Doctrine & Covenants Journal

Section 2 (94-115)

Kent Dodds

D&C 94-97

94 - Church building committee

1 - The Lord begins to use closer language with His children as they draw closer to Him. Calling them His friends. What a wonderful sound that would be!
*2 - I believe the Lord works in patterns so we can follow Him more easily. It helps when we can trust that the Lord will do things a certain way and we can become accustomed to the way He does things.

95 - Continuation of divine directions to build houses of worship and instruction. They weren’t building the house of the Lord though. Bad!

*1 - I love how the Lord ensures that when He chastens us, we understand why He is doing that and that it is in reality a reflection of His love, and He wants us to and has prepared a way for us to repent and fix the problem!
4 - Everything the Lord does is intertwined. The Lord asked them to prune the vineyard, but part of the missionary work and everything that they are doing has to do with building the temple so He can pour out His spirit on them. They need this spirit so they can accomplish the first task!
5 - To be ordained is not a guarantee to be chosen.
6 - Gotta love the imagery!
*11 - I think that this principle of “if you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it” is all encompassing. We cannot do anything that pertains to the work of the Lord without keeping His commandments. It’d be like trying to do His work our way rather than His way.

96 - Who’s in charge of the French farm? Bishop in charge of divvying out things.

General thoughts... I can’t believe that people would think that Joseph is a fraud. These men all had a question about what to do with this land. They all determine that they should ask the Lord about what they should do with it and Joseph Smith, right then and there gets revelation!
6 - To be a part of the United Order was an honor and a privilege.

97 - Members kicked out of Jackson County. Where/What is Zion?

3 - Education is an important part of the Lord’s kingdom.
*8 - I find it very interesting that the Lord says if they know whether their hearts are right then they are accepted. So that means that we have this ability to tell within ourselves whether we are in line with the Lord’s will.
11 - The Lord wants His home built quickly!
16 - I like this scripture. The Lord’s presence will be where the pure in heart are.
*25 - Our survival of the terrible things to come is based upon our obedience.
When there is a lot at stake for the blessings of the Lord to come upon you, the opposite actions will bring something equal to the blessings you might have received.

~~Most of these sections deal with either Zion or the Lord’s House. There are certainly many temporal needs of the church and the Lord addressed those. There are also temporal needs that we each have and the Lord is very aware of those. He will help us know what we need to do to take care of those temporal needs. Also, obedience is always something that is important to the Lord, and that is reiterated in these verses.

D&C 98-100

98 - Saints afflicted, but be obedient to the law.

*3 - The things that happen to us in our lives, even the negative things, can work for our good if we let them. We let them by following the Lord and doing as He would have us do. In verse one, he talks about how we should give thanks in everything. This is consistent with the principle of being grateful for your trials which Paul taught us.
*8 - I’m sure this was very hard for Joseph and the other members of the church to accept at this time. I’m sure that they didn’t feel like the law was making them free. There are many times in our lives we feel opposite to what the truth is. We are so young in our understanding.
*9 - He says that wicked men rule at times, but He doesn’t tell us to treat them any differently. They also ought to be respected and obeyed (I suppose on kind of a case-by-case basis, because it’s not good to worship idols ever, even if the leader says to). In the next verse He tells us to elect honorable men.
*13 - This puts things in perspective for us. If we really understand the value of a life, we realize it pales in comparison to the value of our souls, and if something causes us to have to chose which we will save, we must save the more valuable.
21 - And the Lord chastens those whom He loves.
23-24 - Bear our afflictions patiently. Christ was a great example of this!
*37 - We can bear our afflictions patiently because we know that the Lord will fight our battles for us if we do.

99 - John Murdock Missionary. Receive the missionary, receive mercy. Like receiving a Missia-mercy ;)

3 - The Lord often compares us to little children. I think that there is a valuable lesson to be learned from little children.

100 - Sidney is Joseph’s spokesman and it’ll be given in the very hour.

4 - The Lord will take care of our families. If we do what He wants us to do and we feel like that is going to put our family in harm’s way, He will protect them from harm in the end. (Although, it is important to note that this life is a temporary thing and is no comparison to what we will have after this life. Just know that the true protection the Lord gives is spiritual, and that is the greatest protection of all.)
17 - We call on the Lord’s name and keep the Lord’s commandments, and He is bound to bless us. What a deal! :D

~~ I think the greatest personal application I can get from these sections comes from section 98. Maybe it’s just because I’m always looking for ways I can make it through my afflictions, but the afflictions the saints experienced at that time were met with great love from our Heavenly Father. The Lord will fight our battles for us if we bear with patience our afflictions. We also need to respect and support our leaders, even if we disagree with them.

