Being Prepared to Die

The most poignant lesson I learned this week came from an interview on the podcast "Follow Him" with Dr. S. Michael Wilcox. He taught that D&C 135 teaches us principles about how we can be ready to die whenever we are called back to our heavenly home. Here are some of the principles he taught from section 135.

-we want to die loving others, having shown loyalty in our relationships (v. 3)

-we want to die feeling “calm as a summer’s morning” (v. 4)

-we want to die having “a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men.” (v. 4)

-we want to “die innocent” (v. 4), which means we die having given our best effort in building the Kingdom of God.

-we want to die with a desire to continue serving in God's kingdom on earth (Joseph Smith papers)

-we want to die having the scriptures close to our hearts (Hyrum’s example, v. 4)

-we want to die knowing that we have been faithful regardless of whether or not people have shown charity towards us (v. 5)

-we want to die knowing that we haven’t spotted Christ’s garments with our blood (v. 5). We want to have played a part in being a solution to the world’s problems. 

-we want to die understanding the law of sacrifice (A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, Hymn 29, sung by John Taylor in Carthage Jail, at the request of Joseph Smith)

I loved reading these verses and having my eyes opened to another perspective of what it means to live; to understand that we are living our lives in such a way that we are prepared to die. He (Bro. Wilcox) also shared lessons we can learn by studying the death of Jesus Christ: He died while offering forgiveness to others, comforting others, and in obedience to His Father. What a powerful way to learn about life as we look closely at how these great men died.

Zion vs Babylon

Doctrine and Covenants 133 repeatedly refers to the Savior's second coming and teaches us how we can best prepare for that event. The most repeated admonition for this preparation is to "Go ye out from Babylon", repeated three times (vs 5,7,14) and "Go ye forth unto the land of Zion" (vs 9,12).  It’s a real challenge to be growing up and raising our families in Babylon and at the same time trying to keep our hearts in Zion. So what does getting out of Babylon and heading to Zion look like in our day?

Zion vs Babylon is another way of looking at light vs darkness or good vs evil. Babylon is the symbol of a wicked world and Zion is Christ’s kingdom here upon the earth. I liked the analogy given in the podcast "Unshaken" where the host asked a group of his seminary students to look at the tags on their clothing to see where they were made (i.e. China, Mexico, USA) and then asked them to look again, with their spiritual eyes, to see if they could discern where there clothing was made-and it can only be made in one of two places; either Babylon or Zion. 

We can do this same activity not just with our clothing but also with our choice of  music, movies, language, entertainment, literature, attitude and values. Are we allowing ourselves to be nurtured from sources that come from Babylon or from those that come from Zion? If you only have two options, which category do they fit in? Are they filled with light and truth or darkness and deceit? It’s got to be one or the other. There is no middle ground when we’re talking about the end times. We're either either choosing God or Satan (Matthew 6:24)

Each of us has the opportunity to examine what aspects of our lives are currently in Babylon. What things are making it harder for us to live the gospel? Whatever they are, we are instructed to "go ye out from Babylon" and don't look back (v 14-15). Choose to come to the land of Zion. I loved this quote by Pres. Nelson given this past October 2021 General Conference. He said: "If most of the information you get comes from social or other media, your ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit will be diminished. If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. Even Saints who are otherwise faithful can be derailed by the steady beat of Babylon’s band. (emphasis added) My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always." (Make Time for the Lord)

As each of us puts in the effort to make time for the Lord, I know that the Holy Ghost will be able to show us what we need to do to leave Babylon behind and come more fully into Zion.

Understanding more about plural marriage

Doctrine and Covenants 132 starts off with the Lord answering one of Joseph Smith's questions: how were the Old Testament prophets Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Solomon justified in having many wives and concubines? This question was most likely asked by Joseph back in 1831 (see section 132 heading) while he was working on the translation of the bible and after he had just translated the Book of Mormon and received revelations (also in 1831) regarding the laws of marriage (Jacob 2:27, D&C 42:22, D&C 49:16). Joseph was obviously confused about how the Lord could approve of this practice with the Old Testament prophets while at the same time revealing to Joseph the laws of marriage.

