Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 16
Doctrine & Covenants 59
Additional Background to Section 59
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual (Institute) Section 59
From the Joseph Smith Papers Revelation August 7, 1831 (Section 59)
REVELATIONS ABOUT CONSECRATION, GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, AND SABBATH WORSHIP
The Saints learned about the gospel in 1831--the law of consecration, surely an inspired doctrine in light of their extreme poverty--and also received instruction about the gifts of the spirit (Lesson 14 & 15).
President
George Q. Cannon taught:
“If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections.
If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind.
Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not.
So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose.
No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them” (Millennial Star, 23 Apr. 1894, 260).
In learning to use the gifts of the spirit, the early Saints provided priesthood blessing and healed the sick after the terrible trials in Missouri from 1831 to 1838. As late as June of 1844, the prophet was still teaching about the gifts of the spirit when he prophesied that one brother who was with him would live to serve a mission in Wales.
In August of 1831, Polly Knight in failing health journeyed from Kirkland to Missouri following the waterways to get there--the Ohio River up the Mississippi, and then onto the Missouri river to reach Zion in Jackson County. Her death seemed imminent as her son recalls:
"she would not consent to stop traveling; her only, or her greatest desire was to set her feet upon the land of Zion, and to have her body interred in that land. I went on shore and bought lumber to make a coffin in case she should die before we arrived at our place of destination—so fast did she fail. But the Lord gave her the desire of her heart, and she lived to stand upon that land.’ (Scraps of Biography, p. 70.)” (In History of the Church, 1:199n.)
As Polly Knight's last wish is fulfilled, the prophet continues his instruction to the Saints in Section 59, a revelation received after consecrating and dedicating the future site of a temple in Jackson County on August 7, 1831. Here he provides revelation about Sabbath observance.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE: OFFER UP THEY SACRAMENTS UPON MY HOLY DAY
The Sabbath is symbolic of the mighty works of God according to the Bible Dictionary:
The creation of the earth.The Sabbath is an important safeguard:
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
It reminds the individual of the need for spiritual sustenance.The Sabbath is important because it provides:
His duty before God.
Provides a witness to the world that there is "revealed" religion.
A day to rest from temporal labors and focus on God's errands.Scriptures that teach about the early observance of the Sabbath
Contemplate the word of the Lord.
Assemble for public worship.
Partake of the sacrament.
Genesis 2:2-3
Exodus 20:9-11
Exodus 31:13-17
Christ was often accused of violating the Sabbath, but instead he taught that the correct method of observing the Sabbath included gathering together in worship but also caring for those in need.
President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church, said:
President Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church, said:
Pay Devotion to God by Sunday Worship“We do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord. It is an individual responsibility, and regardless of what is said from the pulpit, if one wishes to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, he may do so by attending his meetings, partaking of the sacrament, and contemplating the beauties of the gospel. If the service is a failure to you, you have failed. No one can worship for you” (“The Sabbath—A Delight,” Ensign, Jan. 1978, 4–5).
Elder
M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said:
“After His mortal ministry, … Jesus told his Nephite Apostles that He would no longer accept burnt offerings but that His disciples should offer ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit.’ Instead of the Lord requiring our animals or grain, now He wants us to give up all that is ungodly. This higher practice of the law of sacrifice reaches into the inner soul of a person. …“… When we overcome our own selfish desires and put God first in our lives and covenant to serve Him regardless of the cost, we are then living the law of sacrifice” (“The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 10–11).
Pay Devotion by Partaking of the Sacrament
President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
Elder
Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said:
Pay Devotion by Resting from Labor“Windows must be washed regularly to clean away dust and dirt. … Just as earthly windows need consistent, thorough cleaning, so do the windows of our spirituality. … By partaking of the sacrament worthily to renew our baptismal covenants, we clarify our view of life’s eternal purpose and divine priorities. The sacrament prayers invite personal introspection, repentance, and rededication as we pledge our willingness to remember our Savior, Jesus the Christ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 103; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 77).
President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
“The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected” (Ensign, Jan. 1978, 4).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said,
“Let the Latter-day Saints be in their homes, teaching their families, reading the scriptures, doing things that are wholesome and beautiful and communing with the Lord on the Sabbath day” (“Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1996, 73).
President Hinckley also counseled:
“Now I do not want to be prudish. I do not want you to lock your children in the house and read the Bible all afternoon to them. Be wise. Be careful. But make that day a day when you can sit down with your families and talk about sacred and good things” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 559–60).
