INTRODUCTION: On May 4, 1833, a group of high priests met to discuss construction of a building where the School of the Prophets could hold future meetings….Two days after that group of high priests met, on May 6, 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a significant revelation about the nature of God and man and the eternal destiny of God’s children. While it is unknown why the Lord revealed the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 93 at that specific time, it is interesting to note that just as the Saints were preparing to build a temple in which to worship the Lord and a building in which the School of the Prophets could be instructed, the Lord gave a revelation comparing the human body to “the tabernacle of God” or a “temple” (D&C 93:35) and emphasized the need for God’s children to receive truth and light (see D&C 93:28, 31–32, 42, 53).
READ The Lord introduced the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 93 with a glorious promise that emphasizes the purpose of His gospel and the great plan of salvation. Speaking to every faithful soul who repents of his or her sins, comes to Him, calls on Him, and obeys His commandments, the Lord declares that he or she “shall see my face and know that I am.”
D&C 93:1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;
READ President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught: “I have learned that where there is a prayerful heart, a hungering after righteousness, a forsaking of sins, and obedience to the commandments of God, the Lord pours out more and more light until there is finally power to pierce the heavenly veil and to know more
than man knows. A person of such righteousness has the priceless promise that one day he shall see the Lord’s face and know that he is (see D&C 93:1)” (“Give the Lord Your Loyalty,” Ensign, Mar. 1980, 4).
Like Jesus Christ, I can be glorified and receive God’s “fulness.”
READ The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 40).
READ As we learn about the Savior by studying Doctrine and Covenants 93, look for what we also learn about ourselves. For example, what do you learn from the following verses:
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
-What do we learn about the Savior?
READ Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “The Father and the Son are one. They have the same character, perfections, and attributes. They think the same thoughts, speak the same words, perform the same acts, have the same desires, and do the same works. They possess the same power, have the same mind, know the same truths, live in the same light and glory. To know one is to know the other; to see one is to see the other; to hear the voice of one is to hear the voice of the other. Their unity is perfect” (The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ [1978], 9).
READ Each of God’s children who chooses to believe in Jesus Christ and overcome the world can also become “one” with the Father and the Son (Institute Manual)
35 D&C 93 August 25–31: “Receive of His Fulness”
6 And John saw and bore record of the fulness of my glory, and the fulness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed.
7 And he bore record, saying: I saw his glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was;
8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation—
READ As revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, John the Baptist testified that Jesus Christ is “the Only Begotten of the Father” (D&C 93:11) and “the light and Redeemer of the world” (D&C 93:9).
President Russell M. Nelson testified of the significance of these truths:“Before the foundation of the earth, the plan of salvation was prepared. It included the glorious possibility of a divine inheritance in the kingdom of God.
“Central to that plan was the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In premortal councils, He was foreordained by His Father to atone for our sins and break the bands of physical and spiritual death. Jesus declared, ‘I … was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. … In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name’ [Ether 3:14]” (“How Firm Our Foundation,” Ensign, May 2002, 75).
9 The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.
11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.
12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.
-What do you feel it means to receive “grace for grace” and to continue “from grace to grace”?
-NOTE: Which John, the Baptist or the Apostle, saw the Lord’s glory and made a record?
-The answer is both------see verses 15-16
15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.
READ The Gospel of John in the New Testament was written by John the Beloved, one of the ancient Apostles of Jesus Christ. In the first chapter of his writings, the Apostle John included a portion of a record written by John the Baptist (see John 1:6–34). As recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 93, the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a portion of the writings of John the Baptist and further promised that “the fulness of the record of John” would someday be revealed (D&C 93:18; see also D&C 93:6). The references to “John” in Doctrine and Covenants 93 speak of John the Baptist.
READ Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: “John the Baptist [was] destined to write … the gospel of that Lord whose witness he is, but his account, perhaps because it contains truths and concepts that the saints and the world are not yet prepared to receive, has so far not been given to men. On May 6, 1833, however, the Lord did reveal to Joseph Smith eleven verses of the Baptist’s writings, and promised that ‘the fulness of the record of John’ would be revealed when the faith of men entitled them to receive it. (D&C 93:6–18.)-
READ President Joseph Fielding Smith taught:
“Our Savior was a God before he was born into this world, and he brought with him that same status when he came here. He was as much a God when he was born into the world as he was before. But as far as this life is concerned it appears that he had to start just as all other children do and gain his knowledge line upon line. …
“… Without doubt, Jesus came into the world subject to the same condition as was required of each of us—he forgot everything, and he had to grow from grace to grace” (Teachings: Joseph Fielding Smith, 314–15).
