Tag Archives: Doctrine and Covenants

What Oliver Cowdrey reminded me of

I hardly remember the details, but it was one of those moments that just stick. The TV was on, a man was speaking on miracles and the priesthood. This man, whoever he was, had some remarkable experiences giving blessings. I remember no other details except for a story about a woman confined to a wheelchair who came to her Bishop, asking to be healed. As her Bishop prepared for the blessing, he received a spiritual confirmation that she indeed could be healed. The time for the blessing came, the Bishop faithfully pronounced the blessing. The prayer concluded and this woman began to rise out of her chair. She then paused, and said something like “well maybe, it’s not to be…” And then sat back down. That was that.

When Oliver Cowdrey failed to translate more than just a couple words after The Lord told him he would have power to do so, The Lord gently explained,

“And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you” (D&C 9:5).

In a CES fireside, Elder Holland characterized this as missing an opportunity of a lifetime because he missed the lifetime of the opportunity.

These are good reminders to me of God’s love and mercy to extend such wonderful blessings to us but it also serves as gentle nudge forward. To step forward toward the throne and kneel: to trust Him without second guessing myself.

As Paul instructed the Hebrews,

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise,” (Hebrews, Chapter 10:35-36).

Field is White for more than Just Missionary Work

As I have begun to study the Doctrine and Covenants as part of this year’s Sunday School curriculum, it didn’t take long before I reached these well known words,

Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:3)

When it was first revealed to Joseph Smith in section four, the Book of Mormon was not yet published, the Church was not organized and no one had the priesthood yet. This got me thinking. While it certainly applies to missionary work, I can see it as a general statement by The Lord of the blessings in general that The Lord is desirous that we receive. All it takes is us being willing to serve God, obey his commandments and knock, seek and ask. It’s all available, before us, it just requires some willingness on our part to pick up the sickle.

David O. McKay on D&C 4

Speaking on the revelation contained in Doctrine and Covenants, section four, David O. McKay said,

“When that revelation was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he was twenty-three years of age. The Book of Mormon was not yet published; no man had been ordained to the priesthood. The Church was not organized; yet the statement was made and written without qualification that ‘ . . . a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.'”

April 1952
General Conference

God is Never Hidden

Speaking of Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail, Henry B. Eyring observed,

“In the depths of his anguish in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith cried out: “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him seem distant and inaccessible. Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done,” create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time.”

“Where Is the Pavilion?”
2012 October General Conference,