Tag: Doctrine and Covenants

I have always noticed the instructions for Emma to compile a book of hymns and to be a comfort to Joseph in his allocations but have paid less attention to her calling to expound the scriptures to those in the church according to the Spirit of God – that is no less than what Oliver…

While I can’t know how Joseph felt about it, I can see obvious reasons why it might be discouraging to be told he was not blessed in temporal labors but I can also see how it could be comforting to know that. Having been told that he was not blessed in temporal labors could have…

The Lord let the church know that He trusted Joseph with the work. They were to listen to Joseph because he had proven faithful. The Lord promised to bless Joseph’s works. No get the feeling that He would first help Joseph to know what he needed and that He would confirm Joseph’s words, backing up…

I never before thought about the significance of these rules about keeping records of the members of the church joining or leaving as well as having certificates of membership when moving to a different branch of the church. Our records now are centralized and electronic but the same purposes were fulfilled before this technology was…

So much of what is contained in Doctrine and Covenants Section 20 must have been learned it heavily influenced by the Book of Mormon. In fact, a good portion of it seems to be compiling the instructions on the first six chapters of the book of Moroni detailing the basic functions of the church.

This revelation was given at the finding of the church and I find it interesting that it starts with a very brief introduction to how the work came about – that it wasn’t something conceived by Joseph Smith but rather something that was assigned to him unexpectedly.

In this revelation to Martin Harris I can understand the final to not covet his own property but to use it to finance the publication of the book of Mormon but the counsel to not covet his neighbors wife suggests that perhaps Martin had a wandering eye. That’s not something that is worth dwelling on…

From the beginning of their calling at early in the restoration, the twelve apostles have been expected to act with unfettered authority to carry out the work of the Lord. They can organize church units, extend callings, ordain leaders, dedicate temples, and declare the word of the Lord wherever they are in the world. They…

How often does the Lord remind us of what we already know, as He does here with Oliver Cowdery, rather than needing to reveal something new to us?

It sounds like Joseph would not have been able to bear the burden of being the sole witness of the plates (not that anyone would have been able to bear such a burden).