The glory of God is light and truth.
READ You might notice that words like glory, light, and truth appear frequently in this revelation. As you study the following verse in particular,consider the truths you learn about these concepts.
21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
25 And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.
26 The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth
-There are many deceptions in the world. How can I know the truth?
28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.
-What do we learn?
“… John the Apostle had before him the writings of John the Baptist when he wrote his Gospel” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary [1979], 1:426–27).
-Doesn’t this make you wish we had the rest of John the Baptist’s record?
-DId you even know that he kept a record?
16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
READ As recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 93:16–17, John the Baptist testified that Jesus Christ “received a fulness of the glory of the Father,” or “all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him.” In the premortal world Jesus Christ was the Great Jehovah, who had all power and represented the Father as the Creator of all things. However, when Jesus was born on the earth, “he received not of the fulness at the first” (see D&C 93:12–14)
READ President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) explained: “When Jesus lay in the manger, a helpless infant, He knew not that He was the Son of God, and that formerly He created the earth. When the edict of Herod was issued, He knew nothing of it; He had not power to save Himself; and [Joseph and Mary] had to take Him and [flee] into Egypt to preserve Him from the effects of that edict. … He grew up to manhood, and during His progress it was revealed unto Him who He was, and for what purpose He was in the world. The glory and power He possessed before He came into the world was made known unto Him” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow [2012], 279).
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
25 And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.
-There are many deceptions in the world. How can I know the truth?
28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.
-What do we learn?
36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
-What do we learn?
37 Light and truth forsake that evil one.
-Who do I know that seems to be able to resist evil influences? -Why are they able to do this?
50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
-What do you find in these verses that inspires you to seek greater light and truth?
-Why are light and truth good titles for Jesus Christ? .
- How do these truths affect your life?
READ We need to make note of promises about our eternal destiny in the following verses:
READ The Lord has revealed that those who inherit celestial glory will receive “of [God’s] fulness and of his grace” (D&C 76:94). This “fulness” is the promise of eternal life—to enter God’s presence and to become like the Father and the Son (see D&C 76:53–62). The Lord explained why He revealed the teachings of John the Baptist regarding Him:
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.
22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.
28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.
33 For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;
34 And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy.
35 The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple.
-What is the relationship between these promises and obtaining light?
READ On April 7, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–1844) taught the following to the Saints in Nauvoo: “Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, … by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, … until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. …
“… [The righteous who have died] shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any
more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the ).
throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 221-222)
What can you do now in your life to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father?
“Set in order your own house.”
READ At the conclusion of the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 93, the Lord chastened each member of the First Presidency as well as Bishop Newel K. Whitney about the way that they were raising their families. The divine instructions given to these Church leaders are important words of counsel for all parents who seek to raise a family in righteousness.
READ The command to “set in order your own house” (verse 43) isn’t about organizing cupboards and closets but about teaching—and learning—“light and truth” (verse 42).
D&C 93:40 But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.
41 But verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick G. Williams, you have continued under this condemnation;
42 You have not taught your children light and truth, according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your affliction.
43 And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.
44 Verily, I say unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, that in some things he hath not kept the commandments concerning his children; therefore, first set in order thy house.
45 Verily, I say unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me—
46 I called you servants for the world’s sake, and ye are their servants for my sake—
47 And now, verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun.—You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord;
48 Your family must needs repent and forsake some things, and give more earnest heed unto your sayings, or be removed out of their place.
49 What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.
50 My servant Newel K. Whitney also, a bishop of my church, hath need to be chastened, and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place.
-Consider how you are trying to follow this counsel.
What challenges do you face?
Which truths in Doctrine and Covenants 93 can help?
READ Elder Robert D. Hales provided the following inspired guidance to parents: “The First Presidency issued a call to all parents ‘to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility.’
“The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes. The goal of our families is to be on the strait and narrow path” (“Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty,” Ensign, May 1999, 32–33).
“Make haste”
READ The Lord instructed Sidney Rigdon, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and Frederick G. Williams to “make haste” and preach the gospel. The Lord also directed the Prophet to “hasten to translate my scriptures” (D&C 93:53), referring to the Prophet’s inspired translation of the Bible. In demonstration of the willingness of these men to be obedient to the Lord’s counsel, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon finished the translation of the Bible on July 2, 1833, just two months after this revelation was given (The Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, Volume 3: February 1833–March 1834, 166).
