8/12/2018 - Section 107:53-75

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 to be bishop and suddenly becomes capable of giving us direction and guidance in our lives. 71 is the verse that gives the “how” of that: “Nevertheless, a high priest…may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth.” The verses beyond that go into the other things he can do; one of which is to judge transgressions and help us to repent. And I firmly believe, if I go to my bishop with a desire for his help, and if I go with ‘the spirit of truth’—which is the Holy Ghost—then our communications will be directed by the Lord’s spirit, and that is the foundation of comfort and peace.

President Spencer Kimball spoke about bishops in the New Era Sept 1978: “ By virtue of his call and ordination and setting apart, he also becomes judge in Israel and has the responsibility of making many decisions for his people which affect their progress and development and their life. He has control over their spiritual activities so that he can give them opportunities for growth and judge their accomplishments. He decides as to their worthiness and eligibility of certain blessings and privileges. He holds the key to all temples in the world and it is he who must turn that key to open the doors thereof to his members and through eternal marriage to life eternal…It is said: God’s ways are not mean’s ways.’ This man, the bishop, need not be schooled in all the fields of education for he has access to the fountain of all knowledge. There is revelation, not only for the prophet, but for every worthy and righteous man. He is entitled to divine guidance in his own jurisdiction….the bishop may draw on this limitless reservoir of knowledge and wisdom if he is in tune with his Maker.”

9/22/2021 – D&C 107:57-100

V’s 56-57 tell us about the book of Enoch—and promises us that it will come to light “in due time”. Those times will be exciting. But in the meantime, the scriptures we do have give us enough goals to keep us busy improving ourselves bit by bit for a very long time.

Starting with v 58 the Lord goes through the various priesthood offices. I loved reading in v 71 that bishops are “…set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth;” –what a blessing it is to have someone with that gift so readily available to help us if the need arises. 

President Marion G. Romney: “As originally given, the assignments pertaining to the office [of bishop] may be summarized in four major parts. “First, the bishop was to receive the consecrations of the Saints and appoint unto them their inheritances (see D&C 42:31–34, 71–73; 51:13; 58:35; 72:2–6; 78; 82; 85:1). “Second, the bishop was to be a judge unto the people, judging both their standing in the Church as well as their temporal needs if they had claim on the Church (see D&C 42:80–82; 58:17–18; 72:17; 107:72). “Third, the bishop was to succor the poor, in both body and spirit, according to their needs (see D&C 38:35; 42:33–35, 39, 71; 70:7–8). “Fourth, the bishop was to act as an agent for the Church doing whatever temporal business he was appointed to by the Lord through the First Presidency (see D&C 51:13–14; 84:112–13; 107:68, 71–72). “

I also enjoyed reading of the duties of the president of the deacons or teachers or priests—basically the president of any group in the church—which are to preside, to sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, and to teach them according to the covenants. ( v’s 85-89) We could use these same duties as parents, and it would most certainly boost our abilities to help guide our children.

In v’s 91-92 tells us of the duties of the president of the whole church. He is “to be like unto Moses”. He is to be “a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God, which he bestows upon the head of the church.”

The Lord ends this teaching session with instructions that apply to all of us: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed in all diligence.” I think that applies to every one of us as we are given specific callings in the church. It’s up to us to work to learn our duties in our specific calling. (v 99)

And then the Lord finishes with a warning to us all. He has told us what our duties are, with the hope that we will be diligent on those duties to which we are called. But He also knows that people are motivated by different things. Those of us who are more motivated by learning how to avoid problems are given this information: “He that is slothful shall not be counted worth to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand” (in the presence of the Lord). (v 100) No matter how old I get, I can always find something that I can do to help those around me—for reaching out to others in love, keeps love in our lives.