Promise of Eternal Families
There's something incredibly profound about the desire for connection, for relationships that last beyond the fleeting moments of this life. As I've studied the scriptures, I've found so much comfort and hope in the Lord's plan for us, especially when I delve into sections like Doctrine and Covenants 127. It might seem like a short chapter, but its implications for our eternal happidedication to qualityure of God's kingdom are immense. For me, it truly feels like a key, unlocking the potential for forever.
Let's explore what this powerful revelation teaches us about the eternal nature of our families and our journey with God.
Eternal Marriage & Sealing: A Love That Lasts
One of the most breathtaking concepts I've ever learned about is the idea of eternal marriage. It’s not just a beautiful dream; it's a divine reality made possible through sacred ordinances. Doctrine and Covenants 127, while focusing on the administrative necessity of recording these ordinances, underpins the entire structure of these eternal bonds. When I think about my loved ones, the idea that our relationships, particularly the covenant of marriage, can extend beyond the grave fills my heart with an indescribable peace.
The concept of sealing is central to this. It means that through the proper priesthood authority in holy temples, families can be bound together not just for this life, but for all eternity. It's a promise that our love doesn't have to end at death, but can continue and grow forever. For me, this is the ultimate expression of love and the core of God's plan for His children.
Priesthood Authority in Temple Ordinances: The Power to Bind
When I think about how these eternal bonds are forged, the concept of priesthood authority immediately comes to mind. It’s what makes these covenants real and binding in the heavens. Doctrine and Covenants 127 emphasizes the vital importance of the proper administration and recording of ordinances. These aren't just symbolic acts; they are sacred, divinely instituted rituals performed under the direction of God's priesthood power.
As the Lord declared through the Prophet Joseph Smith, these records are crucial: "And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must write an accurate account of all your doings in the house of the Lord, of all your baptisms, your endowments, your sealings, and your other ordinances; and I will give you a pattern for the same, and the book shall be kept by you, and it shall be the most sacred of all things, save the law of God, and the testimonies of his holy prophets" (Doctrine and Covenants 127:8). This powerful instruction highlights why temples are so important – they are the places where these eternal covenants, like temple marriage, are made and recorded for eternity. It’s comforting to know that there's a divine order and a power that ensures these promises are real and lasting.
Family Eternity & Celestial Kingdom: Our Divine Destiny
The ultimate goal for all of us, if we choose to follow God's path, is to return to His presence and inherit the celestial kingdom. And what I've learned from the scriptures, including the principles brought forth in D&C 127, is that this destiny is intrinsically linked to family eternity. Our ability to progress and experience the fullness of joy is tied to these eternal relationships.
Being sealed as a family means we can literally live together forever in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. It's a profound promise that our most cherished relationships are not temporary but are central to our exaltation. My heart swells with gratitude when I contemplate being with my family, not just for a lifetime, but for all time and eternity, in the presence of God.
Continuation of the Seeds & Posterity: A Forever Legacy
This brings us to another incredible aspect of God's plan: the continuation of the seeds and the blessing of posterity in the eternities. While Doctrine and Covenants 127 focuses on the ordinances that enable these blessings, other revelations further clarify that through eternal marriage and faithfulness to our covenants, we can truly have an eternal increase—a posterity that extends beyond this mortal life.
It's a testament to our divine potential, that we can, like our Heavenly Parents, continue to grow and expand our families eternally. This isn't just about having children in this life; it's about the eternal progression of our family lines and the joy of creating eternal kingdoms. It paints a picture of boundless growth and purpose that stretches infinitely into the future.
Resurrection & Eternal Progression: Our Journey Continues
Finally, these glorious promises of eternal families and exaltation are predicated on another magnificent doctrine: the resurrection. Without the resurrection, our bodies would not be united with our spirits, and the concept of an eternal family would be incomplete. The resurrection ensures that we can have perfect, immortal bodies, enabling us to experience the fullness of joy and continue our eternal progression.
The covenants we make in the temple, and the record-keeping emphasized in Doctrine and Covenants 127, are all part of this grand, ongoing journey. Our eternal progression isn't just about reaching a destination; it's about continually learning, growing, and becoming more like our Heavenly Parents, surrounded by the family we love, forever.
My Reflection
Doctrine and Covenants 127, though brief, is a foundational piece in understanding the Lord's plan for our eternal happiness. It reinforces the critical importance of divine authority, sacred ordinances, and diligent record-keeping as the bedrock for the most glorious blessings—eternal marriage, family eternity, and our ultimate eternal progression.
