D&C 136:28-42
I've been on vacation for the last week and it was amazing. I had many spiritual experiences and the Lord is so merciful to me. I've really struggled because all my friends and family are in Utah or they are moving there within a few months and I'm going to be the only one left here in my state and I've really struggled with the idea of being alone again. But the Lord has really walked me through
the process of why I am where I am, and it's been comforting and honestly, empowering. I had a great time with my friends and family and had so much fun with my kids, but it's nice to be home, and that's a new-ish feeling for me.
136:28 - The Lord urges those who will be embarking on the trek "if thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." I was listening to a book called "438 Days" about a guy who was lost at sea for 438 days and singing is mentioned twice. The first time was really funny but can be powerful. This guy is originally from El
Salvador but ran away to Mexico because some people were trying to kill him and he fully embraced the Mexican persona and denied that he was not Mexican. One day a policeman stopped him and accused him of being a foreigner and so this guy denied it so vehemently that he broke out into a loud patriotic rendition of the Mexican national anthem. It was only at this point did the policeman actually believe that he was indeed a Mexican. The second time that music was referenced was when talking about the 4th month of being lost at sea. This man and his companion on the ship started singing, songs they knew but mostly hymns and he said that it was that singing and
that music that gave them focus and hope and courage. He said that it was inspiring and empowering, or those are my words describing what he said. I've heard in general conference that "the child who sings is a happy child." And that has been validating for me because I have really struggled with my quality of parenting, but when my son sings, it let's me know that he's ok. Also, I hum a lot
at work and people comment to me a lot that they know that I'm happy at my job because I'm singing. I think that it makes the patient more comfortable and let's them feed off of a more positive energy. The IM quotes Smith and Sjodahl as commenting, "The Lord knew that the members of the Church would be weary and discouraged as they journeyed, and therefore he gave to them a remedy by which their despondence and discouragement could be overcome. They were to 'praise the Lord with singing, and music, with dancing,' with prayer and thanksgiving. This advice was followed, and after they camp was made for the night, frequently someone with a violin furnished
music for dancing and for singing the favorite hymns and melodies familiar to the group, and thus their spirits were revived." I don't know what it is about music but for me, it's therapeutic, I love to just sit and listen to music and I know that there are many people who just love to sit and play music. It's really a magical thing.
136:29-31 - The Lord promises peace for those who "art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful." I've found that when I am sad or depressed or discouraged, when I talk to Heavenly Father about it, I feel better it, I am given peace and understanding even though my situation hasn't changed at all. That's one thing that I've thought about a lot lately, why does the gospel bring us peace and happiness even if our circumstances are exactly the same as when we didn't have the gospel in our lives. It's really an incredible concept, and I'm very grateful for it. The Lord tells the people to "fear not thine enemies, for they are in mine hands and I will do my pleasure with them." It's like I tell my kids, "I'm the mother, don't worry about your brother just worry about yourself." The IM quotes B.H. Roberts extensively basically saying that the United States rejected the gospel and the saints and forced them out of their land and right after that came the war with Mexico. Interestingly, he points out that the saints were removed from Illinois forcefully and that during the Mexican- American war that followed almost immediately afterward "in which at least those regiments that were selected from western Illinois- one of them at least, was well nigh wiped out of existence in the war with Mexico; and it was about the only disastrous engagement that we had in that war." If we remember, it was the military members who killed the Prophet Joseph Smith, the local militia, they would have been the ones to go the regiment in western Illinois, and I wonder if those same men who stormed Carthage jail were the same men who were in that regiment that was destroyed? It would be interesting to find out. The IM reminds us that "since the Civil War, the United States has been involved in numerous major wars including the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the Gulf War. Nor has war been the only means of vexation. Depressions, natural disasters, and other calamities have plagued the nation. the prophetic promise is that if the people of this nation do not serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, they will be swept off. As yet there has been no nationwide repentance for past and present sins, and so the Lord continues to vex the people of the United States, seeking to bring them to repentance. In verse 42 of section 136, the Lord reminds the Saints that they are under the same obligation of keep the commandments."
136:32-33 - The Lord counsels "let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear. For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly." Again the Lord tells us that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is
gained by humility and prayer. This seems so counter-intuitive because anyone else would say that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding comes from study and practice and discipline, and part of that is true, you do need that part in order to proceed, but it is not the only thing needful. My brother asks "do you need that for it to work? Yes, but is it the only thing you need for it to work? No." I
know that the Holy Ghost teaches me more and in ways that I could get no where else and it's incredible. Look at Joseph Smith, or Alma, or the ancient apostles, when they started their journey they were fairly uneducated, but toward the end of their ministries they knew and understood principles of science and spirituality and psychology and many other facets. Did they go to formal schooling? No, they were only tutored by the Spirit, therefore we must conclude that the Spirit can be the most powerful educator available to us, if we allow him to work in our lives. We all know lots of people who go to lots of formal schooling and leave not understanding or knowing anything about what they studied. How many of us took years of Spanish in high school or college and can't speak any of it? The Spirit facilitates us retaining and understanding what we learn, and teaches us what we can't know otherwise. And in order to have the Spirit with us we must be humble and teachable.
