Come Follow Me: D&C 115-120

 Come Follow Me: D&C 115-120

D&C 115

During the early years of the Church, it held various names, including: the Church of Christ, and the Church of the Latter-day Saints. Mostly, it was known as the Mormon or Mormonite Church. In this section, it would be officially given its full name by the Lord: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, this name is significant. For years, he's noted that in the Book of Mormon, the Lord insisted to the Nephites that to be the Lord's Church is must be called after His name (3 Nephi 27):

And Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?

And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter.

And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.

Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Nephi 27:2-8)

This command has been repeated several times in the last few years, including in the penultimate talk in the October 2021 General Conference by Elder Neil L. Anderson, The Name of the Church is Not Negotiable.

 It has been difficult for the members of the Church and the world to reclaim its proper title after more than a century of being called Mormons. It has taken time to figure out the best way to use the Church's name and what we call ourselves:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint-ers?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint-ites?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint-ists?

It follows that we settled upon "members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." We can also call ourselves "saints" or "Latter-day Saints" when referring to members, after first use of the full name of the Church. This also applies to shortened versions of the Church, after first using the full name: "The Church of Jesus Christ", "the Restored Church of Jesus Christ", etc.

This title is so important that the Lord revealed it to Joseph Smith during a very critical period in Church history. Far West, Missouri is a beautiful place. It is one of my favorite places on earth. I live about 6 hours from it, and to visit it means time for peaceful and quiet reflection. However, in Joseph's day, it was a very dangerous place for the Saints. 

Many have apostatized from the Church, including Thomas Marsh (president of the Quorum of Twelve), Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer. Over the next 6 months, more will leave the Church, including W. W. Phelps, who will be involved in deceiving Joseph Smith in his arrest to the Missouri militia. The Church was driven out of Jackson County a few years earlier, and now was hoping to establish itself in Clay County, which was established by the state specifically for the members of the Church. Sadly, it wouldn't last long.

Besides establishing the name of the Church, this revelation also established that Far West was still part of the "land of Zion."

"Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated land unto me; and it shall be called most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy." (vs 7)

The Land of Zion is anywhere that a stake of Zion is established in righteousness. Later, Joseph Smith would note that

 all of North and South America would be the land of Zion.

The Lord also commanded a temple be built in Far West. They did not have the opportunity to build it, but the cornerstones were laid and are still at this peaceful site today.

D&C 116

This revelation designates Spring Hill, north of Far West, as the original location for Adam-Ondi-Ahman. It was at this place where Adam met with his descendants prior to his death and blessed them (D&C 107). 

A temple was also planned for the city of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, but like the Far West Temple, was not built, due to the persecution that soon would come upon the saints.

It is at Adam-Ondi-Ahman that another giant conference will be held, including prophets and saints of previous times. According to tradition, all the keys will be returned to Adam, who will then give them again to Jesus Christ. It will be at this time that the Millennium will open and all things will prepare for Christ's return  in glory at his official Second Coming to the world.

D&C 117

In this revelation, the Lord commands William Marks, Newell K. Whitney and Oliver Granger to sell everything in Kirtland and move to Missouri. Their leadership was needed in Far West and the surrounding area, and the Kirtland era was over, as apostates had driven the Prophet Joseph out of the city months before.

While the time in Far West and the region would be short-lived for the saints, the call to Zion and to give all regardless of the outcome is necessary for salvation. In this recent General Conference, Elder Holland noted regarding salvation:

Although Isaiah reassures us it is available “without money and without price”—and it is—we must be prepared, using T. S. Eliot’s line, to have it cost “not less than everything.” (Jeffrey Holland, The Greatest Possession, Oct 2021 General Conference)

Building and establishing Zion requires everything from us. Sometimes the Lord may ask us to bathe seven times in the River Jordan to become clean, and sometimes to sell everything. One example is found in the second volume of history called Saints. Addison Pratt was sent on a mission to the islands of the Pacific when Joseph Smith was still alive in Nauvoo. Five years later, he met up with his family in Salt Lake, reuniting with a wife and daughters who barely knew him. A year later, he would be sent again to Tahiti on another mission.

Are we prepared to "move to Zion?" Are we prepared to build Zion where we live?

D&C 118

Apostles are called to replace those who have left the Church. Thomas Marsh was still the president of the Twelve, but would also leave the Church, and David Patten die in October. The Twelve are called to leave for a mission in England the following April from the Far West temple site. Brigham Young, who will be the president of the Twelve, will ensure those leaving for the mission will secretly lay the cornerstone for the Far West temple on their way to England.

D&C 119

Prior to this revelation, the term "tithing" meant any free-will offering given to the Church. In this revelation, it is established as one-tenth of one's increase. While it increases our understanding on what a tithe is, it does not establish whether tithes are paid on all our moneys, or if an "increase" means after taxes. This decision has been left up to the individual saint to prayerfully decide with the Lord's guidance.

The Law of Tithing is a terrestrial law. So important is it that without this minimum law (under the law of consecration) the stakes of Zion cannot be established.

"And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you." (vs 6)

D&C 120

This establishes that all tithes given by the saints would be distributed or used by a counsel consisting of the First Presidency, the Presiding Bishopric and the Twelve.

Come Follow Me: D&C 111-114

 Come Follow Me: D&C 111-114

D&C 111

In this revelation, the Lord sent Joseph to Boston to obtain loans/money to help the Church with its debts. When the money didn't pan out, the Lord told him there were other important things in Boston, such as souls to save.

Interestingly, the Lord told Joseph not to worry about his debts and that they would be taken care of. However, within two years, the Kirtland Safety Society Bank would collapse, along with hundreds of other banks throughout the country.

Joseph would struggle with debt the rest of his life, in fact, and in death, would leave huge debt for both Emma and the Church.

