Day 34 - 3 Nephi 25-30; D&C 133-136

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Discussion

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3 Ne 25:4 Remember ye the law of Moses

“Upon a cursory reading of this verse one may wonder why Jesus is quoting this part of Malachi's prophecy in light of the fact that the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ. The answer could possibly be that the Lord (and Malachi) were not referring to the Mosaic code and carnal commandments but rather to a different law that was given to Moses in Horeb--a higher law, even the fulness of the gospel that, because of Israel's rebelliousness and stiffneckedness, they never were able to fully receive.” (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 166)

Joseph Smith

“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation. Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p. 323)

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3 Ne 27:23 Write the things which ye have seen and heard

Elder Andrew Jenson

“The Savior, as we have seen, spoke very plainly to [the Nephites], commanding them to record those things which He had spoken unto them and also that which had been predicted by one of His servants, many years before.

“So it is with the Latter-day Saints. We are here in the midst of a dispensation that is of greater importance than any former dispensation the Lord has ever opened upon the face of the earth, and the Lord has commanded us to write down the things that transpire in our day, that we also may make a book or books of remembrance, a Bible or a testament, to be handed down to future generations, to be read by our posterity in all ages to come.

“As the Lord commanded His people in former dispensations, He has also told us to make records; for he ’commands all men’ to write His words.” (Collected Discourses, Vol.5, January 20th, 1895)

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3 Ne 28:6 ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved…desired of me

As recorded in Jn 21:21-23 and DC 7, John the Beloved was translated just like the three Nephites. Like John, the reason that their desires were granted was because they had great faith, And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. (Ether 12:17)

Wilford Woodruff

“To these three Jesus gave a promise similar to that which he gave to John the Revelator--namely, that they should tarry in the flesh until he came. History informs us that the wicked tried to kill John in various ways, placing him, on one occasion, in a cauldron of boiling oil, but his life was preserved; and that finally, in the reign of Domitian Caesar, he was banished to the Isle of Patmos to work in the lead mines. While there he was blessed with visions, revelations, knowledge, light and truth, a portion of which we have recorded in what are called the Revelations of St. John. In the reign of Nerva John was recalled, and afterwards wrote his epistles. The first quorum of Apostles were all put to death, except John, and we are informed that he still remains on the earth, though his body has doubtless undergone some change. Three of the Nephites, chosen here by the Lord Jesus as his Apostles, had the same promise--that they should not taste death until Christ came, and they still remain on the earth in the flesh.” (Journal of Discourses, 13:320)

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3 Ne 28:27 they will be among the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall know them not

We know that the three Nephites will minister both among the Gentiles and to the House of Israel. That they are alive today—working miracles on behalf of the Lord and performing great and marvelous works (v. 31)—is a sobering thought. Indeed, this is the stuff that legends are made of. It is also the stuff that rumors and Mormon “urban legends” are made of. Who hasn’t heard a story about how one of the three Nephites appeared to someone in our day? Unfortunately, most of these stories are highly suspect. One example is given:

“The ‘Nephites on the Mesa’ [story] has also been around for at least thirty years. Supposedly some good members driving to conference are stopped in the desert between Las Vegas and St. George by a man dressed in black. The stranger warns the members to accomplish some spiritual goal (food storage, genealogy, and so on) by a certain date because something apocalyptic is about to happen. The man in black then asks to be let out, and as the car drives away, he vanishes from sight. Obviously, he was one of the Three Nephites. Less obvious is why these instructions for the Church didn't come through the proper channels…Once again—the Lord does not govern his people by rumor.” (Stephen R. Robinson, Following Christ, p. 107-8)

So we should not expect the three Nephites to appear to us and tell us to move to Missouri. That is not their calling and ministry. They have been doing greater and more magnificent things for the Lord even throughout the Great Apostasy.

Joseph Fielding Smith

“It is reasonable to believe that they were engaged in this work as far as the Lord permitted them to go during these years of spiritual darkness (the Great Apostasy). There are legends and stories which seem to be authentic, showing that these holy messengers were busy among the nations of the earth, and men have been entertained by them unawares. We may also well believe that these translated prophets have always been busy keeping constraint upon the acts of men and nations unbeknown to mortal man.