136:34-42 - The Lord addresses the death of Joseph Smith saying, "Many have marveled because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned." It must have been incredibly difficult for the saints to deal with the death of their beloved prophet, I would definitely have "marveled" because of his death. I think that the phrase "that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned," is a little vague. I would think "couldn't he have lived to take the saints west and still have been honored and the wicked condemned? Why did he have to die for that to happen, he was honored and the wicked condemned while he was alive. I don't think that it was only a matter of honor and condemnation, because that could have happened whether or not he was alive at that point. I believe that it was a turning point for the saints. The Lord knew that they were going to be driven out of the state and into territory unknown to them and he had to make sure that those who went west were going because of their testimony of the gospel, not because they loves Joseph Smith. If JS would have been the one to lead the people west, there would have been many that would have come simply because they loved and trusted him, though they probably had a small-ish testimony of the gospel. Once in Utah, those whose testimonies were founded on JS the Prophet, when he died, as everyone does, there would have been a terrible division among the people and much contention. Look at all the people who left the Church when he died in Illinois, imagine if that had been done in Utah where there was really no place to go, I believe that Utah would be a very different place today if JS had been the one to lead them there. The same thing happened with Moses, and perhaps for many of the same reasons. The IM quotes Elder George Albert Smith as teaching, "Under the Lord's direction, (Joseph Smith) organized the Church of Christ, with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc., as the Church should be organized, to continue thus until all should come to a unity of the faith. He ministered unto the people, he healed the sick; he loved the souls of the children of men. But, as had been the case with prophets whom the Lord had raised up before, it seemed necessary in this case that the testimony of His servant should be sealed with his life's blood. No more pathetic page will be found in the history of the world that that upon which is inscribed the last sayings of our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith. He knew that his time was near at hand; he realized that his life's mission had been fulfilled. He had give the keys for the gifts and blessings of God unto the people, and the Father had continued to bless him; finally he realized that his labor was about done."
the process of why I am where I am, and it's been comforting and honestly, empowering. I had a great time with my friends and family and had so much fun with my kids, but it's nice to be home, and that's a new-ish feeling for me.
136:28 - The Lord urges those who will be embarking on the trek "if thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." I was listening to a book called "438 Days" about a guy who was lost at sea for 438 days and singing is mentioned twice. The first time was really funny but can be powerful. This guy is originally from El
Salvador but ran away to Mexico because some people were trying to kill him and he fully embraced the Mexican persona and denied that he was not Mexican. One day a policeman stopped him and accused him of being a foreigner and so this guy denied it so vehemently that he broke out into a loud patriotic rendition of the Mexican national anthem. It was only at this point did the policeman actually believe that he was indeed a Mexican. The second time that music was referenced was when talking about the 4th month of being lost at sea. This man and his companion on the ship started singing, songs they knew but mostly hymns and he said that it was that singing and
that music that gave them focus and hope and courage. He said that it was inspiring and empowering, or those are my words describing what he said. I've heard in general conference that "the child who sings is a happy child." And that has been validating for me because I have really struggled with my quality of parenting, but when my son sings, it let's me know that he's ok. Also, I hum a lot
at work and people comment to me a lot that they know that I'm happy at my job because I'm singing. I think that it makes the patient more comfortable and let's them feed off of a more positive energy. The IM quotes Smith and Sjodahl as commenting, "The Lord knew that the members of the Church would be weary and discouraged as they journeyed, and therefore he gave to them a remedy by which their despondence and discouragement could be overcome. They were to 'praise the Lord with singing, and music, with dancing,' with prayer and thanksgiving. This advice was followed, and after they camp was made for the night, frequently someone with a violin furnished
music for dancing and for singing the favorite hymns and melodies familiar to the group, and thus their spirits were revived." I don't know what it is about music but for me, it's therapeutic, I love to just sit and listen to music and I know that there are many people who just love to sit and play music. It's really a magical thing.
