Come Follow Me with Sam

 The story of the fall and after the fall are tied together. I mentioned Adam and Eve's sacrifice in the last post. In this post, I would like to focus on Cain, and the preaching. Cain is not a story thrown in for historic relevance. It is a microcosm of the battle in every human soul and over the whole earth. God said that the creation was good. Cain judged the creation as unfit and killed his brother able because his sacrifice was not accepted. We all fall short of our goals in one way or another. Cain is a reminder that if we give seed to the bitterness of soul, it ends in death, misery, and outer darkness. We don't want to go there. It also outlines the plan of the evil one which centers around turning lives into money and souls into property. Once the opposition was loosed on the earth, God sent prophets and ministers and the great plan came into full swing.

 We discussed last week about how the worldly view of biblical stories is to look at them for more of explanatory power, while God wants to use this to purify and refine our souls. The Story of Adam and Eve is the story of the sacrifice our first parents made to follow God, and of the peculiar joy of the saints. It is another story that is intrinsic to the plan of God, not a simply functional facilitation of reaching a desired state.

We (humanity) tend to look to bible stories for their explicatory power. How was he earth created? by the creation. How did man come to be? by Adam and Eve. Where did rainbows come from? The flood (Okay, I don't know anyone who uses this story primarily for the rainbow phenomenon, but you get the point. The rainbows are not the point.) God teaches these stories less for answering curiosities and more for the fulfillment of our spiritual destiny. The creation is taught to us to understand the Atonement and the works and mind of God. It is an integral part of the plan of salvation, not simply a facilitation of functional necessities of the plan. Here are a few quick points. There are many more to understand.  - The elements worshiip and obey god as he speaks. There is no difference from his words and reality - We are part of the creation. The elements rejoice in being part of the creation and being part of us, and we (our souls) rejoiced to share the creation with them. - The creatio...

Welcome to the Old Testament and a new year! The Old Testament is very challenging! I plan to write what I learn and see where we get. I also will rely on the Louis Segonde translation (french) as a second reference to understand certain passages better, Hugh Nibley's works to walk through Abraham particularly, and Jordan Peterson's lectures as we walk through Genesis. I may be able to pick up some other references as we go along. Keep in mind that thousands of scholars have studied this book for thousands of years so there is no way to be comprehensive, and there will probably be interesting takes contrary to what I find here. We are just going to go for it, and I invite any and all discussion you have. contrary to the D&C format, we are going back to subjects instead of sections or chapters as our headings As you Study this week's chapters, take some time to think about the manner of men Moses and Abraham were and their relationship with god. Think about this scriptur...

 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...

 Welcome! Section 133 Section 133 is a fascinating section. In a sense it is the call of the bridegroom. In the same sense, it is a warning and a cry for gathering of the nations. It integrates many scriptural passages. The most fascinating to me is the end. These are the same scriptures from Isaiah 50-something. and 2 Nephi 7. Section 134 S&S makes the comment 'This {declaration} is not a revelation. It was not written by the Prophet Joseph Smith, but was prepared by Oliver Cowdery and was read at the General Assembly of the Church. Joseph Smith was away but accepted to publish it (with D&C?) That being said, it is a remarkable declaration. Vs 2.... secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection life. what a good way of putting it. What is liberty? liberty is the free exercise of conscience. Vs 4. 'that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but nev...

 Welcome! This week includes the Polygamy section which I do not plan on discussion much because first, that is what everyone is doing, second, its too wide and audience and not enough time to approach it correctly. Section 129 Section 129 is a pretty cool section. For those of you who haven't had an experience such as that which Section 129 prepares for, the key take away is that the devil and his angels cannot but be deceptive, while the angels of God cannot but tell the truth. We can use this to pattern our own lives. Section 130 Section 130 is such a fun grab bag. here are my hot takes on all the cool things vs 1-3 and vs 22. The bold message of the restoration is that God is our literally heavenly or spiritual father, and a personage like us, except at a celestial glory, that Christ is the same and our spiritual brother, and that we can attain this some glory through Gods plan. There are many who struggle with this today. It seems so wild that it can hardly be believed. And ye...

 Welcome! Section 125 TBD Section 126 TBD Section 127 TBD Section 128 128 is quite the fascinating section. Picture the saints trying to comprehend the purpose of ordinances. These things are not as emphasized to them in their original churches or cultures. So Joseph Smith is explaining to them the importance of these simple acts when combined with a contrite heart and the priesthood. Take a look at verses 19-23. This is a voice of gladness and rejoicing. Think of the sacrifices that those prophets made to be able to say 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God Reigneth! Think of what you would need to know to declare such things.

 Section 124 Quick fire verses vs. 5 - recurring theme from 121 vs 27 etc. - God asks the saints to again build a house to Him, reminiscent of the revelations in section 94, 97, etc. vs 47, 48 etc. - God gives blessings and cursings for following or not following His word. This is a great reminder for us to do as we said, and that the blessings are tied to us following them.

