Blogging Through the Book of Mormon

Section 62 is short, but comforting, DJR says, “This is a short section that contains sweet insights into the Savior’s personal attention and care for His humble followers here on earth.” I like that very much. The IM gives background information as follows: “While the Prophet and his party were on their way home from Missouri during August 1831, they met some of the elders who were going to Missouri. Joseph Smith wrote: ‘On the 13 th (of August) I met several of the Elders on their way to the land of Zion, and after the joyful salutations with which brethren meet each other, who are actually ‘contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints,’ I received the following: (D&C 62).’ The elders were not identified in the Prophet’s history, but Reynolds Cahoon named them as follows: Hyrum Smith, John Murdock, Harvey Whitlock, and David Whitmer.” Hyrum Smith is Joseph Smith’s brother, and they were/are very close, and John Murdock is the one who gave Joseph and Emma his twin babie...

61:13-39 - We now get into a really interesting concept, the blessing and cursing of the land and water at different periods of time. The IM doesn’t say much about it, but DJR asserts that it’s possible that it means that thousands of years ago the people had difficulty in raising crops but were excellent mariners, whereas today the crops are harvested in great abundance, but we are not as skilled in seafaring. The Lord continues referencing the contentions between the travelers, telling them, “”, the Lord, was angry with you yesterday, but today mine anger is turned away.” Always forgiving, always merciful to those who desire it, which makes sense because if you don’t desire to do better and be more obedient, you wouldn’t desire mercy from God, right? The IM quotes Elder B.H. Roberts as teaching, “During the three days upon the river some disagreements and ill feeling had developed among the brethren and explanations and reconciliations had become necessary; it had also been discover...

Section 61 covers some interesting topics that we haven’t covered yet, namely water and Satan’s influence over it. As we’ve learned in previous sections, the missionaries that have gone to Missouri are now supposed to go home, preaching as they go. The Lord told them that they can either buy or build boats to go back up the river, which ever they preferred, but it turns out that there have been problems on the water. The IM gives background information quoting Joseph Smith saying, “On the 9 th , in the company with ten Elders, I left Independence landing for Kirtland. We started down the river in canoes, and went the first day as far as Fort Osage, where we had an excellent wild turkey for supper. Nothing very important occurred till the third day, when many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine’s Bend, Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, say the destroyer in his most horrible...

Section 60 is pretty instructive about how those who had gone on a mission from Kirtland to Missouri should return home, but there are some excellent points we can glean from it. The IM gives the background information saying, “On 3 June 1831 a conference was held at Kirtland, Ohio, at which twenty-eight missionaries were called to go to the land of Missouri, preaching the gospel as they journeyed. Having completed their mission, ‘on the 8 th day of August, 1831, at the close of the first conference held in Missouri, the elders inquired what they were to do. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a revelation giving them direction in relation to their return journey.” DJR gives some info saying, “by the way, if you look at a map, you will see that much of the journey between Missouri and Ohio could be made by river (particularly the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers). This helps understand the use of the ‘craft’ (boat) mentioned in verse 5. Waterways were indeed the prefe...

59:16-20 - The Lord continues by making an interesting promise, that if we keep the Sabbath day holy, “the fullness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walked upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards. Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for tastes and for smell, to strengthen the body and enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto me.” Here the Lord seems to relate temporal blessings to the keeping of the Sabbath, which if you think about it seems kind of counter-intuitive because it doesn’t make sense that taking a day off of work to rest and worship God would mean making...

59:7-8 - I know that last time we talked about gratitude and joy being the same thing, as far as my perspective, the Lord also continues that “thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” Are we commanded to do this because God needs constant reassurance that he’s doing a good job? Is it because he’s a dictator that requires 100% allegiance from his subjects? No, it is because of the state of mind that it puts us in. I never really feel joy swell within me, like I’ve heard about so many times, unless I’m actively focusing on what I’m grateful for. There’s an empowerment, a humility, a lightening that comes when I stop whatever negative train I’m riding and focus on just one good thing, it’s a blessing and a shift in perspective that I don’t think can come any other way. The Lord continues, “Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” The IM teaches, “Before the birth of Christ on earth, the Lord commande...

Section 59 has a really interesting background, the IM says, “Polly Knight, mother of Newel Knight, was a member of the Colesville Branch and was determined to go to the land of Zion with other members of the branch. ‘Polly Knight’s health had been failing for some time, according to a statement made by her son, Newel. She was very ill during her journey from Kirtland to Missouri. ‘Yet,’ says her son, ‘she would not consent to stop traveling; her only or her greatest desire was to set her feet upon the land of Zion, and to have her body interred in that land. I went on shore and bought lumber to make a coffin in case she should die before we arrived at our place of destination- so fast did she fail. But the Lord gave her the desire of her heart, and she lived to stand upon that land.’ The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded: ‘On the 7 th , I attended the funeral of Sister Polly Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight, Sen. This was the first death in the Church in this land, and I can say, a wort...

58:34-43 - The Lord goes into some details about purchasing lands, and more specifically to Martin Harris who is called to “be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church.” Martin Harris is a very wealthy man, so he’s in a very good position to be a good example, but also has to, first, settle any concerns with the issue within himself. Martin Harris is also called to “repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.” This might be related to the issue of sending his money to the church, there’s a remarkable amount of humility involved in what the Lord is asking MH to do. William W. Phelps is also called “to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.” I’m just glad that my sins and calls to repentance aren’t recorded in the scriptures. But the Lord tells us, and seems like indirectly telling MH and WW Phelps “behold, he who has repented on his sins, the same ...

58:26-29 - We’ve had many examples of people who received counsel from the Lord that was general and non-specific in nature and the individuals ended up being incredible servants of God, Hyrum Smith being an excellent example. Here we get to the point where we can see how people can take the general counsel from the Lord and use it to grow spiritually into giants. The Lord says, “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.” This statement is only true because we have access to personal revelation, we are able to pray and have our prayers heard and answered, we are able to discover and execute God’s plan for our lives by working with him through the mediums that he has provided. The Lord continues, “Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. For th...

58:19-25 - Previously we learned that one of Edward Partridge’s assignments as bishop was to “judge the people according to the Lord’s law,” which begs the question, what was the law they were to keep. The IM answers saying, “The Saints had entered into a covenant to keep the laws of God, which included the gospel and the law of consecration. They were also expected to ‘be subjected to the powers that be’ and live according to the laws of the land. President Joseph Fielding Smith said: ‘Very strict was the command to the Saints that the law of God should be kept on the land of Zion. ‘Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or in other words, him that counselteth or sitteth upon the judgement seat.’ We, today, do not realize the rigidity of this command. The Saints were to assemble in the land which had been appointed from the beginning as the site of the holy city, New Jerusalem. This land and this site was dedicated. ...

58:5-9 - The Lord gives us 7 reasons “for this cause I have sent you,” DJR numbers them as 1.        That you might be obedient 2.        That your hearts might be prepared 3.        That you might be honored in laying the foundation 4.        Bearing record of that land upon which the Zion of God shall stand 5.        That a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor 6.        That the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail 7.        A supper of the house of the Lord unto which all nations shall be invited It’s interesting because none of these reasons are build a temple or preach the gospel or build houses or settle Zion permanently, and the IM asks, “Were these verses a foreshadowing that the New Jerusalem would not be built in 18...