We will see here and in a few other points where the Lord instructs Joseph and the Saints, and the revelation isn't fulfilled as expected. Other moments include the saints gathering to Zion and the building of the temple in Zion. Those prophecies failed, partially because of the evil of the saints and partially because of the Missourians. 

Another example of this comes in the story of Jonah. God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people he is going to destroy them. After Jonah's escape antics, he finally obeys God and tells the great city to prepare for destruction. But then something happens. The king and the people repent. They wear sack cloth not only on themselves, but on their animals. So humble are they that God chooses instead to protect the city from death and destruction.

It seems God has two types of prophecies: those that will definitely come to pass (like the birth and life of Jesus Christ), and those that are contingent on the actions of the people. 

In this instance, Boston wasn't ready in Joseph Smith's time to give up any treasures. However, since then it has provided much value to the Church in converts, opportunities for members to receive higher learning, and a place to build a temple.

D&C 112

Thomas Marsh was the president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Upon returning from a mission, he bristled to know that Joseph had sent several of the apostles to England on a mission. Marsh felt it was his duty to make the assignments, being president of the quorum. He also believed he should have been the person to head up such an important assignment, rather than be left behind.

This revelation clarifies that Joseph, as President of the Church, held the authority over the Twelve to send them where the Lord desired.

It also gave counsel to Thomas and the other Twelve regarding their work, which applies to the Twelve and us today.

"Let thy heart be of good cheer...." (vs 4)

"Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech." (vs 5)

 "...gird up they loins..." (vs 7)

"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers." (vs 10)

"let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name." (vs 11)

"And pray for thy brethren of the Twelve." (vs 12)

 D&C 113

This revelation regards answers to questions regarding Isaiah 11.

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isa 11:1-5)

 It explains that Jesus is a descendant of Jesse, father of King David, seen here as the "Stem" or branch that would come forth. 

From this Stem (Jesus Christ) would come another (rod - or smaller stem) which would be from both the line of David and from Ephraim. This is Joseph Smith, who would be brought forth by Christ in the last days to be the Prophet of the Restoration. 

Also asked regarding the root in verse 10:

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

The answer is somewhat awkward:

"Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days." (vs 6)

The priesthood rightly belongs, not to Joseph, but to Jesus Christ.  The keys of the kingdom are the Lord's. It is He who is an ensign and who shall gather the righteous in the last days.

 

D&C 114

Owing to his continued anger at Joseph Smith for sending the Twelve to England without him, Thomas Marsh left the Church. In this revelation, David Patten is called to replace him as President of the Quorum of the Twelve.

 It was a short-lived appointment, as Patten would die in a skirmish just six months later in Missouri. At that point, Brigham Young would become president of the Twelve.

 

 

Come Follow Me: D&C 109-110

 Come Follow Me: D&C 109-110

 

These sections discuss the dedicatory prayer and some of the experiences regarding the Kirtland Temple.

For years, the Lord had pressed the saints to build the temple, so they could receive "power from on high" and an "endowment of power."

The weeks preceding and following the official dedication of the temple, became a period of what is known as the Mormon Pentecost. 

Benjamin Brown noted in a letter to his wife that the events were "Many marvelous things transpired even greater than at the day of Pentecost." There were many visions and revelations, including a great light that appeared at night on the roof of the temple.

Brown noted that some had seen the heavens opened, some saw the Savior, while others saw angels standing over the temple with swords drawn to protect it. Some saw Adam, the prophet Elijah with his chariot of fire, while others saw the ancient apostles. 

Healings, speaking in tongues, and visions of the last days occurred among the members. 

Jesus appeared in at least five meetings to various people. For example, Frederick G. Williams saw the Savior walk up the aisle and sit himself between Williams and Joseph Smith, Sr. 

Latter-Day Saint Magazine notes: 

"The Pentecostal experiences in the temple commenced with an overpowering vision of Deity accompanied by the ministering of angels, communion with heavenly beings, and glorious visions given to key priesthood leaders. On January 21, 1836, Joseph Smith and others experienced a vision of the Father and Son at a meeting on the west end of the temple’s upper story. Those present included Joseph Smith Sr., the First Presidency, the presidency of the Church in Missouri, the bishoprics in Kirtland and Missouri, and the Prophet’s scribe, Warren Parrish, who recorded the event in Joseph Smith’s diary. Section 137 of the Doctrine and Covenants contains an account of this vision..."

Angels were seen on the rooftop of the temple, angels flew into the temple through the windows. God the Father and Jesus Christ walked up the aisles and then disappeared.

This all culminated with the events in D&C 110. After meetings, Joseph and Oliver separated themselves from the others by a curtain, on the Melchizedek Priesthood platform. They prayed and were visited by Jesus, Moses, Elias and Elijah. Christ accepted the house as his own. The prophets restored ancient keys, gathering of Israel (missionary work), the Gospel of Abraham (his blessings and promises), and the sealing powers of the temple.

Today, President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continues encouraging members to experience the Pentecost. In this weekend's General Conference, President Nelson first encouraged us to seek:

"I invite you to listen for three things during this conference: pure truth, the pure doctrine of Christ and pure revelation.”

In a Sunday session, President Nelson invited us to enter the temple, follow the covenant path, and build a sound personal foundation by seeking and keeping sacred covenants in the temple. 

So how do we stop receiving impure revelation and truth, and begin to embrace God's pure truth and revelation? By leaving behind our weak foundations, rejecting the world's philosophies, and embrace fully God's will in our lives.

We should seek, as did the early saints, pentecostal experiences in attending the temple. It is a place of revelation. It is the place to experience the divine. It is where we can see God face to face, and feel the Holy Ghost. It is where we can also receive our "endowment of power" and experience "power from on high."

