Early Morning Studying

My internal alarm woke me this morning.

I got up and checked the children, covered up the ones that had kicked off their covers and hopped back into my warm bed to go back to sleep. A bright thought lit up in my mind, "Get up and study the scriptures." I really wanted to try going back to sleep. And several seconds, I got up out of bed and  came upstairs to study.

In a few weeks, I will be teaching in Sunday Relief Society Meeting about the second coming of Jesus Christ.
I had some questions surrounding this subject about the New Jerusalem. And so, this is where I began my studies.

Here is something I discovered about the preparations for His second coming.

Doctrine & Covenants 84 beginning wih verse 103

103 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, it is expedient that every man who goes forth to proclaim mine everlasting gospel, that inasmuch as they have families, and receive money by gift, that they should send it unto them or make use of it for their benefit, as the Lord shall direct them, for thus it seemeth me good.


104 And let all those who have not families, who receive money, send it up unto the bishop in Zion, or unto the bishop in Ohio, that it may be consecrated for the bringing forth of the revelations and the printing thereof, and for establishing Zion.

To me, this means that I can help build the kingdom by helping, even financially, support the missionary effort.

105 And if any man shall give unto any of you a coat, or a suit, take the old and cast it unto the poor, and go on your way rejoicing.

To me, this means that as I receive, I give to the poor my excess, and then I rejoice!


106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.

To me, this means that I am to lift, love, serve, invite and continue to lead my neighbors in Christ's way, that they will have firm testimonies of Christ.

107 Therefore, take with you those who are ordained unto the lesser priesthood, and send them before you to make appointments, and to prepare the way, and to fill appointments that you yourselves are not able to fill.
108 Behold, this is the way that mine apostles, in ancient days, built up my church unto me.

This means that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church Christ established on the earth before He died. It is the same church that Paul, and Peter, and even Stephen had testified.

109 Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?

110 Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.

To me, this means that where ever I am, to what ever calling I am called, I can magnify it and bless the lives of those I am called to serve. Because every calling is NEEDFUL.

111 And behold, the high priests should travel, and also the elders, and also the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church.

112 And the bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also should travel round about and among all the churches, searching after the poor to administer to their wants by humbling the rich and the proud.

To me, this means that Bishops are called of God. They serve and help members of their wards, bringing them to Christ. And I need to heed their counsel.

113 He should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his secular business as he shall direct.

114 Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.

115 For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate.

116 Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.

Bishops, of the church, have a great responsibility and need our prayers as they serve.

117 And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days.

We have a lot of work to do!

118 For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble.

119 For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.

120 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Amen.

The Lord ALWAYS keeps His promises.