Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

August 31, 2018 Section 108:1-8 Doubts, Our Standing with the Lord, Promptings, Holy Ghost Following, Obedience, Christ’s Role, Draw Near Unto Me, Companions I love the history of this section. Lyman Sherman had been one of the members of in Zion’s Camp (1834) as many of the brethren went to give aide to the Missouri saints. In this endeavor, that didn’t evolve as many supposed it would have, there had been many spiritual experiences, as well as many delays and many, many hardships. After Zion’s Camp in Feb 1835, Lyman had been called to be one of the seven presidents of the seventy, and in Nov 1935, he had been released. The day after Christmas, 1935, Lyman came to Joseph asking “ to have the word of the Lord through [Joseph Smith] for I have been wrought upon to make known to you my feelings and desires and was promised that I should have a revelation which should make known my duty.” The Smith and Sjodahl commentary speaks about Lyman’s struggle in a way t...

August 27, 2018 Section 107:76-100 Government of the Church, Callings How to Go About Them, Ministering, Diligence in the Lord’s Work, Mantle of Peace and Comfort, V 76 continues on the government of the church, particularly in holding courts. It speaks courts for the rank and file of the church, and continues on to courts for any of the first presidency of the church. With Donald Trump (who I strongly view as a corrupt and unprincipled man) as the president of the USA, how I wish the laws and processes of our country were as clear as those of the church. Elder Widtsoe wrote about the process of a court brought together “ …should it become to try a member of the First Presidency for crime or neglect of duty.” That’s when my thought shifted from Mr Trump to myself. I try hard not to commit crimes--which in this sense means to me that I should not to be disobedience to the Lord’s commandments—But then there’s that second phrase “neglect of duty” –that’s where ...

August 12, 2018 Section 107:53-75 Scripture Additional to Come Forth, Enoch Book Of, Bishops Responsibilities and Powers, Revelation How it Comes & to Whom, V-53-57 tell of Adams last blessing to his family prior to his death. It was the meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahma, and this is certainly interesting to me. But the verse I love is 57: These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time.” I long for the day when additional scripture will come forth. I am probably naïve about the impact it will have on the world. We have the Book of Mormon. It clarifies so many things that Christ also taught in the Holy Land. There is a powerful spirit in that book if we read it with sincere intent, and pray the same way. It brings many to a testimony of Christ and his church, but you would think it would be so much more effective than it currently is. V’s 68-75 discuss the duties of a bishop. We may wonder how one of our neighbors is called...

August 10, 2018 Section 107:20-52 Sustaining, Apostles, Callings and How To Do Them, Retirement Not in the Church, Once again, in a section that at first glance seems to be dryly explaining the priesthood, I find a concise and wonderful instruction on what I should be doing as soon as I raise my hand to sustain someone. V 22 “ …appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church….” V 23 speaks of the quorum of the twelve, and the student manual provides a wonderful quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith that I want to remember: “ These twelve men are endowed with the power and responsibility to serve as the special witnesses for Christ. They are entitled to have the inspiration and necessary guidance of the Holy Ghost to fit and qualify them for this important mission.     All men may, by virtue of the priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost, become witnesses for Christ. In fact that is ...