3/13/2017 D&C Explanatory Introduction

I so enjoy my scripture studies. So many times I have found that when I read the scriptures see new things in them. I love the truths I have always seen, and I love the new messages I will sometimes get with new readings. So here I am, studying the D&C in 2021. I've decided to combine this study with my 2017 study. So here goes: 

Dec 28, 2020:

I used to keep track of how often I read each book of scripture. But now, at 70 years of age, I think it’s much more important to keep track of the things I learn as I read the Lord’s thoughts, His advice to us, His love for us, His warnings (for no one knows what is ahead of us, except our Father—who created this learning experience for us all), His commandments. Basically, it is the loving advice of a Father who knows all. 

One of my study manuals asked the questions “What do you want right now? What do you actually desire most? My first thoughts were: “I want to be ever closer to my Heavenly Father. I want to do the things He wants me to do. I want to learn more about charity. I want charity to be in my heart and in my mind. I want to be a true friend. I want to see each person as Heavenly Father sees them. Basically, I want to grow my love for the Godhead, the gospel, and every person I meet. I want to love and be loved, and I want to help and be helped. 

“To truly desire something has a significant impact on our soul—especially if what we are desiring has a direct connection with our soul.” (Don’t Miss This D&C) I look forward to this year’s study. Starting each day by reading the scriptures. Trying to apply them to myself truly makes my days more meaningful, and hopefully creates a time of deeper understanding and growth for me.

March 13, 2017

D&C: Explanatory Introduction

Scripture Study, Word of God, Revelation, Doctrine & Covenants,

The first sentences held new information for me: “The Doctrine & Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days….the messages, warnings and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind…for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation.”

The introduction continues explaining that the D&C is one of the standard works along with the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. It is “unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document…given of God” to us . “In the revelations one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fullness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to his second coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets wince the world began.” This is truly an ‘explanatory introduction’.

The next sentence that struck me was the explanation that “These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations, involving real people. The prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and…they received it.” Isn’t that what I do now in my small sphere of the world? I seek mostly for guidance and direction for me. They sought that too, along with guidance and direction for the correct establishment of the Church. That establishment was a huge job. The Lord broke it down into doable portions.

From Joseph Smith when the church was not yet two years old: “In these infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation.”

Finally, the introduction delineates just some of the truths to be found in this book: “explanations about such fundamental matters as the nature of the Godhead, the origin of man, the reality of Satan, the purpose of mortality, the necessity for obedience, the need for repentance, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the ordinances and performances that pertain to salvation, the destiny of the earth, the future conditions of man after the resurrection and the judgment, the eternity of the marriage relationship, and the eternal nature of the family.” And that doesn’t include revelations regarding the administrative structure. 

I look forward to this reading. Up to now, the D&C has not been my favorite book of scripture—but there is much in this book for me. I will work to read its pages more carefully. I pray for the Holy Ghost to accompany me in these efforts. When Joseph was preparing for their second effort in publishing the revelations, he made the statement that he prized these revelations beyond the wealth of this whole earth.

President Joseph Fielding Smith gave a promise to those who study the revelations in the D&C: “If we will put them into practice, if we will keep the commandment s of the Lord, we will know the truth and there shall be no weapon formed against us that shall prosper [see D&C 71:9-11]. There shall be no false doctrines, nor teachings of men that will deceive us. There are many cults and many false faiths, there are many strange ideas in the world, but if we will search these revelations then we will be fortified against errors and we will be made strong.” (Oct 1931 Gen Conf)

President Spencer W Kimball in the April 1977 Gen Conf: “There are those who would assume that with the printing and binding of these sacred records, that would be the ‘end of the prophets.’ But again we testify to the world that revelation continues and that the vaults and files of the Church contain these revelations which come month to month and day to day.”

Dec 29 2020:

In the Explanatory Introduction, I love the first sentence: “The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of divine revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days.”  And then “These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people.”

The first word in this first section is ‘hearken’. It means more than just ‘listen up’. It means to listen AND DO! It’s not given as an order to us, but it is given as part of the key that will lift our thoughts and our lives. And in v 2 Christ tells us this book “is unto ALL”—that’s all of us, men & women, good & bad, rich & poor, church members & non-members….

