Lesson 24: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind"

Lesson 24: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind"

Doctrine & Covenants, Sections 63, 64, and 65

Section 63

'Joseph Smith’s history describes this revelation: “In these infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation; and as the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in view, I enquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saints, and the purchase of the land, and other matters.”'  (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/63?lang=eng)

The Prophet Joseph Smith further stated, "“We know not what we shall be called to pass through before Zion is delivered and established; therefore, we have great need to live near to God, and always be in strict obedience to all His commandments, that we may have a conscience void of offense toward God and man” (Teachings, p. 32)." (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-63-for-this-is-a-day-of-warning-and-not-a-day-of-many-words?lang=eng)

Why, do you suppose, in response to Joseph's inquiry for information about Zion, did he receive instruction on the link between faith and signs?  (See vv 9-11)  What is the link between faith and signs?  Why does that order hold instead of the other way around?

What is the reward for enduring in faith?  (See v. 20)  What is faithful endurance?  How may we endure more faithfully?

In v.24 the Lord counsels against a hasty gathering which would lead to confusion which would bring pestilence.  What sort of pestilence might this be?

From the Student Manual:

"President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that land in Zion was to be purchased. “This fact was taught the early members. They were warned against creating antagonism among their neighbors, many of whom were extremely bitter towards the members of the Church. The Lord said the land could not be obtained by the shedding of blood. Those who had the privilege of assembling there should not go up to Zion in haste, but gradually. The reason for this advice is apparent, for haste would lead to confusion, unsatisfactory conditions and pestilence, and then, also, it creates consternation and fear in the hearts of their enemies and arouses greater opposition. Satan desired to destroy them and in his anger endeavored to stir them up to strife and contention as well as the older settlers in Missouri.” (Church History and Modern Revelation,1:232.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-63-for-this-is-a-day-of-warning-and-not-a-day-of-many-words?lang=eng)

What is the promise guaranteed to the faithful endurer in v.47?

William Barclay opined that "Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory."  How can faithful endurance assist in that transformation?  

In verse 54, we are informed that until the hour of the second coming, there will be "foolish virgins among the wise."  What does it mean to have foolish virgins among the wise?  What may we do to ensure we are counted among the wise rather than the foolish?

James E. Talmage

What advice for how we may recognize and should treat sacred things is given in v.64?

From the Student Manual:
D&C 63:61–64. “Let All Men Beware How They Take My Name in Their Lips”
   "To take the name of the Lord in vain is often thought of only as profanity. Elder James E. Talmage offered a broader definition:
   “1. We may take the name of God in vain by profane speech.
   “2. We take it in vain when we swear falsely, not being true to our oaths and promises.
   “3. We take it in vain in a blasphemous sense when we presume to speak in that name without authority.
   “4. And we take his name in vain whenever we wilfully do aught that is in defiance of his commandments, since we have taken his name upon ourselves.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1931, pp. 53.) (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-63-for-this-is-a-day-of-warning-and-not-a-day-of-many-words?lang=eng)

Section 64

What correlation may be drawn between D&C 64:3 and Moses 1:39?

Verses 9-11 are included within the Scripture Mastery list for Seminary students.  Why do you feel it might be important for the Youth to know this particular section of scripture?  What stands out to you?

Elder Marion D. Hanks

From the Student Manual:

"Elder Marion D. Hanks spoke about the importance of forgiving others:
   “Someone has written: ‘… the withholding of love is the negation of the spirit of Christ, the proof that we never knew him, that for us he lived in vain. It means that he suggested nothing in all our thoughts, that we were not once near enough to him to be seized with the spell of his compassion for the world.’ …
   “What is our response when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against, made an offender for a word, falsely accused, passed over, hurt by those we love, our offerings rejected? Do we resent, become bitter, hold a grudge? Or do we resolve the problem if we can, forgive, and rid ourselves of the burden?
   “The nature of our response to such situations may well determine the nature and quality of our lives, here and eternally. …
   “But not only our eternal salvation depends upon our willingness and capacity to forgive wrongs committed against us. Our joy and satisfaction in this life, and our true freedom, depend upon our doing so. When Christ bade us turn the other cheek, walk the second mile, give our cloak to him who takes our coat, was it to be chiefly out of consideration for the bully, the brute, the thief? Or was it to relieve the one aggrieved of the destructive burden that resentment and anger lay upon us?
   “Paul wrote to the Romans that nothing ‘shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:39.)
   “I am sure this is true. I bear testimony that this is true. But it is also true that we can separate ourselves from his spirit. …
   “In every case of sin this is true. Envy, arrogance, unrighteous dominion—these canker the soul of one who is guilty of them. It is true also if we fail to forgive. Even if it appears that another may be deserving of our resentment or hatred, none of us can afford to pay the price of resenting or hating, because of what it does to us. If we have felt the gnawing, mordant inroads of these emotions, we know the harm we suffer. …
   “It is reported that President Brigham Young once said that he who takes offense when no

Brigham Young

offense was intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense was intended is usually a fool. It was then explained that there are two courses of action to follow when one is bitten by a rattlesnake. One may, in anger, fear, or vengefulness, pursue the creature and kill it. Or he may make full haste to get the venom out of his system. If we pursue the latter course we will likely survive, but if we attempt to follow the former, we may not be around long enough to finish it.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1973, pp. 15–16; Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 20–21.)  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-64-of-you-it-is-required-to-forgive-all-men?lang=eng)

D&C 64:23 used to be a Scripture Mastery Scripture as well.

From the Student Manual:

   “So near is the consummation that the intervening period is called ‘today’; and, in applying this time designation in the year 1831, the Lord said: [D&C 64:23–25].
   “… Only through watchfulness and prayer may the signs of the times be correctly interpreted and the imminence of the Lord’s appearing be apprehended. To the unwatchful and the wicked the event will be as sudden and unexpected as the coming of a thief in the night. But we are not left without definite information as to precedent signs.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ,pp. 785–86.)  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-64-of-you-it-is-required-to-forgive-all-men?lang=eng)

Does faith require action?  (See v.25)

V.33 enjoins us to "be not weary in well-doing."  What may we do to do well without becoming weary?

V.34 lists the requirements to secure entry into Zion. What are these?  What do they mean?

What onus comes upon those who then dwell in/as Zion?  (See v.42)

Section 65

How did Joseph Smith designate this particular section?  (See section heading)  Why do you suppose he used that particular descriptor?

Vv 4-5 appear somewhat psalmic in their structure.  We get the word Psalm from the Greek ψαλμοί (psalmoi), meaning music or to sing.  In Hebrew, the Psalms are תהילים (Tehillim), meaning praises.  Do you know of any hymns that might relate to the content of Section 65?  What might those be?  How do they relate?  Are prayer and song linked?  If so, when and how?