Tactical instructions may carry with them deep wisdom, particularly when they come from an omniscient God.
This week, we will study a series of revelations received during a busy time in Kirtland, Ohio. Church members were assembling in Ohio. Some were fulfilling their commitments to one another, while others were failing to do so. Assignments were given and in some cases changed to accommodate these realities. For example, a large group of church members arriving from Colesville, NY discovered that the land they were going to settle on was no longer available to them. They were directed to continue on to Missouri.
“If you will receive wisdom here is wisdom,” the Lord says in one of these revelations (Doctrine and Covenants 57:3). We might think of wisdom as a set of general principles which we can then apply to a variety of circumstance and decisions. But sometimes wisdom comes in the form of direction for a particular decision, which we can then learn to apply more broadly. Thus, following the Lord’s patterns, and allowing Him to set our lives in order by obeying His ordinances enables us to avoid deception and grow in understanding (Doctrine and Covenants 52:14-16).
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned by studying these revelations:
Outline
- Doctrine and Covenants 51 – Bishop Partridge to establish a storehouse.
- Doctrine and Covenants 52 – Specific people to attend a conference in Missouri.
- Doctrine and Covenants 53 – Sidney Gilbert assigned as an agent to the bishop.
- Doctrine and Covenants 54 – Instructions for church members who had not received land they were promised.
- Doctrine and Covenants 55 – W. W. Phelps assigned to be a printer in Missouri.
- Doctrine and Covenants 56 – Ezra Thayre rebuked for not obeying a commandment.
- Doctrine and Covenants 57 – The location of the temple in Missouri is revealed.
Key Themes
- Accomplishing God’s work requires many people serving in different ways.
- We take better care of things when we see ourselves as stewards instead of owners.
- A wise steward safeguards surplus resources in storehouses.
- There is power in choosing to do things the Lord’s way.
Book of Mormon Connections
- Alma encouraged his people to share with one another “according to their needs and their wants” (Mosiah 18:29). The Lord used the same phrase to instruct Bishop Edward Partridge how to care for newly arriving church members in Thompson, Ohio. (See Doctrine and Covenants 51:3.)
- The Savior quoted a passage from Malachi reproving Israel for failing to keep God’s ordinances. (See Malachi 3:7, 3 Nephi 24:7). The Lord similarly told church leaders in Kirtland, Ohio that His people are contrite and they “obey mine ordinances” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:15-16).
Applications
- Act promptly on opportunities, before they disappear.
- Rely less on worldly wealth and on the status it confers, and give generously.
- Act “as for years.” Treat all of your responsibilities as if they were permanent, even though you know that things will change.
- Strive to understand the preferences of the people you serve—their needs and their wants—so that you can help them in ways which are meaningful for them personally.
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