Section 1 D&C Journal

Doctrine & Covenants Journal

Section 1 (77-93)

Kent Dodds

“The Power of the Word” -Ezra Taft Benson

*1. I love the boldness he gives stating that nobody holds the power of the priesthood as we do. I also greatly appreciate the responsibility that gives to us, and to me personally. It helps me recognize the sweet gift I have been given and my responsibility to remain worthy of it.

3. I wonder what the word “forbidden” really entails.

7. What must we do to ensure that we may ensure for ourselves the promise Nephi gives. It must be more than just casually studying the scriptures. Rather immersing ourselves in them and following through with what we learn that we may “know of the doctrine.” (John 7:17)

*11. As the prophets state that the most powerful defence against the devil is scripture, I am reminded of how that is what Jesus Christ used when He was tempted. Often I use scriptures I memorized in seminary and while on my mission to fill my mind with the light of the gospel to dispel the darkness of temptation.

15. I really believe that reading the scriptures on a consistent basis will help us in more than just our church callings, but in everything that we are to do in this life, because the original purpose of life itself. Anything else that we do which lies outside the bounds of the Lord’s will for us may or may not be contained in the scriptures because D&C 82:10.

*16. It is interesting that the little things are what really keep us active. The basic principles. I have often been taken aback by friends I know or my friends know who have gone less active. I have worried about myself thinking “I’m sure they didn’t plan on going less active either, why would I be any different? What can I do to make sure I don’t.” The answer is always simple, maintain the good habits of scripture reading,prayer, church and temple attendance, etc. The seminary answers. They are repeated so much because they are true and they work.

*21. I must be certain that I compare the teachings of the words with the teachings of the prophets both modern and ancient. But if I am not familiar with those teachings, it will do me very little good.

35. I would like to know more about what it means when it says “the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.”

~~ I feel like this talk by President Benson is just as much for our day as it was then. It seemed to be more directed toward the leaders of the church, but are we not all leaders. I appreciate the boldness he used as he addressed the divine importance we have of helping those who have gone off the beaten path. The concept of scripture study influencing our lives so much is a beautiful one. I really feel like the Lord gave us those words for a reason and He blesses us with knowledge and inspiration as we read and apply them, essentially being obedient to His command to study His word.

D&C 77-80

77 - Q and A on Revelations

Historical Content - “Temporal existence” what exactly does that mean?
2 - the Beast has a spirit along with every other creature God’s created, so Pocahontas was right!
5 - I hope I’m one of those Elders!
11 - I hope to be numbered among the high priests.
15 - This is a pretty good indicator of the times.

78 - Establish a storehouse

*3 - Just like the Lord having order and priority on certain things, we also ought to wait patiently on some good things so the more important things get done.
*5 - It does take some earthly provisions to aquire Heavenly things. I will ensure I get a good education and job for that reason.
6 - Why the law of concecration is a celestial law.
17 - We have no idea the blessings that await us.

79 - Jared Carter called to preach by the Comforter

*2 - I felt the spirit guide me in similar ways. The ordination or responsibility I have now is a tad different, but the Lord will give me the spirit to fulfill that.

80 - Stephen Burnett & Eden Smith called to preach wherever

*5 It is important for us to remember who has called us to do what we are doing and to know His will for us that we might carry it out.

~~ I think the biggest take home from these sections are that the Lord answers our honest questions. Sometimes He leaves things up to us. Other times He tells us the spirit will tell us where to go. The Lord takes care of us and his priorities for us in His Church.

D&C 81-83

81 - Frederick G. Williams gets called to be a counselor in the first presidency

*Historical Content - I believe that the Lord knows what the end result is going to be (whether we will ultimately be faithful or not). The key is in the concept that He still gives us the opportunity. I think we could learn something about parenting through His example here.
Historical Content - It’s so incredibly sad to me how many people (particularly higher “ranking” people) were excommunicated in the early days of the church.
*4 - We ought to all be striving for the “greatest good.” The Lord will reveal what the “greatest good” for us is. Commonly, the major things in our lives which will be the greatest good for us will be revealed to us by the Lord’s prophet. As far as the day to day things, the revelation for those things comes as we study the scriptures and seek to apply them to our daily lives to the point where they become a habit.
5 - I really love this scripture and the imagery it gives: “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

