8/17/2017 - Section 63:21-37

August 17, 2017

Section 63:21-37

The End of the Earth, Keep the Commandments, Satan’s Work, Missionary Thoughts, Pride, Meekness, Holy Ghost Accessing,

V 21 speaks of the changes that are planned for our earth. “When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount [Mount of Transfiguration]; of which account the fullness ye have not yet received.”  The student manual has a quote from Cowan, Doctrine and Covenants, P 101 and also suggests reading D&C77; 88:17-20, 25-26; 101:24-25; 130:4-11). Cowan stated: “1. At the beginning of the Millennium, it [the earth] will be raised from its present telestial to a terrestrial state, and only the righteous will have a place on earth at that time. 2. After the thousand years are ended, the earth will be celestialized and the faithful who are worthy of that glory will receive their permanent inheritance thereon.” This is interesting to me, but I do not feel compelled to learn more about that time. I know it will happen. I know there will be catastrophic changes. But really, the only thing I will have any effect upon is where I stand at that time. I am much more concerned with my ability to endure to the end, and in doing that becoming kinder, wiser, more loving to all, more attuned to what is really important, and more obedient to the Lord’s commandments--due to the joy that they bring to me—instead of following commandments as a result of fear or worry. That’s the life that will bring me closer to those around me, and closer to Heavenly Father, and more full of peace and innate good will—thus true happiness. It is v 23 that I love to linger on: “But unto him that keepeth my commandment I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, spring up unto everlasting life.”  The Lord has given us a very simple pattern of living: Keep the commandments & continue to grow.

My plan does not mean that I will avoid all hardships or all mishaps. V 34 states “And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.” I still have no clue how all this will happen. But I do have a quote from Joseph Smith who “explained concerning the coming of the Son of Man; also that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer, and ‘the righteous shall hardly escape;’ still many of the Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith; yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, to pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God. So that it is an unhallowed principle to say that such and such have transgressed because they have been preyed upon by disease or death, for all flesh is subject to death; and the Savior has said, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” (History of the Church 4:11)

V 28 was also a very interesting verse: “For Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood.” I think this is a good verse for missionaries to remember. We will certainly make some mistakes in the way we present the gospel to individuals. But if we do our work with love for them, and working to keep the spirit near us as we teach—our mistakes can be fixed and we can continue teaching. But Satan will do much to try to change the atmosphere around us. If people react with an extraordinary amount of anger and dislike, then we need to respond with the spirit—that may mean we immediately depart, or it may be that we leave our short, fervent testimony, or it may mean that we are directed to do something else. But as long as our behavior is guided by the spirit of truth and love, then we are in the right path. And usually when that occurs, the people who have been filled with anger will remember our love and our sincerity. 

The Lord’s advice to all this is in v 37: “And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth;”

6/8/2021 – D&C 63:20-35

In v 20 the Lord switches from what NOT to do to what WE SHOULD do: “Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth [which will be the celestial kingdom] when the day of transfiguration shall come;” His advice is pretty simple: Go forward in faith, and we will find that the rewards are great…greater than we can, at this point, imagine.

I just found this quote from Joseph Smith where he identified the four states of the earth’s existence: 

“This earth is passing through four grand degrees or stages: 1. The creation and the condition antedating [existing before] the fall. 2. The telestial condition which has prevailed since the fall of Adam. 3. The terrestrial condition [or transfiguration of the earth] that will prevail when the Savior comes and ushers in the millennial era. 4. The celestial or final state of the earth when it has obtained its exaltation”  

The Lord continues with His promise that if we keep his commandments, then we will find our lives like “a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” (v23) That ‘water’ will continue to allow us to continue to grow. We may not see that growth in a day or a week. But if we look back in time (or in our journals) we will recognize a wonderful growth.  Once more, from Boyd K Packer: “Be believing and your faith will be constantly replenished, your knowledge of the truth increased, and your testimony of the Redeemer, of the Resurrection, of the Restoration will be as ‘a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life’ [D&C 63:23]. You may then receive guidance on practical decisions in everyday life” (“Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 61).

The Lord tells the saints, once again, that they are to gather in Independence and purchase land for the ‘now’ and for the future. Then He adds “not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence” (v24) We don’t have to see our spiritual growth blossom in one day. It comes to us drop by drop, day by day. Our part is to live so that we keep those drops coming into our minds and our hearts. 

President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote about these times: “[The early members] were warned against creating antagonism among their neighbors, many of whom were extremely bitter towards the members of the Church. The Lord said the land could not be obtained by the shedding of blood. Those who had the privilege of assembling there should not go up to Zion in haste, but gradually. The reason for this advice is apparent, for haste would lead to confusion, unsatisfactory conditions and pestilence, and then, also, it creates consternation and fear in the hearts of their enemies and arouses greater opposition. Satan desired to destroy them, and in his anger, endeavored to stir them up to strife and contention as well as the older settlers in Missouri” (Church History and Modern Revelation [1953], 1:232).

John Corrill wrote in “A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints”: “The church immediately began to gather in Jackson County, and on this subject they became quite enthusiastic. They had been commanded not to go up in haste, nor by flight, but to have all things prepared before them. Money was to be sent up to the bishop, and as fast as lands were purchased, and preparations made, the bishop was to let it be known, that the church might be gathered in. But this regulation was not attended to, for the church got crazy to go up to Zion, as it was then called. The rich were afraid to send up their money to purchase lands, and the poor crowded up in numbers, without having any places provided, contrary to the advice of the bishop and others, until the old citizens began to be highly displeased”

Once again, the saints are to keep their goal ever in front of them, and understand that growth usually comes at its own pace. I see my part in this is to encourage that inward growth, and to be alert to recognize that growth, and then to go to my Heavenly Father in sincere thanks as well as my request to continue to guide me.

I love starting my days with scripture study. The days that I start without my scripture study are just not as bright or as comfortable.