D&C 18-19D&C 18-19

Sections 18 and 19 are a good Sections 18 and 19 are a good example of a “example of a “scripture foilscripture foil.”.”

D&C 18D&C 18 ““The Worth of The Worth of SoulsSouls””

Two major themes of section 18Two major themes of section 18

1.1. Future calling of the 12Future calling of the 12

2.2. The importance of each soul!The importance of each soul!

It has been quite a few years now since that call [to the It has been quite a few years now since that call [to the Council of the Twelve] came. Yet I still feel unready and Council of the Twelve] came. Yet I still feel unready and unable. You may wonder why this calling has made me, unable. You may wonder why this calling has made me, and I expect others of the Twelve, feel perpetually and I expect others of the Twelve, feel perpetually inadequate. Consider this statement about the holy inadequate. Consider this statement about the holy apostleship from the Prophet Joseph, as reported by apostleship from the Prophet Joseph, as reported by Brigham Young: “All the Priesthood, all the keys, all the Brigham Young: “All the Priesthood, all the keys, all the gifts, all the endowments, and everything preparatory to gifts, all the endowments, and everything preparatory to entering into the presence of the Father and of the Son, entering into the presence of the Father and of the Son, are in, composed of, circumscribed by, or I might say are in, composed of, circumscribed by, or I might say incorporated within the circumference of, the incorporated within the circumference of, the Apostleship….Said Joseph,…Do you not know that the Apostleship….Said Joseph,…Do you not know that the man who receives the Apostleship, receives the keys that man who receives the Apostleship, receives the keys that ever were, or that can be, conferred upon mortal man?” ever were, or that can be, conferred upon mortal man?” (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, That Ye May BelieveThat Ye May Believe, 88)., 88).

““I am certain our Heavenly Father is I am certain our Heavenly Father is displeased when we refer to ourselves as displeased when we refer to ourselves as a ‘a ‘nobodynobody.’ How fair are we when we .’ How fair are we when we classify ourselves a ‘nobody’? How fair classify ourselves a ‘nobody’? How fair are we to our families? How fair are we to are we to our families? How fair are we to our God?...our God?...

““As children of God we are somebodyAs children of God we are somebody. He . He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him” (Marvin J. Ashton, out, and walk with him” (Marvin J. Ashton, C.R., April 1973, 21).C.R., April 1973, 21).

D&C 18:9D&C 18:9

First apostles of this dispensation.First apostles of this dispensation.

D&C 18:10-16D&C 18:10-16

““The Worth of Souls is great in the sight The Worth of Souls is great in the sight of God”of God”

Why?Why? Atonement!Atonement!

NewsNews! ! Good NewsGood News! ! He livesHe lives!!

Who can measure the worth of a Who can measure the worth of a human soulhuman soul??

Brigham Young stated: Brigham Young stated:

““The least, the most inferior spirit now The least, the most inferior spirit now upon the earth, in our capacity is worth upon the earth, in our capacity is worth worldsworlds.” Who can doubt it? The greatest .” Who can doubt it? The greatest evidence of the value of each child of God evidence of the value of each child of God is the fact that the Redeemer “suffered is the fact that the Redeemer “suffered the pain of all men, that all men might the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him… And how repent and come unto him… And how great is His joy in the soul that repenteth” great is His joy in the soul that repenteth” ((J.DJ.D. 9:124).. 9:124).

Story of Elder Walling from Story of Elder Walling from the Boise, Idaho Mission the Boise, Idaho Mission

Story of Ray Born.Story of Ray Born.

Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “It is difficult to Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him” (made him” (The International Thesaurus of The International Thesaurus of QuotationsQuotations, comp. Rhoda Thomas Tripp [New , comp. Rhoda Thomas Tripp [New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1970], 575).York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1970], 575).

Doctrine and Covenants 18:20Doctrine and Covenants 18:20

It is therefore, the obligation of the Saints It is therefore, the obligation of the Saints to stand forth against evil wherever it to stand forth against evil wherever it may be found. The method of doing so is may be found. The method of doing so is clear, according to President Joseph clear, according to President Joseph Fielding Smith: Fielding Smith:

““All who go forth to teach should do so in All who go forth to teach should do so in wisdom and not contend with the wisdom and not contend with the churches or engage in profitless debates, churches or engage in profitless debates, but teach in the spirit of kindness and try but teach in the spirit of kindness and try to persuade people to receive the truth” to persuade people to receive the truth” ((Church History and Modern RevelationChurch History and Modern Revelation, , 1:83).1:83).