“Translated beings have not passed through death; that is, they have not had the separation of the spirit and the body. This must wait until the coming of the Savior. In the meantime they are busy fulfilling their glorious mission in preparing the way for the elders of Israel to go forth with the message of salvation in all parts of the world.” (Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 2, p. 46)

Elder John W. Taylor

“…in a little while you will find another prophecy will be fulfilled, and that is the prophecy that Jesus made to the three Nephites who, having power over death, are still living upon this continent. He spoke to them of a time when they would perform a great and mighty work among the Gentiles; and that has not yet been fulfilled, but it will be. You will find that many districts where the Elders of Israel cannot reach will be penetrated by these men who have power over death…My testimony is that these men are going abroad in the nations of the earth before the face of your sons, and they are preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive the Gospel. They are administering to those who are heirs of salvation, and preparing their hearts to receive the truth, just as the farmer prepares the soil to receive the seed. The Lord has promised that He would send his angels before the face of His servants, and His does so.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1902, p. 75 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 463)

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3 Ne 29:2 ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming

With the exception of Paul, Christ’s early apostles seemed to think that the Second Coming was to be in their day, or shortly thereafter. When Moroni first visited Joseph Smith, he recited Bible scriptures about the last days and the Second Coming and then said that these things were soon to be (JS-Hist 39:36-41). Accordingly, Joseph wondered if the Second Coming would occur during his lifetime. After praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, he was given an evasive answer by the Lord. (DC 130:14-17)

If the early apostles thought his coming might be in their day and it wasn’t, and Joseph Smith thought that his coming might be in his day and it wasn’t, are we to conclude that the Lord will not come in our day, either? The scripture answers this question for us, saying ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming. If his coming was close in the days of Joseph Smith, how much closer is it now?

A careful review of the signs of the times demonstrates that things are close. In Mormon Doctrine (pp. 715-734), Elder McConkie lists 51 signs of the times. By interpretation, 39 of these signs have already been fulfilled, 8 of them must yet be fulfilled prior to the Second Coming, and 4 of them are fulfilled at his coming and not before. Furthermore, these 8 unfulfilled signs could easily be fulfilled in the matter of just a few years.

‘Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors’ (Matt 24:32-33).

Wilford Woodruff

“The world may say that he delays his coming until the end of the earth. But they know neither the thoughts nor the ways of the Lord. The Lord will not delay his coming because of their unbelief, and the signs both in heaven and earth indicate that it is near. The fig trees are leafing in sight of all the nations of the earth, and if they had the Spirit of God they could see and understand them.” (Journal of Discourses, 16:35)

Henry B. Eyring

“The Lord knew we would be tempted to procrastinate the most important preparation we could ever make in this life. More than once He warned us about delay. He taught the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom did not fill their lamps for the coming of the bridegroom. He also gave the parable of the servants who were faithless because they believed their Lord would delay His coming. The results of delay were tragic…

“The temptation to delay repentance comes not only at the end of the world as suggested by those scriptures. That temptation seems to have been nearly constant since the beginning of time and goes on throughout our lives. In youth we may have thought: ‘There will be time enough to worry about spiritual things just before my mission or before marriage. Spiritual things are for older people.’ Then, in the early years of marriage, the pressures of life, of jobs, of bills, of finding a moment for rest and recreation seem to crowd us so closely that delay in meeting obligations to God and family again seems reasonable. It is easy to think, ‘Perhaps there will be more time for that in the middle years.’ But the compression of time does not ease in the years that follow. There is so much to do, and time seems to shrink.

