Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

March 29, 2018 Section 88:63-69 Prayer, Draw Near Unto Me, Sanctification, Heavenly Father, Verses 63 & 64 combine the scripture phrases that come into my mind so often to guide me, and oft times to stabilize me, but always reminding me of the importance of keeping my relationship with my father a lovingly maintained and vibrant one. “ 63: Draw near unto me and I will draw ear unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 63. Whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;” There is a beautiful description in the Smith and Sjodahl commentary on prayer: “… Prayer is more subtle than this doctrine implies. It may be described as the soul   speaking to God and the hearing God speak to it. It is, therefore, the deepest and the most wonderful act of which a man is capable, for in it the who universe is, as it were, concentrated…[Bis...

March 27, 2018 Section 88:51-61 Christ the Creator, Worlds Without Number, Progression in Eternity, Right Now Importance Of, The study manual considers verses 51-61 a parable of the many worlds that Christ created (see Moses 1:27-29), and sees these verses as assurance that Christ will come and visit all the worlds He created. And then, from the Journal of Discourses 17:331-32, Elder Orson Pratt: “… By and by, when each of these creations has fulfilled the measure and bounds set and the times given for its continuance in a temporal state, it and its inhabitants who are worthy will be made celestial and glorified together. Then, from that time henceforth and for ever, there will be no intervening veil between God and his people who are sanctified and glorified, and he will not be under the necessity of withdrawing from one to go and visit another, because they will all be in his presence.” That’s something so very interesting to think of, but for me the most ...

March 4, 2018 Section 88:32-50 Obedience & Blessings, Quota System-NO!, Progress Begets Progress, V 34 is such a simple statement of God’s law and the blessings of abiding by that law: “And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.” V 35 gives further explanation that if we do not abide by His law then we “… cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment….” I love v37: “ And there are many kingdoms for there is no space in the which there   is not kingdom, and there is not kingdom in which there is not space whether a greater or a lesser kingdom.” I love this because it takes out the mis-belief that some religions have that there is some sort of quota system—but there is not! There is room enough for each one of us to be wherever we really want to be. And then there is v 4 which assures me that progress begets progress—what a wonderful re...

March 3, 2018 Section 88:17-31 Obedience Brings Blessings, Obedience (our obedience) on Earth Prepares Us, Progression is a Journey, Plan of Salvation, Draw Near Unto Him, Whatever our level of obedience on earth, it is our preparation for where we will live when we return to Heavenly Father. When speaking of the earth, v 19 says: “ For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father.” This gives me comfort during those times I feel I can never live up to all the things we are asked to do. But I believe I sometimes misunderstand the timeline. When a kindergarten teacher welcomes her new class, she would never think of expecting them to perform college level work. But she does teach them how to act in school, how to behave toward one another. She teaches the basics with love and patience. And 12 years later, there are those who are ready for college and those who are not. But the hope i...