Doctrine and Covenants 18:31, 37 Doctrine and Covenants 18:31, 37

Search out the twelve! Search out the twelve!

(The 12 were not chosen until 1835)(The 12 were not chosen until 1835)

Doctrine and Covenants 18:34-36Doctrine and Covenants 18:34-36

Explaining how one hears the voice of the Lord, Elder S. Explaining how one hears the voice of the Lord, Elder S. Dilworth Young declared:Dilworth Young declared:

““In 1835 the Twelve were chosen, as you know, and on In 1835 the Twelve were chosen, as you know, and on one occasion they were called together and given their one occasion they were called together and given their instructions. Oliver Cowdery was the spokesman; and instructions. Oliver Cowdery was the spokesman; and after having given them some very powerful and after having given them some very powerful and heartwarming instruction, so moved was he, himself, heartwarming instruction, so moved was he, himself, that he had to stop two or three times to weep. He that he had to stop two or three times to weep. He finally read the revelation (now designated as section finally read the revelation (now designated as section 18).18).

““Brigham Young was so impressed by it that he copied Brigham Young was so impressed by it that he copied it in his laborious handwriting into his diary. I am it in his laborious handwriting into his diary. I am impressed by it likewise.impressed by it likewise.

““The thing that impresses me about this is, and I have The thing that impresses me about this is, and I have never thought of it before, when I read a verse in the never thought of it before, when I read a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants I am hearing the voice of the Doctrine and Covenants I am hearing the voice of the Lord as well as reading his words, if I hear by the Spirit.Lord as well as reading his words, if I hear by the Spirit.

““Now I have heard it said many times by men that they Now I have heard it said many times by men that they have often asked the Lord for a special testimony and have often asked the Lord for a special testimony and oftentimes haven’t had it. They seem to want to hear oftentimes haven’t had it. They seem to want to hear the voice of the Lord. the voice of the Lord. I confess I have often wanted to I confess I have often wanted to hear the voice of the Lord, without knowing that all hear the voice of the Lord, without knowing that all these years I have been hearing it with deaf ears. This these years I have been hearing it with deaf ears. This woke me upwoke me up” (C.R., Apr. 1963, 74).” (C.R., Apr. 1963, 74).

Doctrine and Covenants 19Doctrine and Covenants 19

““The Gift of RepentanceThe Gift of Repentance””

Martin Harris had been begging Joseph for a Martin Harris had been begging Joseph for a commandment (I for one am glad he did).commandment (I for one am glad he did).

The doctrine of the Atonement as applying to The doctrine of the Atonement as applying to the individual and his exposition of eternal the individual and his exposition of eternal punishment gave members light which was punishment gave members light which was previously not knownpreviously not known..

The word “The word “AtonementAtonement” is found just one ” is found just one time in the New Testament (Romans time in the New Testament (Romans 5:11).5:11).

Doctrine and Covenants 19:1Doctrine and Covenants 19:1

Interesting introduction!Interesting introduction!

Doctrine and Covenants 19:2Doctrine and Covenants 19:2

““SubmissionSubmission” this is a key word in helping ” this is a key word in helping us to understand the Atonement!us to understand the Atonement!

““The Atonement is fundamentally a doctrine of human The Atonement is fundamentally a doctrine of human development, not a doctrine that simply erases black development, not a doctrine that simply erases black marksmarks” (Hafen and Hafen, ” (Hafen and Hafen, Belonging HeartBelonging Heart, 79)., 79).

““One who chooses Christ chooses to be changed….The One who chooses Christ chooses to be changed….The Atonement [is] the means whereby our hearts might be Atonement [is] the means whereby our hearts might be cleansed and our souls transformed and prepared to dwell cleansed and our souls transformed and prepared to dwell with Christ and our Eternal Father….The Atonement does with Christ and our Eternal Father….The Atonement does more than fix the mistakes. It does more than balance more than fix the mistakes. It does more than balance the scales. It even does more than forgive our sins. It the scales. It even does more than forgive our sins. It rehabilitates, regenerates, renews, and transforms human rehabilitates, regenerates, renews, and transforms human nature. Christ makes us better, worlds better, than we nature. Christ makes us better, worlds better, than we would have been had there been no fall” (Millet, would have been had there been no fall” (Millet, Grace Grace WorksWorks, 53, 61, 95)., 53, 61, 95).

