Section 116

Spring Hill, Missouri, is the place that Adam will come to meet with his people according to this revelation given to Joseph Smith. This latter-day meeting was also seen by the ancient prophet, Daniel. Its ancient name was Adam-ondi-Ahman. What do we know about Adam?  He was the first man placed on the earth.  He was sealed to the first woman, Eve, in the Garden of Eden by God the Father. He and Eve partook of the Forbidden Fruit and they were cast out of that Garden. This action is known as the Fall. Because of the Fall, Adam and Eve were able to have children.  They became the first parents of all of the people who have ever lived on this earth with the exception of Jesus Christ, whose Father was God the Father.

Spring Hill, Missouri, is the place that Adam will come to meet with his people according to this revelation given to Joseph Smith. This latter-day meeting was also seen by the ancient prophet, Daniel. Its ancient name was Adam-ondi-Ahman. What do we know about Adam?  He was the first man placed on the earth.  He was sealed to the first woman, Eve, in the Garden of Eden by God the Father. He and Eve partook of the Forbidden Fruit and they were cast out of that Garden. This action is known as the Fall. Because of the Fall, Adam and Eve were able to have children.  They became the first parents of all of the people who have ever lived on this earth with the exception of Jesus Christ, whose Father was God the Father.

Section 115

The Lord declared what his church was to be called:
 3...unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;

 4 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

Section 114

Elder David W. Patten was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who was shot in the stomach as he attempted to free three members of the church who were taken hostage by a mob in Missouri.  He became the first to be martyred in the Missouri conflicts.  Unfortunately, several members of the Twelve and other church leaders were, at this time, in open rebellion against the prophet and the church.  The Lord explains that their positions were to be filled by others.

This teaches me that I can--and must--choose to follow and sustain my leaders. It is not my job to correct the church leaders or try to fix the church.  I have faith in the inspired leadership of the church—the men and women who sit in council together and do their best to be in harmony with the Lord’s will. It is my responsibility, when I don’t agree with a policy or procedure in the church, to sincerely make my opinion known to the Lord, to seek his wisdom and counsel through the Spirit.  I can meekly and humbly express my opinions to my family and dear friends when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.  But I must not let the spirit of contention, pride, or an “I’m better and superior in my opinions than the anointed servants of the Lord,” blind our minds, embitter or hearts, and keep us from fully receiving the covenants and ordinances of salvation and eternal life.

Again, I declare with all my heart that I believe that the sitting prophet, Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s chosen spokesman on the earth.  I sustain him and all the others who lead this church in righteousness. When President Monson passes away I will fully sustain the next prophet, for I believe God in his foreknowledge chose those whom he calls to fill church positions here, long before the foundations of this earth were laid.

Section113

The Lord reveals to Joseph Smith several of the terms used by Isaiah.  It is clear that Isaiah saw Jesus Christ in vision.  He saw Jesus in his pre-mortal, mortal, and exalted states. The “branch” and the “stem” that Isaiah wrote of, are both references to Christ.

It is also clear that Isaiah saw Joseph Smith and his important role in the latter days.  He referred to Joseph as the “rod” and the “root”.

What is important to me is that the Lord is willing to give answers to the prayers of his people.  Interpretation of the terms used in the Book of Isaiah are evidence of his care and love for each of us.  We can ask, knock, and seek for answers in this life and he will answer us according to his wisdom.