1/27/2018 - Section 78:10, 17-21

January 27, 2018

Section 78:10, 17-21

United Order, Satan’s Tactics, Law of Consecration, Spiritual Growth, Line upon Line, God’s Love, God’s Name, Christ’s Name, Adam-ondi-Ahman,

I don’t know how I missed v 10 yesterday! Here the Lord is giving the saints a higher law—one that will bring more joy and blessings to all, but at the same time, will be a growth challenge for the saints. The Lord gives a broad explanation of the law, He tells them why he is instituting the law, He tells them the blessing that will come from following this law [13 behold, this is the preparation wherewith I prepare you, and the foundation, and the ensample which I give unto you, whereby you may accomplish the commandments which are given you….15. That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms…”, and He also warns us of Satan’s tactics…I would think because He’s hoping that knowing the enemy’s offense would be enough of a head’s-up warning to us: v10: “Otherwise Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them.” And at this point of time, Satan was successful in getting all the saints placed back into a ‘remedial class’.  The amazing law of consecration was withdrawn by the Lord—the saints were just not able to understand and adopt the challenges of this higher law. But then the Lord would not have instituted a law we could not live up to—so maybe the saints of that time simply did not make learning & living that law a priority. It would have been a hard transition—it would have been like enlarging your family from your sweet nuclear group to include the entire community. The Lord told them it would be worth it, but the saints didn’t rise to the occasion. I can understand that. There are many times I have done things in a half-hearted way. Yes, I got the assignment done, but did it really enrich anyone’s life—or did my attitude and actions demote the efforts to an irritant in my life?

Interestingly enough, the Lord withdrew the law of consecration (section 205) 2 years later (in 1834). And it wasn’t until almost 100 years later (1936) that the welfare program was organized and eventually implemented worldwide. Unfortunately, we seem not to be in the ‘advance placement’ class. It is in this ‘we-didn’t-make-it’ state that the Lord gives us three of my most loved verses: “17. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath I his own hands and prepared for you; 18. And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. 19. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added upon him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” And then after those most loving remarks, comes His gentle encouragement: “20. Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you;”

Very interesting info in the student manual (173) referring to v 20; “Elder Orson Pratt pointed out the “there is one revelation that this people are not generally acquainted with. I think it has never been published, but probably it will be in the Church History. It is given in questions and answers. The first question is, ‘What is the name of God in the pure language?’ The answer says, “Ahman.’ ‘What is the name of the Son of God?’ Answer, ‘Son Ahman—the greatest of all parts of God excepting Ahman.: (in Journal of Discourses 2:342)    President Joseph Fielding smith added: “We also learn from the closing verses of this revelation that Jesus Christ is also called Son Ahman . (see D&C 95:17.) Therefore his name is connected with the name of the place where Adam dwelt. For that reason Elder Orson Pratt gives it the interpretation of ‘The Valley of God.’” (Church History and Modern Revelation 1:310)