To Be CoveredTo Be Covered: “kaphar”: “kaphar”

The English word Atonement comes from the ancient Hebrew word The English word Atonement comes from the ancient Hebrew word kaphar, which means to cover. When Adam and Eve partook of the kaphar, which means to cover. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit and discovered their nakedness in the Garden of Eden, God sent fruit and discovered their nakedness in the Garden of Eden, God sent Jesus to make coats of skins to cover them. Coats of skins don’t grow Jesus to make coats of skins to cover them. Coats of skins don’t grow on trees. They had to be made from animal, which meant an animal on trees. They had to be made from animal, which meant an animal had to be killed. Perhaps that was the very first animal sacrifice. had to be killed. Perhaps that was the very first animal sacrifice. Because of that sacrifice, Adam and Eve were covered physically. In Because of that sacrifice, Adam and Eve were covered physically. In the same way, through Jesus’ sacrifice we are also covered the same way, through Jesus’ sacrifice we are also covered emotionally and spiritually. When Adam and Eve left the garden, the emotionally and spiritually. When Adam and Eve left the garden, the only things they could take to remind them of Eden were the coats of only things they could take to remind them of Eden were the coats of skins. The one physical thing we take with us out of the temple to skins. The one physical thing we take with us out of the temple to remind us of our covenants, protect us, and even promotes modesty. remind us of our covenants, protect us, and even promotes modesty. However, it is also a powerful and personal symbol of the Atonement However, it is also a powerful and personal symbol of the Atonement --- a continuous reminder both night and day that because of Jesus’ --- a continuous reminder both night and day that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are covered.sacrifice, we are covered.

In Arabic or Aramaic, the In Arabic or Aramaic, the verb meaning to atone is verb meaning to atone is kafat, which means “to kafat, which means “to embrace.” Not only can we embrace.” Not only can we be covered, helped, and be covered, helped, and comforted by the Savior, but comforted by the Savior, but we can be “encircled about we can be “encircled about eternally in the arms of his eternally in the arms of his love.” love.”

Doctrine and Covenants 19:4Doctrine and Covenants 19:4

An exit from Hell?An exit from Hell? YES!YES!

In hell there is an exit as well as an entranceIn hell there is an exit as well as an entrance. . No man will be kept in hell longer than is No man will be kept in hell longer than is necessary to bring him to a fitness for necessary to bring him to a fitness for something better (James E. Talmage, C.R. 1930, something better (James E. Talmage, C.R. 1930, 97).97).

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16Doctrine and Covenants 19:16

In Greek repent means to adopt a new view, a In Greek repent means to adopt a new view, a 180% change. Walking a new direction.180% change. Walking a new direction.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-20Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-20

Alma 7:11-12Alma 7:11-12

Four areas the Atonement coversFour areas the Atonement covers::

1. Pains and afflictions1. Pains and afflictions

2. The pains and sicknesses of his people2. The pains and sicknesses of his people

3. Loosens the bands of death3. Loosens the bands of death

4. Our infirmities (weaknesses) 4. Our infirmities (weaknesses)

Doctrine and Covenants 19:28, 38Doctrine and Covenants 19:28, 38

Pray vocally and always!Pray vocally and always!

““At the very moment, at the hour when At the very moment, at the hour when the crisis came for him to offer up his life, the crisis came for him to offer up his life, the Father withdrew Himself, withdrew the Father withdrew Himself, withdrew His Spirit, and cast a veil over (Jesus). His Spirit, and cast a veil over (Jesus). That is what made him sweat blood. If he That is what made him sweat blood. If he had the power of God upon him, he would had the power of God upon him, he would not have sweat blood; but all was not have sweat blood; but all was withdrawn from him, and a veil was cast withdrawn from him, and a veil was cast over him, and he then plead with the over him, and he then plead with the Father not to forsake him” (Brigham Father not to forsake him” (Brigham Young, Young, JDJD 3:206). 3:206).

There are only three scriptural There are only three scriptural references on a “blood references on a “blood

AtonementAtonement.”.”

1.1. Doctrine and Covenants 19:18Doctrine and Covenants 19:18

2. Luke 22:44 2. Luke 22:44 (as it were great (as it were great drops)drops)

3.3. Mosiah 3:7Mosiah 3:7

Why Must Blood Be ShedWhy Must Blood Be Shed??

We really don’t know. Joseph Fielding Smith does We really don’t know. Joseph Fielding Smith does not attempt to answer how the blood of Christ not attempt to answer how the blood of Christ cleanses us, he does discuss why such blood had cleanses us, he does discuss why such blood had to be shed: “Since it was by the creation of blood to be shed: “Since it was by the creation of blood that mortality came, it is by the sacrifice of blood that mortality came, it is by the sacrifice of blood that the redemption from death was that the redemption from death was accomplished, and all creatures freed from accomplished, and all creatures freed from Satan’s grasp. In no other way could the sacrifice Satan’s grasp. In no other way could the sacrifice for redemption of the world from death be for redemption of the world from death be accomplished” (Joseph Fielding Smith, accomplished” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Answers to Gospel QuestionsGospel Questions, 3:103)., 3:103).