“…Finally, we are personally accountable because the Lord has given us ample warning…Even the acceptance of personal responsibility may not overcome the temptation to believe that now is not the time to repent. ‘Now’ can seem so difficult, and ‘later’ appear so much easier. The truth is that today is always a better day to repent than any tomorrow…The very faith we need to repent is weakened by delay.” (Conference Report, Nov. 1999 Ensign, “Do Not Delay”)

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D&C 133:10, 19. “The Bridegroom Cometh. . . . Prepare Yourselves”

Doctrine and Covenants 133:10 refers to the parable of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13), of which Elder James E. Talmage said: “The story itself is based on oriental marriage customs, with which the Lord’s attentive listeners were familiar. It was and yet is common in those lands, particularly in connection with marriage festivities among the wealthy classes, for the bridegroom to go to the home of the bride, accompanied by his friends in processional array, and later to conduct the bride to her new home with a larger body of attendants composed of groomsmen, bridesmaids, relatives and friends. As the bridal party progressed, to the accompaniment of gladsome music, it was increased by little groups who had gathered in waiting at convenient places along the route, and particularly near the end of the course where organized companies came forth to meet the advancing procession. Wedding ceremonies were appointed for the evening and night hours; and the necessary use of torches and lamps gave brilliancy and added beauty to the scene.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 577.

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D&C 134:10. “Religious Societies Have a Right to Deal with Their Members . . . for Fellowship and Good Standing”

Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote that “no officer in the Church has authority beyond matters pertaining to the Church” (Priesthood and Church Government, p. 62), and that “the Church can try offenders only for their membership in the Church. Any further punishment is in the hands of the civil courts. Members of the Church may either be isfellowshiped or excommunicated.” (Priesthood and Church Government,

p. 209.)

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D&C 135:3. Joseph Smith Has Done More for the Salvation of Men Than Anyone Other Than Jesus

This bold statement has caused some critics of the Church to say that the Saints think more of Joseph Smith than they do of the Savior. Such critics ignore the fact that the Saints look to the Prophet with reverence because of what he did for their understanding of Jesus Christ and His mission.

When one thinks about such prophets and leaders as Adam, Moses, saiah, Abraham, and Nephi, is it justifiable to say that Joseph Smith did more than any of these for the salvation of humanity? Likely the Prophet Joseph Smith was not greater than they were in righteousness or commitment, but only Jesus has done more for the salvation of God’s children than did the Prophet, as is evident in the following list of some of the things he did under the direction of the Lord:

He taught correct concepts about the nature of the Father and Son.

He translated and published the Book of Mormon by the power of God.

He was the means by which the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods were restored.

He organized the Church of Jesus Christ again on the earth under the direction of the Savior.

He revealed the true meaning of Zion, its location in the last days, and the laws by which it shall be governed.

He received over a hundred revelations and published them in the Doctrine and Covenants.

He worked on a translation of the Bible, restoring lost scripture and correcting erroneous translations.

He established settlements of the Saints, teaching them principles of social order, city planning, economics, and so on, in addition to teaching them spiritual principles.

He restored the keys and knowledge of temple ordinances for both the living and the dead.

He received keys of restoration from Moses, Elias, and Elijah.

He started a missionary program that has involved tens of thousands of missionaries and resulted in millions of converts in countries all over the world.

He translated by inspiration of God papyri from Egypt, containing some of the writings of Abraham.

The Lord revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith many principles and concepts of the gospel which had been lost or corrupted over the centuries.

The Prophet Joseph Smith then:

Explained man’s relationship to God.

Explained the differences between the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods.

Explained the different offices of the priesthood the duties of each, and the manner in which they are organized.

Set forth the proper organization, name, and purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Taught that our life on earth is a probation, a time to work out our individual salvation.

Received a revelation of the three degrees of glory and what we must do to prepare to live once again with God.

Explained the nature and order of the Resurrection.

Showed how saving ordinances can be performed vicariously for those who did not receive them in mortality.

Set forth the principles on which Zion will be built, the nature of the Millennium, and the kingdom of God and how it will eventually be established on earth.

Added to our knowledge of the Apostasy and why it came.

Pointed out the fulfillment of various prophecies.

Announced the coming of Elijah, and explained his mission.

