Lesson 35: God Reveals His Secrets to

His Prophets

Purpose

To teach us that in the latter days, the Lord reveals his secrets to his prophets and pours out his Spirit on all people.

Janette Hales Beckham

“When I was a young wife and mother, my husband spent two years in the air force. We lived in military housing on Long Island, New York. While tending our young children, I often visited with neighbors who had come from all over the country. One day as a neighbor and I were talking about our beliefs, she became curious about what was different about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Janette Hales Beckham

“I told her briefly about the Restoration, and I explained that the restored Church of Jesus Christ has a living prophet today. This really seemed to pique her interest, and she wanted to know what the prophet had said. As I started to tell her about the Doctrine and Covenants and modern revelation, she said, ‘But what has he said lately?’ I told her about general conference and that the Church had a monthly publication with a message from the prophet. Then she got really interested. I was so embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t read the current message. She concluded our conversation by saying, ‘You mean you have a living prophet and you don’t know what he said?’” “Sustaining the Living Prophets,” Ensign, May 1996, 84

Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa.

He ministered to the people of the kingdom of Israel from about 800 to 750 B.C. 

Most were apostate.

They loved riches and oppressed the poor

so hardened that not even famine or pestilence humbled them.

Amos prophesied even more dire penalties. Nevertheless, he emphasized that God was eager to cleanse anyone who would repent, exhorting, “Seek the Lord, and ye shall live” (Amos 5:6). Amos also prophesied about the latter days.

Amos 6:11 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Amos warns the people about becoming “at ease in Zion”.

What does it mean to become at ease in Zion?

Becoming at ease in Zion

2 Nephi 28:19–24, 27, 29–30

 19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devilwill grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

 20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

LULLverb

calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements.

rock

noun

a temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity.

In what ways are we at ease in Zion today and How can we guard against this?

Becoming at ease in Zion2 Nephi 28:19–24, 27, 29–30

 19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devilwill grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

 20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. 

21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

 22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

Becoming at ease in Zion

 23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

 24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

 27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we needno more!

 29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

 30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learnwisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not known it?

 7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, until he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

The Joseph Smith Translation itself is an example of the Lord’s secrets being made known to a prophet for our benefit.

Amos 3:6–7

What respect should we have for the messages of the

prophets?

D & C 1:37–38 37 Search these commandme

nts, for they are true and faithful, and the

prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

 38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I

excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth

pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all

be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

The prophet Joel ministered to the people of the kingdom of Judah. We do not know exactly when he lived, but his prophecies are of particular importance to us because many of them concern the latter days.

Joel used the powerful image of a devouring host of locusts to symbolize the devastation that armies and God’s judgments would bring in the latter days.

Joel also prophesied great blessings in the latter days, foreseeing that the Lord would “pour out [his] spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28).

All the modern inventions of travel and communication have come since the gospel was restored.

How do these developments help fulfill Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28–29?

How do these developments help further the work of the Lord in our day?

What counsel and commandment did the Lord give the Saints on the day the Church was organized?

Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–5

 4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

 5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith “I maintain that had there been no restoration of the gospel, and no organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there would have been no radio; there would have been no airplane, and there would not have been the wonderful discoveries in medicine, chemistry, electricity, and the many other things wherein the world has been benefited by such discoveries. Under such conditions these blessings would have been withheld, for they belong to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times of which the restoration of the gospel and the organization of the Church constitute the central point, from which radiates the Spirit of the Lord throughout the world. The inspiration of the Lord has gone out and takes hold of the minds of men, though they know it not, and they are directed by the Lord. In this manner he brings them into his service that his purposes and his righteousness, in due time, may be supreme on the earth.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith

“… I do not believe for one moment that these discoveries have come by chance, or that they have come because of superior intelligence possessed by men today over those who lived in ages that are past. They have come and are coming because the time is ripe, because the Lord has willed it, and because he has poured out his Spirit on all flesh” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1926, 117).

Joel 2:12–32 and Joel 3:16–17 

What invitations has the Lord given to those living in the latter days?

Invitations

1. “Turn ye even to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12).

2. “Rend your heart” (Joel 2:13, meaning to break your heart or be humble).

3. “Turn unto the Lord your God” (Joel 2:13).

4. “Sanctify the congregation” (Joel 2:16).

5. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice” (Joel 2:21).

What do these invitations suggest about the importance of turning to the Lord with all our hearts?

Joel 2:12–32 and Joel 3:16–17 

What blessings has the Lord promised to those who follow him in the latter days?

Blessings

1.“He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and he will turn away the evil from you” (Joseph Smith Translation, Joel 2:13; see footnote 13b).

2.The Lord will “pity his people” (Joel 2:18).

3.The Lord will drive the northern army (described in verses 1–11) into a barren place (Joel 2:20).

4.“Ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied” (Joel 2:26).

5.“I am in the midst of Israel, … and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:27).

6.“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28; see also verse29).

7.Young and old will prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions (Joel 2:28).

8.“Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:32).

9.“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem” (Joel 3:16).

10.“The Lord will be the hope of his people” (Joel 3:16).

11.“The Lord will be the … strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:16).

12.“So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion” (Joel 3:17).

WE THANK THEE O GOD FOR A PROPHET….

BUT DON’T TELL ME I CAN’T…WATCH A RATED R MOVIE

BUT don’t tell me I need to do home teaching

BUT don’t tell me I need to help my neighbor

BUT don’t tell me to take that calling

BUT don’t tell me to I can’t watch my favorite show on tv that is a little questionable

BUT don’t tell me I need food storage

………