6/9/2017 - Section 38:28-42

June 8, 2017

Section 38:28-42

Satan’s Tactics, Lord Knows ALL, Obedience Always Safest Choice, Revelation Process Of, Revelation Results Of, Temple Ordinances Definition Of, Missionary Promises, Blessings of the Lord are Riches of the Lord, Missionary Work We Are ALL Enlisted, Prayer Results, Brain Tumor,

Even though I finished with v 28 yesterday, I want to start with it today. It is when the Lord warned Joseph and the members of the Church “that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.” At this time, this was another reason for the members of the Church living in New York to quickly relocate to a more welcoming place: Ohio. But this verse also has a more long lasting emphasis.

Elder Joseph F. Smith said that “the hatred of the wicked always has and always will follow the Priesthood and the Saints. [just think of how Christ was treated—there were many who believed him, there were many who were simply curious, and there were many who wanted to destroy him and worked to do so] The devil will not lose sight of the power of God vested in man—the Holy Priesthood. He fears it, he hates it, and will never cease to stir up the hearts…in anger and malice towards those who hold this power, and to persecute the Satins, until he is bound.” (Journal of Discourses 19:24)

V 30 & 31 explain why the Lord is giving this knowledge to Joseph and the members of the Church: “I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.   And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless--”. This verse also explains the process of revelation: pray for it! Treasure it up in our hearts! And finally act in accordance to what the Lord has given us. If we follow this 1,2,3, then our promise is that we shall not fear. I know the depth of that promise from my personal experiences: I have gone through frightening health times with a calm heart and with the comfort and joy of my family surrounding me. It did not stop the pain, or the necessary steps in recovering—but it made it a time of growth, a time of satisfaction, and a time of deep gratitude.

V 32 gives my favorite definition of temple ordinances: “there you shall be endowed with power from on high.”

V 33 is, to me, a missionary promise: “And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them withersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.” The Lord IS there. The Lord has placed us where He wants us. My job is to work hard to know what the Lord would have me do, whom the Lord would have me speak with, and when to speak and what to speak, and when to be quiet. The other thing I wish to ask for from the Lord is charity—that I may truly see those I work with as He sees them.

The Lord promises us riches—His riches. V 39: “And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity, and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give, but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.” I want to continually ask the Lord that I might not only be aware of the riches He gives to me, but that I might be appropriately thankful for those treasures.

And finally, in v 40 His command to all—everyone of his children is vitally important in this work: “I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.” We are ALL enlisted!