Taught that marriage is intended to be eternal and that the family unit continues beyond the grave.

Served as an example of the role of a living prophet.

Restored the principle of priesthood administration to the sick.

Built temples and revealed temple ordinances for the living and the dead.

Brought forth the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings in the Pearl of Great Price.

Set down the duties of Church members and the laws by which the Church is governed.

Taught the doctrine of common consent.

Explained the role of Satan in the gospel plan.

Gave the Saints the Lord’s principles by which we can avoid being deceived in this life.

Taught the true nature of the Atonement of Christ and its relationship to the principles of justice and mercy.

Explained the meaning of the sacrament.

Explained the nature of spiritual gifts and the role of the Holy Ghost.

Clarified the role of women in the kingdom of God.

Received the revelation of the oath and covenant of the priesthood.

Emphasized the necessity of missionary work in the Lord’s plan.

Received the Word of Wisdom.

Instituted the law of tithing, the law of consecration, and the law of sacrifice and obedience.
Section 135 349

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His Truth Is Marching On. . . .

"What if all the world should embrace this Gospel? They would then see eye to eye, and the blessings of God would be poured out upon the people, which is the desire of my whole soul" (History of the Church, 5:259).

Scripture Reference: Doctrine and Covenants 133: 36-40

36 And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth.

37 And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

38 And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come;

39 And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—

40 Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

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The Savior emphasized the vital importance of sharing the gospel when He said to His disciples: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15, 16). I submit that this charge was not given merely to the disciples that were present at that time, but that this charge was given to everyone who is a believer in and a follower of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as Disciples of Christ, that charge is given to you and to me. We are all called to go forth into the entire world and preach His Gospel.

President Spencer W. Kimball reminded us that, "We are the messengers, and we have the acceptable message." And, President John Taylor reminded us that, "When men go forth in the name of Israel’s God, there is no power on earth that can overturn the truths they advocate" (JD, 12:396). President Taylor taught us further that, "When men go forth possessing the truths of the everlasting gospel which God has revealed, they have a treasure within them that the world knows nothing about. They have the light of the revelation, the fire of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the priesthood within them – a power that they know very little about even themselves, which, like a wellspring of life, is rising, bursting, bubbling, and spreading its exhilarating streams around."

Why do we do missionary work? We do missionary work because the very purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to invite, encourage, and assist all of God’s children to come to Christ, and "lay hold upon every good gift" (Moroni 10:30) and "receive a remission of [their] sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that [they] may be numbered with [His] people who are of the house of Israel" (3 Nephi 30:2).

In 2 Nephi 2: 6-8, Lehi taught his son Jacob: "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise."

*These notes were taken from a Sacrament talk which I delivered to the congregation of the Annapolis Maryland Ward, Annapolis Maryland Stake of Zion, on Sabbath Day morning, 19 March 2006. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Standard of Truth

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

Doctrine and Covenants 4

Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; for behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; and faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

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Boyd K. Packer, "‘The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected’," Ensign, Nov 2003, 24

The Church you belong to, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the restored Church. When you know what restored means, you will understand why standards of conduct are as they are.

Following the Crucifixion of Christ an apostasy occurred. Leaders began to "teach for doctrines the commandments of men." They lost the keys of authority and closed themselves off from the channels of revelation. That lost authority could not just be repossessed. It had to be restored by those who held the keys of authority anciently.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a remodeled version of another church. It is not an adjustment or a correction or a protest against any other church. They have their "form of godliness" and their goodness and value.

John the Baptist returned through the veil to confer the Aaronic Priesthood, "which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." A companion ordinance, confirmation and the conferral of the gift of the Holy Ghost, required a greater authority.

Soon thereafter, Peter, James, and John, Apostle companions of the Lord, restored the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood —"the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God."

The Restoration did not come all at once. In a series of visitations, other prophets came to restore the keys of the priesthood.

With the authority restored, the organization was revealed. Apostles were ordained, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency were organized as they had been anciently. The ordinances were revealed and authority given to perform them.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was translated and published. In it is "the fulness of [the] everlasting gospel."

