What are 5 principles taught in the Doctrine and Covenants responsible for the growth and influence of the church?
1. Missionary Work- D&C 1:23
"That the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers."
Without missionary work, we would not have the 14 million plus members we have today. Missionaries submit to the Lord's will and devote all of their time to the purpose of bringing the blessings of the gospel to those ready to receive it.
2. Anxiously engaged in a good cause- D&C 58:27
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."
By being anxiously engaged in a good cause, we are not only using the time the Lord gave us for good things, we are setting good examples. I believe that leading by example is one of the most powerful ways we can influence people. If we're anxiously engaged in a good cause, we have the power to do great things for those looking for the gospel.
3. Forgive all men- D&C 64:10
"I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."
If we live our lives with hard hearts towards those around us, it becomes very difficult for us to spread the gospel. If we hold on to the wrong-doings of others, we are being selfish. The Lord asks us to serve everyone; by preaching the gospel to everyone, we are providing service to them and the Lord. I know that when we serve others, the light of Christ shines from us. If we do not forgive all men, we could be keeping blessings hidden.
4. Ask in faith- D&C 6:5
"Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you."
If we ask of the Lord in faith, we will receive answers to righteous questions and desires. This is a great principle for investigators to know because many of them have countless questions. They want to know why they are here and where they are going after they die. They want to know if there is a God, and if there is, does He love them? The way to find the answers to all of these questions and more is to ask. If we pray and ask in faith, we will receive answers. When members, non-members, and investigators ask in faith, the spirit of the Lord will testify to them that this is the true church of Jesus Christ.
5. Trials- D&C 58:4
"For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."
This principle may not be responsible for a countless number of conversions, but I know that it is a reason why the Church can be so influential. As members of the church, we are taught that we are given trials because we are loved, and this helps us to try and have a positive attitude about everything. Experiencing trials is inevitable, but so are the blessings that come after. We are able to take advantage of our trials and rely on our Heavenly Father for help through tribulation that we may have. Let us turn a negative situation into a positive one by deepening our relationship with God, the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. Through our trials, we are able to strengthen others and teach them that we are given trials to be taught. Without trials and sadness, we would never know true happiness or eternal joy.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Signs of the Second Coming
This week, the assignment was Section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this section, we learn about the signs of the Second Coming and some of what will happen when Christ comes again. As I read this section, I picked out 10 signs that I feel we should know.
D&C 45:5- "...Spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." When Christ comes to the earth again, He will spare those who were righteous. They will not be destroyed, but they will be blessed with eternal life. John 3:16 says, "...Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
D&C 45:26- "...Wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion." Before Christ comes, there will be many wars among the earth. And even though there may not be an actual war, there will be rumors of wars. I interpret this as no one having trust anymore. Our nation will not trust other nations and vice versa.
D&C 45:27- "And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound." The children of men will no longer love one another. They will love themselves more than they love God and each other, and because of this, they will start committing more and more sin.
D&C 45:28-29- "...And it shall be the fullness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men." Before Christ comes again, there will be a fullness of His gospel. It will be spread to the four corners of the earth. There will be so many who accept the gospel and let it bless their lives. However, there will also be many who, despite the fullness of the gospel, will not receive it into their hearts. They will let their worldly views mask the greatness of the gospel.
D&C 45:31- "...A desolating sickness shall cover the land." If you read verse 32, it tells us that the disciples of Christ will stand in Holy places and will not be moved. Those who do not follow Christ will be cursed with a sickness that consists of a lack of the gospel and its blessings.
D&C 45:33- "And there shall be earthquakes...men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword on against another, and they will kill one another." In the footnote for "sword", it says to read D&C 63:33. That scripture further explains that the wicked will kill the wicked. There will also be earthquakes, and the children of men will not be able to let the gospel into their lives.
D&C 45:42- "...The sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven." D&C 88:87 says that the stars become angry. This is so powerful to me because I feel that the stars, moons, and heavens are such majestic and incredible creations. Celestial bodies have the power to be as beautiful as nothing we've ever seen, but at the same time, they can be filled with such anger against the wicked that they refuse to show themselves unto us."
D&C 45:46- "...The saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the earth." When Christ comes, the Saints will gather in one place, and that place will be Zion.
D&C 45:55- "And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men." I love this sign because it's a positive one. So many of the signs of the Second Coming are negative. They express what will happen to those who were wicked. This scripture brings great joy to my heart. It lets me know that if I am righteous, Christ will bless me by binding Satan; he will no longer be able to tempt me. He will not be in my heart anymore.
