David Journal

Category: Scripture Notes

  • The power of a physical body

    —

    by

    David
    in

    If the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil. 2 Nephi 9:8 This suggests that without a physical body our spirits could not permanently withstand the influence of the adversary. Eventually they would succumb after…

  • Breaking with the past

    —

    by

    David
    in

    It was important that the restored church not recognize the authority of those churches which drew their authority from the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. Although Manny of their practitioners are honest in heart it is impossible to believe in the necessity and reality of a divine restoration of authority while holding that restored…

  • Tireless

    —

    by

    David
    in

    When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. 2 Nephi 7:4 This is so telling—I loved it when Elder Kearon said that the Lord relentlessly pursues His children trying to reclaim them. This is the same idea, while we may get exhausted by mortality the Lord keeps going in pursuing His work and His…

  • Follow the prophet

    —

    by

    David
    in

    For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. Doctrine & Covenants 21:5 The instruction to receive the words of the prophet as if they had come from the Lord is not about the prophet being infallible. Obedience to the Lord’s duly appointed servant is a demonstration…

  • It’s not complicated

    —

    by

    David
    in

    If it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved. 2 Nephi 6:12 Jacob says this of the gentiles but it applies to everyone, both Jew and Gentle.

  • 366 Days

    —

    by

    David
    in

    I never realized before that Joseph Smith met Oliver Cowdery exactly 366 days before organizing the church with him. They met on April 5, 1829 and organized the church on April 6, 1830.

  • Twin revelations

    —

    by

    David
    in

    Why did John Witmer and Peter Wither receive identical revelations? And why were both included in the Doctrine and Covenants? It seems redundant to include both.

  • Awake, my soul

    —

    by

    David
    in

    Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will…

  • The first general handbook

    —

    by

    David
    in

    Reading through Section 20 of the Doctrine & Covenants I realized that it is literally the first version of the General Handbook of Instruction. While the handbook has expanded into many other topics in the succeeding two centuries the directions here remain essentially unchanged.

  • Hedging his bets

    —

    by

    David
    in

    I think Joseph was young enough that Lehi had hope that he would follow Nephi but that he was also young enough that Lehi couldn’t be sure yet. He blessed Joseph with the promise that his seed would not be utterly destroyed, as he would bless the children of Laman and Lemuel, in case Joseph…