When church leaders prayed to know how to build up Zion, the Lord told them to establish a school. Why? Because education would prepare them for eternal glory and for upcoming challenges. Here’s an outline of the key messages in Doctrine and Covenants 88, illustrating how the Lord provided expansive context in what was essentially a charter for the new school:
- Christ’s light and law can sanctify us if we will receive it. (v. 1-85)
- Jesus promises to send another Comforter (v. 1-4)
- His light fills “the immensity of space” (v. 5-13)
- He redeems our souls (bodies and spirits) and exalts the earth (v. 14-20)
- The law governs and sanctifies us (v. 21-39)
- He governs the entire universe: all “kingdoms” and celestial bodies (v. 40-50)
- Parable about the Lord visiting each servant in turn (v. 51-60)
- Therefore (specific instructions) (v. 61-86)
- “Draw near to me.” (v. 61-66)
- “Sanctify yourselves.” (v. 67-69)
- “Call a solemn assembly” (v. 70-76)
- “Teach one another” (v. 77-80)
- Prepare to “testify and warn the people” (v. 81-86)
- Cataclysmic events are coming (v. 87-116)
- After your testimony, the “testimonies” of natural disasters (v. 87-91)
- Angels will sound seven trumps, heralding the joyful arrival of Jesus Christ (v. 92-107)
- The seven angels will review each millenium in the history of the world (v. 108-110)
- Michael (the seventh angel) will triumph over the devil in the end (v. 111-116)
- Therefore (specific instructions) (v. 117-141)
- “Call your solemn assembly” (v. 117, see 70-76)
- “Teach one another” (v. 118, see 77-80)
- “Organize yourselves” to learn together (v. 119-126)
- Specific gathering procedure for the school (v. 127-137)
- The ordinance of the washing of feet (v. 138-141)
Notice that the specific instructions appear in sections two and four. The first section provides context for the school by revealing eternal principles about how God governs the universe. The third section provides additional context by revealing events which will precede and follow the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The lesson for us: Spiritual learning prepares us for life after death and for the experiences of mortal life. We should be intentional and organized about our ongoing education. We should work together to pursue knowledge. And we should seek God’s help in our learning process.
Here are some of my favorite passages from this revelation with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. Jesus sends angels to help and guide us.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:2
Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
Blog Posts
📄 What Is the Meaning of the Title “Lord of Hosts?”
The Savior not only has the power to save us, but He presides over vast armies of angels who provide assistance and guidance to us when we need their help.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 1:8; 1 Nephi 3:29-31; 1 Nephi 4:3; 1 Nephi 7:10; 1 Nephi 11:30; 1 Nephi 17:45; 2 Nephi 4:24
2. Jesus understands our suffering because of His experiences.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:6
He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Blog Posts
📄 Ascension, Descension, and Comprehension
Jesus understands everything we experience. He has ascended to the highest heights and descended to the lowest depths.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 11:16-17; Alma 7:11-12
3. Jesus gives us the joyful gift of resurrection.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:15-16
And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.
Blog Posts
📄 Soul: Spirit and Body
The resurrection will bring us supernal joy.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 11:43-44; Alma 34:34; Alma 40:11, 23; 3 Nephi 11:14
4. Law and glory are inseparably connected.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:22-24
For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
Blog Posts
📄 Why Celestial Is Better
God not only honors our agency but can help us use it in a way that maximizes our joy and freedom.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 2:28-29
📄 Ye Would Be More Miserable – Mormon 9:4
At the Final Judgment, God won’t have to send us away if we aren’t worthy to be there; we will leave voluntarily.
Book of Mormon connection: Mormon 9:4
📄 That Through Him All Might Be Saved
God makes it possible for us to receive all of the glory we are willing to accept.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 12:11; 3 Nephi 27:13-15
5. God’s law not only constrains us but also perfects us.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:34-35
And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
Blog Posts
📄 Governed by Law
Compliance with appropriate rules of behavior brings safety, growth, and peace.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 5:10, 27; Helaman 5:3
📄 Being Governable
Be governable, willing to prioritize the needs of the community over your personal desires.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 13:6-7; Helaman 5:2-3
6. God’s timing is perfect.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:42, 44
And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;
And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years–all these are one year with God, but not with man.
Blog Posts
📄 Times and Seasons
When we truly have faith in God, we trust His timing.
Book of Mormon connection: Jacob 5:71; Alma 32:40-43
7. Don’t procrastinate growing closer to God.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:83
He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.
Blog Posts
📄 How to “Come unto Christ”
Come unto Christ by trusting Him, emulating Him, and heeding His voice.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 10:18; Jacob 1:7; Omni 1:26; Alma 5:35; 3 Nephi 21:6; 3 Nephi 27:20; 3 Nephi 30:2; Mormon 3:2; Ether 4:18; Moroni 7:34; Moroni 10:32
📄 “Seek Me Early”
Prioritize activities which bring you closer to God, and do them first.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 34:31-33; Alma 37:35
8. Natural disasters are a form of “testimony.”
Doctrine and Covenants 88:88-91
And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.
Blog Posts
📄 What Are the Roles of Persuasion and Punishment in Motivating Good Behavior?
Punishments are not the opposite of persuasion; they are a form of persuasion.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 12:2-3
📄 The Kingdom of the Devil Must Shake
Challenges and frustrations can serve as a reminder that we need God’s help.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 28:19
📄 Motivating Laman and Lemuel
Respond to early and gentle wake-up calls, before they become more severe.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 18:20
9. The Second Coming will be joyful.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:96-98
And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.
And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven–
They are Christ’s, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.
Blog Posts
📄 Caught up to Meet Him
When Jesus returns to earth, He will not be alone. People on both sides of the veil will join Him.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 28:13, 15
10. Learning requires both hard work and faith.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:118
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
Blog Posts
📄 The Spirit of Deep Sleep
Ignoring God’s word artificially limits our understanding, placing us in a state of “self-inflicted spiritual blindness.”
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 27:4-5
11. God wants us to be organized, not impulsive.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
Blog Posts
📄 A House of Order
The Savior can help us overcome chaos and organize our lives.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 19:7; Mosiah 4:27; Moroni 9:18
📄 Establish a House
Work to make your home a holy place where family members feel peace and love.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:27; 3 Nephi 18:21
12. Discipline yourself to work hard and to get appropriate rest.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:124
Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.
Blog Posts
📄 “Unwearyingness”
Resist the temptation to slow down or to give up when you have important work to do
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 10:4-5
📄 In Six Days the Lord Made Heaven and Earth
Part of taking care of our mortal bodies is acknowledging their limitations and pacing ourselves appropriately in order to give them the rest they need.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 13:16-19
13. Strive for charity.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:125
And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.
Blog Posts
📄 The Bond of Perfectness and Peace
Charity is not only the most important attribute of Christ; it is the attribute which unifies and fortifies all of the others.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 26:30; 3 Nephi 12:48; Ether 12:34; Moroni 7:47
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What is the other Comforter promised by the Savior? (v. 3-4)
- What is the relationship between light, life, and law (v. 13)
- How does God use the word “comprehend” in this section? (v. 6, 41, 43, 48-49, 67) What does He comprehend, and what will He help us comprehend?
- How is God hastening His work, and what are the implications for me? (v. 73)
- How can I better organize my personal spiritual education? (v. 77-80, 118-126)