Section 37

The Saints were commanded to gather in Ohio (Kirtland area).  This was the first time that a commandment had been given for the church members to leave their homes and gather to a central location.  Other gatherings would follow: Jackson County, Missouri, Nauvoo, Illinois, and Salt Lake City.  The Lord revealed to Joseph and Sidney that before they left for Ohio they were to pay special attention to the Colesville Branch in New York.  The families in the branch, most notable the Knights, had been very close to the Lord and the prophet.  The Lord told Joseph that they had shown strong faith in their prayers.

2 And again, I say unto you that ye shall not go until ye have preached my gospel in those parts, and have strengthened up the church whithersoever it is found, and more especially in Colesville; for, behold, they pray unto me in much faith.

Section 36

This section was given to Edward Partridge, the first bishop in the church.  In an effort to “liken the scriptures” unto myself, I have inserted my name for his, and also substituted my dad’s name for Sidney Rigdon’s.

1 Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel: Behold, I say unto you, my servant Walt, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump;

 2 And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant David R. Stone Jr., and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;

 3 And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.

My dad baptized me, confirmed me, conferred upon me to the Aaronic Priesthood, and ordained me to the offices of Deacon, Teacher, and Priest.  He conferred upon me the Melchizedec Priesthood, and ordained me to the offices of elder and high priest. My stake president in Logan, Glenn Baird, set me apart as a missionary.  My stake president in Laramie, Douglas Laws, ordained me to the office of Bishop. 

Section 35

Sidney Rigdon was an early convert to the church.  He was commanded by the Lord to be a scribe and spokesman for Joseph Smith.  He worked as a scribe for Joseph as he translated the Bible.  This work became known as the Joseph Smith Translation. Most of this translation is included in the footnotes and appendix of the LDS Version of the Bible.  Sidney was promised that he could do great miracles if he was obedient to the commandments. He was also taught how to become a son of God through the Atonement.  And he was warned of the Lord’s second coming. The Lord addresses Sidney this way:

1 Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.

 2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

 

 Sidney Rigdon was an early convert to the church.  He was commanded by the Lord to be a scribe and spokesman for Joseph Smith.  He worked as a scribe for Joseph as he translated the Bible.  This work became known as the Joseph Smith Translation. Most of this translation is included in the footnotes and appendix of the LDS Version of the Bible.  Sidney was promised that he could do great miracles if he was obedient to the commandments. He was also taught how to become a son of God through the Atonement.  And he was warned of the Lord’s second coming. The Lord addresses Sidney this way:

1 Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.

 2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

 

 Sidney Rigdon was an early convert to the church.  He was commanded by the Lord to be a scribe and spokesman for Joseph Smith.  He worked as a scribe for Joseph as he translated the Bible.  This work became known as the Joseph Smith Translation. Most of this translation is included in the footnotes and appendix of the LDS Version of the Bible.  Sidney was promised that he could do great miracles if he was obedient to the commandments. He was also taught how to become a son of God through the Atonement.  And he was warned of the Lord’s second coming. The Lord addresses Sidney this way:

1 Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.

 2 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

 

Section34

7 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory.

8 And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming…11 And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come—12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.

The Lord taught Orson that he will return again to the earth in great glory.  We are all to diligently prepare for his return!

This revelation was given by the prophet Joseph to Orson Pratt who was 19 years old at the time.  He was a new convert to the church.  The Lord revealed that Orson could become a child of God through the Atonement of Christ.  When we enter the covenant of baptism, we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and thus become reborn into his family.  We have three fathers: Heavenly Father, who is the father of our spirits; our mortal fathers who, with our mothers create an earthly body to house our spirits; our covenant father, Jesus Christ, who is the father of our rebirth

Section 33

Two more men were called on missions.  They were commanded to keep the commandments and open their mouths.  One of them left the church.  The other struggled but remained faithful for a time but eventually decided not to go west with Brigham Young.  I pray that I will always stay faithful!  Please Lord don’t let my pride get in the way.  Help me humble myself and do things the Lord’s way.

Section 32

A mission call came to four faithful elders to go to the “Lamanites.”  This term means Children of Lehi: his posterity.  Most native North, Central, and South American people fit into this category if they have a portion of Lehi’s blood.  There are, undoubtedly, people who are more directly related to Lehi than others.  Nevertheless, at the time of Joseph Smith, the call came from the Lord to go into Indian Country and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. My own mission call was to the “Lamanites” in Arizona and New Mexico.  I was invited to learn the Navajo language, thus opening one of the most spectacularly poignant experiences of my life!  I lived and preached among these choice people for two years.  I loved the language and the people loved to hear me try to speak it.  It almost always got a chuckle when I made my attempts, but the people were patient and helpful.  The children were especially good at teaching me new words and phrases.  I dearly love the Navajo and hope someday to have another opportunity to live among them.

Section 31

This section is a mission call for Thomas Marsh.  There are several wonderful words and phrases the Lord uses that we can apply to ourselves:

“Blessed are you”

“I will bless you and your family”

“Lift up your heart and rejoice”

“Your sins are forgiven you”

“Be patient in afflictions”

“Revile not against those who revile”

“Govern your house in meekness”

“Be steadfast”

“It shall be given you by the Comforter, what you shall do and whither you shall go”

“Be faithful unto the end”

“I am with you”

God is a loving God.  His Son, Jesus Christ is our friend and helper.  They are all knowing and all powerful. Let’s join with them and partake of their blessings.