--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 22 number: 12 published: 1919-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Prophecies and Promises of the Lord,\" *Improvement Era* 22, no. 12 (October 1919): 1051–1057." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22012unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera22012unse start_page: 1051 end_page: 1057 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1919-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22012unse publication_year: 1919 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1919, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Prophecies and Promises of the Lord Prophecies and Promises of the Lord As Recorded in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants Study Course for Joint Senior M. I. A. Classes, 1919-20 LESSON IV.—HUMILITY THE ONLY SAFEGUARD AGAINST HUMILIATION "Humility is not slavish submission, nor servile complais- . ance; it is loving assent reinforced by free agency and free will loyalty." It is at once a feeling of dependence on the higher, and a sentiment of independence from any control of the lower. It combines the instinctive yielding of childhood and the rational assent of the mature adult. Introductory Statements Perhaps the greatest test to which humility may be put, is in the presence of a reprimand. The first criminal justified himself to the last. The mighty Moses did not murmur at the penalty imposed for the error of forgetting his dependency upon the Lord. (Numbers 20:10, 11, 12). The erring king of Israel said to the prophet Nathan: "I have sinned," and afterwards the consolation of redemption was given to him, and he exclaimed: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell" (Psalm 16:10). One of the marks of a master mind, is the absence of self- justification in wrong doing. The constant measure of hu- mility, however, is the obedience of confidence in recognized authority. It is love exemplified in the action of service. It has behind it, a strength indicated by the attitude expressed — in the words "I came not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me," a declaration expressive of the fact that the Savior's highest will was to do the will of his Father. It was the highest form of free agency. Not blind obedience, but confidence, service, void of servitude, a feeling of acquiescence without subordination, duty submerged in pleasure. Humiliation in this lesson means something more than being humble. Humiliation means a state of degradation or subordination brought about by forces from without. It is a state of subordination without the attitude of humility, it is compliance minus acquiescence. The retributive rather than the repentant element dominates in humiliation. Roger Williams' banishment was one of humility. Napo- leon's condition was one of humiliation. 1052 IMPROVEMENT ERA In humility the Saints were expelled from their homes, in humiliation the Germans were driven out of Belgium. Majestic humility in chains triumphed in Liberty jail, when ruffian cowardice quailed before the prophet's rebuke. The world today acclaims the humiliation of arrogance at Count Bentinck's castle, where the Kaiser King is kept a prisoner, in servility. Section 3, Doctrine and Covenants, contains evidence of two great facts, first, that Joseph Smith was in direct communi- cation with Deity, and that the revelations were not Joseph's, but given through him. Second, that he possessed a humility that would fortify against humiliation. The revelation is a vivid picture of Joseph's standing before the Lord, a declara- tion as to his elect, and preordained fitness, to be a gospel dis- pensator. The publication of the revelation points to the prophet's willingness, that the world should see him without camouflage. The incident is an exemplification of what every individual must meet sometime, somewhere, namely, that of being known among men as he is known by the Lord. The section is replete with prophecies and promises, but is placed on the eternal truths; that arro- especial emphasis gance and advancement are incompatible; that "pride goeth before a fall." The triumph of the Church up to date, is in fulfilment of the promise made in section 33. It is sufficient to prove the di- vinity of the document. The history of men who have grown too wise for the Church, furnishes ample evidence of the truths set forth in paragraph 6, section 52. The condition of boasting in one's own strength, is the natural antecedent of setting at nought, the councils of God, and following one's own will and selfish desires. The individual who does this, is in a state of falling, a condition which in and of itself, is the forerunner of retribution, just as a rising con- dition is the antecedent of reward. God's vengeance means his approval of the natural com- pensation of sin. The compensation of the sin of arrogance, is humiliation, psychologically, that is, according to the laws governing our mind; that is, according to the laws govern- sociologically, ing the welfare of society ; and theologically, that is, according to the laws governing the kingdom of heaven, or the rule of God's righteousness. Arrogance, like uncleanliness, grieves the Spirit of the Lord and it departs; it cannot abide with either of these conditions. PROMISES AND PROPHECIES 1053 Questions and Problems Make paragraph 4, section 3, a part of your everlasting mind con- 1. tent; that is, commit it to memory so thoroughly that you will never for- got it. 2. Give the time and place of the occasion for the revelation recorded in section 3. 3. To whom does the prophecy and promise apply in paragraph 4? 4. Wherein is the promise especially valuable in Church government? In family government? In self government? 5. What does the expression "Setting at nought the counsels of God," mean to you? 6. Distinguish between a careless setting at nought, and a wilful setting at nought. 7. Wherein does a careless setting at nought lead up to a wilful setting at nought? Illustrate. 8. Discuss the meaning of the word "must" in paragraph 4. 