D&C 93:51 Now, I say unto you, my friends, let my servant Sidney Rigdon go on his journey, and make haste, and also proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the gospel of salvation, as I shall give him utterance; and by your prayer of faith with one consent I will uphold him.
-What does it mean to “proclaim the acceptable day of the Lord?
READ “The term “Acceptable day of the Lord” appears once in the
D&C, once in the OT (Isa. 61:2), and once in the NT (Luke 4:19).... ‘The acceptable day of the Lord, according to Elder Bruce R. McConkie, the proper designated, approved, appointed, or accepted time, in the divine order of things, for a particular work to be done. (Doctrinal NT Commentary, 1:161), Thus its use here denotes the imminence of Christ’s coming: this is the time in which to receive the gospel of salvation, to prepare for His arrival.” (Brewster, D&C Encyclopedia,[2112], 4-5)
52 And let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Frederick G. Williams make haste also, and it shall be given them even according to the prayer of faith; and inasmuch as you keep my sayings you shall not be confounded in this world, nor in the world to come.
53 And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should hasten to translate my scriptures, and to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion. Amen.
-What do we know about Joseph’s efforts to hasten the translation of the Bible?
READ “Hasten they did, completing the work on July 2, 1833. A letter ‘To the Brethren in Zion,’ dated on that day, written by Sidney
Rigdon and signed by the First Presidency, contains the following statements about the JST. “We are exceedingly fatigued owing to a great press of business. We this day finished the translating of the Scriptures, for which we returned gratitude to our Heavenly Father….
Having finished the translation a few hour since….” (JS Papers, Revelation 6 May 1833 (D&C 93), Dahl, JS Translation and the
D&C, 118)
-What decisions do you make each day and how do these decisions help or hinder you from gaining light and truth?
-IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU FEEL ‘HASTENED’ TO DO?
LAST WORDS: We are reminded this week that “The glory of God is intelligence” The Lord taught the Saints that “the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36). This intelligence is not just knowledge but the wisdom to use knowledge in a righteous manner according to God’s plan (see D&C 130:18–19).
President Joseph F. Smith taught: “If you love the truth, if you have received the gospel in your hearts and love it, your intelligence will be added upon; your understanding of truth will be expanded, larger than in any other way. Truth is the thing, above all other things in the world, that makes men free. … If you will learn the truth and walk in the light of truth you shall be made free from the errors of men … ; you will be above suspicion and above wrong-doing of every description. God will approve of you and bless you. …“It isn’t all that is necessary, to learn the truth or to cease to be ignorant. Following that comes the application of the understanding and knowledge that we gain, to those works and things that are needful for our protection and for the protection of our children, our neighbors, our homes, our happiness.
“Search out the truth of the written word; listen for and receive the truth declared by living prophets and teachers; enrich your minds with the best of knowledge and facts. Of those who speak in his name, the Lord requires humility, not ignorance. Intelligence is the glory of God; and no man can be saved in ignorance [see D&C 93:36; 131:6]” (Teachings: Joseph F. Smith, 314, 318–19).
This week I want to also share a talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaking of the darkness that results when we fail to keep the commandments:
“Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More importantly, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs. When the spiritual light of the Holy Ghost is present, the darkness of Satan departs.
“Beloved young men and young women of the Church, we are engaged in a battle between the forces of light and darkness. If it were not for the Light of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we would be doomed to the destruction of darkness. But the Savior said, ‘I am come a light into the world’ [John 12:46]. ‘He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life’ [John 8:12]. …
“… In this world, the darkness is never far away. In fact, it is always just around the corner, waiting for an opportunity to come in. ‘If thou doest not well,’ the Lord said, ‘sin lieth at the door’ [Genesis 4:7].
“It is as predictable as any physical law: if we let the light of the Spirit flicker or fade by failing to keep the commandments or by not partaking of the sacrament or praying or studying the scriptures, the darkness of the adversary will surely come in. ‘That wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience’ [D&C 93:39]” (“Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light,” Ensign, May 2002, 70–71).
So, let us keep that light burning brightly that we may receive of his fulness, Let each of us follow His prophet, obey His word, keep our covenants and always seek His will. If we do this we shall be living “living lively” as the Lord advised Joseph’s counselors to do in last week’s readings. Have a good and productive week. Keep your powder dry.
Greg