Jesus will lead us along. (D&C 77-80)

77:2

Section 77 is a little unique in that it’s a literal Q&A where Joseph is asking questions and the Lord is answering. Obviously, most of Joseph’s revelations, including the First Vision, were received as an answer to a question. Verse 2 of this section is interesting to me. I especially like the second half of the verse.

“Q. What are we to understand by the four beasts, spoken of in the same verse?

A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.”

So our spirits are in the likeness of our temporal bodies. I’m assuming that this is a loose statement. Obviously, those born with deformities or handicaps do not possess deformed or handicapped spirits. I have to think that even things like race are not a part of our spirits as we have simply inherited the genetic code of our mortal parents.

I think that our spirits are a likeness of our bodies the same way that we were created in the likeness of God. It’s not that we are exact copies of them but that we are in human form. Our spiritual bodies will appear in human form but I expect that we will not look the same as we do physically here. Just my opinion. Joseph F. Smith taught that our spirits will be “recognizable.” I don’t know exactly what that means.

77:4

“Q. What are we to understand by the eyes and wings, which the beasts had?

A. Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc.”

These two key principles of knowledge and action are a big part of the foundation of what it means to be a disciple. Someone who knows something but doesn’t act on it is a hypocrite. Someone who acts without knowing something is often a fool. But to know and then act is someone who is powerful.

I think this is why we shall be judged according to our works. Our works display our beliefs, faith, knowledge. Our works demonstrate our faith and obedience. Our works are what solidifies our character. Me sitting in my room pondering and learning the gospel doesn’t shape my character. It is my actions that do that.

This is even true for God. His glory and honor and power is through his “work.” We would not benefit from any of his philosophies or understanding or wisdom if it wasn’t for his glorious works. In the the 76th section of the D&C, we read, “…to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ… they shall overcome all things by faith and be crowned with glory… and shall be the workmanship of mine hands.” We are the beneficiaries of God’s work. All of our blessings come from the “workmanship” of his hands.

We are working to become like him. Part of that is learning how to work. Our power will come from how we act, not what we think about.

78:17-18, 22

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.” This is a comforting thing to read.

Sometimes, we are too hard on ourselves. We want to have progressed further. We want to be more righteous. We want to be more valiant. We want to make a bigger impact on others. We want to serve more. We should give ourselves a break.

Even the oldest among us have only been on this earth for several decades. That’s it - not a long time. None of us are ancient. Consider the length of Adam’s or Methuselah’s mortal probation. They lived to be around 1,000 years! We are in and out of this deal in ~80 years! Truly we are little children.

It is impossible for us to fully understand the blessings that God has in store for us. We cannot understand eternal truths. Further, we can’t even “bear” many truths. Our little brains have a very hard time understanding eternity.

Yet, we can have faith that God will “lead us along.” He will help us progress line upon line. We will learn precept on top of precept at a rate that works for our benefit. We should be comforted that the Lord has us in “his own hands.”

We can have faith and confidence that the Lord has great things in store for each of us. Even though we are young a each have learning disabilities associated with being mortal, the “kingdom” is ours, the “blessings thereof” are also ours. In fact, the “riches of eternity” are ours. God is not holding our current inadequacies against us. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows the path for us to inherit all that he has and we can all feel comfort that each of us are on that path.

Part of this is attempting to make the most of what we have now. “And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen.” We must exercise faith in a being greater than we are who knows what he’s doing. We must be wise with what we’ve been given. We have been given stewardship of several important things. A few are our:

• Marriage and family.

• Calling.

• Income.

• Talents.

• Knowledge.

Some of us have great levels of each and others have just a little bit. The point is that we are faithful and wise in our stewardship over what we have been given. It’s like the parable of the talents. Some are given more and some are given less. The point is that we are faithful and wise over what we have been blessed with.

79:2

“And I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go.” The Spirit can bless each of us. I’m afraid I’m not making the most of the Comforter. I should rely on him more. I should ask for his guidance with bigger decisions. Marci and I have some big life decisions in front of us and we should involve the Spirit significantly as we make those decisions.

80:3-4

“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss. Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true.” This is true for us and our preaching. Whatever direction we go - whether it’s to church on Sunday, or to work during the week, or on vacation, or in our homes with our families - whatever direction we turn, “it mattereth not.” There will be opportunities to “declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true.” We shouldn’t stop uplifting, preaching and spreading the good news of the gospel to every soul.