21 That Which Is of God Is Light
That Which Is of God Is Light
I especially like the truths taught in section 50, because there certainly are deceivers all throughout the world, but the Lord will reclaim those who are His who have been deceived, and the deceivers will be destroyed. That is wonderful news. The atonement of Jesus Christ is so far-reaching and its infinite. Don’t allow yourself to be bogged down with a small space of time. Trust in the Lord’s love for you and those you love.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:44 Jesus is our good Shepherd. He is in relentless pursuit of us all.
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:2 Truth and righteousness will ultimately stop the false spirits that have gone through the land deceiving. Jesus will cut the work short in righteousness.
When we come to the Lord’s true church, there are falsehoods we must let go as we learn the truth.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:15 We shouldn’t receive spirits or doctrine or philosophies of the day that are not of God. The Lord teaches us how to discern true manifestations.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:40 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
Jesus Christ wants me to embrace the truths of His gospel.
Doctrine and Covenants 49; 50:24
The Shakers did not teach true doctrine, especially about the resurrected Lord. We will come back as the same people we are here, only glorified.
verse 2 2 Behold, I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me and must needs repent.
How often do we what to just change the things that are easy to change, and we don’t want more truth that may condemn us. We need to repent and desire to bend our will to meet the Lord’s. Best place to start is on bent knee.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 24 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.
What are you doing to receive more light? Today I started the day with the Lord and with worthy goals, so that I am not idling away my time and giving place to slacken my strength, which is in Christ.
For Kids
I can follow Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:12–14
activity page Teach the doctrine of Christ. You could also make footprints for each step: faith in Jesus, repentance, baptism by immersion, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost; and then, enduring to the end.
12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end;
13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins;
14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:12–14
Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For Kids
Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17
The Shakers believed in celibacy, which is entirely incorrect doctrine. Anything that thwarts God’s plan for our eternal happiness is not of Him.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17. What did the Lord teach about marriage?
What does it mean that “marriage is ordained of God”? Marriage between a man and a woman is God’s plan and will for His children. He sanctions and blesses such unions.
Read first three paragraphs The Family: A Proclamation to the World
Why are marriage and family so important to our Heavenly Father? (discussion)
Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17
Satan has constantly tried to destroy Heavenly Father’s Plan whose mission statement is found in Moses 1:39: 39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
The Family is essential to His plan and to our progress. We lived in His family before we came to earth, because Family is his design and the grand unit of eternity. Without the union of husband and wife, our Father’s children cannot return to enter His presence and become like Him, living lives that are eternal and capable of having eternal increase.
Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;
17 And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.
Families are not just a small part of our Father’s plan; they are His plan.
Genesis 2:20–24 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
1 Corinthians 11:11 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World What truths are found In the inspired, scriptural document?
In Partnership with the Lord Elder Ulisses Soares taught that “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the principle of full partnership between woman and man, both in mortal life and in the eternities.”
How can we as husband and wife strengthen our partnership?
Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan
Video: Renaissance of Marriage: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2015-01-0001-renaissance-of-marriage?lang=eng
We can experience a renaissance of happiness in marriage by putting each other’s and our family’s needs above our own.
Be sensitive to individual circumstances. While happy marriage and family life are the ideal in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we don’t all get to enjoy these blessings while in mortality. In discussing this topic, be sensitive to various individual and family circumstances, especially for people who are “waiting patiently on the Lord” for eternal promises to be fulfilled.
See Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3 1 Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.
The Lord’s teachings can protect me from Satan’s deceptions.
Doctrine and Covenants 50
We shouldn’t be so eager for spiritual manifestations that we are willing to receive them from the wrong sources or channels. When we are looking for truth, we need to look to God; as we humbly pray for the portion He feels we are ready to receive, we can be enlightened through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost to receive revelation and recognize truth.
How can we recognize true manifestations from the Holy Ghost?
verses 22–25 23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
24 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.
29–34 29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.
30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask;
40–46 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am.
46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.
How does the Lord help us to know the difference between truth and error?
1 Corinthians 14:1–28 Spiritual gifts. Have the Spirit with you. (I listened to chapter 14.)
2 Timothy 3:13–17 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
(These verses fit so well with my understanding of section 50.)
