Doctrine & Covenants Section 98
Parable of the Vineyard
1
Background
●
1820 - Missouri Compromise
To maintain Balance between free states and slave
states, Missouri would enter the union as a slave
state, and Maine would become a free state.
● 1821 – Missouri becomes 24th state
Population 66,500
2
Missouri Compromise
3
The Value of a Slave
The value of Negroes at this early day may be approximated by an
appraisement made of an estate:
Jiney, a cripple girl, thirty years old .......................... $100.00
Anthony, Jiney's child, one year old .......................... $100.00
Susan, fourteen years old .......................................... $300.00
Henry, thirteen years old ........................................... $336.00
Isaac, twenty-five years old....................................... $450.00
Other personal property of this estate had the following values:
Horse and side saddle ................................................. $ 40.00
Cow and calf................................................................. $ 7.00
Sow and five pigs......................................................... $ 1.50
Sheep, each head ........................................................ $ 1.00
Flax wheel ................................................................... $ 3.00
Flag bottom chairs ...................................................... $ .50
A good horse................................................................ $ 25.00
4
Background
● 1820 - Missouri Compromise
To maintain Balance between free states and slave states,
Missouri would enter the union as a slave state, and Maine
would become a free state.
● 1821 – Missouri becomes 24th state
Population 66,500
1826 – Jackson County organized
1827 – Independence chartered
● The Church of Jesus Christ was restored at Fayette, Seneca
County, New York, on Tuesday, April 6, 1830
● October, 1830, missionaries appointed to take Gospel to
Lamanites
(D&C 31)
● November 1830, Church started in Kirtland, Ohio
Church grew rapidly to 127 members making the Church in
Ohio larger than the Church in New York
● January 31, 1831 Missionaries arrive in Independence, Missouri
Joseph Smith arrived February 1.
5
Background
● July, 1831, Colesville Branch (approximately 100
members) arrived in Independence.
● August 1, 1831, Independence
Center Place of Zion.
D&C 57:1d
designated
as
● August 2 & 3, 1831, Land of Zion, City of Zion, and
Temple Lot dedicated. The church did not own
these properties at this time.
● Temple Lot parcel purchased on December 19, 1832.
(63.72 acres cost $130.00)
6
Missouri map 1830
7
Latter Day Saints Settlements
8
1st Plan for Temple Complex & City of Zion
June 1833
9
2nd Plan for Temple Complex & City of Zion
August 1833
10
Temple Lot Today
11
Background
● July 20, 1833, printing press in Independence destroyed
by mob.
● Persecution escalated
November 7 & 8, 1833, Saints leave Jackson County
● October 27, 1838, the Extermination Order was signed by
Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs that stated, "The
Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be
exterminated or driven from the State."
(rescinded June 25, 1976, by Governor Christopher S.
Bond )
12
Contributing Factors to the Conflict
● Population
Census for 1830
Missouri
Jackson County
Slaves in JC
140,500
2,823
193
Census for 1840
Missouri
Jackson County
Slaves in JC
383,702
7,612
1,361
● In July, 1831, more than one hundred Church members
arrived in Jackson County. Hundreds more soon followed.
● By the summer of 1833, more than a thousand were
grouped into four settlements west of Independence, while
others lived in the village itself.
How could the rapidly growing Latter Day Saint numbers
create conflict?
13
Contributing Factors to the Conflict
● The Missourians hated people with abolitionist views.
● The Saints were accused of soliciting freed slaves to move
into the state.
● Their enemies claimed that the Saints wanted to dominate
Jackson County and evict non-Mormons.
● Some of the Saints did not use good judgment when talking
to the Missourians about why they were moving to Jackson
County.
● The Saints were seen as a threat –
- Socially
- Politically
- Economically
- Religiously
14
Doctrine and Covenants 98
December 16, 1833
4g. 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. And all these things, that the
prophets might be fulfilled.
4h. And, behold, there is none other place appointed
than that which I have appointed, neither shall
there be any other place appointed than that which
I have appointed for the work of the gathering of
my Saints, until the day cometh when there is found
no more room for them;
15
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
9 . . . And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this
parable be?
