30 Much Is Given Much Is Required
Much Is Given Much Is Required
Much Is Given Much Is Required
Doctrine
and Covenants 81 was first a revelation to Jesse Gause, who was called
as a counselor to Joseph. Because he was unfaithful, Fredrick Williams was
called in His place and his name was put in the revelation instead. We need to
understand that even though the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are
given to specific people of that day, they are also personally applicable to us
now. The Spirit can help us apply the truths and understanding which we receive
in them to ourselves.
1 Nephi
19:23 23 And I did read many things unto them which were
written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade
them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was
written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all
scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
Doctrine
and Covenants 81:5 Whose feeble knees might I help to strengthen? (The Lord
helped me even know how to strengthen my own.)
5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office
which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the
hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:10, 15 These messages are also for me and for you.
10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do
what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
15 Therefore, I give unto you this commandment,
that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the
laws of the Lord.
verse 5
5 Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for
the adversary spreadeth his dominions,
and darkness reigneth.
The blessings and the warnings are for us as well.
Kids
I can pray to God “vocally and in [my] heart.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 81:3
Read Doctrine
and Covenants 81:3 When do we pray in public, and when do we pray in
private? When can we pray, and how can we pray?
How do you feel when you talk to Heavenly Father in Jesus’s
name?
Activity: Have a handout with a heart drawn. Allow the
children to write or draw something that they’d like to pray about inside the
heart. Let the children know that we can always pray in our hearts, even when
we aren’t praying aloud.
“Testify that Heavenly Father knows what we are
thinking and feeling and He can hear our prayers even if we don’t say them out
loud. You might share with them an experience when you prayed in your heart and
Heavenly Father heard you.”
Kids
The Lord wants me to help people in need.
Doctrine
and Covenants 81:5
Draw pictures of hands and knees with the class. Then read Doctrine
and Covenants 81:5, looking for when these body parts are mentioned.
5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office
which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the
hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
What does the Lord want us to do? He wants us to encourage
and strengthen each other; he wants us to give sustenance, both physical food
and spiritual nourishment. He wants us to teach each other and support each
other. He wants people to feel safe, to have friends, to have clothing and
shelter so that they feel protected. How can we be helpful? We can pray for
others. We can love others. We can share with them. We can be kind. We can pay
our tithing and our fast offerings.
How have you been strengthened by others when you felt weak,
hurt, or sad?
Video: Pass It On: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-01-0001-pass-it-on?lang=eng
We can learn how Jesus served others through scripture
stories found in videos and pictures.
Gospel Art Book, nos. 41, 42, 46, 47, 55
Video: Serving the Savior’s Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgEf1_bpyAQ
We can reach out to people in need as the Savior did.
Help your children receive their own inspiration. Teaching
means more than just sharing truth—it means helping other people become
independent learners. Instead of simply telling your children how they can
serve others, for example, encourage them to seek the Lord’s guidance to know
who they can help.
“Thou wilt do the greatest good unto thy fellow beings.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 81:4–5; 82:18–19
The Lord invites us to help people around us in Doctrine
and Covenants 81–83. Are you following the suggestions that the Spirit puts
in your mind and your heart? Are you praying for help and direction in your
service and in your teaching?
4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the
greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote
the glory of him who is your Lord.
5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office
which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the
hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
Consider these questions:
- What
are some ways a person can be “weak”? What does it mean to “succor” them?
When has the Christlike service of others helped me when I felt weak?
- What
might cause a person’s hands to figuratively “hang down”? How can I “lift
up” those hands?
- What
might “feeble knees” mean? How are they strengthened?
How does the Savior do these things for you? Who can you
succor, lift up, and/or strengthen? What will you do to serve them and let them
know you are there and that you care? Will you minister as the Lord wants you
to do?
Video: Teachings of Thomas S. Monson: Rescuing Those in
Need: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2012-05-1608-teachings-of-thomas-s-monson-rescuing-those-in-need?lang=eng
Jacob
2:17–19 17 Think of your brethren like unto
yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance,
that they may be rich like unto you.
18 But before ye seek for riches,
seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ
ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent
to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to
liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
Mosiah
18:8–9 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold,
here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye
are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called
his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be
light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with
those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort,
and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and
in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of
God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may
have eternal life—
Video: Works of God: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-11-0009-works-of-god?lang=eng
The Savior has given me much and requires much of me.
