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  ...

May 15, 2018 Section 97:1-9 Saints Quality Of, Gifts of the Spirit, Callings and How to Go About, Obedience, Progression, Humility Meekness Seekers, In v 1the Lord tells us how he can speak to us directly: “ Verily ( truly )I say unto you my friends ( and that is how he sees us ), I speak unto you with my voice, even the voice of my Spirit, that I may show unto you my will….” And so, as I read this, I realize that I need to continue to work to be able to recognize the voice of his spirit…and recognize it quickly, in order that I may act on it quickly. He also praises many of the saints who “ are truly humble and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth.” This, to me, is simply reinforcement to pray—at the very least in the morning when I wake to talk about my plans and hopes for that day, and at the end of my day to report on my success, or lack thereof, and my plans for changing what needs to be changed, for continuing in that which is good. ...

April 10, 2018 Section 88:92-102 Christ’s Second Coming Signs, Progression, Eternal Progression, Earth as Our School, Obedience IS Happiness, I have long and calmly looked forward to my time to leave this earth. I have long felt tired, and wondered if there is really anything else that I could do that would make a significant difference to me or to those I love. I have read of the turmoil that will precede the 2 nd  coming, and certainly don’t look forward to living through the things the scriptures tell us about those times. But I love to read and think about Christ’s triumphant second coming. I read a quote from Joseph Smith that I hope to remember-especially if I am still on this earth when He comes again: “ There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in h...

July 16, 2017 Section 50:21-30 Draw Near Unto Me, Prayer, Progression, Missionary Work A New Lifestyle, Direction Toward Perfection, I know v’s 22 &24 apply to us all everyday, but I feel they are of utmost importance to missionaries as they work to establish a new order to their life that will bring them ever closer to Heavenly Father and His specific instructions: v 22 “ Therefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” And then v 24 speaks about progression within these efforts: v 24 “ That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” There is a beautiful verse in section 88 that follows also applies here: 88:11 “ And the light which shineth, which giveth you light is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;”   That ...

June 15, 2017 Section 42:18-52 Marriage, Mission Companion, Consecration, New Jerusalem, Death vs Health, Progression, In v’s 18-29, the Lord is reminding the members of the Church that the 10 commandments are as binding today as they were in the days of Moses. Interestingly, there are only two commandments in all the scriptures that require us to love with all our heart. We are commanded to love God with all our heart (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37), and we are commanded to love our spouse with all our heart.   Just like our relationship with God is based on daily communication with Him, sharing our problems, our gratitude, our hopes, our weaknesses, our plans—that’s how we become closer to Him. The same is true of our spouse: daily communication…sharing our problems, our gratitude , our hopes, our weaknesses, our plans brings us closer to each other. I find it very helpful to focus on all the really good & sweet things I love about Bob—and when we do need to focus on one of t...