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.

Section 30

The Lord rebukes David Whitmer and encourages Peter and John Whitmer.  There are times we need the Spirit to give us a jolt to get us back on track.  Listen to the Lord’s words to David:

 1 Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

 2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.

We can gauge our level of spiritual maturity by the way we handle criticism and rebuke.  It is so easy to strike back at those who seek to help us by pointing out our weaknesses.  But if we can handle the sting of rebuke, then we can also rejoice when gentle words of encouragement also come.  

Section 28

Oliver Cowdery learned from God that only the prophet of God can receive revelation for the church.  So if someone comes along professing to be receiving direction from God to change church doctrine, like Hiram Page, Oliver was to know that it was not from God.  Regarding revelation, each of us had the privilege of receiving inspiration from God through prayer and spiritual promptings.  The Holy Ghost will give us the truth of all things.

Section 29

Jesus Christ will come again to the earth.  This time it won't be to the humble manger; this time it will be in glory.  We can prepare for his coming by doing his will; doing things his way.  We can humble ourselves and believe in him more.  We can follow his prophets.  We can live our lives in a way that builds and strengthens others.  The Second Coming of Christ will be the happiest event in the history of the earth because it will include the resurrection and reuniting of all of God's children.

Section 27

The Whole Armor of God

15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

 16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;

 17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

 18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

One way we take God’s armor upon us is to take the sacrament. By so doing we covenant with the Lord to always remember him and keep his commandments.  He, in turn, promises his Spirit to be with us.  Verse 18 states that the Spirit is an offensive weapon: A sword.  All of the other armor is defensive.

 When the church was first organized, they used wine for the sacrament.  But Joseph was instructed by an angel not to buy wine for this purpose. Evidently, some enemies of the church had intended to sell wine that was poisoned.   Subsequently, it became the practice of the church to use water instead of wine: a defensive move.

We cover ourselves with truth, righteousness, gospel knowledge, faith in Christ, and the understanding that God is the source of salvation.  These doctrines alone don’t save us, but obedience to them will get it done.  (For fun, notice where the Lord placed each doctrine: head, chest, loins, feet, etc.  See if you can begin to understand the significance of these locations.)

 

Section 26

“Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures, and to preaching, and to confirming the church at Colesville, and to performing your labors on the land…”

What I learn from this is the Lord places a high priority on studying the scriptures and putting him first in our lives.  Then we are to share his word by living the gospel in our homes and communities.  Finally, we need to work and support our families both in the home and in our employment.

He concludes this revelation by reminding Joseph that all things were to be done by common consent in the church and to us we need to do all these things by faith.

Faith is the key.  We need the spiritual gift of faith which is one of the greatest of all of the gifts of the Spirit.  It is essential in casting out fear.  It is what gets us through each day!