Section 4

This section is the famous missionary scripture. It sets forth the characteristics we should have to be effective missionaries and explains the importance and urgency of missionary work.

I hadn't noticed before that the revelation was given to Joseph Smith's father. Obviously all the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are written for all of us even tho they were originally given to one or more persons specifically.

Here are my thoughts,

Reasons for missionary work	Work hard and you will stand blameless at the last day
he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;	Not only are we doing a great work that brings greater happiness than anything else, but we are gathering blessings for ourselves, WE WON'T PERISH, and we bring salvation to our OWN souls
It gives 15 characteristics we should have.	I think doing missionary work helps to give us those characteristics; we shouldn't wait till we have them to start serving!

Section 3

1 The aworks, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be bfrustrated, neither can they come to naught. It gives me great peace and security to know that God's plan cannot be frustrated or swayed or messed up by anyone or anything! My plans are frustrated almost daily, but God's are secure and firm. We can count on, rely on, and depend on them. 6 And behold, how aoft you have btransgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the cpersuasions of men. I feel like this scripture applies to me directly. I feel like I make poor choices so many times and so constantly that I deserve this rebuke way more than Joseph Smith. And probably we all do. 8 Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and asupported you against all the fiery bdarts of the cadversary; and he would have been with you in every time of dtrouble. He ALWAYS said, if you would just be faithful, or in other words if you would just have enough faith… everything would have turned out fine. 10 But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art aagain called to the work; But we should always remember that no matter how many times we are weak, if we will repent (again) we are still chosen and called to the work and we will be greatly blessed. He doesn't care how many times we fall; what is important is that we constantly repent and keep trying to do what is right. What great mercy and love!

Section 2

It's going to take me a long time to get through the Doctrine and Covenants at this rate. But now I'm on Section 2.

It is interesting to me that a small section of Joseph Smith's vision from Moroni is made into a section in the Doctrine and Covenants, and that it is right at the very front. It does not indicate what date it was put in, only when the revelation was received. It is a total of 3 verses long, so it isn't in there because of the length; it has to be there because of the importance of its message.

In the first verse he says, "I will reveal unto you the Priesthood". I understand that to mean Elijah will come with the Priesthood keys for Family History work. With those keys we can tie our families together for eternities.

Verse 2, "He will plant in the hearts" - I love that God plants things in our hearts that help us WANT what we NEED before he gives us what we need. If we didn't WANT it, we wouldn't appreciate it when He gives it to us and this is an important one to want!

I think verse 3 explains why it is so important: without this work, the whole earth would be wasted, or in other words, there is no point to earth life if we are not tied together as families before this existence ends.