Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

February 21, 2018 Section 87:1-8 Civil War, Obedience Rewards Of, Follow the Prophet, Pray for Faith, I find it very interesting that this section that prophesied conflict that would come to be known as the Civil War in the United States came at a time when “ the brethren were reflecting and reasoning upon African slavery on the American continent and the slavery of the children of men throughout the world.” I also find it very interesting that it was received on December 25 of 1832. I don’t know if I would have spent my Christmas holiday in such prayerful thought and discussion—even though in reality, what better thing could you do on Christmas than celebrate Christ’s birth by trying to understand and help make the world a better place. V 1 begins: “ Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;”   Th...

December 21, 2017 Section 71:1-11 Spiritual Priorities, Meet Adversity With Truth, Don’t Debate Just Explain, Commandment Following Brings Growth, Obedience Rewards Of, Ezra Booth, a Methodist minister, witnessed a priesthood healing and ended up joining the Church. I’m not sure of the time line here, but he was upset by a multitude of things. He published nine, extremely critical letters in the Ohio Star. When Joseph Smith read these articles he wrote that they “by their coloring, falsity, and vain calculations to overthrow the work of the Lord, exposed [Booth’s] weakness, wickedness and folly and left him a monument of his own shame for the world to wonder at” (History of the Church,1:217). There were also other people who had left the Church in anger and they, too, had published their feelings in newspapers. At this time Joseph was continuing on with the work he had been commanded to do. As soon as he finished making all the arrangements for the Book of Commandments to ...

June 2, 2017  Section 35:8-27 Lord’s Strength, Seek, Knock, Ask,   If-Then Scriptures, Weaknesses Bring Growth, Leaders Pray For Them, Scriptures Follow Them, Scripture Study Always, Obedience Rewards Of, Christ Love and Tenderness, In v 8 Christ is fortifying those who believe in Him by again revealing not just His power, but also His “action plan”. “ For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.” The phrase ‘mine arm is not shortened’ suggests (according to Notes and Commentary D&C 1:14) that His power is not limited in any way and that He will use His arm and make it felt, especially in these last days. (see also D&C 133:3) V 11 reinforces the fact that the scriptures continually prompt us to seek, to knock, and to ask with a sincere desire to really know. The scriptures also say that if we do this with faith (and He includes the father who said: ‘Yea Lord I believe, help ...