Teachers and learners are edified together by the Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–24
How has being a life-long member given you opportunities to be both a teacher and a learner? In what settings?
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–24, make a list of phrases that teach you about gospel learning and teaching. (See notes below.)
When have you had experiences that taught you the importance of the Spirit in teaching and learning?
How can I improve my skills as both a learner and a teacher? I think I need to work on my listening skills, so that I can be taught by the Spirit and so that I can teach with the Spirit.
For Kids
“That which is of God is light.”
Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25
What is the difference between dark and light? When you are awake, which do you prefer?
Why do we need light? What things can’t you do when it is dark? When things can you do when it is light?
Walk in God’s light Paragraph 1: You make better choices when you can see things clearly. That’s why light is so important: light makes it easier to see the right path. Heavenly Father has given you access to heavenly light—the gift of the Holy Ghost—to help you see clearly what is good and bad, right and wrong.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25 23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.
24 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.
25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;
How do we receive God’s light?
What do you do to chase darkness away?
“That which is of God is light.”
Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25
(Combine with section above.)
Do these verses have an impact on your choices: how you spend your time, what you do for entertainment, and how you’ll respond in conversations, or which posts on social media you just pass by?
Walk in God’s light More information found in For the Strength of Youth.
For Kids
Jesus Christ is my Good Shepherd.
Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–46
Read Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–46 together.
40–46 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am.
46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.
Show the picture of Jesus giving the sheep water to drink. How does the Lord give you food and drink? How does He nourish you?
How does a shepherd feel about His sheep? How is the Savior like a shepherd to us?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/49?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 7, 1831. Leman Copley had embraced the gospel but still held to some of the teachings of the Shakers (United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing), to which he had formerly belonged. Some of the beliefs of the Shakers were that Christ’s Second Coming had already occurred and that He had appeared in the form of a woman, Ann Lee. They did not consider baptism by water essential. They rejected marriage and believed in a life of total celibacy. Some Shakers also forbade the eating of meat. In prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “In order to have [a] more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.” The revelation refutes some of the basic concepts of the Shaker group. The aforementioned brethren took a copy of the revelation to the Shaker community (near Cleveland, Ohio) and read it to them in its entirety, but it was rejected.
Vs 5-8 I reminder that the Lord is God. That Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of the Father. That Jesus is He who atoned for the world and was resurrected as the perfect Son of God, who will come again, in His own form. We don't know when that is, and we won't know until He comes. We all need to repent and seek to become holy.
Vs 12-14 The Doctrine of Christ has every been the same, as seen in the New Testament, in The Book of Mormon: another testament of Christ, and in our Latter-day Doctrine and Covenants.
Vs 15-17 Marriage has always been defined by and ordained of God. It is His plan for our progress and salvation. Those who seek to redefine it are in opposition to God's plan for our happiness.
Vs 18 God doesn't forbid the eating of meat, but as stated in D&C 89, he is pleased when we eat it sparingly, or even in times of winter or famine.
Vs 20-21 We are supposed to give to those who don't have and equalize the playing field. I don't know how to do that. We are giving by far too much to interest on debt repayment. We need a way out of that. I want to be released from both bondage and sin.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/50?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 9, 1831. Joseph Smith’s history states that some of the elders did not understand the manifestations of different spirits abroad in the earth and that this revelation was given in response to his special inquiry on the matter. So-called spiritual phenomena were not uncommon among the members, some of whom claimed to be receiving visions and revelations.
5 But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
Vs 6-8 Powerful scriptures. Parents who have children who are good, but have been deceived, can rest assured the Lord will reclaim them!
As you read Doctrine and Covenants 50:13–24, make a list of phrases that teach you about gospel learning and teaching.
Vs 17-23 Teach by the Spirit. Listen and learn with the Spirit. Your sources should be the Spirit, the scriptures, the prophets, and the texts given by the Church. Do not teach worldly things and claim them as truths. Spread truth and light.
24 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.
Vs 26-28 This is about Jesus Christ and His true followers. We have been ordained to become like Him and to be joint-heirs with Him.
29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.
30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask
40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
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