Trusting the Lord

“That which is wrong under one circumstance may be and often is, right under another. … This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophets Joseph Smith, p. 256).

Read the Historical Background in the student manual for Section 132. Then write a sentence or two to explain why Doctrine and Covenants 132:1–33 are more relevant for us today than the remaining verses in the section.

The verses one through thirty are more relevant for us today because they refer to celestial marriage which we strive for and the remaining verses refer to plural marriage which we don’t practice today.

Activity 2.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:7–14 and the student manual commentary for “Doctrine and Covenants 132:7. What Does It Mean to Be ‘Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise’?” (pp. 328–29). Write a paragraph that explains what the Holy Spirit of Promise has to do with marriage and every ordinance in the Church. In your paragraph, also explain what a married couple would need to do to have their marriage “sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.”

The Holy Spirit knows all things. The spirit can only be with us if we are faithful and worthy to have with us. The Holy spirit of promise provides us with the truth meaning that through the Holy Ghost we are able to know what Heavenly Father would want us to do. The Holy Spirit is our companionship and a sealer. “Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is justified by the Spirit, one which is approved by the Lord, one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost. . . .” In a marriage a couple always needs to strive to  have the spirit with them always. With the spirit individuals will know what the lord will want them to do and help their marriage become stronger.

Activity 3.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:15–18. Then write answers for the following:
What is the situation described in Doctrine and Covenants 132:15–17 that would lead to a marriage lasting only for mortality?

If a man and a woman marry each other in this earth without the proper authority (Restored Priesthood; Temple Marriage) then when they die they won’t be married to each other after that. They will become angels in Heaven.

Doctrine and Covenants 132:18 describes a marriage between a man and a woman that, although performed in the temple, “is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world.” Referring to what you learn from this verse, explain the conditions that can keep a temple marriage from being valid for eternity.A marriage needs to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise for it to be valid through Eternity. If no then it wont be.

How does your response to Activity 2 of this assignment help you understand the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 132:18?

For our marriage to last through all eternities we need to make sure that it is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Through that spirit our marriage will be approved by the Lord and we will able to fulfill our purpose and eventually become Gods.

Activity 4. Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–25 and the student manual commentary for “Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–22. How Does an Individual Obtain a Fullness of God’s Glory?” (pp. 329–30). Then write a paragraph that explains in your own words the eternal possibilities that await those who righteously enter into and live according to the “new and everlasting covenant” of eternal marriage.

If we are faithful and enter into the “new and everlasting covenant” of eternal marriage then we will be gods. We will have all power and we shall “be from everlasting to everlasting”. We could have everything that the father has as He has promised, but only if we are faithful to our covenants. We need to have been FULLY REPENTED of all of our sins so we can be Exalted like He has.

Activity 5. 
Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:26–27 and the corresponding entry in the student manual commentary, “Does Marriage in the Temple Assure One of Exaltation, No Matter How One Lives?” (pp. 330–31). Then respond in writing to the following:

Explain how an individual who is keeping his or her temple covenants would feel a greater desire to repent, rather than thinking that the sealing covenant excuses him or her from repentance.
As we attend the Temple frequently and remember the covenants that we have made with the Lord then we will remember to repent so we can be able to partake of the promises that He has given us if we are faithful. Repentance doesn’t come easy. We need to be remind it. By going through the Temple over and over again then we will remember to repent always.

How can these verses provide encouragement to us when we make mistakes, even after having entered into sacred covenants?

Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He wants us to repent so we can learn humility. I love what the 26th verse says, “ and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into exaltation”. to me that is encouraging that although I might commit a sin, if it not murder of innocent blood I can still be forgiven of my sins because Christ already atoned for my sins.

Teach them the Truth

 

 

Task:In this revelation, the Lord called upon Joseph Smith to “make a solemn proclamation of my gospel…to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad” (verses 1-2). At the same time the Prophet was also commanded to build a place of lodging for strangers about which Joseph Smith said, “It is important that the Nauvoo House should be finished, that we may have a suitable place wherein to entertain the great ones of the earth, and teach them the truth” (History of the Church 5:137).
Many times missionaries find that those who are in humble circumstances are most receptive to the gospel, but this call to teach the gospel is specifically to people of prestige and influence. Why do you think the Lord would give this commandment?What other proclamations to the world have been issued? Why do you think it was necessary to issue them?
What do these two directives (the proclamation and the Nauvoo House) suggest to you about the Lord’s desires concerning the gospel?What are the implications for Church members concerning their responsibility towards those who are not LDS?
Can/should this commandment have any personal application for you concerning your interaction with nonmembers? If so, what?

