Wednesday, March 2, 2011

When, When, Where

Shout out to Brother Esplin's D.C. class for teaching this one as well (although if something is wrong it's because I'm writing from memory):

In D.C. 57 Joseph Smith asks the following questions:
“When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will Thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?”

The Lord doesn't answer "when", but he does answer where in the first couple verses: where is Independence, Missouri. Also, the Lord tells many people what to do to help prepare Zion - Sidney Gilbert needs to buy land (for people to come to and for the Church to have), the Bishop needs to divide the property among members, Sidney Gilbert needs to establish a store, W.W. Phelps needs to get a printshop going and print books, Oliver Cowdery is supposed to help WW out. That sounds like some good preparation for people that are coming.

Also, the Lord says "who":

15And now concerning the gathering—Let the bishop and the agent make preparations for those families which have been commanded to come to this land, as soon as possible, and plant them in their inheritance.

Those who are commanded to come (from Kirtland). Interesting that you need to be invited to Zion.

Section 58 also talks about this subject and gives direction, and answers other questions. In fact almost every main question you could ask about Zion is answered (who, what, where, why, how), but not when. Why not when?

Because that depends on us. Zion is the pure in heart (D.C. 97:21). Zion is established when we are ready.

Knowing stuff like this and how it all fits together just makes me believe that this book was definitely written by God, revealed to a prophet. Very complete message. Very inspired message. All true.


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