Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 10

Introduction

Read the following story of Elder Jensen:

Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy described a time when he was serving as a mission president and found himself frustrated and discouraged at the end of a district conference by the many problems that confronted him. As he was traveling home, he was turning the pages of his scriptures, looking for comfort and direction, when he stopped at the third section of the Doctrine and Covenants. He said:

“When I read a verse, I often insert my name in it. I did so with verse 5 and found the help I needed to remove my gloomy feelings: ‘Behold, you [Jay Jensen] have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you [Jay Jensen]’ (D&C 3:5).

“The words ‘remember also the promises’ struck me with unusual power. … During those four days I had focused on nothing but problems. I had not stopped to consider one single promise” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 112; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 80).

Elder Jensen then reviewed in his mind the promises given to him in his patriarchal blessing, in the blessing when he was set apart as a mission president, and in the scriptures. By so doing, he was able to find the strength and comfort he needed.

This weekend I attended the annual convention of the Utah League of Credit Unions.  Because we are in financial services, you can imagine that this year’s convention wasn’t the most upbeat one we have ever had!  When I read this story of Elder Jensen, I thought at first how silly it would be to expect to find answers to the challenges facing me in the scriptures.  After all, the scriptures are spiritual, not financial!  But then I picked a work-related challenge I’m working on and looked up related topics in the Topical Guide, and found real guidance I can use too.  Likening the scriptures as described in 1 Nephi 19:23 isn’t always easy or obvious, but under the direction of the Spirit, it can be tremendously valuable.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, many sections were given to individuals in answer to specific questions or to address particular items.  As we prayerfully read this book of scripture, we too can appropriately apply the counsel given to them in our lives today.

D&C 25 was given specifically to Emma Smith.  Begin this lesson by reading D&C 25:16.

Husbands and wives comfort and sustain each other

Read D&C 25:5.  What did the Lord counsel Emma in this verse?  What are some ways husbands and wives can comfort and sustain each other?

Read the following quotes by Joseph Smith:

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught wives that they should treat their husbands “with mildness and affection. When a man is borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed with care and difficulty, if he can meet a smile instead of an argument or a murmur—if he can meet with mildness, it will calm down his soul and soothe his feelings” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 228).

The Prophet taught husbands, “It is the duty of a husband to love, cherish, and nourish his wife, and cleave unto her and none else; he ought to honor her as himself, and he ought to regard her feelings with tenderness” (Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 61).

Be meek and avoid pride

Read D&C 25:14.  Why does the Lord warn us to avoid pride in a marriage?  The Lord warns against pride in other settings too:

a. D&C 23:1 (to Oliver Cowdery): “Beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation.”

b. D&C 38:39 (to the Saints in a conference of the Church): “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.”

c. D&C 90:17 (to the First Presidency of the Church): “Be admonished in all your high-mindedness and pride, for it bringeth a snare upon your souls.”

d. D&C 98:19–20 (to the Saints in Kirtland): “I, the Lord, am not well pleased with many who are in the church at Kirtland; For they do not forsake their sins, and their wicked ways, the pride of their hearts, and their covetousness.”

What is pride?  (Read Pres. Benson quote #1)

“Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.

“The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition’ ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 3; or Ensign, May 1989, 4).

How does pride affect our relationship with God?  (Pres. Benson quote #2)

“Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s … in the spirit of ‘my will and not thine be done.’ …

“Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled (see Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi 12:30). …

“Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4; or Ensign, May 1989, 4).

How does pride affect our relationship with others? (Pres. Benson quote #3)

“Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them (see Helaman 6:17; D&C 58:41). …

“Pride … is manifest in so many ways, such as fault-finding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous. …

“Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. ‘How everything affects me’ is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking. …

“Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 4–6).

How do we overcome pride and cultivate a spirit of meekness?  (Pres. Benson quote #4)

“The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). It is the broken heart and contrite spirit. … We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6–7).

What blessings come from humility?

• D&C 1:28 – Made strong, blessed from on high, receive knowledge from time to time
• D&C 19:23 – Have peace in Jesus
• D&C 112:10 – God will lead us and answer our prayers.
• D&C 124:97 – We receive the Comforter which testifies of truth and helps us fulfill our callings, whatever those are at the time.
• How would pride get in the way of each of these blessings?

We should rejoice and be of good cheer

What reasons does the Lord give for being of good cheer?  Look for answers to this question while reading the following passages. 

a. D&C 29:5 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father.”

b. D&C 61:36 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you.”

c. D&C 68:6 (to Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and William E. McLellin): “Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”

d. D&C 78:18 (to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others): “Ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”

e. D&C 136:29 (to the Camp of Israel at Winter Quarters): “If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.”

How can we develop good cheer and help others to be of good cheer?

What are the consequences of dwelling unduly on the negative aspects of life?  Read Elder Ashton quote:

“None of us will escape tragedy and suffering. Each of us will probably react differently. However, if we can recall the Lord’s promise, ‘for I the Lord am with you,’ we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage. We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated. We will be able to meet life’s unpleasant happenings with clear vision, strength, and power. …

“What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer, who, when others because of an unpleasant happening or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust, meets the situation with cheerful endurance and good spirits” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 84–85; or Ensign, May 1986, 66).

Conclusion

We will be blessed as we liken these scriptures to ourselves.  We can be like the Nephites of old who “lived after the manner of happiness.”