The Lord wants us to preach his Gospel to everyone. I think that it is more difficult for us to preach to those of higher status. Sometimes we are too scared that they will reject what we have to say, but to the Lord our backgrounds don’t matter. He wants us all to have a fair chance to learn about His truth. I also think that they Lord wants those individuals to know the truth so they can use their means to build up Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

The Student Manual says, “Other proclamations concerning the Church, its message and its mission, have been issued from time to time, but this early declaration best exemplifies the Lord’s instruction in the revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants.The Family: A Proclamation to the World is another proclamation that has been givin to us. I believe that Heavenly Father gives us proclamation so we may know how to act during these times. He gives them at a specific time to prepare us and to learn what we need to do and be happy.

I believe that the Lord desires all to receive His word. Heavenly Father Loves all His children and He wants them all to receive the truth. The Story about the Prophet John Taylor reminds me of how important it is to preach the Gospel to all. This is his story:
In 1836 Elder Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, was called to serve a mission to Canada. On his way to Toronto, Canada, “a stranger gave him a letter of introduction to John Taylor, a Methodist lay preacher in Toronto. Taylor was affiliated with a group who believed existing churches did not correspond with New Testament Christianity. For two years this group had met several times a week for the ‘purpose of seeking truth, independent of any sectarian organization.’ In Toronto, Elder Pratt was courteously received by the Taylors, but they were not at first enthusiastic about his message.
“Discouraged at being unable to secure a place to preach, Parley decided to leave Toronto. Before going he stopped at the Taylors to get some of his luggage and to say goodbye. While he was there, Leonora Taylor told her friend Mrs. Isabella Walton about Parley’s problem and said she was sorry he was leaving. ‘He may be a man of God,’ she said. Mrs. Walton replied that she had been inspired by the Spirit to visit the Taylors that morning because she was willing to let Elder Pratt stay at her home and preach. He did so and was eventually invited to attend a meeting of John Taylor’s group, in which John read the New Testament account of Philip’s preaching in Samaria. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘where is our Philip? Where is our receiving the Word with joy, and being baptized when we believed? Where is our Peter and John? Our apostles? Where is our Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands? …’ When Parley was invited to speak, he declared that he had answers to John Taylor’s questions.

For three weeks John Taylor attended Elder Pratt’s meetings, making detailed notes of his sermons and carefully comparing them with the scriptures. Gradually he became convinced that the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. He and his wife, Leonora, were baptized on 9 May 1836
John Taylor was ordained an elder and served faithfully as a missionary. Later he became the third President of the Church.

As members of the Church we have the duty to preach the gospel. We don’t have to serve missions but we can preach in our communities or to our member friends. Sometimes we don’t know that members might be struggling with their testimonies, but we should always share with them what we know to be true. This commandment teaches me not to be afraid. I need to become more in tune with the spirit so I can share the Gospel with those that need to hear what I need to say. We are all pioneers in some way. We have sacrifice many things for this Gospel because we know it is true. We need to share what we know.
Below I have put a video that I think relates to this lesson. 

 

Record keeping!

 The saints during the early days had to go through many trials throughout their lives. They lost children, spouses, land, homes, etc. They sacrificed what they had to help Heavenly Father establish the Gospel on the earth. The saints went through much persecution. The lord commanded them to record that information.  In the D & C manual it said that, “This gathering of information was not to be confined to the deeds committed in Missouri, but should reach out to embrace the wickedness, falsehoods and deeds of those who fought the truth throughout all time.” By keeping those records Heavenly Father has proof of all the wrong doings that individuals have committed to the church and the saints.I think that by keeping the records the saints were able to grow spiritually. Also by them having those records the future generation is able to learn about what they have to go through and sacrifice, so we could have the gospel in our lives. In chapter 123 verse 11 says, “ And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation...”

    The church collects all the records pertaining to its members. They have birth dates, death dates, patriarchal blessings, callings, baptism, marriage, sealing, confirmations dates, etc. They also keep church history, personal history from members, world history, and many other things. I think that it is important for all of us to keep records. We need to be able to learn from where we come from. Heavenly Father Knows everything. But I believe that it is more beneficial for us. We tend to forget many things that happen during our lives. By having our personal records we are able to go back and read what we have written.