Benjamin Brown letter: https://byustudies.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/42.2HarperPentecost-f5e22c1b-d839-4204-a462-807a801f4304.pdf

The Kirtland Temple Pentecost experiences, Latter-day Saint Magazine: https://latterdaysaintmag.com/the-kirtland-temple-a-pentecost-and-a-time-of-rejoicing/

Prepping for General Conference

 This upcoming weekend is General Conference. Listening all weekend is like drinking from a fire hydrant. Yes, you get some water, but most of it spills right past you. Here are some suggestions to help you get as much as possible from the talks. I also ask you to add your helpful hints in the comments.

 

Prepare Ahead of Time

What are things that can prepare you and your home for General Conference?

    1. Make sure you have food prepared prior to Conference

    2. Have your house clean. 

    3. Get rid of other possible distractions. Decide what to do with cell phones, televisions, game consoles, and other things that can entice you or your family away from listening. There's plenty of time before and in between sessions to check social media, email and voice messages.

    4. Prepare ahead of time Conference games for children. For example Conference bingo is often a hit with kids. For those too little to read, use pictures instead of words in the bingo game. Words, such as Jesus, love, prophet, Mormon, apostle, family, temple, etc., can be used. There are several available online to download.

    Another fun game is to divide a piece of paper into four sections (draw four quadrants, don't cut). Then in a quadrant of the paper, draw a picture of the person at the podium, and write down around his/her head the major themes and phrases used by the person. Each speaker gets his own quadrant. After Conference, judge which pictures are best, which themes leaped out the most.

    5. Obtain a Conference journal for each adult and older child. Explained below.

    6. Have each family member pick their spot in front of the television beforehand. If it means bringing out chairs, pillows, blankets or sleeping bags to lay on, you'll have it all set up prior to Conference, so there's no rushing around during the opening hymn and prayer. If you allow food during Conference, have each seat situated with any drinks or food, so there's no rushing to the refrigerator during talks. Make sure everyone takes a bathroom break prior to the opening hymn.    

    7. Consider fasting to get into the spirit.

    8. Invite others to watch General Conference. You can do formal invitations, or informally invite people over social media. In fact, I encourage all of my readers to invite others over social media to watch at least one session of General Conference.

During General Conference

    1. Conference journal: In the past, many of us wrote down everything we heard, as we would not see/hear Conference until the Ensign/Liahona would come out a month later. Today, it isn't necessary to write everything down. Within a couple weeks, Conference will be available again to study, hear, watch and read. Instead, as you listen to the talks, listen to the Spirit and write down what it speaks to you. What personal revelation is given to you as you listen to General Authorities share their messages? What words, sentences or stories leap out at you? What impressions do you receive? Write these things down. You'll see conference again later, however you especially want to remember the personal revelation you receive while listening. Those thoughts and feelings won't be available later, unless you write them down.

    2. Sing the hymns with the choir. 

    For those who don't want to sing, draw a picture of the choir members, and again write song phrases around their heads. Draw yourself or family member into the choir, perhaps helping to direct the choir.

 

After Conference

     1. In between sessions, after Conference, or during next Family Home Evening, discuss the bingo words, the pictures drawn, and the personal Conference journal notes with one another. Ask which talk was favorite for each person, which story was amazing, which goals the prophets have asked us to make over the next 6 months. Which new temples were announced? You can then look up the locations on a globe or on the internet.

    2. Schedule as a family to watch at least one Conference talk per week (every Sunday?) over the next six months. Discuss them. You'll find you won't get through all of them by doing only one per week, you may choose to do two. You can also assign Family Home Evening lessons from General Conference talks. 

    As individuals, we may look to read a Conference talk each day, or several times a week, in conjunction with reading scriptures. After all, Conference is living scripture, and can inspire and teach us as much as the canonized scriptures.

    3. Review your Conference journal notes once per month, to remind you what the Holy Ghost impressed upon your mind.

    4. Set goals from those things learned in General Conference. Write specific goals that can be measured. If you are asked to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, how many pages/chapters per day would you have to read? If you have a goal to attend the temple: what must you do to receive a temple recommend? How often would to attend, and when will you schedule each visit?

    5. Put key phrases from Conference up around the house: refrigerator, bathroom mirror, by the front door.

    6. Discuss and determine how well you were prepared for Conference, and find ways to make the next Conference even more spiritual and inspiring.

Hopefully this list (not exhaustive) will give you a beginning place to prepare for next week's Conference. If you have more ideas, please add them to the comments.

    

 

Come Follow Me: D&C 106-108

 Come Follow Me: D&C 106-108

 

D&C 106

This is a revelation to Warren Cowdery, Oliver's brother. Warren joined the Church in 1834, and became presiding officer of the Freedom branch. Later, he would move to Kirtland, where he would assist his brother Oliver in printing the Messenger and Advocate newspaper, later becoming its editor. He would become disaffected from the Church, due to the failure of the Kirtland Safety bank. Along with Warren Parish, he would start a Latter Day Saint church, using the Kirtland temple after Joseph and the faithful saints moved to Missouri. This church would fracture after a few months. Warren would live the rest of his life in Kirtland.

"And again, verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter, and separated himself from the crafts of men;

"Therefore, blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him; and, notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.

"And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen." (vs 6-8)

Here, the Lord warns Warren of his weaknesses: vanity being a key issue. It is interesting to see how people could be so very diligent for a few years, only to fall away at the first sign of problems. Joseph Smith was a flawed man. Still, he was the person God chose to be prophet. 

And it is today. Do we end up questioning prophets because they sometimes make mistakes or fail us? Do we question bishops and stake presidents for the same reason? Are we so vain that we look down upon them, rather than pray for them and sustain them in times of duress (ours or theirs). 

Recently, many members (liberal and conservative) are grousing about statements made by Pres Nelson, Pres Oaks, Elder Holland and others regarding immigration, vaccines, BYU staying faithful to the gospel, conspiracies, location of the Book of Mormon, and many other issues.

Others I've seen are using nuance on what it means to "follow the Prophet" and claiming that personal revelation can be more important than prophetic authority. I've learned that while there are many important concepts taught by the Church, including agency, personal revelation and freedom, nothing is more important than submitting one's agency and personal will to the Lord by following priesthood leaders.

