Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Five
Personalizing the Lord’s Counsel to Oliver Cowdery - D&C 6
Likening the scriptures unto ourselves – Nephi explained the importance of likening the scriptures unto ourselves: “But that I might more full persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Personalizing the scriptures is certainly “for our profit and learning” because doing so “more fully persuades us to believe in the Lord our Redeemer.”
“And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all” (D&C 61:18) – In the first Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord gave several revelations addressed specifically to some of the early brethren of the Church. (See D&C 4 to Joseph Smith Sr; D&C 5 to Martin Harris; D&C 6, 8, 9 to Oliver Cowdery; D&C 10 to Joseph Smith Jr; D&C 11 to Hyrum Smith; D&C 12 to Joseph Knight Sr; D&C 14 to David Whitmer; D&C 15 to John Whitmer; D&C 16 to Peter Whitmer Jr; D&C 19 to Martin Harris) Much of what the Lord says to these men He says to all of us.
From left: John Whitmer, David Whitmer, Joseph Knight Sr., Hyrum Smith, Oliver Cowdrey, Martin Harris, Joseph Smith Sr.
I want to better apply the Lord’s counsel to Oliver Cowdery in D&C 6 to my own life – It is my hope that by sharing these thoughts, others might consider how the Lord’s counsel to Oliver Cowdery might also bless their lives.
“A great and marvelous work [has] come forth unto the children of men….Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore…let him thrust in his sickle with his might…that he might treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God” (Vs 1, 2) – The great and marvelous work is the ongoing Restoration. The field is now being harvested, and the Lord is hastening His work in doing it. (See D&C 88:73) “The Lord of the vineyard” has invited us to labor with Him in His vineyard for the last time, and the reward for diligent service is that His faithful servants will have joy with Him in the kingdom of God (Jacob 5:72-75). I want to be more diligent in my service in this great and last harvest.
“Keep my commandments” (Vs 6, 9, 20, 37); “Hold out faithful to the end” (Vs 13); “Be faithful and diligent” (Vs 18, 20) – The Lord stresses the importance of obedience over and over. Obedience is the first law of the gospel. Being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you” (Mosiah 18:10). I need His Spirit in my life more abundantly, therefore I am resolved to be more obedient and repent more quickly.
“And seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion (Vs 6) – The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is the theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live…we are the favored people that God has chosen to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory” (History of the Church 4:609-10). I believe what President Russell M. Nelson that the establishing Zion and gathering Israel “is the most important thing taking place on earth today” (Hope of Israel, Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3, 2018). Therefore, I am resolved to do more to establish the cause of Zion in my life, in the life of my family, and in the worldwide Church.
“Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich” (Vs 7) – A mystery of God can be defined as knowledge that can only be known through revelation. A perfect example of a mystery of God is the plan of salvation. The plan of salvation can’t be found out in laboratory or in a classroom by the most intelligent people. It can’t be discovered through a microscope or a telescope. Knowing the plan of salvation by the gift of the Holy Ghost and then living it makes us eternally rich. Doing this is the greatest of all wisdom.
The great gift of personal revelation (Vs 10-11, 14-15) – Oliver was given this gift, and our Heavenly Father offers the gift of personal revelation to everyone if they desire it and live worthy of it. I have experienced personal revelation, and I want to live so that I will experience continuing personal revelation. The companionship of the Holy Spirit, the source of continuing revelation, is the greatest gift we can receive in this life.
“The greatest of all the gifts of God” is “the gift of salvation” (Vs 13, also 1 Nephi 15:36) – Salvation is defined as eternal life or the kind of life that God Himself lives. This greatest of all the gifts of God is received only in eternity, and after we have endured to the end of this life. It is my greatest desire to endure to the end with my family, and then for us to be encircled in the arms of His love (see Vs 20).