136:29-31 - The Lord promises peace for those who "art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful." I've found that when I am sad or depressed or discouraged, when I talk to Heavenly Father about it, I feel better it, I am given peace and understanding even though my situation hasn't changed at all. That's one thing that I've thought about a lot lately, why does the gospel bring us peace and happiness even if our circumstances are exactly the same as when we didn't have the gospel in our lives. It's really an incredible concept, and I'm very grateful for it. The Lord tells the people to "fear not thine enemies, for they are in mine hands and I will do my pleasure with them." It's like I tell my kids, "I'm the mother, don't worry about your brother just worry about yourself." The IM quotes B.H. Roberts extensively basically saying that the United States rejected the gospel and the saints and forced them out of their land and right after that came the war with Mexico. Interestingly, he points out that the saints were removed from Illinois forcefully and that during the Mexican- American war that followed almost immediately afterward "in which at least those regiments that were selected from western Illinois- one of them at least, was well nigh wiped out of existence in the war with Mexico; and it was about the only disastrous engagement that we had in that war." If we remember, it was the military members who killed the Prophet Joseph Smith, the local militia, they would have been the ones to go the regiment in western Illinois, and I wonder if those same men who stormed Carthage jail were the same men who were in that regiment that was destroyed? It would be interesting to find out. The IM reminds us that "since the Civil War, the United States has been involved in numerous major wars including the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the Gulf War. Nor has war been the only means of vexation. Depressions, natural disasters, and other calamities have plagued the nation. the prophetic promise is that if the people of this nation do not serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, they will be swept off. As yet there has been no nationwide repentance for past and present sins, and so the Lord continues to vex the people of the United States, seeking to bring them to repentance. In verse 42 of section 136, the Lord reminds the Saints that they are under the same obligation of keep the commandments."
136:32-33 - The Lord counsels "let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear. For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly." Again the Lord tells us that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is
gained by humility and prayer. This seems so counter-intuitive because anyone else would say that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding comes from study and practice and discipline, and part of that is true, you do need that part in order to proceed, but it is not the only thing needful. My brother asks "do you need that for it to work? Yes, but is it the only thing you need for it to work? No." I
know that the Holy Ghost teaches me more and in ways that I could get no where else and it's incredible. Look at Joseph Smith, or Alma, or the ancient apostles, when they started their journey they were fairly uneducated, but toward the end of their ministries they knew and understood principles of science and spirituality and psychology and many other facets. Did they go to formal schooling? No, they were only tutored by the Spirit, therefore we must conclude that the Spirit can be the most powerful educator available to us, if we allow him to work in our lives. We all know lots of people who go to lots of formal schooling and leave not understanding or knowing anything about what they studied. How many of us took years of Spanish in high school or college and can't speak any of it? The Spirit facilitates us retaining and understanding what we learn, and teaches us what we can't know otherwise. And in order to have the Spirit with us we must be humble and teachable.
136:34-42 - The Lord addresses the death of Joseph Smith saying, "Many have marveled because of his death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood, that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned." It must have been incredibly difficult for the saints to deal with the death of their beloved prophet, I would definitely have "marveled" because of his death. I think that the phrase "that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned," is a little vague. I would think "couldn't he have lived to take the saints west and still have been honored and the wicked condemned? Why did he have to die for that to happen, he was honored and the wicked condemned while he was alive. I don't think that it was only a matter of honor and condemnation, because that could have happened whether or not he was alive at that point. I believe that it was a turning point for the saints. The Lord knew that they were going to be driven out of the state and into territory unknown to them and he had to make sure that those who went west were going because of their testimony of the gospel, not because they loves Joseph Smith. If JS would have been the one to lead the people west, there would have been many that would have come simply because they loved and trusted him, though they probably had a small-ish testimony of the gospel. Once in Utah, those whose testimonies were founded on JS the Prophet, when he died, as everyone does, there would have been a terrible division among the people and much contention. Look at all the people who left the Church when he died in Illinois, imagine if that had been done in Utah where there was really no place to go, I believe that Utah would be a very different place today if JS had been the one to lead them there. The same thing happened with Moses, and perhaps for many of the same reasons. The IM quotes Elder George Albert Smith as teaching, "Under the Lord's direction, (Joseph Smith) organized the Church of Christ, with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc., as the Church should be organized, to continue thus until all should come to a unity of the faith. He ministered unto the people, he healed the sick; he loved the souls of the children of men. But, as had been the case with prophets whom the Lord had raised up before, it seemed necessary in this case that the testimony of His servant should be sealed with his life's blood. No more pathetic page will be found in the history of the world that that upon which is inscribed the last sayings of our beloved Prophet Joseph Smith. He knew that his time was near at hand; he realized that his life's mission had been fulfilled. He had give the keys for the gifts and blessings of God unto the people, and the Father had continued to bless him; finally he realized that his labor was about done."
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