D&C 11

Section 11 is written to Hyrum Smith, the brother of Joseph Smith. This is a very powerful revelation and if we "liken the scriptures unto ourselves" it should be influential to our testimony and way of life.

In particular, verse 5 shows that if we pray, we will receive answers. This should be such an important part of our daily lives. Prayers is THE most important act of faith we can exercise to become closer to our Heavenly Father. There are many other things we can do, scripture study, church, fasting, etc. But I feel that prayer will help us become more in tune with the gospel than any other tool in our possession.

Verse 7 shows us the true meaning of being rich. Money is not something we should strive for. Money is not something that should dictate how we live our lives. We should look for wisdom and the mysteries of God will be unfolded. Here is wisdom: I had an epitome the other day. Call me slow :) but I always wanted to know the mysteries of God. I studied the scriptures, prayed, went to the temple, but to no avail. I was still left in the dark as to the mysteries of God, or so I thought. When Mitt Romney was running for the Republican nomination for president ( I would have voted for him, by the way) it became clear to me that I had already received many mysteries of God, but just didn't know it. Mysteries like the true nature of God, Heaven, Other Sheep and so forth. Just by being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are entitled to many mysteries that the world has yet to learn.

Verse 12 a very clear definition of how we should live our lives.

Verses 13-14 : This is the way we can know when our prayers have been answered.

D&C 10

I cannot imagine what Joseph Smith was going through when he initially received the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 10. This is the section where he is told what to do after losing the 116 pages given to Martin Harris.

Can you imagine being chastised by the Lord in such a direct manner. It must have been devastating. In fact, I get the feeling that even the Lord may have realized he was coming on a bit strong, at first, then seemed to fall into more of a "supportive/I understand" role.

I find it very interesting the way the Lord planned ahead for this debacle? We read in 1 Nephi 9:4-6 that the Lord asked Nephi to make a second set of plates. Nephi didn't know why he was to do this, but indicated that the "Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men;" The whole idea of trying to stop the publishing of the Book of Mormon by changing a previously translated section just doesn't make sense to me. In verses 14-19 the Lord indicates that these wicked men have a great plan. A plan that, with their cunningness, will stop the work in this generation. Here is what I don't understand. In verse 17 they say that if Joseph was given the gift to re-translate the lost section again, they will produce the original (altered) manuscript and show that they do not agree, thus proving to the world he does not have the gift of revelation. But wouldn't it show the wicked men, just how true the work is? Wouldn't they be convinced that Joseph Smith did actually translate the Book of Mormon? I guess once you get this entangled in Satan's web, even common sense is lost.

"Other Sheep"
In verses D&C 10:57-60, I love the way the Lord describes, in clearer terms, what he meant in John 10:16.

1 Nephi 3

Verse 7 They should write a hymn about this verse. :) I truly love this verse, it gives hope in so many ways. Including that there is no commandment given that is not achievable. Those that are struggling keeping the commandments should have this passage memorized. I think I will require it when I am working with them from now on. There is nothing too hard, too complicated, too far out of our comfort zones that we cannot accomplish if the Lord has asked us to do it. This includes giving away our sins and addictions.


Verses 29-30 This has always amazed me. I have always wondered how someone, anyone, can be administered to by an angle, and then, even before the room has lost its light, begin to murmur. How is that possible? I guess it just goes to show how quickly we, as humans, are able to forget. This demonstrates the teaching that there is nothing more powerful to the soul then being visited by the Holy Ghost. Visions, even by angles, are not a lasting as being touched by the Holy Ghost. What we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with our nose and touch with our hands are soon forgotten. But what we have felt with our soul lasts much longer. It helps to have the opportunity for our testimonies to be strengthened. Thus prayer is so important.

Keep My Commandments...

Here is a list of the times we are promised prosperity if we keep the commandments of the Lord:


1 Nephi 2:20
2 Nephi 1:9
2 Nephi 1:20
2 Nephi 3:2
2 Nephi 4:4



So far...

1 Nephi 2

Verse 16 : If we have a desire to know the mysteries of God we should follow the example of Nephi when he wants to know if what his father, Lehi, was doing was of God. He cried unto the Lord. Prayer is such a powerful tool in our daily lives, not only to seek forgiveness but to gain knowledge.


Verse 20 If we keep the commandments of the Lord we shall prosper. I have decided to keep track of all the times this is said throughout the Book of Mormon and the rest of the scriptures.. I know that it is mentioned several times...

1 Nephi 1

Verse 20 : This scripture really impacted me when I read it. I had heard Elder Bednar mention it in a talk before. It concerns the "tender mercies of the Lord" However, I didn't know the following part until I read it today. - "But behold, I, Nephi will show unto you the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

What a wonderfully powerful promise. Those that are struggling with addictions can be assured that, if they have faith, the Lord will give them the power of deliverance. It is a very comforting thought. This is in the very first chapter of the Book of Mormon, amazing how you can see things for the first time even after reading them many time before.

One of the cross references in this passage refers to Alma 34:38. This too had a great impact on me. It starts out that we should "contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it." I was thinking about this as I read it. How true it is. We contend with the Holy Ghost all the time. He wants to be with us, to help, guide and inspire. Yet we live our lives in such a way that we push him out. We go to great lengths, sometimes, to not have him around. Why? I have realized that maybe I do it on purpose so I don't have to change. So I don't have to step out of my comfort zone. Because I am not ready to "give away all of my sins." Well, time to change...