5/5/2017 - Section 22:1-4

May 5, 2017

Section 22:1-4

Baptism, New and Everlasting Covenant, The Gospel, Plan of Salvation, Plan of Happiness, Humility Absence Of, Contention Beware, Seeking Understanding, Questioning Is Not Contention, My Soul Delighteth In the Things of the Lord,

V 1 speaks of baptism as “a new and everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.” The term ‘new and everlasting covenant’ is used frequently throughout the D&C. I have always associated that term with marriage for time and all eternity. But p 46 has a quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith: “The new and everlasting covenant is the fullness of the gospel. It is composed of ‘All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations or expectations’ that are sealed upon members of the Church by the Holy Spirit of promise, or the Holy Ghost, by the authority of the President of the Church who holds the keys. The President of the Church holds the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He delegates authority to others and authorizes them to perform the sacred ordinances of the priesthood.    Marriage for eternity is a new and everlasting covenant. Baptism is also a new and everlasting  covenant, and likewise ordination to the priesthood, and every other covenant which embraces all things.” (Answers to Gospel Questions 1:65)

V 4  plainly states that baptism—in its proper form and executed by proper authority—is the gate. It is the culmination of our first steps after receiving the spiritual verification of the truth of the gospel. The covenants of baptism are our eternal foundation. They are basic, but essential to our progress back to Heavenly Father. It is for this reason that we seriously and reverently review those covenants and our progress—or lack of progress- in keeping them—each week in Sacrament Meeting, there adjusting our plans for our next week of living. 2 Nephi 31:15-21 speaks of baptism. P 46: “This ordinance, while absolutely essential, becomes valid only when it is accompanied by a corresponding change of life. To be born again suggest that one begins a new life, that he is a new person.” Our efforts to change and improve our life are to be life-long. They start with baptism, and then each Sabbath day we take that special time to take account of ourselves, to go back over our past week and observe where we have done well and where we have done not-so-well. Then comes the important part: deciding right then what we will do to bring the not-so-well times into very good times—whether it involves our future actions, or thoughts, or priorities. And then the next week, making sure that the things we resolved to do last week have been done, and done well. The final part for me during that Sunday sacrament time, is to remember to thank my Heavenly Father for what has come to me: blessings, answers to my pleas, unexpected promptings, opportunities, and feelings of the spirit. And on bad weeks: my apologies and commitments to pick myself up and get back on the Lord’s track. For that is where I am the happiest.

Here are the prayers, the reminders to us of what we have covenanted to do:

Prayer on the bread:

            O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Prayer on the water:

            O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Baptism IS the gate to happiness here, and to the progression that Heavenly Father has told us will bring us eternal happiness.

This revelation was given in response to those who wished to join the Church, but who had already been baptized by emersion in another Church and did not see need to repeat their baptism. This revelation answers their questions concisely, and then gives us all—in v 4—significant advice: “Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God.”  The Lord never minds when we question what we don’t understand—He will always answer those questions or lead us to through studies or experiences that provide that understanding to us-- but trying to put His commandments aside is arguing a proven, eternal law, that takes us away from His spirit and leads us to more contention. Interesting scriptures:  Isaiah 55:8-9; Mosiah 4:9; Jacob 4:10, D&C 3:1-9; 63:55; 124:84; 136:19.

My above reasoning may seem simple and impossibly naive to many. But to me, it is simply true because I have used these tactics over and over, and they have only brought me to better places of peace and happiness…in essence it has been how I have fulfilled His commandment to ‘draw near unto me’. It works!

3/5/2021- D&C 22

President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote about the background to this section: “Immediately after the Church was organized, converts were made. Some of these had belonged to churches which believed in baptism by immersion. In fact, many of the early converts of the Church had previously accepted this mode, believing that it was right. The question of divine authority, however, was not firmly fixed in their minds. When they desired to come into the Church, having received the testimony that Joseph Smith had told a true story, they wondered why it was necessary for them to be baptized again when they had complied with an ordinance of baptism by immersion.” 

When I read President Smith’s explanation it made perfect sense to me. I would never have asked a beloved friend to perform Bob’s and my wedding ceremony. It would have been a whole lot easier than driving from Fort Worth to Mesa Arizona (for that was the closest temple to us in 1970). Our trip to the Mesa Temple, provided us with a marriage that will forever be recognized in the records of our country, and in the records of our church. In the Mesa Temple we were married AND we were sealed AND we were taught AND we were given the opportunity to make promises with the Lord, and He with us. What a difference between the two possibilities!  

We followed the commandment of the Lord that is found in v 4: “Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God.” 

Again, a quote from Joseph Field Smith: “Marriage for eternity is a new and everlasting covenant. Baptism is also a new and everlasting covenant, and likewise ordination to the priesthood, and every other covenant is everlasting and a part of the new and everlasting covenant which embraces all things.”

I also loved this statement from the study manual: “Baptism is the gateway, or requirement, for entry into the celestial kingdom for anyone who has reached the age of accountability (see 2 Nephi 31:15–21). The ordinance of baptism, while absolutely essential, becomes valid only when it is accompanied by a corresponding change of life. To be born again suggests that one begins a new life, that he is a new person.” A covenant is a two-way promise. For this wonderful opportunity, I don’t want to forget my side of this covenant and  I certainly want to be sure that it is done under the proper authority and in the proper way.