8/11/2017 - Section 61:7-39

August 11, 2017

Section 61:7-39

Missionary Promises, Second Coming timing,

V 7 is the Lord’s promise to all missionaries. Interestingly enough, this promise is give right after He has chastised WW Phelps and Sidney Gilbert “for all your sins, that you might be one, that you might not perish in wickedness.” And then comes the promise (v 10):  “And inasmuch as they are faithful, the shall be preserved, and I the Lord, will be with them.” These two elders had been given the responsibility of purchasing a printing press and transporting it to Missouri. Elder Phelps was to be the printer for the Church and Sidney Gilbert had been appointed purchasing agent. Those assignments had been given in June 1831(section 55), it is now August 1831. As missionaries we need to discuss our calling and responsibility, and with prayer and kindness—agree on the way to go forward—making adjustments as needed.

Christ has made His will known in this revelation. He wants them to go two by two. He wants them to declare His word to all. He wants them to work hard and with haste. And  then He ends words with comfort and encouragement of a loving father in v’s 36-39: “…what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you.    And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of he kingdom are yours.   Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober….Pray always that you enter not into temptation….”

v 38 regarding the Second Coming ‘…looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not.’  Joseph Smith on this subject: “Jesus Christ never di reveal to any man the precise time that He would come. God and read the Scriptures, and you cannot find anything that specifies the exact hour He would come; and all that say so are false teachers.” (History of the Church 6:254)