D&C 45:71- "...The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy." I love this scripture! If we are righteous, we will be able to gather with other righteous saints and sing praises unto God together. When I think of this scripture, I think of when we all stood and sang "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet" in October's General Conference. It was an amazing experience to be there, in the Conference Center, while we sang praises to our beloved prophet. When all the Saints gather in Zion, I think it will be somewhat similar to what I have already experienced.
During the reading, I was able to pick out three main principles of the gospel that we need to hearken unto, especially living in such turbulent times.
1. Verses 1-3 tell us to LISTEN and hearken unto the Lord and what He teaches us. We need to live a Christ-like life and follow the counsels of our prophets. In short, keep the commandments.
2. Believe that Christ is our Savior. If we put all our faith and trust in Him, we will not fall. We need to always use Him as the example to live by. If we do these things, it will ensure that we live righteous lives.
3. Verse 57 says, "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived- verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewnspirit with us, we need to stand in holy places; we need to be not moved from the places where the Holy Ghost may reside.
Another principle I feel is important for us to live is to PRAY ALWAYS.
Pray for help and assistance in living righteous lives.
Pray for strength.
Pray for others.
Pray to develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
I know that if we do these things, we will be spared. If we do these things, we will be able to gather in Zion and sing beautiful praises unto Christ.
D&C 45:5- "...Spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." When Christ comes to the earth again, He will spare those who were righteous. They will not be destroyed, but they will be blessed with eternal life. John 3:16 says, "...Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
D&C 45:26- "...Wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion." Before Christ comes, there will be many wars among the earth. And even though there may not be an actual war, there will be rumors of wars. I interpret this as no one having trust anymore. Our nation will not trust other nations and vice versa.
D&C 45:27- "And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound." The children of men will no longer love one another. They will love themselves more than they love God and each other, and because of this, they will start committing more and more sin.
D&C 45:28-29- "...And it shall be the fullness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men." Before Christ comes again, there will be a fullness of His gospel. It will be spread to the four corners of the earth. There will be so many who accept the gospel and let it bless their lives. However, there will also be many who, despite the fullness of the gospel, will not receive it into their hearts. They will let their worldly views mask the greatness of the gospel.
D&C 45:31- "...A desolating sickness shall cover the land." If you read verse 32, it tells us that the disciples of Christ will stand in Holy places and will not be moved. Those who do not follow Christ will be cursed with a sickness that consists of a lack of the gospel and its blessings.
D&C 45:33- "And there shall be earthquakes...men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword on against another, and they will kill one another." In the footnote for "sword", it says to read D&C 63:33. That scripture further explains that the wicked will kill the wicked. There will also be earthquakes, and the children of men will not be able to let the gospel into their lives.
D&C 45:42- "...The sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven." D&C 88:87 says that the stars become angry. This is so powerful to me because I feel that the stars, moons, and heavens are such majestic and incredible creations. Celestial bodies have the power to be as beautiful as nothing we've ever seen, but at the same time, they can be filled with such anger against the wicked that they refuse to show themselves unto us."
D&C 45:46- "...The saints shall come forth from the four quarters of the earth." When Christ comes, the Saints will gather in one place, and that place will be Zion.
D&C 45:55- "And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men." I love this sign because it's a positive one. So many of the signs of the Second Coming are negative. They express what will happen to those who were wicked. This scripture brings great joy to my heart. It lets me know that if I am righteous, Christ will bless me by binding Satan; he will no longer be able to tempt me. He will not be in my heart anymore.
D&C 45:71- "...The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy." I love this scripture! If we are righteous, we will be able to gather with other righteous saints and sing praises unto God together. When I think of this scripture, I think of when we all stood and sang "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet" in October's General Conference. It was an amazing experience to be there, in the Conference Center, while we sang praises to our beloved prophet. When all the Saints gather in Zion, I think it will be somewhat similar to what I have already experienced.
During the reading, I was able to pick out three main principles of the gospel that we need to hearken unto, especially living in such turbulent times.
1. Verses 1-3 tell us to LISTEN and hearken unto the Lord and what He teaches us. We need to live a Christ-like life and follow the counsels of our prophets. In short, keep the commandments.
2. Believe that Christ is our Savior. If we put all our faith and trust in Him, we will not fall. We need to always use Him as the example to live by. If we do these things, it will ensure that we live righteous lives.
3. Verse 57 says, "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived- verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewnspirit with us, we need to stand in holy places; we need to be not moved from the places where the Holy Ghost may reside.
Another principle I feel is important for us to live is to PRAY ALWAYS.
Pray for help and assistance in living righteous lives.
Pray for strength.
Pray for others.
Pray to develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
I know that if we do these things, we will be spared. If we do these things, we will be able to gather in Zion and sing beautiful praises unto Christ.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Principles of Revelation
What 5 principles of revelation can we learn through the Hiram Page crisis recorded in Section 28 of the Doctrine and Covenants?
1. Verse 1 says, "Behold I say unto thee, Oliver...thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the comforter..." This teaches us that any member of the church can teach any other member of the church materials concerning the revelations and commandments from God as long as they are teaching by the Spirit. Verse 2 says, "But behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church, excepting my servant, Joseph Smith Jr., for he receiveth them, even as Moses." In this verse, we learn that revelation for the members of the church can only be given through the prophets.
2. Verse 3 says, "And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church." In this scripture, God teaches us that whoever is called to teach those in His church or give revelation unto them must do it with power and authority. They must also be obedient. If they are commanded to reveal something unto the people, they must do it.
3. Verse 4 says., "And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of the commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it." This verse teaches us that if we are prompted by the Holy Ghost to teach one another, we must do it. Revelation can come in many different ways. The Lord may reveal to us a gospel principle that we need to teach one of our friends. He knows who needs to hear what and at what time.
4. Verse says, "And thou shalt not command him, who is at thy head, and at the head of the church." We are not to command the prophet to do anything. We are to let him reveal unto us what the Lord has asked him to reveal. There are certain things that can only be revealed by certain people, and we must realize this.
5. Verse 7 says, "For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead." The Lord has given the keys to receive revelations which have been sealed from all others. The prophets are foreordained to be leaders of the church, and there are certain principles that other members of the church could not know first hand. Some principles need to be revealed by the men called of God.
What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?
In Section 28, I learned that Satan can easily tempt members of the church to believe that they have the powers of revelation concerning anyone but themselves or their families. Prophets are called of God for a reason; God knows that they were and are faithful members who would be willing to be such wonderful servants of Him. There is tension with sources of revelation because some members believe that they should be the ones who are to reveal truths unto the other members of the church, but they do not have that authority. Revelation from prophets is much more important because the information they tell us comes directly from God.
1. Verse 1 says, "Behold I say unto thee, Oliver...thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the comforter..." This teaches us that any member of the church can teach any other member of the church materials concerning the revelations and commandments from God as long as they are teaching by the Spirit. Verse 2 says, "But behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church, excepting my servant, Joseph Smith Jr., for he receiveth them, even as Moses." In this verse, we learn that revelation for the members of the church can only be given through the prophets.
2. Verse 3 says, "And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church." In this scripture, God teaches us that whoever is called to teach those in His church or give revelation unto them must do it with power and authority. They must also be obedient. If they are commanded to reveal something unto the people, they must do it.
3. Verse 4 says., "And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of the commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it." This verse teaches us that if we are prompted by the Holy Ghost to teach one another, we must do it. Revelation can come in many different ways. The Lord may reveal to us a gospel principle that we need to teach one of our friends. He knows who needs to hear what and at what time.
4. Verse says, "And thou shalt not command him, who is at thy head, and at the head of the church." We are not to command the prophet to do anything. We are to let him reveal unto us what the Lord has asked him to reveal. There are certain things that can only be revealed by certain people, and we must realize this.
5. Verse 7 says, "For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead." The Lord has given the keys to receive revelations which have been sealed from all others. The prophets are foreordained to be leaders of the church, and there are certain principles that other members of the church could not know first hand. Some principles need to be revealed by the men called of God.
What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?
In Section 28, I learned that Satan can easily tempt members of the church to believe that they have the powers of revelation concerning anyone but themselves or their families. Prophets are called of God for a reason; God knows that they were and are faithful members who would be willing to be such wonderful servants of Him. There is tension with sources of revelation because some members believe that they should be the ones who are to reveal truths unto the other members of the church, but they do not have that authority. Revelation from prophets is much more important because the information they tell us comes directly from God.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Emma Smith: An Elect Lady
Section 25 in the Doctrine and Covenants is the Lord's revelation to Emma Smith. She was an elect lady called of God. All the women in the church should follow her example with these 10 attributes she possessed.
1. Verse 1- "...all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom."
Since Emma Smith received and lived the gospel, she was considered a daughter of God. When we live the commandments of God, we are able to return to God's kingdom and reign as princesses.
