearing the conversation, exclaimed, ‘Yes, brother Gilbert, you find the stuff and we'll make it up for him.’ This arranged, I now lacked only a cloak; this was also furnished by brother Gilbert. “Brother Wight was also prospered in a similar manner in his preparations. Thus faith and the blessings of God had cleared up our way to accomplish what seemed impossible. We were soon ready, and on the first of February we mounted our horses, and started in good cheer to ride one thousand or fifteen hundred miles through a wilderness country. We had not one cent of money in our pockets on starting. “We travelled every day, whether through storm or sunshine, mud, rain or snow; except when our public duties called us to tarry. We arrived in Kirtland early in the spring, all safe and sound; we had lacked for nothing on the road, and now had plenty of funds in hand. President Joseph Smith and the Church in Kirtland received us with a hospitality and joy unknown except among the Saints; and much interest was felt there, as well as elsewhere, on the subject of our persecution (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pages 107–9).

D&C 102

 This section is about the purpose, process, and duties of high councilors and presidencies in disciplinary councils.  Instead of quoting verses in this section, I wanted to share an experience.  As I do, it should be noted that I served both as a high councilor and member of stake presidency in many such councils.

In the year 2000, I was called to be the newest member of the stake high council.  I felt unqualified, inexperienced, and quite intimidated.  I surely wanted to hide in my chair and go unnoticed.

Shortly after my calling, I participated in my first disciplinary council.  I studied the 102nd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants in preparation.  Fortunately, if I remember right, my lot was the fifth seat.  As the council proceeded with an elderly brother, I felt some strong feelings develop about what should be the final outcome.  At the conclusion of facts, the stake president (whom I really felt intimidated by) only asked for recommendations from the first four seats.  The majority of the recommendations were for excommunication.  I honestly continued to have this, what I felt was a spiritual impression, was for disfellowshipment, and I had my thoughts and reasons why.  The presidency convened to discuss the matter in the stake president's office.  As we waited for their return and decision, I had the feeling that I could not agree with excommunication without being heard. I remember being highly troubled by this response.  Could I be a sole troublemaker, in a sense?  As the presidency returned and recommended disfellowshipment I was very much relieved.  I don't think that ever happened again.  I don't thing I ever told anyone.

D&C 101

 I think it is quite thought provoking as the Lord commands His saints not to sell their land in Jackson County even though they have been forced from their land where we read - 

"Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and hold claim upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not be permitted to dwell thereon.

100 Nevertheless, I do not say they shall not dwell thereon; for inasmuch as they bring forth fruit and works meet for my kingdom they shall dwell thereon.

101 They shall build, and another shall not inherit it; they shall plant vineyards, and they shall eat the fruit thereof."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:99–101)

I believe this condition and promise was extended to the entire Church, not just those in Zion.  His chastisement is always with love.

D&C 101

 Even though the saints were experiencing great hardship in Missouri, the Lord instructs - 

"...verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—

64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:63–64)

In my mind, these holy places include stakes and temples of Zion.

D&C 101

 We read in this section, the Lord states - 

"And now, I will show unto you a parable..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:43)

The parable is long. Sidney B. Sperry provides the following summary - 

“It would seem that the parable is to be interpreted in this way: the nobleman is the Lord, whose choice land in His vineyard is Zion in Missouri. The places where the Saints live in Zion are the olive trees. The servants are the Latter-day Saint settlers, and the watchmen are their officers in the Church. While yet building in Zion, they become at variance with each other and do not build the tower or Temple whose site had been dedicated as early as August 3, 1831. Had they built it as directed, it would have been a spiritual refuge for them, for from it the Lord's watchmen could have seen by revelation the movements of the enemy from afar. This foreknowledge would have saved them and their hard work when the enemy made his assault. “But the Saints in Missouri were slothful, lax, and asleep. The enemy came, and the Missouri persecutions were the result. The Lord's people were scattered and much of their labors wasted. The Almighty rebuked His people, as we have already seen, but He commanded one of His servants (v. 55), Joseph Smith (103:21), to gather the ‘strength of Mine house’ and rescue His lands and possessions gathered against them. “Subsequently, the Prophet and his brethren in the famous Zion's Camp did go to Missouri in 1834 in an attempt to carry out the terms of the parable. Before they went, additional revelation was received (see 103:21–28) concerning the redemption of Zion. The brethren were instructed to try to buy land in Missouri, not to use force; and if the enemy came against them, they were to bring a curse upon them. Zion was not redeemed at that time but we may look for it in the not-too-distant future. Verily, it will be redeemed when the Lord wills it”

“Though Joseph Smith followed the Lord's instructions to gather together the ‘strength of my house’ (D&C 103:22) by organizing Zion's Camp to go forth to redeem Zion, the Lord's purpose in sending them and his will concerning the redemption of Zion were not fully understood by his people. The redemption of Zion did not take place at that time. When the servant in the parable asked when the land would be possessed, the Lord responded, ‘When I will’ (D&C 101:60). “The parable further states that all things will be fulfilled ‘after many days’ (v. 62), which passage indicates that a long period of time will pass before Zion will be redeemed. The redemption of Zion still had not taken place even after the Saints had been expelled from Missouri and from Nauvoo. The Lord then told Brigham Young that ‘Zion shall be redeemed in mine own due time’ (D&C 136:18). The redemption of Zion (meaning, the city of New Jerusalem in Missouri) is still future, although of course it is much closer now than it was when the Saints first sought to regain their inheritance in the land of Zion.

I marvel at how often the Lord commands just to prove us whether the final outcome is not what we thought.

D&C 101

 To the early saints, the Lord outlined - 

"...behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—

21 Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.

22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places..."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:20–22)

In my mind, the gathering of saints to stake or the strength of Zion is significant.

The Lord also instructed - 

"Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.

38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:36–38)

D&C 101

 The Lord declared that in the last days, before His second coming - 

"I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass.

11 Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:10–11)

I find comfort in that promise.  Obviously, the condition is "when the cup of iniquity is full".  I don't know when that will be other than it will be.

D&C 101

 Those who believe that we are saved by grace just by confessing belief in Jesus Christ.  There is more required.  To the saints in Missouri, the Lord taught - 

"...in consequence of their transgressions;

3 Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.

4 Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son.

5 For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified.

6 Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.

7 They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:2–8)

But if they truly repent - 

"...I will remember mercy."  (Doctrine and Covenants 101:9)

D&C 100

 The Savior testifies of His work - 

"For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness;

17 And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep his commandments, shall be saved."  (Doctrine and Covenants 100:16–17)