Doctrine and Covenants 6-9, 11-13

I love that in the scriptures we can find clear answers as to what we should and should not do. In most of these sections in the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith recieved revelation for himself, Oliver Cowdery, and Hyrum Smith.
They are as simple as if you do this...then this will happen.
I found several in these chapters.
In Chapter six there were a lot. In verse five it says, "if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you". It is clear as to what we must do in order to get what we want.
In verse seven it says to seek for wisdom rather than riches and the mysteries of God will be unfolded unto us and then we will be made rich meaning that we will have eternal life.
The Lord is speaking to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in verse thirty saying, "And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory". They will still be blessed for their doings even if they are harmed by others.
Verse 33 says, "Fear not to do good....if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward". Do good and good things will come to you!
Verse thirteen is awesome. It says, "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God;" How could you not want this? And how could it be so hard to do this if you really want the reward? It tells you exactly what you must do in order to be saved in the kingdom of God.
Oh my favorite is verse 8 in section 9. "....study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." Verse nince goes on to say, "But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong;"
This is great for decision making. I have had to go to the Lord for help and ask if what I wanted to do was right. I have learned that I must think it through before I go to him. Have a plan to propose to Him. Major decisions like where to go to school, who to marry, and much more ask for the help of the Lord if you want to make sure you are making the right decision. I have prayed and asked the Lord if I was doing the right thing. I immediately felt that feeling that the scripture describes. I felt that burning. I felt at peace with the decision.
The Lord is here to help and guide us. He tells us what to do and what our reward will be if we follow his instructions and have faith. I love knowing that the Lord loves me and is here to direct me. I trust him completely. He knows all and we must listen to the Lord. Go to Him if you need answers and comfort. We are all children of God and He loves each one of us.

Doctrine and Covenants 3

            One-hundred and eighty-three years ago to this day, Joseph Smith was given a gift which he had once lost. The Lord chose Joseph to translate the golden plates. He did not go about this on his own. He had some assistance from trusted people. There were also witnesses. Martin Harris was one of the witnesses and helped Joseph in his work.

Martin Harris really wanted to share what he had witnessed to his family. He asked Joseph if he could take the manuscript from the Book of Lehi which he scribed for to show his wife and others so that they could see the work that they are doing. Joseph knew that he was to not show anybody else but those whom the Lord had instructed to.

Doctrine and Covenants 3:5

Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.

Joseph wanted to help his friend out and so he went to the Lord and asked if Martin could show his family the manuscript. The Lord replied “No”. Joseph told Martin what the Lord said but he was not pleased. Martin asked Joseph to ask the Lord again. Joseph did and the Lord gave the same answer. Martin was still not pleased with this answer and asked Joseph to ask one more time. This time though when Joseph asked the Lord, the Lord said yes but Martin was only to show his brother, Preserved Harris, his own wife, his father and his mother, and a Mrs. Cobb, a sister to his wife. Martin was finally pleased and went to show his family. He then showed his friends who were curious about the manuscript even though he knew it was against what he was allowed. He kept the manuscript in his drawer. When it was time to return them to Joseph he could not find them anywhere. He was ashamed of himself and went before the Smith’s with his head held low.

Joseph’s mother, Lucy Smith recorded the incident that occurred at her house.

Mr. Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out in a tone of deep anguish, "Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!"

Joseph who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?"

"Yes; it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where."

"Oh, my God!" said Joseph, clinching his hands. "All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned—it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually.

At length he told Martin to go back and search again.

"No"; said Martin, "it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pillows; and I know it is not there."

"Then must I," said Joseph, "return with such a tale as this? I dare not do it. And how shall I appear before the Lord? Of what rebuke am I not worthy from the angel of the Most High?"

Also during this time Joseph and Emma lost their first baby. Emma was so sad that they had lost their first child, Joseph was worried about her. All of this and hearing that Martin had lost the manuscript was just too much for him.

Joseph said to his mother a few months after leaving her home that day, “"On leaving you," said Joseph, "I returned immediately home. Soon after my arrival, I commenced humbling myself in mighty prayer before the Lord, and, as I was pouring out my soul in supplication to God, that if possible I might obtain mercy at his hands and be forgiven of all that I had done contrary to his will, an angel stood before me, and answered me, saying, that I had sinned in delivering the manuscript into the hands of a wicked man, and, as I had ventured to become responsible for his faithfulness, I would of necessity have to suffer the consequences of his indiscretion, and I must now give up the Urim and Thummim into his (the angel's) hands.

"This I did as I was directed, and as I handed them to him, he remarked, 'If you are very humble and penitent, it may be you will receive them again; if so, it will be on the twenty-second of next September.'"

Doctrine and Covenants 3:10

But remember, God is merciful; therefore repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work;

"After the angel left me," said he, "I continued my supplications to God, without cessation, and on the twenty-second of September, I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the Urim and Thummim, with which I have again commenced translating, and Emma writes for me, but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and I trust his promise will be verified. The angel seemed pleased with me when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim, and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility."

Joseph knew that he had sinned and disobeyed the Lord. He knew this the moment he left his home and went about searching for Martin. He should have listened to the Lord the first time. He then repented for he knew he had done wrong. After his repentance he was able to have the gift of translating once again and continue the work to share to the world. The Book of Mormon.





Surf the Web

We finally got internet!!!!! Thank goodness. I get so bored while Drew is at work and only get three channels. My world is changing! ;)
I can now......

•  blog
• facebook
• check email
• do homework (once school starts)
• spend hours looking at things I want to buy
• watch TV shows like teen mom glee
• skype
• check flights to visit home
• netflix
• look up recipes
• google stuff

The list is just endless. hehe.