Come Follow Me with Sam

 Welcome to the last blog post of the year! We got through D&C! D&C is such a unique book of scripture (as they all are). In studying this year, I don't feel like we have cracked the code on the full meaning yet (as with all other scriptures) Its been humbling (as always) to write these posts. Some of them will be very short for now and hopefully I can catch up to them later. Thanks and enjoy the last thoughts on the Family: A Proclamation to the World The Family: A Proclamation to the World I feel that this document is becoming more of a reminder for the Latter Day Saints than it is a statement for non-members. Here is the deal. We have a story to tell. It is a beautiful story about what is possible when a man and a woman give their lives to each other through the power of God. It is as deep as the universe and as close as our own skin. But in the church, it feels like we are forgetting it, or, if we never had it generally, which is possible, we are forgetting the promise ...

 Welcome! its article of faith time! I break up the articles of faith as 1-4 is about first beliefs and principles, 5-9 as two part organizational structure, 10-13 as key portals to understanding the greater things. Here's my take on each one. We've also got declarations 1 and 2 Articles of Faith 1. Being like God is to what everything points to. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, and, as we will see, also the author and finisher of these articles of faith in terms of the subject focus 2. countering a sectarian notion, also emphasizing the key role the fall had in the plan of God, in our own lives, and the terrible responsibility we take as a consequence. 3. An answer to the question raised in 2, pointing to the atonement as the way to become one again from this great fall. 4. A follow-up to 3, describing the method of this answer. 5. a segway into what the church organization should look like, starting with the more physical aspects, starting first to the pattern...

 Welcome! Section 137 Section 137 was added to the D&C at a much later period, but I haven't been able to uncover the story on how this came about. 137 is a great glimpse at the Justice and Mercy of God. It is an affirmation that whatever the circumstances on the earth, there will be a just and merciful chance for all to inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Desires of their hearts. I had a couple talks with people about this last week. Vs 9 says the following: 9  For I, the Lord, will  a judge  all men according to their  b works , according to the  c desire  of their hearts. At first this sounds great. We can do whatever we want as long as our heart is pointed in the right direction, right? :D Ha Ha. At a second level, you may think that just because you don't think any bad things, or want to hurt anyone, your heart is there. But that isn't it either. Think back to the experience of the Nephites with Christ. They at first did not even have the words...

 Welcome! Section 135 S&S makes the comment "This article on the Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, the Patriarch, touches the heart of every sincere believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the Church." This may not be a pure revelation, but there is something to be said for its ability to speak to the legacy of the Prophet Joseph Smith Section 136 Overview Section 136 is unique because it is the only revelation given in the Doctrine And Covenants to someone other than Joseph Smith and is written in the same manner as a direct revelation such as those that Joseph Smith recorded. IT also answers some very hard questions that the saints would have a hard time ignoring. It has to do with why, after all the sacrifices and work of the saints, they were still driven into the wilderness, into winter quarters, to eventually travel to a desert (Utah) to make their new home. There is emphasis on rededicating our efforts under a renewe...