Come Follow Me with Sam

  Section 71 Some Wisdom I found these verses to be worth pondering. I'm sure there's many times where we Latter-day saints of the church of Jesus Christ have been clobbered in arguments, and other times where we have been overly contentious. So we know this isn't a guarantee that anyone who decides to defend the church or Jesus Christ will automatically win. But its clear that these promises are to those who 'understand and receive also' 5  Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him  a understand  and  b receive  also; 6  For unto him that receiveth it  shall be given more  a abundantly , even power. 7  Wherefore,  a confound  your  b enemies ; call upon them to  c meet  you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their  d shame  shall be made manifest. 8  Wherefore, let them bring forth their  a strong reasons  against the Lord. 9  Verily, thus saith ...

 Section 67 The Challenge God actually gives a challenge to the brethren in this section. There was some dissent about the wording of the revelations that Joseph Smith received and God basically told them 'see if you can do better'. William McLellin tried. It didn't work.  Everyone accepted the wording after that. This raises some questions about how the Doctrine and Covenants was created, and the process by which the revelation was asked for, received, recorded, distributed, and accepted. Some of this is simple historical fact. Some of this is spiritual journey. Some of this is likely personally attuned. I unfortunately don't know enough or have enough time to ponder this on the blog but if you have resources to share, I'd be interested to hear. Continue in patience until ye are perfected Section 67 speaks of seeing God and a reminder that 'ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until...

 Here we go again!!! Section 64 Of forgiveness and of the mysteries vs 5-11 are an interesting insight into how god sees our faults and calls leaders to still lead. here is a quick breakdown 5 - Joseph has the keys so get all the way off his back on that thing 6 - Yes, I'm talking to you 7 - Yes, I know he stumbles all the time. That's the whole plan 8- You guys are just like my disciples. serious squabbling and lack of forgiveness. 9- They turned out all right and you can too :D 10-11- remember that I (God) am the judge (and understand what that means) S&S (yep, switching my abbreviation again to the last names) take a comment from George A. Smith that there were some who apostatized at this time and they became  a pretty nasty job. Its a good reminder to us that no matter who you are in the church, if you don't clean to God, you may find yourself a pretty nasty person in side. Better to give yourself to God and wash that dirty down the drain. The strange and mysteriou...

D&C 63 is pretty long and it seems to cover a lot of subjects. Hopefully you can glean some of these insights. Section 63 Arbitrary actions? Take a look at vs 3-5 3  Who willeth to take even them whom he will  a take , and  b preserveth  in life them whom he will preserve; 4  Who buildeth up at his own will and  a pleasure ; and destroyeth when he pleases, and is able to  b cast  the soul down to hell. 5  Behold, I, the Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be  a obeyed . This sounds pretty arbitrary on first blush, and something with an old testament flare. What is God saying here?  When I look at these verses, I think ' what is God helping the people understand?' Its not like God sits all the early saints in a room and gives them long lectures about the universe. In all these revelations, even the long ones, there is a very little space to communicate many great things. This is how I interpret them: ' Saints, realize that my thou...