Come Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 102-105
Hello, Rubygirl! I was asked to write about the September 13-19 (doctrine and covenants 102-105) lesson. This lesson shows examples of how blessings come unto you even through adversity in faith.
One thing that stuck out to me in D.C 103 is verse 3. It states, “For I have suffered thus far, that they might fill up the measure of their iniquities that their cup might be full.” The cup is a unit of measure. When the cup is filled up with one’s bad deeds, He will unleash His judgments upon them, but only when they have reached a specific measurement of bad deeds. Throughout this lesson, curses are mentioned for those who remain unfaithful and break the covenant. In modern-day, these “curses” can be more perceived as a negative feeling throughout the day, or a peer questioning your bad deed, or feeling bad for whatever you did. For example, when I don’t pray as often as needed, I don’t feel as much comfort, and I don’t feel as close to Heavenly Father.
In D.C 103 saints are told that they shall gather in Zion. If they are faithful and lay down their lives for the Lord if necessary, they are promised victory and blessings. The story of Zion’s camp is a clear metaphor. In summary, the Lord has asked them to protect the 12 olive trees (represent health, food, oil, and fine resource) by building a tower. While the saints began to build the tower, some had trouble and started to discuss questioning the Lord’s request. Why did they need to protect the olive trees if there hadn’t been an enemy invasion in time? They became slothful and continued to lazily build the tower while complaining and talking negatively discussing the lord. Later, in the night enemies came unexpectedly and broke through the tower and broke down the olive trees.
It is explained in section 104, verses 2-5 the consequences for each saint’s actions. Those who remained faithful (as promised) were granted a multiplicity of blessings. Those who were not faithful and had broken the covenant through feigned words have been cursed with very sore and grievous curses. Blessings unto them and their seed after them: Sidney Ridgon, Martin Harris, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, Newel K.Whitney, and Joseph Smith, and upon his father.
The Come Follow Me lesson stated that “Blessings come after afflictions and trials of faith,” meaning that when we obey the Lord, and make an effort to spread the gospel and stay close to our Lord, we will receive blessings through love and feeling closer and closer to our Holy Ghost. The more we do so the easier it is to hear the messages from the Holy Ghost. The less we do so the harder it is.
Finally, I have a testimony that Heavenly Father and Christ want us to feel comfort and guidance from them, and they provide us with the tools to be able to detect this guidance and comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
