As Church members prepared once again in January 1847 to abandon their homes and travel toward an uncertain future, they were still grieving the loss of their dear prophet Joseph Smith. In a revelation received that month by their new leader, Brigham Young, the Lord reassured them, “Many have marveled because of [Joseph’s] death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned. Have I not delivered you from your enemies, only in that I have left a witness of my name?” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:39-40). The testimony which Joseph had declared and for which he had given his life burned brightly in their hearts. It was a precious gift from God.
In John Taylor’s written eulogy, he had emphasized Joseph’s positive influence: “He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3). Now, those same people were asked to find joy during their new journey:
If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:28-29
We can follow in their footsteps by finding joy in every circumstance, expressing gratitude regularly, and praying for help when we are discouraged. Especially during this Thanksgiving week, we can be particularly aware of blessings we have received and recognize them as manifestations of God’s love for us.
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. Our actions give credibility to our testimonies.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:1
To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob–painted black–of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:39
Many have marveled because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned.
Blog Posts
📄 “To Seal the Testimony”
Our decisions and our actions attest to the truth of our words.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 17:9-10, 20
2. Unity in this life prepares us for eternal relationships.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:3
…He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!
Blog Posts
📄 Not Separated
Stay close to family members, and prioritize relationships over comfort and convenience.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 1:30-31; Alma 8:21-27; Alma 15:18
3. Our conscience helps us set our lives in order.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:4
When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me–he was murdered in cold blood.”–The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go–shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was–he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:
Blog Posts
📄 Void of Offense
Pay particular attention to your conscience and act “with knowledge.”
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 2:15; Mosiah 4:3
4. God uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible.
Doctrine and Covenants 135:5
And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I … bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.
Blog Posts
📄 Out of Weakness…
The Savior is aware of our weaknesses, and we can help Him in spite of them.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 3:13, 21; 2 Nephi 33:4, 11; Ether 12:23-40
5. Priesthood ordinances help us set our lives in order.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:4
And this shall be our covenant–that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.
Blog Posts
📄 Walk in the Ordinances
Let your daily decisions be guided by the covenants you have made with God.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 25:30; 2 Nephi 32:6; 4 Nephi 1:12
6. Use words to uplift others.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:24
Cease drunkenness; and let your words tend to edifying one another.
Blog Posts
📄 Edifying
Choose words and actions which build others, and avoid words and actions which harm or discourage them.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:13, 15
7. Be respectful of other people’s property.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:25
If thou borrowest of thy neighbor, thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee.
Blog Posts
📄 Borrowing
Inherent in borrowing is an obligation to return the object to the owner in good condition.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 4:28
8. Be thankful.
Doctrine and Covenants 136:28-29
If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.
Blog Posts
📄 With Thanksgiving
We can express gratitude to God spontaneously and joyfully.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 8:3
📄 Thanksgiving
Gratitude helps us see more clearly and find more joy in the blessings we have already received.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 34:38
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to study this week:
- How did the Book of Mormon provide comfort to Joseph and Hyrum Smith in the days leading to their martyrdom? (Doctrine and Covenants 135:4-5)
- How have Joseph Smith’s accomplishments blessed my life? (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
- What does it mean to “walk in all the ordinances of the Lord?” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:4)
- What can we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 136 about collaboration and accomplishing collective goals?
- What does it mean to “keep [our] pledges with one another?” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:20)
- What does Doctrine and Covenants 136 teach about turning trials into growth experiences?
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