1/14/2018 - Section 77:2-15

January 14, 2018

Section 77:2-15

Eyes that See, Book of Revelations, Growth, Self-Improvement, Obedience,

When Joseph asked about many eyes that John the Revelator described the beasts as having, he was told that “Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge;” (v4). I want to remember that as I read verses about eyes that see. I want to seek the spiritual acumen, and knowledge, that will enable my vision to become stronger because I have worked to develop ‘eyes that see’, and hopefully at the same time, ‘ears that hear’.

The rest of this section, and the explanations of these sections in the student manual indicate terrible times ahead for our world. In Revelations John is commanded to eat a little book. The discussion of that was very interesting to me: “John’s act of eating a book containing the word of God to him was in keeping with the custom and tradition of anceitn Israel. The act signified that he was eating the breath of life, that he was partaking of the good word of God, that he was feasting upon the word of Christ—which was in his mouth sweet as honey. But it made his belly bitter; that is, the judgments and plagues promised those to whom the Lord’s word was sent cased him to despair and have sorrow of soul. ‘How sweet are they words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:113) Such is the exulting cry of the Psalmist. And conversely, how bitter is the penalty for rebellion and disobedience. Ezekiel had a similar experience. He was commanded to eat a roll (a book), which was in his mouth as honey for sweetness, but in the writing itself there was ‘lamentations, and mourning, and woe’. (Exek 2:6-10; 3:1-2_ (Elder Bruce R McConkie)

I read these verses-in both the D&C and in Revelations. I understand a little more with each period of studying. But always I have understood that the end of the world as we know it will be both Wonderful and Terrible. My part in this is to study the Lord’s word, keep my relation with Him on a steady –or better yet, a growing—basis, and do my best to act in accordance with His doctrine and His commandments in my small corner of this world. That includes everything I do and say in my home, with my friends, in the general public, and in my ward (and yes, these designated areas overlap). I keep coming back to this life practice: Basically, every day I want to strive to be a little better, a little kinder, a little closer to Heavenly Father, a little more loving, a little more observant of the people and the conditions around me and what I can do to help in each, and maybe most important: a little more obedient to commandments our Father has given us.

7/9/2021-D&C 77

It is now March 1832, and Joseph is working on his inspired translation of the New Testament. (He will work on it off and on, completing it in February of 1833.) But as far of section 77 goes, he tells us “In connection with the translation of the Scriptures, I received the following explanation of the Revelation of St. John.” This section includes his questions and the answers he receives. I can certainly understand why he would have questions as he reads The Revelation of St John The Divine. In fact, in my Bible, I have a note at the very beginning of Revelations that tells me to “see also D&C 77”. 

This is how Joseph described the Book of Revelations: “John had the curtains of heaven withdrawn, and by vision looked through the dark vista of future ages, and contemplated events that should transpire throughout every subsequent period of time unto the final winding up scene—[and] while he gazed upon the glories of the eternal world, saw an innumerable company of angels and heard the voice of God.”  He also wrote “The book of Revelations is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written”, but he also realized that the books

imagery and symbolism can be difficult to understand.

Elder Dallin Oaks said: “The word of the Lord in the scriptures is like a lamp to guide our feet (see Psalms. 119:105), and revelation is like a mighty force that increases the lamp’s illumination manyfold. We encourage everyone to make careful study of the scriptures and of the prophetic teachings concerning them and to prayerfully seek personal revelation to know their meaning for themselves.” And that’s exactly how Joseph worked to understand this book.

As I read Joseph’s questions and the Lord’s answers, I sometimes feel a comfortable understanding. But sometimes after reading the question and then the answer, I still have questions. I have certainly appreciated the explanations I’ve found in the student manual as I’ve studied this section. Do I understand it all? Not yet! But I DO feel and understand the Lord’s love and guidance for me. I know He knows the plan. And I know, from the scriptures, the commandments he has given to us. I understand those. And as I try to incorporate them more fully in my life, I find that I am calm and less worried over the problems that life brings. I truly feel the love of my Heavenly Father. I am happy that I am on this earth, and I want make this time on earth, one of learning and growing.