3/25/2017 - Section 6:1-15

March 25, 2017

Section 6: 1-15

Quick, Mysteries, Missionary Blessings, Seek the Lord’s Training, Revelation Personal, Holy Ghost,

V 2 “quick and powerful, shaper than a two-edged sword”.  The Bible Dictionary defines ‘quick’ as ‘living, alive’. And says to be quickened by the Spirit means to be given spiritual life. The word of the Lord is quick and powerful because it is a source of life, energy and power.

Another interesting definition—this one on the mysteries of God: “A mystery is a truth that cannot be known except through divine revelation-a sacred secret” (Smith & Sjodahl commentary) President Joseph Fielding Smith defined ‘mysteries’ in a similar way: “The Lord has promised to reveal his mysteries to those who serve him in faithfulness….There are no mysteries pertaining to the Gospel, only as we, in our weakness, fail to comprehend the Gospel truth….The ‘simple’ principles of the Gospel, such as baptism, the atonement, are mysteries to those who do not have the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord.” (Church History & Modern Revelation, 1:43) The second meaning of ‘mysteries’ “has reference to that body of teachings in the speculative field, those things which the Lord has not revealed in plainness in this day. It is to these things that reference is made when the elders are counseled to leave the mysteries alone.” (Student Manual) V 11 goes on to state: “and if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest find out mysteries, that thou mayest being many to the knowledge of the truth, yea convince them of the error of their ways.” If you find yourself unable to explain the beautiful foundation of the gospel, then take time to pray, to study, to listen and to write down your revelation which will be your new understanding. The Lord WILL answer the desires of our hearts.

Elder Bruce R McConkie Spoke of the Lord’s promise of revelation to His Saints, pointing out that “it is the privilege and the right of every member of the Church to receive revelation and to enjoy the gifts of the Spirit. When we are confirmed members of the Church, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is the right to the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead, based on faithfulness….”

In v’s 14 & 15, the Lord is trying to help us recognize the revelation he gives to us: “14. Verily, verily, I say unto thee blessed art thou for what thou hast done, for thou has inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou has inquired that hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou are at this time.” [Joseph Smith Sr had finally explained some of the things about his son Joseph, and the Book of Mormon, to Oliver Cowdery who had come to room with the Smith Family in his capacity of teacher. Lucy Mac Smith wrote this: “Shortly after receiving this information he [Oliver] told Mr. Smith that he was highly delighted with what he had heard, that he had been in a deep study upon the subject all day, and that it was impressed upon his mind, that he should yet have the privilege of writing for Joseph. Furthermore, that he had determined to pay him a visit at the close of the school… On coming in on the following day, he said, ‘The subject upon which we were yesterday conversing seems working in my very bones, and I cannot, for a moment, get it out of my mind; finally, I have resolved on what I will do. Samuel [Smith], I understand, is going down to Pennsylvania to spend the spring with Joseph; I shall make my arrangements to be ready to accompany him thither….for I have made it a subject of prayer, and I firmly believe that it is the will of the Lord that I should go. If there is a work for me to do in this thing, I am determined to attend to it.”   Joseph, in Pennsylvania was worried. He had had to devote so much time to his secular affairs that he had not been able to proceed with his spiritual concerns so fast as was necessary for the speedy completion of the work.  Also Emma had so much of her time taken up with the care of her house, that she could write for him but a small portion of the time. Joseph called upon the Lord, three days prior to the arrival of Samuel and Oliver, to send him a scribe, according to the promise of the angel; and he was informed that the same should be forthcoming in a few days. Accordingly, when Mr. Cowdery told him the business that he had come upon, Joseph was not at all surprised. History of Joseph Smith.

V 9 should be read by all missionaries: “…keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, (‘assist’ brings to mind the word ‘companions’) according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.”  Missionary work is pretty simple: obey, love, pray, work—then ask the Lord to allow you to recognize your blessings.

One more definition: “Salvation in its true and full meaning is synonymous with  exaltation or eternal life and consists in gaining an inheritance in the highest of the three heavens within the celestial kingdom. With few exceptions this is the salvation of which the scriptures speak. It is the salvation which the saints seek. It is of this which the Lord says, “there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation’ (D&C 6:13)” McConkie, Mormon Doctrine.

