Section 53

The Lord has a plan for each of us.  In other words, he knows all things.  We, on the other hand must walk in faith, not knowing beforehand what we should do.  God will guide us.  He loves us.  God is love.

Section 52

I find it noteworthy that in the middle of issuing several mission calls and admonishing the missionaries to keep their preaching centered on the scriptures and the revealed words spoken by the prophet and apostles, the Lord gives this strict command:

 40 And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

Section 51

Edward Partridge was the Church’s first bishop in this dispensation.  He had the stewardship for the saints moving into Ohio.  The Lord wanted him to help the new families locate a place to live and to help them get enough food and shelter.  He commanded Bishop Partridge to organize a bishop’s storehouse.  We likewise administer to the wards’ temporal needs through the bishops.  When I was a bishop in Laramie my ward had about 350 members.  If anyone in the ward could not provide enough food for their family, it was my responsibility to use the fast offering funds to assist them.  The same for other needs such as rent, car payments, gas, repairs, utility bills, medical bills, and the like.  If we had not received enough money from our ward’s fast offerings, then the bills would be sent to the stake president and paid for through surplus funds from other wards.  In some cases, bills would be sent to church headquarters in Salt Lake.  It amazed me how generous and giving my ward members were with their care for the poor and needy in our ward.  Rarely did I seek more funds than we had raised in our ward.  I was also humbled by the knowledge that the Lord wants all of his children everywhere to have their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter met.  I have been very proud of our members for sending enough fast offerings to the church to help all over the world with humanitarian aid.

 

Section 50

19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?

 20 If it be some other way it is not of God.

 21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

 22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

 23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

 24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

The Holy Ghost will verify to our minds when something said, felt, read, preached, or taught, is from God.  We are to share the truth one with another.  Such sharing produces edification and joy in both the teacher and the learner.

If we don’t have the Spirit we should not try to teach truth; instead, we should repent and get our lives in order so the Spirit can accompany our words and conversations.

It is my experience that communication done under the influence of the Holy Spirit is wonderful, humbling, exhilarating, peace and joy producing, and powerful.

Section 49

In Joseph Smith’s day there was a religious group called the “Shakers.”  They believed that Christ had already come back to the earth in the form of a woman named Ann Lee.  Although a rather progressive notion, many years before its time, nevertheless, the Lord made it very clear that he had not changed himself into a woman!  Joseph sent three missionaries to set the record straight and preach repentance.

 5 Thus saith the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned—

 6 And they have done unto the Son of Man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet, which time is nigh at hand—

 7 I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.

Section 48

When the Saints moved from the east to Kirtland, Ohio, there was a great deal of anxiety about how to get everyone settled.  As Jon and Tina have worked hard to finish their responsibilities in Illinois, they face the uncertainty and anxiety of a new home in a new part of the country; new friends and neighbors, schools, employment, and church responsibilities beckon them forward.  They don’t face these things alone: there are family and friends to help.  And most especially, the Lord, who is mindful of the smallest sparrow, will see to their needs.