82 - The Law of Consecration

1 - The Lord forgives us as we forgive our spirit brothers and sisters. I wonder if there’s more to that than we think there is...
*3 - What a profound scripture. It gives accountability to those who hold responsibility. Those who are in positions of leadership have a special responsibility to ensure that they follow the commandments the Lord gives them. Of course, the Lord expects each of us to live according to what we have received. Blessings await us as we do. In my life I will ensure that I take seriously the responsibilities which are mine (particularly the covenants which I have made).
7 - I wonder what is meant by “I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge?” I suppose, in thinking of it further, the Lord is probably saying, in effect, they are forgiven of their trespasses against Him.
10 - I love this principle. I utilized this so much on my mission and gained a great testimony of the truth of this principle. It made me confident to tell investigators that the Lord will always keep His promises. Confident that when I told them if they would read and pray about the Book of Mormon, they would know it is true. Because I was confident in the Lord’s promise, I was confident in extending His promise to the people I taught. I would lay my honor on the line for the Lord’s promises any day.
17 - Consecrated property is distributed according to our wants and needs. With the simple stipulation that our wants are just.
*18 - Really, the purpose of the law of consecration is to build the kingdom of God. We are to improve the means we have been given so the kingdom can be built further. It’s just an amazing thing. We’re basically employees of the Lord and our employ is to build His kingdom in every way we can. Consecration is where we get the most joy and blessings. To receive the most, we must give the most. The Lord will return to us the things that we need. I think that many times we think that we will lose out on a lot of fun if we do this, but what people don’t understand is that the Lord returns to us those fun things as well. He wants our happiness and He wants us to enjoy those simple pleasures in life. I LOVE this principle.
*19 - Keeping an eye single to the glory of God includes our total consecration to His purposes. This means we must know what His purposes are and seek to execute them. We learn these purposes through study and sincere prayer, and we become better and better at recognizing the Lord’s will as we do those things He reveals to us. Fulfilling the Lord’s will also increases the trust He has in us. It is our ultimate goal to be the good and faithful servant the Lord can count on when He needs an errand run. In doing this, we also see others the way that Heavenly Father sees them. This brings us much joy and happiness. I can testify of that.
24 - The promised blessings of the Lord’s are ours until we lose them.

83 - Support for women and children

Overall - The Lord takes care of His children. He recognizes that we are dependent upon others for our support and survival in life and has established His church and gospel as a means whereby those needs can be fulfilled if they can’t be fulfilled any other way.

~~These sections are really quite fascinating. I think that the overall messages the Lord wants us to learn from these sections are the importance it is ours to build the kingdom in any righteous way that we can. To increase our talents and further our education are only two of the many ways that I feel like we can become better able servants of our Heavenly Father. Then we go on and consecrate those talents and means to the building of our Father’s kingdom.

