23 Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause
23 Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause
Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause
The Lord wants us to build Zion. We can’t expect a paradise or a Garden of Eden without preparation, planning, and hard work. We need to become a Zion people in our hearts and in our homes, and through the ministering we do.
Sometimes our expectations don’t match our current realities. We have effectual trials to pass through as we learn and grow. We need to continue to “Think Celestial”, and to trust in the Lord’s promises; and we need to stay on the Covenant Path.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:3 3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
It will be a glorious day, when the Zion of Enoch and the Zion in the current day meet together.
verses 27–28 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
“After much tribulation come the blessings.”
Doctrine and Covenants 58:1–5; 59:23
Saints, 1:127–33.
For Kids
Heavenly Father has given me power to choose.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–28
Read Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–28 (just 26 first) Heavenly Father has given us the gift of agency, the power to discern right from wrong. We have the power to choose good things.
Piece of paper: choice/consequence.
How can our choices determine our consequences.
(Now 27-28) What are some choices that “bring to pass much righteousness” and good consequences or results? How does Heavenly Father “reward” or bless us as we strive to do good?
I can “bring to pass much righteousness” of my “own free will.”
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–29
What things are you currently “anxiously engaged” in? Working on the mission history. It’s a good cause.
How do you feel about being compelled to do things? Would you like to be compelled in everything, or do you like having choices? The Lord wants us to do many good things of our own free will. He desires for us to have choices and pursue serving according to our interests.
2 Nephi 2:27 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
The Lord forgives me as I repent.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43
Doctrine and Covenants 58:42 42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
I’m so thankful to know that the Lord wants to take away my anguish, my shame, and my sin. If I repent, He’ll never hold it against me; He’s already taken it upon Himself.
How can we learn to forgive without bringing up past offenses every time we feel a slight.
verse 43 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
How does confessing my sins help me repent?
Psalm 32:1–5 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
There is healing found in honesty. There is help when we are humble. There is forgiveness as we turn to the Lord and follow Him.
Proverbs 28:13 13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
We are blessed when we are honest, forsake evil, and ask forgiveness.
Mosiah 27:34–37 Like the sons of Mosiah, when we repent, we can have the blessing of serving in the Lord’s Church and in our families and communities, and help bring others to the Lord.
When we repent and feel the sweet love of Jesus, we want others to feel that too.
37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.
Alma 39:12–13 13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done.
We still need to do our best to make amends and to follow the Lord’s plan. That’s the way that we will really experience the joy of forgiveness.
I’m trying to forsake my sins, but I keep making mistakes. Is my repentance still valid?
Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness
Video: Daily Restoration: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2022-12-0090-inspirational-message-daily-restoration-elder-uchtdorf?lang=eng
How can I be sure that the Savior has forgiven me?
The Atonement of Jesus Christ (especially 2. Sin)
Who was Polly Knight?
Doctrine and Covenants 59
Joseph Knight, Sr., and his wife Polly were great supporters of Joseph during the translation of The Book of Mormon. They traveled from New York to Ohio, and later to Jackson County, Missouri.
Polly’s health was bad, but she was determined to make it to Missouri, and she died a few days after arriving.
D&C 59 was received on the day she died.
verses 1 and 2 may be about Polly.
1 Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments.
2 For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them.
Commandments are a blessing.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:4–19
verse 4 I have never read this verse before as being “crowned with commandments.” But I do think the faithful are given more responsibility and more opportunities to serve their fellow beings, and in so doing, they receive more than those who are unfaithful to the commandments that they’ve already been given.
verses 5–19 First, we are to live the two greatest commandments. As we love God with all that we have and worship Him only, He will bless us with the ability to love and serve His children.
Loving our neighbor means that we want the best outcomes for them, just like we do for ourselves. It means giving up selfishness. That means we would never steal from them or cheat on them, or seek their harm.