I wonder if the chaos in the world is leading the membership of the Church to a crossroads: do we follow the prophet, or follow our own worldview (whether liberal or conservative or other)? What do we do with our own vanity and pride? Do we bow ourselves to God's scepter, or not?

D&C 107

Along with a few other revelations, this is one of the major sections on priesthood. It includes a series of revelations, given as early as 1831 and updated in 1835 to include additional information on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

We learn there are two priesthoods, the Melchizedek and Aaronic. The higher priesthood is actually the Holy Priesthood after the Son of Man, but renamed to reduce the usage of the Lord's sacred name.

We also learn that only descendants of Aaron have a right to be a bishop as their inheritance. However, holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood can serve in any spiritual or temporal position, which is why we have high priests in the MP as bishops today. This also explains how the Nephites were able to build temples and offer sacrifices in their day: using the Melchizedek Priesthood's authority.

Mentioned again in D&C 107 are the keys held by each priesthood. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the spiritual keys and the right to the mysteries of Godliness. We receive the members of the Godhead into our lives (constant companionship of the Holy Ghost). In other words, one can see God through this priesthood power.

The Aaronic Priesthood has the outward ordinances of repentance and baptism. It also has the keys to the ministering of angels. In this powerful gift, we can ask for angels to assist us in our lives, but also in the lives of others. Imagine our personal missionary work, family history research, or daily activities strengthened and enhanced by angels! Angels can help in converting others to the gospel, strengthen them in times of struggle, testifying of the truth, and performing miracles. I've even known of unseen powers help people find  needed employment.

The Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and Seventy are also discussed. The Twelve are special witnesses of Jesus Christ in all the world. They are to testify of the resurrected Christ. The Seventy are an "especial" witness. Scripture does not explain the difference. Perhaps the main difference between a "special" witness and an "especial" witness is the letter "e."

In fact, this is what President Boyd K. Packer once told to Elder Ronald A. Rasband. Continuing, Pres Packer explained,

“The difference between especial and special is in the spelling, and it really does not mean anything more than that. To be a special witness of the name of Christ means that you have that witness and that authority that is unfailing, and it will be with you everywhere in the world.” ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/the-twelve-and-the-seventy-part-three-witnesses-to-the-world?lang=eng )

The First Presidency, Quorum of 12, and Seventy are three quorums "equal in authority." If something happened to two of these groups, the third group would have the authority to reorganize the other two quorums. Note that only the President of the Church holds all of the keys actively. While he lives, no person nor quorum can pretend to a power or authority greater than he has.

In other words, if an apostle or seventy were to try and start their own Church, they would not have the keys of authority to do so. This is why Denver Snuffer, the polygamy clans, and others do not have the approval from God to set up their own churches. They may have been ordained to priesthood, but they do not hold the keys nor authority to be prophets of God.

There is also a Patriarchal Priesthood as a part of the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was passed down from father to son, beginning with Adam. The section explains that Adam gathered his righteous children together at Adam-Ondi-Ahman and prophesied of the last days. Jesus Christ appeared to them and blessed Adam.

The Lord said to Adam,

"And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever." (vs 55)

As with Abraham and others, Adam is promised to be father of many nations. But if Adam was the first person born on earth, why would this statement need to be said? As I ponder scripture, especially the Creation stories (there are several in LDS theology), I have come to believe that Adam was not the first humanoid born on earth. However, he is the first humanoid born with the promise and understanding of the fullness of the gospel. Prior to him, there was no one with the promises of priesthood and saving ordinances. There were none who were taught about Christ and the atonement. He was the first man of those who are righteous.

And, as Adam, Abraham and others have received the promise to be rulers over nations, so too can we receive this same promise through following Christ and living righteously.

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.

"He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen." (vs 99-100)

Herein are important concepts for all those who serve God with priesthood power and authority, which includes men and women. Diligence and learning.

In this time of Covid, it has been easy to become slothful in our duty to God. A year away from Sunday meetings and temple worship can be tempting to drift back into the ease of worldliness. However, for some, it was a time to rededicate themselves and families to home-centered church. Now is the time to pick up our scriptures again. Daily prayers. Family Home Evening and Council. Service in the Church.

And we must be learning our duty. What is our duty? Well, first it is whatever responsibilities we have in the priesthood/church and in our own families. Second, it is to learn all that is necessary to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. What is it that they know? Music, art, science, math, engineering, botany, and a whole lot more.

Our lives should be filled with learning, so that we are better able to give of ourselves to God and others. Else, how can we become rulers over many nations, if we do not know all there is to know about teaching and ruling a people? Of course, this all starts in the family and grows out to include others in our circle of influence.

D&C 108

Lyman Royal Sherman joined the Church in 1832 and moved the next year to Kirtland. He was a member of Zion's camp. He eagerly followed the Prophet Joseph and obeyed the commandments given him. In 1835, he was called to be the president of the Seventy, and was a member of the Kirtland high council. Later, he would be called into the Quorum of the Twelve, but would die in Missouri before he was informed or ordained to the calling.

In this revelation, Lyman was uncertain his standing before the Lord, feeling he had not been diligent in his calling. Because he chose to repent and seek the Lord's guidance through Joseph Smith, he was forgiven and blessed. Unlike Warren Cowdery, Lyman would stand firmly with the prophet through the trials of the Kirtland Safety Society bank, being chased out of Kirtland by apostates, and then endure the trials of Missouri. He is a great example of faithfulness and diligence until the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come Follow Me: D&C 102-105

 Come Follow Me: D&C 102-105

 

D&C 102

This section deals with the organization of the first stake high council in Kirtland, Ohio. It is a pattern that is still used, and it works very well. It also has become a pattern for use with the Council of Twelve Apostles, its section added about a year later to this revelation, when the Quorum of Twelve were first organized (Feb 1835).

