However, my dedication to the church, my love for our people, and my conviction regarding the churchs divine calling have not waned, but have grown stronger.With deep trust in the spiritual competency and maturity of the church, I turn the words of this counsel over to you for prayerful consideration and continued discernment. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. In 1844, the church added eight sections not included in the 1835 edition. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) uses the 1846 edition that was published in Nauvoo, Illinois; this version is virtually identical to the 1844 edition. Transformative encounters with the Eternal Creator and Reconciler await those who follow its spiritual pathways of healing, reconciliation, peace, strengthening of faith, and knowledge. The seventy are to be the forerunners of Christs peace, preparing the way for apostolic witness to be more readily received. [9] Ninety-five of the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were completely omittedmost notably section 132 on plural and celestial marriagealong with parts of 21 others. Listen to the testimonies of those responding generously. Such conditions are not Gods will. Prayer for Peace VaLonna Walter Eternal God, We praise your holy name. I also present these words with full conviction of their truthfulness as an expression of the spirit of wisdom and revelation that flows from Gods eternal being. Follow Christ in the way that leads to Gods peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation. I have sensed as never before that we are uniquely called to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ and to claim again the principles of Restoration in our own time. As we recognize the depth and possibilities of these words, the Temple spiral can provide an actual map for this journey. The LDS Church's 1981 edition contains two "Official Declarations" at the book's conclusion. This covenant entails sacramental living that respects and reveals Gods presence and reconciling activity in creation. b. 1001 W. Walnut St.Independence, MO 64050USA. Do not fail to understand its power. When your willingness to live in sacred community as Christs new creation exceeds your natural fear of spiritual and relational transformation, you will become who you are called to be. Fortunately, we have the promise that one of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of divine truth beyond the confines of language and culture. The restoring of persons to healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth is at the heart of the purpose of your journey as a people of faith. A worldwide prophetic church must develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to distinguish between issues that should be addressed by the World Conference and those that are best resolved nationally or in other ways.b. Listen carefully to your own journey as a people, for it is a sacred journey and it has taught you many things you must know for the journey yet to come. That kingdom shall be a peaceable one and it shall be known as Zion. The Holy Spirit confirms the church would be blessed by considering this counsel for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. The "Doctrine" part of the book consisted of a theological course now called the "Lectures on Faith". Receive the giftedness and energy of children and youth, listening to understand their questions and their wisdom. Striving to be open to the guidance of the Spirit, while attempting to lay aside my own preconceived notions, has been a challenging but necessary learning experience. Mentioned twice in the Doctrine and Covenants, he devoted most of his life to full-time missionary service for the LDS Church. From that devoted time with God, these closing words of challenge and promise unexpectedly sprang forth and found their place in this document: 9 a. Beloved children of the Restoration, your continuing faith adventure with God has been divinely led, eventful, challenging, and sometimes surprising to you. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Follow your souls yearning to come home to Gods grace and generosity. Originally published in 1835 as Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God, editions of the book continue to be printed mainly by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [RLDS Church]). Doctrine and Covenants 61 Section 61 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, McIlwaine's Bend, August 12, 1831. [8], In 1930, a small volume edited by apostle James E. Talmage titled Latter-day Revelations was published, which was a highly edited selective version of the Doctrine and Covenants. The challenges and opportunities are momentous. The two Official Declarations are not revelations, but they serve as the formal announcements that a revelation was received. Doctrine and Covenants 6:25-28. Listen to the Voice that speaks from beyond the farthest hills, from the infinite heavens above, and the vast seas below. Opportunities abound in your daily lives if you choose to see them. The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. 2a. 2 a. Instruction given previously about baptism was proper to ensure the rise and cohesiveness of the church during its early development and in following years. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Spiritual growth and guidance enrich involvement in Christs mission. Be gentle and gracious with one another. The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your whole-hearted response to the call to make and steadfastly hold to Gods covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.c. In civil proceedings, the doctrine of stare decisis (to stand by things decided) provides a hierarchy in respect of the binding nature of certain court proceedings. On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, the World Conference voted to accept the inspired document as the mind and will of God for the church and ordered its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. 3 a. Being a divinely led prophetic people involvesas a necessityreevaluating at times some existing understandings and customs to allow added insight and interpretation under the Spirits guidance.With that background in mind, I present the following counsel to the church in response to the guidance of Gods Spirit. Changes in leadership positions; trusting the Spirit; Proclaim peace; reach out; patience; embrace differences; respect tradition, Strive for peace; missionary work; use and misuse of, Effects of baptism, confirmation, and sacrament of the Lord's Supper; cultural awareness and sensitivity; flexibility in number of quorums of seventy; accelerate evangelism. There are many issues that could easily consume the time and energy of the church. Pursue peace. A copy of the Doctrine and Covenants from NASA photographer M. Edward Thomas traveled to the moon and back in 1972 with astronaut John Young aboard Apollo 16. Without clinging to every word or phrase, I have remained assured of the rightness of the message, but I have also sensed that it was incomplete, that there was more to be said. Some have continued to express concerns about how the sacrament of the Lords Supper should be conducted. f. Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion. Click picture for link to Latter-day Seekers Private . Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go. Be respectful of tradition. Doctrine & Covenants 61 / Doctrine & Covenants / Section 61 D&C Text Read the Text at ChurchofJesusChrist.org Earliest Manuscript at JosephSmithPapers.org Context Helps Historical Context and Background of D&C 61 Overview of the Missouri River, Missouri Brief Biography of Sidney Gilbert Brief Biography of William W. Phelps Brief Biography of Sidney Rigdon Brief Biography Continue reading . The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) accepts the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, including the Lectures on Faith, which it insists are as much inspired as the revelations themselves. Be tender and caring. b. President Stephen M. Veazey released counsel to the church on January 17, 2010, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of the open canon of scripture received or submitted by prophet-presidents and other leaders throughout the history of the restoration movement. As a result, the World Conference removed sections 107, 109, 110, 113, and 123 to a historical appendix, which also includes documents that were never published as sections. Let gratitude show you the way. b. To accelerate the work of sharing the gospel, the Twelve and the Seventy should be closely associated in implementing wholistic evangelistic ministries. Every day since being ordained as prophet-president, I have carried the needs of the church on my heart. This committee of Presiding Elders, consisting of Smith, Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, began to review and revise numerous revelations for inclusion in the new work. These thoughts have haunted me, perhaps in part because I have resisted expressing them, painfully aware as I am of my own sinfulness and personal shortcomings. Many others will respond if you are persistent in your witness and diligent in your mission to the world. Such behavior wounds Christs body and denies what is resolved eternally in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. President Judd offers reflections on each paragraph of Doctrine and Covenants, Section 61, and provides questions to guide individuals and small groups as they explore this rich and meaningful text. The burdens of the prophetic office have increased dramatically since the last World Conference. b. Joseph Smith, 4th ed . I did not then understand that our journey of transformation would instill new depth and insight. Look carefully, listen attentively, and sense the Spirit among you. 1a. 3 a. 5 a. Do not be discouraged. c. You have been given the principles of generosity, rightly interpreted for a new time. 2 a. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message. 4 a. May we journey into the future trusting one another, confident that the One who called the church into being continues to guide it toward fulfillment of divine purpose. Through divine grace and wisdom, this faith community has been given abundant gifts, resources, and opportunities to equip it to become such a people. 10 a. The words did not flow as if dictated, but were wrested out of my own encounter with the Spirit that had been working with me these many months. Offer the sacrament of evangelist blessing not only to individuals and congregations, but to families, households, and groups seeking spiritual guidance to more completely give themselves to Christs mission. Grant ordered the withdrawal of the book from sale with the remaining copies shredded in order to "avoid further conflict with the fundamentalists".[10]. Serious questions about moral behavior and relationships continue to arise in many nations. (Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b) We offer sanctuary and safe space. To the councils, quorums, and orders, to the World Conference, and to the church: 1 a. Let it stand as a towering symbol of a people who knew injustice and strife on the frontier and who now seek the peace of Jesus Christ throughout the world. c. The Eternal Christ invites those who have yet to experience the blessings of baptism to Follow me in the way of righteousness and peace. Be baptized of water and the Spirit and discover your spiritual home as a fully functioning member of the body. Those values, deeply rooted in the Restoration faith, affirm that stewardship and discipleship cannot be divided and are dependent upon each other. For in their welfare resides your welfare. e. During the confirmation prayer include an acknowledgment of the grace and authority of Jesus Christ through which baptism occurs. b. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Only God, the Eternal One of whom scripture testifies, is worthy of worship. Enhancing search results Your search has been run again, based on your subscription settings. Listen to the Voice, for it cannot be stilled, and it calls you once again to the great and marvelous work of building the peaceable kingdom, even Zion, on behalf of the One whose name you claim. Sometimes the weight of concern has seemed almost unbearable. Although these letters are not formally published in the Doctrine and Covenants, they are still deemed to be inspired, and are dealt with in the same manner that revelations are (that is, they must be deliberated and approved by the voting members of a World Conference). 8 a. Analyzing Oil and Gas Farmout Agreements John S. Lowe Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law SMU Law Review These principles call every disciple to tithe faithfully in accordance with means and capacity. At the end of the conference, the church "by a unanimous vote" agreed to accept the compilation as "the doctrine and covenants of their faith" and to make arrangements for its printing.[4]. D&C Section 161 SECTION 161 President W. Grant McMurray submitted the following counsel to the quorums, councils, and orders of the church and to the World Conference on Tuesday, April 4, 2000. Newell G. Bringhurst, "Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants: Its Complex and Controversial Legacy" in Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster (eds. The "Covenants" part of the book, labeled "Covenants and Commandments of the Lord, to his servants of the church of the Latter Day Saints", contained a total of 103 revelations. Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved. Stephen M. VeazeyPresident of the Church. b. 2 Upon the ordination of his successor, Wallace B. Smithshall lay down the responsibilities of President and be retired with the title of President Emeritus. From the earliest days you have been given a sacred principle that declares the inestimable worth of all persons. Journey in trust, assured that the great and marvelous work is for this time and for all time. I have continued to wrestle with the message, sensitive to the importance of expressing it with integrity and always aware of my own human failings and uncertainties. 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