Doctrine and Covenants- Lesson 1: First Vision

President Gordon B. Hinckley said of Joseph Smith's First Vision of God and Jesus Christ: 

"This transcendent experience opened the marvelous work of restoration. It lifted the curtain on the long-promised dispensation of the fullness of times.

For more than a century and a half, enemies, critics, and some would-be scholars have worn out their lives trying to disprove the validity of that vision. Of course they cannot understand it. The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God. There had been nothing of comparable magnitude since the Son of God walked the earth in mortality. Without it as a foundation stone for our faith and organization, we have nothing. With it, we have everything." (Gordon B. Hinckley,Ensign, November 1984, p. 52; or Conference Report, Oct. 1984, p. 68.)

Jospeh Smith History 1:12-13

Never did any passage of ^ascripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed ^bwisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects ^cunderstood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

 13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in ^adarkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would ^bgive liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

I've read these scriptures over and over many times, especially while on my mission.  However, I never noticed how much time and pondering Joseph Smith put into this verse. He stated how he was filled with the Holy Ghost so intensely when he read the words.  I assumed that those feelings he felt had been sufficient to move him to prompt action to go and pray.  However, he didn't go immediately.  He "reflected on it again and again" and then as he stated twice, he "at length" came to the conclusion to that he must ask God in prayer.  

I have to ask myself, do I ponder like Joseph did.  When I have big and important decisions to make do I search the scriptures for an answer and more importantly do I ponder upon that answer and ask the Lord if there is anything else that he would like me to know.  

One of the ways that I do ponder things is by writing them down (thus the blog).  I can't deny that more than once in my life I have been described as being "flighty"--not exactly a compliment.  But it's true, I've always had a hard time collecting my thoughts and slowing down my racing mind.  But I've learned in life that when I have to write it down it helps to slow down my mind and finish a thought before moving onto the next.  I feel like writing has really helped me to think more clearly.  

Doctrine & Covenants-Lesson 1 cont'd

We read in Joseph Smith History that as Joseph knelt to pray, before he saw the vision, Satan tried to destroy him.  
Matt 4:5-10

5 ^aThen the devil taketh him up into the ^bholy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

 6 ^aAnd saith unto him, ^bIf thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not ^atemptthe Lord thy God.

 8 ^aAgain, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the ^bkingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

 9 ^aAnd saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, ^aSatan: for it is written, Thou shalt ^bworship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 11 Then the devil leaveth him, ^aand, behold, ^bangels came and ministered unto him.

Moses 1:19-22

19 And now, when Moses had said these words, ^aSatan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the ^bOnly Begotten, worship me.

 20 And it came to pass that Moses began to ^afear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of ^bhell. Nevertheless, ^ccalling upon God, he received ^dstrength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of ^eglory.

 21 And now Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook; and Moses received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only Begotten, ^adepart hence, ^bSatan.

Doctrine and Covenants-Lesson 1 Day 3

The Doctrine and Covenants is a unique volume of scripture.  It was not translated but was given in the language of the prophet who received it.  It also is unique because it is not a closed book. The most recent revelation that was added to the book was received in 1978.  It is definitely scripture for our day.

Doctrine & Covenants Lesson 1 Day 2

There was a quote in the lesson that stated that we in our day and time are situated differently than any other time and therefore the revelations received in the Old and New Testament are not specific to our circumstances.  We need current revelation to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord. Just like God sent prophets to the people to prepare them for Christ's birth on the earth.

What is Revelation:
"revelation signifies the making known of divine truth by communication from the heavens" (Articles of Faith, pp. 296–313)

Doctrine & Covenants Lesson 1

Notes and Comments: 

From the Introduction of the Doctrine and Covenants: 

" However, the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an ancient document, but is of modern origin and was given of God through his chosen prophets for the restoration of his holy work and the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these days. "

I don't know if I ever paid attention to the differences between the other scriptures and this unique book.  This next quote pointed out to me how significant the D & C is for us. 

"In the revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of the fullness of times; and the work that is initiated herein is preparatory to his second coming, in fulfillment of and in concert with the words of all the holy prophets since the world began."

Much of other scripture testifies of Christ and speaks of Him coming to the earth the first time.  While we learn from His teachings and the patterns in the scriptures.  The D & C is specific to the Second Coming of the Lord.  I guess I could liken it to Samuel the Lamanite standing on the wall calling us to prepare for the coming of the Lord.  

New Year's Resolutions

Last year's New Year's Resolution was simple--attend the temple once every month.  I think I made it 10 out of 12.  So it will remain as a goal for this year too.