D&C 84

84 - Priesthood

19 - Knowledge seems to be a very integral part of the priesthood. The greater priesthood holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 - The power of God is manifest in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood..
21 - But without the authority of the priesthood, even the ordinances are not enough to manifest the power of Godliness.
22 - Without this: the power of godliness, no man can see the face of God and live. So what does that mean about Joseph Smith. Either, the Lord made an exception for him, or somehow he had the power of godliness...
24-27 - The children of Israel did not have the power of godliness because they hardened their hearts and could not endure the Lord’s presence. They lost the Melchizedek Priesthood and were given the lesser priesthood. They lost the fulness of the glory of the Lord and were given the preparatory gospel.
28 - I would be very interested to know how in the world John was baptized and ordained by the time he was eight days old.
29 - As it turns out the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages to the high priesthood. That’s interesting.
30 - Similarly, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary appendages to the lesser priesthood. That’s also interesting.
33 - This is how I am able to function despite how tired I am I think. Though I still ought to get more sleep than I am getting, I think that the Lord helps me fulfill my responsibilities and the things He wants me to do when I magnify my calling.
34 - When it says that we are the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, that means we inherit the traits they possessed. The Abrahamic covenant, for example.
41 - For those things which promise us great blessings, we are also promised harsh punishment for going awry.
42 - Simply because there are great punishments associated with doing something wrong with what you have been given, does not give excuse to not receive the great blessings the Lord has in store for you. it is important for each of us to receive the things that the Lord wants for us. Also, for us to truly receive what the Lord has for us, we must take into account the attributes that one possesses when one possesses what the Lord has given them, and strive to attain those attributes.
45 - Truth is light, light is Spirit, or the Spirit of Christ. So, truth is the Spirit of Christ. Let that roll around in your head for a bit...
46 - Everyone is given this light or truth through the Spirit of Christ which they are given when they enter this world.
47 - If we pay attention to that spirit, then we can return to the Father.
*57 - It does us very little good if we simply say what we should do. Unless we actually DO what we ought to do, we will not receive the blessings for such. Thomas Edison didn’t discover the electric light by saying it could be done, it took a great deal of work, and now billions of light bulbs flood the earth with light even long after the sun has gone down.
*58 - If we will not be a benefit to our Father’s Kingdom, we would not feel comfortable being there and not contributing. Therefore, it is important that we develop our talents and abilities that we be not a scourge to Zion.
64-72 - Here we get a list of the signs that follow those who truly believe. Now, I have seen many believers who don’t do these things. So I wonder what this really is intended to mean...
76 - Those few words just hit me hard “from you it MUST be preached unto them.” What a powerful statement. From YOU, and it MUST. Is there any question as to the necessity of this work progressing? Is there any question that it actually will?
77 - The Lord considers us friends.
79-85 - Some of my very favorite verses. This is how we go preach the gospel. No other organization can do what we do, because we have the truth in its entirety. What a blessing that is! The Lord knows what everyone needs and if we are able to strengthen our relationship with Him to the point that we know the mind and the will of the Lord, then we can be blessed to know the needs of others and can bless them by fulfilling those needs.
88 - President Monson’s favorite verse. It is truly a beautiful one.The Lord looks out for His servants.
*103 - This scripture definitely applies to me. Every man is to go forth and proclaim the gospel in any capacity he may hold. I had the blessed opportunity to serve a full-time mission, but my mission is not over. I continue to serve faithfully in my calling and share the gospel with my friends.
*106 - Always be on the lookout for someone who has feeble knees that could use some strengthening.
109 - Lift where you stand. Whatever you are called to do, be the very best that you can be.
*117 - This “reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds” leaves us to believe that there is an unrighteous way of doing this. We need to ensure that we are doing things the Lord’s way that we are righteously reproving the world.

~~This is a big chapter. I am a holder of the priesthood and it helps me appreciate the special gift I have when the Lord talks about it so reverently. The blessing that I have to be alive in this time when the higher priesthood is on the earth, and the ability to exercise it in any righteous way the Lord would have me do so is such a wonderful blessing. I have a personal responsibility to share the gospel with my brothers and sisters as well as the responsibility to be a blessing to God’s Kingdom.

D&C 85-87

85 - The Lord’s Clerk and Inheritances

6 - The spirit whispers and pierces. That’s really beautiful imagery to try and describe the voice and promptings of the spirit.
*9 - I think that this inheritance is talking more about eternal life than the inheritance of consecrated goods. Those who left the church when they gained their inheritance of temporal things, lost their inheritance of eternal things. I will make certain that in my life at least, I will lose neither. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, but also, we receive, and we throw away. I will ensure that I never throw anything away which the Lord gives me.

86 - Wheat and tares

*3 - I’m not entirely sure why, but the part where it says “that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign” made me think of something interesting. I could almost see Satan glorifying the use of hard drugs and alcohol. It is interesting how we have movies like “Batman Begins” where drugs are released to the civilians and they hallucinate and things. This is depicted as such a terrible thing (which it is). However, Satan has gotten so deeply into our hearts and society that people do this to themselves all the time. They lose control of themselves and yield their agency to the drug. I don’t think that’s what this verse is particularly talking about, but I will be certain that I retain my agency and at the last day I am Wheat, and not tares.

87 - Civil War Foretold

1 - There are sometimes the Lord reveals very specific details to His prophets. Many people in the world today think that a real prophet can see into the future. Certainly, if it is necessary the Lord will reveal things in the future to the prophet, but that is not the main role. However, here is an example where the Lord reveals some of the future to the prophet and He prophesies here in the Doctrine and Covenants.
6 - The civil war was a chastening of the Almighty God to tell the nations that slavery is wrong. The idea still hasn’t left the minds of the people of this nation, but it is slowly subsiding.
*7 - I think to stand in holy places includes to be patient. To wait for relief from the world and its wickedness. We ought to be patient and bear our afflictions with patience because the Lord is coming quickly.