9.Consider the lives of two great spirits, one still in a condition of humility, saying, My highest will is to do the will of my Father; the other, now in a state of humiliation, vainly striving to control earth and rule heaven. 10. Wherein does the publication of section 3 prove that Joseph Smith gave to the world, not his own mind and will, but the mind and will of the Lord from whom he received instructions, face to face? 11. Note the entire absence of even a shadow of self -justification in the life of Joseph the Prophet. 12. When is duty submerged in pleasure? 13. If setting at nought the counsels of God, must be followed by a fall or humiliation, what must be the results of an individual stand, a mass movement slogan in support of the counsels of the Lord? 14. Enumerate some of the triumphs of the Church over the efforts of men to destroy it, in proof of the fulfilment of the divine promise made in paragraph 3 section 3. 15. What direct declaration concerning humility was given to Joseph Knight, section 12? 16. How is strength theologically related to humility? See section 1:27. Discuss the meaning of section 39:18. 17. In the light of the promise made in Sec. 88:17, discuss the follow- 18. ing proposition: There may be a wide difference between inheriting the earth and inhabiting it. Collateral References and Supplemental Suggestions A remarkable testimony of President Heber J. Grant, illustrative not only of the humility of President Woodruff, but of the men who trusted the Power that led him against their own opinions. — (See Era, August, 1919, pp. 845-6, June Conference Report, pp. 8, 9.) Lincoln's favorite poem, "O why should the spirit of mortal be proud?" Heart Throbs, page 259. The book of Ecclesiastes paying special attention to the conclusion. LESSON V.-THE GLORY OF GOSPEL MESSENGER SERVICE Introduction The gospel is a scheme or plan for raising the human family above the power of all its enemies, its intellectual enemies, its moral enemies and its spiritual enemies, of which enemies ig- norance is perhaps the greatest. In its fulness, it is principle plus practice; it is theory 1054 IMPROVEMENT ERA applied; it is instruction, inspiration and application. The Giver of the gospel taught the truth, encouraged its acceptance, and wrought the doctrines into habit; thus demonstrating that it is "the power of God unto salvation." Jesus was an obedient child, an ardent student, a feeder of multitudes, a healer of the sick, a raiser of the dead; but all these activities were subordinate to his gospel message service. This was indicated in his words to his mother at the temple in Jerusalem. When she found him engaged in discussion with the learned doctors, and tenderly chided him, he answered her by saying: "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Behind this expression, we may see an interest that ab- sorbed all other interests. When the Savior addressed Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, through the Prophet Joseph, and gave the promise of joy, he spoke with the authority of experience and with a recognition of importance that outweighed all other considera- tions. See Section 18:13-18, inclusive. The magnitude of gospel messenger service is indicated in paragraph 23, section 1, which provides for the official pene- tration of society through all its Jieight and depth, its length and breadth. And as the glory of God is intelligence, the spread of intelligence means the distribution of glory; and the distributor is made twice glorious, once in the receiving of the truth, and again in giving it. Truly "it is more blessed to give than to receive." The giver must receive before he can give, and in gospel messenger service, the gift increases .with the giv- ing. Biologically, we grow by what we take; theologically, we grow by what we give. The growth in the one field is limited; in the other field, it is a-, boundless as eternity. Gospel mes- senger service carries with it authoritative linking up between man and his Maker. Many marvelous promises are made for faithful missionary service, and these promises to the Council of the Twelve are accompanied by the privilege of being recognized and addressed by the Savior himself as his friends. See section 84:63 to 77 inclusive. The promise made to every missionary, in section 84:80, is a conditional one, and the degree of its fulfilment in the life of any missionary will be in proportion to the meeting of the conditions from the Lord's point of view. The words "to con- tinue," "all," and "unnoticed," should receive special attention in the study of this promise. A promise made to Lyman Wight is illustrative of the glory of missionary messenger service. Section 124:18, 19. PROMISES AND PROPHECIES 1055 That gospel messenger service extends from the heavens to the regions of the damned, is clearly set forth in the promise made in section 88:99. The far-reaching importance of gospel messenger service may dawn upon one by the study of section 76:81-5, where the fate of the rejecters of this service is depicted. A careful consideration of section 25:1, leads us to know that the accept- ance of the gospel messenger service makes of men the sons of God, and of women, the daughters of God. Questions and Problems 1. Give the time, place, and circumstances under which section 18 was given. 2. What promise made to individuals in that revelation may be con- sistently claimed by all missionaries? 3. Commit the promise to memory. 4. State the value of this promise; the earth-life value; the value be- yond earth life. 5. Show that gospel messenger service is glorious to the messenger, as a receiver and as a giver. 6. Compare the words of the Lord, sec. 84:63, with his words recorded in John 15:13-15. 7. Prove from section 84:77 that the Giver of that revelation was Jesus of Nazareth. 8. On what definite condition is missionary power and reward based? 9. What does the expression "beget glory" mean in section 124:18? 10. Show that the promises and prophecies concerning the glory of missionary service provides for divine appointment, divinely inspired active ity, endless opportunity, joy hereafter, training for a companionship with the Savior, through the doing of that which was his chosen vocation. Collateral References and Supplemental Suggestions Open the class with the hymn beginning: "Come, all ye sons of God." Plan to have two five-minute talks from missionaries, — one of them a sister. Read John 21, emphasizing paragraphs 15, 16, 17. My First Mission, from faith-promoting series. Song: "From Greenland's icy mountains." LESSON VI.