2. Verse 2- "...walk in the paths of virtue before me."
Emma Smith was a virtuous woman, and we are commanded to be virtuous as well. Our virtue should be of the most importance to us. Proverbs 31:10 says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." In our world today, virtue is a rarity. When a woman has virtue, she is aware of her self-worth and her importance in God's eyes.
3. Verse 3- "...Thou art an elect lady..."
In the footnotes, we learn that being an elect lady means to be called of God. Emma Smith was foreordained by God to serve specific purposes, and she was called for a reason.
4. Verse 5- "...Be a comfort unto... thy husband..."
Elect ladies are always there for their husbands. They comfort them, support them, praise them, and love them. Translating the Book of Mormon was a very difficult calling with a lot of pressures; Joseph Smith needed all the support he could get, especially from his wife. Wives need to let their husbands know that they're behind their righteous decisions and doings 100%.
5. Verse 6- "...And be unto him a scribe..."
The Lord had other duties for Oliver Cowdery to fulfill, so while he was away, Emma Smith was called to take his place as a scribe for the prophet. I'm sure being a scribe was a demanding position, but since Emma was an elect lady, she was willing to do what the Lord asked. Emma Smith had children, a house, and a husband to take care of, but she still accepted God's commandment.
6. Verse 8- "...And thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost."
Elect ladies have the guidance of the Holy Ghost. With the spirit guiding us, we are able to know what the Lord would have us do. Because Emma Smith was a righteous woman, she was blessed with the Holy Ghost. We need the Holy Ghost to guide us, comfort us, warn us, and praise us.
7. Verse 10- "...Thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."
To be an elect lady, one must focus on the riches and blessings that come from the Lord. Those are the blessings that will last for eternity. If a woman is searching for the instant gratification the world offers, she does not possess the qualities of an elect lady. Since elect ladies are called of God, they must be willing to focus everything they have on God and His work.
8. Verse 11- "And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns...which is pleasing unto me." Verse 12- "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me..."
Emma Smith was called to select hymns to put in the first hymn book. I have a testimony that the hymns we sing to worship God have the power to bring the spirit so strongly into the room. Emma Smith had the great blessing of putting together the first hymn book because the Lord knew the powerful potential they held. When we sing hymns, we are praying to the Lord, and He hears us. Through singing hymns, we may be able to express thoughts and gratitude that we could not express before.
9. Verse 13- "Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made."
Elect ladies honor the covenants they've made with the Lord. A covenant is a two-way street. In order for the Lord to bless us as He said He would, it is crucial that we do as He has commanded us. If a woman is called of God, she will follow every commandment of God to the best of her ability.
10. Verse 14- "Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride."
In order to be an elect lady, a woman must be humble and teachable. If she is not teachable, she is not able to serve the Lord or focus on His works. Pride can lead us down a very destructive path. If we are prideful, there is a great chance that we can be easily offended. I know everyone has heard stories of members letting pride rule them, which can ultimately lead to leaving the church. Emma Smith needed to be humble so that she could carry out the works of God.
Emma Smith had a hard life; she lost multiple children, she was restricted from things she wanted to be a part of, and she had to endure terrible afflictions. The Lord knew what she was going through and what she would eventually experience, so He admonished her with the words in Section 25. I know it was a great test of faith for her when she was not allowed to see the Plates as the prophet Joseph translated them into the Book of Mormon. I know it was also a huge test of faith as she had to endure the challenging trails caused by those who rejected the gospel. The Lord knows each and every one of us, and He will give us advice that perfectly correlates with our trials.
1. Verse 1- "...all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom."
Since Emma Smith received and lived the gospel, she was considered a daughter of God. When we live the commandments of God, we are able to return to God's kingdom and reign as princesses.
2. Verse 2- "...walk in the paths of virtue before me."
Emma Smith was a virtuous woman, and we are commanded to be virtuous as well. Our virtue should be of the most importance to us. Proverbs 31:10 says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." In our world today, virtue is a rarity. When a woman has virtue, she is aware of her self-worth and her importance in God's eyes.
3. Verse 3- "...Thou art an elect lady..."
In the footnotes, we learn that being an elect lady means to be called of God. Emma Smith was foreordained by God to serve specific purposes, and she was called for a reason.
4. Verse 5- "...Be a comfort unto... thy husband..."
Elect ladies are always there for their husbands. They comfort them, support them, praise them, and love them. Translating the Book of Mormon was a very difficult calling with a lot of pressures; Joseph Smith needed all the support he could get, especially from his wife. Wives need to let their husbands know that they're behind their righteous decisions and doings 100%.
