Unit 6 D&C Historical Context Report

D&C 76:26 ‘And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him-he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.’

What other names does Satan go by? What do they mean?

Beelzebub: Name of a Philistine god. Used as a title for the “chief of the demons,” or Satan. The Pharisees referred to him as the “prince of the devils” (Matt. 12:24). Jesus denied that he cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub (Luke 11:14–20). See also 2 Kgs. 1:1–6, where it is spelled Baalzebub.

Devil: The English word devil in the King James Version of the Bible is used to represent several different words in Greek, i.e., slanderer, demon, and adversary, and Hebrew, i.e., spoiler. The devil is the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God. Literally a spirit son of God, he was at one time “an angel” in authority in the presence of God; however, he rebelled in the premortal life, at which time he persuaded a third of the spirit children of the Father to rebel with him, in opposition to the plan of salvation championed by Jehovah. “Thus came the devil and his angels”. They were cast out of heaven, and were denied the experience of mortal bodies and earth life.

Lucifer: Literally the Shining One; also Lightbringer or Son of the Morning. The name Lucifer appears only once in the Bible (Isa. 14:12). Apparently Lucifer is the name of the devil before his rebellion and fall. Latter-day revelation clarifies the fall of Lucifer and equates him with Satan.

Adversary: a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe. (www.dictionary.com)

The prince of this world (John 12:31)

The wicked one (Matt. 13:38)

The enemy (Matt. 13:39)

Satan (Rev. 12:9)

Prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2–3)

Diabolos (New Testament)

Perdition (D&C 76:26)

Son of the morning (D&C 76:26–27)

That old serpent (Rev. 12:9; D&C 76:28)

The great dragon (Rev. 12:7–9)

A murderer from the beginning (John 8:44)

A liar from the beginning (D&C 93:25)

The accuser (Rev. 12:10)

The slanderer

I think it’s interesting that Satan has so many names, all of which have horrible meanings. It’s a sign to me of how real and powerful he is and how many ways he can creep into our lives. The world views the devil as a little red guy with horns, but these definitions give us evidence that he, although does not have a body, is real.

Christmas Traditions

Even though tradtions will never be the same for Kloe as it was for me, I am determined to keep some going, such as cutting down our own tree for Christmas. So, we headed up to the mountains yesterday in hopes of finding the perfect Christmas tree. Well...not only are the mountains a lot further away than they were growing up, the trees are a lot more scarce and unfortunately terrible looking. And, it's way colder here, which means no sledding.
Kloe and I stayed in the pickup while Jesse busted his buns through the waste-deep snow in search for a decent tree.
After a couple of hours, he came back with this:
And we love it! It's the perfect, non-perfect tree!
We counted this adventure as Family Home Evening, since we had a lesson on Jesus' birth the night before. On our way back, we grabbed a pizza, came home and ate, then busted out the Christmas decorations. Kloe got to open our new ornaments and we all took turns hanging them up.
We had so much fun despite the nasty weather and not-so-great circumstances. Our home now feels like Christmas and the excitement of all the traditions surrounds us. I love this time of year.

Thanksgiving

My D&C teacher shared this excerpt about Thanksgiving:

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

MY, HOW OUR COUNTRY HAS CHANGED! But, nonetheless, Happy Thanksgiving!

Unit 5 D&C Historical Context Project

D&C 61:8

What does it mean to be chastened?

Chasten: to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.

(www.dictionary.com)

The word chasten is found all throughout the scriptures. In several instances, the Lord is chastening prophets and other righteous people. Other times He is rebuking those who have turned against Him.

“The Lord explained, “All those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified” (D&C 101:5).

How/Why does the Lord chasten His people?

“The reason, so divine, that the Lord chastens us is so that we may obtain forgiveness.” (Gene R. Cook, “The Grace of the Lord,” Tambuli, Apr 1993, 17)

“For sins, the remedy is to chasten and encourage repentance.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins and Mistakes,” Ensign, Oct 1996, 62)

“Thereby we may become further tamed spiritually, for “except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, … they will not remember him” (Hel. 12:3).” (Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Plow in Hope’,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 72–74)

The Apostle Paul taught, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). Scourging is not a painless process!” (D. Allen Andersen, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: Why Adversity?,” Liahona, Jul 2005, 28)

We have a choice when the Lord chastens us. We can be among those who, when faced with the consequences of our actions, spurn our responsibility and turn from God and His chastening love. Or we can be like those who patiently submit, learn, and grow in righteousness.

FHE 11.15.10

I remember doing these in elementary school and thought they were so cool. On the left: Kloe's hand, my coloring, Jesse's artwork (the extra trees, sky and grass). Middle: my turkey Right: Kloe's "This is all my attention span can handle" turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

Princess Kloe

I didn't realize I hadn't posted pictures from Halloween. I am kicking myself for not taking any when she really got dressed up, but here are a few of the ones I did get.

Maybe I'll make her get dressed back up because Jesse made her a sweet lollipop to go with her costume.

Sleeping Beauties

This is what happens when Heavenly Father knows I need to get homework done...


