The Doctrine and Covenants

Yesterday, I finished reading The Doctrine and Covenants and figured I should report on it as I've done with the other books of scripture I have finished reading this year.  This is the second-to-last entry about my goal to read the scriptures before the end of the year.  Fortunately for me, the only book I have left to finish is The Pearl of Great Price, which is only 61 pages long. I think I can handle 61 pages in the next 7 days.

For those of you unfamiliar with this book of scripture:  As a latter-day saint, I believe Joseph Smith was given an ancient record and, through the power of God, translated that record into scripture.  This record is published as The Book of Mormon.  Along with the power of translation, Joseph Smith was set apart as a seer and revelator.  During his life time, he received many revelations, instruction for both himself and the Church. These have been compiled and published as The Doctrine and Covenants.

So- some passages that stuck out to me, either because they are long time favorites or because I noticed them particularly during this read through.

D&C 6:33-34  Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if you are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

I love the way Christ speaks to us in this verse.  He calls us his sons and his little flock.  He acknowledges the feelings we have of being small and inadequate, and He doesn't tell us that those feelings are wrong.  He isn't saying "Go- be big, be brave."  He tells us instead that, despite our smallness, we need not fear. We can do good and stand against big things because we stand on His side.  Christ has infinite strength and love for us, and infinity plus anything (no matter how small) is still infinite.

D&C 34: 2-3 (describing Christ) The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God.

This passage is another reminder of Christ's love for us, as well as a promise of what we can receive.  As we believe, we have the opportunity to become- it is our chance to change because of the sacrifice Christ made for us.  And what happens if we let that sacrifice change us? What do we become? We become the sons of God.  We are all already His children, but to become "the sons of God" means that we have accepted him and begun to change to become like him. We have chosen to grow up to be like our Father.

D&C 76: 22-24 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -- That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

I know that this passage is true.  Joseph, and the other men called of God to help him restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth, had the opportunity to see Christ.  He lives.  This is important to remember.  It is true that Christ died for us and for our sins, but He was also resurrected, meaning that He lives.  And through Him, we might live again too.  That moment was so pivotal.  He rose from the dead, testifying to all that he really is the Son of God and that he really had the power to take upon himself all of our sins and pains and sufferings.  He lives, so his sacrifice is complete, that we might become whole through him.