5. Verse 6- "...And be unto him a scribe..."
The Lord had other duties for Oliver Cowdery to fulfill, so while he was away, Emma Smith was called to take his place as a scribe for the prophet. I'm sure being a scribe was a demanding position, but since Emma was an elect lady, she was willing to do what the Lord asked. Emma Smith had children, a house, and a husband to take care of, but she still accepted God's commandment.
6. Verse 8- "...And thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost."
Elect ladies have the guidance of the Holy Ghost. With the spirit guiding us, we are able to know what the Lord would have us do. Because Emma Smith was a righteous woman, she was blessed with the Holy Ghost. We need the Holy Ghost to guide us, comfort us, warn us, and praise us.
7. Verse 10- "...Thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."
To be an elect lady, one must focus on the riches and blessings that come from the Lord. Those are the blessings that will last for eternity. If a woman is searching for the instant gratification the world offers, she does not possess the qualities of an elect lady. Since elect ladies are called of God, they must be willing to focus everything they have on God and His work.
8. Verse 11- "And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns...which is pleasing unto me." Verse 12- "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me..."
Emma Smith was called to select hymns to put in the first hymn book. I have a testimony that the hymns we sing to worship God have the power to bring the spirit so strongly into the room. Emma Smith had the great blessing of putting together the first hymn book because the Lord knew the powerful potential they held. When we sing hymns, we are praying to the Lord, and He hears us. Through singing hymns, we may be able to express thoughts and gratitude that we could not express before.
9. Verse 13- "Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made."
Elect ladies honor the covenants they've made with the Lord. A covenant is a two-way street. In order for the Lord to bless us as He said He would, it is crucial that we do as He has commanded us. If a woman is called of God, she will follow every commandment of God to the best of her ability.
10. Verse 14- "Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride."
In order to be an elect lady, a woman must be humble and teachable. If she is not teachable, she is not able to serve the Lord or focus on His works. Pride can lead us down a very destructive path. If we are prideful, there is a great chance that we can be easily offended. I know everyone has heard stories of members letting pride rule them, which can ultimately lead to leaving the church. Emma Smith needed to be humble so that she could carry out the works of God.
Emma Smith had a hard life; she lost multiple children, she was restricted from things she wanted to be a part of, and she had to endure terrible afflictions. The Lord knew what she was going through and what she would eventually experience, so He admonished her with the words in Section 25. I know it was a great test of faith for her when she was not allowed to see the Plates as the prophet Joseph translated them into the Book of Mormon. I know it was also a huge test of faith as she had to endure the challenging trails caused by those who rejected the gospel. The Lord knows each and every one of us, and He will give us advice that perfectly correlates with our trials.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
D&C Section 19
This week, I'm going to record my thoughts about Martin Harris' commandment to sell his property in order to help with the printing of the Book of Mormon, revelations given in this section that further our understanding of the Plan of Salvation, and how revelations in this section differ from those of other Christian faiths.
In this section, Martin Harris tells Joseph Smith that he needs to have a commandment in order to sell his property. As I read the accounts listed in the assignment, it seemed to me as though Martin Harris was lacking a little faith. Joseph Smith said to him that he needed to "fulfill what you have got." If we are asked to do something such as Martin Harris was, we need to obey, whether it is an official commanded or not. If God asks us to do something, it is a commandment. It doesn't need to be written down in order for us to obey it. We need to have faith that God is asking us to do something that will benefit us; He always has a reason for what He does.
Next, I was asked to look through this section and find other revelations that help us further understand the Plan of Salvation.
Verse 13: "Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name." This scripture brings together two very important parts of the plan and of the gospel: We need to always repent and keep the commandments, but we also believe that God gives us commandments through His servants, the prophets. (Amos 3:7) When the prophets give us advice and tell us things we need to improve, we know those words come straight from God. In Amos 3:7 it says that "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
Verse 19: "Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." This scripture helps us understand that everything Christ did and still does is in the name of the Father, and we must do the same. Everything we do should be in the name of the Father. When Christ presented the Plan of Salvation, He told Heavenly Father that the glory would be in His name. He would not take any of the glory for himself.
Verses 25 and 26: "And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife; nor seek thy neighbor's life. And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property..." This scripture teaches us all about how the Lord does not want us to covet what those around us have, but it also teaches us that we shouldn't covet what we already have. If we have something that the Lord wants us to give up in order to receive something better later, we must sacrifice it because it's a commandment that will bring us blessings. Tithing is a great example of sacrifice. If money is really tight, and we have to choose between paying rent and paying tithing, we should choose to pay our tithing. If we pay our tithing with faith, the Lord will make sure we are taken care of.
