11/26/2018 - Section 124:49-55

November 26, 2018

Section 124:49-55

Commandments Purpose Of, Obedience Blessings Of, Lord as Our Mentor,

The saints have been forced to leave Jackson County Missouri and the Lord explains the how he sees what they have done: v’s 49 & 51 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offering.     Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name in Jackson County, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.”

We are blessed for our desires, our genuine efforts, and, I believe, our attitudes…not just the outcomes of our efforts. The saints are now starting to build up yet another “permanent” home—this time in Nauvoo. The Lord commands once more for them to build a temple. He give several reasons: 1) they they may prove themselves faithful in all things and 2) that He may crown them with blessings which he describes: honor, immortality & eternal life. 

President Charles W Penrose explained this in the April 1924 General Conference: He spoke about commandments given that we “go to with their might and endeavor to fulfil his commandment…but are prevented by their enemies, or by any other means, from accomplishing it, he does not require it any more at their hands. He accepts of their offering….[But] If God gives a commandment, and we do not obey it, why he revokes it, and he revokes the blessings.” His commandments are for our safety and our growth and our earthly progression. He is the ultimate mentor for each of us.