In the summer of 1833, Joseph Smith received four revelations providing guidance about buildings and land. The Lord reproves church members for being slow to build the temple in Kirtland (Doctrine and Covenants 95), commands the construction of a First Presidency office and a printing office (Doctrine and Covenants 94), and instructs church members in Missouri to build a temple as well (Doctrine and Covenants 97). He also gives additional guidance about allocating property (Doctrine and Covenants 96; Doctrine and Covenants 94:13-16). His instructions even include measurements for some of the buildings (Doctrine and Covenants 94:4, 11; 95:15).
However, upon closer consideration, these revelations are primarily about people, not places. In the process of preparing these sacred spaces, the Lord wants church members to:
- Become more holy: remove unclean things from their lives (Doctrine and Covenants 94:8-9; 97:15-16).
- Respond more promptly to directions from Him (Doctrine and Covenants 95:1-3; 97:11).
- Seek knowledge and wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 97:3-6).
- Establish unity and eliminate contention (Doctrine and Covenants 95:10-12).
In the course of caring for the land and erecting sacred buildings, church members would develop more Christlike attributes, would establish Zion, and would be better able to understand God.
We also may find that many of our logistical duties have a far deeper purpose: refining our character, strengthening relationships, and preparing us to one day stand in God’s presence.
Here are some of my favorite passages from these revelations with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. Follow divine patterns.
Doctrine and Covenants 94:2
And behold, it must be done according to the pattern which I have given unto you.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:10
Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.
Blog Posts
📄 Patterns
We make better decisions with a long-term perspective. Think about your ancestors and descendants as you set goals and choose your activities.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 18:2; 2 Nephi 5:16
2. Correction can be an expression of love.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:1-2
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you–
Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face;
Blog Posts
📄 “Whom I Love I Also Chasten”
God’s chastening is motivated by love and is coupled with assistance to help us respond.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 15:3
3. Act promptly on divine direction.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:3, 7
For ye have sinned against me a very grievous sin, in that ye have not considered the great commandment in all things, that I have given unto you concerning the building of mine house;
And for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end.
Blog Posts
📄 A Solemn Assembly
Prepare yourself to participate in sacred events in an attitude of solemnity.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 2:1-9; Mosiah 4:1-3; Mosiah 5:1-5; Mosiah 6:7; Mosiah 26:1
4. What we see is heavily influenced by who we are.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:6
They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.
Blog Posts
📄 In Darkness at Noon-Day
Strive to eliminate obstructions which might prevent you from receiving the light and knowledge.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 10:5-6
📄 Noonday
Work to bring the church “out of obscurity” and make it more visible and well-understood.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 5:7; Alma 19:6; 3 Nephi 13:22
5. God is willing to “clothe” us with power.
Doctrine and Covenants 95:8
Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high;
Blog Posts
📄 Endowed with Power
When God endows you with power, you carry that power everywhere. It is like clothing that you wear every day.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 14:14; 2 Nephi 8:24; 3 Nephi 20:36; Moroni 10:31
6. Manage your obligations carefully.
Doctrine and Covenants 96:2-3, 9
Therefore, let my servant Newel K. Whitney take charge of the place which is named among you, upon which I design to build mine holy house.
And again, let it be divided into lots, according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek inheritances, as it shall be determined in council among you.
Therefore ye shall ordain him unto this blessing, and he shall seek diligently to take away incumbrances that are upon the house named among you, that he may dwell therein. Even so. Amen.
Blog Posts
📄 “Seek Diligently to Take Away Incumbrances”
Fulfill your commitments promptly, and avoid making promises you can’t keep.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:28
7. Don’t lose hope when promised blessings are slow to arrive.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:5, 28
And I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, in expounding all scriptures and mysteries to the edification of the school, and of the church in Zion.
And I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God. Amen.
Blog Posts
📄 A Multiplicity of Blessings
As we remain faithful over time, we will receive numerous blessings from God.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 2:20
8. Overcome your natural resistance to change.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:7
The ax is laid at the root of the trees; and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. I, the Lord, have spoken it.
Blog Posts
📄 The Ax Is Laid at the Root of the Tree
Be more agile—more willing to change, more willing to repent
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 5:52
9. The sacrifices we must make are customized to our individual needs.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:8
Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice–yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command–they are accepted of me.
Blog Posts
📄 Having Sealed the Truth of His Words – Mosiah 17:20
Recommit to high value goals. Dedicate time, energy, and other resources to the things that matter most.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 17:20
10. Purity produces accurate perception.
Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-16
And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
Blog Posts
📄 A House of Prayer
Make your home a sacred space by eliminating distractions from your schedule and environment.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 5:16; Jacob 1:17; Mosiah 2:1, 37; Alma 7:21; Alma 34:36; 3 Nephi 11:1
📄 “The Pure in Heart…Shall See God”
If you want to receive the full blessings of the temple, you must be willing to set aside all impurities in your heart and mind before entering.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 12:8
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What are some divine patterns that I can follow in my discipleship? (Doctrine and Covenants 94:2)
- How can I be more holy? (Doctrine and Covenants 94:12; 95:16; 96:2; 97:15-17)
- What is the “strange act” God has promised to perform? (Doctrine and Covenants 95:4; Isaiah 28:21)
- What was the French Farm? (Doctrine and Covenants 96)
- What does it mean to be accepted of the Lord? (Doctrine and Covenants 96:6; 97:8, 27)
- How can I become more pure in heart? (Doctrine and Covenants 97:16, 21; Jacob 2:10; 3:1-3)
Leave a Reply