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:3
3 For of him unto
whom much is given much is required; and he
who sins against the
greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
Review your blessings, both physical and spiritual.
As you read section 82, look for understanding about what
the Lord is requiring of you.
Because
I Have Been Given Much: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHaYpXRlER8
Commandments are evidence of God’s love for us.
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:8–10
3 For of him unto
whom much is given much is required; and he
who sins against the
greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I
say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
We can rely on this, that the more commandments we keep, the
more we will be given. The Lord will bless us with commandments, not a few.
When we live up to a trust He has given us, He is able to give us more.
Doctrine
and Covenants 1:37–38 37 Search these commandments,
for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies
and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken,
and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away,
my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether
by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it
is the same.
We know we can trust the words of the Lord, and we have
those words.
130:20–21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed
in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which
all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain
any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon
which it is predicated.
D&C 59: 4 And they
shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and
with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their
time—they that are faithful and diligent before me.
Video: Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments
of God: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-09-0009-blessed-and-happy-are-those-who-keep-the-commandments-of-god?lang=eng
“Don’t be too critical of the barrier; it’s the only thing
keeping you from being devoured.”
verse
8 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment,
that you may understand my will concerning you;
Am I seeking to know and do God’s will? Do I sacrifice my
own will for His? He can see more and knows more than I do.
verse
15 15 Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind
yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the
Lord.
Am I using the sacrament every week in seeking to be
forgiven of my sins and to bind myself more fully to the Lord? Am I going to
the temple often to make these covenants available to others, especially my
family?
Why are the commandments meaningful in your life? How have
they both blessed and protected you?
Kids
Heavenly Father promises blessings as I strive to obey
Him.
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:10
“Why does Heavenly Father give us commandments?”
Read together Doctrine
and Covenants 82:8–10. (See adult section right above.)
How do Heavenly Father’s commandments show His love for us?
Some of the Lord’s commandment:
Exodus
20:4–17: The Ten Commandments.
Matthew
22:37–39: The Two Great Commandments:
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto
it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Doctrine
and Covenants 89:5–17 The Word of Wisdom
What are some ways that Heavenly Father shows His love for
us?
Play a blindfold game, with someone giving instructions. How
are the commandments like instructions in this game?
The Lord blesses us in His own marvelous ways.
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:10
Prayer:
A Small and Simple Thing
“After ten years of increased temple attendance and constant
prayer, I am sorry to say that my children’s choices have not changed. …
“But I have. I am a different woman. … I have a softer
heart. I am filled with compassion. I can actually do more and am free of fear,
anxiety, guilt, blame, and dread. I have given up my time limits and am able to
wait on the Lord. And I experience frequent manifestations of the Lord’s power.
He sends tender mercies, small messages that acknowledge his love for me and my
children. My expectations have changed. Instead of expecting my children to
change, I expect these frequent tender mercies and am full of gratitude for
them. …
“My prayers are changed. I express more love and am more
thankful. … The Lord works in marvelous ways, and I truly am filled with the
peace that passeth all understanding.”
Our prayers for our children and those we love are never
wasted. When we are closer to our Heavenly Father, we can have the assurance
and peace from the Spirit that we need to allow for the Lord’s timing and to
cast our burdens at His feet.
My children are grown. They are good, loving, and capable
people. Let the process of agency play out. The Lord is pursuing them and
loving them more and better than you can. Give your heart in pray to the Lord
for His mercy and His grace to be with them and with you. Then serve those you
can within your realm and trust that the Lord will reach those who may
currently be beyond your realm.
“Widows and orphans shall be provided for.”
Doctrine
and Covenants 83
Doctrine
and Covenants 78:9 9 Or, in other words, let my servant
Newel K. Whitney and my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and my servant
Sidney Rigdon sit in council with the saints which are in Zion;
Jospeh traveled nearly 800 miles to be obedient to this
charge with the saints that were gathered in Missouri.
What do you learn from section 83 about
how the Lord feels about widows and orphans? (See reading below.)
Women at this time had little claim on their husband’s
property when they died. Joseph saw several women raising their children alone.
