In response to violent persecution, the Lord urged early church members to focus on government: upholding the United States Constitution (Doctrine and Covenants 98:5-6; 101:77-80), recruiting and supporting candidates for public office who are honest, good, and wise (Doctrine and Covenants 98:10), avoiding vengeance and retribution (Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-48), and seeking peace, not war (Doctrine and Covenants 98:16).
Even in the midst of this turmoil, the Lord encouraged church leaders to be diligent in their missionary efforts, trust Him to care for their families, and rely on His promise of ultimate success (Doctrine and Covenants 99; 100).
The overarching message of these four revelations is this: In challenging times, fulfill your civic duty by upholding principles of just government and promoting peace, while continuing to prioritize your higher duty to proclaim salvation and establish Zion.
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. We need to support freedom and individual rights by upholding the Constitution of the United States.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:5-6
And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
Doctrine and Covenants 101:80
And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.
Blog Posts
📄 The Constitution
The Constitution of the United States contains true principles and was inspired by God.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 13:16-20
📄 These Truths
Remember and apply the self-evident truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and affirmed in modern revelation
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 5:54; Alma 46:12
2. We should set high standards of character for the leaders who serve us.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:9-10
Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
Blog Posts
📄 Three Traits for Trustworthy Leadership
We need to seek for and support leaders who are honest, just, and wise.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 29:11, 13
📄 The Spirit of Revelation and Also Prophecy
Our spiritual state is both reflected in and influenced by the kind of leaders we choose to follow.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 3:19
📄 And He Did Cause His People to Commit Sin
Leaders establish norms of behavior by their example.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 11:1-2; Mosiah 29:17-18
3. We should strive to follow all of God’s instructions.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:11
And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.
Blog Posts
📄 Every Word
Don’t be a picky consumer of spiritual nourishment.
Book of Mormon connection: Moroni 7:22-25
4. Disciples of Christ renounce war and proclaim peace.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:16
Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children;
Blog Posts
📄 War and Peace
War is sometimes necessary, but we must not allow it to harden us.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 18:9; Alma 24:18; Alma 27:23-24; Alma 43:47; Alma 48:11; Alma 55:18-19
5. God will help us overcome every challenge we face.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:37
And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation.
Blog Posts
📄 “I Will Fight Your Battles”
We do not have to fight every battle, and we are not alone.
Book of Mormon connection: 1 Nephi 21:25
📄 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
6. Seek for the companionship of the Holy Ghost as you teach.
Doctrine and Covenants 99:2
And who receiveth you receiveth me; and you shall have power to declare my word in the demonstration of my Holy Spirit.
Blog Posts
📄 Demonstration of the Spirit
Preaching doesn’t have to be eloquent or persuasive to be effective; it needs to be accompanied by the Spirit of the Lord.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 18:20-21
7. Don’t let setbacks discourage you. Trust that God will help you find a way forward.
Doctrine and Covenants 100:3-5
Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.
Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.
Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;
Blog Posts
📄 Much People
God knows the hearts of His children, and He knows who is prepared to hear His gospel.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 17:11; Alma 26:30-31
📄 An Effectual Door
Even when things haven’t gone well, keep watching for the opportunities God will provide.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 7:18; Mosiah 8:7-8; Mosiah 21:6-14, 25
8. Sustainable growth requires sustained effort.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:8
In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.
Blog Posts
📄 Jeshurun Waxed Fat
Avoid complacency by maintaining the habits that have helped you prosper.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 12:2-3
📄 In the Day of Their Peace…
Acknowledge and address issues early; it’s far easier to maintain health and prosperity than to regain it.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 12:2
9. Remember that our efforts operate within a larger context. God really is at the helm.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16
Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.
Blog Posts
📄 “Be Still”
We can let go of our desperate attempts to control the uncontrollable when we remember that God really is in charge.
Book of Mormon connection: Enos 1:1-5; 3 Nephi 11:5
📄 There Was Silence
Take time to slow down and quiet the noise in your life, so that you can open your heart to the wonders and the joys that come softly.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 8:23; 3 Nephi 10:1-2
10. God can help us overcome contention.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:26
And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea, the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.
Blog Posts
📄 “The Earth Shall Be Full of the Knowledge of the Lord”
To know God is to love His children, and the more we receive the knowledge of God, the more harmoniously we will live with each other.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 21:6-9; 2 Nephi 30:12-15
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to work on this week:
- What does it mean to “[befriend]…the constitutional law of the land?” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:6)
- What more can I do to seek out and uphold leaders of high moral character? (Doctrine and Covenants 98:10)
- What is the meaning of Enoch’s prophecy that God will “convince all that are ungodly…of all their ungodly deeds?” (Doctrine and Covenants 99:5; Jude 1:14–15)
- What does it mean to “seek the face of the Lord always?” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:38)
- What can we learn from the parables of the nobleman and the olive trees and the importunate widow? (Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–62, 81-92)
- How can Doctrine and Covenants 101:78 help me make better decisions? What does it mean to “act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity?”
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