9/9/2018 - Section 109:60-72

September 9, 2018

Section 109:60-72

Gathering of Israel, Last Days, Gentiles and Israel, Prayers to Heavenly Father, Desires of Our Hearts, Prayers and Our Daily Efforts, Temple Covenants Affect Us Daily, Prayers For My Family,

(student manual 272) “The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote that in reading the Book of Mormon “we learn that our western tries of Indians are descendants from that Joseph which was sold into Egypt, and that the land of American is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant. But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem [see D&C 133:8, 13, 25]. The city of Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm, will be built upon the land of America, ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with sons and everlasting joy upon their heads’ (Isaiah 35:10); and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel 2:32; Isaiah 26:20 and 21; Jeremiah 32:12; Psalm 1:5; Ezekiel 34:11, 12 and 13. These are testimonies that the Good Shepherd will pour forth His own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion, and to Jerusalem; besides many more testimonies which might be brought.” (History of the Church 1:315)

In v 68, Joseph pleads for himself and his family, but his explanations say a great deal about the kind of preparations we all should make: “O Lord, remember thy servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. (we SHOULD pray for ourselves, specifically  )and all his afflictions and persecutions—how he has covenanted with Jehovah and vowed to thee, O Mighty God of Jacob—and the commandments which thou has given unto him, and that he hath sincerely striven to do thy will.” Haven’t I covenanted with the Savior in the temple ceremonies? I have also pleaded with the God the Father in my prayers for help in my efforts, and for help in recognizing when I’ve made mistakes or have not done enough. I need to live so that every day, when I kneel down, I can truthfully say to Heavenly Father: “I have sincerely striven to do thy will today.” Joseph went on in the following verses to ask Heavenly Father to have mercy upon his family that “upon their immediate connections, that their prejudices may be broken up and swept away as with a flood; that they be converted and redeemed with Israel, and know that thou art God.” V 70  I love this verse, for this too is the desire of my heart for those I hold most dear—my children, their spouses, and their children, and on, and on, and on.

10/1/2021 – D&C109:43-80

Emily Bell Freeman made a list of the blessings that were promised to those who would attend the temple they had worked so hard, and sacrificed so much for:

They may feel His power Know this is my work

Be taught words of wisdom He will put forth His hand

Grow up unto Him Be established

Receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost No weapon will prosper

Be organized Wickedness shall not have power

Become prepared He will fight for His people

They may speedily repent They may be delivered

Find favor in His sight Receive a testimony of covenant

Be restored to His blessings Prepare the hearts

Be armed with power May not faint in trouble

Have His name upon them Thy grace assisting them

Have His glory round about Be enabled

Angels have charge over them We will be remembered

May bear great tidings  Become pure

Become righteous

Receive glory

Reap joy

We know from the history that these gifts did come, but that they also experienced great challenges and difficult times. In v 4 the Lord stresses that we must learn to say “with thy grace assisting them: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours.” The Lord knows why we came here, and the things He hopes we will learn here. His sure promise is that if we always work to follow the Lord’s commandments, then we will achieve all the things He has promised us.

From a few of the people who were there at the Kirtland Temple dedication: 

Eliza R Snow: “The ceremonies of that dedication may be rehearsed, but no mortal language can describe the heavenly manifestations of that memorable day. Angels appeared to some, while a sense of divine presence was realized by all present, and each heart was filled with ‘joy inexpressible and full of glory.’”

Orson Pratt: “God was there, his angels were there, the Holy Ghost was in the midst of the people…and they were filled from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet with the power and inspiration of the Holy Ghost.”

Nancy Naomi Alexander Tracy: “[When] the Temple was finished and dedicated…they were two of the happiest days of my life. The fitting hymn that was composed for the occasion was ‘The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning.’ It was verily true that the Heavenly Influence rested down upon that house….I felt that it was heaven on earth.”