Doctrine and Covenants 88
“Establish ... A House of God”
August 11 - August 17
scripture
quotes
Seek Wisdom From The Best Books
<p>“The Lord taught us how to increase our faith by seeking ‘learning, even by study and also by faith.’ We strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to keep His commandments and ‘always remember him.’ Further, our faith increases every time we exercise our faith in Him. That is what learning by faith means. For example, each time we have the faith to be obedient to God’s laws—even when popular opinions belittle us—or each time we resist entertainment or ideologies that celebrate covenant-breaking, we are exercising our faith, which in turn increases our faith. Further, few things build faith more than does regular immersion in the Book of Mormon. No other book testifies of Jesus Christ with such power and clarity. Its prophets, as inspired by the Lord, saw our day and selected the doctrine and truths that would help us most.”</p>
Russell M. Nelson, “Embrace the Future with Faith” October 2020 General Conference
Asking of God
<p>Questions about our Church history and beliefs do arise. Where we turn to find the correct answers requires great care. There is nothing to be gained in exploring the views and opinions of the less informed or disenchanted. The best counsel was given by the Apostle James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).</p> <p>Asking of God is to be preceded by careful study, for we are under scriptural mandate to seek “out of the best books words of wisdom” and to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). There is a rich abundance of these books, written by heaven-inspired Church leaders and recognized, safe, and reliable Church history and doctrine scholars. With that said, none surpass the majesty of the revealed word of God in canonized scripture. From those thin pages thick with spiritual insights, we learn truth through the Holy Ghost and thereby increase in light.</p>
Ian S. Ardern, “Seek Ye Out of the Best Books”, October 2017 General Conference
Temple Worship
<p>The Lord has directed in this dispensation, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119). The principal focus of temple worship is participating in ordinances and learning about, receiving, and remembering covenants. We think, act, and dress differently in the temple than in other spaces that we may frequent.</p> <p>A principal purpose of the temple is to elevate our vision from the things of the world to the blessings of eternity. Removed for a short time from the worldly settings with which we are familiar, we can “look to God and live” (Alma 37:47) by receiving and remembering the great and precious promises whereby we become partakers of the divine nature.</p>
David A. Bednar, “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises”, October 2017 General Conference
commentaries
Commentary on D&C 88:108–116
<p>The seven angels described in verses 108–110 will then sound seven trumps, each representing one thousand years of the earth’s existence (D&C 77:6–7). This process is described as a review of the history of men and women during each of the thousand-year periods, including “the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God” (D&C 88:109). Not only will the future destiny of the earth and its people become clear but any fog surrounding humanity’s past will be dispelled as well. At last we will have a true accounting of the history of the world (D&C 101:32–33). </p> <p>Verse 110 also speaks of Satan’s restrictions during the Millennium. Satan will be bound through the combined power of God and the righteousness of the people who will live in the Millennium. The Apostle John described the binding of Satan, writing, “I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (Revelation 20:1–3). </p> <p>The seal that binds Satan will be kept in place because of the righteousness of the men and women who will live in the Millennium. Nephi explained that “because of the righteousness of his [God’] people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth” (1 Nephi 22:26). That Satan is loosed at the end of the thousand years implies that there may be some kind of apostasy at the end of the Millennium that allows Satan to gain power again for a brief space of time. </p> <p>We do not know how long Satan will be unrestrained at the end of the Millennium. Some scriptural commentators have speculated that it may be another thousand years.<a href="#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1" title="" class="see-footnote">[1]</a> What is clear is that this is the final conflict, the last gasp of Satan’s power. Michael, the great prince who holds the keys of salvation under the direction of Christ (D&C 78:16), will lead the charge against Satan and banish him once and for all from the earth. The earth will then become a celestial kingdom and our eternal home (D&C 88:16–31, 116).</p> <div class="footnotes"> <p class="footnote"><a href="#_ftnref1" id="_ftn1" title="" class="footnote-label">[1]</a> Bruce R. McConkie, <em>The Millennial Messiah, </em>1982,22.</p> </div>
Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths
Commentary on D&C 88:117–126
<p>In verses 117–19, the Lord repeats His command to call a solemn assembly and gives a direct commandment to build a house of prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory, and order—in short, a house of God. The Saints fulfilled this commandment by constructing the house of the Lord in Kirtland, the first temple of this dispensation. In the months before and after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, many members of the Church received instruction within its walls. A small group of men also received some of the preparatory ordinances of the temple. As outlined here, the Kirtland Temple was not only a place for ordinances and instruction but was also a multipurpose facility in which worship meetings, school, and other Church functions could be held. Every chapel, seminary building, university, and temple in the Church can trace its lineage back to this first house of the Lord built in Kirtland.</p> <p>To prepare the Saints to receive a temple in their midst, the Lord outlines a program of behavior intended to ready them for this blessing. In keeping with instructions already given in other revelations, the Lord gives commandments for the Saints’ spiritual health in parallel with ones regarding the Saints’ temporal health. For example, the Lord gives a commandment to His disciples to have charity for each other and follows it with a commandment to receive the proper amount of rest. In all things, the spiritual and temporal are mingled together to create a holistic approach toward healthy living. The Lord commands His people to seek learning “even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). He indicates that the Saints should study the best works of literature, science, and art alongside the sacred books of scripture. Rather than becoming anti-intellectual, the Saints are commanded to embrace the best in all branches of learning.</p>
Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths
