4/14/2017 - Section 12:1-9

April 14, 2017

Section 12:1-9

Seek, Knock, Gospel Simple Formula, Humility, Love, Charity, Desire, Work Hard, Missionary Attitudes, Missionary Motivation,

The background: Joseph Knight Sr. met Joseph 3 years prior to this section. Mr. Knight had hired Joseph to work for him. When Mr. Knight learned more of what Joseph was doing, he “very kindly and considerately brought us a quantity of provisions, in order that we might not be interrupted in the work of translation by the want of such necessaries of life; and I would just mention here, as in duty bound that he several times brought us supplies, a distance of at least thirty miles, which enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season.  Being very anxious to know his duty as to this work, I inquired of the Lord for him and obtained the following: [D&C 12]”

JK believed the things JS said about the plates and the work of translation. He put this faith into action as he brought supplies that would enable JS to continue to work. 30 miles in a wagon—both ways—is no small commitment. JK already had faith, and he already had added works to that faith.

First the Lord welcomes all laborers to the work of spreading the gospel.

Next the Lord repeats the spiritual formula simply and clearly: “Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.” V5

Then, after having told us what to do, He tells us HOW to do it: “And no one can assist in the work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.” V 8. This is the appropriate attitude for any calling, and just like acquiring any new skill—I want to become more proficient in those things every day. I know that proficiency won’t occur magically or spontaneously—or easily for that manner. The ‘easy’ would be to make a token effort, and then sit back and wait for the ‘magic’ to occur. Skills don’t come that way. The whole point is to become more proficient and that takes work, and some failing and lots of trying again. It takes effort to love when things aren’t going as you would hope, or when people don’t react as you wished. It takes a focused view and tender concern for another to see with charity instead of blame. Temperate means working beyond lazy, but less than fanatical. And faith and hope are intertwined and need to be continually at the forefront of our minds. That combination is a lot of work, but it is a lot of growth—within us along with a greater understanding and vision as well as inspiration and sweet peace and comfort. It’s hard work that should never stop as long as we are on this mortal journey. The reward for that hard work is something we have yet to be able to imagine—but we have the word of the Lord that the promised rewards will bring us the growth and development, and the happiness and joy we have eternally longed for. This is also good for me to think about as we think of beginning work on our mission papers.

Spencer W Kimball: “If the Lord was meek and lowly and humble, then to become humble one must do what He did in boldly denouncing evil, bravely advancing righteous works, courageously meeting every problem, becoming the master of himself and the situations about him and being near oblivious to personal credit…Humble and meek properly suggest virtues not weaknesses. They suggest a consistent mildness of temper and an absence of wrath and passion. Humility suggests no affectation, no bombastic actions. It is not turbid nor grandiloquent. It is not servile submissiveness. It is not cowed nor frightened. No shadow or the shaking of a leaf terrorizes it.   How does one get humble? To me, one must constantly be reminded of his dependence. On whom dependent? On the Lord. How remind one’s self? By real, constant, worshipful, grateful prayer.” (BYU Speeches of the Year, Jan 16, 1963)

And from the history of the Church 4:227: Love is a motivator. When a person is full of love for God and his fellowman, He is motivated to serve both. Joseph Smith: “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”

And finally, Christ closes with his final explanation in v 9: “…give heed with your might, and then you are called.” Again, a simple—that’s ‘simple’, not ‘easy’-- formula that we may prove again and again. Work hard and pray hard to be able to feel and to recognize the promised –and ever present—rewards.

2/8/2021 – D&C 12

I think I’ll start with a background for this section.

Joseph Smith has taken on an amazing work. He is doing everything he can to move forward in the ways the Lord would have him do. He is giving his all to this work, as is Emma. But in the midst of this serious work, Joseph takes time to help others as they seek to know more about God, and about His plans….not just plans for the earth as a whole, but for them individually. Joseph uses his new spiritual skills, not just to do his own work, but to help others come closer to the Lord.