    I keep a personal journal and a family blog. In the journal I’m able to write more personal thoughts. But lately I haven’t done very good. I haven’t writing on it in a long time. I used to write everything from boys that I liked, to their nicknames to the birth from my nieces and nephews. As I go back and read it sometimes I laugh at what I’ve said. In some of my post I’m so honest that it embarrassing, but it the truth. I’ve keep that journal since I was eight. As I read those pages, I’m able to see how I’ve grown.  When I read it I think of what my grandchildren are going to think of me. It might be a weird thought, but I want to make sure that I share my experiences, thoughts and beliefs with them through something that I’ve written.In my family blog I’m able to share with family and friends that things that we do. I’m able to share the growth of my daughter. It is so fun to put pictures there and record our experiences. My family loves when I post. They call me every time and tell me how much they miss us and how happy they are for us. I love keeping personal records. Lately I’ve also being keeping records of the growth of my daughter. My parents never recorded my growth. I wished they had, but now I’m doing it for my daughter so she can see when she gets older how different she is. I can't wait to do that with my other children when they come!!!

If you want to view my family blog you can go to:

http://franciscaandjason.blogspot.com/

Our Worthiness to Serve the Lord

Task:Why do we need to continually work on being worthy to fulfill church callings and to help build Zion?  What happens to even the very elect if we withhold our time, talents, and resources?

We need to continually work on being worthy to fulfill church callings because we are always making mistakes. We are not perfect. To help build Zion we need to be and become pure with a contrite spirit. Zion needs people that are clean and pure in heart. As members of the Church, we are example to others. We always need to make sure that we are making the right choices and that we are repenting for those choices that haven’t been good for our lives. Although it is hard to be worthy all the time, the atonement is always there for us. Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but expects us to follow his council and commandment. If we are not worthy members then we aren’t going to be able to build up Zion. It is hard for people to convert to the church when they see individuals ( members of the church) not doing the things that they preach. It is very hard for people to convert to the Gospel when we aren’t worthy. We need to make sure that we are in tune always with the spirit. And that we do the little things that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. As we do this, when bigger things are commanded of us it will be easier for us to follow.

Being worthy when we are fulfilling calling is so important. We are showing our Heavenly Father how much we love Him by being worthy. Worthiness is hard to achieve, but not impossible. One of my friends said this quote the other day and I loved it. “Man is nothing compared to God, yet we mean everything to God.”

As we withhold our time, talents, and resources we become selfish and unwilling to give to others. By being that way we become sour individuals. We have no light. Heavenly Father gave us those gift do we can share them with others. As we cultivate the talents that Heavenly Father gives us, He will be willing to gives us more. If we withhold our time, talents and resources our Heavenly Father is not going to be willing to gives us more. We are not fulfilling our purpose when we do this. I like this quote by President Monson. It says, “ Every woman has been endowed by God with distinctive characteristics, gifts, and talents in order that she may fulfill a specific mission in the eternal plan”. This quote also rates to all of God’s children. We are given talents to fulfill the eternal plan. If we don’t do it than we are not helping Heavenly Father.

Temple

My husband and I on our wedding day

Task: "I invite the Latter-day Saints to look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of your membership. Let us be a temple-attending people." (Howard W. Hunter, Nov. '94, p. 7)
What meaning does the dedicatory prayer invite a Latter-day saint to associate with the structure and worship experiences of a temple?

I love how in section 109 verse 13 of the Doctrine and Covenants says, “And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.” When I read this verse, I pondered what the power that they are talking about was. Many answers came to mind. The first,  was the Spirit. I know that as I enter the doors of the temple, I always find myself calm and worry less. When I enter His house I don’t think about what’s going on out side those doors. I feel very peaceful and calm. I love that feeling and I always get it when I go to the temple. I know that in the Celestial room I feel that power stronger. There I’m able to ponder and know what they Lord wants of me and of my family. My husband and I are able to share that experience together and it is amazing feeling that power as you enter the temple.

I think that as members of the church we need to understand that as we pass through that threshold we come to the Lord’s house. The place that it is closest to Him. He is there and we can feel his spirit. We can feel his love and concern. As we cross that threshold, for me at least, I feel cleaner and more pure doing the Lord’s work. I’m so happy that I can share those experiences with my husband.

