Doctrine and Covenants 111-114: “I Will Order All Things for Your Good” (October 4-10)

111 – “More treasures than one”

In August 1836, the Church faced serious financial challenges. Several church leaders, including Joseph Smith, traveled to Salem, Massachusetts, after hearing rumors of “hidden treasures” in the city. While they were there, Joseph Smith received a revelation in which the Lord reproved them for their “follies” but promised, “I have much treasure in this city for you” (Doctrine and Covenants 111:1-2).

Then the Lord turned their minds to heavenly things. “Concern not yourselves about your debts,” He said, “for I will give you power to pay them.” He wanted them to focus on doing His work: “For there are more treasures than one for you in this city” (Doctrine and Covenants 111:5, 10). See also Elizabeth Kuehn, “More Treasures than One,” Revelations in Context.)

Here is one lesson I have learned from this revelation:

• We should keep temporal concerns in perspective and focus on eternal goals: The Riches of Eternity.

112 – “Be thou humble.”

Thomas B. Marsh faced an enormous challenge in 1837. As the first president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he wanted to maintain unity among them. But in a year of turmoil, some members of the quorum had turned away from the Church. Others had traveled to England for missionary service. Arriving in Kirtland, Ohio from Missouri in July 1837, Thomas asked Joseph Smith for a revelation to help him understand how to lead more effectively.

In that revelation, the Lord emphasized humility: “Be thou humble,” He said, “and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10). See also Kay Darowski, “The Faith and Fall of Thomas B. Marsh,” Revelations in Context.)

Here is a blog post about developing this important quality:

• How Can I Be More Humble?

113 – Isaiah Q&A

When the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823, he quoted Isaiah 11, saying that “it was about to be fulfilled” (Joseph Smith—History 1:40). Nephi also quoted the chapter in full, in 2 Nephi 21. The chapter contains enigmatic imagery. What is the stem of Jesse? What is the rod which will grow out of it? What is the root of Jesse, which appears later in the chapter?

In 1838, in Far West, Missouri, Joseph Smith wrote a number of questions and answers relating to this chapter, as well as Isaiah 52, which appears multiple times in the Book of Mormon. (See 2 Nephi 8:24-25, Mosiah 12:21-24, 3 Nephi 16:18-20, 3 Nephi 20:36-38, 40.)

Here are some lessons I’ve learned from this revelation:

• Our senses give us a limited perception of the people around us: He Shall Not Judge After the Sight of His Eyes – 2 Nephi 21:1-4.
• God can help us overcome bad habits and addictions: Put on Thy Strength – 2 Nephi 8:24-25.

114 – “My servant, David W. Patten”

In April 1838, when David Patten was serving as a church leader in Missouri, the Lord instructed him to “settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can…that he may perform a mission unto me next spring” (Doctrine and Covenants 114:1). David had previously served as a missionary in Michigan, in the eastern states (twice), in Tennessee, and in the southern states. (See “David W. Patten,” in Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources.) The Lord knew He could trust David to fulfill another mission.

Here is a post about earning the trust of the Lord:

• Why Is Steadiness Important?