Lesson Two

In lesson two we studied Doctrine and Covenants Sections 6-9 and 11-13.
I chose to use these sections and make ten 'Cause and Effect' or 'If...Then..." statements.

1.  If we inquire, then we will know the mysteries of God

• I think this one is pretty straightforward.  If we have something we need to know we can ask our Heavenly Father and he will present us with the answers.

2.  If we seek for wisdon instead of riches, then we will be made rich.

• I think this can all be interpreted in different ways for different people.  I interpret the second half as saying that we will be made rich with blessings.  It can be viewed monetarily, but I feel the Lord means that we will be blessed.  Part of those blessings easily could be money.  While they could be money, I also feel that they could be characteristics (patience, comfort, etc...), they could be happiness, they could be blessings of starting a family.  Any number of things could be put in place of 'riches'.

3.  If we do good and remain faithful until the end, then we will recieve the Lord's greatest gift of salvation.

• Every person on this earth needs the blessing of being saved.  None of us are perfect, and without the Lord's salvation, it would be impossible to live with Him and our families again.  All He asks is that we remain faithful and do good.  It's very little to ask for such a great blessing.

4.  If we have righteous desires, God will grant us these desires.

• John the Beloved had the desire to remain on the earth to continue bringing souls to Christ.  God saw that this was a righteous desire and granted it to him, just as he granted Peter's desires.  Our Heavenly Father cares about our happiness and when we righteously desire something, He will do whatever He knows is best for us.

5.  If we ask things of the Lord, then He will tell us in our minds and hearts the answers that we wish to know.

• We will feel and hear the Spirit if we ask the Lord the questions that we have, or ask Him for things that we need.  A few verses later we are cautioned to not ask for things that we know we shouldn't ask for.

6.  If we don't have faith, then we can do nothing. 

• We must have faith in order to progress and learn.  Without faith, we can't do things necessary to grow.

7.  If we study the things we need to know, then ask, the Lord will cause a burning in our bosoms as confirmation.

• The Lord will always lead us and direct us.  If we study, religiously, or secularly, the Lord will help us to learn the things we are studying.  He will also use that burning in our bosom as confirmation to help us make important decisions.

8.  If we assist in bringing forth His work, we will be blessed. 

• I think the term 'blessed' is very vague, but I think that's also because it encompasses many things.  I apply this to missionary work and the importance of bringing souls to the Lord.  He will pour out blessings in all kinds of aspects.

9.  If we put our trust in the Spirit and keep the commandments then the Spirit will enlighten our minds and fill us with joy.

• I feel like this one is also straightforward as well.  I like this one because it simply tells me that if I am obedient, I will have joy.  I love the word joy because it just sounds so happy.  I think that if we are filled with joy, we won't go wrong.

10.If we ask of the Lord and it is not right we will have a stupor of thought because it is wrong.

• This is the one I chose to focus on the most and apply to my life.  I have been really confused lately, and haven't known what to really do with my life.  I'd been praying and praying about a big decision of mine, and then I was talking to a good friend.  She quoted the scripture I based this off of and then asked me, "How do you feel when you think about moving to Provo?"  I thought about it, then realized that there was no stupor of thought, instead it felt good.  She told me that I must have my answer and then we discussed that scripture a bit more.  That scripture was crucial in my decision to move or not.  I am so very grateful for these cause and effect statements.  I am also grateful for the scriptures and I know without a doubt that they are true!

Lesson One

“This revelation [4] is very short, only seven verses, but it contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime study. No one has yet mastered it. It was not intended as a personal revelation to Joseph Smith, [Sr.] but to be of benefit to all who desire to embark in the service of God. It is a revelation to each member of the Church, especially to all who hold the Priesthood. Perhaps there is no other revelation in all our scriptures that embodies greater instruction pertaining to the manner of qualification of members of the Church for the service of God, and in such condensed form than this revelation. It is as broad, as high, and as deep as eternity. No elder of the Church is qualified to teach in the Church, or carry the message of Salvation to the world, until he has absorbed, in part at least, this heaven-sent instruction.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, CHMR, Vol. 1, pp. 32-33)

The Doctrine and Covenants has a section that is short, but packs a punch when it comes to revelation.  The above quote clearly states that it is full of things to learn, and we should do what we can to embrace all it has to offer.

I was asked to review the teachings given in Section 4, as well as reflect on the above quote.  I'll start with the teachings and what I understand of them.

Doctrine and Covenants 4:1 states that "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men."  This clearly states that big and great things are coming and it also tells me that I must be prepared for what is to come in the near future.

Verses two and three talk about how we who serve need to serve God with ALL of our heart, might, mind and strength.  It sounds like it's an all or nothing situation to me.  If we are going to serve we need to COMMIT and be willing to do ALL we must to make this work a success.  If we have the desire to serve we need to maintain that desire and do all that we can to serve faithfully and diligently.

"The field is white already to harvest."  D&C 4:4The world is ready to hear the messages of the gospel for those who serve the Lord to teach.  If we serve and search, we will be guided to those who are ready to hear the message of the Restoration of the Gospel.

The last verse I will touch on is verse 7.  "Ask and ye shall recieve; knock and it shall be opened unto you..."  This is telling me that all I need to do is ask, and I will get the answers to whatever has been plaguing me.  The Lord is right there, willing to listen.  He waits for us to come to Him with the questions that we have.

These seven short verses give so much revelation and insight to the things the Lord has instore for us and the rest of the world.  We must seek after the righteous desires that we have, and our Heavenly Father will bless us with these things.

This quote also is full of good information.  I'll highlight the lines that I thought about the most.

"It contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime study. No one has yet mastered it."

*I like how this plainly states that we could spend a lifetime studying just these seven verses, and never get all the information possible out of it.  It helps me to know that I must ALWAYS be studying so that I can continue learning.  Not just in this scripture, but in all scriptures.  There are always different messages to get out of the same passages that we've read again and again. 

"It was... to be of benefit to all who desire to embark in the service of God."

I have never really had the desire to serve a full time mission for the LDS church, but this passage of scripture along with the quote has kindled a desire within me.  I like how it is specifially for the benefit of those who desire to serve.  There are many who have that desire, and this is a good section to turn to to know that if they honestly have that desire, a way will be provided for them to serve.  

"Perhaps there is no other revelation in all our scriptures that embodies greater instruction... in such condensed form than this revelation."

I love this line.  I love how plain and simple it is about the matter of the power in this section of the Doctrine and Covenants.  I believe this quote whole heartedly to be true.  There is SO much to learn from those verses of Section 4.  I know that I certainly learned a lot myself!

I know that this Section was revealed for us in modern days.  I know that it is meant to encourage and help us have the desire to do the work of the Lord.  I know that He gives us revelation to benefit us and that all these things stated in this quote and scripture are true.  I know that we can always continue learning and we should attain the character qualities mentioned in these scriptures.  I know that He will help us if we reach out and ask, and we can become the people that we want to be. I know He is always there.