11/28/2018 - Section 124:56-102

November 28, 2018

Section 124:56-102

Home Atmosphere, Life Advice from the Lord,

V 60 speaks of the Nauvoo House that is to be built for Joseph and Emma and their family to occupy, and the Lord instructs them as to how they should work to create a specific atmosphere in there house: “…let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner-stone thereof;”

V 86 gives great general living advice: (1) “If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me: for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works.”  The Lord know the Big Picture, while we see only a part of it. (2) v 88 “Let my servant William go and proclaim my everlasting gospel with a loud voice, and with great joy, as he shall be moved upon by the Spirit…” (3) v97 “Let him be humble before me and be without guile, and he shall receive of my spirit, even the comforter which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, shall he shall say.” This verse makes me think of President Fermanis.

10/23/2021 – D&C 124:56-101

In v 55, the Lord gives us a deeper understanding of the importance of the temple, and of the time we spend in the temple, and the blessings we can receive from working there: “…I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove. Yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.”

The Lord tells the saints that they must build a boarding house for all those who may come to Nauvoo, and that Joseph and his family should “have place therein”—it will be their home. And then in v 60 He describes what a home is for: “…let it be a delightful habitation for man; and a resting-place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner-stone thereof.” That’s quite a challenge to us to work for those same feelings, and purposes, in our homes.

The saints have certainly gone through hard and perilous times. V 76 tells us how to deal with circumstances such as they have had: “Let his family rejoice and turn their hearts from affliction; for I have chosen him and anointed him, and he shall be honored in the midst of his house, for I will forgive all his sins, saith the Lord. Amen.”

The Lord has spoken to many individuals, giving direction directly to them in this section. The one that certainly made me pause is in v 84 where the Lord tells Almon Babbitt: “…there are many things which I am not pleased; behold he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church.” At that time the Lord had instructed the saints to gather in Nauvoo, but Almon Babbitt was doing everything in his power to encourage the saints that were immigrating from England, as well as the saints already living in Nauvoo to move back to Kirtland to build it up again.

He goes on in the next few verses making His will known: “Let no man go from this place (Nauvoo) who has come here essaying to keep my commandments. It they live here let them live unto me; and if the die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here and shall continue their works….If ye love me, keep my commandments…” (v’s 85-87)

V 88 is given to William Law with the promises that can also be ours: “Let my servant William go and proclaim my everlasting gospel with a loud voice, and with great joy, as he shall be moved upon by my spirit…” And then the Lord encourage William: “…let him be humble before me, and be without guile, and he shall receive of my Spirit, even the comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things…” (v 97)

Richard G. Scott: “Humility is essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge. To be humble is to be teachable. Humility permits you to be tutored by the Spirit and to be taught from sources inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures. The seeds of personal growth and understanding germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. Their fruit is spiritual knowledge to guide you here and hereafter”. Oct 1993 General Conference

I love reading these things, for these promises can also be our promises.