5/29/2017 - Section 33:1-18

May 29, 2017

Section 33:1-18

Missionary Instructions, Missionary Rewards, Gates of Hell, Spiritual Backup Disk,

Both Ezra Thayne and Northop Sweet are very recent converts—they still have much to learn about the gospel. They are called to be missionaries, and the first instruction that are given is to “open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God…”  (v 1) We can’t go wrong when we do that, but we must realize that opening our ears and hearkening to the voice of the Lord –if we are not used to doing this—is a learning experience that takes dedication, effort, pondering, prayer and action. As long as we are working to do as He says, He will aid our efforts.

As I read this chapter I see it as an instruction manual to missionaries

1)    open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord (v1)

2)    lift up your voices…to declare my gospel (v2)

3)    thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength (v7)

4)    open your mouths and they shall be filled (v8)

5)    have faith in me (v 12)

6)    remember the church articles and covenants to keep them (v 14)

7)    and whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, by the laying on of the hands and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them (15)

8)    wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom (v 17) (This is telling us to maintain a state of spiritual readiness)

9)    And for any problems: …the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things (v 16)

V 9 speaks of the rewards given to missionaries: “Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.” The rewards?  1) more work and 2) the Lord’s presence with us.

V 13 is another reference using the same words my mother heard repeated as she read in the Book of Mormon: “And upon this rock (from the previous verse: this rock is faith) I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you”

P 67 Note: “It was not long after this that Northrop Sweet left the Church and, with some others, formed what they called ‘The Pure Church of Christ,’ an organization that soon came to its end” (Smith Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:152) Don’t go astray!

My computer just reminded me “No Backups for 5 days: Connect to a power outlet while your backup disk is available.” That’s basically what the Lord is telling us to do.

4/8/2021 – D&C 33

These past few sections were given directly to individuals who were going on missions, or who were called to serve in other ways. I find it interesting that they were the first to do these callings, and in my view, since there was no one who had held these callings before, the Lord stepped in and made sure they had a preparation in the things that would keep them on track and able to do the things the Lord had asked and that they could continue to stay in close communication with the Lord for the additional guidance they would need.

This section is directed to Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet. The Lord’s directions to them were to 1) “open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God… [who] is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” v 1;    2) “…lift up your voices…to declare my gospel” v 2;    3) “   thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might , mind, and strength.” V7).    4) “Open your mouths and they shall be filled…” v 8.   

5) “…have faith in me…” v12.   6) “…remember the church articles and covenants to keep them.” V14.

7) “And whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, but the laying o of the hands, and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them.” V15.  8) “…be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.” V17.  9) (…the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.” V16. 

This is for all of us. We don’t necessarily need to have been called to a specific mission for a specific time. We are all on a mission—that mission of coming to this earth to gain a body, and a deeper faith, and live so that we may return to the presence of our Father. 

V 9 was a good explanation for me as I try to carry out my callings in our ward: “Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.” When I have said 

Yes’ to a calling, I have often found that it takes more work and more time than I had imagined. And yet, those are the things that have brought me greater understanding—of myself or of others, and a deeper closeness to Heavenly Father.