When Joseph Smith and his colleagues arrived at Independence, Missouri in July 1831, it didn’t look like much. Joseph asked the Lord, “When will the wilderness blossom as a rose?” This was in reference to a promise Joseph had received just a few months earlier. (See Doctrine and Covenants 49:24-25.)
The Lord responded by drawing a sharp distinction between their perception and His:
Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:3
We all face challenges and difficulties in our lives. It’s easy to focus on the negative. We may even justify negativity by branding it as “realism.” But as important as it is to see things as they are” (Jacob 4:13), it is equally important to “look forward with an eye of faith” (Alma 5:15; Alma 32:40) and to see things as they really can become.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned by studying these revelations:
Outline
Doctrine and Covenants 58 – Instructions for building Zion
- v. 1-12 – “After much tribulation come the blessings.”
- v. 13-25 – “Let no man break the laws of the land.”
- v. 26-33 – “Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause.”
- v. 35-65 – Specific instructions to Martin Harris, W. W. Phelps, Sidney Rigdon, and Edward Partridge
Doctrine and Covenants 59 – Instructions on the sabbath and fasting
- v. 1-4 – God will bless the inhabitants of Zion.
- v. 5-14 – Commandments, including loving God and neighbor and keeping the sabbath holy
- v. 15-24 – Promised blessings: “The fulness of the earth is yours.”
Key Themes
- Hard times happen for a reason. When life seems particularly difficult, we may be experiencing a “spiritual growth spurt.”
- The challenges we face are temporary; blessings await on the other side.
- Loving God and loving our neighbor is the heart of the gospel.
- God forgives us when we repent.
- Righteousness means doing what’s right, without needing to be asked.
- One of the blessings of righteousness is peace in our hearts, not at some future time but here and now
Book of Mormon Connections
- As Alma established the church in Zarahemla, he taught church members to “give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:39). The Lord gave the same admonition to church members in Missouri in 1831. (See Doctrine and Covenants 59:7.)
Applications
- Fast, attend church, and pray “unto God,” not for yourself. Participate in religious activities for the right reasons.
- Reverence life in all of its forms and will strive to protect and preserve it.
- Obey civil laws, even if you disagree with them.
- Remember God’s goodness, and acknowledge His hand in your life.
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