10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of God; but to others in parables; that
seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not
understand.
Luke 8 9-10
. . . And, again, hear another parable; for unto you that
believe not, I speak in parables; that your unrighteousness
may be rewarded unto you.
Matthew 21:34
16
Parable of Vineyard part 1
Section 98:6a-6d
6a. And now, I will show unto you a parable that you
may know my will concerning the redemption of Zion.
6b. A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice;
and he said unto his servants, Go ye into my vineyard,
even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant
twelve olive trees; and set watchmen round about them
and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round
about, to be a watchman upon the tower;
6c. that mine olive trees may not be broken down, when
the enemy shall come to spoil and take unto themselves
the fruit of my vineyard.
6d. Now the servants of the nobleman went and did as
their lord commanded them; and planted the olive trees,
and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and
began to build a tower.
17
Symbols in the Parable
– Vineyard
– Choice spot of Land
– 12 Olive Trees
– Watchmen
– Tower
– Watchman
– Hedge
18
Vineyard
1 My well-beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill;
2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof,
and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in
the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein; and
he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it
brought forth wild grapes.
3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of
Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that
I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it
should bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes.
5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my
vineyard; I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall
be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and
it shall be trodden down;
6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned, nor
digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will
also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isaiah 5:2-6
19
Prophesy of Zenos
Jacob Chapter 3
● The olive tree (Israel) became old and began to decay.
- Lord tended, dung, nourished, & after many days tree had young,
tender branches
- Top of tree began to perish
- Lord told servant to pluck off old branches and graft in wild
branches
- Lord planted natural branches in nethermost part of vineyard
● After a long time, the Lord visited the vineyard.
- Grafted tree brought forth good fruit
- Transplanted trees brought forth good fruit save one; it brought
forth part tame and part wild fruit
- Lord and Servant pruned and nourished tree that had some wild
fruit
● A long time passed.
- Natural tree had all kinds of wild fruit
- All transplanted trees had evil fruit
● Lord grafted limbs of natural into transplants and limbs of
transplants into natural tree.
● Lord told His Servant to call other servants and tend vineyard for
last time.
20
Vineyard
34 Why is it that ye receive not the preaching of him
whom God hath sent? If ye receive not this in your
hearts, ye receive not me; and if ye receive not me, ye
receive not him of whom I am sent to bear record; and
for your sins ye have no cloak.
35 Repent, therefore, and bring forth fruits meet for
repentance;
36 And think not to say within yourselves, We are the
children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring
seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that
God is able of these stones to raise up children into
Abraham.
Matthew 3:34-36
21
Vineyard
7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of
Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he
looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for
righteousness, but behold a cry. ....
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because
they have no knowledge; and their honorable men are
famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
14 Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her
mouth without measure; and their glory, and their
multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall
descend into it. ....
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that
put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put
bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto the wise in their own eyes, and prudent in
their own sight!
Isaiah 5:7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Vineyard
= House of Israel
22
Choice Spot of Land
13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land,
for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the
deep that coucheth beneath,
14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun,
and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountain, and
for the precious things of the lasting hills,
16 And for the precious things of the earth and fullness
thereof, and for the goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush;
let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon
the top of the head of him that was separated from his
brethren.
17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns
are like the horns of unicorns; with them he shall push the
people together to the ends of the earth; and they are the
ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of
Manasseh.
Deuteronomy 33:13-17
23
Choice Spot of Land
22 Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest
branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from
the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it
upon a high mountain and eminent;
23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it;
and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a
goodly cedar; and under it shall dwell all fowl of every
wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they
dwell.
Ezekiel 17:22-23
24
Choice Spot of Land
1a. Hearken, O ye elders of my church saith the Lord your God, who
have
assembled yourselves
together,
according to
my
commandments, in this land which is the land of Missouri, which is
the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering
of the Saints:
1b. wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city
of Zion.
1c. And thus saith the Lord your God, If you will receive wisdom
here is wisdom.
1d. Behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the
Center Place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a
lot which is not far from the courthouse;
1e. wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the
Saints; and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line
running directly between Jew and Gentile.
1f. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my
disciples are enabled to buy lands.
