8/15/2017 - Section 62:1-9

August 15, 2017

Section 62:1-9

Missionary Help and Aide, Missionary Decisions,

In this section Christ is speaking to missionaries—a group (which included Joseph Smith) who is returning from their missions and a group who is going to their missions. The two groups of men experienced great joy when they unexpectedly met up with each other, “and, after joyful salutations, received this revelation.”

Christ begins reminding them that He is their advocate, and that he knows their weaknesses and thus, knows just “how to succor them who are tempted”. (v 1) The Lord knows us so well, and loves us so well. He knows we are not perfect. But he knows we are trying—with all our heart, might, mind and strength—to do better and be better. He will always help us, even –and especially—during times of weakness and temptation. “Fortunately, the Savior succors those ‘who are tempted’ so they will not commit sin, and if they should sin, he will succor them if they repent.” (Ludlow, Companion, 1:330)

He is always there for us, no matter where we are in our journey.

He reminds those who are heading out on their missions: “wherefore your mission is not yet full. (v 2) Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.” (v 3) Not only do we have the attention of Christ in our growth and development as missionaries, but we have groups of angels watching us and rejoicing in our progress. The testimonies we share—with friends, with strangers, with our companions are important enough to be recorded. We have the opportunity when giving our best efforts, and trying each day to be just a little better—for our sins to be forgiven. That is the great blessing that is coupled with baptism. But it is also coupled with our efforts and giving of our hearts, our might, our minds, our strength.

Writing concerning this verse (3)Smith and Sjodahl noted that “in this Revelation we are told that angels are scrutinizing the records kept of the testimonies of the Elders, and that they rejoice over the witnesses. It appears from this that the ministry on earth has its effects beyond the veil as well as on this side. An Elder who bears his faithful testimony to the truth does not knowhow far-reaching the result may be, though his visible audience may consist of but few.”

“Missionary work has a redemptive effect for the missionary as well as the convert. The apostle James wrote, “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20) Commenting on that verse, Elder Bruce R McConkie wrote: “By reclaiming an erring brother, we wave both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the kingdom. In principle this special reward for Christ’s ministers applies also to those who preach the gospel and bring souls into the kingdom. The minister is rewarded with salvation and, of necessity, in the process is freed from his own sins. (D&C4:1-4) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 3:279)

Then there is v 8—a verse I love. “These things remain with you to do according to judgment and the directions of the Spirit.”  It’s difficult for me to feel that I am guided in ALL things. The Lord reminds us that we can do many good things of our own free will and volition. But He also reminds us of the importance of petitioning Him always for His help; for He can direct our very best efforts and thus expand our effectiveness (the spirit) for the benefit of those we are trying to reach. I only need to work to assure myself that I am giving fully of my heart, my might, my mind and my strength. For His promise is “Behold, the kingdom is your. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so, Amen.” (v 9)

If you look back to the history of this section, the four men traveling to their missions in Missouri were John Murdock, David Whitmer, Harvey Whitlock, and Hyrum Smith). A verse I haven’t spoken about yet is v 7: “I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you desire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive this blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart in all things.”  Now, at this point of their journey, Jon Murdock was so ill that he was unable to continue the journey with some assistance. It was after this revelation as given that these 4 men put their money together and bought a horse for John Murdock to ride. Thus, all giving help where it was needed allowed the entire group to continue to their missionary field of service.

My missionary efforts do not have to be super-human. They simply have to be sincere. I do not have to work myself into the ground, I simply have to give it my all and then enjoy my rest. I need to realize that I am not the only person there. It is when I truly have love for those around me—that every thing becomes easier and richer.

For my talk—when we first arrived, unpacked, went to our first branch meeting, we came home to our small, simple apartment—looked at each other & said—now what are we supposed to do? We wrote down every single thought that came to our mind:

Picking up trash by the river: One investigator and many friends

Falling into a 4 foot deep slimy awful ditch in the dark—a book of Mormon given to our orthopedic surgeon

2 months of Bed rest: 6000 names indexed

Teaching and LOVING our English class students (Tuesday night was our favorite night): 5 new friends that thoroughly enjoyed outside English class and that we continue to share thoughts, feelings and events through email

Welcoming and following up with visitors to our Branch one Sunday: 2 wonderful new friends and one baptism

Simply wearing our name tags as we walked to and from our apartment: a father who had been away from Church for a long time showing up at the meetinghouse with his 2 children, saying he realized it was time to come back to church

I could go on with my list

We worked and prayed for these wonderful blessings:

I could also start on my list of heartbreaking times:

A newly baptized woman who had experienced the most wonderful spiritual manifestations during her months of investigating the gospel deciding-some months after that baptism-- that she wanted the more exciting Sunday meetings of her evangelical past

A well meaning primary worker verbally & publicly berating a mother who came back to church after a long absence with her 10 year old daughter who had not yet been baptized---Fortunately that sweet mother only got as far as the parking lot before she broke down in tears—Bob and I along with other branch members were able be with her and to talk with her and help her feel love instead of shame

And the well meaning primary worker—who had been raised with powerful negativity as a motivator—she had a long road of learning ahead of her and a difficult struggle—but loving people around her to help

6/3/2021 – D&C 62

This section is given the very next day after section 61 was given. As Joseph and the elders who were with him continued their travel toward Kirtland, Ohio, they met Hyrum Smith, John Murdock, Harvey Whitlock, and David Whitmer in Chariton, Missouri. These elders were still traveling TOWARD Independence. Their travels had been slower than the others—partly because they had been preaching the gospel along the way and partly because John Murdock had been sick for part of that time. Both the men who were heading back to Kirtland, and those who were heading toward Independence, were thrilled to be able to be together again.

The Lord tells the four who were headed toward Independence to continue on as their “mission is not yet full. Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.” (v’s 2-3) The Lord gives us so many opportunities to follow Him, and each time we follow His commands we are blessed – probably blessed more than we might imagine.

The Lord is pleased with how this group of 4 elders had followed His instructions by preaching to those they met along the way. And the Lord understood their needed pauses in their journey in order to take care of John Murdock when he was ill. He then told them to continue toward Independence to complete their mission. 

He then goes on to tell all these men, that as long as they are doing their best, they “shall receive this blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart in all things. These things remain with you to do according to judgement and the directions of the Spirit.” (v’s 7-8) 

Basically, if we do our best with a thankful heart, we will feel His help for He has promised us all: “…And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always.” (v 9) I am going to try from this point on to not let myself dwell on the minor—or major-- irritations of life. I want to direct my focus to all the good things that surround me, and be alert enough to thank the Lord for all those good things. For once I change my focus, I will change the spirit that can surround me.