In order to answer Joseph's question, the Lord begins by revealing more information regarding the law of celestial marriage (132: 4-33). This answer seems to be giving Joseph a "big picture" understanding of the law of celestial marriage before the Lord reveals the one exception to this law that only He is authorized to make (132:35).

Not only does God have to authorize the exception to the rule (because He is the author of the rule), but there are also some other guiding principles that need to be followed...

1. ideally, you will have your wife's consent (132:34, 61)
2. this is not a "free-for-all" (132:39)
3. this is an act of worthiness, virtue and chastity (132: 40-44)
4. you have to be invited by the prophet to participate (132:48)

And what are some the reasons that God would give this commandment?

1. there has to be a restoration of all things (v. 40, 45)
2. to give Joseph and the other saints an Abrahamic test (v. 50)
3. to multiply and replenish the earth (v. 63) 
4. to help fulfill the promise of exaltation for all of God's children (v. 63)

“Plural marriage was more about spirituality than sexuality and more about religion than romance” (Jared Halverson, Unshaken Podcast). It was about faith, family, and caring as well as making sure everyone was connected to the House of Israel. It was intended to raise a faithful population of Latter-day Saints. I am a descendent of one of these first faithful men who was asked by the prophet Joseph Smith to live the law of plural marriage.  His name was Thomas Grover and he was called to be in the first high council in Nauvoo (D&C 124:132). He married his first plural wife in Nauvoo in 1844, one year after Joseph received section 132.  Learning that the commandment to practice plural marriage was only extended to a few faithful men and women of the church makes me more fully appreciate my heritage and the part my ancestors played in fulfilling this difficult commandment of God.

To learn more about plural marriage I would highly recommended listening to Unshaken D&C 132 and reading Gospel Topic Essays on Plural Marriage. I found both of these resources extremely helpful in my study of D&C 132 this week.

Enthusiasm for temple work

After studying D&C 128 this week I have a renewed energy and excitement about temple work!

This revelation/letter was written by Joseph Smith while he was in hiding from his enemies (127:1), and you would never know the frustrating circumstances he finds himself in simply by reading the exalting statements he writes at the end of his letter (128:19-25). His prose is filled with words like "joy", "gladness", "singing", and "glorious" along with multiple exclamation points! Despite his current living conditions this man is feeling optimistic and hopeful. So what is the topic that’s leading to his positive state of mind? Temple work! (128:1)

Who else do we see and hear from regularly who also exudes this striking positivity amidst a world going through frustrating circumstances and trials? President Nelson. And what do his messages focus on? The importance of temple work.

So, if we find ourselves worried, anxious and concerned about the frustrating circumstances and trials in our lives, what can we do to bring more peace and hope into our lives? Focus on the temple.

As we focus on the temple and the saving ordinances that happen within those walls, our perspective on life will be elevated to a higher level of hope and peace as well as increased understanding of God’s will and His timing in our lives.

Pres. Nelson has recently taught: "Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater. I plead with you to take a prayerful look at how you spend your time. Invest time in your future and in that of your family. If you have reasonable access to a temple, I urge you to find a way to make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy. I promise you that the Lord will bring the miracles He knows you need as you make sacrifices to serve and worship in His temples.” (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints) I know that just like Joseph Smith and Pres. Nelson rejoice even amidst trials, so can we as we keep our focus on the temple. As we help in the work of binding all of God's children together he will bless us with an eternal perspective that will give us peace, hope, and joy in this life.

Two Houses

There are two houses talked about in D&C 124. The temple (v 27) and the Nauvoo House (v 60). I liked the question in the Come, Follow Me manual that asks “What impresses you about the Lord’s instructions to build a ‘house for boarding’? Ponder how these instructions apply to you and your home”.