1g. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an
everlasting inheritance.
Doctrine & Covenants 57:1a-1g
Choice Spot of Land =
Land of Zion
25
Twelve Olive Trees
26
Twelve Olive Trees
1 Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his
ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands; happy shalt thou
be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house;
thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the
Lord.
5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion; and thou shalt see the
good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Psalm 128:1-5
15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath
wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from
thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
16 The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of
goodly fruit; with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire
upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
17 For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil
against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house
of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke
me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
Jeremiah 11:15-17 27
Twelve Olive Trees
1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The
goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working
deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to
speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take thee
away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee
out of the land of the living.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him.
7 Lo, the man who made not God his strength; but trusted in
the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his
wickedness.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in
the mercy of God forever and ever.
9 I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done wonderful
works; I will wait on thy name; for thou art good before thy
saints.
Psalm 52:1-928
Twelve Olive Trees
13 And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words, he
spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be
preached among the Jews,
14 And also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief.
15 And after they had slain the Messiah who should come, and after
he had been slain, he should rise from the dead, and should make
himself manifest by the Holy Ghost unto the Gentiles.
16 Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and
also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared
like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and
should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.
17 Wherefore he said it must needs be that we should be led with
one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word
of the Lord that we should be scattered upon all the face of the
earth.
18 And after the house of Israel should be scattered, they should be
gathered together again;
19 Or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fullness of the
gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of
the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge
of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. 1 Nephi 3:13-19 29
Twelve Olive Trees
Prophesy of Zenos
Jacob 3:30-152
> House of Israel Likened to Tame olive tree tame olive tree a man
nourished in his vineyard — grew, waxed old, and began to decay
> Master pruned it, dug about it, and nourished it
> Many days passed, — put forth some young and tender branches;
— main top began to perish
> Master of the vineyard saw it, said to his servant, It grieves me to
lose this tree
> Bring branches from wild olive tree, — we will pluck withered
branches, and cast them into the fire to be burned
> Lord said, I will take many of these young and tender branches
and plant them where I will — If root (tame) tree dies, I may
preserve the fruit thereof
> Take branches of wild olive tree, and graft them tree
> Tended tree to preserve roots
> Natural branches planted in nethermost parts of vineyard to
preserve fruit
> After long time Lord & Servant went to labor in vineyard — wild
branches in tame tree had natural fruit — all transplanted natural
branches had natural fruit except one had good and wild fruit 30
Twelve Olive Trees
Prophesy of Zenos
Jacob 3:30-152
> Continued to tend vineyard — long time passed — Visited
vineyard because end was near
> Wild branches of tame tree overran roots and all fruit was
bad — All natural branches had bad fruit — Lord of the vineyard
wept, and said unto the servant, What could I have done more
for my vineyard?
> Lord wanted to destroy vineyard, — Servant ask Him to wait a
little longer
> Wild branches from natural trees transplanted into mother
tree — Wild branches from mother tree transplanted into
natural trees because roots were still good
> Lord told Servant to call servants and labor for last time in
vineyard — Labor with all our might — Servants are few
> Those who labor diligently and keep commandments will
have joy with God
> Time will come when evil enters again (little season) — Then
comes end and judgment
31
Twelve Olive Trees
1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked
me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked,
and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of
it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven
lamps, which are upon the top thereof;
3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof.
11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two
olive trees…
13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these
be?
And I said, No, my lord.
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand
before the Lord of the whole earth. Zechariah 4:1-3; 11-14
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall
prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed
in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks
standing before the God of the earth. Revelation 11:3-4
32
Twelve Olive Trees
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick and write
upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his
companions; then take another stick, and write upon it, For
Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel
his companions;
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall
become one in thine hand.
18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee,
saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take
the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the
tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even
with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they
shall be one in mine hand.
20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand
before their eyes.
Ezekiel 37:16-20
33
Twelve Olive Trees
7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the
top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and
said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that
God may hearken unto you.