The Book of Mormon lists many revelations that the Saints believe in that other Christian faiths do not believe in. Because of this, those other Christian faiths are under the impression that we are not Christians and other such beliefs. At the County Fair in Oregon, there is always a booth that hands out "Jesus loves you" cards and attempts to teach the people that pass by how to be saved. I once heard that to be saved, all we have to do is accept Christ as our Savior. Although that is one of the things we must do, there is still much more to it. We are saved by the grace of God after all we can do. Verse 4 says, "And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless." In order to be saved, we must also repent of our sins. We sin so much every week, and we need to take responsibility for what we have done. A lot of other Christian churches believe that if we accept Christ as our Savior, He will do the rest, and we won't have to worry about anything. However, we must do all we possibly can in order to show our faith and love for God.
Although God can and will punish us, He does it for good reason. He will punish us when he do not obey Him. He will punish us when we deny Him. However, when we are punished, God has our best interests in mind. When He gives us commandments, He knows they will bless us. When He tells us to always believe in Him and follow the commandments, He knows that good things will come of it. If we are punished by God, we are actually receiving mercy. God teaches us through punishment. We have such a merciful God that is willing to give us as many chances as we need to get it right.
In this section, Martin Harris tells Joseph Smith that he needs to have a commandment in order to sell his property. As I read the accounts listed in the assignment, it seemed to me as though Martin Harris was lacking a little faith. Joseph Smith said to him that he needed to "fulfill what you have got." If we are asked to do something such as Martin Harris was, we need to obey, whether it is an official commanded or not. If God asks us to do something, it is a commandment. It doesn't need to be written down in order for us to obey it. We need to have faith that God is asking us to do something that will benefit us; He always has a reason for what He does.
Next, I was asked to look through this section and find other revelations that help us further understand the Plan of Salvation.
Verse 13: "Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name." This scripture brings together two very important parts of the plan and of the gospel: We need to always repent and keep the commandments, but we also believe that God gives us commandments through His servants, the prophets. (Amos 3:7) When the prophets give us advice and tell us things we need to improve, we know those words come straight from God. In Amos 3:7 it says that "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
Verse 19: "Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." This scripture helps us understand that everything Christ did and still does is in the name of the Father, and we must do the same. Everything we do should be in the name of the Father. When Christ presented the Plan of Salvation, He told Heavenly Father that the glory would be in His name. He would not take any of the glory for himself.
Verses 25 and 26: "And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife; nor seek thy neighbor's life. And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property..." This scripture teaches us all about how the Lord does not want us to covet what those around us have, but it also teaches us that we shouldn't covet what we already have. If we have something that the Lord wants us to give up in order to receive something better later, we must sacrifice it because it's a commandment that will bring us blessings. Tithing is a great example of sacrifice. If money is really tight, and we have to choose between paying rent and paying tithing, we should choose to pay our tithing. If we pay our tithing with faith, the Lord will make sure we are taken care of.
The Book of Mormon lists many revelations that the Saints believe in that other Christian faiths do not believe in. Because of this, those other Christian faiths are under the impression that we are not Christians and other such beliefs. At the County Fair in Oregon, there is always a booth that hands out "Jesus loves you" cards and attempts to teach the people that pass by how to be saved. I once heard that to be saved, all we have to do is accept Christ as our Savior. Although that is one of the things we must do, there is still much more to it. We are saved by the grace of God after all we can do. Verse 4 says, "And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless." In order to be saved, we must also repent of our sins. We sin so much every week, and we need to take responsibility for what we have done. A lot of other Christian churches believe that if we accept Christ as our Savior, He will do the rest, and we won't have to worry about anything. However, we must do all we possibly can in order to show our faith and love for God.
Although God can and will punish us, He does it for good reason. He will punish us when he do not obey Him. He will punish us when we deny Him. However, when we are punished, God has our best interests in mind. When He gives us commandments, He knows they will bless us. When He tells us to always believe in Him and follow the commandments, He knows that good things will come of it. If we are punished by God, we are actually receiving mercy. God teaches us through punishment. We have such a merciful God that is willing to give us as many chances as we need to get it right.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Cause and Effect in the Doctrine and Covenants
In sections 6-9 and 11-13 of the Doctrine and Covenants, there are several cause and effect situations that the Lord explains to Oliver Cowdry. We, as students, are also able to learn of these commandments and apply them to our lives in order to be a more righteous people, so that we may gain celestial glory. Although each of these sections is full of blessings, I'm going to focus on the magnificent blessings listed in section 6.
