Imagine what it must have been like to participate in the organization of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. The small group of believers who gathered at the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York that morning participated in a number of activities which connected them with heaven, including:
- Sustaining newly called church leaders
- Priesthood ordinations
- The sacrament
- Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
- Hearing Joseph Smith dictate a revelation to the church (Doctrine and Covenants 21)
The church was organized according to guidelines given by revelation which drew heavily on principles taught in the Book of Mormon. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20). Church members were encouraged to follow the guidance given by revelation and not to put their trust in “dead works”: practicess they had learned in the past which might not be appropriate to their current circumstances. (See Doctrine and Covenants 22.)
How exciting it must have been to be part of this new church, and how exciting it is to be part of that church today, where the same kinds of activities connect us to heaven and we are guided by the same living revelation!
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these passages of scripture:
Outline
- Doctrine and Covenants 20 – The Articles and Covenants of the Church
- 1-16 – Introduction, review of preceding events
- 17-36 – Doctrinal basis: God lives; Jesus is our Savior; we must repent, believe, and be baptized.
- 37-84 – Administering the church, including priesthood duties and instructions for baptism and the sacrament.
- Doctrine and Covenants 21 – Church members should give heed to all the words of the prophet.
- Doctrine and Covenants 22 – Even if you have previously been baptized, you become a member of the church of Jesus Christ by baptism.
Key Themes
- The blessings we receive through Savior’s Atonement are far-reaching and long-lasting, but they are also immediate and individual.
- The sacrament can connect us to prior spiritual experiences and help us remember times of closeness with God.
- The words of prophets may push you out of your comfort zone as they challenge you to be better than you have ever been before.
- The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel, because it teaches us principles which enable us to access God’s grace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Book of Mormon Connections
- Moroni taught that priests and teachers were ordained “according to the gifts and callings of God unto men” (Moroni 3:4). The Lord echoed this instruction in Doctrine and Covenants 20:60.
- Mormon warned us not to put our trust in “dead works.” (See Moroni 8:23.) The Lord reiterated this principle in 1830 to people who wanted to join the church without being baptized. (See Doctrine and Covenants 22:2, 4.)
Applications
- Find your “gifts and callings“—the capabilities God has given you and your unique opportunities to serve.
- Renew your commitment to sincere, genuine prayer, both in public and in private.
- Recommit to endure in faith, remembering that the challenges you face represent opportunities for growth.
- Recommit to accurate and meaningful record-keeping.
- Expound and exhort: Help people understand the truth, and encourage them to make wise choices.
Recommended Posts
- What Is “Fruit Meet for Repentance?”
- Where Did the Sacrament Prayers Come From?
- What Can We Learn from the Sacrament Prayers?
- What Can We Learn from the Words of the Baptismal Ordinance?
Blog Posts: March 11-16
Entangled Again
The Articles and Covenants of the Church begin with a personal story. After being forgiven, Joseph Smith was “entangled again in the vanities of the world.” He repented and was forgiven again. When we humbly repent, God will set us free, even when our sins seem insurmountable.
Strengthen Them
A teacher in the restored Church of Jesus Christ has a responsibility to strengthen others. We do this by being with them, listening to them, expressing confidence in them, testifying of true principles, and inviting them to exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
Walking in Holiness
God wants us to become holy. In 1830, he instructed church members to “[walk] in holiness before the Lord.” Walking in holiness includes avoiding the profane, but it also includes inviting good and virtuous things into our lives and finding joy in our daily activities.
Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20
The Articles and Covenants of the Church (D&C 20) outline core doctrines and priesthood duties, drawing heavily from the Book of Mormon. Some passages are quoted directly, while others synthesize multiple passages to affirm core doctrines. By relying on the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery grounded the restored Church on Christ’s gospel.
Grace and Agency in Doctrine and Covenants 20
Doctrine and Covenants 20 teaches us about the relationship between grace and agency. Jesus Christ suffered so that we could be saved. We can choose to accept that gift (justification) and retain it over time (sanctification). Baptism enables us to accept it. The sacrament helps us retain it.
Weeping for Zion
An essential characteristic of a Christlike leader is love for those they serve. God explained that He called Joseph Smith to establish His church because of his “weeping for Zion,” praying with diligence and with deep desire for the eternal welfare of others.
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