4/19/2018 - Section 90:8-17

April 19, 2018

Section 90:8-17

School of the Prophets, Missionary Purpose, Missionaries & the Holy Ghost, My Greatest Wish and Most Fervent Prayer, My Children, 

I was surprised to find that the School of the Prophets was not just a local thing, but that men traveled 100’s of miles to attend. And I love the purpose of it that is explained in v 8-9, telling the participants that they are there to receive and to understand the gospel—and then that they may go forth and spread that gospel. This was not a self-improvement plan. It was a missionary plan. It was the first, and a very powerful MTC.

V 11 is a prophecy that is now close to be completed: “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fullness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.” And as I see our missionaries of today, they too have the promise of the Comforter given to them… and me, I guess. It is our job to invite and to allow the Holy Ghost to direct us. He is ready and able, he just needs to be sure we are ready and alert to his help.

V 16 has special meaning to me ever since Dylan received his patriarchal blessings. There is a phrase in that verse that is similar to a phrase in Dylan’s blessing: “to preside in counsel, and set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom” I don’t have Dylan’s blessing here, but if I remember correctly, it says he will sit in the councils of the church, and my thoughts were that he would be a wise and valued member of those councils.

I also love v 17, but for different reasons: “Be not ashamed, neither confounded; but be admonished in all your high-mindedness and pride for it bringeth a snare upon your souls.” On one of my earlier readings I wrote beside that verse: “Beware of pride. Work in your calling. Don’t long for that which you have not been called to. Support those over you. Love them. Look for their strengths.” But now that Dylan has pulled away from the Church, I take both those verses as a safety warning to us all. This verse was directed particularly to Frederick G Williams who later was upset with the Prophet Joseph and angry at members of the church, which resulted in he and his family leaving the church. But I keep in my heart the fact that later in his life, he returned to the gospel and the church. That is the constant prayer in my heart, for Dylan and for Cal, and for Sarah, and for Todd, and for Alex. I wish so desperately that I could have given them a stronger foundation in the gospel.