~~These sections were interesting to me. Thinking of the inheritances being more than temporal, we ought to ensure our obedience. The spirit’s prompting while I read section 86 helped me renew my determination to stay away from evil influences. And the reminder of patiences I received in 87 is always good to get.

D&C 88

88 - 2nd Coming

8 - The Lord uses the heavens of astronomy to explain the doctrine a lot I think.
*15 - The soul is composed of the spirit and the body. This is why abortion is so wrong. There is no specific time that we know of when the spirit enters the body, but it is certain that killing a soul is one of the unpardonable sins. Therefore, we should defend the right to every spirit to obtain a body and become a living soul.
16 - The resurrection from the dead saves the body, though the spirit cannot be redeemed without out it. It is as though once a spirit obtains a body it is damned without it. As I type this I come to understand that if a spirit doesn’t obtain a body it is also damned without it. Therefore, the necessity of our obtaining a body in the first place, and the need to be able to take that body with us in progression.
*22 - If we can’t live the laws of a celestial glory, we cannot abide the celestial glory. It simply makes so much sense. We prepare best for our eternal lives through living the way we would if we already had them. This is why you must be essentially keeping the covenants you will be making before you actually make them. Through the prophet and the temple, we learn what the celestial laws are, and as we live them, we prepare our spirits to endure the celestial glory.
*32 - Willing to receive. We receive that which we are willing to receive. That doctrine really rings true for me. And we show what we are willing to receive by our actions here on the Earth. I am willing to receive the celestial Kingdom, so I attend the temple, serve my brothers and sisters, and fulfill my priesthood callings.
*33 - A very good and true principle for all of us to realize and understand. If we receive not the gift that the Lord gives to us, then neither He nor we profit thereby.
36 - Simple and plain statement of truth.
39 - It’s like the fact that if I don’t have certain characteristics, then I’m not a student of BYU. I have to fulfill the basic requirements to be accepted into BYU, then I become a student of BYU.
*40 - One of my favorites! It is so true. It’s almost like selective gravity. This is how I intend on finding my eternal companion one day. I will live my life the way that I want her to be living hers, and then we will gravitate to one another.
*63 - Another favorite. It is our decision whether we will draw near unto the Lord. He is fixed and will always be there for us, but we occasionally wander away from Him. We can always turn back though. He loves us that much!
*64-65 - This is why it is important that we pray with the spirit to know what to pray for. Without that, then we could be condemning ourselves. The spirit helps us know what is expedient for us.
*67 - This is the secret to us keeping Satan out of our lives. We focus on the Light which is in Christ, and the darkness has no place in us. If we turn our focus to things that are of little or no worth, even if we’re fighting them, eventually they enter into our lives.
76 - It is a commandment to pray and to fast. Another scripture shows us this.
77-79 - Teaching and learning in the church. This is one of the scriptures I memorized to teach that principle while on my mission. Teaching and learning in the church is crucial for our progression after baptism.
81 - It is important for us to do missionary work, because it’s such a blessing that the Lord has given us to know these truths, if we withhold them in any way from our brothers and sisters, we will not be found guiltless at the last day, and their sins will be in part on our heads for having not taught them. That’s why it’s such a crucial thing for us to teach our children, otherwise, we are in serious trouble.
91 - If we view the heart as the center of a man’s faith, then the phrase “men’s hearts shall fail them” takes on a whole new meaning. -Thomas S. Monson
*92 - I want to be the one who is excited when I hear the call “the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”
96 - This means that there will be saints on the earth who are not alive as well. That’s a tad bit of a scary thought.
There’s some pretty intense stuff around here...
*118 - This is a great scripture. It encourages us to focus on filling our minds with uplifting thoughts.
*119 - This is how we should live our lives all the time, always preparing for that which we do not see.
118-126 - This is all very good counsel that we should focus our lives on.
125 - Fill our lives with charity, that will take care of the rest.

~~It seemed like there was a great deal of good counsel and advice in this section of the Doctrine and Covenants. We ought to prepare ourselves for the things which we cannot see, but surly must come to pass. We ought to live our lives in a celestial way so as to be prepared for the celestial glory we so desire. It is important to fill our lives with light to fight the darkness away.