In handling issues, such as Church Membership Councils (formerly known as Disciplinary Councils), there must always be at least seven of the high council present, and five other high priests may be brought in to fill the quorum. They take numbered lots (1-12), and are seated according to their number. Evens on side of the table, odds on the other. One group represents the Church, while the other group ensures the fairness of the proceedings for the individual brought before the council. Depending on the severity and complexity of the case, a certain number will be allowed to ask questions and openly discuss issues. 

After the full discussion, the presidency retires briefly to pray about the case. They return with a decision, which must then be accepted unanimously by the council. If not, the discussion continues.

 While no council involving humans can be perfect, from my experience with several of these councils, I've found how diligent they tend to be in rendering a fair decision, guided by the Holy Ghost. 

D&C 103

 The call for Zion's Camp is made by the Lord. The saints have been cast out of Jackson County, Missouri. They are now scattered in other counties north, including Clay and Ray counties. Many are destitute and without homes. All of their wealth is in the homes they've fled from.

The Lord calls for 500 men in the army, though smaller groups may be acceptable. He also calls upon the saints to send money to finance the camp.

As it is, the Lord again explains (and will explain again) the two reasons for the tribulation. First, the saints in Jackson County were being disobedient to the commandments given them. Second, the Lord allows the wicked to accomplish their evil works, so that they may be judged in the long run.

Imagine your own feelings to see some saints or other innocent people as refugees. Today, there are millions of refugees in the world, driven from their homes because of war, religion, and natural disasters. What would you be willing to do to help them? 

We'll discuss more on Zion's camp.

 

D&C 104

The United Order/Firm was failing, because several members were not doing their part. They were not imparting of their wealth. In the United Order, God demands whatever is necessary. The CFM lesson includes a video of John Tanner, a wealthy man who joined the Church. He gave and gave and gave of his wealth, until he was in poverty. Then, he served a mission and considered it a privilege.

This is not how most members were dealing with their temporal and spiritual gifts and blessings.

"But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

"For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

"Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment." (vs 16-18)

While the Church today is based financially on tithes/offerings and not consecration, we still promise in the temple to consecrate our time, gifts, and material possessions to the Lord. While all pay ten percent for tithes, how much do we give for fast offerings and humanitarian efforts? How much do we give to missionary work? How much do we give for other wonderful charities? 

And not just moneys, but also our time and effort. Do we freely give of these?

So how much extra should we give? Someone once asked C.S. Lewis (author of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) how much one should give. He pondered this, then answered, "until it begins to hurt."

While any donation makes a difference in the lives of others, only a real sacrifice can make a difference in our lives. How can God exalt the poor and make the rich low, if the rich refuse to be humbled financially? This does not mean giving up all their moneys, as did John Tanner. It does mean, are we living in extreme comfort, while others struggle? Do we really need a 5000 square foot home, swimming pool, and BMW?  These are issues each individual must make with the Lord.

The day will come when such sacrifice will be required, as in a redeemed Zion there will be no poor nor rich. All will be equal, or they will not dwell in Zion.

The second concept in this section is that we do not own anything. We are but stewards of the Lord's riches. If we are stewards, we will then be interviewed one day and asked what did we do with our stewardship. Do we bury our talent, or use it to make more talents?

In this instance, does it mean making more money with the moneys we have? Or does it mean increasing the spiritual growth of ourselves and of Zion? If God gives me wealth and I hold onto it all and expand my own personal empire, am I doing the work for Zion? If I use the wealth as a stewardship, and use it to bless others, benefiting the poor and needy - isn't this the way of consecration?

Joseph Smith becomes an example for us in this. As president of the Church, one could envision him using tithes to pay for a comfortable life for his family. Instead, Joseph often went into debt for the Church. One winter, he chopped firewood for others, in order to buy food for his family. When he established a store in Nauvoo, it didn't make a profit, because Joseph was constantly lending and giving to others in need, rather than obtaining a nice living for his family.

"And all moneys that you receive in your stewardships, by improving upon the properties which I have appointed unto you, in houses, or in lands, or in cattle, or in all things save it be the holy and sacred writings, which I have reserved unto myself for holy and sacred purposes, shall be cast into the treasury as fast as you receive moneys, by hundreds, or by fifties, or by twenties, or by tens, or by fives.

"Or in other words, if any man among you obtain five dollars let him cast them into the treasury; or if he obtain ten, or twenty, or fifty, or an hundred, let him do likewise;

"And let not any among you say that it is his own; for it shall not be called his, nor any part of it." (vs 68-70)

Today, the treasury is the bishop's storehouse. Gives one pause to consider just how far we are from living the law of consecration.

D&C 105

Zion's Camp was a failure. Or was it?

Rather than raising an army of 500, just over 200 men gathered to serve in the militia to restore the Missouri saints back to their homes in Jackson County, Missouri. Beyond that, the Lord notes several other reasons why He disbanded the Camp prior to reaching the city of Independence.

"Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

"But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

"And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself." (vs 2-5)

Zion, the pure in heart, can only be built upon the Celestial Law. God's power and miracles work dependent upon faith and righteousness of the people. Having destroyed the Egyptian army at the Red Sea, the Lord had the power to wipe out the Church's enemies in Missouri. He didn't.

Those who were called saints, for the most part, were not. They were not living the law of consecration. They were boastful and proud. The often mistreated and looked down upon the old Missouri settlers. Their sights were focused on themselves and getting gain (free land provided by the Church), rather than lifting one another up. There were rich and poor among them. There were Danites, a secret group of saints, who sought to use intimidation and force to push back at the Missouri settlers.

So, where are we today? While we have a small foothold in Independence, Missouri, it is not a stronghold of Zion. We have a visitor's center. The center city of Zion has yet to be established. The Lord still waits for us to become the Pure in Heart. He waits for us to live consecrated lives, to no longer view our stewardships as personal possessions. He awaits our turning fully to Him, filled with charity, willing to sacrifice all on the altar of Zion. While the Church has over 16 million members, we still are not spiritually strong enough to return to Jackson County and forever establish His Zion.

