7/7/2018 - Section 101:39-75

July 7, 2018

Section 101:39-75

Follow the Prophet, Salt Lost Its Savour, Go and Do, Work Brings Blessings,

V 39 is about the saints at that time, and the Lord uses the same imagery he used with his followers in Palestine teaching that the salt that has lost its savour is cast out. The student manual has a quote from Carols Asay: “A world-renowned chemist told me that salt will not lose its savor with age. Savour is lost through mixture and contamination.” And that takes me back to King Benjaman: “Watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and our deeds, and observe the commandments of God.” (Mosiah 4:30) And he immediately follows with v 42: “He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he tht abaseth himself shall be exalted.” We shouldn’t work for public recognition, we should work for one another!

The comments on p 243 of the student manual were instructive to me: “The Lord spoke of two important items (v’s 67-72) having to do with the gathering of the Saints to places appointed, and the purchase of the land in the region of Zion. The Lord cautioned that the work was not to proceed with haste. Part of the difficulty experienced in the orginal attempt to establish Zion was caused by many Saints coming to Zion ill-prepared. They apparently felt that the Lord would care for the needs rather than have them do it thesleves. This idea was contrary to the Lord’s counsel from the very beginning of Zion’s ounding, for He said, “And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight.” (D&C 58:56). He warned again: “And now behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints, that they should assemble themselves togethr unto the Land of Zion, not in haste, let thre should be fonfusion, which bringeth pestilence. (D&C 63:24). I read this as I am in the mission field in the Philippines. I think of the differences between missionaries. Some get here and go right to work. Others get here, and with the attitude that just coming was enough—and that attitude is a weight that pulls everyone lower. And the one with the attitude that just coming was enough, soon becomes irritable and depressed with little light coming from them or to them. I want to be one who works, and gives and grows for that is where happiness and congeniality is found.