I really like how in the dedicatory prayer it talks about “that no unclean things shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it”. It is so important that we keep ourselves clean to enter the house of the lord. I think that with that we also need to work on our physical appearance. When we enter into the house of the Lord we need to be clean physically and mentally. We need to make sure that we wouldn’t be stretching our appearance or the clothes we were to the temple. It is also the same with our thought. We need to be pure in heart and always have the best of feeling. 

The Priesthood

Task: Choice #3 (sections 107):
The priesthood is a power that governs the Lord’s church (the Relief Society is also organized under that power), and priesthood callings call one to perform specific responsibilities of service. How can having the priesthood operating on the earth today magnify your ability and works of service towards others?

The Power of the Priesthood allow us to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this Earth. Through the priesthood, worthy men are able to hold callings that help us know the way of how to return to our Heavenly Father. The Priesthood is on this earth to help others. You can’t use it for selfish reasons. Worthy men are able to service others by giving blessings of comfort and to the sick. Also only through the priesthood, we are able to partake of Covenants. That is a huge serve for all of us. It helps us live a more righteous life, so we can return to our Heavenly Father. 

The priesthood allows all of us to hold certain callings. When we are called to a position in the church, we are willing to give it all for others. Through the Priesthood we are divinely called to perform certain callings that allows us to serve one another. By doing this we learn about who we are and who we are meant to become.
There is a quote By Elder Russell M. Ballard, it says “We need to understand the reason for offices within the Melchizedek Priesthood. Priesthood offices are not status symbols but opportunities for service. High priests and elders are equally responsible to serve faithfully in the offices to which they have been called. All priesthood holders assist our Heavenly Father in accomplishing His divine purpose: ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’” This is why the priesthood is here on this Earth to help bring God’s children unto him, so they can have eternal life.  Elder Ballard continues by saying, “ The priesthood itself cannot be magnified nor diminished. However, one who worthily uses his priesthood in service to others can magnify his calling in the priesthood. All who hold the priesthood of God are joined together in a common bond of service...Each man or boy who holds the priesthood, regardless of his priesthood or his ordained office, is a fellow servant in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is important to realize. We are all fellow servants in the Lord’s work. The Priesthood allows us to serve others. Moreover, as men hold the priesthood worthy in service they will magnify their callings and will be blessed because of it. 

I really like what Elder Ballard said. “From the time one is first ordained to any office in the priesthood, he should be committed to a lifetime of service in the kingdom of God. Young men should be taught by loving and sensitive fathers, bishops, and priesthood advisers that priesthood means service. One of the most meaningful service opportunities you young men will have will be to serve as a full-time missionary.” I love this quote because it teaches me as a wife and mother to make sure that my sons know that the priesthood is a lifetimes of service. When they are ordained immediately they begin that service for the rest of their lives.
 

Zion

Task: Search www.lds.org and find a quote from a modern prophet or apostle concerning Zion or the redemption of Zion. How does this quote help you better understand what the Lord is teaching in these revelations to his Saints? What are the implications for Latter-day Saints today?

“His work includes the building up of Zion in the last days. He has commissioned us to do that work for him. The foundations of Zion have already been laid in North America, in South America, in Europe, in Asia, in the South Pacific, and in every place where there are stakes of Zion. But Zion is not yet perfected in any of these places. When she is perfected, it will be as it was with Zion of old—The Lord will come and dwell with his people.
Our tenth Article of Faith says, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel.” This gathering occurs when the lost sheep of Israel come into the Church. It occurs when their sins are washed away in the waters of baptism so that once again they have power to become pure in heart; and Zion is the pure in heart.”
- Elder Bruce R. McConkie
This quote helps me understand that we all have a part in the building up of Zion. Sometimes personally I forget that I am commissioned to do that work for. I know that sometimes I feel embarrassed to share what I know, and that is not fulfilling what I’m supposed to be doing. I like How Elder Bruce R. McConkie mention that the foundation of Zion has already been establish. Now it is up to us to try to become perfects as Jesus Christ. It is so conforming to hear that as Zion becomes perfect, the Lord will come to dwell with us.

The second part of this quote reminds me of D&C section 101 verses 17 and 18. They say, “ Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion”  I know that I have seen in my life the gathering of Israel. In my family we are all converts to the church. We were lost sheep, but we have come to the knowledge. In my Patriarchal Blessing, it talks about how I’m going to witness the gathering of Israel and that I’ll have the privilege of helping to bring this to pass. I can already see this happening around me and I can’t wait until the Lord comes. In the quote and scriptures talk about how it is so important that we become pure in heart because Zion is pure in heart. We need to be faithful to the covenants and promises that we have made. We need to be clean inside and out so we can help those return and also their prosperity.