The sins weren't just among the members in Missouri:

"But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.

"Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion." (vs 8-9)

The Lord requested 500 men for Zion's Camp. Only 200 answered the call. The Lord asked for funds to fully finance the militia. Many members did not give, causing the Camp to have insufficient food, supplies, and weapons. They expected God to miraculously wipe out all their enemies, build new homes and plant their crops for them. As with the ancient Jews, whom Jesus fed bread and fishes, they followed Christ because he fed them for free - they weren't interested in taking up his cross, or partake of His flesh and blood. And so they departed from him.

So it was with the Latter-day Saints in Kirtland, New York and other areas at this time. They wanted the blessings of the gospel without the sacrifices necessary to build Zion and to exalt the saints. Are we like this today? Again, what are we willing to sacrifice in order to live the celestial law necessary to build and establish Zion?

The Lord explained that Zion's redemption would have to wait until "mine elders are endowed with power from on high." This would partially occur at the Kirtland Temple, as it contained the initiatory ordinances that we now have in modern temples. The full endowment would have to wait for Nauvoo. 

We cannot become pure in heart, Zion, without temples to endow us with greater spiritual power. The covenants of sacrifice, obedience, and consecration are a necessary part of this preparation. Why are we building so many temples right now? In part to provide saving ordinances to the living and dead. However, they are also necessary to train the saints into a new way of thinking. The more often members attend the temple and turn their focus away from the world and towards God's work, the better prepared for the day when some of us are called to return to Independence.

Meanwhile, we can prepare for the center city of Zion, by building up our stakes. Our stakes are just as much a part of Zion as Jackson County is. However, as with the city of Zion, our stakes will prosper only to the point that the saints become Saints.

There are tough, personal questions that we get from the Doctrine and Covenants. The D&C continually returns us to temples, Zion, and preparing a people for the 2nd Coming of Christ. We have to honestly ask ourselves the tough questions which the Doctrine and Covenants keeps posing to us. Are we living a celestial law? Are we pure in heart? Are we rich? If so, are we abasing ourselves, so that the poor are lifted? 

As for the youth, President Nelson has invited them to join Christ's battalion. They are to prepare themselves to be the new Zion's Camp. It is very possible that many of us and our youth will be involved in returning to Independence and building the city of Zion. It's also true that we are currently building our stakes of Zion right now, which also requires an army of righteous men and women, boys and girls, who will fill the temples, serve missions, and make their own home a holy place in Zion.

Are we preparing now for that day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come Follow Me: D&C 98-101

 Come Follow Me: D&C 98-101

D&C 98

This revelation was given for the saints in Missouri, who were going through severe persecutions.

In the first verses the Lord is commending them for their faithfulness and prayers, promising to fulfill all their prayers. Yet, we see that not all those promises were fulfilled in the way we would expect. Many prayed to keep their homes in Jackson County and to build Zion. Often, the straightest path to the Celestial Kingdom and Zion is a crooked dirt road, or sometimes just a direction in which to blaze one's own trail. These saints would gain Zion, but it would be in a stake elsewhere. Some would receive their promised blessings after this life.

In verse three, we learn that all of our afflictions are for our good and God's glory. For this reason, in verse one, the Lord encourages us to give thanks in "all things." It is an interesting concept that we see pop up occasionally in scripture. It isn't a call to solely be grateful for our blessings and good fortune, but also for the trials, pains, and tribulations. How easy it is to complain when things are tough. How hard it is to give thanks for those struggles. 

We can see the importance of having an eternal perspective, when it comes to both good times and heavy trials. We look forward to eternal life with hope, which is an "anchor to the soul" (Ether 12), and helps us make it through the difficult times. We struggle with modern trials: Covid pandemic, wild fires, hurricanes, flooding, climate change, failed wars, etc. Yet, consider the struggles of the early saints:

Driven from New York to Ohio to Missouri to Illinois to the Great Basin (then, part of Mexico). They suffered from cholera, malaria, and a wide variety of diseases. Abject poverty followed them from place to place. Joseph Smith, the Prophet, had to provide food for his family one winter by chopping wood for others. 

Are our trials as terrible as they possibly could be? Today, people struggle with war, pestilence, earthquakes, Civil War, terrorism, government tyranny, and slavery - far beyond anything that Westerners experience. The severity of our trials is often in the eye of the beholder.

Struggling with the side effects from chemotherapy as he fought leukemia, Elder Neal Maxwell noted that his struggles brought a "sharper focus" to his life, allowing him to see which things were truly important, and which were not. He learned, for example, that hair is not as important as he once thought.

 How would our lives improve if we were to give thanks in all things?

We further read in this section:

"And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

"Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

"And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.

"I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

"Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn." (vs 5-9)

In these verses, we find some of the earliest statements of the Lord regarding the United States Constitution. While an imperfect document, when combined with the Declaration of Independence, we get a grand framework for ever expanding freedom for man and womankind. 

This is the law of the land AND the Lord. We learn that anything more or less than the preservation of rights and privileges comes from evil. God makes us free (as explained in the Declaration of Independence), and the Constitution was designed to protect and expand those freedoms (via amendments). 

This should open up discussion and consideration for each of us. Is our federal government focused on its key purpose, as approved by the Lord? Or has it gone beyond its true purpose?  Consider the Afghanistan war: initially it occurred because of a major terrorist attack. We went into Afghanistan and basically defeated the enemy. Then we stayed for 2 decades without real objectives. These actions expanded into Iraq, Syria, Yemen and northern Africa (Arab Spring). Where is the Constitutional objective that protects our freedom?

Since 9/11/2001, the government has increased the deficit by $24 trillion. It now sits at $28.4 trillion. Current plans from government could increase it by another $6.5 trillion this year. How much of this increases and protects freedom?