8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them;
and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
Judges 9:7-8
7 Lo, the man who made not God his strength; but trusted in
the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his
wickedness.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in
the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52:7-8
Twelve Olive Trees = Latter Day Israel = Apostolic Authority
34
Tower
35
Tower
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my
deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust; he is my shield, and
the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my
savior; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I
be saved from mine enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart
is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from
the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle forever; I will trust in the covert
of thy wings. Selah. Psalm 61:1-4
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous
runneth into it, and is safe. Proverb 18:10
36
Tower
5b. and the nations of the earth shall honor her, and
shall say, Surely Zion is the city of our God; and surely
Zion can not fall, neither be moved out of her place, for
God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there, and he
hath sworn by the power of his might to be her
salvation, and her high tower;
Doctrine & Covenants 95:5b
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the
tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me,
and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the
vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run
that readeth it.
Habakkuk 2:1-2
Tower = Power of the Lord = Prophetic Office
37
Watchman
38
Watchman
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build
it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in
vain.
Psalm 127:1
6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman,
let him declare what he seeth.
7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot
of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently
with much heed;
8 And he cried, A lion; My lord, I stand continually upon the
watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole
nights;
Isaiah 21:6-8
11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir,
Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
Isaiah 21:11
39
Watchman
16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord
came unto me, saying,
17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel;
therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Ezekiel 3:16-17
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them,
When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man
of their coasts, and set him for their watchman;
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet,
and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not
warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon
his own head.
5 …But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and
the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from
among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require
at the watchman’s hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them
from me.
Watchman
=
Prophet
Ezekiel 33:2-7
40
Watchmen
41
Watchmen
77 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth
good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto
Zion, thy God reigneth;
78 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice
together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye, when the
Lord shall bring again Zion.
Isaiah 52:7-8 Mosiah 7:77-78
69 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the
fullness of my gospel shall be preached unto them, and they
shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and
shall pray unto the Father in my name.
70 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voices; and with the
voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye.
71 Then will the Father gather them together again, and give
unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance.
3 Nephi 9:70-71
42
Watchmen
8 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will
I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered unto him.
9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the
forest.
10 His watchmen are blind; they are all ignorant, they are all dumb
dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and
they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their
own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter.
Isaiah 56:8-11
16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the
old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find
rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of
the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jeremiah 6:16-17
Watchmen = Shepherds =
Priesthood
43
Hedge
Normandy Hedgerow
44
Hedge
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my
servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect
and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God
for naught?
10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his
house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast
blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased
in the land.
Job 1:8-10
4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have
not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring
forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes.
5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard; I
will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and
I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden
down;
6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but
there shall come up briers and thorns; I will also command the
clouds that they rain no rain upon it. Isaiah 5:4-6
45
Hedge
7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine;
and we shall be saved.
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the
heathen, and planted it.
9 Thou preparest room before it, and didst cause it to take
deep root, and it filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the
boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches
unto the river.
12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all
they which pass by the way do pluck her?
13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast
of the field doth devour it.
14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts; look down from
heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and
the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
Psalm 80:7-15
46
Hedge
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but
when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Proverbs 29:2
7 O ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
8 But in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines
and the commandments of men.
Matt 15:7-8; Isa 29:26
32 Therefore, thus saith the Lord who redeemed Abraham
concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be
ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale; but when he
seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of
him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One
of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that
erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that
murmured shall learn doctrine.
Isa29:32
47
Hedge
36 And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings with his
disciples, the people were astonished at his doctrine;
37 For he taught them as one having authority from God, and not as
having authority from the scribes. Matthew 7:36-37
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and
taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having
never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that
sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be
of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh
his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 7:14-18
2 Preach the word; be instant in season; those who are out of season,
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4
48
Hedge
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:41-42
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions
and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their
own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts
of the simple. Rom 16:17-18
16 And all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness;
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works. 2 Tim 3:16-17
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he
hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:9
49
Hedge
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over
the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years
I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:28-31
21b. And I give unto you a commandment, that you shall teach one
another the doctrine of the kingdom; teach ye diligently and my
grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in
theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things
that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that is expedient for you to
understand;
21c. of things both in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth;
things which have been; things which are; things which must
shortly come to pass;
21d. things which are at home; things which are abroad; the wars
and the perplexities of the nations; and the judgments which are on
the land; . . .
