D&C 64:21-43

64:21-22 - After I wrote the shpeel from last night, I felt irritated, but after a few minutes, I had a feeling of peace, which is not what I expected. I expected long lasting feelings of aggravation because I was worked up about the perceived wrongs that I was discussing. As I was thinking about everything and trying to reconcile the idea of trials being for our own good, I was able to see that suffering is not a trait exclusive to women, I know that children suffer, sometimes horribly, I know that men suffer too, from loneliness, insecurities, and other difficulties. I also understood that the depths to which we can suffer during this life is reflective of the heights to which we can achieve joy in the next life, you know, the law of compensation, “Satan knocks my little cup of happiness out of my hands, but then I’m offered the well.” I like that. I don’t know it 100%, I still lack some understanding, but I was able to feel at peace, that progression is an eternal process, the Lord asks us to do our best, and he takes us where we are and can mold us. He knows and loves us perfectly, and has deep, intimate knowledge of our life and what it takes to be made perfect. He’s a hands on God, and I felt peace and comfort in trusting him in my afflictions. When we talked yesterday about Frederick G. Willams not selling his farm because the Lord wanted “to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland,” the IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, “it was in that land where the first temple in this dispensation was to be built. In that Temple the essential keys of restoration were to be revealed. It seems apparent that had all the people moved to Zion in Missouri at that time, the building of a temple would have been frustrated by the enemies of the people… The restoration of the keys of the Priesthood held by the ancient prophets was essential to the progress of the Church. The Lord decreed that a house to his name should be reared in Kirtland where he could come and where he could send his messengers with these keys of power. The building of such a temple required time, and while the elders went to work with their might this house was not ready for dedication until March 27, 1836. It was on the third day of April 1836, that the Lord appeared in that house and where Elias, Moses and Elijah appeared and conferred the keys of their dispensations and authorities. How many other messengers came at that time we do not know. We know, however, that it was necessary that every key and authority should be revealed. Some were revealed, of necessity, before there was a temple to which these messengers could come, but it was according to the divine plan that keys of this nature should be revealed in a house built to the name of the Lord. The revelation in which the Lord called upon the Saints to keep a stronghold in Kirtland, was given Sept. 11, 1831. I was in March, 1836, that the house of the Lord was dedicated and the following April when these holy keys were bestowed. After this glorious eve, the members of the Church were at liberty to remove to Zion. In fact there followed a few months later an apostasy, and many turned away from the Church, but some were saved, and they were under the necessity of fleeing from the place. However, the Spirit of the Lord prevailed until his work in that placed was accomplished and the appointed time had passed.” DJR comments that “having some members remain in Kirtland while excitement for relocating to Missouri was running high was both a test of faith for those who were asked to remain, as well as a significant opportunity for the faithful to learn a lesson through blessings that came through obedience.” Referencing the 5 years that he wants to have a strong hold, the Lord continues, “And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord require the hearts of the children of men.” I’m trying to understand the wording of this verse, it seems that requiring the heart and allowing those who wish to go to Zion after 5 years, is unrelated. Maybe the Lord is saying that he knows that many want to go to Zion now, and by requiring them to wait the 5 years, he is planning on turning their hearts to him during that time and through their sacrifice. The IM teaches, “Throughout the scriptures various parts of the human body are used figuratively, and this imagery is generally derived from the function of the body part. The eye, which perceives light, is used as a symbol of perception of either godly or evil things. The ear, by which one hears, becomes a symbol of hearkening or obedience. The heart is frequently used figuratively in the Bible. One scholar indicated that in the Bible the heart is viewed as the ‘innermost center’ of man, and is representative of: 1. The center of bodily life and power. When the heart is strengthened, the whole man is strengthened. 2. The center of the rational and emotional nature of man. It is the seat of love and hate, the center of thought and knowledge- it understands, deliberates, reflects, estimates. It is the center of feelings and affections, experiencing joy, pain, ill will, dissatisfaction, anxiety, despair, fear, and reverence. 3. The center of moral life. Many degrees of spiritual growth are found in the heart. It is the dwelling place of either Christ or Satan; it can be hard or broken; it can be a treasure of either good or evil. ‘The heart is the laboratory and place of issue of all that is good and evil in thoughts, words, and deeds… It is the center of the entire man, the very hearth of life’s impulse.’ When one understands the profound imagery of the heart, one can better understand why the Lord requires the heart of man. In Doctrine and Covenants 64:34 the Lord added a willing mind to that basic requirement.”