What evil will eventually occur if the nation continues spending trillions of dollars on entitlements, which increases taxes (a form of servitude to government), increases indebtedness (a form of servitude), or devalues the dollar via inflation (again, a form of servitude)? What occurs when the money runs out?

Venezuela was one of the riches nations on earth 20 years ago. Having more oil than Saudi Arabia, they were able to fund many things for the nation. Under big government programs, the government bankrupted the nation. Where the Venezuelan bolivar (their currency) at one time was 10 to the American dollar, it now requires over 4 million bolivars to equal one US dollar. Freedoms have been lost in Venezuela, as people struggle just to eat and survive, while the government continues to force its evil policies on the people.

Today, we see that Republicans fear Pres Biden, while Democrats feared Pres Trump. Could it be that we have such fear today because we've made the presidency and Congress too powerful? When they take the oath to sustain and defend the Constitution, is it according to the Lord's program or their own agenda? When we ask government to do things, is it to affirm and expand freedom, or to force our own will upon others?

Finally, if the government is not focused on maintaining and increasing freedoms, as the Lord desires, then we may know the wicked are ruling.

I'm not going into details on what this may mean, because it will mean different things to each of us, depending on whether one is liberal, moderate, conservative, or on one of the fringes. My personal view is, there are important things government can do, as the Lord pointed out. Beyond this, we should consider strongly on whether such things should be done by government.

"Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

"And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God." (vs 10-11)

We need to seek out honest and wise people. Perfect? No, no such thing. But they need to be honest and wise. We don't vote for people just because they say the things we like to hear. We seek out honest and wise people, who will protect freedoms. We uphold "good men and wise men." A sign of a nation falling into wickedness is that the people elect evil people, who promise them stuff (bribes) and flatter them.

We do not need government to establish endless laws to restrict us. God calls upon us to live righteous lives, to forsake all evil. With such a guide, there is no need for a litany of laws by government to protect us from ourselves. When government commands us in every little thing, it has replaced God and forcibly taken away agency. Tyrants justify their police states as maintaining the peace. Is there a reason for police? Yes. Do we need to have soldiers on every street corner? Only when government has led us to evil.

Speaking of government, the Lord then explains his laws of going to war. This applies to individuals, families, and government. We are to be peacemakers, forgiving the first, second and third offense. After the fourth offense, we are then free to attack back. Yet, we are also required to give our enemies an opportunity to repent and change. 

Do we rush too quickly to war? 

This Constitution is not just for Americans:

"According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles." (D&C 101:77)

This Constitution is for "all flesh" or all people. God's law of freedom belongs to all people. All flesh does not just mean white men. It includes women, people of color, old and young alike.

Such is a law for anyone wishing to dwell in Zion. Vengeance is the Lord's. We are commanded to forgive, even "seventy times seven."

D&C 98

John Murdock was a widower. His children were living among various members in Kirtland, while he served a mission. One would think he would be given the opportunity to raise his own children. Instead, the Lord had another purpose. John was a powerful missionary, and was promised great gifts of the Spirit as he taught the gospel. 

Instead of raising his children, he was to prepare to have them go to Missouri, and then retrn to preaching the gospel for a "few years."

God requires sacrifice, even sometimes of little children. Why? Because eternal salvation of all mankind is the most important thing of all. I know many who wish a life of fun and leisure, and some find that life. However, eternal glory goes far beyond that. Charity, the love of Christ, causes us to have a different set of priorities.

D&C 101

Counsel given to saints in Missouri. They had been thrust out of Jackson County, into neighboring counties. The state of Missouri actually created Clay county as a separate county specifically for Latter-d)ay Saints to gather. Still, persecutions continued.

The Lord begins by explaining why they were suffering: their disobedience to His laws and commandments. Such ranged from those gathering to Missouri without permission, to many refusing to live the law of consecration, to many who bragged to the Missouri settlers that they were going to take over the area. Among the saints, some formed a secret group called the Danites. These were an enforcement group that reeked havoc on non-Mormons, seeking revenge for atrocities done. The Church history volume "Saints," briefly mentions Danites, but does not go into any detail on their wicked actions. We do not know just how much Joseph Smith knew about this group and their secret actions. 

We do see from the Lord's teaching, 

"They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

"In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.

"Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. -I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy." (vs 7-9)

We potentially live in such a day today. As Latter-day Saints are slow to hearken unto God, we may assume that we are open to such persecutions and trials as well. We receive counsel from living prophets and apostles, and we often see members bristling on-line. Recently, members have been angry over prophetic teachings on immigration, racism, BYU's spiritual responsibility, LGBTQIA+, vaccinations, etc. This isn't an issue or right/left or conservative/liberal. It is an issue of following and sustaining God's oracles. 

What happens as we approach the last days before the 2nd Coming, when the Lord requires through his prophet, not just tithing, but consecration? Not just Word of Wisdom, but keeping our bodies and spirits clean? To bury our weapons of war and let God fight our battles? To have us embrace the Proclamation on the Family? To give up our video games and social media? To give up our big cars, houses, and vacations, and begin living modestly? To raise our children in love and righteousness? To keep the temples open and busy 24 hours a day? To leave one's children for a "few years" and preach the gospel?

Zion and a Zion people cannot be created in any other way. We must "stand in holy places." We can only do that if we are holy.

 

 

Come Follow Me: D&C 94-97

 Come Follow Me: D&C 94-97

 

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 Kirtland Temple - author's photo

 

 D&C 94

A few important concepts come from this section. First, the Lord commands building an office building for the First Presidency. In giving the direction, we read,

"And ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come in unto it; and my glory shall be there, and my presence shall be there.

