6/16/2017 - Section 42:53-93

June 16, 2017

Section 42:53-93

Scriptures Our Guide for Living, Lord’s Plan is Simple & Effective, General Conference, Civil War, Seek Wisdom Be Rewarded, Missionary Living, Growth Just Keep Growing, 

The Lord is continuing with His instructions to those who have faith: v53 “Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.” That is a simple plan to follow. Do what we have been called to do, and have charity for those around us. A simple formula that would help us in so many areas of our lives. V 59 “Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law to govern my church.”  And when we are in doubt or unsure: v 61 & 62 “If thou shalt as, 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.  Thou shalt ask, and it shall be revealed unto you in mine own due time…” There have been times when I have asked, and searched, and asked again. As long as I continued to study and to ask, reminding myself to have patience—I have been rewarded with much more than I had asked for.

The Lord can warn us.  Our general conferences give us information that will be even more vital in the decade(s) to come. That has been true since the restoration of the church. V 64 “And even now, let him that goeth to the east teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west, and this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth and of secret combinations.”  This revelation was given in Feb 1831. The Civil War started April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter. By 1861 the pioneers were established in Utah  and were spared much of the sadness and horrors and tragedies of that terrible war—but only because they followed the Lord’s commands with faith and fortitude.

And finally, He reminds us that He is always there for us: v 68 “Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not.” That is something I need to remember…for I always need greater wisdom. This is a life of progress and growth. I don’t want my mind or thoughts or heart to go dormant in this last phase of my life.

4/22/2021 – D&C 42:61-92

V 61 is an amazing promise: “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.”  I read this and worry that I am not overwhelmed with revelation. But fortunately, I found a lot of understanding from things the apostles have explained to us in order to help us receive an increasing amount of our own revelation and knowledge:

Elder David A. Bednar taught: “The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost—and who is acting in faith to fulfill the priesthood injunction to ‘receive the Holy Ghost.’ This blessing is not restricted to the presiding authorities of the Church; rather, it belongs to and should be operative in the life of every man, woman, and child who reaches the age of accountability and enters into sacred covenants. Sincere desire and worthiness invite the spirit of revelation into our lives. …

“… Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently ‘distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven’ (D&C 121:45). …Both the history of the Church and our personal lives are replete with examples of the Lord’s pattern for receiving revelation ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ [2 Nephi 28:30]. For example, the fundamental truths of the restored gospel were not delivered to the Prophet Joseph Smith all at once in the Sacred Grove. These priceless treasures were revealed as circumstances warranted and as the timing was right” (“The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 87–88).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught there is a difference between continuing revelation and continuous revelation: “We should recognize that the Lord will speak to us through the Spirit in His own time and in His own way. … We pray continuously for guidance, but we shouldn’t expect continuous revelation. We expect continuing revelation, which is the continuing assurance of revelation whenever we seek guidance and our circumstances are such that a wise and loving Lord chooses to give it to us” (“In His Own Time, in His Own Way,” Ensign, Aug. 2013, 22, 27).

In v 64, the Lord continues to give vital information to those who will hear…and do: “And even now, let him that goeth to the east teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west, and this in consequence of that which is coming on the earth, and of secret combinations.”  I read this and see it as a warning of our Civil War. That war started April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter. This warning came from the Lord 30 years prior to its happening. The saints DID go west, and in 1861 they were not harmed by the Civil War. I need to remember to have patience in the Lord’s commandments and revelations. It is not difficult for me to simply follow his commandments to the best of my ability, for that has shaped my life from the time that Elder Emery and Elder Strong taught my family and gave us a proper introduction to the gospel. V 65 holds the Lord’s promise to us: “Behold, thou shalt observe all these things, and great shall be thy reward; for unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom…”

In v 68 he Lord repeats to all, the information that prompted Joseph’s prayer in the sacred grove: “Therefore, he that lacketh wisdom, let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally and upbraid him not.” I will remember to pray for wisdom. 

The very next verse (69) tells us to “Lift up your hearts and rejoice…” I strive to see the good. And when I am going through the bad times, I turn to Heavenly Father and He helps to lift me up until I’m on firm ground again.

In v’s 69-93 are much like the 10 commandments that he gave to the Israelites as they followed Moses to the promised land. I think that of all those verses, my favorite is 88: “And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone, and…thou shalt be reconciled.” 

Again, from Elder Bednar: “In some way and at some time, someone in this Church will do or say something that could be considered offensive. Such an event will surely happen to each and every one of us—and it certainly will occur more than once. Though people may not intend to injure or offend us, they nonetheless can be inconsiderate and tactless. You and I cannot control the intentions or behavior of other people. However, we do determine how we will act. Please remember that you and I are agents endowed with moral agency, and we can choose not to be offended. …Interestingly, the admonition to ‘be ye therefore perfect’ [Matthew 5:48] is immediately preceded by counsel about how we should act in response to wrongdoing and offense [see Matthew 5:43–44, 46]. Clearly the rigorous requirements that lead to the perfecting of the Saints include assignments that test and challenge us. If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then communicate privately, honestly, and directly with that individual. Such an approach invites inspiration from the Holy Ghost and permits misperceptions to be clarified and true intent to be understood” (“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 91–92).

That’s simply part of Christ’s two great commandments: Love the Lord with all thy heart, might, mind and soul and love thy neighbor as thyself. He has shown us the way so many times—all we have to do is follow His instructions, and we will find ourselves encircled within the arms of His love.