The purpose the Lord had for the Nauvoo House can be likened to our own homes and what we can be doing within the walls of our homes to prepare those within our homes to enter the temple-either for the first time, or returning for the 100th time. These principles can be a constant focus in our homes; in our own personal Nauvoo Houses.

• let our homes be good; a delightful habitation (v 23, 60) How do we welcome people into our homes?
• let our homes be a resting-place; a place where weary travelers may find health and safety (v 23, 60). I like to think of these weary travelers as my husband and children coming home after long, hard days out in the chaos and confusion of the world. Do they find a place of healing and safety when they enter our home?
• let our homes be a place where people can contemplate the word of the Lord. (v 23, 60). Are our homes places where questions can be asked and answers found?  Is it a space where the things of heaven can be pondered?
• let our homes be a place of healthful habitation (v 24). Are we taking care of temporal needs in order to facilitate spiritual growth?
• do not allow our homes to suffer any pollution to come upon them (v 24). Are we being careful to the kinds of media we allow into our homes through our phones, computers, televisions, music and other devices?
• let our homes be a place where we can receive counsel from the watchmen upon the walls (v 61). Are we teaching the words of the prophets in our homes? Are we following their counsel?

As we do these things, the promise is that our homes shall be holy; a place where the the Lord will dwell (v 24). These promises sound a lot like the promises associated with the temple. And at a time when its harder to get to the temple on a more regular basis, it's so important that we do our best to create that temple-like atmosphere in our homes. 

Liberty Jail

What I realized this week while studying D&C 121-123 is that these three sections are excerpts from a letter that Joseph Smith wrote to the members of the church while he was imprisoned at Liberty Jail. While Joseph was enduring one of the most difficult challenges he'd ever faced, the Lord provided him with some counsel that can help all of us when we also experience challenging times in our lives. That counsel was...

peace: "My Son, peace be unto thy soul" (121:7)

perspective: "thine afflictions shall be but a small moment" (121:7)

promises: "if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high" (121:8) 

justice: "thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (121:8)

friends: "thy friends do stand by thee" (121:9)

knowledge:  "God shall give you knowledge by his Holy Spirit" (121:26)

As we take this counsel into our lives, we can more easily find hope during the hard seasons of our lives and we can try to become better because of our trials and not bitter because of them. Hardships and unfairness happen to the best of all of us. Even though Liberty Jail was not an enjoyable experience for Joseph Smith, it was a refining experience for him. And hard experiences can do the same thing for us. 

What's in a name?

By 1838, the church was in need of a fresh start. "During the final months of 1837, apostasy began to affect the Church in Kirtland. Many Latter-day Saints were disillusioned by heavy financial losses...and began to reject the Prophet's temporal and spiritual leadership. Among the dissenters were several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Seventies, as well as the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon...as a result of this widespread apostasy and threats of violence, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received divine instructions to abandon their labors in Kirtland and flee to Far West, Missouri "(Revelations in Context) 

Once they arrived in Far West, Joseph Smith received D&C 115. In this revelation, the Lord tells Joseph Smith what the official name of the church will be. The church had been officially organized for eight years now, but up until this point there had been several different names used to identify members of the church. I like the symbolism here that when the church was eight years old it was given a new name; a fresh start; a rebirth; a new beginning. When we are eight years old we are given the opportunity to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through our baptismal covenant. It becomes a fresh start, a rebirth, and new beginning for us. 

Not only is having a new name important, but perhaps more important is what we do with that name. In D&C 117:11, the Lord reminds Newel K. Whitney to "be a bishop...not in name (only) but in deed." This serves as a good reminder for us as well; that as we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, our deeds need to be a reflection of His name and serve as a profile of one who is a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's a good reminder that as we take upon ourselves His name then it's important that we try our best to reflect his teachings and attributes in order to give honor to His name.