Role of the United States

Choice #4 (section 98)
If you are not a citizen of the United States and the member of the United States, or if you are a citizen of the United States, but have lived in another country for a period of time, how do the citizens of other countries feel about the United States role in the restoration of the Gospel? Describe their feelings, and how they relate to section 98.

I was born in Chile and lived there until I was ten. Being a little kid I never really payed attention  to the role that the United States had on the restoration of the Gospel. As I convert to the church I only knew the basics. After my family and I moved to the United States my knowledge of the Restoration increased. I was able to see as I studied the scriptures and the constitution of the United States the role that this country had for restoring of the Gospel to occur.

My dad was called six years ago to be a Spanish Branch President here in the United  States. There, I was able to meet many individuals from around the world and I was able to learn their thoughts and feelings of the Unites States role in the restoration of the Gospel. Many of them view the United States as a place of rescue. They know that this land was where the Gospel needed to be restored. They know that this land is a place of liberty and justice. Those were some things that the land of where the Gospel needed to be restored had to had.
members of the Church from various countries around the world are be grateful for this country and for the opportunity that has brought them to come to the knowledge of this Gospel. Members know that the Unites States provides the liberty to practice religion. In many of their origin countries this doesn’t happen. This testifies to them that the United States was truly chosen from Heavenly Father.

I truly think that their thoughts of the Unites States is so positive because they live here. I know as a little child people in my national country used to joke around that if all the countries of South America combined forces they would take over the United States. I think that many members of other countries don’t know about the United States’ constitution and their history. That changes many people’s perspective and feelings about the people and the laws of the United States.

many are called, but few are Chosen

Task:  choice #4
The Lord says that many have been called and ordained, but few have been chosen. What does it mean to be called and not chosen? After studying the footnotes, what other scriptures can you find that help to explain this principle (e.g. Alma 13)? What do we need to do that we might be chosen of the Lord?

I’ve always wondered about this scripture. I’ve always heard various people’s explanations about it and I have also heard and seen many people that fall away because they have read this scripture and couldn’t understand its meaning. As I was reading the Doctrine and Covenants Manual, I found a great explanation concerning this scripture. . It says, “It is one thing to be called to labor in the vineyard and another to be faithful in the performance of that work. Only those who faithfully fill their callings are chosen by the Lord for exaltation in the kingdom of God. Those who are called but not chosen “have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day” (D&C 95:6), for they do not respond to the light of the restored gospel that surrounds them (see also D&C 121:34–40).
  I believe that this is very powerful. Many of us have had various callings from the Heavenly Father, but we haven’t perform our duties the ways that we should had. I think that not performing our duties to the fullest has become a huge issue now days. Many of us don’t have enough time to fully fulfill our duties in the Church. Sometime we get too caught up with school and work rather than spending time at church fulfilling our callings. It is important that we remember to be faithful to the Callings that Heavenly Father has given us. He knows that we can do. That is why He have it to us.
  I really like what it is found in Alma chapter 13 verse three. It says, “ And this is the manner after they which they were ordained- being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God...” For me this scripture was a reminder that I already knew what my callings were in the preexistence and that Heavenly Father had already prepared me for them. It is so comforting to know that.
  As members of the church we have many advantages compared to others concerning the topic of being chosen from the Lord. I think that what we can do to make sure that we are chosen is to listen to the counsel of the spirit and of the Prophet. I also think that as we are called to various positions we need to always perform our best to our ability. We need to trust Heavenly Father and be in tune with his Spirit. Lastly, I think that praying and reading the Scriptures will bring us closer to him. That will help us become more aware of our duties as member of His church.

Temples

Task: Choice #5 (sections 88:119):

The Lord governs by law and order; through them he is able to save and sanctify us. Take some time to thoughtfully study verse 119 and its footnotes. Then answer the following questions:

• What is the Lord wanting his people to establish for him?
• What do each of the adjectives listed tell us about the Lord's house; why are they important in accomplishing the Lord's plan for mankind?
• Why is such a house important to you personally?