D&C 101

101 - Saints driven from their homes.

*2 - Sometimes we bring things on ourselves while at others they are caused by natural causes or others. The Lord will defend us if we are obedient, but He chastens us to humble us. In the end, it is all for our good.
*8 - How often do we do this? We only look to the Lord when we’re in trouble. Because of our neglect during times of peace, the bonds which hold us close to the Lord become weaker. Then when the earth begins to tremble, those bonds break and we are left to our own devices.
9 - The Lord still loves us! Everything He does is for our benefit.
27 - I guess this means that everyone during this time will be righteous like unto Nephi who had this promise given to him. How cool will that be!?
35 - This is why it really isn’t as big of a deal as we think to lay your life down for the Gospel. It’s because the reward you get for doing so is so great! Luckily, we don’t have to do that very much.
37 - Case-in-point!
38 - Everything good in life takes patience.
*60 - We need to do what the Lord would have us do immediately when he would have us do it.
65 - We learn from Elder Bednar talking about Alma 26 that the garners are the temple.
79 - This doctrine is one of the things the Missourians hated most about us.
101 - The Lord’s Kingdom is the Lord’s Kingdom and it matters not who ultimately benefits, because really it’s all the Lord’s Kingdom.

~~This section talks a lot of the persecution that the saints went through and why we go through persecutions sometimes. It also talks about how we can overcome those challenges that we face in life. I believe that if we are obedient to the Lord and strengthen the relationship that we share with Him, then we will be able to overcome the challenges in life and they will strengthen us rather than harm us.

D&C 102-104

102 - Minutes of the organization of the first high council of the church.

2 - The purpose of the high council is given. Knowing the purpose of something really aids in the success of that thing. It gives you a goal. And if everyone is striving to accomplish the purpose then there are great marvelous wonders which can be accomplished.
6 - Policies and procedures are voted on, but doctrines and principles are truth, and truth cannot be voted on.
15 - The Lord believes in justice and dignity. He establishes His organization to preserve those things.
23 - There is always an opportunity to seek the mind and the will of the Lord. He kinda knows what He’s talking about. Sometimes there are circumstances that we have never heard of or been involved in before, but the Lord knows all. He will help us.

103 - Pratt and Wight come to ask the prophet about relief for the saints in Missouri. Zions Camp is organized.

*1-5 - The Lord allows us to be smitten to chasten us. But the time is not gone away from us. There is yet time to repent and change our ways. Really, what the Lord is giving us is an opportunity to be humbled and change to become more like He is.
5 - We can either follow the Lord’s council or not, and that is the deciding factor of our happiness and closeness to the Lord. That factor being our choice.
9-10 - Those who follow the Lord’s counsel and keep His commandments are a light unto the world and a savior of men. Otherwise, they are useless and the Lord with provide the blessing to another.
*12 - This is a good scripture to apply to our own lives, definitely! When times are tough, let us remember that the Lord will bless us after wading through much tribulation.
*27-28 - Again with that principle that the soul is worth so much more than our physical lives and if we must choose one, we must choose our soul. I am willing to be the Lord’s disciple.
*36 - This applies to more than just Zions Camp. It applies also to our personal Zions Camps that we go through each day. Our victory and glory in our challenges are brought to pass through our diligence, faithfulness, and prayers.

104 - More on the United Order - Dissolved and reorganized in Kirtland

2 - When we’re faithful, the Lord compensates our faithfulness very well!
11-12 - The Lord in His wisdom has us organized and has us account for our stewardships.
17 - Take that all you “the end is near and we’re going to run out of resources” people. There’s enough to spare. Sure we need to take care of our planet. We’ve been given a stewardship over it, but we don’t have to be pansies over it all. And it’s wrong to consider others of Gods creations to be greater than us, His finest creation.
23 - Humility directly linked to blessings :)
*33 - We can ensure blessings for our seed as well :)
52 - I never saw covetousness as being that big of a sin, but here it caused the breaking of a covenant.

