2/11/2018 -Section 84:42-120

February 11, 2018

Section 84:42-120

Missionary Promises, Keep the Commandments, Obedience Blessings Of,

Heavenly Father reminds us to keep his commandments & to ‘give diligent heed to the words of eternal life’(v43) And then He reminds us of His promises: “and even I have given heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.” He reinforces this in v 88 “…I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” He has always given this promise to His children who follow Him: Psalms 91:9,11,15, 16 “Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation…For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all they ways….He shall call upon me, and I will answer him….With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

He then gives wonderful promises to His missionaries:

V 61: “For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.”

V 63: “…ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends.”

V 73: “But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation.”

V 77: “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power;”

V 85 “…treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.”

V 106 : “And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.”

V  109-110: “Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling….the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.”

V 116: “Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded;…”

V 119” For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.”

7/29/2021 – D&C 84:41-60

In the Guide to the Scriptures, under ‘Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood’, I found some excellent definitions that helped me with the things we promise to do in the temple: “An oath is a sworn affirmation to be true and faithful to one’s promises. A covenant is a solemn promise between two parties.” Elder Carlos E Asay said: “Of all the holy agreements pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, few, if any would transcend in importance the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is certainly one of the most sacred agreements, for it involves the sharing of heavenly powers and man’s upward reaching toward eternal goals. None of us can afford to be ignorant of the terms of this contract. To do so. Might cause us to miss the mark in our performance of duty and result in the forfeiture of promised blessings.” (1985 Nov Gen Con)

I love what the Lord assures us of in v’s 42 & 43: “…and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you. And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.” He goes on to assure us that “the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ….” (v 45). And that is what I feel when I am close to the Lord and working to understand His scriptures—I feel truth and light within me!  But it isn’t just me that matters. In v 48 He tells us that these covenants are given to us “not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.” (v48) I need to remind myself that our responsibilities extend beyond ourselves.

Then in v’s 54 & 55, the Lord tells them some of the reasons for their hard times: “And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation”. How do we rectify that?  “…repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—” (v 57) And then he reminds us of all of his promises: “Verily, verily, [truly, truly] I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things.” (v 60). I have learned that I hear His words most clearly when I make His scriptures and my prayers a part of my every day.

7/31/2021 – D&C 84:61-80

V 61 helps me to see how the Lord works with us to help us! “For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of these things which are communicated unto you.” The Lord has told us that we strengthen our testimonies by sharing them, and at the same time, we are helping others to come closer to Him.

In v’s 64-73 He lists the signs that follow the faithful, the believing, and the humble. Those signs are certainly worth working toward. The Lord rewards us for our work. But the reward I appreciate the most at this time, is the love and comfort I find in His scriptures and in my heart and my mind. I feel a calmness that makes daily life even more enjoyable. I also have the Holy Ghost to give me direction and comfort. 

He again tells us of the blessings that come to us as we do His work. V 80: “And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athrist.” Bob and I saw many of these blessings that came to us, and to the young missionaries we worked with in Japan and in the Philippines. We all were truly helped and protected and guided and uplifted. How happy I am that we were able to do this work, and feel the strength of the young missionaries, and feel His guidance.

7/31/2021 – D&C 84:81-100

V 85 is actually directed to missionaries: “…treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.” I know from experience this really does work for missionaries. But I also think it is a wonderful habit for anyone at anytime. And He also promises great rewards: “…I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” As I read this through several times, I realized that although Bob and I are no longer officially called and set apart as missionaries, I now try to spend one half of my free time on genealogy. That is also being a missionary! In genealogy I also have to “search diligently” (v 94).  And in v 99 He reminds us that “The Lord hath brought again Zion: The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, according to the election of grace, which was brought to pass by the faith and covenant of their fathers.” I believe, and hope, that there will never be a time in my life that I will not have opportunities to do His work—for those efforts usually help me to find ways to do just a little more, and learn just a little more.

8/1/2021 - D&C 84:101-120

Verses 100-102 tell us a bit about what happens after Christ’s second coming: “The Lord has redeemed his people”; Satan is bound and time is no longer; The Lord hath gathered all things in one; The Lord hath brought down Zion from above. The Lord have brought up Zion from beneath; The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength; and truth is established in her bowels; and the heavens have smiled upon her; and she is clothed with the glory of  her God; for he stands in the midst of his people. Glory, and honor, and power, and might be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy, justice, grace and truth, and peace, forever and ever, Amen.”

But until that time occurs, the Lord tells us all “And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.” (v 106) The Lord is speaking here about those who are serving missions, but doesn’t this apply to all of us no matter what calling we have received?

In v 109 He tells us: “…let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling” for we are all a part of His plan. If we all work to help each other, we are strengthening those around us as well as ourselves. In v 112, He tells the bishops to “travel round about and among all the churches, searching after the poor to administer to their wants by humbling the rich and the proud.” We are to live our lives certain with attention to our own families, but also with attention to any of those around us who might need help.

Elder Uchtdorf has told us: “You may feel that there are others who are more capable or more experienced who could fulfill your callings and assignments better than you can, but the Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way” (Oct General Conference, Oct 2008)

In v 116 He tells us: “Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his had shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.” Faith is important to us, and our faith allows Him to help us even more. And then in v’s 1119-120, he finishes “For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people. I am Alpha and Omega, the begging and the end. Amen.”