Doctrine & Covenants 85:21b-21d
50
Hedge
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to
understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn
from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; Isa28:9-10
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one
teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and
are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness;
for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those
who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good
and evil.
1 Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go
on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward God.
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, and of the
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And we will go on unto perfection if God permit.
Heb 5:12-6:3
Hedge =
The Word, Doctrine, Ordinances
51
Part 1 Summary
Choice Spot of Land = Land of Zion
Twelve Olive Trees = Latter Day Israel = Apostolic Authority
Tower
= Power of The Lord = Prophetic Office
Watchman
= Prophet
Watchmen = Shepherds = Priesthood
Hedge = The Word, Doctrine, Ordinances
52
In Accordance with
the
Celestial Law
53
What was the real reason the Saints were driven out?
Parable of Vineyard part 2
Section 98:6e-6f
6e. And while they were yet laying the foundation
thereof, they began to say among themselves, And
what need hath my lord of this tower? and consulted
for a long time, saying among themselves, What need
hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of
peace?
6f. Might not this money be given to the exchangers?
for there is no need of these things!
54
Parable of Vineyard part 2
Section 98:6g-7c
6g. And while they were at variance one with another they
became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the
commandments of their lord,
6h. and the enemy came by night and broke down the hedge, and
the servants of the nobleman arose, and were affrighted, and
fled; and the enemy destroyed their works and broke down the
olive trees.
7a. Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called
upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of
this great evil? ought ye not to have done even as I commanded
you? and after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge
round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof,
7b. built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and
watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the
enemy should come upon you?
7c. and, behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen
the enemy while he was yet afar off, and then you could have
made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge
thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.
55
Doctrine & Covenants 83:8a-8c
September 22 and 23, 1832
8a. And your minds in times past have been darkened
because of unbelief, and because you have treated
lightly the things you have received, which vanity
and unbelief hath brought the whole church under
condemnation. 8b. And this condemnation resteth
upon the children of Zion, even all; and they shall
remain under this condemnation until they repent
and remember the new covenant, even the Book of
Mormon and the former commandments which I
have given them, not only to say, but to do according
to that which I have written,
8c. that they may bring forth fruit meet for their
Father's kingdom, otherwise there remaineth a
scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the
children of Zion; for, shall the children of the
kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you,
Nay.
56
Parable of Vineyard part 2
3 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that
they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that
they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be
made manifest unto them.
4 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall
the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
5 Behold I was about to write them all which were engraven upon
the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith
of my people; therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have
been commanded me of the Lord.
3 Nephi 12:3-5
10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my
portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate
wilderness.
11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto
me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to
heart.
Jeremiah 12:10-11
57
they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and
they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord,
D&C 98:6g
● Many expected God to give them the land.
● There was tension between the leadership in Kirtland and
Independence.
● David Whitmer and His counselors were expelled from the church in
1838.
David failed in an attempt to organize the church in Kirtland in 1844.
He did organize in 1876, and that church continued into the 1960s.
● Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated in 1838.
One of the charges
was for selling land. He was baptized into the Mormon Church in
1848.
● They rejected the Celestial Law, including the storehouse principal.
“I will not be influenced, governed, or controlled in my temporal
interests by any ecclesiastical authority or pretended revelation
whatever, contrary to my own judgment.” Oliver Cowdery quoting
himself in a letter to Edward Partridge dated April 12, 1838
58
Parable of Vineyard part 3
Section 98:7d-8b
7d. And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants,
Go, and gather together the residue of my servants; and take all
the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young
men, and they that are of middle age also, among all my
servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only
whom I have appointed to tarry; 7e. and go ye straightway unto
the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard, for it is mine,
I have bought it with money. 7f. Therefore, get ye straightway
unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies, throw
down their tower, and scatter their watchmen; 7g. and
inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of
mine enemies; that by and by I may come with the residue of
mine house and possess the land. 8a. And the servant said unto
his lord, When shall these things be? 8b. And he said unto his
servants, When I will: go ye straightway, and do all things
whatsoever I have commanded you; and this shall be my seal
and blessing upon you; a faithful and wise steward in the midst
of mine house; a ruler in my kingdom.
