Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

July 19, 2018 Section 104:1-10 United Orders, Covenant Keeping, Charity, Holy Ghost, Spiritual Progression, Progress Spiritual, This section is given at a time when the Church, and its members, were in great financial distress. The Lord begins by explaining the reason for the United Order, and the attitudes that must be adopted by the people who are brought into this order. It was organized to be a “ benefit of my church, and for the salvation of men until I come—With promise immutable and unchangeable that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessing.” ( v 1-2) But, just as in all of the Lord’s commandments, there is an “if then” clause. He let’s us know what will happen if we follow his commandments, and he informs us what will happen if we do not follow his commandments. In v 5 he reminds us “ For I, the Lord, have decreed, in my heart, that inasmuch as any man belonging to the order shall be found...

July 9, 2018 Section 102:1-34 Judging Other, Holy Ghost, Revelation Continual, Callings, Influence Our, This section speaks of the first high council of the church which was organized “ for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church or the bishop’s council to the satisfaction of the parties.” In the History of the Church, Joseph Smith’s instructions to the men who served on the high council was “ No man is capable of judging a matter, in council, unless his own heart is pure, and…we are frequently so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions….Our acts are recorded, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we should fail to judge right and injure our fellow-beings, they may be there, perhaps, condemn us; thee they are of great consequence, and to me the consequence appears to be of force, beyond anything w...

February 26, 2018 Section 88:1-5 Desires of our Hearts, Holy Ghost, Peace Spiritual Peace, Service, Growth, Spiritual Growth, This section was given during a 2-day conference in Kirtland where Joseph and 9 high priests had gathered to know what the Church should do “ in view of the critical times that have been predicted.” Joseph referred to this section as “ …the ‘Olive Leaf’ which we have plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us” In V’s 1-5 Christ tells them that by “ assembling yourselves together to receive his will concerning you: Behold this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord…” The Lord waits for us to come unto Him. He notes our righteous desires and actions. It is by continuing with those desires and actions that we really do receive the Olive Leaf. I know that I have felt His comfort settle over my mind and body—it is a gift I as...

February 7, 2018 Section 81:1-7 Callings, Pray Always, Seek Compassion, Let the Holy Spirit Guide, Holy Ghost,  This section begins the organization of the First Presidency of the Church. There is much to learn from the history involved with this section, and there is much to learn from the Lord’s words in these 7 verses. Historically, Jesse Gause was called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith. Brother Gause began his new duties in early March 1832. In April 1832, he went with Joseph, Newel Whitney & Peter Whitmer, Jr to Missouri to hold conferences there. In August 1832 he was called to go on a mission with Jebedee Coltrin. After 20 days Jebedee Coltrin decided to return to Kirtland because of severe pains in his head. BYU Studies documents: “ After prayer with and for each other, they parted. Jesse Gause continued east and walked right out of the history of the Church, never again to return. There appears to be no other record of the man either in...