Lynne's Scripture Journal D&C

February 4, 2019 Section 138:12-34 Vision of the Spirit World, Life After Death, Learning and Teaching Continue Forever, As President Joseph F Smith describes his vision, he speaks of the “innumerable” company of spirits of the just. He describes “the just” as those who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived on the earth (v12), and “ who had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.” (v 14) To me, this is the definition of enduring to the end—in hope, in faith, in love, and in works.”   These are the spirits who awaited Christ’s return after his mortal mission. “…they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand.” (v14) And v 17 says they were awaiting the rejoining of their body to their spirit. President Spencer W Kimball was speaking of returning to Heavenly Fa...

February 3, 2019 Section 138: 1-11 Scriptures of Latter-days, Revelation How to Receive, Story of Dead Son Comforting His Parents, Section 138 is President Joseph F Smith’s vision of the redemption of the dead. It concerns the Savior’s visit to the spirits of the dead while his body was in the tomb. Four weeks prior to his death ( he was weak and often confined to his bed in the last 6 months of his life), he spoke in the Oct 1918 General Conference. “ although somewhat weakened in body, my mind is clear with reference to my duty , and with reference to the duties and responsibilities that rest upon the Latter-day Saints; and I am ever anxious for the progress of the work of the Lord, for the prosperity of   the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world….I have not lived alone thee five months. I have dwelt in the spirit of prayer, or supplication, communication with the Spirit of the Lord continuously.” Two weeks after that ...

February 1, 2019 Section 137:1-10 Celestial Kingdom Vision, Works AND Desires, Lord’s Fairness, This section, and 138, were added to the D&C in April 1976. They were originally in the Pearl of Great Price, but the first presidency and quorum of the 12 decided to move them to the new edition of the D&C. It describes Joseph Smith’s vision of Jan 21, 1826 in the Kirtland Temple, of the celestial kingdom. He and the presidency and the patriarch and other leaders were gathered in the temple and were “attending to the ordinance of anointing our heads with holy oil ”. He speaks of some of the blessing that were pronounced upon those in the temple, and also of the visions that were seen by many who were there that evening. In v 5 Joseph speaks of some of those he saw in his vision of the celestial kingdom: Father Adam and Abraham, but also his brother Alvin “ that had long since slept.” As he marveled that Alvin was there, in the celestial kingdom, bu...

January 31, 2019 Section 136:12-42 Obedience, Lord’s Rules for Living, Keep the Commandments, Unity, Draw Near Unto Me, Satan’s Efforts, Smith and Sjodahl summarize verses 18-27 beautifully : “the members of the Church had been disappointed, if not discouraged, because Zion had not been redeemed. No doubt it was trying to the faith of some to be on the way to the unknown region of the Rocky Mountains. All that they had heard of this territory was discouraging and the redemption of Zion seemed farther away than ever from fulfillment. Now they were to take courage, for the Lord had not forgotten Zion, and it should be redeemed in the due time of the Lord. It was well, therefore, for the members to obey counsel and not seek to build themselves at the expense of others; should this be done they would lose the reward. The Lord would lead them as he led the children of Israel, and he was just as mindful of the Saints today as he was then. Every man should respect t...