Doctrine and Covenants 88: “Establish…a House of God”
Doctrine and Covenants 88: 3-4
3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another aComforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of bpromise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
4 This Comforter is the apromise which I give unto you of beternal life, even the cglory of the celestial kingdom;
John 15: 14-15
14 Ye are my afriends, if ye do whatsoever I bcommand you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you afriends; for all things that I have bheard of my Father I have made cknown unto you.
Light and law come from Jesus Christ.
Odd: Doctrine and Covenants 88:6–13, 40–50 : Look for things you learn about Jesus in references to light
Even: Doctrine and Covenants 88: 13-26:34-42: What do you learn about the importance of following His law?
We can become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:68, 74
What does it mean to sanctify? Why does the Lord want us to become clean?
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that our minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
74 And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
Sanctification: The process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean, and holy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Moses 6:59–60)
“Repentance begins with our Savior, and it is a joy, not a burden. …“To be cleansed by repentance, we must forsake our sins and confess them to the Lord and to His mortal judge where required (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:43). Alma taught that we must also ‘bring forth works of righteousness’ (Alma 5:35). All of this is part of the frequent scriptural invitation to come unto Christ. “We need to partake of the sacrament each Sabbath day. In that ordinance we make covenants and receive blessings that help us overcome all acts and desires that block us from the perfection our Savior invites us to achieve (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48). As we ‘deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness, and love God with all [our] might, mind and strength,’ then we may ‘be perfect in Christ’ and be ‘sanctified’ through the shedding of His blood, to ‘become holy, without spot’ (Moroni 10:32–33). What a promise! What a miracle! What a blessing!”
President Dallin H. Oaks
The Lord wants us to seek learning by study and by faith.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:77-78
How are you trying to apply these principles as they “seek learning”
77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
The Temple is the house of God
Doctrine and Covenants 88:118-119
How can we establish the “Houses” in our daily lives?
118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
Doctrine and Covenants 89-92: “A Principle with a Promise”
The Word of Wisdom is a “principle with promise.”
Doctrine and Covenants 89
Odd: Why did the Lord give us the Word of Wisdom?
Even: What does this revelation teach us about Heavenly Father and His plan for us?
Doctrine and Covenants 89:16-17
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21
How are these promises fulfilled in our lives?
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
“The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ [Doctrine and Covenants 89:3]. That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor. “Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. It’s well known that tea, coffee, liquor, and tobacco are against it. It has not been spelled out in more detail. Rather, we teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation. …“Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom and you will receive the promised blessings”
President Boyd K. Packard
The First Presidency holds “the keys of the kingdom.”
Doctrine and Covenants 90:10-14
How has the service of the First Presidency helped you know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
10 And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation.
11 For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.
12 And now, verily I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment that you continue in the ministry and presidency.
13 And when you have finished the translation of the prophets, you shall from thenceforth preside over the affairs of the church and the school;
14 And from time to time, as shall be manifested by the Comforter, receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom;
“The Spirit manifesteth truth.”
Doctrine and Covenants 91:4-5
What examples can you share how the Spirit has helped you discern truth?
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
Doctrine and Covenants 93: “Receive of His Fulness”
We worship God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:19
Odd: How we worship?
Even: What we worship?
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
We can “receive of [God’s] fulness, and be glorified.”
Doctrine and Covenants 93:24
How could these truths affect the way we treat people around us—or ourselves?
24 And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
We are commanded to “set in order [our] own house.”
Doctrine and Covenants 93: 42-43
How do we set our own house in order?
42 You have not ataught your children light and truth, according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your baffliction.
43 And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in aorder your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.
“In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting. “Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. ‘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’ (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes”
Elder David A. Bednar