I love the phrase: “saith the voice of him. Who dwells on high and whose eyes are upon all men” (v 1), and then it goes on to list all the places man might be found. Basically, the Lord knows each one of us, and he watches out for each one of us. If WE keep an open, and daily...or hourly… communication with him, we will greatly benefit from His nudges to our minds and hearts.  In v 2 he reminds us of the outcomes of this earth life: he assures us that “there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.” And then he goes on to let us know that if we postpone following his commandments, we “shall be pieced with much sorrow”. He has given us a lifetime to succeed – that was our goal when we left our heavenly home. But just like all education, it is a goal that will take much time and effort.  The neat thing about this particular education, is that the rewards are more than a diploma. The rewards are a light in our hearts and mind that, if we listen, directs us always forward toward ever better things. (v’s 2-3)

V 10 tells us that this is not a one-person race. In fact, our goal is not to be the first to complete this education. Our goal is to help others in their efforts as we work alongside of them. “Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.” The Lord’s plea to us is to “Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh.” (v12)

With this 2021 reading, I thought it reasonable to include the Joseph Smith History (you'll find it just behind the Pearl of Great Price in our scriptures) to know a bit more about the man who received all these wonderful revelations:

1/4 - 1/10/2021 - JOSEPH SMITH HISTORY 1:1-26 

JAN 4, 2021 – JS History 1:1-14

Joseph first wrote this in 1839 because there were so many erroneous reports regarding him as an individual and regarding the Church itself. He wants to set the record straight as to the character of both the Church and himself in order “to disabuse the public mind and put all inquirers after the truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church....” (v 1)

He explains that “there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion…and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir amongst the people…” (v 5). Joseph wondered how people who sought the Lord so intently could create such “a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all there good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions”. (v 6)

In v 8 Joseph tells us of his feelings at this time: “During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness”.  We find that he isn’t just an on-looker. He goes to as many of these religious meeting as he can, but he often comes away confused by “this war of words and tumult of opinions…” (v 10) And he also goes to the scriptures (v 11) which is where he reads in James 1:5. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” And this is where he explains the profound effect those words had on him: “Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know….” (v 11)

It was at this point that he decided that he “must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God…” (v 13) These are the feelings that brought him to seek for a private place in which he could pray to God aloud and ask all his questions. He went with such desire and deep faith in what James had promised. This was his first vocal prayer. He made sure he would have the time and the privacy to commune with the Lord.  

“To truly desire something has a significant impact on our soul—especailly if what we are desiring has a direct connection with our soul.”  Emily Belle Freeman

As I ponder about what I really want and/or desire right now—I believe it is to be ever closer to my Heavenly Father. I want to do the things He wants me to do. I want to learn more about charity. I want charity to be in my heart and in my mind.  I want to be a power for good. I want to be a friend to all. That means that I want to see each person as Heavenly Father sees them. Basically, I want to grow my love for the Godhead, the gospel, and every person I meet. I want to love and I want to help. I know it won’t happen all at once. But if I continue in this direction, I think every one of my days should be just a little bit better than the day before—which means that I should be able to be just a little bit better than I was the day before. These are the things I talk to the Lord about. I pray for the ability to know when and where things are needed, that I might recognize people or situations where I might be able to help, and I pray for humility and courage—because my normal tendencies are to pull back because of my fear of being a bother to others. That’s why I so appreciate the Holy Ghost being with me, and that’s why I pray for courage and humility and love.

JAN 5, 2021 – JS History 1:15-29

These are the verses in which Joseph tries to describe his experience in the sacred grove as he attempts to make his first vocal prayer. I love his description in v 16: “But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me…” At this time, he explained that he could not speak, but he continued to seek the Lord with his heart and his thoughts, and that works! God and Christ appeared to him! Satan was banished! On a much smaller scale, that has happened to me. During times of depression, when I have finally gotten so tired of feeling so angry or so blue, it is when I have turned again to Heavenly Father with my thoughts and with my actions that I have conquered the depression. He waits for me to ask, with faith and sometimes with patience---and that is when I feel his spirit. That is what changes my life.

Starting in v 18, Joseph is simply asking the question he has not been able to answer on his own: which church is YOUR church? The Lord knows that Joseph will be His prophet, but the Lord kindly takes him toward that one step at a time. We all must go through learning curves, whether it is a new level in school, or a new place to live, or a new job…and we all look back at those learning curves and are so happy to have completed them. And there are certainly learning curves in our spiritual progress; and unfortunately there can also be times when we relax in that effort, much as we sometimes try to ‘float’ our way through school, or our job, or our knowledge growth. 

Joseph learned, and we must learn, that there is wonderful power in searching for a closer relationship with Heavenly Father, but we must not forget that Satan’s entire efforts are to keep us as far from Heavenly Father as possible. I know the direction I choose to follow has a great effect on how I feel and the changes in that direction can happen so slowly that I am often not even aware of the changes. But I am so thankful, right now,  that I am able to start most of my days with the scriptures. The closer I feel to Heavenly Father and His commandments, the more calmness and security and warmth I feel. That is living at such a soothing level. When I’m there and hard times come, I can march right into those hard times knowing that the Lord will guide me. And when the good times surround me, I love being aware of them and thanking Heavenly Father for all those good things.

