Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
“The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind”
June 16 - June 22
scripture
quote
We have a "Today" to Live
<p>Regardless of the time the Lord, in His wisdom, determines to grant each of us, of one thing we can be sure: we all have a “today” to live, and the key to making our day successful is to be willing to sacrifice.</p> <p>The Lord said, “Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice” (D&C 64:23).</p> <p>The word sacrifice comes from the Latin words sacer, which means “sacred,” and facere, which means “to make”—in other words, to make things sacred, to bring honor to them.</p> <p>“Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven” (“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27).</p> <p>In what ways will sacrifice make our days meaningful and blessed?</p>
Taylor G. Godoy, "One More Day," April 2018 General Conference.
commentaries
Commentary on D&C 64:18–22
<p>The Lord provides counsel to Sidney Gilbert, Isaac Morley, and Frederick G. Williams about their respective properties and the best way for them to build Zion. While Sidney and Isaac are asked to begin settling their affairs in Kirtland so they can join the effort to build the city of Zion in Missouri, Frederick G. Williams is commanded to retain his farm, in order to “retain a stronghold in Kirtland, for the space of five years” (D&C 64:21). This instruction further extends the idea that in the grand design of the expansion of the Lord’s Church in the latter days, Missouri would be the center place, while Kirtland would serve as a stake of Zion.</p> <p>The prophecy made here that Kirtland will serve as a stronghold for the Saints, but only for five years, is remarkably precise. Many of the most important events in the early Restoration took place in Kirtland during the five years following this revelation. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, along with other vital priesthood quorums, were organized (D&C 107). Revelations on the nature of the Godhead (D&C 93) and the future state of the earth were given (D&C 101:22–40). Most importantly, Kirtland is where the first temple of the Church would rise, and in that temple the Savior, along with Moses, Elias, and Elijah, appeared and bestowed further priesthood keys on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 109–110). However, Kirtland was a way station on the path to Zion, not the final destination.</p> <p>Five years following this revelation, signs of great trouble within the Church began to appear. In the fall of 1836 Church leaders drew up a plan to create a bank in Kirtland to assist the poor and needy in obtaining lands and other necessities. The Kirtland Safety Society opened a few months later and quickly fell into difficulty. A nationwide economic panic led to the closure of hundreds of banks throughout the United States, and the Kirtland Safety Society was forced to close its doors in November of 1837. Many members of the Church were unable to reconcile Joseph Smith’s role as a prophet with the losses they suffered. Many began to call for his removal as President of the Church, declaring him to be a fallen prophet. Joseph Smith was finally forced to flee Kirtland in fear of his life on January 12, 1838. The five-year span of prosperity in Kirtland set down by the Lord turned out to be remarkably accurate.<a id="_ftnref1" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a></p> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn1" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Staker, <em>Hearken, O Ye People, </em>463–549.</p> </div>
Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths
Commentary on D&C 64:12–17
<p>While forgiveness is essential in discipleship, accountability is also important. It is possible to forgive others and release the anguish inside, while still seeking for justice. In this case, the Lord asks for those who refused to repent to be brought before the Church to be held responsible for the difficulties they had caused. Of the three men named here, two of them, Isaac Morley and Edward Partridge, sought and received forgiveness. We do not know the precise nature of the difficulties with Isaac Morley and Ezra Booth, but the way in which they both responded to this correction in interesting.</p> <p>Isaac Morley repented and began preparations to sell his farm and move his family to Missouri, where he suffered tribulation and persecution at the hand of mobs. At one point, he was one of six Latter-day Saint men who offered up his life for his friends. His family moved from Missouri to Illinois, then crossed the plains and helped settle the Sanpete Valley in Utah. Father Morley died as an honored patriarch among the Saints in Fairview, Utah, in 1865 (<em>Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, </em>198–200). Ezra Booth, in contrast, only increased in bitterness toward the Church after his journey to Missouri. Within several months Booth’s anger led to violence against Joseph Smith. According to Apostle George A. Smith, Booth’s apostasy “culminated in collecting a mob who tarred and feathered Joseph Smith, and inflicted upon his family the loss of one of its members [Joseph Murdock Smith] at Hyrum, Portage county, Ohio.”<a id="_ftnref1" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a></p> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn1" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> <em>Journal of Discourses, </em>11:5.</p> </div>
Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths
Section 64: Context
<p>Various people who observe the same facts interpret the facts differently. The elders’ trip to Missouri in the summer of 1831 led to the dedication of the site for New Jerusalem and the dedication of a temple site. Some returned from the trip rejoicing and others disappointed. The main voice of discontent was Ezra Booth. He noted the outspoken disagreement between Joseph and Edward Partridge about the Missouri land the Lord designated for Zion. Ezra objected that he and Isaac Morley walked to Missouri while Joseph and his party traveled by stagecoach. Joseph and Bishop Partridge reconciled. Isaac Morley got over it. Ezra Booth, by contrast, would not let his grievances go.<a id="_ftnref1" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn1">[1]</a> In that setting the Lord gave section 64.<a id="_ftnref2" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn2">[2]</a></p> <p>The Lord was angry with Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley. They did not obey section 42 or the commandment they received to preach the gospel en route to Missouri in the summer of 1831 (D&C 52:23).<a id="_ftnref3" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn3">[3]</a> They had unrighteous desires and therefore lost the Holy Ghost. Then, as so often happens, they projected their own evil onto others. The Lord forgave the repentant Isaac Morley while Ezra Booth was disciplined by the Church as section 64 directed and withdrew from membership.<a id="_ftnref4" class="see-footnote" title="" href="#_ftn4">[4]</a></p> <p>The Lord was also upset with Bishop Partridge for arguing with Joseph about the location of Zion (see section 58). He repented in response to section 64. Sidney Gilbert returned to Missouri and established a storehouse there and prepared to buy land for Zion.</p> <p>Isaac Morley sold his farm as a result of section 64 and thus avoided the overwhelming temptations that the Lord knew would keep him from consecrating otherwise (see section 63:38–40). Frederick Williams consecrated his Kirtland farm to the Church for the Lord to use as a secure headquarters for the Church for five more years. Newel Whitney and Sidney Gilbert kept their Kirtland store and other properties for five years after this revelation.</p> <p>Section 64 paints a vivid picture and makes an unlikely prophecy. It explains with crystal clarity that the Saints must leave Babylon or perish, the only place other than Babylon is Zion, and the only way to get there is by obeying the law of consecration. The Lord’s promise is that the willing and obedient will see Zion. It will come. They will get there. This is the promise which, according to section 45, the holy had been granted in ages past. They longed for Zion and never got there “but obtained a promise that they should find it and see it in their [resurrected] flesh” (D&C 45:14). Section 64 guarantees Zion tomorrow for those who are willing and obedient to the law of consecration today.</p> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn1" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> See “<a href="https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-11-september-1831-dc-64/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Historical Introduction</a>” to “Revelation, 11 September 1831 [D&C 64],” p. 108, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 5, 2020.</p> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn2" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> “<a href="https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-11-september-1831-dc-64/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Revelation, 11 September 1831 [D&C 64]</a>,” p. 108, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 5, 2020.</p> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn3" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref3">[3]</a> Ezra Booth, “Mormonism—No. V,” <em>Ohio Star</em> November 10, 1831, p. 3.</p> <p class="footnote"><a id="_ftn4" class="footnote-label" title="" href="#_ftnref4">[4]</a> “<a href="https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minute-book-2/8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minute Book 2</a>,” p. 6, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 5, 2020.</p> </div>
D&C Contexts by Steven C. Harper
