Doctrine and Covenants 133 warns us to prepare urgently for the return of Jesus Christ. It was originally intended as an appendix or conclusion to the Book of Commandments, and it quotes extensively from the Old Testament and from the Book of Revelation. Here are the major sections of the revelation with their core messages and with representative scripture citations:
- Introduction (v. 1-4)
- Go out from Babylon. (v. 5-15) (Isaiah 48:20)
- God sent His angel so that we can share the gospel. (16-37) (Revelation 14:6)
- Jesus is mighty to save. (v. 38-56) (Isaiah 63:1-3)
- Repent. (v. 57-74) (Isaiah 50)
The other document we will study this week, Doctrine and Covenants 134, is a declaration of the Church’s position on the relationship between church and state. The basic message is that Church members have a duty to uphold their governments and to obey the laws of the land. Governments, in turn, should not infringe on the rights of their citizens to worship as they choose.
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 prepare for the Savior’s return by disconnecting from the corrupt things of the world.
Doctrine and Covenants 133:14
Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.
Blog Posts
📄 Babylon
Don’t get attached to temporary things.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 23:17, 19
2. We prepare for the Savior’s return by preaching the restored gospel.
Doctrine and Covenants 133:36-37
And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth.
And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Blog Posts
📄 Another Angel
The work begun by the angel Moroni continues today, and we can be part of it.
Book of Mormon connection: Mormon 8:35
3. Living the gospel fills our hearts with joy.
Doctrine and Covenants 133:33
And they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy.
Blog Posts
📄 “Songs of Everlasting Joy”
We can feel joy every day as we live the gospel, regardless of the difficulties we experience.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 8:11
4. We can trust that Jesus is able to save us.
Doctrine and Covenants 133:46-47
And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?
And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.
Blog Posts
📄 Mighty to Save
Jesus Christ has the power to save us.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 31:19; Alma 7:14; Alma 34:18
5. Civil law should protect the free and peaceful participation in religion.
Doctrine and Covenants 134:4, 9
We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.
Blog Posts
📄 Peacemakers
A true disciple of Jesus Christ strives to walk peaceably with everyone.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 12:9; Moroni 7:3-4
📄 Freedom of Religion
Civil governments should neither establish religion nor prohibit its exercise.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 29:32
📄 What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Relationship Between Church and State?
There is an important distinction between legal standards of conduct, which must be enforced by the state, and moral standards, which are within the purview of the church.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 23:6-7; Mosiah 25:14-15, 19; Mosiah 26:12
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to study this week:
- How can I reject Babylon and help to establish Zion? (Doctrine and Covenants 133:5-21)
- What can I do today to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming? (Doctrine and Covenants 133:1-4)
- Why will the Second Coming be joyful? (Doctrine and Covenants 133:19-56)
- Which Old Testament passages are quoted in Doctrine and Covenants 133, and how does this revelation help us understand them better?
- What are my responsibilities as a citizen of the United States? (Doctrine and Covenants 134)
- What is the proper relationship between God’s law and civil law? (Doctrine and Covenants 134:6)
Paul- I would be interested in what these verses might teach about our relationship with our government when it is NOT following its own established laws?
This is a very good question. I’ll give it some thought this week and write about it in one of my posts this week. Thanks for the suggestion!