7/30/2017 - Section 58:1-7

July 30, 2017

Section 58:1-7

Sacrifice, Tribulations, Learning Opportunities, Growth, Law of the Stretch, Lord’s Vision is Better Than Ours, Our Purpose On Earth,

It’s August 1, 1831 and this revelation was given to Joseph the Sunday after he had arrived in Missouri. Members of the Colesville branch-- who had first tried to settle in Thompson Ohio but Leman Copely had changed his mind as to giving part of his property to the Colesville saints—had also just arrived as they had followed the Lord’s direction and moved again—this time to Missouri. And as the preface to this section says: “Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.”

The Lord begins this lengthy section encouragement to “keep my commandments” and to be “faithful in tribulation” (v 2). He also explains in v 3: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.” Many leaders of the church have commented on these things. George Q Cannon said in 1863: “The Saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if he requires them to endure present privation and trial, it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them. [saints move west and do not take part in the Civil War….] If He deprives them of any present blessing, it is that he may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by and by.” Page 120: “Trials sometimes come to the Saints as a chastisement when they disregard the Lord’s counsel (see D&C 101:1-8). Even when the Saints are living righteously, trials may come upon them because of the unrighteousness of others. Tribulations provide the Saints with opportunities for spiritual growth and character development. Such needed attributes as humility, faith, empathy patience, courage, gratitude and a repentant heart come to individuals in the refiner’s fire of tribulations and persecution.”  Bruce R McConkie: “The testing processes of mortality are for all men, saints and sinners alike. Sometimes the tests and trials of those who have received the gospel far exceed any imposed upon worldly people. Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his only son. Lehi and his family left their lands and wealth to live in a wilderness. Saints in all ages have been commanded to lay all that they have upon the altar, sometimes even their very lives.    As to the individual trials and problems that befall any of us, all we need say is that in the wisdom of Him who knows all things, and who does all things well, all of us are given the particular and specific tests that we need in our personal situations. It is to us, His saints, that the Lord speaks when he says “I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that ye may be found worthy.”  And finally, from Brigham Young, “If the Saints could realize things as they are when they are called to pass through trials, and to suffer what they call sacrifices, they would acknowledge them to be the greatest blessing that could be bestowed upon them” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p 345)

The Lord purposefully sent us here. He has our earthly course work outlined for us. And he has a celestial job in mind for us when our work on earth is successfully completed. In v’s 6-7 the Lord explains some of our main purposes to fulfill in this earth life: “Behold, verily I say unto you for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;  And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand.”

5/24/2021 – D&C 58

The saints are beginning to gather in Independence Missouri. They have followed the Lord’s command, and have gathered in a new land. Many of the saints had expected to find a thriving community of new converts, but instead they came into a small frontier community where the land was mostly undeveloped.  The Lord is now preparing them and instructing them: “For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.” I don’t think any of them could have imagined the tribulations that would come to them—but the Lord knew. “Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come.” (v ‘s 5-6)

These are the kind of times in which we must rely on our faith and our constant efforts to stay close to the Lord.  He had warned them: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter” (v 3)

It would certainly not be my preferred method of learning, but the study manual explained it this way: “Tribulation provides the Saints with opportunities for spiritual growth and character development. Such needed attributes as humility, faith, empathy, patience, courage, gratitude, and a repentant heart come to individuals in the refiner’s fire of tribulation and persecution.”

In v’s 26-29, the Lord gives us instructions that will help us in hard times, AND during times when our life is full of hardships and difficulties: “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is in them, whenein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good, they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.”

The Lord continues on with specific reminders to specific people. He knows our weaknesses, and He knows our strengths. He wants us to learn from all that life brings to us. At this time, He knew that a great deal of work, and preparation, and practice would be required. My view of this from my own time makes me think back to section 6 when the Lord told Oliver Cowdery “…cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (v’s 22-23} It’s up to me to ask for aide, and then to look and to listen for the Lord’s answer. I have felt the Lord shower me with peace after a fervent prayer. I just have to keep myself ready to hear Him and to feel His help and to then go forward.

In the Miracle of Forgiveness, pages 367-78:  “What relief! What comfort! What joy! Those laden with transgressions and sorrows and sin may be forgiven and cleansed and purified if they will return to their Lord, learn of him, and keep his commandments. And all of us needing to repent of day-to-day follies and weaknesses can likewise share in this miracle.” 

V 56 is a good verse to ponder as we try to improve our ways: “And let the work…be not in haste, nor by flight, but let it be done as it shall be counseled…according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.” Our growth toward the Lord WILL take time, and attention, and energy, and patience, and gratitude. To me, that looks like an excellent path.