The second half of the Section 1 is the clincher to the first half. I think the theme of first half is the displeasure God felt with his children. due to verses 3,7, 10, and 12. The theme of the second half is about Gaining Knowledge and Learning through Repentance.
Just as a quick side note, does anyone know what verse 26 is about? I cannot seem to get my mind around it!
The first thing that was brought to my attention was verse 28 which states: “And in as much as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.” Everyone knows the phrase “you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” This goes hand in hand with the fact that you cannot learn unless you have the desire to do so. In order to learn, one must first humble themselves and make themselves teachable in order to feel the promptings of the Spirit.
Verses 29 and 30 places Joseph Smith Jr as Prophet. Because he adhered to the counsel and commandments of the Lord he was given the powers of Heaven and the keys to do the following:
Lay down the foundation of the church.
Bring it out of “obscurity” and out of darkness.
It continues that this is the Restored true church in which the Lord is well pleased. Also He is speaking to the church individually and as a whole.
Verses 31-33 makes it quite clear that the Lord does not tolerate sin. Verse 31 states: “For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” Thus all manner of sin is offensive to God.
We do have a saving grace, however. For verse 32 continues: “Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.” When we repent of our sins and we forsake them, as far as God is concerned it never happened. This requires us to confess our sins with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. This also helps us gain a great sense of humility and opens our hearts to the teachings of the Lord.
When we are baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are then confirmed and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. This means we have that constant companionship for the rest of our days on one condition: We have to be worthy of Him. Verse 33 warns: “He that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.” When we lose the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we can regain the presence after repentance and prayer.
The Lord promises us in verse 34 that He is willing to teach those who have a sincere desire to learn and continues by warning us that we are in the latter days and we need to prepare for the war ahead with Satan.
I found verse 36 to be quite interesting. “And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world. “ I could use some insight on this one. What reference does Idumea serve?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idumea
I think the last three verses of Section 1 and will close my post with these words of promise:
37: Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
38: What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
39: For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen.
ke7ejx.
BYUtv - Discussions on the Doctrine and Covenants: A Voice of Warning
Hi, Kristyn,
ReplyDeleteRe D&C 1:26 - I take this verse to mean that one of the purposes of the commandments of God - in particular, the revelations contained in this volume - is so that instruction can be provided to all those who are humbly seeking wisdom from God.
Re D&C 1:30 - What does it mean when it talks about the Church's foundation being laid? Didn't that already happen in the former days (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:11)? And what does it mean when it talks about bringing the Church out of obscurity and darkness?
Re D&C 1:32 - If someone repents from their sin and begins to seek to follow God's commandments, at what point can they regard themselves as forgiven? Does it happen only after they reach a certain quota of commandments fulfilled, or is the moment of repentance itself sufficient?
Hi, JB,
ReplyDeleteRe 1:30- That basically covers the Restoration of the Church and bringing it out of Apostasy.
Re 1:32- Forgiveness is obtained the moment of sincere repentance, when we ask for His forgiveness.
I think verse 26 is like your thoughts on verse 28: You can only be instructed if you ask/look for it. And that you reap what you sow--the amount of effort you put forth is proportional to what you receive.
ReplyDeleteI think the reference to Idumea (or Edom) is those that oppose the covenant people. Biblically, the king of Idumea prevented the children of Israel to pass through the land, they later rebelled against the Israelites, and Edomites plundered Jerusalem and murdered Jews. They were rebuked by prophets and the Israelites. So I guess the D&C reference is about those who oppose the saints of the Lord--or the carnal/temporal/material world, as it is clarified in the verse and footnote.