Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

December 3, 2018 Section 125:1-4 Obedience, Growth, Progression, Revelation Seeking, Prayer, Room for All, This section is directed to the saints who settled in Iowa, just across the Mississippi river from Nauvoo when they were all fleeing Missouri. Here’s the history: “One of the first to suggest that the Saints locate in Iowa was Dr. Isaac Galland, the man who had sold the land on which Nauvoo was build. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith wrote that ‘Mr. Galland in a communication to David W Rogers, suggested that the Saints locate in Iowa, which was a territory; for he thought they would be more likely to receive protection from mobs under the jurisdiction of the United States, than they would be in a state of the Union, ‘where murder, rapine and robbery are admirable (!) traits in the character of a demagogue; and where the greatest villains often reach the highest offices.’ He also wrote to Governor Robert Lucas of Iowa, who had known the Mormon people in  ...

July 15, 2018 Section 103:15-40 Lord’s Protection, Angels Round About You, Growth, Faith, Preparation, Obedience, Prayer, Diligence, Perseverance, Lord Keeps Promises, Draw Near Unto Me, What beautiful verses to saints who have been forced from their homes and belongings and land: “ Therefore, let not your hearts faint….But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.”   (v 19-20) The student manual speaks of some saints who then crossed the plains (and this is after Jackson County, after Nauvoo) were anxious to return to Jackson County because that is what had been prophesied. They were so anxious that they were reluctant to make improvements to their homes and lands in Utah, as they figured they were soon be heading back east. The Lord lets us know his promises, but not his timelines. And I understand that. If we knew just when the major things would happen, so many of us would w...

July 10, 2018 Section 103:1-4 Trials, Obedience Exact, Heart Might Mind and Strength, Growth, This section covers the deliberations of the leaders of the church, and the revelations from the Lord, as the saints worked to re-establish themselves after being forced from their homes, and re-establish their commitments in living the commandments. This terribly hard time –as to the loss of their homes, and the loss of peoples’ lives, and the terror they must have felt—is explained by the Lord as occurring 1) that their enemies “ might fill up the measure of their iniquities” (v 2) and 2) that the Saints or “ those who call themselves after my name might be chastened for a little season with a sore and grievous chastisement, because they did not hearken altogether unto the precepts ad commandments which I gave unto them”. This is a time that clearly reinforces D&C 82:3 which says “ of him unto whom much is given much is required.” What a reminder to me when I g...

May 1, 2018 Section 93:19-30 Progress, Growth, Worship, Grace, Truth and the True Church, V 19 is very much like the prayer I offered before I started my reading today, or probably better stated: it is very much an immediate answer to the prayer I offered before I started my reading today: “ I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness.” And, very appropriately, v 20 continues to teach and promise, saying that if I keep His commandments I SHALL be glorified…and I SHALL receive grace for grace…(which, from yesterday’s study where I learned that grace is   “the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of Christian virtues.” I don’t need to be worried a...