My blog post for Come Follow Me: D&C 51-57
Excerpt:
The saints were often not saintly. They were expected to consecrate their lands and possessions for the bishops to divide, The saints, then and now, still do not understand the concept of stewardship. We focus on getting gain and keeping our own possessions. Such refusal to continue in the Law of Consecration and the covenant, forced many New York saints to be forced off of their stewardships in Kirtland. In doing so, the Lord revoked many blessings promised to those who had consecrated their possessions and reneged on their covenant. Many of the Saints were sent on to Missouri, to establish themselves in the center city of Zion.
Of the issues discussed in these sections, missionary work, publishing the Church’s writings, the duties of the bishops and agents, and establishing a consecrated people in a consecrated land are foremost issues. All are related.
Missionary work would bring in converts, who would then be called on to consecrate themselves, some to go on missions, some to share their farmlands, some to move to Independence. All would have to meet with the bishop and his agent to deal with issues of the United Firm/Order.

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/05/come-follow-me-d-51-57.html

in the late 18th century, Jacobins radicalized the French Revolution, successfully destroying political parties to their right. Eventually, radicalism became so pervasive that it led to the Great Terror. Under the Terror, thousands of innocent people were accused of being enemies of the revolution and we’re summarily found guilty by kangaroo courts and guillotined.

Today, Liz Cheney was found guilty of not being radical enough to be in party leadership. Her crime? Telling Donald Trump to stop lying about his election loss.

There was no discussion on whether she was telling the truth or lying. Instead, she would not genuflect to the failed Republican revolution and it’s demigod. “Off with her head!” demanded the revolutionaries.

Mitt Romney was correct in predicting the final outcome. Ask many French, like Lafayette, fled France, we will see many moderate and true conservative Republicans flee the party of Trump, leaving the party smaller and unable to win elections.

Only when a new direction and new leader appeared, did the Terror cease. For France, it was Napoleon. Who will save the Republican party from itself?

My blog post on Come Follow Me: D&C 49-50

Excerpt: D&C 49

Joseph Smith’s time was a period of many new churches springing up. The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, or Quaking Shakers, as they are known because of the ecstatic behavior during worship, came from England to America in 1774. Their beliefs included: celibacy, revelation, communalism, equality of the sexes, and pacifism. They also believed the 2nd Coming had already occurred, with Jesus returning in the form of Mother Ann Lee, one of the founders of the religion. While in the mid-19th century they had 15 communities, due to celibacy practices and few converts, today they only have one community in Maine.

Leman Copley, a new convert who previously was a Shaker, was called to reject his old beliefs that were not in concert with the revealed truths of the Restored Church. This included the concept that Christ’s 2nd Coming would be one in power and glory, not another person born on the earth. Christ would bring a Millennium across the entire earth, which would last one thousand years; not create a few small congregations.

We see a major difference in the religions in this thing. The Shakers were a good people, but were not missionary-minded. As with the Amish today, they do not seek to convert and change the world, only develop and maintain their own little communities.
Meanwhile, the Lord was teaching Joseph Smith that the Restored Gospel was revolutionary. While beginning small, it would someday fill the earth. Revelations regarding Zion were already providing great insight into the small Church.

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/05/come-follow-me-d-49-50.html

My blog post on Come Follow Me: D&C 46-48

Excerpt:This section discusses the importance of allowing people into most of our meetings. There were some who felt that only members should attend the Sacrament meeting. In this, the Lord clarified that peaceable people should be invited and welcomed into our open meetings.
“But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.” (vs 7)

Note that there are doctrines of God, men and devils. (see also 3 Ne 27:11). Only the doctrines and commandments of God can bring us eternal life and joy. As Jesus notes in 3 Ne 27, the doctrines and commandments of men and devils will bring temporary happiness, but eventually bring us down into misery. The world is swirling today with various beliefs. Whether they be political, social, emotional, or intellectual, if they are not based on the teachings of Christ, they will fail.

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/05/come-follow-me-d-46-48.html

My blog post for Come Follow Me: D&C 45

Excerpt: This section is a powerful revelation containing much information about the destructions and blessings of the Last Days. When studied along with Matthew 24 (JST), D&C 87, 88, and 133, we get a lot of information regarding the events preceding the Second Coming.
Verses 1-15 are a clarion call from Jesus Christ to the Saints, telling them again and again to hearken unto his words. In this portion, we see many of the names by which the Lord is called: Advocate, Creator, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Light and Life of the world, etc.

Jesus goes through the history of the world briefly in these verses: the Creation, the Atonement of Christ, Enoch’s people, the Restoration, and the Second Coming. All of these periods and events are interconnected. Each is a powerful event in and of itself, but together they become the true epic story of the world and how it is saved by Christ, one soul at a time.

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/04/come-follow-me-d-45.html