7/19/2018 - Section 104:1-10

July 19, 2018

Section 104:1-10

United Orders, Covenant Keeping, Charity, Holy Ghost, Spiritual Progression, Progress Spiritual,

This section is given at a time when the Church, and its members, were in great financial distress. The Lord begins by explaining the reason for the United Order, and the attitudes that must be adopted by the people who are brought into this order. It was organized to be a “benefit of my church, and for the salvation of men until I come—With promise immutable and unchangeable that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessing.” (v 1-2) But, just as in all of the Lord’s commandments, there is an “if then” clause. He let’s us know what will happen if we follow his commandments, and he informs us what will happen if we do not follow his commandments. In v 5 he reminds us “For I, the Lord, have decreed, in my heart, that inasmuch as any man belonging to the order shall be found a transgressor, or, in other words, shall break the covenant with which ye are bound, he shall be cursed in his life, and shall be trodden down by whom I will;” And that is what happened in this effort to institute the United Order: “some of my servants (that refers to members of the Church who were specifically asked to join the United Order, and who agreed to abide by the laws of that covenant) have not kept the commandment, but have broken the covenant though covetousness, and with feigned words…”

The student manual says that “Many view this law as only a temporal economic program, but it is a spiritual command as well (D&C29:35)”  George Q Cannon taught: “The time must come when we must obey that which has been revealed to us as the Order of Enoch, when there shall be no rich and no poor among the Latter-day Satins; when wealth will not be a temptation; when every man will love his neighbor as he does himself; when every man and woman will labor for the good of all as much as for self. That day must come, and we may as well prepare our hearts for it, brethren, for as wealth increases I see more and more necessity for the institution of such an order. As wealth increases, luxury and extravagance have more power over us. The necessity for such an order is very great, and God, undoubtedly, in his own time and way, will inspire his servant (the prophet) to introduce it among the people.” Journal of Discourses 15:207

Right now, I have doubts about whether or not I could truly live the United Order. Oh, I could take my stewardship, and work to keep it up and make it productive, but I’m afraid I would fall short on the charity side. If I saw my neighbor falling short, would I offer my help, or would I stand back and think negative thoughts about him? Right now, as mission nurse, I find I treat missionaries differently. I feel some are just trying to get more care or attention or physical assistance, not because they really need it, but because they just want more. And with those missionaries, I find myself holding back a bit. Then there are other missionaries, with serious problems, who just want to get healthier. And with those missionaries I find myself being more gentle, more giving, more loving, and more concerned. I must remind myself that everyone of these missionaries is making a sacrifice to be here. Everyone of them is at a different stage of spiritual development. I need to learn to love each one as they are. It all comes back to the Holy Ghost. I pray each day to have the Holy Ghost guide me in my health decisions for these young people. What I need to do is pray each day for the Holy Ghost to guide me…period. Then I would still be open to the knowledge and treatments flowing into my head, but also to understanding, compassion, and love. If I can accomplish that, I can help me AND the missionaries. For me it would be to take one step upward in my progress back to Heavenly Father. For the missionaries it would be one more way to feel the Lord’s love and protection in this difficult and strenuous task they have each been called to do. As I end this entry, my mind is filled with the words of the hymn: More Holiness Give Me—what a wonderful way to head out on my day.

9/15/2021 – D&C 104:1-46

The Lord begins this section speaking of the United Order that had been “established…for the benefit of my church, and for the salvation of men until I come” (v 1) “With promise immutable and unchangeable, that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessings.”  The Lord is always ready to shower us with that “multiplicity of blessings” that come to us as we try our best to follow His commandments. 

It seems the saints had a difficult time sharing, showing love and caring for one another, and not taking our concerns to the Lord. These were very hard times. Many of the saints didn’t have the faith, or the fortitude, or maybe the selflessness to live up to the pattern the Lord had put forth: “But inasmuch as some of my servants have not kept the commandment, but have broken the covenant through covetousness, and with feigned words, I have cursed them with a very sore curse.”(v 4) We need to remember that this earth life is one of learning and growing. The Lord is always watching us and stands ready to help, or to condemn, depending on the level of our thoughts and motives and actions. He reminds us in v 7 that His commandments are very worth our efforts: “…I, the Lord, have promised unto you a crown of glory at my right hand.” (v7) And He reminds us in v 10 that we always have the access to the blessings that come through repentance –and that occurs when we recognize our mistakes and go to work to make amends and change our ways and thoughts and motives.

The Lord’s plan is that He has made “every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.” (v 13) We came to earth knowing these truths. We came to earth with the intentions of living these truths and coming back to our Father enriched, stronger, more knowledgeable, and more able to move forward.

He tells us in v’s 15-16 that “it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way…”  He gives us plenty of resources, but to grow, we must share and watch out for others. (v 17)

In v’s 19-46 the Lord singles people out as to the stewardships they should be given. He makes sure we know the importance of humility (v 23) and of faithfulness (v 25), for His rewards are consistent with our efforts and our faith. Sometimes His rewards are amazing blessings, and sometimes His rewards are challenges that will allow us to grow and become closer to Him. I need to be more thankful, certainly for His blessings, but also for His challenges.