,_Missouri_river_scene,_1903.jpg){kind=link}
In Missouri, the Lord taught church leaders that they needed to take initiative: make decisions, be “anxiously engaged,” and not expect detailed instructions before taking action. (See Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-29.) Now, as they traveled home to Ohio, they saw how this principle worked in practice. He provided some instructions at the beginning of their journey, some corrective feedback along the way, and additional instructions after they reached their destination:
- Doctrine and Covenants 60 – They should travel home “speedily” and preach the gospel along the way.
- Doctrine and Covenants 61 – Traveling by canoe on the Missouri river may not have been the best decision. As they had seen, it was dangerous. Furthermore, it’s hard to preach the gospel along the way when you are far away from other people.
- Doctrine and Covenants 62 – Your testimonies are recorded in heaven. You have wide latitude in your modes of transportation.
- Doctrine and Covenants 63 – Back in Ohio, the Lord provides guidance about how to handle the move to Missouri, and He teaches them about managing their thoughts, feelings, and words.
Throughout these revelations, the Lord reaffirms their agency. Several times, He uses the phrase “as seemeth you good,” or “it mattereth not.” (See Doctrine and Covenants 60:5, 61:22, 35, 62:5.) Ultimately, He wanted them to take responsibility for their decisions: “These things remain with you to do according to judgment and the directions of the Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 62:8).
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
Doctrine and Covenants 60:4
For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God.
Blog Posts
📄“When I Make up My Jewels”
God wants to bless us. We are His prized possessions — His jewels.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 24:13-18
Doctrine and Covenants 60:13
Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.
Blog Posts
📄 Talent
If we put our talents and gifts to good use, they will grow, but if we bury them, we may lose them entirely.
Book of Mormon connection: Ether 12:35
Doctrine and Covenants 61:3
But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief.
Blog Posts
📄 “He Cast His Eyes Round About”
Strive to become more aware of the people around you.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 17:5-7
Doctrine and Covenants 62:1
Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.
Blog Posts
📄 Out of Weakness…
The Savior is aware of our weaknesses, and we can help Him in spite of them.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 3:13, 21
📄 What Does It Mean to “Succor” Someone?
The Savior is able and willing to succor us.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 7:12
Doctrine and Covenants 62:3
Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.
Blog Posts
📄 Angels Rejoice
Heavenly beings are aware of our actions and our words. They rejoice when we do good, even when we don’t yet see the results of our actions.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 27:30
Doctrine and Covenants 63:36-37
Wherefore, seeing that I, the Lord, have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I will that my saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion;
And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.
Blog Posts
📄 “The Girdle of His Loins”
Wear righteousness like you wear your clothes, considering it to be an essential part of who you are.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 21:6
Doctrine and Covenants 63:64
Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation.
Blog Posts
📄 “Spoken with Care”
Remember the power for good or evil that your words can have, and be intentional about speaking words that uplift and bless.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:30; Alma 12:14
📄 The Things Which I Have Written
Be careful with the sacred things the Lord has entrusted to you.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 14:28-30
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What does it mean to speak “without wrath or doubting”? (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7)
- What are the advantages of acting “not in haste,” and how can I achieve an appropriate velocity in my activities? (Doctrine and Covenants 60:8, 14; 63:24)
- How can I distinguish between what I can control and what I cannot? (Doctrine and Covenants 60:11)
- How can I incorporate both good judgment and the directions of the Spirit into my decisions? (Doctrine and Covenants 62:8)
- What is “a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”? (Doctrine and Covenants 63:66)
- Why does the Savior reference so many passages from the Gospels in Doctrine and Covenants 63, and how do those allusions contribute to His overall message?
Leave a Reply