—KEEPING UP CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE LORD "Let your first good morning be to your Father in Heaven." Dr. Karl G. Maeser. "Neglect is always unkind and oftentimes cruel." Dr. Karl G. Maeser. Introduction Forgetting to pray is indicative of spiritual indolence, neglecting to pray is indolence, and much more than indolence, it is the drying up of the fountain of gratitude. Not only when life gets dark and dreary should we pray, for then selfishness prompts the petition, but, when the stream of enjoyment is at high tide, then we should send messages of appreciation. Every message of gratitude moves in a cycle and comes 1056 IMPROVEMENT ERA back to the sender stronger, sweeter and a little above its start- ing place. Heavenward message-sending now trains for heavenly mes- senger service hereafter. The greatest of all messengers from on high was the most faithful in remembering his Father. Ambassadors from on high were correspondents here be- low: Moroni, at Joseph's boyhood home, and in the sacred grove; Moses and Elias, in the mountains of Palestine; John the Baptist, in the woods of Pennsylvania; Michael or Adam; and Peter, James and John, on the Susquehanna river; all were men who remembered the Lord when they were on earth. Among the products of prayer, the pleasure of praying and the soul growth accompanying it, are by no means the least. Every earnest, consistent prayer, is answered by the uplift of the soul. Aduty-started prayer invariably rises into the realm of exquisite pleasure. Prayer is the best preventive and surest cure of soul-sick- ness, and like all other ordinances of the gospel, it is for man, and not man for the prayer. Our need for spiritual correspondence is much greater than our Father's need. God, our Father, commands us to pray because he loves to see us grow, and on that growth be happy. We grow warm towards God just as we grow warm towards our friends by faithful correspondence. He would save us from a coldness that makes way for sub- conscious contempt without our knowing it. Spiritual correspondence is incumbent upon and indispen- sable to the happiness of every member of the Church. It is of three types; the individual or secret prayer, the family or group prayer, the Church or congregational prayer. As ex- amples of this latter type, we have the invocation, the song prayers, the official sacrament prayer, and the benediction, all of which are wireless messages sweeping through the universe with faith-vibrations towards the throne of Grace. The first two types require daily attention, the third at least weekly attention. Individual love messages are due from us to our Father every day, and it grieves heaven to miss receiv- ing them. The prophecies and promises in the Doctrine and Coven- ants concerning the keeping up of our correspondence with the Lord are many, to say the least. Section 10:5 promises victory over Satan. Section 19:38 promises a greater blessing than the trea- sures of earth with their accompanying corruptibleness. PROMISES AND PROPHECIES 1057 Section 20:33 indirectly promises the Church immunity against falling into temptation, if divine correspondence is kept up. Section 65 pleads for prayers as a help to our Father in heaven. Section 104:80 promises financial deliverance through prayer. Section 93:49 indirectly promises protection against losing one's place through evil inspiration. Section 101 7, in substance, declares that delay in correspondence on earth necessitates postponement of reply in heaven. Marvelous healing promises are recorded concerning faith- prayers, in section 35:9. The promises made concerning those who believe in the healing ordinance, but have not faith in its efficacy, in their case, is recorded in section 42:43, 44. Questions and Problems 1. What is the mental condition of a person who cannot pray? 2. How would it affect you to have the privilege of prayer taken away from you? 3. What is the meaning of the word "conqueror," section 10:5? 4. Wherein is congregational prayer a safe-guard against the possibility of public sanction of any form of iniquity in the Church? 5. Give an illustration of special deliverance coming through prayer, either to the Church or to the individual. 6. Find the promise of protection against apostasy in 93:49. 7. Account for delay in answer to prayers, section 101 7. : 8. Discuss the difference between mere belief and the faith spoken of in the promise recorded in section 35:9. 9. What is the special value of the promise made concerning prayer for the sick recorded in section 42:44? 10. Through what three things are all victory and glory promised in section 103:36? 11. Which is your favorite song prayer? 12. Of all the promises recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, con- cerning prayer, mention three which you consider to be of most value. 13. Discuss the promise recorded in sec. 19:38, and especially con- sider the significance of the phrase, "corruptibleness to the extent thereof." 14. Read carefully sec. 65 and note carefully your feelings. 15. In the light of all the promises made concerning faithfulness in keeping up our correspondence with the Lord, what must we expect as the result of neglecting it? Collateral References and Supplemental Suggestions The All Night Prayer: Luke 12:6-12. The prayer of marvelous tenderness and scope, Luke 17. The prayer at Liberty jail, and its answer. Section 121:122. A temple dedicatory prayer. Section 109. Open exercises with singing, "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire." Recite the Lord's Prayer, in concert. Have one testimony concerning the promise of prayer becoming a means of overcoming evil. Emphasize the great central truth, that praying is a natural process of spiritual growth, and that through this growth, salva- tion is promised here and hereafter. It is an indispensable natural process. Sing first two stanzas only of, "Sweet Hour of Prayer."