46 I Have Seen Your Sacrifices in Obedience
I Have Seen Your Sacrifices in Obedience
I Have Seen Your Sacrifices in Obedience
The truths restored from the Lord to Joseph Smith ring true
in our souls. So many truths were restored, like the nature of God, man’s
relationship to Him, and our relationships with one another.
130:22,
2 2 And that same sociality which exists among us
here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal
glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.
22 The Father has a body of
flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not
a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so,
the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
We need to develop strong trust in our Heavenly Father and
faith in Jesus Christ in order to do the things we might be called upon to do.
132:50
Will I make my own sacrifices in obedience to the Lord’s commandments?
God wants to exalt His children.
Doctrine
and Covenants 130–132
Though we cannot fully understand the concept of eternal
glory, these sections are inspiring to us. We know that if we are faithful, we
can again live with our Heavenly Parents and become like them.
Some questions to ponder: What do I learn about God? What do I learn about the
life after mortality? How does this information about eternal life bless my
life now?
Our
Hearts Rejoiced to Hear Him Speak
For Kids
Heavenly Father wants me to focus on eternal things.
Doctrine
and Covenants 130:2, 18–19; 132:13, 19
132:13
The things in this life that aren’t of God are temporary, and they will be
gotten rid of.
13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of
men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name,
whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall
be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead,
neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.
What can we take with us to the next life:
130: 2 Our family relationships and our friendships will
continue and even be far better.
Vs 18-19 We can take our education and understanding and all
the intelligence we’ve received through hard work and obedience. So we should
learn all that we can here.
132: 9 If we are married in the temple and remain faithful
to God and to each other, then as husband and wife we can continue into the
eternities, become heirs to all that God has and all His promises.
Video: Think Celestial!: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2023-10-5070-russell-m-nelson?lang=eng
Begin with the end in mind. Have Eternal Life as you goal. Be married in the
temple. Stay on the covenant path. How, where, and with whom do you want to
live forever? Be obedient to God’s laws.
For Kids
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have immortal physical
bodies.
Doctrine
and Covenants 130:22
Read 130:22 22 The Father has
a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the
Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage
of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
Look at a picture of Jesus Christ together. Point out the
physical characteristics that He has, that we each have. It’s important for us
to know that we are created in God’s image, that our bodies are like His,
because we are His children.
For Kids
God blesses me as I obey His laws.
Doctrine
and Covenants 130:20–21; 132:5,
21–23
Help children understand what obedience is and how being
obedient can bless us. You could give them simple directions to follow in order
to find something. What happens if you don’t follow the directions? What
happens is you do?
Read 130:21
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is
by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
If we want the blessing, we need to do what God requires of
us.
130:20–21 20 There is
a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of
this world, upon which all blessings are predicated
132:5
5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall
abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the
conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.
God’s commandments are not arbitrary.
God blesses people who obey His laws.
Doctrine
and Covenants 130:20–21; 132:5
See verses above.
God is not arbitrary in giving commandments. They were instituted before the
foundation of the world. They are given as a guide to bless us, keep us safe,
and help us find joy in the covenant path.
Blessings are not always felt instantaneously. God in His wisdom, tests us and
proves us. We need to live by faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to our
Father’s commandments, whether we precious life as currently rich in blesses,
or depressingly miserable. But if we continue in faith and obedience, the
blessings will always come, in the Lord’s timing and for our eternal good and
progress.
1 Nephi
17:35 Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that
is righteous is favored of God…
Doctrine
and Covenants 82:10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do
what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
For Kids
Heavenly Father made it possible for families to be
together forever.
Doctrine
and Covenants 132:19
So many things in this life were meant to be temporary, but
not families.
132:19
The blessings of the temple covenant of marriage is beyond joy and
comprehensive. God has the power to bind a man and a woman together for
eternity.
Chapter 55:
A Revelation about Marriage
Be sensitive to family situations. “Children
today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations. …
[We] need to reach out to [those] who feel alone, left behind, or outside the
fence” (Neil L. Andersen, “Whoso
Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me,” Ensign or Liahona,
May 2016, 49, 52).
Heavenly Father made it possible for families to be
eternal.