59
Parable of Vineyard part 3
Section 98:7d-8b
– Lord of vineyard calls one of His servants
– All the strength of mine house, which are my warriors,
my young men - middle age - among all my servants, who
are the strength of mine house,
– Go to land of my vineyard
– Break down walls of mine enemies
– Throw down their tower
– Scatter their watchmen
– Lord will bring residue of his house and possess the land
– Will happen when the Lord wills it to happen
60
How Many Will That Servant Call?
Gideon
12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all children of
the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude;
and their camels were without number, as the sand by the
seaside for multitude.
2 The Lord told Gideon; You have too many men – Israel will
take credit for the victory
3 Send home the fearful and afraid
22,000 went home - 10,000 remained
4 Still too many - bring them down unto the water to drink
5 Those who cupped hands & lapped like dog, the Lord kept
Those who bowed down to drink, the Lord sent home
6 Three hundred were kept
7 The Lord said with 300 I will defeat the Midianites
61
God always shows His hand
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, until he revealeth
the secret unto his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
62
To Israel
If you walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do
them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield
her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your
threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach
unto the sowing-time; and you shall eat your bread to the full, and
dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and you
shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; and I will rid evil
beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by
the sword. And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of
you shall put ten thousand to flight; and your enemies shall fall before
you by the sword.
For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply
you, and establish my covenant with you. And you shall eat old store
and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set my
tabernacle among you; and my soul shall not abhor you; And I will
walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I
am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of
Egypt, that you should not be their bond-men; and I have broken the
bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
Leviticus 26:3-12
63
14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these
commandments;
15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my
judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye
break my covenant;
16 I will appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, And
cause sorrow of heart; and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your
enemies shall eat it. √
17 ye shall be slain before your enemies; they that hate you shall reign
over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. √
19 I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as
iron, and your earth as brass; √
20 your strength shall be spent in vain; your land shall not yield her
increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. √
22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your
children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your
highways shall be desolate. √
25 I will bring a sword upon you, I will send the pestilence among you; ye
shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. √
26 ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver
you your bread again by weight; and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. √
29 ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters
shall ye eat. √
Leviticus 26:14-29; (Deut 28)
64
30 I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast
your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor
you. √
31 I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto
desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. √
32 I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies which dwell
therein shall be astonished at it. √
33 I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after
you; and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. √
34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate,
and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy
her sabbaths. √
35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your
sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. √
36 And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into
their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf
shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they
shall fall when none pursueth. √
37 they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none
pursueth; and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. √
38 ye shall perish among the heathen; the land of your enemies shall eat
you up. √
39 they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your
enemies’ lands. √
Leviticus 26:30-39-29; (Deut 28)
65
To Judah:
5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my
vineyard; I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall
be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and
it shall be trodden down;
6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned, nor
digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will
also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
Isaiah 5:5-6
66
In Jesus’ Time
35 Behold, there was a certain householder, who planted a
vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press
in it; and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went
into a far country.
36 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his
servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits
of it.
37 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and
killed another, and stoned another.
38 Again, he sent other servants, more than the first; and they
did unto them likewise. Matthew 21:35-38
7 Having yet therefore one son, his well beloved, he sent him
also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
8 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the
heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
9 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and
killed him.
10 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? Lo, he will
come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard
unto others. Mark 12:7-10
67
The Response to the Consequences stated by Jesus
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his
parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
Matthew 21:47
12 And now they were angry when they heard these
words; ....
13 For they knew that he had spoken the parable against
them;
Mark 12:12-13
And the chief priests, and the scribes, the same hour,
sought to lay hands on him; for they perceived that he
had spoken this parable against them.
Luke 20:19
68
The Response to the Consequences stated by Jesus
23 Pilate said unto them, What shall I do with Jesus, which
is called Christ?
24 And all said unto him, Let him be crucified.
25 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But
they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
26 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but rather
that a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his
hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person; see that ye do nothing unto him.
27 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood come
upon us and our children.