"But if there shall come into it any unclean thing, my glory shall not be there; and my presence shall not come into it." (vs 8-9)

The office of the First Presidency would be set apart as a sacred space, a temple. Whereas Latter-day Saints today think that temples are for sacred ordinances, because that is what our temples today are dedicated to, in Joseph Smith's day they could be dedicated for a variety of activities. Here, we see two sacred edifices directed to be built: one for the management of the work, and the other as a printing office:

"And again, verily I say unto you, the second lot on the south shall be dedicated unto me for the building of a house unto me, for the work of the printing of the translation of my scriptures, and all things whatsoever I shall command you.

"And it shall be fifty-five by sixty-five feet in the width thereof and the length thereof, in the inner court; and there shall be a lower and a higher court.

"And this house shall be wholly dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof, for the work of the printing, in all things whatsoever I shall command you, to be holy, undefiled, according to the pattern in all things as it shall be given unto you." (vs 8-10)

We may not always think about how the sacred work outside our modern temples are as important and sacred as what's inside our temples today. The work of God, guided by prophets and sent forth in print and multimedia, must be "wholly dedicated unto the Lord," holy and undefiled.

As a missionary in Bolivia in 1979, we had no choice but to preach the gospel without copies of the Book of Mormon to share. There were none available in the entire country. For six months, we could tell people about the book, but when they asked where they could obtain one, we could only encourage them to patiently wait, and have them focus more on living prophets at the time. We found out that there were thousands of copies being held prisoner by the Bolivian import office, insisting on $5 per book to allow them in. The mission president told them we wouldn't pay that kind of ransom. After six months, while I served in the mission office, the government contacted us, saying they needed the room for other incoming items, and asked us to take the Books of Mormon. We picked up several thousand copies printed in Brazil. These had been rejected by missions in Argentina, because the section containing the Book of Ether was turned upside-down in the book. yet, with their physical flaws, we rejoiced to have the sacred words to share with others.

Sadly, I do not have any, as I gave away my two copies to people on the airplane returning home at the end of my mission.

Still, imagine the gospel today without a printing office, or multimedia program. Bible and Book of Mormon videos, sacred hymns online, Liahona and Friend magazines, Church News, General Conference, and so much more would be unavailable to the average member or investigator. From this beginning section discussing a printing house, the Church has developed a multimedia empire that reaches into almost every nation and in hundreds of languages.

Imagine if our homes and chapels were dedicated to the Lord, undefiled and holy. Temples could dot the world to bring forth the Lord's work to perfect the saints (ministering, FHE), redeem the dead (family history work),  missionary work, and care for the poor and needy. Some families set aside one room in their homes for just this purpose: a quiet room for prayer and meditation, study of the gospel, and to feel the Spirit of God, a holy place in the midst of the worldly chaos.

D&C 95

More instruction is given regarding the Kirtland Temple.

"For the preparation wherewith I design to prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, that I may bring to pass my strange act, that I may pour out my Spirit upon all flesh—

"But behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen.

"They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.

"And for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end.

"Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high" (vs 4-8)

They would be condemned for two things. First, for contention in the school of the prophets. Second, for not focusing their efforts on building the temple in Kirtland. 

Today, no one serves a mission without first being endowed. Apostles could not do their work without first receiving the endowment of power. The gospel could not go forth effectively without the endowment of power.

I remember in 1979, when the Cochabamba, Bolivia stake was organized. All the stake presidency and bishops were sent to General Conference in Utah, where they received their endowments. Stakes cannot be fully established without endowed leaders. The work is so important and sacred, the Lord deigns to give this power to all who need it.

In the last few decades, the Church has made it easier for members to receive their endowment. Under President Hinckley, temple building vastly increased, building over 50 temples within just a few years. Now, under President Russell M. Nelson, we have built or announced over 200 temples. Unlike when I joined the Church as a teenager in 1975, temples now dot the earth. That is how important it is for God to give us this blessing.

D&C 96

The Kirtland Temple would be built upon the French farm, along with the other holy structures (First Presidency offices and printing house). The rest of the farm would be divided up into stewardships by the bishop.

The day will come when what we "own" may be asked of us. We will receive a portion or inheritance from the Lord through our bishop. Will we be ready to willingly give up ownership on our large homes, swimming pools, cars, and valuables, in order to provide for the poor and needy, as well as to further the Lord's work?

Endowed members have entered into a special Order, the law of consecration. While we may not live it as a Church right now, we can live it as individuals and families. What is it that God would have us do or give, so that His great work may move forward? Have we considered where God wants us to not only live, but to serve and bless? Do we ask God what we should do with at least a portion of our wealth (beyond tithes) to help the poor and needy?

Are we living our temple covenant to live a consecrated life?

D&C 97

This is a warning to those unwilling to live the law of consecration. Many of the members living in Missouri were not living up to their covenants. The Lord commanded a school to be run by Parley P. Pratt, so that scripture and knowledge could expand among the saints.

However, the Lord gave a commandment to these members:

"And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;

"Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.

"But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples." (vs 15-17)

Sadly, at the time of this revelation, the saints in Jackson County Missouri were agreeing to leave the place. The city of Zion would not yet be built, nor its temple established. However, the focus of the Lord on building temples in Kirtland and Missouri would expand. Far West, Missouri would have cornerstones set for a temple, before the members were driven from the place. Nauvoo's temple would be under construction in less than a decade.

"And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.

"And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;

"And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.

"Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn." {vs 18-21)

Here, the Lord describes Zion in a new way. It isn't just a city in Missouri. It is an idea and an ideal. Zion is the pure in heart. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed,

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)

God dwells with the pure in heart. God dwells in Zion, regardless of where it is found.

Zion and temples are inextricably connected. You cannot have Zion without temples, and you cannot have temples without a Zion people. It is in the ordinances of the temple that we begin to understand our relationship with God and Christ. We are invited to be disciples and to inherit all that God has, becoming holy even as Christ is holy. The temple teaches us how to be holy. Zion is where the holy dwell.

We are to be holy, undefiled, dedicated to the Lord. We are to be Zion, the pure in heart.