Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Thirty-Two
Stand Ye In Holy Places, and Be Not Moved - D&C 87
Jesus described our day when “Men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21:26) – Today the hearts of both men and women are failing for fear, and the entire world is in commotion. (See also D&C 88:91) The time has come that war is being “poured out upon all nations….And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God….Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (D&C 87:2, 6, 8).
Fort Collins Colorado Temple
“Stand ye in holy places” – Places are made holy if the people do not pollute it, but are themselves holy. Of the temple the Lord said: “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house” (D&C 110:7-8). Holy places, where righteous people may be found, include the following:
The temple – “A temple is a house of the Lord, a holy sanctuary in which sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and also in behalf of the dead. A place where the Lord may come, it is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth” (Bible Dictionary, Temple). People who “worship in this house” meaning temples are promised “a fulness of the Holy Ghost,” they are “organized” in families “according to [God’s law],” and they are “prepared to obtain every needful thing” (D&C 109:14-15).
The home – “Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness” (Bible Dictionary, Temple). Our hymns beautifully express the sacredness of home, when there is love in the family:
“Kindly heaven smile above When there’s love at home;
All the world is filled with love When there’s love at home;
….Oh, there’s One who smiles on high When there’s love at home” (Hymns, Love at Home, p. 294).
Also, “Home can be a heav’n on earth When we are filled with love,
Bringing happiness and joy, Rich blessing from above –
Warmth and kindness, charity, Safety and security –
Making home a part of heaven, Where we want to be” (Hymns, Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth).
“And be not moved” – When the Lord says, “be not moved” (D&C 87:8), He is speaking about how we live and what we believe and support. To “be not moved” includes doing the following:
Have a current temple recommend – We should live at all times to be worthy of a temple recommend. A current temple recommend is a standing invitation to come to the House of the Lord. Those who are worthy of a temple recommend are promised “that no weapon formed against them shall prosper….That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house” (D&C 110:25-26).
Believe and live the teaching found in The Family – A Proclamation to the World – This Proclamation, given in 1995 by latter day prophets, seers, and revelators, is quickly becoming the great sieve that will sift the world, including some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Proclamation, in effect, separates those who believe the Lord speaks to living prophets and apostles from those who do not. It is the mind and will of the Lord, and it is the answer to the great issues that threaten societies throughout the world.
Support and defend the Lord and His servants – Not being ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16) includes not being ashamed of the prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ or their teachings, for they will lead us in the way of life and salvation.