D&C 89

89 - The Word of Wisdom

*3 - This is a principle with a promise. I would say that all of God’s principles come with a promise. The promise is always outstanding that if we live as close to Heavenly Father as we can and follow His principles, we we gain the life He has, eternal life.
4 - These evils and designs are what cause people to strive and drag us under addiction and chain us to their wallet.
*8 - Many things have been provided for us to use on this earth, it is when we misuse them that they become harmful to us. All of God’s creation had a good purpose, but we on occasion will alter that purpose for some reason. I will ensure that I use things for their proper purpose!
12 - I would be curious to know what the true definition behind the word “sparingly” in this context is. If it is what I think it is, then most of the members of the church are breaking the Word of Wisdom, but it looks like the Lord isn’t saying those kinds of specifics.
*18-20 - I have seen in my own life how this promise really does come true. The Lord takes care of those who keep the word of wisdom. There are times in my life when I eat too many sweets even and I feel terrible. I certainly could not run and not be weary. However, at other times when I’m eating fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains, I feel rejuvenated and the Lord blesses me with new strength.
Something not mentioned in here, which I think could easily be in this same class of keeping ourselves healthy, is exercise and sleep. Those are things that BYU students struggle with the most I think, and it would probably help to have more scriptural statements of it’s truth. Or, at least that the scriptures which stated this truth was more frequently taught and striven for. But, I suppose there’s always more that can be done.

~~I think this is one of the great sections of the Doctrine and Covenants. I saw great things on my mission when people lived this principle. I saw how many people suffered from addictions and had health problems as a result, and many of them broke their addiction. The Lord knew these things were bad for us long before we did. I’m so grateful I didn’t have to go through the experience to know it’s not a good thing for me!

D&C 90-92, 93:1-5

90 - Establishing the First Presidency

*2 - The President of the church has the keys of the kingdom given to him to lead and guide the church and it’s members. We should trust him that he knows what he is doing, and follow the counsel he gives. It’s really the only smart thing to do.
3 - Once the keys of the kingdom are given, they will never be taken away (I’m assuming that is conditional upon obedience).
*11 - Missionary work to the entire world is prophesied here. I don’t know how many members there were at this time. But it wasn’t too long before this that there were fewer members of the church than there were languages spoken in the world. I believe learning other languages as a member of the church is very important and would be a valuable asset to anyone who would want to serve the Lord.
15 - This scripture just validated what I just said :)
*18 - I need to be more clean in my home, and less slothful when it gets late. I shouldn’t let the time of night determine whether I will just get up and go to bed!
I think that the Lord really does know us and love us.
*24 - If we do these things, all things will work together for our good. I really like that! Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and walk uprightly and remember the covenant we’ve made.
*26-27 - The Lord gives us blessings, but sometimes we take those blessings and make distractions out of them. This is a bad idea I think.

91 - Apocrypha

*3 - I think that many times people get all excited and think that we are missing out on so much, which I believe we are in a way, but in reality, we have everything that we need!
5 - I’d say that we can benefit from reading the scriptures in this way as well.

92 - Frederick G. Williams - United order

1 - What I say unto one I say unto all. I wonder how liberally we can interpret that...

93:1-5 - See the face of the Lord, He comes to earth.

1 - Obedience allows us to see the face of Christ and know that He is.

~~These sections applied to me teach me to be obedient in the face of adversity, to be diligent in my life in general, and follow the prophet. As I do those things, I will be able to overcome adversity, be closer to the spirit, and see the face of Christ.

D&C 93

93 - The Timeline of Man’s Life

*12 - Just as John received not a fullness at the first but received grace for grace. So we too learn and grow over time. We need to remember that our progression is quantitative into many small steps rather than quantum leaps from one precipice to another. As we prove to the Father that we are ready to increase in wisdom and understanding, He will give it to us. It’s a beautiful doctrine.
15-17 - It seems like when Christ was baptized is when Christ received either the priesthood or I’m totally misunderstanding it.
*18 - What a promise! This is something that is promised to each of us. If we are to remain faithful, we will receive all things.
19 - There is a prescribed way the Lord wants us to worship Him. All roads may lead to Rome, but only one road leads to the Celestial Kingdom. That road is the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
29 - This is what the light of truth is - it is intelligence, and it cannot be created or made.