2/8/2018 - Section 82:1-24

February 8, 2018

Section 82:1-24

Humility, Forgiveness, Obedience, God’s Simple Laws, God’s Great Rewards, Love One Another, Walk With Me,

Joseph and other leaders have come to Jackson County Missouri for a church conference. The Lord starts this section with the reminder, and the command, to forgive one another. The ‘little’ things are so important. Many saints have obeyed the call to move to Jackson County, but the student manual notes: “…The Revelation does not give particulars. But church historians note that although the settlements in Zion increased rapidly, and were exceedingly prosperous, many of the Saints failed to obey the counsel of the authorities. Some refused to submit to the law of consecration, preferring to obtain property for themselves, and jealousy, covetousness, and general neglect of duty resulted. Some of the High Priests and Elders ignored the Seven Presidents appointed to have charge of the Branches in Zion…and took the leadership into their own hands.” So this is why the Lord goes back to the basis:1. Forgive one another (v1); 2. If we ask for revelations, then we need to follow the truths the Lord gives us (v4-5) for when we do not ‘the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth”  In v 7, the Lord offers the saints ‘a do-over’ when he says “go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return.” (v 7) And then He reminds us of his simple laws: “I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” And in v 19 He tells us his goal for us: ”Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” President Joseph Fielding Smith added his thoughts to this verse: “It is verily true that before we can enter into the celestial kingdom we will have to learn how to live in unity with the love of our fellows at heart, desiring their good as well as our own, and not preferring ourselves before them. Here the Lord gave to the Church the plan and the opportunity to prepare themselves by obedience to celestial law. They failed, and the privilege to practice this law of consecration had to be postponed because we were not able to esteem our neighbor as ourselves.” In v 23, the Lord takes the burden off of us, telling us to “Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will repay. Peace be with you; my blessing continue with you.” (v 23) And though he has had to correct the saints, He does so to help us: “For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness.” (v24) He is always there, holding out His hand, just waiting for us to take it and walk with Him.

7/14/2021 – D&C 82

It is now the end of April in 1832. It was just one month ago that both Joseph and Sidney Rigdon had been pulled from their homes, beaten senseless, and tarred and feathered in Ohio. And then there was the very next morning when Joseph stood and preached forgiveness to a crowd of people that included members of the mob from the night before. That’s certainly an amazing example for the people in our day!

There are two phrases in the student manual that explain much of what is in this section: 1) The Lord invites us to repent and forsake our sins, and 2) Commandments are for our salvation and protection.

The very first verse starts with I “inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you”. The Lord tells us to ‘listen up!’: “Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors…” (v 4)

He has already reminded us in v 3 “For of him unto whom much is given much is required…”

The Lord gives us warning: “Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth;” (v 5) And then He reminds us that He is forgiving: if we will leave our bad habits and follow him, he promises “I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return…” (v 7) And He follows that with a specific recipe for our salvations: “…I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (v’s 9-10)

There were some saints at this time who had moved their families to be with the saints, but they decided not to be to participate in the United Order. Instead they purchased their own land and took total care over it and it alone. The Lord says “you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships….Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” (v’s 17 &19) We are to love one another, and not spend our time judging each other. We are to look out for one another and give help to one another.

In v 22-23 He tells us we are to make friends of all, leaving judgement up to the Lord. As we work to keep His commandments and reach out to help others, the Lord DOES repay our efforts: “Peace be with you: my blessings continue with you.” There are few things greater than the peace that the Lord can give to us.