I remember when I was little I had to give a little talk in primary about this scripture. My mom and I made a poster and pasted pictures of temples around the world. I remember loving doing that talk and I also got memorize that scripture. When I was little a viewed that scripture differently than I do now. At that time of my life I didn’t understand all the things that happened in the house of the Lord. I just thought that it was a beautiful place and that one day I will like to get married there. I also knew that you didn’t wear street clothes inside the Temple. I remember my mom telling me that when we got sealed together that I was wearing a beautiful white dress. I was a baby so I didn’t remember. Now my view and knowledge of the Temple has increased. Now that I’m married, am able to see beyond what I was able to see before. I understand the Covenants made there and the promises of those covenants. When I went through the Temple for the first time, I wasn’t expecting it to be the way it is. But now, I understand why certain things are preformed and why.

In this scripture the Lords wants us to establish a house for Him. The Temple. This is a place where His Spirit will dwell. I always remember my mom say that our home needs to be like a Temple when it was messy. She said that it will be embarrassing if the Lord were to come today and our house would be the way that it was. This scripture definitely agrees with what my mom used to say. The Temple is a house of order and so do our houses need to be. Moreover our homes, like the Temple, needs to be a place of prayer, fasting, faith, and learning. These adjectives are important for Heavenly Father’s plan because it tells us by the Standards that we need to live by.  The Temple is the closest place to Heaven. If we want to live with Heavenly Father we need to live by these adjectives. The Temple to me is a very special place. Sometimes I find myself noticing that I don’t but it as a priority. I know I should. The ordinances of the Temple are essential for our eternal salvation. We need to go often. Also the promises made there are so beautiful that anyone that takes part of those covenants wouldn’t want to do anything to lose the promises made by the Lord.

Doctrine and Covenants: missionary opportunity

Prompt: 

(sections 78-81):
Several sections of the Doctrine and Covenants call particular people to missionary service. In section 80, Stephen Burnett is called upon to “declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true” (v. 4) and told “Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss” (v. 3).
Why do you think the Lord would say it didn’t matter where Stephen Burnett went to preach? Could it be that so many people were hungry for the gospel that Brother Burnett would find someone wherever he went? Or could it be that, at that time, the Lord was more focused on Stephen Burnett and how he would be changed through testifying of the gospel? (Or maybe there is another reason entirely?)
What experiences have you had with missionary work? Who has the greatest change wrought upon them? Why? What is the importance of declaring “the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true” in coming to know something? How might what you have observed effect your efforts to teach one another in this course?

In section 80 of the Doctrine and Covenants, Stephen Burnett is called to preach the Gospel wherever he goes. I think that the Lord wanted him to grow as a person and also to nourished those without the gospel. That’s why the Lord didn’t care where he went. All of us in some ways are called like Stephen Burnett. We may have not been called to a specific place to preach the gospel, but we should do it wherever we go. In this case I think  that for all the saints it was important to preach the gospel to all because the restoration of the church was just starting. The Lord wanted everyone to hear the word. Also as the saints became converted to the gospel, they still needed nourishment. I think that by brother Burnett preaching the gospel, it made it easier for him to grow as an individual and also get to know his testimony of the restored gospel.

I love missionary work. My parents are converts to the church. My mom and siblings got baptized a few months after meeting with the missionaries. In the other hand, it took my dad nine years to joined the church. They had missionaries over all the time!! The Lord works in miraculous ways, He knows all of us too well.  By my parents becoming members it changed not only them, but those around them as well. People respected their beliefs and why they were changing their ways. I think that both the missionaries and the person becoming converted have the greatest change wrought upon them. I know that converting to the gospel brings so much joy and peace. My husband served his mission in Argentina and I know that as he served the Lord he changed too.

The importance of declaring what we know is essential for our personal growth. If the gospel brings us happiness then we should share it with all of those whom we know and love. Teaching what we know not only applies to the gospel. It applies to all the fields of study. If we learn something knew, we should be encourage to teach it to others. If somethings brings us joy, it might bring joy to others as well. Although we might be scared to teach the things we know, we need to. It is not going to only help those who we teach, but it will also help us become who we are meant to be. Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to be scared of sharing the things we know. He wants us to preach his word.

In the October issue of the Ensign they talk a lot about the Book of Mormon. President Monson mentions many beautiful things about the Book of Mormon and the importance that we have as members to preach those teachings in it to those we have temporally lost their ways. It will bring them to the Gospel. The book of Mormon will establish a steppingstone for those that are learning about our religion. There are many other ways in which we can preach the gospel. A simple one is just by being a good example. The Lord needs faithful women and men to help individuals bring them to the light of truth.