~~These sections seem to focus on obedience to the Lord and His promises will be fulfilled. When we are disobedient, the Lord chastens us, but He always allows us a way back to good standing with Him.

D&C 105-106

105 - Fishing River, Zion redeemed later, buy up land, called and chosen

*3 - I have a home teacher who is so great. He definitely imparts of his substance like a true saint. I am sick right now and at work and I didn’t have time to grab food for lunch while I’m here. He got me a sandwich, apple, and bottled water and brought it to me at work. He’s awesome! Zion would have been built if everyone had been like that!
*6 - Chastisement teaches us obedience.
*9 - Waiting because of transgression. How often is that the case with us?
*11 - The endowment certainly brings many blessings of which I’m sure we’re not totally aware. There are many examples such as this one where the Lord says that Saints can’t do things until they’re endowed. I’m so happy that it is my blessing to have the temples on the earth today so we can be endowed from on high!
14 - The Lord always fulfills His promises!
*19 - Zions camp was an offering unto the Lord. The neat thing about this is that the Lord asks us to do things for Him, but in the end it turns out to be to our benefit. Our faith is strengthened. So, when we’re serving the Lord, we’re really serving ourselves.
*24 - Of what have we to boast when the Lord is the one who does everything?
28 - They have purchased a lot of land there in Missouri, but the saints there are not yet ready for consecration yet, and the Lord doesn’t want them to mess it up I think, so He’s just waiting for the right moment.
*35 - Worthiness is crucial for the safety of those involved in the work of the Lord. Whether it be the servant of the Lord, or the one who is being served.
39 - The Lord’s people are a peaceful people :)

106 - Warren A. Cowdery called as presiding officer, second coming, and serving in the church.

2 - It seems like it’s pretty standard that preaching the gospel is part of every calling we can receive. The Lord just wants everyone to know! :)
*3 - What a great promise!
7 - We withhold blessings from ourselves when we are proud. The Lord is waiting for us to humble ourselves so He can bless us.

~~ I think these sections deal with the Lord testing us. He tests us so we can be strengthened, and no matter what happens in our lives, as long as we do as the Lord would have us do, we will draw closer to the Lord. What a marvelous blessing! Also, the Lord is waiting on us to make the right move so He can bless us. Let’s not let Him wait! ^_^

D&C 107-108

107 - The Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods, AOA

2-4 - Why we use the name “Melchizedek Priesthood” rather than it’s true name.
5 - The Melchizedek Priesthood is the power of God upon which all other powers are based.
22 - What is meant by “three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office...”?
26 - Wow, the quorum of the 70 hold authority and power equal to the Twelve Apostles?
27 - So 70 men must be unanimous in their decisions? I wonder how hard that is.

108 -

D&C 109-110

109 - Kirtland Dedicatory Prayer

5 - Did the Lord really need a place to manifest Himself? He can pretty much do what He wants. So, once again, the things the Lord asks us to do are for our own benefit in the end.
*7 - We are to teach one another. Study groups!
*14 - We learn through study and faith. Faith in acting upon the things which we have studied.
38 - This is possibly why missionaries get their endowments before they go to serve their missions.
39 - Blessings of the gospel are like a fire. Little feeble flames alone can survive, but as you get many together it thrives larger than when they are apart. All together is greater than the sum of the parts.
47-48 - The first prayer for others in the temple, many to be said thereafter.
56 - Everything about missionary work is to get people to the temple. This is why Joseph Smith is praying that the hearts of people be opened while he gives the Kirtland Dedicatory Prayer.

110 - Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith see the Kirtland vision

*1 - How often are our eyes of understanding closed because we refuse to open them? Our lives could be made all the better if we would simply allow our eyes of understanding to be opened.
2-3 - The Savior described.
7 - I’m certain that the people did all they could to make it perfect, but there must have been a few flaws here and there in the construction of it. But that’s not what’s important. It’s the effort and commitment they put into it, and the Lord overlooked everything else.

~~These sections are beautiful. It’s the first time the Lord’s temple has been on the earth since before the apostasy. What a wonderful time. There certainly were celebrations in heaven and on earth at this time. We can learn great things from the reverence and other aspects of the prayer Joseph gave to the Lord at this time.

D&C 111-115

111 -

112 -

113 -

114 -

115 -