6/3/2017 - Section 36:1-8

June 3, 2017

Section 36:1-8

Example Importance Of, Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings, Lord Is Near To Us, Scriptures Liken Them Unto Ourselves, Missionary Way, Wear Yourself Out In The Service, Edward Partridge, Holy Ghost, Peace, Gird Up Your Loins, Serve, Missionaries as Examples to Their Neighbors, Confirmation,

As mentioned in my June 2^nd’s entry, Sidney Rigdon and many of the congregation he was over joined the church after hearing the LDS missionaries. Edward Partridge heard the missionaries at that time, and was interested enough to journey with Sidney to meet Joseph Smith in order to learn more about this new church and the man who led it. Lucy Mack Smith wrote: “…In December of the same year [1830], Joseph appointed a meeting at our house. While he was preaching, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge came in and seated themselves in the congregation. When Joseph had finished his discourse, he gave all who had any remarks to make, the privilege of speaking. Upon this, Mr. Partridge arose, and stated that he had been to Manchester, with the view of obtaining further information respecting the doctrine which we preached; but, not finding us, he had made some inquiry of our neighbors concerning our characters, which they stated had been unimpeachable, until Joseph deceived us relative to the Book of Mormon. He also said that he had walked over our farm, and observed the good order and industry which it exhibited; and, having seen what we had sacrificed for the sake of our faith, and having heard that our veracity was not questioned upon any other point than that of our religion, he believed our testimony, and was ready to be baptized, ‘if’ said he, ‘Brother Joseph will baptize me.’    ‘You are now,’ replied Joseph, ‘much fatigued, brother Partridge, and you had better rest to-day, and be baptized tomorrow.’ ‘Just as Brother Joseph thinks best,’ replied Mr. Partridge, ‘I am ready at any time.’   He was accordingly baptized the next day.” (History of Joseph Smith pp 191-192)

In v 2 the Lord speaks of the ‘peaceable things of the kingdom’. P. 72:“Shortly before He was crucified, Jesus promised His disciples the gift of Peace (John 14:27). This peace is not the peace of the world but the inner peach that comes from the knowledge that one has found the truth, has had his sins remitted, and is on the path that leads to eternal life. This knowledge and assurance comes from the Holy Ghost, who is appropriately called the Comforter (John 14:26). Thus, all Saints may in this world of strife and turmoil receive peace from Christ by the Holy Ghost and that assurance that the course they are pursing is correct.”

This section is addressed to Edward Partridge, and to us all. Edward was baptized and was called on a mission for the church. V 2 speaks of his confirmation (Edward had just been baptized) –that Sidney Rigdon will lay his hand upon Edward’s head and Edward will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. But listen to how the Lord states this: “And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.”  When we are confirmed into the church, or when we are given a blessing under priesthood authority, it is as if the Lord “lay my hand upon you”. We need to pay attention to those times, possibly record those times for that is the Lord speaking directly to us!

In v 7the Lord, once again, reminds us that what he says unto one, he says unto all: “And this commandment shall be given unto the elders of my church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have spoken.” Going on missions, for the elders of the church, is not simply a LDS cultural thing, but it is a COMMANDMENT. And like all of the Lord’s commandments, following them will help others and ourselves. The same blessings apply to the sisters of the church who are equally of ‘singleness of heart’—and possibly, because they are not commanded to do this, their blessings may be even broader.

Christ closes this section with this final statement: “I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple.” When we called on our missions, don’t let ourselves just make it through each day, or just count how many days we have been here and how many days we have left—but let us wear ourselves out in the service of the Lord. P 73: In Biblical language, to ‘gird up the loins’ is to prepare for a journey, or for work. The Hebrews wore girdles [sashes] when traveling, and when at work. On such occasions they girt their clothes about them [by tucking them under the sash] to ensure free movement of the limbs. The servants of the Lord must be prepared to do His work, and to go when He calls.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p 201)

D&C 123.12 It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be ... 13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all.

From Boyd K Packer: The calling of an Apostle goes back to the Lord Jesus Christ. We also .... We also wear ourselves out in service of the Lord, and we do so willingly.

From President Hinckley: If we want joy in our hearts, if we want the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, let us forget ourselves and reach out. “Forget Yourself and Serve”

4/11/2021 – D&C 36

This section is directed to Edward Partridge. Edward had been in Sidney Rigndon’s Reformed Baptist congregation when Parley P Pratt and his missionary companion stopped in Ohio and were invited to preach. Lydia Partridge was so touched by their message that she was baptized right away. But Edward wanted to know more, he went to New York State to hear Joseph for himself. Sitting in a small congregation and listening to Joseph speak, he stood and announced that he had decided to be baptized that very day.

In this section the Lord explains more concerning the Holy Ghost: “…I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, The Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.” (V 2) I love that phrasing, for the Holy Ghost DOES lead me toward peace.

Here is one of the quotes I love:

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained how the gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace: “Peace—real peace, whole-souled to the very core of your being—comes only in and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When that precious truth is discovered and gospel principles are understood and applied, great peace can distill in the hearts and souls of our Heavenly Father’s children. Said the Savior through Joseph Smith, ‘He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come’ (D&C 59:23)” (“The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom,” Ensign, May 2002, 88).

And then the Lord speaks of missionary work—for that is the way to reach more of His children: “And this commandment shall be given unto the elders of my church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart may be ordained and sent forth –even as I have spoken.” V 7. Bob and I know from experience that serving a mission is often difficult and tiring, and yet it lifts us up, and we are able to more clearly see the hand of the Lord in our lives and in the lives of others. We treasure our missionary experiences in Japan and in the Philippines…as well as the ones we have experienced simply in our daily living.  

When the Reverend  Sidney Rigdon, who served a congregation of Reformed Baptist (for they felt the gospel should be closer to the truths that Jesus taught) continued to search for more truth, he found the Book of Mormon. After two weeks of reading and intense studying both he and his wife were convinced it was the work of the Lord. They both knew that if he joined this new church, Sidney would lose his job as a minister & he would lose his social status in the community. As they discussed these things, Phebe, his wife, said “I have counted the cost, and…it is my desire to do the will of God, come life or come death.”  That’s exactly what they did, and they were a wonderful force for good in the lives of many people.