64:23-32 - I think that the Lord might have been referencing the need to give up what they really want at that time, which is to go to Zion, to do the will of God, and that by doing that, they can have their hearts turned towards God, because he continues “verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.” It’s interesting that the Lord seems to be connecting “sacrifice” and “requiring the heart” together, in that “sacrifice” to do God’s will opens and turns our hearts to him. But really, isn’t it the goal to come to see that our “sacrifice” is really a gift, and the gift is the love of God, because we know that he doesn’t do anything unless it is for our ultimate happiness. I also think it’s interesting that both tithing and the law of consecration are mentioned in this section, so it seems like maybe both are going on at the same time, probably different rules for different groups of people depending on where they are, temporally and spiritually. The IM quotes Elder Rudger Clawson as commenting on tithing, “What does that mean? Does it mean that if a man will not pay his tithing, that the Lord is going to send a ball of fire down from heaven and burn him up? No; the Lord does not do that way. The Lord works on natural principles. This is what it means, if I read correctly: a man who ignores the express command of the Lord, by failing to pay his tithing, it means that the Spirit of the Lord will withdraw from him; it means that the power of the priesthood will withdraw from that man, if he continues in the spirit of neglect to do his duty. He will drift away into darkness, gradually but surely, until finally (mark you) he will lift up his eyes among the wicked. That is where he will finally land; and then when the destruction comes and when the burning comes he will be among the wicked and will be destroyed; while those who observe the law will be found among the righteous, and they will be preserved. There is a God in heaven, and He had promised to shield and protect them. I tell you there is a day of burning, a day of destruction coming upon the wicked. And where will we be? Will we be with the wicked, or with the righteous?” I’ve been blessed to always have a testimony of tithing, or at least a willingness to pay it.

64:33-38 - The Lord finishes up this section by giving some encouragement and recognizing that being a disciple can be difficult because he tells us “wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” Being a follower of Christ is amazing, the blessings are incredible and the hope, joy, and guidance are worth anything, but it can seem like an uphill battle sometimes. I’ve felt before like no matter what I do, it’s not enough. I’ve felt like I’m making no difference in the world by trying to be righteous. I’ve felt overwhelmed with all I need to do, callings, visiting teaching, people who need my help. I’ve felt alone when all my co-workers go out for drinks after work, and I just go home by myself. I love following the Savior the best that I can, and will never turn away, but I appreciate that the Lord recognizes that it’s not always rainbows and sunshine. The last phrase discussed in the IM for this section has to do with verse 36 “I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim.” The IM says, “It seems strange that the Lord would say that the blood, a symbol for descendancy, could be influenced by rebelliousness, a spiritual trait. Isn’t one either a descendant of Ephraim or not a descendant of Ephraim? The answer is no, not in the eyes of the Lord, who views His children in terms of their spiritual qualities. Paul taught this principle to the early Saints. The Jews took great pride in the fact that they were of the circumcision, that is, that they were the covenant people, circumcision being the token of that covenant. But Paul pointed out that if one of the circumcision violated the law, his ‘circumcision in made uncircumcision.’ In other words, by transgression one excludes oneself from being a true Israelite. Paul concluded his reasoning with this statement: ‘For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise in not of men, but of God.’ Nephi also understood this principle and taught: ‘For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.’ Ephraim received the birthright under the hands of Jacob and was considered by the Lord to be Joseph’s firstborn. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained why: ‘It is essential in this dispensation that Ephraim stand in his place at the head, exercising the birthright in Israel which was given to him by direct revelation. Therefore, Ephraim must be gathered first to prepare the way, through the gospel and the priesthood, for the rest of the tribes of Israel when the time comes for them to be gathered to Zion. The great majority of those who have come into the Church are Ephraimites. It is the exception to find one of any other tribe, unless it is on Manasseh. It is Ephraim, today, who holds the priesthood. It is with Ephraim that the Lord has made covenant and has revealed the fullness of the everlasting gospel. It is Ephraim who is building temples and performing the ordinances in them for both the living and for the dead. When the ‘lost tribes’ come- and it will be a most wonderful sight and a marvelous thing when they do come to Zion- in fulfilment of the promises made through Isaiah and Jeremiah, they will have to receive the crowning blessings from their brother Ephraim, the ‘firstborn’ in Israel.’ An understanding of this mission of Ephraim helps us understand why the Lord would say that ‘the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim.’”

64:39-43 – Interestingly, here’s a part that directly addresses the issues with leadership that I’ve been talking about. The Lord says that the “liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not Apostles and prophets shall be known. And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others planted in their stead.” I think it’s interesting that at this time, which seems to me to be describing a later time of judgment, “they who are not Apostles and prophets shall be known.” Well, I think that we would know who had been anointed as prophets and apostles, so I don’t think that the Lord is talking about that. I think that he’s talking about those prophets and apostles and bishops and counselors who betrayed their responsibilities, who wielded unrighteous dominion over their stewards, which will be disclosed. I think of the story that I read about the woman leaving the church, this is a classic application of this verse. She says that her bishop acted inappropriately towards her, he of course denies it, and most of the ward sides with him, saying that she’s lying. How comforting this must be to one who has been “wronged” by church leadership to know that one day they will be validated and that the Lord is aware of their poor conduct and that he is no pleased with it.