2/7/2018 - Section 81:1-7

February 7, 2018

Section 81:1-7

Callings, Pray Always, Seek Compassion, Let the Holy Spirit Guide, Holy Ghost, 

This section begins the organization of the First Presidency of the Church. There is much to learn from the history involved with this section, and there is much to learn from the Lord’s words in these 7 verses.

Historically, Jesse Gause was called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith. Brother Gause began his new duties in early March 1832. In April 1832, he went with Joseph, Newel Whitney & Peter Whitmer, Jr to Missouri to hold conferences there. In August 1832 he was called to go on a mission with Jebedee Coltrin. After 20 days Jebedee Coltrin decided to return to Kirtland because of severe pains in his head. BYU Studies documents: “After prayer with and for each other, they parted. Jesse Gause continued east and walked right out of the history of the Church, never again to return. There appears to be no other record of the man either in or out of the Church.”

This section contains counsel from the Lord for Jesse Gause…and for any of us who have received a calling: Our promise (v 3) is that “…inasmuch as thou are faithful…in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart” (v 4) “And in doing those things thou wilt do the greatest good unto my fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.” (5) “wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, left up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”  This can most certainly apply to Bob and me in this mission calling of Mission Nurse. It is a good reminder to me that we are called to exercise compassion, and to call upon the Lord to direct our thoughts and actions, to succor the weak, to lift up the hands which hang down & to strengthen the feeble knees. It’s up to us as to how we want to proceed. Jesse evidently chose to walk away. But I have proved again and again, that when I go to the Lord and seeking His help, I grow. When I try to do it all on my own, I seem to be just marking time. I want to do more than mark time here in the Philippines—I want to help the missionaries as the Lord will direct. This will be my daily quest.

7/13/2021 – D&C 81

It’s still March 1832. The Lord is helping Joseph organize the Church. Jesse Gause was called to be a counselor to Joseph. Today we would say Jesse Gause was in the First Presidency. This section instructs Brother Gause in this new calling. It also promises him blessings for serving faithfully. But in the Church history, we learn that Brother Gause did not serve faithfully: “…he failed to continue in a manner consistent with this appointment.” He was in fact, excommunicated from the Church in December of that same year. Then in March of 1833, Frederick G Williams was called to fill this office. That’s when Brother Gause’s name was replaced by Brother Williams name in this section. This is a further reinforcement that the promises in all the revelations that are addressed to specific people are applicable to all of us---as long as we keep our side of the “if, then” commandments that the Lord so often gives to us. We have our choice whether or not to follow the ‘if’ side of the covenant. We can rest assured that when we follow the IF side of the covenant, the Lord will certainly follow up with the promises that he outlined in the THEN side of the covenant.

In v 3 the Lord tells US to be faithful, and to pray always “vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private”. And by doing this, we will be doing “the greatest good unto thy fellow beings”. I need to open my vision. Praying morning and night is important. But praying throughout my day will bring me closer to Heavenly Father and more able to do the things that will best help others as well as myself. For He says: “…in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of him who is your Lord.” (v 4) And then the Lord follows up with more of the “how” to do this: Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (v 5) Whether it’s just a text, or a listening ear, or just a loving reaching out—it can make a significant difference…to both of us.