I love her so much. She's more than I ever dreamed of deserving.

Jesus Christ- our Advocate

D&C 45:3 “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him-“

What is an advocate?

Advocate- a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. (www.dictionary.com)

What qualifications should an advocate have?

When I think of an advocate in a worldly sense, I think of a lawyer. I’ve never dealt with a lawyer, but I’m assuming one of the first steps a person would take when meeting with a lawyer, would be to familiarize themselves with each other. If the lawyer didn’t know the client, he wouldn’t be very successful.

As parents, we sometimes find ourselves acting as an advocate for our children. Why?

1. Because we know them and love them

2. Because we believe that they were either wrongly accused or that their actions should be excused.

Although lawyers and parents can be great advocates, our Heavenly Father has given us a perfect Savior to act as our advocate with Him.

Why is Jesus Christ our advocate?

Because He is God, He is perfectly equitable with justice and mercy. He can simultaneously plead our cause and judge our destiny. When we plead, we remember Him as our advocate with the Father. (Henry B. Eyring, “Be One,” Liahona, Sep 2008, 2–7)

Not only does Christ know us individually, He has unconditional love for us. He knows our hearts, our capabilities, our fears, our situations, our intentions. He wants us to return to live with our Father in Heaven. He’s not in it for the money. He doesn’t judge us. He loves us no matter what we have done, and has given us the gift of the Atonement so that He can help us.

As an advocate, what is His role?

In a most personal way, the Savior pleads for us before the Father’s throne. When Christ pleads for us before the throne of the Father, He does not plead on the basis of our merit; He pleads on the basis of His merit and His suffering. (Bruce D. Porter, “The Prince of Glory,” Ensign, Dec 2009, 26–30)

As a little kid, I remember pleading with my mom on different occasions. When we plead, we really believe we deserve mercy. I believe this is what it will be like when Christ pleads for us. He will plead our cause to God because He will believe that we have done our best.

D&C Project-Ready At the Coming of the Bridegroom

D&C 33:17 ‘Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom-‘

Q: What can I do to make sure my lamp is trimmed and burning and that I am carrying oil with me at all times?

A: TEMPLE WORTHINESS

“Could the importance of temple worthiness be one of the Lord’s messages to us in the parables of the ten virgins and the marriage of the king’s son? These parables have more than one possible interpretation. However, one wise way to “liken [these parables] unto us” is to study them with the temple in mind. This perspective reminds us of the urgent need to have and to be ever worthy of a current temple recommend. In the parable the bride and the virgins would have gone forth to meet the Bridegroom, or Lord, in His own house. In our day we might consider His own house to be the house of the Lord. The ten virgins, according to Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “represent those church members who are looking for the Bridegroom to come; and the oil-filled lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit which lights the way before the saints.” Elder McConkie further explains that this parable is not about “good and bad, not righteous and wicked, but wise and foolish. That is, all of them have accepted the invitation to meet the Bridegroom; all are members of the Church … but only five are valiant therein. In biblical times constant effort was needed to ensure that an adequate amount of oil was maintained in lamps. In our day we must exert constant effort to remain temple worthy. In the parable the virgins were not able to enter the door without oil. In our day neither can we enter the door of the temple without a recommend.” (Lynn G. Robbins, “Oil in Our Lamps,” Ensign, Jun 2007, 44–48)

I have been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to me to have a current temple recommend. I had the thought in the temple last week that there aren’t very many people in the world who have the privilege of going to the House of the Lord. It made me feel good about my choices and where I am in life. Although I know I’m not perfect, I felt that the Lord is pleased with me. It is such a blessing to be able to partake in the blessings of the temple, and as Elder McConkie implied, a temple recommend is considered modern day oil.

A: WISE CHOICES

“The oil of preparedness and steadiness is accumulated each day through consistent, wise choices. President Spencer W. Kimball described it this way: “Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps” (David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works,” New Era, Jan 2008, 2–6)

These articles made me think of the parable of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8). Some members of the Church will start off holding to the iron rod, but will sometime in their lives wander off and become lost. (vs. 23) Others will cling to the iron rod, partake of the fruit, and become ashamed. (vs.25)Few will press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they partake of the fruit. (vs.30) Being a member of the Church doesn’t grant us Eternal life. It is only the gate by which we enter.

A: CONSISTENCY & ENDURANCE

“Preparing to walk guiltless before God is one of the primary purposes of mortality and the pursuit of a lifetime; it does not result from sporadic spurts of intense spiritual activity.” (David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)

I love the way Elder Bednar teaches us how we can always have oil-it’s not something we decide to obtain one month, then the next month discontinue. We have to constantly re-filling our oil and adding to it. I need to take better inventory of how I’m using my time to prepare for the Bridegroom. It’s a scary thought to think that half of Church members will be unprepared. One thing my Patriarchal Blessing says is that I will be committed and love being committed to my responsibilities. I know by attending my church meetings, faithfully serving in my calling, and honestly sustaining others, I will be filling my oil. Also, by remaining worthy of a temple recommend and using it often I will be better prepared.