Come Follow Me 33: Doctrine and Covenants 88

 Come, Follow Me Lesson 33: Doctrine and Covenants 88

What things can we do to remodel our home into a center of gospel learning? What specific things can you improve on to make the blessings of heaven more available to you?

Why is it so important that our homes be organized? How do organize ourselves in this manner?

With all the demand in our schedules, are callings and assignments, our professional pursuits, why is it even more important that our homes or our personal lives be organized?

(Refer scripture verses in introduction)

D&C 88 personal:

We are in the midst of the prophesied calamities. How does the Lord offer us a perpetual olive leaf?

How are the scriptures a message of peace to us?

It appears that we must receive this Comforter in order to be part of the church of the Firstborn (vs5).

Does the Lord desire to send all of us another Comforter: the Holy Spirit of promise?

D&C 88:6-17 Personal:

Testimony of Jesus Christ: vs. 6-13. The One True Light.

Jesus will redeem each soul through the resurrection (vs. 16).

This section gives us much information about the resurrection ant the kingdoms of glory.

The earth will receive a celestial glory, because it abides the law of the celestial kingdom and it is fulfilling the measure and its creation and it keeps the law (vs. 25).

Those are the same conditions for us. Are we abiding the law of the celestial kingdom (at least in part) the best we can? Are we fulfilling the measure of our creation? Are we keeping the laws of God?

If we are doing these things, we will be quickened with the righteous to inherit the earth. We will receive our bodies again, and our glory shall be the glory by which are bodies are quickened (vs. 28).

How is vs. 29 an olive leaf?

The gift of eternal life has been given to us all. But it is up to us to receive it. (see vs. 32-33).

In this world, where men are tampering with God’s law and civil laws, the Lord tells us that law is important, even crucial (see vs. 34-35). We cannot be sanctified if we refuse to be governed by law.

For those who have redefined morality to suit their fancies and their corruption, it does not change the laws of God. Every kingdom has a law given. You can’t be a member or a participant in that kingdom without living the law for that kingdom, regardless of what you decide is truth of yourself. The laws are fixed (see vs. 36-39).

Read vs. 40: How is the opposite of this also true?

Can you see that we will get that which we seek after?

Testimony of Jesus Christ: vs. 41-45 (and continuing): The Creator, all things in order.

All the creations of God have kingdoms. How do we see God moving in majesty and power when we look at the designs of God in the heavens and around us here on earth (see vs. 47).

In vs. 48, it says that we have seen Him. Do you feel that? Can we comprehend that we are children of God and that all these things have been prepared and created by Him?

If we can comprehend now, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that these things are true, it will be so much the better for us when we fully comprehend God, being quickened again in Him and by Him (see vs. 49). Read vs. 50.

Parable: (vs. 51-67):

The Lord will visit each of us and give us the Light of His countenance. What must we do to receive this blessing (vs. 62-69)?

D&C 88:62-126 Personal

In what ways can men’s hearts fail them (see vs. 91)?

How can you personally draw near to God (vs. 63)?

How can you sanctify yourself (vs. 68)? How is sanctification a choice?

Do you sense the responsibility that you are under when you have an assignment to teach (see vs. 78)? Have you felt as a teacher that you are the one who is instructed more perfectly, as I seek to teach by the Spirit?

How has applying verse 118 helped you to feel your responsibility both as a teacher and as a student? How do you learn through study and faith simultaneously (see vs. 118)?

How has the Lord taken care of your flocks (vs. 72)?

Have you witnessed the Lord hastening His work in his time (vs. 73)?

How can we personally apply the commandments and directions given in verse 74?

Do we understand that if we do these things we will stand blameless before God (see vs. 75)?

How do we remain clean? (see vs. 76 prayer and fasting)
(See vs. 77 Teach the gospel; vs. 78-79 seek revelation; vs. 80 personal preparation; magnifying our callings)

What warning signs have you witnessed in your daily life? What warning signs do you see happening in today’s world? What does Heavenly Father want us to warn our neighbors about (see vs. 81)?

D&C 88:81-116 Prophecies: It’s up to us to understand the gospel and the prophesies leading up to Jesus Christ’s return, and to warn our neighbors (see vs. 81).

If we warn them, they become responsible for their choices; if we don’t we will be in part responsible (see vs. 82).

Since things are happening so rapidly right now, how important is it for us to look to and seek after the Lord right now (see vs. 83)?

It is important for us to always be prepared to receive and to teach the gospel, so that we can be clean from the blood and sins of this generation (see vs. 85).

How do we abide in the liberty wherewith we have been made free (see vs. 86)?

1. Earth shall tremple and reel to and fro.

2. Sun shall hide his face and refuse to give light.

3. Moon shall be bathed in blood.

4. Stars shall be angry and cast themselves down.

We need to be warning people, not so that they live in fear of the prophesies, but so that they can find safety in Jesus. After our testimonies….

5. Wrath and indignation will come upon the people.

6. Earthquakes.

7. Men shall fall down and not be able to stand.

8. Thunderings.

9. Lightenings.

10. Voice of tempests.

11. Voice of waves of sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

12. All things in commotion.

13. Men’s hearts shall fail them.

14. Fear shall come upon all people.

15. Angels flying through midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice and sounding the trump of God.

16. Angels begging inhabitants of the earth to prepare to meet God and to be ready for the judgment.

The bridegoom is coming. Will we be ready to meet Him?

17. A great sign in heaven that everyone will see.
18. Angel shall announce the destruction of the great and abominable church. He will sound his trump
long and loud and all nations shall hear it.

19. Silence in heaven for ½ and hour.

20. Curtain of heaven unfolded. Jesus’s face will be revealed.
21. Saints shall be quickened and caught up to meet Him.
22. Righteous dead shall shall come forth from their graves and be caught up to meet Him.
(All these things will happen when the angels sound their trumps.)

Etc.

We can be crowned with the glory of his might and receive inheritances and be made equal with Him (see vs. 107).

All things that happened in the history of the world will be revealed.

Verses 118-120 give us directions on how we can teach and warn.

What else can we do to prepare ourselves (see vs. 121-126). How can these same scriptures help us prepare for the temple and the sacrament?