Last year our Stake's theme was to Invite-Invite friends and neighbors who are not members of the church into our homes for dinner or dessert just to be more friendly and more neighborly.  Sometimes we get stuck with only hanging out with our Mormon friends and we need to be better neighbors.  Although this theme has concluded and they will choose a new one for this new year, I would like to continue this as a goal of mine for 2013 because I love the impact it had in 2012.

I also just found through Pinterest and signed up for the Free Online Course for the Doctrine and Covenants through BYU's Independent Study.  There are a lot of free courses listed, I was actually looking for Spanish, but they didn't have it.  As I mentioned in my previous posting that this is a time for me to "become more acquainted with God."  And January's Ensign message from the First Presidency showed me where to begin.  Elder Eyring speaks of the Voice of the Lord and points to the Doctrine and Covenants as a excellent example to learn the Voice of the Lord.  I am hoping that as I study the Doctrine and Covenants I will have that spiritual nourishment that I need to compensate for not getting much out of church in Spanish and in addition I will learn more about personal revelation and becoming more acquainted my Lord.

 So to sum up, my resolutions for 2013 are:
1) Attend Temple once a month
2) Invite Friends and Neighbors into our home
3) Complete the Doctrine and Covenants online course

Here's to 2013. May it be better than 2012.

Christmas Blessings

This year for Christmas we traveled to see my family. Unfortunately we all got a nasty virus which lasted the entire time we were there. While laying on the couch trying to keep warm from the chills from my fever, I could hear the TV in the background left on from the mornings Mormon Tabernacle Choir program my parents like to listen to. Though on "vacation", the trials in my life were still very present and on my mind. Although I was too tired to turn and watch the TV program I found myself listening intently. They were speaking of the Mormon pioneers, specifically the Willie/Martin Handcart companies. This peaked my interest because our family has ancestors that walked in the Martin Handcart company and I have been reading and thinking about them a lot over the last year or so. I watched the movie "17 Miracles" and I felt like I had a better understanding of what those pioneers endured, but my curiosity was also peaked and I wanted to know more. I also had an ancestor, Samuel Miles, who was in the Mormon Battalion. When I was reading some information I had on him I was very impressed by his life and accomplishments. I read one writing that cited his funeral and all the people that attended and the things said. It was clear this was a great man. But as I tried to find information about his posterity,especially my line, there was little to be found and in what was found, there was little to be said. Now maybe there is more to the story and I'm just really bad at research, but I still wondered how a man could be so wonderful and great and then within a few generations have things be very different. And as I look at my ancestry I want to be like Samuel Miles, but still identify with the rest of the bunch that weren't quite so accomplished. Where do I fit in in this picture.

 So these were some of the thoughts that had been in my head as of late when I found myself intently listening to the tv show. They shared a story of a man who had walked in the Martin Handcart Company who made a statement in Sunday School when he was much older. I had heard this story before, but found a pertinent application in my life right now. The other class members had been criticizing the handcart leaders when this man stood and informed them that they knew nothing of what they were talking about. He went on to state that he didn't regret making the trek or the extreme trials he had had to endure. He told them that in their deprivation they "became acquainted with God." This phrase that they "became acquainted with God." spoke to me that this was one of the reasons for the trials I have been facing. Through all this the Lord wants me to become acquainted with Him. I always find myself in the pattern of forgetting to be diligent in my prayers and scriptures and then I find myself trying to do it on my own and then find myself not where I want to be or where the Lord wants me to be. 

Once again, the answer is simple--put forth a concious effort of reading daily and praying and then the guidance will come. My mom made a simple observation while we were having a conversation. She said that if we don't pray first thing in the morning then we won't be able to receive those blessings that the Lord has for us that day. This kindof hit me, since some days I would think the days not over yet, I can still read my scriptures and say my prayers before I go to bed. And while this method is getting it done, if I look at life through my mom's observation then I will be missing all the help I am in desperate need of. Since the kids and I had been so sick, I asked my dad and husband to give us each a Priesthood Blessing. In the blessing I received, I was told to pray and the things I was in need of I would be given. With my mom's comment I realized how necessary it was for me to make sure that the first thing I did each day was pray. I began to pray as soon as I could after waking each day and then one morning I prayed specifically for something that we needed and throughout the morning things fell into place so smoothly it was clear the Lord's hand had orchestrated it all. It reconfirmed in my heart that the Lord does know me and my family and what we are in need of. I just need to turn to Him and put Him first in my life.