God’s law is a great blessing.
As church members gathered in Kirtland, Ohio, they were excited to receive the law the Lord had promised to give them there. (See Doctrine and Covenants 38:32.)
Like the children of Israel, who received the Ten Commandments after leaving Egypt, these faithful church members received instructions from the Lord after exercising their faith by moving their families to a new home. God gave them an extensive revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 42), which they called “the Law of the Church.” Before that, they received a revelation to help them prepare to receive the law. (See Doctrine and Covenants 41.) Shortly after, they received two more revelations: one clarifying that only the Lord’s chosen prophet can receive commandments on behalf of the entire church (Doctrine and Covenants 43), and the other calling for a conference to make plans to fulfill the provisions of the law (Doctrine and Covenants 44).
Taken together, these revelations demonstrate the importance of God’s commandments and the importance of conscientiously receiving, understanding, and fulfilling them.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned by studying these revelations:
Outline
- Doctrine and Covenants 41 – “By the prayer of faith, ye shall receive my law.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 42 – The law of the Church
- v. 1-10 – Introduction
- v. 11-17 – How to preach the gospel
- v. 18-29 – Moral laws
- v. 30-55 – The Lord’s storehouse: caring for those in need
- v. 56-69 – “Thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation”
- v. 70-93 – Church leaders and church discipline
- Doctrine and Covenants 43 – Only the prophet receives revelation on behalf of the entire church.
- Doctrine and Covenants 44 – Hold a conference to organize the work.
Key Themes
- God’s law is a blueprint for a happy life, a set of instructions which we may not yet fully live up to, but which point us in the direction of greater spiritual maturity.
- Priesthood authority allows an orderly transfer of trust from one leader to another. We trust those who are called to teach and serve us because we trust the people who made those assignments.
- Mourning is an integral part of love.
- Relationships don’t just happen; they are built. We build them by acting in a way that fosters trust and then maintaining that trust over time.
- All people are children of God, and His gospel is for everyone.
Book of Mormon Connections
- Alma was an effective gospel teacher because he used the scriptures, he taught by the Spirit, he testified, and he taught with authority. (See Alma 6:8.) The Lord has also counseled modern gospel teachers to follow this pattern. (See Doctrine and Covenants 42:11-17.)
- Nephi wrote, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord” (2 Nephi 4:16). The Lord has similarly counseled us to “treasure these things up in [our] hearts and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon [our] minds.” (D&C 43:34).
Applications
- Open your heart to the Spirit of the Lord, and reduce the commotion in your life, so that you can learn the “peaceable things” God wants to teach you.
- Exercise your faith by tackling difficult challenges with the Lord’s help.
- Strive to make decisions in accordance with true principles.
- If you have resources to spare, impart of your substance to the poor.
- Sanctify yourself. Strive for increased holiness, with the Lord’s help.
- Don’t hold back in doing the Lord’s work. Perform your responsibilities with confidence and enthusiasm.
Recommended Posts
Blog Posts: April 29 – May 4
No Guile
It’s nice when you can take someone at face value, without wondering about hidden agendas or ulterior motives. Scripture praises those without guile, whose hearts are pure before God, including Nathanael and Edward Partridge. Life’s injuries can harden us, but we can evaluate and improve our guilelessness by asking soul-searching questions and answering with honesty.
Revelation Upon Revelation
When God answers your prayers with spiritual insight, don’t stop there—ask if there is more. Knowledge comes “line upon line,” and the Lord promises “revelation upon revelation” to those who seek it (D&C 42:61). We will receive greater light if we continue asking and listening, with confidence that God has more to teach us.
Receiving God’s Law
Receiving God’s law requires more than hearing it, and more than superficial compliance. Ancient and modern scriptures teach that full reception involves thoughtful engagement, discussion with other people, covenants to obey, and complete integration of the law into every aspect of our lives.
From on High: The Stabilizing Effect of Personal Revelation in a Turbulent World
The Lord said, “Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach.” He meant that we must keep the voices around us in perspective and anchor ourselves to truths we have learned directly from Him. As we are “taught of the Lord,” our peace and confidence increases.
The Voice of Thunderings
Adversity is an invitation from God. Calamities and trials may be His call to repent and turn our hearts to Him. Rather than ask, “Why me?” we might ask, “What can I learn from this experience?” If we listen with humility, we may hear His voice even in the “thunderings” of our lives.
Caring for the Poor and the Needy: Three Principles from God’s Law
Doctrine and Covenants 42 and 44 teach three principles to help us care for the poor and needy: 1. When you have more than enough, share. 2. A gift is a gift. Once given, it is no longer yours. 3. Do something now; don’t wait for the perfect organization before giving.
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