(Among them were Phebe Peck and Anna Rogers, whom the Prophet knew personally.)
How can you serve the widows and fatherless? What can you do
today? (write a letter to Betty Stuart; make a plan to visit Barbara and Erika.
Also, contact those you are to minister to in some way this week.)
Isaiah
1:17 17 Learn to do well;
seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow.
James
1:27 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this,
To visit the fatherless and widows in
their affliction, and to keep
himself unspotted from the world.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/81?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Hiram, Ohio, March 15, 1832. Frederick G. Williams is called to be a high
priest and a counselor in the Presidency of the High Priesthood. The historical
records show that when this revelation was received in March 1832, it called
Jesse Gause to the office of counselor to Joseph Smith in the Presidency.
However, when he failed to continue in a manner consistent with this
appointment, the call was subsequently transferred to Frederick G. Williams.
The revelation (dated March 1832) should be regarded as a step toward the
formal organization of the First Presidency, specifically calling for the
office of counselor in that body and explaining the dignity of the appointment.
Brother Gause served for a time but was excommunicated from the Church in
December 1832. Brother Williams was ordained to the specified office on March
18, 1833.
Vs 3 The Lord acknowledges His prophets and also all those
who serve along with Him. We need to support one another in our callings and be
faithful in our stewardships. We need to pray always, keeping a pray in our
heart. We need to proclaim the gospel in all the world and also to each other.
4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the
greatest good unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the glory of
him who is your Lord.
Vs 5-6 Be faithful in your callings. See to uplift and
strengthen others in their faith as well. Remember you calling as a mother and
pray more diligently for your children and grandchildren.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/82?lang=eng
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, in
Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, April 26, 1832. The occasion was a
council of high priests and elders of the Church. At the council, Joseph Smith
was sustained as the President of the High Priesthood, to which office he had
previously been ordained at a conference of high priests, elders, and members,
at Amherst, Ohio, January 25, 1832 (see the heading
to section 75). This revelation reiterates instructions given
in an earlier revelation (section 78)
to establish a firm—known as the United Firm (under Joseph Smith’s direction,
the term “order” later replaced “firm”)—to govern the Church’s mercantile and
publishing endeavors.
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants,
that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even
so I, the Lord, forgive you.
3 For of him unto whom much is given much
is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the
greater condemnation.
Vs 3 Because we have the revelations of many prophets and
receive our own revelations be the power of the Holy Ghost, we must take upon
ourselves an added measure of accountability and live by the things that we
believe and know to be true.
7 And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord,
will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more;
but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith
the Lord your God.
Vs 8-10 Follow the Lord's commandments that you have
received and will receive. If you do, you will be blessed according to His
promises.
10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do
what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
13 For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland
in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for
a stake to Zion.
14 For Zion must increase in beauty,
and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must
be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and
put on her beautiful garments.
Vs 14 Make the temple covenant available to all the
faithful.
15 Therefore, I give unto you this commandment,
that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the
laws of the Lord.
17 And you are to be equal, or in other
words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the
benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man
according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
18 And all this for the benefit of the church of
the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that
every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to
be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of
the whole church—
19 Every man seeking the interest of
his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the
glory of God.
Vs17-19 17 And you are to be equal, or in
other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for
the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man
according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
18 And all this for the benefit of the church of
the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that
every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to
be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of
the whole church—
19 Every man seeking the interest of
his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the
glory of God.
22 And now, verily I say unto you, and this is
wisdom, make unto yourselves friends with the mammon of
unrighteousness, and they will not destroy you.
23 Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine
and I will repay. Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you.
24 For even yet the kingdom is yours,
and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so.
Amen.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/83?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Independence, Missouri, April 30, 1832. This revelation was received as the
Prophet sat in council with his brethren.
What do you learn from section 83 about
how the Lord feels about widows and orphans?
Vs 1-6 The Lord wants the Church to care for all its members,
especially those who have special needs and challenges. Where the world is not
always fair, the Lord wants His people to be fair and to care for those who are
left without husbands and fathers.
The Bishop is responsible to justly ascertain whether
families have needs, and should not just assume that their parents have wherewith
to help them (especially when he is not the parents’ Bishop).
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