Joseph certain goes through hard times, but he knows where to find strength when it seems that his whole world has turned against him: “However, it was  nevertheless a fact that I had behold a vision….I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me” (24-25) And also in those verses he tells us how he went to the scriptures and learned from the people God had spoken to in much earlier times, such as Paul as he stood strong against King Agrippa.  Joseph ends this part of his story with “I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian word was concerned…I had found…that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God and obtain, and not be upbraided.” (v 26). Again Joseph is showing me how to handle difficult times. 

Joseph continues with his life—and with persecution from all sides. I believe his prayer in the sacred grove was in the spring of the year. He continued forward in his working life, and in staying true to the vision he had seen. During this time, he sometimes worried about his actions—he worried that he sometimes ‘was guilty of levity’ and enjoying ‘jovial company’ and of his ‘imperfections’. He didn’t know how someone who had seen the Lord should act. But he continued to stay true to the things he knew. And then, unexpectedly, on September 21st he learned much more as he is visited by Moroni.

The Lord always helps us. But he makes sure that our efforts are involved working and learning on our own—for that is true education.

JAN 6, 2021 – JS HISTORY 1:30-42

I think it’s important to realize when Moroni came to instruct Joseph. Joseph has just finished telling us that he was worried about his imperfections. On the September night everyone was in bed, and Joseph “…betook myself to prayer and supplication to the Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me that I might know of my state and standing before him…” (v 29) It was during this prayer that Moroni came with light surrounding him. Moroni also called him by name, explaining that “God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (v 33)

Moroni explains the things that Joseph is to find: a book upon golden plates that contains “the fulness of the everlasting Gospel…as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.” These are the things Joseph has been searching for! Moroni describes and explains the Urim and Thummin. And then he begins quoting prophecies of the Old Testament” “For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave then neither root nor branch”.   And “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”  And: “And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” Joseph records other scriptures that were quoted: The 11th chapter of Isaiah (which is also quoted in 2 Nephi 21), Acts 3:22-23 (which speaks of a prophet the Lord will raise up), and also Joel 2:28-32 (which tells us of a time when the Lord’s spirit shall be poured out among “the servants and the handmaids in those days”). Moroni is explaining to Joseph that he will be involved in important callings from Heavenly Father. He then explained that the time would come when Joseph would obtain those golden plates, and when he did he was not to show them to anyone unless he was specifically commanded to do so. It was at this point that a “vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.” (v 42)

The Lord prepares us for what is to come, and he does so step by step. Joseph Smith was being prepared to be a prophet. I hope and pray that I will be more aware of my preparation, and that it will simply help me to become a worthy follower of Christ.

1/7/2021 – JS HISTORY 1:43-54

One of the things Moroni told Joseph was that he “must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom, otherwise I could not get them.” (v 46) I certainly don’t have a calling that will affect the entire earth. But I DO have a calling that can affect my family and my friends and simply people I come into contact with. In order to do this, I must have a close connection with the Holy Ghost – which means I live that I might feel His communications, and then that I might have both the faith, the fortitude, and the love, to follow through on those communications.

For the morning after Moroni’s visit Joseph, at Moroni’s command, told his father of all the things he had been explained to him. His father’s response was “it was of God…go and do as commanded by the messenger.

In verses 51-54, Joseph explains how he was taught and prepared. 

Whatever our role in this life, the Lord wants to help us achieve it. This is why President Nelson works to help us learn how to “hear him”—for learning that skill will most certainly magnify our lives. If we work hard to do our part, the Lord is more than ready do His part.

Elder Ronald a Rasband said: “Our Father in Heaven knew that in mortality we would face challenges, tribulation, and turmoil; He knew we would wrestle with questions, disappointments, temptations, and weaknesses. To give us mortal strength and divine guided, He provided the Holy Spirit, another name for the Holy Ghost.”  As we work toward this quest, it’s been promised to his that “having that part of the Godhead with us grants us spiritual energy and light that will fine turn our spirits and physical bodies to be the instruments the Lord need us to be.”

One more quote…this one is from Parley P. Pratt, who describes the breadth and depth of what the Holy Ghost can do:  He “quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It…invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In shorth, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.” Wow….

