Points to Ponder in Doctrine and Covenants 64-66

May 29, 2021

To accompany your Come Follow Me study for June 16-22

In addition to reading these three sections, you may want to read the following this week:

You may also enjoy the following videos:

If you would like a Kahoot game related to these sections which you could use with your family or class, click here:  https://create.kahoot.it/share/doctrine-and-covenants-64-66/02fdbc37-f141-490d-8c3e-749dd1b13a8f. To use it with a group, after clicking on this link, you will need to log into Kahoot, creating a free account if you have not done so previously, then click on the blue “Host Live” button or the gray “Assign” button, depending on how you wish to use the Kahoot. Some of the Kahoot questions may presuppose that the player has read through the suggested answers to the following Points to Ponder and at least has browsed the Institute student manual as well.

Points to Ponder in Doctrine and Covenants 64-66

1. Is holding a grudge really worse than armed robbery, arson, kidnapping, hijacking, or dealing in drugs?  Explain your answer in light of 64:9.  Why is failure to forgive so serious? 

2. What counsel would you have for a friend who was struggling to forgive someone who had offended him or her and asked for your advice? 

3. What significant event occurred in Kirtland just short of five years from the time of the Lord’s promise in 64:21 that he wouldn’t overthrow the wicked there sooner than that time? 

4. Does 64:23 mean that one could get away with everything from Sabbath-breaking to drunkenness to adultery, as long as he paid his tithing?  Why would the Lord make such promises for the observance of just this one commandment? 

5. Why should it matter to the Lord if we get in debt or not?  (64:27.) 

6. How do you reconcile 64:36 with the fact that the sons of Ishmael in the Book of Mormon, who were Ephraimites, were rebellious? 

7. What is the difference between the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven”?  Or are they the same thing?

8. What do sections 66-67 have to do with the Savior’s observation that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign” (Matt. 16:4)? 

9. What interesting personal application can you see for D&C 66:3?

10. D&C 64:33 says, “Be not weary in well-doing.” Why do you suppose some members feel “burned out” in their callings? What can we do to avoid such “burnout” in our own church activity and service?

11. D&C 65 is designated as a “revelation on prayer,” though at first it may not look like it. What specifically do we learn about prayer in this section?

12. The heading to D&C 66 alludes to five questions William E. McLellin had but never revealed to anyone. But he testified throughout his life that this revelation answered all five questions perfectly and were an irrefutable evidence to him of the divine power behind it. From the context, what would you guess that his questions may have been?

13. What other passages in these sections did you consider worth underlining?

Possible answers to Points to Ponder in Doctrine and Covenants 64-66

1. Is holding a grudge really worse than armed robbery, arson, kidnapping, hijacking, or dealing in drugs?  Explain your answer in light of 64:9.  Why is failure to forgive so serious? 

That seems to be what the Lord is saying.  Perhaps it is so serious because grudges are often so hard to overcome and they become such a barrier to our spiritual progress.  Studies show they can also negatively impact our health.  While they may be less dangerous to society than the other crimes mentioned, they may be even more dangerous to those who hold them.

2. What counsel would you have for a friend who was struggling to forgive someone who had offended him or her and asked for your advice? 

Your choice.  Possibilities might include:

  • praying and otherwise seeking the Spirit
  • talking with the person to be forgiven in order better to understand his point of view
  • recognizing the harm that holding a grudge causes to the one holding it
  • acting as though we had already forgiven and telling the other party we had forgiven them, expecting that the Lord would reward our efforts by giving us the spirit of forgiveness.

3. What significant event occurred in Kirtland just short of five years from the time of the Lord’s promise in 64:21 that he wouldn’t overthrow the wicked there sooner than that time? 

Kirtland Temple, dedicated March 27, 1836

4. Does 64:23 mean that one could get away with everything from Sabbath-breaking to drunkenness to adultery, as long as he paid his tithing?  Why would the Lord make such promises for the observance of just this one commandment? 

Perhaps because almost invariably, those who begin to sin in the ways mentioned stop paying their tithing, while those who are faithful in tithe paying generally keep the other commandments as well, at least at a level that would qualify them not to be burned at the Second Coming.  It is worth remembering, however, that our goal is not simply not to be burned–terrestrial candidates will be in that number–but to inherit celestial glory, which will require adherence to all of the commandments.

5. Why should it matter to the Lord if we get in debt or not?  (64:27.) 

When in debt, we are distracted from the work of the Lord and are generally not free to accept certain assignments in the Church because of the likelihood that we’ll be working extra hours in an effort to pay off the debts.  Furthermore, if in debt we have less to give financially to the Church.

6. How do you reconcile 64:36 with the fact that the sons of Ishmael in the Book of Mormon, who were Ephraimites, were rebellious? 

A lot of modern “Ephraimites,” who have been so designated in their patriarchal blessings, are rebellious, too.  As Romans 9:6 says, “they are not all Israel which are of Israel.”  It is one thing to be of Ephraim genetically and quite another to be an Ephraimite spiritually.  It is of this latter meaning that 64:36 speaks.

7. What is the difference between the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven”? 

It depends on the context.  Luke often says, “kingdom of God” when Matthew says, “kingdom of heaven,” to mean the same thing.  Sometimes the term “kingdom of heaven” means the future life.   However, as D&C 65 uses the terms, the “kingdom of God” is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The “kingdom of heaven” is the Millennial kingdom when Christ will reign as King of Kings as well as Lord of Lords–politically as well as religiously, with His will being done throughout the earth.

