The Bible

For those who are new to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon church), the amazing resources of scriptures might feel overwhelming! Not only is there the Bible, but also the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

But before being bowled over by it all, stop for just a moment. What a thing to rejoice! The Lord loves us. And He knows how confusing a place this world could seem. That is why He gives so much instruction through His prophets! (Incidentally, this is why the missionary program of the Church is so important - just think how many people there are who might not understand God's love and the purpose to life.)

I love the scriptures. I really, really do. They bring peace and comfort on dark or dismal days in my life. And I particularly love the Doctrine and Covenants for its rich application potential in my personal struggles.

Just a bit of history as to the evolution of the Doctrine of Covenants. Imagine, if you will, for just a moment what it must have been like (on another topic) for Moses as he led the children of Israel away from the Pharaoh toward the promised land. Moses now had a huge group to lead, not just spiritually but in every way.

Did you know that in the Bible book of Numbers, the Lord is recorded as speaking to Moses at least 150 times! As Moses' group faced challenges during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, so too did Moses receive instruction on how to lead them.

This is exactly what happened to the prophet Joseph Smith in the early days of the Mormon Church. The gospel of Jesus Christ had just been restored after a long dark period of apostasy. The Lord gave Joseph Smith the responsibility of leading this new church. And just like He did with Moses, the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith numerous times, giving instruction.

Many of those instructions from the Lord are recorded and preserved in the book that is now called the Doctrine and Covenants. It is a register, so to speak, of those counsels and commands from God to the prophet Joseph.

And they are potent pieces of instruction. Would not anyone, if they knew they could hear the voice and mind of God, would they not greatly desire this? Today we can by reading in the Doctrine and Covenants.

Here is what one modern prophet had to say regarding this great book of scripture:

"The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants bring men to Christ's kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ...

"The Book of Mormon is the 'keystone' of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone" (President Ezra Taft Benson, Doctrine and Covenants Church History: Seminary Student Study Guide, 9).

To read from the Doctrine and Covenants, click here.

Just the other day I was reading in Doctrine & Covenants 93 and was so taken by these consistent refrains, spoken to several early church members and leaders:

"You have not taught your children light and truth, according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your affliction" (vs. 42).

And:

"You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebulked before the Lord. Your family must needs repent and forsake some things, and give more earnest heed . . . " (vss. 47-48).

And to another servant of the Lord:

"My servant Newel K. Whitney also, a bishop of my church, hath need to be chastened, and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place" (vs. 50).

The Lord obviously cares about families. Very much so. And it makes sense. It is within the family that children receive (or don't receive) exposure to love. It is within the family that children receive (or don't receive) knowledge that they are of value in God's eyes. It is within the family that children see (or don't see) examples of patient, Christ-like living.

It has been said that when we train a child, that training (or lack thereof) will stick with him. We hear the expression that first impressions are lasting ones. We know all these phrases but do we apply their significance into our lives?

Just why is it that the Lord cares so deeply about families? I believe it is because He understands how significant parental love is for a child. Even studies by social researchers have indicated this and the impact that parenting style has on children.

The word of God is potent. It can be studied for hours on end and with each pass of study, we gain new truths. In fact, one could study the same book of scripture for years and never cease to learn from it.

As Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, we believe the scriptures. We study them. We seek knowledge from them. And as I read this 98th chapter in the Doctrine & Covenants, I felt to wonder what the Lord would comment about my parenting.

When he said in D&C 93:43: "And now a commandment I give unto you - if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house", I wondered if there were any things not right in my house needing righting.

When the Lord said in D&C 93:49: "What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place", I knew the Lord was speaking from a place of wisdom. It would be well to hearken.

Therefore, I have doubled my determination to serve my children. I am resolved even more deeply to be "concerned at home," focusing on the urgent spiritual needs of my children, making sure I immerse them each day in things of the Lord. For I desire this blessing spoken of in D&C 93:52: "...and inasmuch as you keep my sayings you shall not be confounded in this world, nor in the world to come." That is a blessing worth living for!