1/8/2021  - JS HISTORY 1:55-75

Among all of the things happening to Joseph Smith at this time, was the fact that his family’s “worldly circumstances were very limited.” (v 55) He doesn’t complain about this, he only records it as a factual reality, explaining that the family combined “by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance.” Our lives will often be very busy with all kinds of  ‘must do’s’ & ‘should do’s’. A day’s work for Joseph often required significant physical exertion. And yet he found time to ponder his thoughts and to read the scriptures—and the Lord found time to guide Him, and in time, to answer his prayers—but not in the way Joseph would ever have imagined…to be prophet to a new dispensation! 

Joseph experienced the death of this older brother. He and Emma married, but her parents “were very much opposed to our being married”, thus they had to move. Joseph’s life held marvelous wonders, but that didn’t keep him from having to live through difficult and sorrowful times. Once he received the gold plates, he not only had the huge task before him of learning how to translate those plates, relying on the spirit of God in situations that most would not call ideal. Plus he had to make a living for Emma and himself. Add to that Moroni tells him “that I should be responsible for them [the golden plates]; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.” Persecution grew, as did the need for continually protecting the plates.  Basically, he certainly has a lot on his plate! “But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand.”( V 60)  Joseph and Emma were very poor, the persecution was very bitter, and so they were forced to move once again—this time to Pennsylvania, and Joseph was better able to work on the translations of the plates. People came into his life and were able to help him: Martin Harris provided needed funds, and also took some of Joseph’s work to be certified by a scholar in New York. Oliver Cowdery came to Joseph’s house only because what he had learned from Joseph’s family. Oliver became Joseph’s scribe. 

Joseph continued with the work he had been given by the Lord, AND he continued to “pray and inquire of the Lord” ((v 68) And he continued to receive amazing revelations. I love reading of John the Baptist’s visit to Joseph and Oliver when he gave them the Aaronic priesthood… And I love reading John the Baptist’s words “upon you my fellow servants” – that is love and humility, and a wonderful example to all. 

Joseph remained committed to the task the Lord required of him. The men who helped him were certainly not perfect…Martin Harris lost 116 pages of a manuscript…when that happened, even though Joseph was in agony for his having given those pages to Martin, he did not abandon Martin. We all make mistakes. Joseph, like the Lord, gave second chances to all. 

Luke 17:3-4: “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day and seven tiems in a day turn again to thee, saying I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

“Sometimes forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way.”

President Gordon B Hinckley

We read of all of Joseph’s burdens, but we also read of his gifts. After following the instructions of John the Baptist, Joseph and Oliver baptized each other: “we were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation. Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. “ (v’s 73-74)

Not only did the Holy Ghost help them understand the depth of the scriptures, but also Emma’s family who had been so against their marriage, “had become very friendly to me… and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings as far as in them lay.” (v 75) 

The Lord has given us all the way we should walk. He knows it will not always be easy to follow that path. But He has given us helps: the scriptures, prayer, the Holy Ghost. All those helps are within our reach. The only rule is that we must first reach out to those tools, and THEN the help will come.

Jan 10/2001 – JS HISTORY

Today I get to take a look back at my studies of this past week, and go over some of the things that really touched my heart.

Joseph described his family as “a praying family” and he spoke of his parents saying they would pour out their souls in prayer for the sake of their children.

I found it interesting to learn that the early 1800’s has been referred to as “the second great awakening”. (Evidently the early 1700’s constituted the “first great awakening”.) But in the 1800’s, only about 10% of the people went to church.

Joseph had, for some time, worried about his worthiness and his standing with the Lord. He took advantage of this ‘second great awakening’ and went to as many of their meetings as possible. After some time he decided that he was not finding what he was seeking. That’s when he turned to the scriptures. He wanted to reach God, so he read His book. He had strong feelings as he read the words that anyone who lacks wisdom, should ask of God. He selected a place of privacy and a time of privacy, and he knelt down and he prayed out loud. His answer did not come immediately. In fact, he faced great opposition as he opened his prayer. But Joseph silently pleaded for God’s help. The help came—it “descended gradually” upon Joseph. tThe opposition had vanished. Joseph asked his question, but the answer he got was far from what he had expected. But Joseph followed the Lord’s instructions as closely as he could—receiving heavenly help when needed.   Oftentimes, the answers to our prayers do not solve our problems all at once. Oftentimes, all we get is the next RIGHT step. The Lord gives us time to take a firm step forward, but to continue to work on our problem—and to continue in our pondering, and especially, our praying. 

When it comes to my testimony—I do not know everything. I have some questions that have no sure answers at this point. But I have felt His power in my heart and mind. The most recent time was just yesterday. That tells me I am on the right path. It’s a path that brings peace and comfort to my heart, my mind, and my soul. My task now is simply to learn how to improve my ability to hear Him, and improve my efforts to follow Him.