Doctrine
and Covenants 132:13–21
I am thankful that the Lord restored the sealing power for
eternal marriages in our day.
132:13–21
look for phrases that help you understand the difference between what will
“remain” eternally and what will not. (See below)
verse 14
14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things
are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.
Since eternal marriages in temple are by God, they can last forever.
“A
Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells
“You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the
family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine” (President
Eyring).
Families
Can Be Together Forever
Plural marriage is acceptable to God only when He
commands it.
Doctrine
and Covenants 132:1–2, 29–40
When God approves and commands plural marriage, then it is
not sin.
132:1–2,
29–40 Did God approve of His servants in the Old Testament having multiple
wives? (See below)
While there have been exceptions, marriages between one man
and one woman is God’s standard of marriage.
Jacob
2:27, 30 27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken
to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have
save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise
up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall
hearken unto these things.
Some of the early saints were commanded to practice
polygamy.
Mercy
Thompson and the Revelation on Marriage
Saints 1:290–92, 432–35, 482–92, 502–4
Plural
Marriage in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Video: Why was it necessary for Joseph Smith and others to
practice polygamy? https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-09-1050-why-was-it-necessary-for-joseph-smith-and-others-to-practice-polygamy?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/129?lang=eng
Instructions given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Nauvoo, Illinois, February 9, 1843, making known three grand keys by which the
correct nature of ministering angels and spirits may be distinguished.
Vs 4 ff Resurrected Beings can offer you there hand. Just
men not yet resurrected will not. Evil spirits will offer their hand, but you
won't feel it. They want to deceive.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/130?lang=eng
1–3,
The Father and the Son may appear personally to men; 4–7,
Angels reside in a celestial sphere; 8–9,
The celestial earth will be a great Urim and Thummim; 10–11,
A white stone is given to all who enter the celestial world; 12–17,
The time of the Second Coming is withheld from the Prophet; 18–19,
Intelligence gained in this life rises with us in the Resurrection; 20–21,
All blessings come by obedience to law; 22–23,
The Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bones.
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we
attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and
intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than
another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
We should always be learning.
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.
If we understood the blessings that are given for obedience,
I think we'd choose to obey.
22 The Father has a body of
flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not
a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so,
the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
23 A man may receive the Holy Ghost, and it
may descend upon him and not tarry with him.
It is important to continue to live worthily in order to
have the Holy Ghost as our companion.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/131?lang=eng
Instructions by Joseph Smith the Prophet, given at Ramus,
Illinois, May 16 and 17, 1843.
1 In the celestial glory there are
three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man
must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning
the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang=eng
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting
covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of
plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence
indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by
the Prophet earlier. See Official
Declaration 1.
132:13–21
look for phrases that help you understand the difference between what will
“remain” eternally and what will not.
Vs 4 -7 ff Temple marriage, couples being sealed as man and
wife, is the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. We need to enter this
covenant together and with the Lord, and keep our covenants, and then we will
be sealed up to receive all the promises extended to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and all the faithful.
8 Behold, mine house is a house of order,
saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
9 Will I accept of an offering, saith
the Lord, that is not made in my name?
10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I
have not appointed?
8 Behold, mine house is a house of order,
saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
9 Will I accept of an offering, saith
the Lord, that is not made in my name?
10 Or will I receive at your hands that which I
have not appointed?
Vs 13ff Marriages
that are not part of the new and everlasting covenant that the Father
instituted for eternity, will have an end, unless these couple receive this
covenant either for themselves or by proxy.
Vs 19 ff Those who are married in the temple and receive the
promises of exaltation will inherit all the promises that God has given them,
if they abide His law.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye
abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall
ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye
shall be also.
24 This is eternal lives—to know the
only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he.
Receive ye, therefore, my law.
23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall
ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye
shall be also.
24 This is eternal lives—to know the
only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he.
Receive ye, therefore, my law.
132:1–2,
29–40 Did God approve of His servants in the Old Testament having multiple
wives?
Vs 1-2 Because Joseph wanted to know about men of old living
plural marriage, God answered him.
31 This promise is yours also, because ye are
of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the
continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.
32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of
Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.
49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with
thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity;
for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne
for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father.
50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and
will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience
to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape,
as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.
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