2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall areap also sparingly; and he which bsoweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he apurposeth in his heart, so let him give; not bgrudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a ccheerful dgiver.
8 And God is able to make all agrace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Elders' Quroum
Joseph Smith Manual Chapter 16: Revelation and the Living Prophet
Doctrine and Covenants 1 was given later than some of the other sections to be used as a preface to The Book of Commandments. It tells the purpose of the book. The printing press for the book was destroyed by a mob and the book was never published. Several of the pages were rescued by members of the Church as they were scattered by the mob. The rescued pages as well as additional revelations were later published as the Doctrine and Covenants.
Great work, sacrifice, and courage have gone into the books of scriptures that we have. Are we often casual about having them, reading them, and respecting them?
Doctrine and Covenants contains doctrine of the Church for its administration and setup. It also contains covenants and ordinances for us and how to perform those ordinances such as baptism and the sacrament.
The scriptures tell us that the Church is built upon revelation.
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, abut he brevealeth his csecret unto his servants the dprophets.
Acts 1:2
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given acommandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Matthew 16:17-18
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon aBar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Many churches believe that these scriptures refer to Peter being the rock the Church was built on. Peter was a man and had his weakness and also ended up dying as we all do. Also scripture tells us that the Church's foundation was apostle and prophets. These apostles and prophets are secured with the rock of revelation.
Let's dissect the language in Matthew 16:17-18. Perhaps reading it this way will make it more clear.
"...flesh and blood hath not brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, ...Peter, ...upon this arock I will build my bchurch; and the gates of chell shall not dprevail against it.
It doesn't say you are the rock, but "this is the rock". Saying "Thou art Peter" is perhaps a reminder that he had been called by God by revelation.
Revelations are suited to a people's condition. Former revelations cannot totally serve all of our needs today. Noah needed more than what God previously gave to other prophets in order to build the ark and preserve the people.
Moses needed more than God's previous instructions in order to lead Israel out of Egypt and after they were out of Egypt and to preserve the people.
Today we need more than God's previous instruction in order to preserve us today. We still need his previous instructions, but there are things timely to our condition that we need guidence on as a people.
Revelation is the foundation in that that is what helps us be tied to Christ and his will. His will is communicated on every level of the Church. The prophet and apostles guide the entire Church by revelation. Stake presidents and bishop's guide their wards by revelation. Home teachers should teach and serve the families that they have responsibility over by revelation. Father's should guide their families by revelation.
The family is the basic foundation of the Church and society. If the family is falls apart then so does the Church and society.
Sunday School
Book of Mormon Lesson 35: “Repent and Return unto the Lord”
Helaman 13:1-4 - Samuel the Lamanite comes among the people.
The Lord doesn't necessarily remove the the Spirit from us when we harden our hearts as much as we distance ourselves from the influence of the Spirit or shut ourselves off from it. This is much like when we shut ourselves off from the influence of light when we close our eyes or shut ourselves off from the influence of sound by plugging our ears.
“Repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great will-power and self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance...
“… True repentance is based on and flows from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13)” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 71).
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).
In games there are rules and when you try to change or make up the rules during the game then chaos ensues. Life is much like that. The rules have been defined and when we try to make our own rules it doesn't work and we are not happy.
Trials are like a weight room or like training for a triathlon. If we don't give up we are stronger and more prepared for the blessings God has prepared for us and was trying to prepare us for.
Sacrament Meeting
We sang hymn 191 "Behold the Great Redeemer Die". I noticed the last line of verse 6 "To do His will and live His praise." This was a phrase that interested me. Some feel that praise is shouting and clapping. The phrase made me think about how we praise God and what the symbol of Him is. It is our lives. Living righteously praises Him. Our lives then become symbols of Him.
Youth Speaker
They based their comments on the Education section of the For the Strength of Youth manual.
“Learn wisdom in thy youth” (Alma 37:35).
The Lord wants you to educate your mind and improve your skills and abilities. Education will help you to be an influence for good in the world. It will help you better provide for yourself, your loved ones, and those in need.
Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices to obtain learning. Education is an investment that brings great rewards. You live in a competitive world where a good education opens the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.
Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn about yourself, other people, and the world around you. Study the words of the Lord, and continue learning about your Heavenly Father’s plan. Make seminary an important part of your total education.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:77–80
1st Adult Speaker
Have you ever regretted keeping the commandments of God and following the prophets? Many have had regrets by not following, even if they don't recognize that that is why they are unhappy.
2nd Adult Speaker
Remarks were based on J.E. Jensen's article - "The Power of Diligent Learning" in the 9-2008 Ensign.
DnC 90:15 - 15 And set in order the churches, and astudy and blearn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with clanguages, tongues, and people.
We are spiritual beings, so we would do better to learn by the Spirit.
Pray formally and informally for yourself and your teachers.
She talked of having a sick child and praying before going to doctor appointments that she would learn what she needs to learn from the doctor and staff to be able to care for her child.
3rd Adult Speaker
Referenced "Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions." Deseret Book (1998) by Joseph Fielding McKonkie's . There was a quote like "Designated as Safety" from the book and I haven't been able to find what was significant about it. If someone finds the entire quote let me know.
From the bulletin:
- "This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversities, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today." (Lance B. Wickman, "Today", Ensign, May 2008)
- Opportunities often come in disguise and in work clothes. When we present ourselves as ready to act. HE WILL answer our prayers. Let us pick your priorities carefully. They determine our levels of earthly happiness and our eternal destiny. (Our bishop)
- President Howard W. Hunter said, "Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy. The law of opposition makes freedom of choice possible; therefore, our Heavenly Father has commanded his children, 'Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you' (Moses 6:33). He has counseled us to yield to his spirit - and resist temptation" ("God Will Have a Tried People," Ensign, May 1980, 25).
- President Thomas S. Monson said, "As we love the temple, touch the temple, and attend the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we come to these holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we shall be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation." (Be Your Best Self [1979], 56).
- Attitude is contageous. Let's be sure ours is worth catching. (Unknown)
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