~ Joshua 1:16-17 ~
And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught to walk in faithful obedience to the principle truths and teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To many Evangelical and Protestant Christians - such understanding appears to violate the teachings of Paul:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10, KJV
One of the benefits members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints possess is the ability to devote our time, energy, and focus on specific scriptures. Every year, we give over to the study of the Standard Works. And since the introduction of the Come Follow Me curriculum that started with the New Testament, followed by the Book of Mormon, and now the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History; Members will begin their journey through the Come Follow Me - Old Testament beginning January 2022.
Yet, when one takes the time to thoroughly study the scriptures, they will find innumerable instances where we are directed to walk in obedience to God's will and counsel. This includes the teachings of those whom He has called to serve Him. We are resolved to learn and do all that the Lord commands through his servants.
The Apostle Paul counseled Timothy and observed the following:
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5, KJV
In one of my favorite translations - The Complete Jewish Study Bible - we read the same passage as follows:
I solemnly charge you before God and the Messiah Yeshua, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom: proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with teaching. For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear. Yes, they will stop listening to the truth, but will turn aside to follow myths. But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires.
2 Timothy 4:1-5, CJB
To the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - we fully embrace the truth and understand that God has revealed His will and instructions in these last days to His servants. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith on November 1, 1831, we read:
...the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people. ... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:14, 18)
Prior to verses 14 and 18, we read the following commandment and will of God:
Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated. And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days. And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them. Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants ... Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled. And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, and the unbelieving and rebellious; Ye, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure - Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. Wherefore, the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. "
Doctrine and Covenants 1:1-13
What is the reason for the apostasy of those individuals who are rebellious - heaping unto themselves false teachers, embracing fables and myths, and turning from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Denying the ordinances, breaking their covenants, and not seeking to establish the righteousness of Christ in their own lives?
For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:15-16
Everyone walking in their own way, wisdom, and understanding. We see this among many of those who have fallen from the principle truths of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many who were deceived into believing falsehoods. Testimonies shaken through manipulation and false assurances. Much of this from well-to-do individuals. Such individuals turn and attempt to deceive others by the same means. Inevitably, they slander the servants, teachings, and sacred ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - they have become blasphemers and offenders of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Power and Authority to Teach the Doctrine of the Kingdom of God
Beginning January 2022, members will be studying some of the doctrines of the Old Testament and parts of the Pearl of Great Price. This come follow me curriculum will help individuals understand the themes, historical settings, sacred ordinances, symbolism, and ways to apply the scriptures unto themselves.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
The Old Testament [is] replete with faith-promoting incidents that should never be forgotten, and which never grow old by repetition. …
Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:76, 78-79
In reading the Old Testament … we should keep in mind the fact that the Hebrews were a people who indulged constantly in figures of speech to convey their thoughts. … The Old Testament … is filled with excellent figures of this kind intended to impress upon the mind of the people important doctrines and prophetic utterances. … [T]he people who heard these remarks were deeply impressed with the forceful and correct meaning of what was intended.
The overall goal in our scripture study is to develop an enriching, and deepening our learning, and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To deepen our conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so that we are equipped to become more like them. As the introduction to the Come Follow Me shares:
For this reason, when we study the gospel, we're not just looking for new information; we want to become a "new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means relying on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures.
Come Follow Me - Old Testament 2022
But the kind of gospel learning that strengthens our faith and leads to the miracle of conversion doesn't happen all at once. It extends beyond a classroom into our hearts and homes. It requires consistent, daily efforts to understand and live the Gospel. Gospel learning that leads to true conversion requires the influence of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost guides us to the truth and bears witness of that truth (see John 16:13). He enlightens our minds, quickens our understandings, and touches our hearts with revelation from God, the source of all truth. The Holy Ghost purifies our hearts. He inspires in us a desire to live by truth, and He whispers to us ways to do this. Truly, "the Holy Ghost ... shall teach [us] all things" (John 14:26).
