Shortly after the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith received several revelations directed to church members and fellow believers: Oliver Cowdery, his brothers Hyrum and Samuel, Joseph Knight, Sr., and his wife Emma.
Emma in particular must have been comforted and inspired by her revelation, in which the Lord invited her to:
- Be faithful, and walk in the paths of virtue (v. 2)
- Not complain about the things she has not been privileged to see (v. 4)
- Comfort her husband with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness (v. 5)
- Travel with him and serve as his scribe (v. 6)
- Preach the gospel as inspired by the Spirit (v. 7)
- Write, and learn much (v. 8)
- “Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (v. 10)
- Choose a collection of hymns for worship in the church (v. 11-12)
- Lift up her heart and rejoice (v. 13)
- Cleave unto her covenants (v. 13)
- Delight in her husband and in his success (v. 14)
- Keep God’s commandments continually (v. 15)
God loves all of His children, and He wants to help us grow, progress, and succeed. Invitations like the ones He extended to Emma represent a vote of confidence in us and an opportunity to exercise our agency. One of the great blessings of church participation is that we receive these kinds of invitations which provide opportunities for Christlike service and personal growth.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these revelations:
Outline
- Doctrine and Covenants 23 – Multiple church members called to strengthen the church and preach the gospel.
- Doctrine and Covenants 24 – Joseph Smith instructed to focus on his calling, with a promise that the church would support him and God would protect him.
- Doctrine and Covenants 25 – Emma Smith instructed to expound and exhort, and to choose hymns for the church.
- Doctrine and Covenants 26 – All things done in the church by “common consent.”
Key Themes
- When we feel God’s approval, anxiety can be replaced by confidence.
- Voting to sustain church leaders can be an expression of unity, particularly when the vote represents a commitment to help that leader be successful.
- When we recognize that we are the recipients of unmerited blessings, we are more inclined to be generous.
- Temporal things can serve spiritual purposes, so don’t underestimate the value of temporary things.
Book of Mormon Connections
- King Benjamin testified to his people that when their hearts were changed by Christ, they became “his sons and his daughters. (See Mosiah 5:7; see also Ether 3:14.) The Savior reaffirmed this principle to Emma Smith: “all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:1).
- In the Book of Mormon, music is strongly associated with worship. Lehi saw angels “singing and praising their God” (1 Nephi 1:8). Moroni tells us that one of the activities in the ancient church was singing. (See Moroni 6:9.) The Lord told Emma Smith, “The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:11-12.)
Applications
- Beware of pride. Watch for signs of the accumulation of pride on your soul, and work to strip yourself of it.
- Find ways to incorporate sacred music, including hymns into your life.
- Pray more spontaneously. Overcome inhibitions about praying in front of others or about opening your heart fully to God in private.
Recommended Posts
Blog Posts: March 18-23
Thy Calling, Thy Duty
God’s callings serve two purposes: giving us opportunities to serve others while simultaneously opening our hearts to receive the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ.
Your Privileges
Prophets elevate our vision and make us aware of blessings which are available to us. President Russell M. Nelson invited the women of the church to study Doctrine and Covenants 25. Joy D. Jones and Emily Belle Freeman both testified that accepting and acting on that revelation changed their lives.
In Temporal Labors
God blesses us both temporally and spiritually, but it’s important for us to keep those blessings, and our corresponding responsibilities in perspective. Eternal things are more important than temporary ones. Our temporal blessings and efforts must be subservient to our spiritual ones.
Devoted to Study
Scripture study requires time and effort but leads to personal revelation and spiritual growth. Prophets like Nephi, Jacob, and Benjamin emphasized diligent searching of the scriptures. Jesus commanded us to study Isaiah and the other prophets. By dedicating time daily to the scriptures, we gain insights, improve decision-making, and prepare ourselves to share true principles.
Laying Aside the Things of This World
Jesus counseled us not to “lay up” or accumulate earthly treasures. He told Emma Smith to “lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better.” As we set aside things of temporary value, we create space in our lives and in our hearts for things of eternal value.
“Cleave Unto” Your Covenants
The Lord counseled Emma Smith, “cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.” When we cleave unto our covenants, we have confidence in the promises we’ve received from God, we invest in our relationship with Him, and we find joy in the blessings we receive from Him each day.
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