Section 47

If you have ever felt a sense of hesitancy when called to do something new, you will be able to relate to John Whitmer when the Lord called him to follow Oliver Cowdery as Church Historian.  He was determined to do the Lord’s will, however, and sought a revelation through the Seer, Joseph.  When it was revealed that this was what the Lord wanted him to do, despite having to follow in the famous Oliver’s footsteps, he jumped in and never looked back.  Jean and I have received new callings lately and have felt the spirit of hesitancy, however, if we will seek the Lord’s will and trust those who made the calling, we will prosper and be able to bless the lives of the young single adults we have been called to serve.  

Section 46

13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

The Lord revealed to Joseph that all individuals are eligible to receive spiritual gifts from the Him, through the Holy Ghost.  Spiritual gifts are extremely useful and should be sought for diligently.  The Spirit will reveal to us what gifts are available to us, but we must exercise the faith to ask for them.  The gift to know Jesus (shown above) is at the top of the list that I ask for on a regular basis.  The gift to teach Jesus’ gospel is also a gift I have sought.  The Lord also gives the gift of healing, languages, administration, discernment, love for others, gratitude, faith, hope, and charity.  There are many gifts, in fact, there are as many gifts as there are God’s children and he administers them perfectly according to our needs and desires.  Many are less conspicuous and include such things as being able to cry, gentleness, appreciation for beauty, ability to listen, and empathy.

Section 45

39–47, Signs, wonders, and the Resurrection are to attend the Second Coming; 

54–59, The Lord will reign during the Millennium

When I was a new bishop in Laramie, I was surprised and pleased when I found out that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ was the theme for one of the months of instruction.  Little children were being taught not to fear His coming (like I was as a child), rather, they were shown that his coming will be a wonderful event that we can prepare for with great joy!  The verses cited above make two wonderful facts clear: (1) The signs of His coming are something we can be thrilled about—not frightened.  Before He comes, for example, the gospel of Jesus Christ was to be restored again to the earth.  This began when the Father and the Son appeared to the prophet, Joseph Smith, and continued with the restoration of the priesthood authority and keys by John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John, to Joseph and Oliver.  The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was prophesied by Isaiah along with the building of the church in the tops of the mountains.  Isaiah also saw the church going to the whole world.  Daniel saw the church starting very small, like a “stone cut out of the mountain without hands,” but then eventually “filling the whole earth.” Christ’s resurrection of all of Heavenly Father’s children is the crowning accomplishment and sign of his Second Coming.

(2) After Christ returns, a period of 1000 years of peace will come to the earth.  He will reign personally.  The resurrection will commence and continue until all are resurrected.  There will be no death.  Our earthly bodies and spirits will be reunited.  Families who have been sealed together by the priesthood ordinances of the temple will continue to live as families for all eternity.  Those who did not have the opportunity to hear the gospel will be given that chance. 

Section 44

6 Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief…

Of course we are all poor and needy in spirit, but this is a specific reference to helping those who are experiencing financial need.  One way is to give generous fast offerings which go directly to those who have food and shelter needs in your ward.  It also goes to help feed, provide shelter, and to finance other physical needs throughout the world, including disaster relief.

There are always those among us whose hands hang down.  They are lonely, fearful, or feeling depressed, grief, or sadness.  Reaching out with a kind hand helps the giver and the receiver.

Section 43

The Lord instructs his people to sustain the prophet and to not receive revelation pertaining to the whole church from anyone else.  Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s prophet on the earth today.  He receives revelation and commandments from the Lord for us in our day just as the prophets of old.  We have just enjoyed hearing from him and the other Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ at General Conference.  Here are some things he said:

Attend the temple

During the April 2015 general conference, President Thomas S. Monson, bore testimony of the blessings of temple attendance:

“As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials,” he said. “In the temple we can find peace.” . . .

“May our Heavenly Father bless us that we may have the spirit of temple worship that we may be obedient to His commandments, and that we may follow carefully the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Express gratitude for Jesus Christ's gifts

As we celebrate Easter, “May we offer prayers of gratitude for His great and marvelous gifts to us.”

Reflect on responsibilities and duty of callings

“Let us consider our callings,” he said. “Let us reflect on our responsibilities; let us determine our duty; and let us follow Jesus Christ, Our Lord.”

Quoting D&C 121:45, he said, “Let thy bowels also befull of charity towards all men, and to the household offaith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”

Learn of and follow Jesus Christ

“We are engaged in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he concluded. “Let us learn of Him. Let us follow in His footsteps. Let us live by His precepts.”

Section 42

 14 And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.

Teaching Seminary, I learned right away that I could not teach without first receiving the Spirit.  This meant daily repentance; this meant a penitent heart; this meant my family relationships needed to be harmonious.  Daily I prayed with urgency for the Gifts of the Spirit, including the gift to teach by the Spirit.  Always having his Spirit is essential too in daily living.

Section 41

Edward Partridge was called to be the first bishop in the church.  I had wonderful and inspired bishops growing up and also as an adult.  When I was born, my dad, David R. Stone, was the bishop.  He was followed by Bishops, McMurdie, Himes, Chadwick, Baird, Emmett, and Jenson.  As a married couple, Jean and I have had Bishop Parker (in the trailer court); Bishop Kent Larsen, in Hyrum; Bishops Petersen and Hobbs in Logan; Bishops Hanks, Nielson, Barrett, and Bingham in Las Vegas; Bishops Salmond and Alston in Tucson, Bishop Clark (and Stone) in Laramie; and Bishops Residori, McMurtrey, Miller, and Fong in American Fork.  Do you remember any others?  Who was your favorite(s).  Maybe you could start a list of your own since you left home.  Dave, who is your current bishop?