Other revelations were published—the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. From those books of scripture, we learned why the earth was created and who created it. There was opened to the early leaders of the Church the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the standards He requires of His disciples.

We learned about the plan of redemption—"the great plan of happiness." We came to earth to be tested and to gain experience, with a promise that "through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

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The Prophet Joseph Smith also understood the charge of God to share truth with the world. During the most difficult times of his life, he sent forth his loyal supporters to proclaim the gospel when they were urgently needed to support him. In the midst of the trial and deprivation of Liberty Jail he said: "For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it— Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12. 17).

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us, "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel" (TPJS, p. 113), however; brothers and sisters, none of us can effectively teach the gospel if we do not live it. The first act to qualify ourselves to be missionaries is to live the principles that we teach. Christ said, "Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed" (3 Nephi 18:24). Our task is to "hold up" to the world that which Christ has done for man: the atonement, the example that He set, and the teachings that He has given us personally and through His Prophets, both ancient and modern. The Savior also taught us: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14 -16).

As we preach His gospel, the message that we bring to the world is one that testifies of the fact that God still loves the world and that He has spoken again as an indication of that divine love. He has restored precious truths lost over the centuries of Christian persecution, dark ages, and years of confusion – truths that are essential to our peace and happiness – truths so essential to our eternal salvation that our loving Heavenly Father has restored them in their fullness.

*These notes were taken from a Sacrament talk which I delivered to the congregation of the Annapolis Maryland Ward, Annapolis Maryland Stake of Zion, on Sabbath Day morning, 19 March 2006.

[Seanette]

3 Nephi 24 – Compare Malachi 3. The Father will send a messenger to prepare the way for Christ, who will be the refiner and the Judge. Tithing and offerings are commanded. The Lord keeps a book of remembrance.

3 Nephi 25 – Compare Malachi 4. The proud and wicked will be burned as stubble at the Second Coming. Elijah will return before the Second Coming (he did appear at the Kirtland Temple, but will apparently return again before Christ’s return).

3 Nephi 26 – Jesus expounds all things from the beginning of the world to the end. Mormon was prohibited from including all that Nephi recorded. Christ ministered to the Nephites for three days, giving the Sacrament, ministering to children, healing, and teaching. Small children declare things that cannot be written. The disciples teach and baptize. The Church members have all in common.

3 Nephi 27 – Jesus commands that the Church be called by His name. The Gospel is His earthly mission and His Atonement. Those who repent, are baptized in the name of Christ, and endure to the end will be held guiltless at Judgment. Those who do not endure are to be cast down. We are to be as Christ.

3 Nephi 28 – Nine of the Twelve desire and are promised an inheritance in Christ’s kingdom when they reach “the age of man” (72). The remaining three desire to remain on earth until the Second Coming. They are transfigured and see things that are not lawful to write. Those Three have ministered to Mormon. They cannot be imprisoned or physically harmed.

3 Nephi 29 – The coming forth of the Book of Mormon signals the beginning of the gathering of Israel and the fulfillment of the Lord’s covenants. Those who reject latter-day revelation and gifts will be cursed.

Section 133 – This was originally an appendix to the D&C. The Saints are to prepare for the Second Coming by fleeing from Babylon and gathering to Zion. Christ shall stand on Mt. Zion. The continents will become one land and the lost tribes will return. The Gospel that was restored via Joseph Smith will be preached to the whole world. The Lord will come down in vengeance upon the wicked.

Section 134 – This describes relations between the government and the Church. The government should preserve freedom of conscience and worship. Citizens should uphold government and respect and defer to law. Religious groups should not have authority to impose civil penalties. Defense of self and property is justified.

Section 135 – John Taylor’s account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail.

Section 136 – This revelation was received by Brigham Young at Winter Quarters. He is told how to arrange the Camp of Israel for the journey west. Gospel standards for living are set forth. The Saints should sing, dance, pray, and learn wisdom. Prophets are allowed to be killed so they may be honored and the wicked condemned.