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 24, 2018 Section 105:1-25 Pure in Heart, United Order Problems, Purify Ourselves, Good Samaritan Opportunities, Humility, Unselfishness, Love, Prayer, Draw Near Unto Me, Temple Importance, In v’s 4-5 the Lord explains, once again, why the saints were forced from their homes. It was because they were “ not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; and Zion cannot be built up unless it is b the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom: otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.” The Lord gave the saints the opportunity to live a celestial law, but the saints lacked a celestial love, as well as a celestial effort. I don’t know how many times I have gone about my church callings while complaining about others. I must realize that even when an event comes off well, or a lesson is effective, I have fallen short if I have not a pure heart. I believe, as I read through these scriptures, and the study manual, and examine m...

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 8, 2018 Section 101:75-101 Unity of Saints, Obedience, Constitution, Act On Our Beliefs, Prayer, Prayer Leaders of our Country, Christ is speaking to the church members in v 75…to the church members who have packed everything up and moved to Jackson County Missouri and have worked to settle in to their new surroundings. They are members of the Lord’s church. They have felt the power of His spirit, for they joined this foundling church…but it is in this verse that Christ identifies their problem: “ There is even now already in store sufficient, yea, even an abundance, to redeem Zion and establish her waste places, no more to be thrown down were the churches, who call themselves after my name, willing to hearken to my voice .” He’s basically telling His people that if all those who call themselves Saints would only follow His counsels, they would have sufficient resources to redeem the land and to establish Zion. I can look back at the histories of that ti...