Doctrine and Covenants 25-26. Doctrine and Covenants 25 “An Elect Lady” Doctrine and Covenants...

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Doctrine and Doctrine and Covenants 25-26 Covenants 25-26

Transcript of Doctrine and Covenants 25-26. Doctrine and Covenants 25 “An Elect Lady” Doctrine and Covenants...

Page 1: Doctrine and Covenants 25-26. Doctrine and Covenants 25 “An Elect Lady” Doctrine and Covenants 25:16 The Lord’s voice to all women! Emma Smith: Older.

Doctrine and Covenants Doctrine and Covenants 25-2625-26

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Doctrine and Covenants 25Doctrine and Covenants 25

““An Elect LadyAn Elect Lady””

Doctrine and Covenants 25:16Doctrine and Covenants 25:16

The Lord’s voice to all womenThe Lord’s voice to all women!!

Emma SmithEmma Smith::

Older than Joseph Smith (about a year and a half)Older than Joseph Smith (about a year and a half) Strong Methodist backgroundStrong Methodist background Did not see the plates! Did not see the plates! Eight months into their marriage Joseph received the plates.Eight months into their marriage Joseph received the plates. President of the Relief Society in 1842, fulfilling D&C 25:3.President of the Relief Society in 1842, fulfilling D&C 25:3.

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Died at 75 in Nauvoo.Died at 75 in Nauvoo. Married Major Lewis C. Bidamen in December of 1847 Married Major Lewis C. Bidamen in December of 1847

(December 23(December 23rdrd).). Lost 6 of 11 children.Lost 6 of 11 children.

Lucy Mack Smith wrote: Lucy Mack Smith wrote:

““I have never seen a woman in my life, who would I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know which she has had to has ever done; for I know which she has had to endure. She has breasted the storms of persecution, endure. She has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman” (have borne down almost any other woman” (History of History of Joseph SmithJoseph Smith, 190-91)., 190-91).

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Doctrine and Covenants 25:3Doctrine and Covenants 25:3

Elect? Elect? Yes!Yes!

First Relief Society President in 1842. First Relief Society President in 1842.

She was also the first lady to be endowed in this She was also the first lady to be endowed in this dispensation.dispensation.

Joseph Smith stated, “The church was never perfectly Joseph Smith stated, “The church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized” (organized until the women were thus organized” (C.H. C.H. in the Fullness of Timesin the Fullness of Times, 248-49)., 248-49).

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John Taylor wanted to call it the Nauvoo Female Benevolent John Taylor wanted to call it the Nauvoo Female Benevolent Society. Society.

The women present at the meeting persuaded Joseph Smith The women present at the meeting persuaded Joseph Smith to call it the Relief Society. to call it the Relief Society.

Emma was the president for two years. Emma was the president for two years.

It disbanded when they went out west and started again in It disbanded when they went out west and started again in 1860. It was officially reinstated in 1867.1860. It was officially reinstated in 1867.

Five areas of emphasis in the Relief SocietyFive areas of emphasis in the Relief Society::

1. Spiritual Living1. Spiritual Living2. Homemaking2. Homemaking3. Social Relations3. Social Relations4. Mother Education4. Mother Education5. Cultural Refinement5. Cultural Refinement

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Elder Packer said that Relief Society is notElder Packer said that Relief Society is not

really optional, it is as important as attendingreally optional, it is as important as attending

priesthood for the brethren.priesthood for the brethren.

Three main purposesThree main purposes::

1.1. Provoke the brethren to good worksProvoke the brethren to good works..

2.2. Correct morals and strengthen virtues in the Correct morals and strengthen virtues in the community.community.

3.3. Administer relief to those in need.Administer relief to those in need.

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Motherhood is near divinity. Motherhood is near divinity. It is the highest, It is the highest, holiest, service to be assumed by mankindholiest, service to be assumed by mankind. It . It places her who honors its holy calling and places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say God bless you and protect you, Israel we say God bless you and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to the fullest to duty, that shall enable you to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours (First measure the sacred calling which is yours (First Presidency, Presidency, Messages of the First PresidencyMessages of the First Presidency, , vol. 6, 178).vol. 6, 178).

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President Gordon B. Hinckley explained how President Gordon B. Hinckley explained how the phrase “elect lady” relates to the women of the phrase “elect lady” relates to the women of today, including young women: today, including young women:

““Each of you is an elect lady. You have come Each of you is an elect lady. You have come out of the world as partakers of the restored out of the world as partakers of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You have made your gospel of Jesus Christ. You have made your election, and if you are living worthy of it, the election, and if you are living worthy of it, the Lord will honor you in it and magnify you” (C.R., Lord will honor you in it and magnify you” (C.R., Oct., 1984, 110).Oct., 1984, 110).

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D&C 25:4D&C 25:4 Murmur Not!Murmur Not!

