Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

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...

March 30, 2017 Section 10:1-5 Obedience Value Of, Gift of Translation, Repentance, Lord’s Tutoring, Do Not Run Faster, Best Our Best, Progress is Determined by Our Direction, Pray Always, Missionary Advice, Failure Then Get Going, This section was given just 3 days after Joseph had returned the Urim & Thummin to Moroni. For those 3 days the Lord had taken Joseph’s gift of translation away. Joseph truly felt the agony of his failure in this grand job the Lord had given him. He felt profoundly the reality that “ your mind became darkened ” (v 2) Lucy Mack Smith described this time: “ I besought him not to mourn to, for perhaps the Lord would forgive him, after a short season of humiliation and repentance. But what could I do to comfort him, when he saw all the family in the same situation of mind as himself; for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. However, Joseph was more distressed than the rest, as he better understood the consequences of di...