For me, studying this chapter, even its seemingly administrative details, has deepened my appreciation for the precision and love with which God guides us. It brings me immense peace to know that through these sacred ordinances and covenants, sealed by priesthood authority, our desire for a love that lasts forever truly can be fulfilled in the celestial kingdom. It’s a beautiful, hopeful message that reminds me every day that families are truly forever.
What have we learned?
1. What's going on with Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 127? Where is he, and what's he doing?
2. Why is Joseph Smith making such a big deal about keeping records for baptisms for the dead? It seems like a lot of emphasis on paperwork!
3. What's the deal with the "general church recorder" and "witnesses" he talks about? Why are they necessary?
4. What's the main takeaway or big message Joseph is trying to get across in this section?
5. Joseph mentions the "coming of the Lord" in connection with these records. What's the link there?
ANSWERS:
1. Answer: Think of it like a dramatic moment! Joseph Smith was actually in hiding when he wrote this section. He was facing threats of unlawful arrest from those who opposed the Church, so he had to be cautious and discreet. Even though he was physically "hidden," his mind was still totally focused on the important work of the Lord, especially the temple ordinances happening in Nauvoo. He's writing to the Saints to encourage them and guide them through this crucial time, despite his own challenging circumstances.
2. Answer: It might seem like a small detail, but it's actually super important! Joseph explains that keeping accurate records isn't just a good idea; it's a commandment from God. These records serve as a witness both on earth and in heaven that these sacred ordinances were performed correctly and according to divine law. Without them, the work wouldn't be valid in the eyes of the Lord, and the people we're performing them for wouldn't receive the full blessings. It's all about divine order and ensuring eternal validity!
3. Answer: Joseph was setting up an organized, official system to ensure everything was done perfectly. Before this, people were doing baptisms for the dead, but the record-keeping wasn't always consistent or centralized. So, he instituted the office of a "general church recorder," whose job it was to make sure all these sacred ordinances were written down precisely and accurately in the official record book. And the "witnesses" were there to confirm that everything was done properly and recorded correctly. This detailed process leaves no room for doubt, ensuring the validity of the work for both us and our ancestors.
4. Answer: At its heart, D&C 127 is about God being a God of perfect order, precision, and eternal love. Joseph is teaching us that sacred ordinances, especially those connecting families eternally (like baptisms for the dead), require meticulous care and proper documentation. It's about ensuring that what we do on earth is recognized, accepted, and sealed in heaven. It's all part of preparing us and our ancestors for eternal life and connecting us to God's grand plan for salvation.
5. Answer: That's a great observation! Joseph teaches that these records are not just for our benefit now; they will actually be presented at the judgment bar of God. When the Lord comes again, all things will be revealed, and these perfect records will stand as a testament that the work was done according to His will. It powerfully underlines the eternal significance of what we're doing and how these ordinances are a crucial part of the preparation for that glorious day when the Savior returns to establish His kingdom in power.
Section 127
1. Forasmuch as the Lord has revealed unto me that my enemies, both in Missouri and this State, were again in the pursuit of me; and inasmuch as they pursue me without a cause and have not the least shadow or coloring of justice or right on their side in the getting up of their prosecutions against me; and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye, I have thought it expedient and wise in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people. I would say to all those with whom I have business that I have left my affairs with agents and clerks who will transact all business in a prompt and proper manner and will see that all my debts are canceled in due time by turning out property or otherwise, as the case may require, or as the circumstances may admit of. When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again.
2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knows all these things, whether they be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me, and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation, for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all and will deliver me from henceforth, for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
3 Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad, for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.
4 And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and your patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.
5 And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead.
6 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning your dead: When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be an eyewitness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth, saith the Lord.
7. That in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven;
8 For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts.
9 And again, let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the archives of my holy temple, to be held in remembrance from generation to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts.
10. I will say to all the saints that I desired, with exceedingly great desire, to have addressed them from the stand on the subject of baptism for the dead on the following Sabbath. But inasmuch as it is out of my power to do so, I will write the word of the Lord from time to time on that subject and send it to you by mail, as well as many other things.
11. I now close my letter for the present, for the want of more time, for the enemy is on the alert, and as the Savior said, the prince of this world cometh, but he hath nothing in me.
12 Behold, my prayer to God is that you all may be saved. And I subscribe myself as your servant in the Lord, prophet, and seer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith.
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