Murmuring can also be noisy enough that it drowns out the Murmuring can also be noisy enough that it drowns out the various signals to us, signals which tell us in some cases to quit various signals to us, signals which tell us in some cases to quit soaking ourselves indulgently in the hot tubs of self-pity! soaking ourselves indulgently in the hot tubs of self-pity! Murmuring over the weight of our crosses not only takes energy Murmuring over the weight of our crosses not only takes energy otherwise needed to carry them but might cause another to put otherwise needed to carry them but might cause another to put down his cross altogether (Neal A. Maxwell, down his cross altogether (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, November , November 1989, 85).1989, 85).

Brigham Young called us to be faithful even if circumstances are Brigham Young called us to be faithful even if circumstances are “darker than 10,000 midnights” (JD 3:207). Some of us murmur “darker than 10,000 midnights” (JD 3:207). Some of us murmur even when only the dusk of difficulty appears (Neal A. Maxwell, even when only the dusk of difficulty appears (Neal A. Maxwell, That Ye May BelieveThat Ye May Believe, 3)., 3).

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Doctrine and Covenants 25:11-12Doctrine and Covenants 25:11-12

The first hymn book had no music, just words. The first hymn book had no music, just words.

The first hymn book had 90 hymns (1835 or 1836).The first hymn book had 90 hymns (1835 or 1836).

The second book had 350 hymns (1841).The second book had 350 hymns (1841).

When we rejoice in beautiful scenery, great art, and great music, it When we rejoice in beautiful scenery, great art, and great music, it is but the flexing of instincts acquired in another place and is but the flexing of instincts acquired in another place and another time (another time (EnsignEnsign, May 1984, 21)., May 1984, 21).

WomanhoodWomanhood::

Brigham Young said when you educate a man, you educate a Brigham Young said when you educate a man, you educate a man, man, when you educate a woman you educate a posteritywhen you educate a woman you educate a posterity!!

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Many of the hymns selected were Many of the hymns selected were printed in the printed in the Evening and Morning Evening and Morning Star Star and in the and in the Messenger and Messenger and AdvocateAdvocate. The hymnal, which was . The hymnal, which was completed in 1836, measured three completed in 1836, measured three inches by four inches. There was no inches by four inches. There was no musical score; hymns were sung to musical score; hymns were sung to various tunes, and congregations various tunes, and congregations sometimes used different tunes for sometimes used different tunes for the same hymns.the same hymns.

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““It is our sisters who carry the burden of the work. It is our sisters who carry the burden of the work. We talk about the missionary work of the Elders We talk about the missionary work of the Elders who go forth to proclaim the Gospel; we talk about who go forth to proclaim the Gospel; we talk about the great pioneer work of the early settlers of this the great pioneer work of the early settlers of this country, but I wish to say here that it is the mothers country, but I wish to say here that it is the mothers at home who are making the sacrifice for the boys at home who are making the sacrifice for the boys to go into the mission field. It is the mothers who to go into the mission field. It is the mothers who stand the hardships far more than the men. Men stand the hardships far more than the men. Men are engaged in many activities, are engaged in many activities, but without the but without the devotion and absolute testimony of the living God devotion and absolute testimony of the living God in the hearts of our mothers this Church would diein the hearts of our mothers this Church would die” ” (Heber J. Grant, C.R. April 1930, 23).(Heber J. Grant, C.R. April 1930, 23).

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President Hinckley added, “How grateful I am for President Hinckley added, “How grateful I am for mothers. I think it’s been the mothers who have been mothers. I think it’s been the mothers who have been the great carriers and purveyors of faith throughout the great carriers and purveyors of faith throughout the history of the Church. I believe that with all my the history of the Church. I believe that with all my heart” (President Hinckley, heart” (President Hinckley, Church NewsChurch News, May 20, , May 20, 1995).1995).

President Kimball said, “No greater honor could be President Kimball said, “No greater honor could be given to a woman than to assist in bringing forth given to a woman than to assist in bringing forth children. A woman will find no greater satisfaction and children. A woman will find no greater satisfaction and joy and peace and make no greater contribution to joy and peace and make no greater contribution to mankind than in being a wise and worthy woman and mankind than in being a wise and worthy woman and raising good children. raising good children.

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Doctrine and Covenants 25:12Doctrine and Covenants 25:12

““Music Can Hurt usMusic Can Hurt us””

Elder Gene R. Cook and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones Elder Gene R. Cook and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones were sitting next to each other on a flight. During their were sitting next to each other on a flight. During their conversation, Elder Cook said, “Young people… have told me conversation, Elder Cook said, “Young people… have told me that the kind of music you and others sing has no effect on that the kind of music you and others sing has no effect on them … Others… have told me that it has a real effect on them them … Others… have told me that it has a real effect on them for evil, and that it affects them in a very bad way… for evil, and that it affects them in a very bad way… What do What do you think is the impact of your music on the young peopleyou think is the impact of your music on the young people?”?”

