David Journal

Category: Scripture Notes

  • Dissecting a powerful and direct answer

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    David
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    Martin Harris wanted evidence from Joseph Smith about the gold plates. It was fair for him to ask considering how much he was willing to give in support of the work but we learn some things about faith through this answer. 7 Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you,…

  • One unexpected move

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    David
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    Everything Nephi did to obtain the plates from Laban was logical in the moment except having Susan follow him after getting the plates. In hindsight that was a good move and with foresight it was logical but I’m the heat of the moment it would have seemed safer to let Zoram go about his business…

  • What do I ACTUALLY know?

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    David
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    The knowledge that a person cannot be shaken from, that which they know “independent of any other person” is what I would say they “actually know.” It will not be swayed by the tides of popular opinion or shaken if specific other trusted people begin to disbelieve it. This is the category of Joseph’s first…

  • Don’t forget the preparation

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    David
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    Joseph Smith didn’t simply walk into a grove of trees and say a prayer. He had planned when and where to go so that he could be alone and he had studied and pondered enough to clarify the questions in his heart and assure himself that he couldn’t arrive at satisfactory answers with his own…

  • Vision informed value

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    David
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    I’m struck by the fact that even at this early stage Nephi was able to recognize the value of the brass plates. He recognized that they could keep their posterity informed of their language and of the prophecies of prophets throughout history. (This was before he had the vision about his posterity.) His vision—informed by…

  • Don’t forget the source

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    David
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    Although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall. Doctrine & Covenants 3:4 This is good counsel for…

  • Change of plans

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    David
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    I don’t think it was news to Lehi when the Lord said that the people sought to take away his life. He probably knew but thought some combination of: 1) the Lord would protect him, 2) he had been called to testify to them, or 3) he didn’t want to abandon Jerusalem. The Lord acknowledged…

  • The priesthood revealed by Elijah

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    David
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    I’m fascinated by the statement that the priesthood would be revealed by Elijah. We know that priesthood was about the sealing keys but the phrases describing it are that the hearts of the fathers would turn to their children and the hearts of the children would turn to their fathers because of the promises which…

  • A sacred trust

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    David
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    I never really thought about modern contributions to the Book of Mormon but it was modern members of the church who have worked to bring corrections ensuring consistency with the original manuscript and it was modern people who broke things into chapter and verse (not always correctly in my opinion) and who provided the chapter…

  • Peeking through the window

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    David
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    The Lord is being very transparent about what He is doing with these revelations and even as He says that those who will not repent will lose the lift they had previously received, He also says that He is willing to share this light with all men. The Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth…