This week’s reading is about scripture: receiving it, sharing it, preserving it, and maintaining it.
The context for these revelations was the decision in a church conference to publish a collection of revelations received by Joseph Smith. The Lord challenged church members to find out for themselves if these revelations are true (Doctrine and Covenants 67). He emphasized that words spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost are scripture and that missionaries must preach the gospel to the world, while parents must share it with their children (Doctrine and Covenants 68). He assigned Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer to carry the manuscript to Missouri for publication (Doctrine and Covenants 69). And He organized the Literary Firm, a group of six church leaders charged as “stewards over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them” (Doctrine and Covenants 70).
This week’s Come, Follow Me lesson asks the following compelling question:
What is your stewardship or responsibility “over the revelations and commandments”?
Each one of us can consider our own responsibility to receive the word of the Lord, to share it with others, to record the insights we gain from it, and to establish good habits of scripture study and application.
Here are some of my favorite passages from this week’s reading with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
Prioritize eternal acquisitions.
Doctrine and Covenants 67:2
Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:31
Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.
Blog Posts
📄 The Riches of Eternity
Seek for heavenly treasures, and keep earthly treasures in perspective.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 2:18, 3 Nephi 13:19-20
All good things originate from God.
Doctrine and Covenants 67:9
For ye know that there is no unrighteousness in them, and that which is righteous cometh down from above, from the Father of lights.
Blog Posts
📄 The Father of Lights
Look for God’s hand in the blessings and knowledge you receive.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:13, 18-19
Pride, fear, and jealousy can distance us from God.
Doctrine and Covenants 67:10
And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.
Blog Posts
📄 Stripped of Pride, Stripped of Envy
Strip yourself of pride, envy, jealousy, fear, and all other attitudes and behaviors which slow you down and prevent you from enjoying communion with God.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 5:28-29
Set the best possible example for your children.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:25
And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
Blog Posts
📄 Ye Have Grieved Their Hearts – Jacob 3:10
Remember that the choices you make today can affect not only your own happiness but also the happiness of the people you love the most.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 3:10
Accept corrective feedback.
Doctrine and Covenants 69:2, 4
Wherefore, I, the Lord, will that my servant, John Whitmer, should go with my servant Oliver Cowdery; …
And also that he receive counsel and assistance from my servant Oliver Cowdery and others.
Blog Posts
📄 Receive Counsel
Remember that your perspective is limited and that you can benefit from the wisdom and guidance of other people.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 4:10, Alma 39:10
Give generously, not grudgingly.
Doctrine and Covenants 70:14
Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.
Blog Posts
📄 Not Grudgingly
When we give grudgingly, the recipient is still blessed by the gift, but we may fail to receive the blessings of giving.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:8
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- How can fear inhibit the reception of God’s word? (Doctrine and Covenants 67:3)
- What is the difference between the “natural mind” and the “spiritual mind”? (Doctrine and Covenants 67:10-12)
- What is an ensample, and how is the guidance given in Doctrine and Covenants 68:2-4 useful for gospel teachers?
- What is the relationship between greed and idleness? (Doctrine and Covenants 68:31,
- How can a “true and faithful” friend help us accomplish our missions? (Doctrine and Covenants 69:1)
- What are the “keys of the mysteries of the kingdom”? (Doctrine and Covenants 70, section header)
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