Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Twenty-Two
Temple Worship Brings Blessings From Above, Commandments Not A Few,
and Revelations In Their Time
Introduction to D&C 57 – 59 – In D&C 57:1-3 early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were commanded to gather in Missouri, establish the city of Zion, and build a temple. When they arrived in Missouri they were eager to know the will of the Lord. In answer the Lord revealed D&C 58 – 59 to them. These teachings also apply to us. If we are worthy and anxious to know the will of the Lord, He will certainly make it known to us, often in the temple, and through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Children of God have agency and are expected to bring to pass much righteousness – Furthermore, we are not to be commanded “in all things”, but we are to “be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. 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” (D&C 58:26-28). In D&C 59:4 the Lord explained the reward that will be given to faithful saints.
Those who are faithful and diligent “shall be crowned with blessings from above” (D&C 59:4) – In verse 23 the Lord further explained “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.” Peace in this world comes through the gift of the Holy Ghost which is one of the greatest gifts we can receive in this life. This gift “can come only after proper and authorized baptism….The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost” (Bible Dictionary, Holy Ghost). Furthermore, eternal life in the world to come “is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36).
If we desire a blessing we must keep the commandment upon which that blessing is predicated – The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “There is a law irrevocable decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated – And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:20-21). For example, if we want to be more fully unspotted from the world we will “remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). In our day, the Lord further expounded on how we are to keep the sabbath day holy. (See D&C 59:9-15) And then to those who do keep it holy He promised “the fullness of the earth” and explained how this marvelous blessing is received. (See D&C 59:16-21)
Those who are faithful and diligent also receive “commandments not a few” (D&C 59:4) – Some seem to want as few commandments as possible because they believe commandments are restrictive. But instead we should desire to be given as many commandments as possible, and we should live worthy to receive them. Commandments increase our agency to choose good over evil, and they give us another opportunity to choose to be obedient and receive the attendant blessings that are promised.
Those who obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will receive “revelations in their time” (D&C 59:4) – Elder Boyd K. Packer explained: “Revelation continues in the Church: the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for is stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself” (Conference Report, April 1974, p. 139). I believe that women generally are more spiritually gifted than men, and they often receive guidance from above. Moreover, the women of God’s Church and kingdom on the earth are especially blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, and therefore they frequently receive revelation for their stewardships, especially for their family.
Temple worthy members receive all of the blessings promised in D&C 59:4 – As members are faithful and diligent in keeping their baptismal covenants they are worthy to receive a temple recommend. Worthy members who worship in the temple receive in abundance all the blessings promised in D&C 59:4. They receive “commandments not a few.” They receive “revelation in their time.” And they are “crowned with blessings from above” most importantly, the promise of eternal life.