Understanding the Scriptures
Doctrine and Covenants 43
| Polity(section heading) | Government | |
| Stead(v. 4) | Place | |
| Come in at the gate(v. 7) | Be baptized and follow the other commandments of the Lord | |
| Edify(v. 8) | Build up | |
| Sanctified, sanctify(vv. 9, 11, 16) | Made pure and holy | |
| Bind yourselves(v. 9) | Covenant | |
| Purge(v. 11) | Cleanse | |
| Raiment(v. 13) | Clothing | |
| Endowed(v. 16) | Blessed, given a gift | |
| Utter(vv. 18, 21–23) | Speak | |
| Sleeping nations(v. 18) | The many people who have died | |
| Gird up your loins(v. 19) | Prepare yourselves | |
| Both bond and free(v. 20) | Both slaves and free people | |
| Tempests(v. 25) | Destructive storms | |
| Pestilences(v. 25) | Plagues | |
| The wrath of mine indignation(v. 26) | My anger | |
| Millennium(v. 30) | Thousand-year period of time when Christ shall reign on the earth | |
| Be changed(v. 32) | Die and be resurrected | |
| Solemnities(v. 34) | Sacred things |
Doctrine and Covenants 43:2–5—Only the President of the Church Receives Revelation for the Whole Church
Regarding the principles of revelation in the Church, President James E. Faust, a counselor in the First Presidency, explained:
“Continuing revelation and leadership for the Church come through the President of the Church, and he will never mislead the Saints.
“… Individual members of the Church may receive revelation for their own callings and areas of responsibility and for their own families. They may not receive spiritual instruction for those higher in authority.
“… Those who claim direct revelation from God for the Church outside the established order and channel of the priesthood are misguided. This also applies to any who follow them” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 6; orEnsign,May 1996, 7).
Revelation to the Church always comes through those whom God has called to lead His Church.
Doctrine and Covenants 43:31—Satan Shall Be Bound During the Millennium
President George Q. Cannon, who was a counselor in the First Presidency, taught: “We talk about Satan being bound. Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him” (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon,sel Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols. [1957–74], 1:86).
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–D) as you studyDoctrine and Covenants 43.
What Would You Say?
Suppose you met a man who said that he read the Book of Mormon and believed it was true. He also said that he had some special spiritual experiences and received important revelations that the whole Church needed to know. In your notebook, record at least three principles found inDoctrine and Covenants 43:1–7that could keep you from being deceived in a situation like that. What would you say to that person?
How to Have Effective Church Meetings
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1.
InDoctrine and Covenants 43:8–10, the Lord taught what ought to happen when we are “assembled together” in meetings and classes in the Church. List what He said we should do.
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2.
Concerning the purpose of sacrament meetings, President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “If you sing and pray and partake of the sacrament worthily, you could sit through the next hour in worshipful contemplation with profit even if the speaker is poor. It is your responsibility to make the meeting worthwhile by your individual contribution” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball,ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 514–15). Considering President Kimball’s counsel, describe three things you could do more often to ensure that what the Lord described inDoctrine and Covenants 43:8–10happens for you in the Church meetings you attend.
Many Ways of Speaking
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1.
SearchDoctrine and Covenants 43:17–25and list the ways the Lord said He speaks to the people of the earth. The wordsutter, call,andvoiceshould help you find these different ways.
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2.
Why do you think the Lord uses so many ways to speak to people? From your experiences or from the experiences of others, what additional ways could you add to the list?
List Some Treasures
Thinking about the Lord’s counsel to “treasure these things up in your hearts” (D&C 43:34), list three teachings fromDoctrine and Covenants 43that you would like to remember. Explain why you chose each teaching. Share them with a family member or friend.
