Doctrine and Covenants 59:8
Why does the Lord want us to have a broken heart?
8 Thou shalt offer a asacrifice unto the Lord thy God in brighteousness, even that of a broken heart and a ccontrite spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 49–50: “That Which is of God is Light”
The truths of the gospel can help me recognize false teachings.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:7, 19, 23-25
Shaker Beliefs: Second Coming has already occurred, Christ came in the form of a woman, Baptism by water not essential, Celibacy over marriage, forbade the eating of meat.
How can we recognize false teachings and help others to recognize them?
49:7 I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.
49:19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
49:23 Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.
24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
25 Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-25
What can we learn from Doctrine and Covenants section 50 to help us recognize the Spirit?
50:21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness
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.
25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you
Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:15-17
What are some truths we learn from these scriptures?
49:15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
Elder David A. Bednar explained why marriage is essential to God’s plan of salvation:
“By divine design, men and women are intended to progress together toward perfection and a fulness of glory. Because of their distinctive temperaments and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way. The man completes and perfects the woman and the woman completes and perfects the man as they learn from and mutually strengthen and bless each other. …“A home with a loving and loyal husband and wife is the supreme setting in which children can be reared in love and righteousness and in which the spiritual and physical needs of children can be met. Just as the unique characteristics of both males and females contribute to the completeness of a marriage relationship, so those same characteristics are vital to the rearing, nurturing, and teaching of children”
David A. Bednar
Teachers and learners are edified together by the Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:17
How can we be better at receiving by the Spirit? What are we inspired to do in our homes and at church to better teach and learn the gospel?
50:17 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
“A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Steward”
The Lord wants us to be faithful, just, and wise stewards.
Doctrine and Covenants 51:9, 15-19
What has the Lord entrusted to me?
9 And let every man deal honestly,
15 And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws.
16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;
17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.
18 Behold, this shall be an example unto my servant Edward Partridge, in other places, in all churches.
19 And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.
20 Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who cometh quickly, in an hour you think not. Even so. Amen.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of hands.
Doctrine and Covenants 55:1-3
What can we do to increase the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives?
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;
2 And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
3 And on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit.
We can share the gospel wherever we are.
Doctrine and Covenants 52:9-11
How can we make sharing the Gospel a natural part of our lives?
9 And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith.
10 Let them go two by two, and thus let them preach by the way in every congregation, baptizing by water, and the laying on of the hands by the water’s side.
11 For thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in righteousness, for the days come that I will send forth judgment unto victory.
God gave a pattern for avoiding deception.
Doctrine and Covenants 52:14-19
How can we apply the pattern in verses 14–19 to avoid deception we find in the world today?
How do we helps friends, children see deceptions without becoming preachy?
14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—
15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.
16 He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
17 And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
18 And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
19 Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
I can turn to the Lord when I am hurt by others’ choices.
Doctrine and Covenants 54:6, 10
How can we best be supportive and comfort others who are hurt by the choices of others?
6 But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy.
10 And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen.
“In the Church a stewardship is a sacred spiritual or temporal trust for which there is accountability. Because all things belong to the Lord, we are stewards over our bodies, minds, families, and properties. (See Doctrine and Covenants 104:11–15.) A faithful steward is one who exercises righteous dominion, cares for his own, and looks to the poor and needy”
President Spencer W. Kimball
“Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
Blessings come according to God’s timing and our diligence.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:2-4
Agency and weathering trials, what is the Lord’s guidance?
2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
We can “bring to pass much righteousness” of our “own free will.”
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-33
How do we “double down” on the Gospel?
26 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.
27 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;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.
The Sabbath is the Lord’s day.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:14-15
What makes the Sabbath day Joyful?
14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—