Matthew 27:23-27
69
In the Latter Days
2a. Behold, I say unto you, Were it not for the transgressions
of my people, speaking concerning the church and not
individuals, they might have been redeemed even now;
2b. but, behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the
things which I require at their hands, but are full of all
manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as
becometh Saints, to the poor and afflicted among them, and
are not united according to the union required by the law of
the celestial kingdom;
2c. and Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of
the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive
her unto myself;
2d. and my people must needs be chastened until they learn
obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they
suffer.
Doctrine & Covenants 102:2a-2d
June 22, 1834
70
In the Latter Days
3a. Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth,
that all that will hear may hear;
3b. prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord
is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is
bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the
earth; and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed;
3c. and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of
the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to
the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from
among the people;
3d. for they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken
mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his
righteousness,
3e. but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of
his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and
whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall
perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
D&C 1:3a-3e
November 1, 1831
71
In the Latter Days
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they
have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the
everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell
therein are desolate; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned,
and few men left.
Isaiah 24:5-6
7i. . . . the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.
8a. And your minds in times past have been darkened because of
unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have
received, which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church
under condemnation.
8b. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all;
and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and
remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former
commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do
according to that which I have written,
8c. that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom,
otherwise there remaineth a scourge and a judgment to be poured out
upon the children of Zion; for, shall the children of the kingdom pollute
my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.
D&C 83:7i-8c
September 22 & 23, 1832
72
In the Latter Days
9a. Verily, verily I say unto you, Darkness covereth the
earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all
flesh has become corrupt before my face.
9b. Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the
inhabitants of the earth – a day of wrath, a day of
burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning,
and of lamentation – and as a whirlwind it shall come
upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
10a. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my
house shall it go forth, saith the Lord.
10b. First among those among you, saith the Lord, who
have professed to know my name and have not known
me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my
house, saith the Lord.
D&C 105:9a-10b
73
In the Latter Days
7c. Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last
days, like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to
judge the nations; for it shall come to pass, that the
inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion;
7d. and liars, and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and
they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
8a. And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors,
if they are not faithful in their stewardships, shall be
condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead; for,
behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory
of the Lord shall be upon her, and she shall be an ensign
unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every
nation under heaven.
8b. And the day shall come, when the nations of the earth
shall tremble because of her, and shall fear because of her
terrible ones. The Lord hath spoken it. Amen.
D&C 64:7c-8b
74
In the Latter Days
I tell you that he will come, and when he does come, he
will avenge his saints speedily. Nevertheless, when the
Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:8
12 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be
thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame; for
thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not
remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
13 For thy maker, thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his
name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God
of the whole earth shall he be called.
14 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and
grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast
refused, saith thy God.
15 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with
great mercies will I gather thee.
16 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee,
saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
3 Nephi:10:12-16
75
Need for Discernment
23 For in those days, there shall also arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect,
who are the elect according to the covenant.
24 Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect's
sake.
25 And ye also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see
that ye be not troubled; for all I have told you must come to
pass. But the end is not yet.
26 Behold, I have told you before, Wherefore, if they shall
say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth.
Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east,
and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole
earth; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:23-27
76
Need for Discernment
22 Repent, therefore, and enter ye in at the strait gate;
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and many there be who go in thereat.
23 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that
leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
24 And, again, beware of false prophets, who come to you
in sheep's clothing; but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
25 Ye shall know them by their fruits; for do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
26 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a
corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.
27 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
28 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit, is hewn
down, and cast into the fire.
29 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:22-29
77
Need for Discernment
30 Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter unto the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who
is in heaven.
31 For the day soon cometh, that men shall come
before me to judgment, to be judged according to their
works.
32 And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name
cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful
works?
33 And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from
me ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:30-33
78
Need for Discernment
13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called
you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel;
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him
be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9
79
Need for Discernment
4b. And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that
ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and
he goes forth deceiving the nations; 4c. wherefore he that
prays whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me, if
he obey mine ordinances.
4d. He that speaks, whose spirit is contrite, whose language
is meek, and edifies, the same is of God, if he obey mine
ordinances. 4e. And again, he that trembles under my power
shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise,
and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I
have given you.