8. What do sections 66-67 have to do with the Savior’s observation that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign” (Matt. 16:4)? 

It seems more than coincidental that William E. McLellin, who had been “troubled” by the temptation to commit adultery, was the one who had the hardest time seeing the Lord’s hand in the D&C despite some perceived imperfections of language, and that he resolved to test the Prophet by asking for a revelation which would answer specific questions he had in his heart, without first telling Joseph Smith what those questions were.

William E McLellin

9. What interesting personal application can you see for D&C 66:3?

Just as the Lord promised to show William E. McLellin what in his life was not pleasing to the Lord, so can we expect Him to show us individually what we need to change in our lives, if will sincerely ask Him. .

10. D&C 64:33 says, “Be not weary in well-doing.” Why do you suppose some members feel “burned out” in their callings? What can we do to avoid such “burnout” in our own church activity and service?

Perhaps some are serving grudgingly rather than with all their “heart, might, mind, and strength.” (D&C 4:2.) Ironically, it can be more restful and joyful to work hard in the Lord’s work than to give half-hearted measures. Nonetheless, it is important to seek a balance in life. Some may have disregarded the Lord’s counsel in D&C 10:4 and Mosiah 4:27 not to run faster or labor more than their strength and means permit and have not followed the example of prophets and even of the Savior Himself to take time for meditation, recreation, and social amusements. Others may need to rectify hidden sins, either of commission or omission, which may be keeping them from enjoying the Lord’s Spirit and finding the happiness energetic service is designed to bring. When we serve as the Lord desires, we’ll find true His promise, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

11. D&C 65 is designated as a “revelation on prayer,” though at first it may not look like it. What specifically do we learn about prayer in this section?

The emphasis here is that we should pray energetically for the building up of the Lord’s kingdom on the earth in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior. Too often we may make our prayers as self-centered as our Christmas letters to Santa probably were when we were children.

12. The heading to D&C 66 alludes to five questions William E. McLellin had but never revealed to anyone. But he testified throughout his life that this revelation answered all five questions perfectly and were an irrefutable evidence to him of the divine power behind it. From the context, what would you guess that his questions may have been?

Though your answer may be just as good, here’s a proposed answer from Gemini:

William E. McLellin’s five questions, referenced in the heading to Doctrine and Covenants 66, are not explicitly recorded by McLellin himself. However, from his journal entries and the content of the revelation, scholars have been able to deduce the likely nature of his questions and the extent to which they were answered. McLellin himself testified that the revelation answered his questions “to his full and entire satisfaction,” even after he later fell away from the Church.

Here’s what we know about his five questions and their answers in D&C 66:

Background:

  • On October 29, 1831, William E. McLellin went to Joseph Smith’s home in Hiram, Ohio. He had secretly prayed to the Lord, on his knees, to reveal the answers to five specific questions through Joseph Smith, without Joseph knowing what those questions were. This was a test for McLellin to ascertain the prophet’s inspiration.
  • Joseph Smith then inquired of the Lord and received the revelation that is now D&C 66, which McLellin recorded directly from Joseph’s mouth.

Probable Questions and Their Answers:

While the exact wording of McLellin’s questions is not known, the revelation’s content strongly suggests the following:

  1. Question 1: How does this new church, organized by Joseph Smith, fit into the religious world?
    • Answer (D&C 66:2). This verse establishes the divine nature of the Church as holding the “everlasting covenant,” or the fulness of the gospel, implying its unique and significant place in the religious landscape.
  2. Question 2: What is my spiritual standing before the Lord?
    • Answer (D&C 66:3): This answers directly about his spiritual state, confirming a level of cleanliness but also calling for specific repentance, with the promise that the Lord would reveal what those displeasing things were.
  3. Question 3: What is my role in the Church? What am I to do now that I have closed my school and settled my affairs?
    • Answer (D&C 66:5-8): This provides a clear missionary calling, outlining his immediate duties and the manner in which he was to perform them.
  4. Question 4: I have seen and personally experienced the power to heal through Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Will I be able to have this power?
    • Answer (D&C 66:9): This verse directly addresses the power of healing, promising it to him if he is faithful in his ministry.
  5. Question 5: How can I escape the temptation of adultery and other sins which have burdened me, especially since the recent death of my wife?
    • Answer (D&C 66:10-12): This answer acknowledges his specific temptation (“adultery, a temptation with which thou hast been troubled”) and provides guidance for overcoming it through faithfulness, magnifying his calling, and continuing in righteousness.

In summary, D&C 66 provides comprehensive and specific answers to what are believed to be William E. McLellin’s secret questions, demonstrating a remarkable instance of divine revelation and Joseph Smith’s prophetic gift.

13. What other passages in these sections did you consider worth underlining?

Your choice.  My list would include:

  • 64:7:  The Lord forgives sins of those who confess and ask forgiveness
“Forgiven,” by Greg Olsen

  • 64:24: The Lord will not spare any who remain in Babylon.
  • 64:34:  The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.
  • 64:41-42: Zion shall flourish, the glory of the Lord shall be upon her, and there will come unto her out of every nation under heaven.
  • 65:6:  As we build up the Church, we are preparing for the full-fledged kingdom of heaven on earth.