Don’t leave Father in Heaven out Don’t leave Father in Heaven out of itof it!!

““In that hour I think I can see our dear Father In that hour I think I can see our dear Father behind the veil looking upon these dying behind the veil looking upon these dying struggles until even he could not endure it any struggles until even he could not endure it any longer; and, like the mother who bids farewell longer; and, like the mother who bids farewell to her dying child and has to be taken out of to her dying child and has to be taken out of the room so as not to look upon the last the room so as not to look upon the last struggles, so He bowed His head and hid in struggles, so He bowed His head and hid in some part of His universe, His great heart some part of His universe, His great heart almost breaking for the love that He had for His almost breaking for the love that He had for His Son. Oh, in that moment when He might…Son. Oh, in that moment when He might…

have saved His Son, I thank Him and praise Him have saved His Son, I thank Him and praise Him that He did not fail us, for He had not only the that He did not fail us, for He had not only the love of His son in mind, but He also had love for love of His son in mind, but He also had love for us. I rejoice that He did not interfere, and that us. I rejoice that He did not interfere, and that His love for us made it possible for Him to His love for us made it possible for Him to endure to look upon the sufferings of His Son endure to look upon the sufferings of His Son and give Him finally to us, our Savior and our and give Him finally to us, our Savior and our Redeemer, without Him, without His sacrifice, Redeemer, without Him, without His sacrifice, we would have remained, and we would never we would have remained, and we would never have come glorified into His presence. And so have come glorified into His presence. And so this is what it cost, in part, for our Father in this is what it cost, in part, for our Father in heaven to give the gift of His Son unto men” heaven to give the gift of His Son unto men” (Melvin J. Ballad, (Melvin J. Ballad, Crusader for RighteousnessCrusader for Righteousness, , 1966, 137).1966, 137).

(My experience in Gethsemane)(My experience in Gethsemane)

Doctrine and Covenants 76:24Doctrine and Covenants 76:24

Elder McConkie has written: Elder McConkie has written:

““Now our Lord’s jurisdiction and power extend Now our Lord’s jurisdiction and power extend far beyond the limits of this one small earth on far beyond the limits of this one small earth on which we dwell. He is, through the power of his which we dwell. He is, through the power of his atonement the inhabitants of these worlds, the atonement the inhabitants of these worlds, the revelation says, ‘are begotten sons and revelation says, ‘are begotten sons and daughters unto God,’ which means daughters unto God,’ which means that the that the atonement of Christ, being literally and truly atonement of Christ, being literally and truly infinite, applies to an infinite number of earthsinfinite, applies to an infinite number of earths.”.”

Doctrine and Covenants 19:18Doctrine and Covenants 19:18

Which Suffering caused myself… to Which Suffering caused myself… to tremble because of pain.tremble because of pain.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:

““We do not know, we cannot tell, no We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane. We of what Christ did in Gethsemane. We know he sweat great gouts of blood from know he sweat great gouts of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him.”that bitter cup his Father had given him.”

““We know he suffered, both body and We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death.suffer, except it be unto death.

““We know that in some way, We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy available to those who believe in his holy name.name.

““We know that We know that he lay prostrate upon the he lay prostrate upon the groundground as the pains and agonies of an as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused him to tremble and infinite burden caused him to tremble and would that he might not drink the bitter would that he might not drink the bitter cup.cup.

““We know that an We know that an angel came from the angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen himcourts of glory to strengthen him in his in his ordeal, and ordeal, and we suppose it was mighty we suppose it was mighty MichaelMichael, who foremost fell that mortal , who foremost fell that mortal men might be.men might be.

““As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies – this suffering beyond compare – – this suffering beyond compare – continued for continued for some three or four hourssome three or four hours” (C.R., April 1985, 9-” (C.R., April 1985, 9-10).10).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell offered insight into the Elder Neal A. Maxwell offered insight into the symbolic significance of the Savior’s anguish: symbolic significance of the Savior’s anguish:

““His infinite atonement affected every age, His infinite atonement affected every age, every dispensation, and every person. Hence every dispensation, and every person. Hence the appropriate symbolism of His bleeding at the appropriate symbolism of His bleeding at each and every pore – not just someeach and every pore – not just some” (C.R., ” (C.R., October, 1988, 41).October, 1988, 41).