1. D&C 6:3- "...Reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God."
When talking about missionary work, if we spread the gospel as much as we can, then we gain eternal life and are able to live with our Father in Heaven once again. This scripture reveals to me that God wants so much for His church to be established all over the world. The gospel is one of the greatest things on this earth, and the Lord wishes for us to share it with those we love.
2. D&C 6:5- "Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you."
If we ask of our righteous desires to the Lord, then He will let it be known unto us. If we want to know the knowledge of something in particular, we are encouraged to ask the Lord; if our desires are righteous, we will get an answer. While on this earth, the Lord wishes for us to gain as much knowledge as we can. In our mortality, it is impossible to comprehend the eternal knowledge and blessings there is to know without the help of God. However, with God's help, we are able to know all that we need to know.
3. D&C 6:7- "Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
If we seek for all the wisdom we can, then we will become rich with blessings. One of the greatest blessings any of us can receive is the gift of eternal life. When presented with the opportunity to live with our family and our Heavenly Father for all time and eternity, we must do all that we can in order to obtain it. God loves each and every one of us more than we could know. He loves us so much that he blessed us with the chance to live with Him and our families for the rest of our existence.
4. D&C 6:9- "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed."
If we are constantly repenting, keeping the commandments, and serving the Lord by sharing the gospel, then we will be blessed. Blessings can come in so many different situations and forms. The Lord can bless us with people, actions, and even money. We must do all we can to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth. It is so important that we also repent of our sins. When we are aiming to set a positive example to those around us, we must be doing all we can to show them how to act and live.
5. D&C 6:13- "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God."
If we act on our desires to do good unto others and possess a great faith, then we will be saved in the kingdom of God. Throughout the scriptures, we are often taught that obtaining eternal life is the greatest gift that God could give us. Jesus Christ suffered through all of our sins and pains, so that we are able to live with Him again one day. Being blessed with eternal life shows that God is such a loving father towards us. We are His children, and he wants nothing more than for us to be eternally joyful. Being saved in the kingdom of God will bring us eternal joy.
6. D&C 6:20- "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."
If we exercise faith and diligently keep the commandments, the Lord will encircle us in the arms of His love. This is such a powerful scripture because it expresses to us how important it is for us to do these things. The image of being encircled in God's arms of love is such a comforting and moving picture. In the footnote of "love", it instructs the reader to go to the Topical Guide and look up "God, Love of." This means that our God is simply a God of love. He expresses so much love for His children, and he does it often. It is not a hard task to be faithful and diligently keep the commandments; it is a small price to pay for the blessings we have and will have.
7. D&C 6:23- "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"
If the Lord speaks peace unto us concerning our troubles, then we must have faith that He will resolve our worries. We are faced with so many concerns and trials in our world today, but if we simply ask the Lord to comfort us, He will. However, we must ask in faith. James 1:6 says, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..." If we ask the Lord for comfort and peace, we must be prepared to have full faith that He will come through.
8. D&C 6:31- "But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors."
If we spread the word of God by our testimonies, and it is accepted into the hearts of the people, then we shall have joy in knowing that we have saved a soul that is precious unto the Lord. Since the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, we have a duty to bring as many people as we can unto Christ. When we successfully bring the message of the gospel to those around us, we will be blessed with the joy of our work.
9. D&C 6:34- "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
The Lord promises us that if we do good and live a Christ-like life, then the forces of earth and hell cannot prevail over us; we will be saved from the temptations and evils that surround us. This scripture lets us know that if we do good and live righteously, we can LET the powers of earth and hell combine and try to knock us down, but we have the knowledge that they will not succeed. They will not obtain power over us because we have the Lord on our side.
10. D&C 6:37- "...Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."
If we are faithful and keep the commandments, then we will inherit eternal glory. Eternal glory can consist of eternal salvation, dwelling in the presence of God, and becoming Gods and Goddesses. The possibilities of this marvelous blessing are potentially limitless. It is so powerful and great to know that all we are required to do to obtain this beautiful and glorious blessing is have faith and keep the commandments. It's that simple.
Through these scriptures, I have learned that our Heavenly Father is the most loving, giving, caring, and glorious being that we will ever know. He loves us so much that He strives for us to obtain our eternal life. He cares for us so much that He sent His own son to this earth so that we may have the opportunity to gain eternal life. He gave us the very opportunity to become like Him and inherit His kingdom. It is such a great blessing to know what glories we can obtain if we only exercise faith in the Lord and His son, Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments. What we are required to do is such a simple task in order to achieve such wonderful outcomes.