1/25/2021 – D&C 6

I love finding new facts to the stories I know. I knew Oliver Cowdrey was a school teacher in the area around the Smiths family home. I knew that he had heard talk of Joseph and was quite curious to learn more about him. At that time school teachers would board on the homes of some of the families. I find it very interesting that Oliver’s brother, Warren, was actually scheduled to board at the Smith home as a teacher but was unable to fulfill the assignment. Oliver took his place, and that changed Oliver’s life forever. 

Joseph and Emma were living in Harmony Pennsylvania at this time. But Oliver was able to talk to the Smith family to learn more about their son Joseph. “Oliver, who considered himself a seeker of truth, wanted to know more.” (Study manual).  After some time in their home, Oliver earned Joseph Smith Sr.’s trust, and Oliver learned more about Joseph’s efforts to translate the plates. Lucy and Joseph Sr gave him the advice that applies to all of us when seeking truth: pray and ask the Lord.

This is the new fact I learned today: in some of Joseph Smith Jr’s papers, he recorded that the “Lord appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdery and showed unto him the plates in a visio...Therefore he was desirous to come and write for me.” So that’s one thing that significantly increased Oliver’s interest in what Joseph was doing. He now firmly believed that it was the Lord’s will that he go to Joseph & help him. Oliver and Samuel (Joseph’s brother) traveled to Harmony, for Oliver firmly believed that it was the Lord’s will that he go to Joseph Smith to help him. They arrived on April 5, 1829. Joseph and Oliver began translating on April 7, 1829.

Now, if we look at this from Joseph’s point of view, he was working on the translation with Emma as his scribe. But the work progressed so slowly. In March, Joseph asked the Lord for help—for he had been told by the Lord to “…Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee.” (D&C 5:34).  So with Oliver there Joseph “inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received this response.”  And that’s the preface to Section 6.

V 2 in section 6: “Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word which is quick and powerful…” I looked up “quick” in the dictionaries of the early 1800’s and in the Bible Dictionary. ‘Quick’ means living, alive. And the Bible Dictionary adds: “To be quickened by the spirit means to be given spiritual life. The word of the Lord is quick and powerful because it is a source of life, energy, and power”. When I begin my days studying the scriptures, I truly do feel greater ‘life, energy, and power’, and I am so thankful for this wonderful stability and power in my days.

V 5 promises us “if you will ask of me you shall receive; if yow il knock it shall be opened unto you.” And then there is yet another promise in v 7 “Seek not for riches but for wisdom,[and to do much good] and behold the mysteries (the things we do not yet understand) of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich.” To me that richness is peace, and comfort, and knowing the path the Lord wants me to follow—which is basically keeping His commandments, and working to understand how to feel, and to follow, spiritual promptings.

The Lord tells us that we must ask, and then we must listen (that listening is the most difficult thing for me to feel—but I do feel that I am making slow progress in recognizing and responding to spiritual promptings). The Lord is trying to teach Joseph and Oliver about this process, and that should also help us. “…behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou whouldst not have come to the place where thou are at this time.” (v 14).  And then v 15: “Behold, thou knowest that thou has inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou has been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;”

Once again He stressed the importance of his basic commandments and the difference they can make in our lives: “…Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.” (v 20). I have felt that peace and that comfort in difficult times, and I count that as one of my greatest blessings.

And then the famous instructions he gives to Oliver, who still worries if he is heading in the right direction: “…if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (v’s 22-23)

The Lord goes on to give Joseph and Oliver comfort, and knowledge that will help them in the difficult times that are ahead of them. But in v’s 36 & 37, the Lord gives concise advice that will make a tremendous difference in our lives, and that HAS made a tremendous difference in my life: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not…be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” That inheritance is the very reason we said ‘yes’ to coming to earth where we could obtain a body and that promise of returning to live WITH our Heavenly Father again. The word “desire” is used in this section, and many sections, many times. Desire comes first, then hope, then faith.