Elder Maxwell taught in general Elder Maxwell taught in general conference that the cumulative conference that the cumulative weight of all mortal sins – past, weight of all mortal sins – past, present, and future – pressed upon present, and future – pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive that perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! Soul! All our infirmities and All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow, too, a sicknesses were somehow, too, a part of the awful arithmetic of the part of the awful arithmetic of the AtonementAtonement (C.R., April, 1985, 92). (C.R., April, 1985, 92).

It seems, that in addition to the fearful suffering It seems, that in addition to the fearful suffering incident to crucifixion, the agony of incident to crucifixion, the agony of Gethsemane had recurred, intensified beyond Gethsemane had recurred, intensified beyond human power to endure. In that bitterest hour human power to endure. In that bitterest hour the dying Christ was alone, alone in most the dying Christ was alone, alone in most terrible reality. That the supreme sacrifice of terrible reality. That the supreme sacrifice of the Son might be consummated in all its the Son might be consummated in all its fullness, the Father seems to have withdrawn fullness, the Father seems to have withdrawn the support of His immediate Presence, leaving the support of His immediate Presence, leaving to the Savior of men the glory of complete to the Savior of men the glory of complete victory over the forces of sin and death” (James victory over the forces of sin and death” (James E. Talmage, E. Talmage, Jesus the ChristJesus the Christ, 661)., 661).

Elder Orson F. Whitney wroteElder Orson F. Whitney wrote: :

““No pain that we suffer, no trial that No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. …It is through fortitude, and humility. …It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.that we come here to acquire.

SufferingSuffering::

Do you know, the suffering of the innocent is Do you know, the suffering of the innocent is less of a problem to me very often than that of less of a problem to me very often than that of the wicked. It sounds absurd: but I’ve met so the wicked. It sounds absurd: but I’ve met so many innocent sufferers who seem to be gladly many innocent sufferers who seem to be gladly offering their pain to God, in Christ as part of the offering their pain to God, in Christ as part of the Atonement, so patient, so meek, even so at Atonement, so patient, so meek, even so at peace, and so unselfish that we can hardly peace, and so unselfish that we can hardly doubt they are being, as St. Paul says, ‘made doubt they are being, as St. Paul says, ‘made perfect by suffering.’ On the other hand I meet perfect by suffering.’ On the other hand I meet selfish egoists in whom suffering seems to selfish egoists in whom suffering seems to produce only resentment, hate, blasphemy, and produce only resentment, hate, blasphemy, and more egoism. They are the real problem (more egoism. They are the real problem (The The Collected Letters of C.S. LewisCollected Letters of C.S. Lewis, vol. 3, 520)., vol. 3, 520).

D&C 19:31D&C 19:31

Of “tenets” thou shalt not talkOf “tenets” thou shalt not talk

Doctrinal beliefs that distinguish those of Doctrinal beliefs that distinguish those of various denominations. We are to focus various denominations. We are to focus on the restoration.on the restoration.

Elder John A. Widtsoe expressed that he Elder John A. Widtsoe expressed that he was grateful for the doctrine that we shall was grateful for the doctrine that we shall go on, throughout the endless ages, far go on, throughout the endless ages, far beyond the comprehension of man. I am beyond the comprehension of man. I am indeed grateful that all has not been indeed grateful that all has not been revealed today, because if we are to go revealed today, because if we are to go on, today and tomorrow and throughout on, today and tomorrow and throughout all time to come, then we shall be all time to come, then we shall be continually learning an increasing in continually learning an increasing in knowledge. I find men occasionally who knowledge. I find men occasionally who are very fond of discussing the are very fond of discussing the unrevealed truths of the gospel. To them unrevealed truths of the gospel. To them everything must be explained; there everything must be explained; there must be no mystery. must be no mystery.

This is completely our of harmony with the This is completely our of harmony with the great principle of eternal progression, one great principle of eternal progression, one of the cornerstones of the gospel of Jesus of the cornerstones of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I do not Christ. I am thankful that I do not understand all things; that I have been understand all things; that I have been given certain field knowledge into which I given certain field knowledge into which I must fit this mortal life to the best of my must fit this mortal life to the best of my ability; and that I know for a certainty that ability; and that I know for a certainty that on the tomorrow, when this life is passed, on the tomorrow, when this life is passed, or perhaps before it is over, new light and or perhaps before it is over, new light and knowledge may be given me (C.R., April knowledge may be given me (C.R., April 1925, 28).1925, 28).