D&C 81-83: Come Follow Me with Sam

Welcome! In one sense, this week is some reruns of last week with new color. 81 is very similar to 79, 82 is similar to 78. Enjoy :)

Section 81

This section was very much like section 79 to me. It was short but filled with such power because it contains the core of the gospel in plainness in a real experience. It is unfortunately hard for me to articulate the meaning of these sections; it is better just to read them after praying with all your heart to feel the love of God and the vision he has for you in His kingdom...

 but if I was to take a stab at this one, I would say that God is telling Federick G Williams that he is in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time, and all he needs to do is be the best that he can be, and do follow God's commandments exactly, and that if he makes every situation as 'good' (as in righteous, filled with light, well-doing towards others), he gets the gold and all is accepted before Him, the God of the universe

Section 82

Section 82 brings up the law of consecration again. Apparently at this point the church had failed to live the law of consecration as a whole and now, certain leaders only were being asked to follow principles like it. Apparently they later failed at that too. S&S makes a few notes on how the law of consecration won't be formally instituted again except by the church when the people are ready. Until then, most organizations for such are, according to the 1839 millenial star, too exposed to being taken advantage of by unsavory types.

So we wait, and, in the words of Hugh Nibley, we still weep for Zion. In the mean time, however, every endowed member of the church has promised to follow the law of consecration, regardless of its formal institution. When we walk up to our covenants, and have the Law of Consecration written on our hearts, I believe we will also be ready to write it on the books again.

verse 19 caught my attention.

19 ^aEvery man seeking the interest of his ^bneighbor, and doing all things with an ^ceye single to the glory of God.

This, according to Carl Schurz's speech in faneuil hall some decades later, is the core of 'true americanism.

From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own. And when the rights of one cannot be infringed without finding a ready defense in all others who defend their own rights in defending his, then, and only then, are the rights of all safe against the usurpations of governmental authority.

This is true Americanism, and to this I pay the tribute of my devotion.

This is why this country is intrinsically tied up in the works of God - it was founded by Him, based on His eternal principles, and, to the measure that it lives up to those principles, will be the greatest nation on the earth. The same goes for any nation that follows God and His true laws.

Section 83

Section 83 is on caring for the fatherless and the orphans. I found some S&S commentary that Joseph Smith said during the same meeting that this came about:

"It was my endeavor," he (Joseph) syas, "to so organize the Church, that the brethren might eventually be independent of every incumbrance beneath the celestial kingdom, by bonds and covenants of mutual friendship and mutual love."