 Welcome! D&C 121 -123 are very rich. There is a lot going on in my life right now, so I don't have the time to do these sections justice. I'm going to give some pointers to help, and hopefully I can come back to this sometime and add to what there is to find. Section 121 section 121 starts out with soul cry. soul cry is a plea that goes beyond flesh and goes beyond emotion or feeling and comes straight from one eternal being to another eternal being. From a soul to a soul, so to speak. When this happens, the universe hears, and feels it. That is one of the reasons these next sections are so rich. By the way, I think everything we do, good or bad, happy or sad, is soul cry to God's ears. Here, God answers with a reminder that He knows what is happening, He is a God of Justice, a God of Mercy, and a God by which all things will flow according to His Order. <- keep this last part in mind for the rest of the section. He says something very interesting in part 3: For God...

 Welcome! Section 115 More temple building! Section 116 Super cool deepish-type doctrine. Anything Ante-Diluvian feels like it was part of the mysteries Section 117 Much like lessons in the Book of Mormon, sometimes it is time to move and time to move now Section 118 It is good for us to gather together and strengthen each other Section 119 Tithing is a law of Holiness and a law of Sanctification Section 120 Organization of the highest councils of the church

 Welcome! Section 111 check out verse 1 'I am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithstanding your follies'. There is a lot to learn from this. There is also a lot of comfort that God says, just focus on Zion, the rest is going to be okay. Section 112 some other great verses in 2 and 3 - 'there have been some few things in thine heart and with thee with which I, the Lord was not well pleased'. Nevertheless, inasmuch as thou hast abased thyself thou shalt be exalted; therefore all thy sins are forgiven thee. Section 113 Section 113 is another Q&A which I just love! my favorite is vs 7 and 8. There is an important principle. There are many who worship God in their own way across the world. The plea here, from Isaiah is that those people embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ full enough to enter into the order of His priesthood and have the fulness of power to accomplish His work on the earth. The strength of Zion is the Priesthood, the power of God manifest...

 Welcome! This is the first temple dedication prayer of this dispensation!!!! there is a lot to learn here! Section 109 some quick-fire lessons Joseph Smith did a return and report, mentioning the commandments the saints and received and fulfilled saints were blessed with power ask that all who worship in this house be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, seek learning by study and by faith obtain every needful thing speedily repent and return to God when in transgression overcome enemies break the yoke from the necks of God's servants reaffirm the preciousness of souls reference to the blood of the saints crying as a witness to God reminder that kingdom was set up without hands sing hosanna to God and the Lamb (I want to go to that congregation for worship one day ;) Section 110 Section 110 is a recorded witness of one of the most sacred experiences in the Kirtland temple.

Welcome! the bulk of this week's reading is section 107, which talks of the priesthood and the organization of the priesthood. Section 106 As a thief in the night Of all the warnings we have received, the second coming will still overtake us as a theif in the night. I had the thought that we would be too preoccupied with the things of the world, or in other words, the new way of living will overtake our slower plans for changing to that new way.. God says "Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief. Section 107 Section 107 lays out a lot of priesthood stuff. There is some juicy stuff in here :D but I think I'm going to hold off on certain things. dm me if you want the after party :D S&S make the note that catholics look (or looked) at ministers as priests, very close to the hebrew levite model before Christs coming. They see the priests as a conduit 'because the people must draw near to God t...

 Welcome!! Section 102 Organization of the first high council Cool. No other notes at this time Section 103 more on chastening... This is going to be a bit of a theme for the next couple sections, and we got a flavor back in Section 95. This is speaking broadly to the church, or to a specific region of the church. keep this in mind for 105. Check out this verse a little later - > 7  And by  a hearkening  to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the  b kingdoms  of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is  c given  unto the saints, to  d possess  it forever and ever. ...and maybe the reasons why God asked for 500 men. He got about 100 out of Kirtland and another 105 along the way for Zion's camp.  Then these people at sundry times complained quite a bit... This seems to me and indication of the general reason that God make the former declarati...

 Welcome! Section 98 All things shall be for your good read Abinadai to understand the constitution and leaders There are a few great keys of government that come from 98. First, the constitution is a world heritage. It is not just a western idea or an American idea, although the Americans certainly deserve the credit for being able to both articulate it and put it into practice. for all the variances in peoples and all the criticisms of the American system, this is the closest to God's law that any of us in the world have ever seen, and, using the same words He has used in the past for scripture, God says that anything more or less than this cometh evil ("as pertaining to law of man"). Note Gods words here "I the Lord God make you free, herefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free." This is a point that I think the founding generation at least understood intellectually, but that wasn't perpetuated generally or across time. The Americans hav...

 Welcome Welcome! Section 94 No comments for this section Section 95 Whom I Love and Chasten Chastening is a difficult thing for us to receive properly and to give properly. This came up during Helaman 15 when Samuel the prophet spoke about it. Without going too far into depth, here are some salient points we can learning about chastening - God chastens that our sins may be forgiven - "with chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance" - everyone needs chastening at some point Temple work God speaks directly about not building a temple as the reason for the chastening. This was a good reminder to me after covid to make a renewed effort to go to the temple. Now that we have to reserve a session, it feels more complicated and like I need to plan it out (yes, I'm a spoiled Utahn with temples anywhere I look :D) but if Joseph the Prophet was chastened for not building a temple, with all the sacrifice there, how much more should we be willing to go to the temple? I'...