4/21/2017 - Section 18:22-47

April 21, 2017

Section 18:22-47

Plan of Salvation Simplicity, Desires Importance Of, Missionary Instructions, Testimony Our Part in Gaining, Priorities, Scriptures Power Of,

I always feel like there is so much to be done in my church callings and in my efforts to listen and to respond to the Holy Ghost. But when I read the scriptures, it all seems so much simpler. V 22 seems to allow us lots of latitude as we work to return to Heavenly Father: “And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” It IS simple. But it IS busy, for there is much to be done here on the earth. The best thing about it is that when I’m trying my best and trying to hear and follow promptings—that’s when I really am the happiest and most serene. I just need to remember to take a deep, spiritual breath, and let the Lord help me in determining priorities. People are important. Relationships are important. And love is the most important.

Again, as the Lord is teaching us, He uses often the word ‘desires’—and gives us the full formula. In v 38 He is telling the new ‘first presidency’ how they will find those who should be called as apostles: “And by their desires and their works, you shall know them.” Desires are of great importance, but working to make those desires a reality is what we need to work at.

The apostles are reminded: “these words are not of men nor of man, but of me” (34), “testify” (36), “worship the Father in my name” (40) “preach unto the world” (41) “keep my commandments”. And finally, the icing on the cake: “And by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the kingdom of my father. Wherefore, the blessings which I give unto you are above all things.” (44-45)

P 36 regarding ‘hearing the voice of the Lord’, Elder S. Dilworth Young declared: “In 1835 the Twelve were chosen as you know, and on one occasion they were called together and given their instructions. Oliver Cowdery was the spokesman and after having given them some very powerful and heartwarming instruction, so moved was he, himself, that he had to stop two or three times to weep. He finally read the revelation [now designated as section 18].  Brigham Young was so impressed by it that he copied in his laborious handwriting into his diary. I am impressed by it likewise. These are the words: [D&C 18:34-36] ‘The thing that impresses me about this is, and I have never thought of it before, when I read a verse of the Doctrine & Covenants I am hearing the voice of the Lord as well as reading his words, if I hear by the Spirit. Now, I have heard it said many times by men that they have often asked the Lord for a special testimony and oftentimes haven’t had it. They seem to want to hear the voice of the Lord. I confess I have often wanted to hear the voice of the Lord, without knowing that all these years I have been hearing it with deaf ears. This work me up’ ” (Apr 1963 Gen Conf)

2/24/2021 – D&C 18:25-47

V’s 27 & 28 speak about the calling of twelve apostles for this day. But in those verses as it speaks callings, and the feelings and yearning that go with callings, and I feel like we can apply what it says about those called to be apostles to how we can and should respond to the callings that are extended to us. “…the Twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart. And if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart…” To me that says that our own callings should include our desires. Bob and I were just called to teach the temple preparation class in our ward. We are happy to have a calling that will also help US learn more about the temple, and we are happy for the chance to get to know the people in our class on a much more intimate level. We start in April!

In v 33 & 34 the Lord makes a profound statement about these revelations: “And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it. These words are not of men nor of man, but of me: wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man.” I don’t need to justify these scriptures. The only explanation of my beliefs that needs to be give is that these words are of God.

And then v 35 is a wonderful follow-up on the above, and an amazing promise to us: “For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them.”  THIS is why my days are so much better when they begin with my reading and pondering of His scriptures. I can easily spend an hour here at my desk and be amazed to look up and see how far the clock has gone. I love these early mornings when there is silence in the house and I can focus totally on what I read and what I feel and what I think.

There was a paragraph in my study manual that really impacted me: “It is, therefore, the obligation of the Saints to stand against evil wherever it may be found. The method of doing so is clear, according to President Joseph Fielding Smith: “All who go forth to teach should do so in wisdom and not contend with the churches or engage in profitless debates, but teach in the spirit of kindness and try to persuade people to receive the truth” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:83).  That certainly applies to missionary work, but it also applies to us as we go along in our daily lives.

Christ ends this section with a His instructions in how to live our lives, followed by the results that He promises will come into our lives! “And now, after you have received this, you must keep my commandments in all things; and by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men…” (v 43 & 44)

I found a wonderful quote from Elder S. Dilworth Young as he spoke about his efforts to truly hear the word of the Lord—for that is what our scriptures are: “Now I have heard it said many times by men that they have often asked the Lord for a special testimony and oftentimes haven’t had it. They seem to want to hear the voice of the Lord. I confess I have often wanted to hear the voice of the Lord, without knowing that all these years I have been hearing it with deaf ears. This woke me up.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1963, p. 74.)