Mick Jagger replied, “Our music is calculated to drive kids to Mick Jagger replied, “Our music is calculated to drive kids to sex (Gene R. Cook, 13 lines of Defense: sex (Gene R. Cook, 13 lines of Defense: Living the Law of Living the Law of ChastityChastity, audiocassette, side 3)., audiocassette, side 3).

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I have never sung Eliza R. Snow’s lyrics of I have never sung Eliza R. Snow’s lyrics of 1845 in the anthem of appreciation, “O My 1845 in the anthem of appreciation, “O My Father,” without being touched by its Father,” without being touched by its reverence for womanhood, which is light reverence for womanhood, which is light years ahead of some current, cosmetic years ahead of some current, cosmetic attempts to dignify womanhood (Neal A. attempts to dignify womanhood (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, Deposition of a DiscipleDeposition of a Disciple, 82)., 82).

So often the service of women seems So often the service of women seems instinctive, while that of men seems more instinctive, while that of men seems more labored (Neal A. Maxwell, labored (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, May , May 1978, 10)1978, 10)..

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Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball taught that every girl and Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball taught that every girl and woman should have the desire and ambition to qualify woman should have the desire and ambition to qualify in two vocations:in two vocations:

1. 1. That of homemaking. That of homemaking.

2.2. Preparing to earn a living outside the home. Preparing to earn a living outside the home.

Doctrine and Covenants 26Doctrine and Covenants 26

““The Law of Common ConsentThe Law of Common Consent””

Doctrine and Covenants 26:2Doctrine and Covenants 26:2

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When you vote affirmatively you When you vote affirmatively you make a solemn covenant with the make a solemn covenant with the Lord that you will sustain the office Lord that you will sustain the office from whom ye vote (Harold B. from whom ye vote (Harold B. Lee, C.R., 1970, April, 103).Lee, C.R., 1970, April, 103).

Say no only when that person has Say no only when that person has transgressedtransgressed, not because you , not because you don’t like them.don’t like them.

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WomanhoodWomanhood

We want our sisters to be scholars We want our sisters to be scholars of the scripturesof the scriptures… “… “Before you fall Before you fall in love with a choice young man, in love with a choice young man, fall in love with the scripturesfall in love with the scriptures, , for for they will help you to prepare for they will help you to prepare for the future spirituallythe future spiritually” (President ” (President Kimball, Kimball, New EraNew Era, July, 1981, 8)., July, 1981, 8).

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““When the real history of mankind is fully When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies?

The great armistices made by military men The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? and neighborhoods?

Will what happened in cradles and Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? what happened in congresses?

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When the surf of the centuries has made the great When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.outside telestial time. The women of God know this.

““Finally remember: When we return to our real home, Finally remember: When we return to our real home, it will be with the ‘mutual approbation’ of those who it will be with the ‘mutual approbation’ of those who reign in the ‘royal courts on high.’ There we will find reign in the ‘royal courts on high.’ There we will find beauty such as mortal ‘eye hath not seen;’ we will beauty such as mortal ‘eye hath not seen;’ we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal ‘ear hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal ‘ear hath not heard.’ hath not heard.’ Could such a regal homecoming be Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly MotherHeavenly Mother? (Elder Neal A Maxwell, C.R., April ? (Elder Neal A Maxwell, C.R., April 1978, 13-15).1978, 13-15).

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Mothers have a sacred role. They are Mothers have a sacred role. They are partners with God, as well as with their partners with God, as well as with their own husbands, first in giving birth to the own husbands, first in giving birth to the Lord’s spirit children and then in rearing Lord’s spirit children and then in rearing those children so they will serve the Lord those children so they will serve the Lord and keep his commandments. Could there and keep his commandments. Could there be a more sacred trust than to be a be a more sacred trust than to be a trustee for honorable, well-born, well-trustee for honorable, well-born, well-developed children (Spencer W. Kimball, developed children (Spencer W. Kimball, EnsignEnsign, November, 1978, 102-06)., November, 1978, 102-06).

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The role of the successful mother The role of the successful mother is a lifetime of dedication. is a lifetime of dedication. It is the It is the most exacting and difficult of all most exacting and difficult of all professionsprofessions. Anyone who would . Anyone who would say apologetically, “I am only a say apologetically, “I am only a homemaker, “has not fully homemaker, “has not fully appreciated the importance and appreciated the importance and intricacy of her profession (Camilla intricacy of her profession (Camilla Eyring Kimball, Eyring Kimball, EnsignEnsign, March, , March, 1977, 58-59).1977, 58-59).

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““Men and woman have complementary, Men and woman have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But, in the and talent favor both of them. But, in the woman’s part, she is not just equal to woman’s part, she is not just equal to man, she is superior! She can do that man, she is superior! She can do that which he can never do, not in all eternity which he can never do, not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone” rewards which are hers and hers alone” (Boyd K. Packer, Priesthood Restoration (Boyd K. Packer, Priesthood Restoration Fireside, May 7, 1989).Fireside, May 7, 1989).