David Journal

Tag: Doctrine and Covenants

  • Breaking with the past

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    David
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    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…

  • Follow the prophet

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    David
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    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…

  • Twin revelations

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    David
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    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.

  • The first general handbook

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    David
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    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.

  • Martin’s thorn

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    David
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    It sounds like Martin Harris had a hard time giving himself fully to the work and letting go of how the world would prescribe him and his actions

  • You need not suppose

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    David
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    Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called. Doctrine & Covenants 11:15 Wanting to serve and hoping to serve are not substitutes for being called to serve. Just because the desires are righteous doesn’t mean that the authority has been granted. Even if we…

  • Dig a pit for thy neighbor

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    David
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    A stark contrast between Heavenly Father and Satan is that Satan teaches people to go as low as (or lower than) those they have decided to oppose while Heavenly Father insists that those who follow him must not sink with their adversaries in order to prevail.

  • Apostolic Criteria

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    David
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    Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil. Doctrine & Covenants 18:20 It is easy to contend but we should be looking for that which unites us with others who are honestly striving to be good rather than focusing on points of difference. Those who are contentious make themselves part of…

  • Spiritual learning

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    David
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    Because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue. Doctrine & Covenants 9:1 I’m coming to understand what happened here and how the process of spiritual learning works. Oliver Cowdery asked…

  • Fear not to do good

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    David
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    Do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Doctrine & Covenants 6:34 We can move forward with confidence in doing good because as long as we keep ourselves aligned with heaven we won’t be destroyed.