According to Doctrine and Covenants Section 88 we read this commandment:
And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the Kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the Gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; ... That ye may be prepared in all things ...
Doctrine and Covenants 88:77 - 80
In response to what Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the people marveled and asked how Christ knew despite lacking any formal education:
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 7:14-18, KJV
Christ taught with power and authority. Yet, what he taught was what was received by the father. It was the Father's doctrine that Christ revealed to those present. And the Savior further distinguished those who teach by revelation, power, and authority from those who taught from their own humanity. On the one hand, when we teach by personal revelation, from our understanding of the scriptures, and having applied them into our own lives - we seek to glorify Christ and the Father. On the other hand, many who have abandoned their faith seek to teach for their own personal gain and glory - despite their desire to evangelize and witness to us what they believe to be true. In some instances, many have become proudful, boastful, and arrogant in their so-called knowledge and understanding. Whereby they have hardened their minds and hearts to the truthfulness of the restored Gospel.
Study the Word of the Lord Daily and Without Fail
Individuals may understand their own personal needs, as well as the needs of others, by regular attendance to Church services, participation in Sunday School, personal commitment to daily scripture study, and discernment through meditation and prayer. Each of us also bear a responsibility to apply the messages we hear, the instructions we receive, and the wisdom and council given unto us. Those who are called to teach the principle truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ do so under the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.
Not only are we to listen to those who are commissioned to serve and instruct us. We are also commanded to study the scriptures -especially if we are the one's called to teach the principle truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men. but now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men … until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto. … seek the Kingdom of God, and all things shall be added according to that which is just.
Doctrine and Covenants 11:21-23
Each one of us ought to devote our time and energy in studying the standard works every day. This is accomplished by establishing a study schedule that best serves our personal needs. And is something we are motivated and committed to following consistently. Developing an understanding and love for the scriptures will greatly help in the challenges and responsibilities we have in our lives. Helps us be of service toward others. Improve our ability to relate and communicate with others.
When we give heed and hearken unto God, or those whom he has called as servants in His Church, we are blessed and promised with the following:
Wherefore … thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in holiness before me; for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory.
Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-6
Through patience and faith, we are to receive the instructions of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ where we are able to walk in holiness before them. In so doing, we will be protected from deception and manipulation of the enemy.
Seek Strength and Resolve through Studying the Scriptures and Heeding the Counsel of Priesthood Leaders
The spiritual discipline of scripture study is to seek for yourself the greatest blessing described by President Spencer W. Kimball:
I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel. We learn the lessons of life more readily and surely if we see the results of wickedness and righteousness in the lives of others. To know the patriarchs and prophets of ages past and their faithfulness under stress and temptation and persecution strengthens … resolves
"What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren.” Address to Seminaries and Institutes of Religion personnel, Brigham Young University, 11 July 1966
According to Doctrine and Covenants 130:21 we read:
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
What this means is that before we are able to attain any blessings from our Heavenly Father, seek the riches and glories of eternity in His Kingdom, we must learn to walk faithfully in obedience to God's law. Before we are capable of obeying His law, we must come to know and understand what those commandments and laws of the Kingdom are.
Therefore, we ought to commit to a more diligent and consistent study of the scriptures so that we may come to know and understand God's laws, the blessings attached in faithful obedience to those laws and commandments and be diligent in our service to God.
After all, the Apostle Paul taught Timothy the following truth:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16, KJV
In the Complete Jewish Study Bible, we read the same verse:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living.
2 Timothy 3:16, CJB
The scriptures provide us with lessons of faith, challenges of life, and how to grow in our relationships with one another and our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Like the Israelites, we ought to commit ourselves over to doing all that the Lord our God has commanded us. By doing so, we are receiving valuable truths, are convicted of sin, and correcting any false teaching. The Scriptures also direct us toward a right way of living in these troubled times.
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