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
The sacrifice you should give to God is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
We need to go to church and offer up our sacraments, and in so doing partake of the Lord’s sacrament; and keep the Sabbath day holy. Great our the blessings that we will receive if we observe the Sabbath with gratitude and thanksgiving. I think that includes singing the hymns of praise.
Share what you’re learning. In many cases, the spiritual insights you receive as you study the scriptures could strengthen the faith of your family, friends, and ward members. Share with them your experiences, feelings, and testimony of Jesus Christ.
For Kids
“Thank the Lord thy God in all things.”
Doctrine and Covenants 59:7, 18–21
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.
What things do you see outside that make you feel happy? What things do you like to eat that bring you pleasure? What smells do you like? Did you know that Heavenly Father planned all these good things for you to enjoy?
Do you give thanks in prayer? Do you sing songs to praise Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. One of the most important commandments we have is to be thankful to Heavenly Father and to tell him “Thank you.”
How can you show your thanks?
Would you like to draw a picture of something you’re thankful for?
For Kids
The Sabbath is the Lord’s day.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–12
What can you do on Sunday to worship the Lord and to feel the joy of the Spirit?
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–12 You can go to Church, and sing the songs, and partake of the sacrament; and you can participate in primary.
The activity page has some good ideas? What kinds of things do you do with your family on Sundays? What are some things you do on your own? How do these things help you feel closer to Jesus and Heavenly Father, and to your family?
Video: Miguel's Sabbath Lesson: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2021-12-0060-miguels-sabbath-lesson?lang=eng
The Sabbath is the Lord’s day.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–19
We should be thankful that the Lord has given us commandments, not a few. One of the most important is the observance of the Sabbath day, His “holy day.”(see Doctrine and Covenants 59:4, 9)
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–19 Ponder why keeping the Sabbath was so important to the early saints? Why is it important to you? (See notes below)
Are you using the Sabbath day the way the Lord would want you to? Think about changes you could make yourself, for your family, and in ministering to others. (Bob and I need to get back to consistently discussing Come Follow Me together.)
verse 9 How is the Sabbath day helping you to keep unspotted from the world? (What can you do on other days to always remember Him as well, to be more prepared for the Sabbath?)
verse 10 How are you paying your devotions to the Most High? We are singing with the choir.
Does Sunday help you to feel glad, cheerful, and like rejoicing? What can you do in preparation for the Sabbath, so that the Spirit can help you feel those emotions and look forward to Sunday renewals? What makes the Sabbath joyful for you? Remember to be grateful all during the week, and to really always remember Him; then, you’ll be in a preparation to feel the joy and share the joy. Why do you choose to honor the Lord’s day?
Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
Genesis 2:2–3 From the beginning, God made the Sabbath a day of rest.
Isaiah 58:13–14 13 ¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54). Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering.
Vs 3-5 Trust in the promises and live for the blessings that await the faithful.
Vs 8-11 The Lord has never despised those who are despised because they are poor. But the poor and humble in the Lord are welcome and will have great favors bestowed upon them.
Vs 15 Unbelief and blindness of heart are sins. Be faithful and believing, so that you invite further light and knowledge into your life.
Vs 17 Bishops are judges in Israel.
20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
65 And behold the Son of Man cometh. Amen.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 7, 1831. Preceding this revelation, the land was consecrated, as the Lord had directed, and the site for the future temple was dedicated. On the day this revelation was received, Polly Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight Sr., died, the first Church member to die in Zion. Early members characterized this revelation as “instructing the Saints how to keep the sabbath and how to fast and pray.”
Vs 4 Remember Jesus always, keep the commandments, minister and teach, and keep serving in the temple. You will be crowned with blessings and you will know what you must do and how to proceed.
Vs 6-7ff These two great comments, when lived and loved, will help us keep every other commandment.
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
8 Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–19 Ponder why keeping the Sabbath was so important to the early saints? Why is it important to you?
Vs 16-17ff We will never stand in need if we observe the Sabbath and remember the Lord all through the week.
20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.
23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
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