1. D&C 6:3- "...Reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God."
When talking about missionary work, if we spread the gospel as much as we can, then we gain eternal life and are able to live with our Father in Heaven once again. This scripture reveals to me that God wants so much for His church to be established all over the world. The gospel is one of the greatest things on this earth, and the Lord wishes for us to share it with those we love.
2. D&C 6:5- "Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you."
If we ask of our righteous desires to the Lord, then He will let it be known unto us. If we want to know the knowledge of something in particular, we are encouraged to ask the Lord; if our desires are righteous, we will get an answer. While on this earth, the Lord wishes for us to gain as much knowledge as we can. In our mortality, it is impossible to comprehend the eternal knowledge and blessings there is to know without the help of God. However, with God's help, we are able to know all that we need to know.
3. D&C 6:7- "Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
If we seek for all the wisdom we can, then we will become rich with blessings. One of the greatest blessings any of us can receive is the gift of eternal life. When presented with the opportunity to live with our family and our Heavenly Father for all time and eternity, we must do all that we can in order to obtain it. God loves each and every one of us more than we could know. He loves us so much that he blessed us with the chance to live with Him and our families for the rest of our existence.
4. D&C 6:9- "Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed."
If we are constantly repenting, keeping the commandments, and serving the Lord by sharing the gospel, then we will be blessed. Blessings can come in so many different situations and forms. The Lord can bless us with people, actions, and even money. We must do all we can to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth. It is so important that we also repent of our sins. When we are aiming to set a positive example to those around us, we must be doing all we can to show them how to act and live.
5. D&C 6:13- "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God."
If we act on our desires to do good unto others and possess a great faith, then we will be saved in the kingdom of God. Throughout the scriptures, we are often taught that obtaining eternal life is the greatest gift that God could give us. Jesus Christ suffered through all of our sins and pains, so that we are able to live with Him again one day. Being blessed with eternal life shows that God is such a loving father towards us. We are His children, and he wants nothing more than for us to be eternally joyful. Being saved in the kingdom of God will bring us eternal joy.
6. D&C 6:20- "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."
If we exercise faith and diligently keep the commandments, the Lord will encircle us in the arms of His love. This is such a powerful scripture because it expresses to us how important it is for us to do these things. The image of being encircled in God's arms of love is such a comforting and moving picture. In the footnote of "love", it instructs the reader to go to the Topical Guide and look up "God, Love of." This means that our God is simply a God of love. He expresses so much love for His children, and he does it often. It is not a hard task to be faithful and diligently keep the commandments; it is a small price to pay for the blessings we have and will have.
7. D&C 6:23- "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"
If the Lord speaks peace unto us concerning our troubles, then we must have faith that He will resolve our worries. We are faced with so many concerns and trials in our world today, but if we simply ask the Lord to comfort us, He will. However, we must ask in faith. James 1:6 says, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering..." If we ask the Lord for comfort and peace, we must be prepared to have full faith that He will come through.
8. D&C 6:31- "But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors."
If we spread the word of God by our testimonies, and it is accepted into the hearts of the people, then we shall have joy in knowing that we have saved a soul that is precious unto the Lord. Since the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, we have a duty to bring as many people as we can unto Christ. When we successfully bring the message of the gospel to those around us, we will be blessed with the joy of our work.
9. D&C 6:34- "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
The Lord promises us that if we do good and live a Christ-like life, then the forces of earth and hell cannot prevail over us; we will be saved from the temptations and evils that surround us. This scripture lets us know that if we do good and live righteously, we can LET the powers of earth and hell combine and try to knock us down, but we have the knowledge that they will not succeed. They will not obtain power over us because we have the Lord on our side.
10. D&C 6:37- "...Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."
If we are faithful and keep the commandments, then we will inherit eternal glory. Eternal glory can consist of eternal salvation, dwelling in the presence of God, and becoming Gods and Goddesses. The possibilities of this marvelous blessing are potentially limitless. It is so powerful and great to know that all we are required to do to obtain this beautiful and glorious blessing is have faith and keep the commandments. It's that simple.
Through these scriptures, I have learned that our Heavenly Father is the most loving, giving, caring, and glorious being that we will ever know. He loves us so much that He strives for us to obtain our eternal life. He cares for us so much that He sent His own son to this earth so that we may have the opportunity to gain eternal life. He gave us the very opportunity to become like Him and inherit His kingdom. It is such a great blessing to know what glories we can obtain if we only exercise faith in the Lord and His son, Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments. What we are required to do is such a simple task in order to achieve such wonderful outcomes.
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