5a. And again, he that is overcome and bring not forth fruits,
even according to this pattern, is not of me; wherefore by
this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases, under the
whole heavens.
5b. And the days have come, according to men's faith it shall
be done unto them. Behold, this commandment is given unto
all the elders whom I have chosen.
Doctrine & Covenants 52:4b-5b
80
Need for Discernment
And, behold, all things have their likeness; and all things are
created and made to bear record of me; both things which are
temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the
heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things
which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth,
both above and beneath, all things bear record of me.
Genesis 6:66
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men; who love not the truth,
but remain in unrighteousness,
19 After that which may be known of God is manifest to them.
20 For God hath revealed unto them the invisible things of him,
from the creation of the world, which are clearly seen; things
which are not seen being understood by the things that are
made, through his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse;
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were they thankful, but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
Romans 1:18-22
81
Need for Discernment
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for
the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the
spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God
knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the
things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost
teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:9-14
82
Need for Discernment
1a. Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the
voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom
which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked
and are agreed as touching the church, and the spirits
which have gone abroad in the earth.
1b. Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many
spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the
earth, deceiving the world: and also Satan hath sought to
deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
2a. Behold, I the Lord have looked upon you, and have
seen abominations in the church that professes my name;
but blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether
in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
2b. But woe unto them that are deceivers, and hypocrites,
for thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
Doctrine & Covenants 50:1a-2b
May 1831
83
Need for Discernment
5a. Verily I say unto you, He that is ordained of me and sent
forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the
spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the spirit of truth, or some
other way? and if it be by some other way, it be not of God.
5b. And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he
receive it by the spirit of truth, or some other way? if it be
some other way, it be not of God:
5c. therefore, why is it that ye can not understand and know
that he that receiveth the word by the spirit of truth,
receiveth it as it is preached by the spirit of truth?
6a. Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth,
understandeth one another, and both are edified and rejoice
together;
6b. and that which doth not edify, is not of God, and is
darkness: that which is of God is light, and he that receiveth
light and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and that
light groweth brighter and brighter, until the perfect day.
Doctrine & Covenants 50:5a-6b
May 1831
84
To The Elders
4a. Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church whom I
have appointed:
4b. ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the
children of men the things which I have put into your
hands by the power of my Spirit;
4c. and ye are to be taught from on high.
4d. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with
power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.
Doctrine & Covenants 43:4a-4d
85
Our Hope
43 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of
Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster
the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and
brimstone, which is endless torment.
44 Oh how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth
all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
45 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men,
if they will hearken unto his voice;
46 For behold, he suffereth the pains of all men: yea, the
pains of every living creature, both men, women and
children, who belong to the family of Adam.
47 And he suffereth this, that the resurrection might pass
upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great
and judgment day.
48And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and
be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy
One of Israel, or they can not be saved in the kingdom of
God.
2 Nephi 6:43-48
86
Doctrine and Covenants 98
December 16, 1833
4f Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion,
for all flesh is in mine hands: be still, and know that I am God.
4g. 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. And all these things, that the prophets
might be fulfilled.
4h. And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that
which I have appointed, neither shall there be any other place
appointed than that which I have appointed for the work of
the gathering of my Saints, until the day cometh when there is
found no more room for them;
4i. and then I have other places which I will appoint unto
them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains, or the
strength of Zion.
87
Doctrine and Covenants 98
December 16, 1833
5a. Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my
name, and worship me according to mine everlasting
gospel, should gather together and stand in holy places,
and prepare for the revelation which is to come when the
veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle,
which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh
shall see me together. 5b. And every corruptible thing,
both of man, or of the beasts of the field, or of the fowls
of heaven, or of the fish of the sea, that dwell upon all
the face of the earth, shall be consumed; and also, that of
element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall
become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell
upon all the earth. 5c. And in that day the enmity of man,
and the enmity of beasts; yea, the enmity of all flesh
shall cease from before my face. 5d. And in that day
whatsoever any man shall ask it shall be given unto him.
5e. And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt
any man. And there shall be no sorrow because there is
no death.
88