Joseph Knight Sr first met Joseph Smith when JS was hired as a worker on Mr. Knight’s farm. JS was 20 years old at the time. He was one of the first people to help provide Joseph and Emma with necessities. Mr. Knight described Joseph as the best worker he ever had. Mr Knight helped Joseph from the very beginning. He was influential in aiding Joseph’s and Emma’s courtship-- he was a true friend to them both. In the midst of the persecution that followed JS and Emma, he welcomed them into his home and into his heart. He was a kind and loving man--and he believed in the work that JS was doing. 

Joseph & Emma truly felt that kindness and love from Joseph Knight & his wife Polly. The study manual describes him: “Joseph Knight Sr. had early in the history of the Church become a close and helpful friend of the Prophet. Joseph Smith first met him in 1826 when Joseph Knight hired him to work at his farm and grist mill in Colesville, Broome County, New York. From that time forth Joseph Knight offered both material and spiritual support to Joseph Smith, including provisions that allowed the Prophet and his scribe to work on the translation of the Book of Mormon at a very crucial time of its production.” 

This is what JS wrote of Joseph Knight Sr: “About the same time an old gentleman came to visit us of whose name I wish to make honorable mention—Mr. Joseph Knight, Sen., of Colesville, Broome county, New York, who, having heard of the manner in which we were occupying our time, very kindly and considerately brought us a quantity of provisions, in order that we might not be interrupted in the work of translation by the want of such necessaries of life; and I would just mention here, as in duty bound, that he several times brought us supplies, a distance of at least thirty miles, which enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season.” And then in the description of Section 12, Joseph Smith describe Joseph Knight as “Being very anxious to know his duty as to this work” and because of that “I inquired of the Lord for him, and obtained the following” which is D&C 12.

7/9/2021- D&C 12

While D&C 12 is an answer to Joseph Knight Sr’s question as to how he could help in the work of the Lord, it applies to “all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work” (v 7). This is a tender section, and one that I want to apply to MY life. Joseph Knight Sr is a man who loved others, and who showed that love through his actions. I think I can do better at following his example of putting his thoughts and feelings into action. I get a clue into his feelings when I read how JS described his attitude in his request: He “was very anxious to know his duty regarding this work.” Am I that anxious to know how I can best help?

The Lord tells us that this is a “great and marvelous work” (v1) and He invites all who desire to “thrust in his sickle with is might and reap while the day lasts” (v 3). And if anyone to desires to do this has any questions or concerns, He promises IF you will ask of me you shall receive, IF you will know it shall be opened unto you.” (v 5)

And then he describes how He wants us to work: we are to be loving and humble. And then he describes just what ‘loving and humble’ look and feel like: “And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care….give heed with your might….” (v’s 8-9) 

Spencer W Kimble, also, described loving and humility: “Humble and meek properly suggest virtues, not weaknesses. They suggest a consistent mildness of temper and an absence of wrath and passion. Humility suggests no affectation, no bombastic actions. It is not turbid nor grandiloquent. It is not servile submissiveness. It is not cowed nor frightened. No shadow or the shaking of a leaf terrorizes it.--How does one get humble? To me, one must constantly be reminded of his dependence. On whom dependent? On the Lord. How remind one’s self? By real, constant, worshipful, grateful prayer.” Isn’t this a description of a true friend?

This made me think of Sam Walter Foss’ poem in a new light: 

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths

Where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

If I am living by the ‘side of the road’, then let me remember to look out of my house. Let me SEE the people who are there. Let me get to know those people. Let me get to know them enough to love them. Then let me FEEL how lives would change.

It is interesting to note that “for the rest of their lives, Joseph and Polly Knight remained faithful to the restored gospel. More than 60 members of the Knight family joined and helped establish the Church in New York, Ohio, Missouri, Nauvoo, and eventually Salt Lake City.” (Come Follow Me Manual)

If anyone is looking for a self-improvement book, they only have to look as far as the scriptures!