D&C 64-70

Doctrine and Covenants 64-66

We are reminded in this section that our goal is to overcome the world.   Not only will God help us with this goal but he knows the difficulty in obtaining this goal and has compassion on us for our mistakes and if we repent quickly, he will forgive us from all of our sins.  He has great mercy for us especially if we obey his ordinances.

He reminds us to forgive others of their trespasses against us and that while he will forgive only those who repent we are required to forgive all.  Those who won’t forgive, have also committed sin and in fact, that great sins lieth in them.  

We are told that tithing (as my mother used to tell me) is fire insurance.  That those who pay their tithing won’t be burned at Christ’s coming.  While tithing here I broader than 10% for us today our job in the law of consecration is to given 10% to tithing and donate generously to other places like fast offerings and in what other ways the lord tells us to.  The law of consecration tells us to donate our excess to the church.  Each of us gets to decide what our excess is. 

I love 64:33 be not weary in well-doing for out of small things proceedeth that which is great.   God requires our hearts and our minds to be willing and obedient to him and if we will do that he will give us the good of the land.  

In section 65 we are told to prepare the way of the lord by taking the gospel to every nation and as we do that the kingdom of heaven will eventually come and unite with the kingdom of God on earth.

In section 66 we are told that we need to repent and it isn’t just of big things but if we follow the Lord he will show us other things that we need to repent of so that we can eventually be given (inherit) eternal life and be crowned a king and a priest.  

Doctrine and Covenants 67-70

Sections 67-69 take place in Hiram Ohio in November 1831.  They have a conference there and D&C 1 is given as the preference to the Doctrine and Covenants.  Ezra Booth has left the church and published news paper articles about the church saying that in this conference they were told that they were to build Joseph an elegant house, and give him 1000 dollars.  This of course was not in D&C 1 and they church decided they needed to publish the revelations.  The first book of commandments is published in 1833 but there was a mob attack on the printing press and very few copies were made.  Later in 1835 the first book of Doctrine and Covenants was published including the lectures on faith.   

Some felt at this conference that there would be angels appear and they would have some heavenly manifestation but instead they are told by the Lord to strip from themselves jealousy and fear (both Oliver Cowdrey and David Whitmer were here and had received great revelations, had seen the golden plates etc) and humble themselves and until they did this the veil would not be rent for they must be quickened by the spirit to have such visions.    

In section 68 they are told that to go on missions they must have the priesthood and be guided by the Holy Ghost.   As they speak by the Holy Ghost their words will become as scripture and will be the mind of the lord, the word of the lord and the voice of the Lord to others to bring about their salvation.  They are told to go into all the world and preach to every nation baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

They are told that they will learn the signs of the times and as people come to Christ, study his scriptures and live them then there will be those that have power to seal them up unto eternal life. 

They are instructed about Aaron and the Aaronic Priesthood where it came from, why it was given and how it is to function now.    They are told about bishops and bishoprics. They are told that at 8 years old members can be baptized if they have been taught by their parents. They are told to keep the Sabbath day holy, to work and not be idle and they will have the riches of eternity. 

D&C 70 is given on the last day of the conference.   Joseph and others are told to publish the Book of Commandments and also Joseph is told to be a steward over the revelations with others being over printing and selling etc.  These included the Book of Commandments, a church hymnal and a Church newspaper.  These would be sold at a fair price and the profits compensate those who published it as well as all of the church. They are reminded about the Law of Consecration in these matters and D&C 51:3 should be followed.