Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote that Section 88 "is one of the greatest revelations ever given to man." One of the purposes of this revelation is to be an “olive leaf plucked from the tree of paradise…” Olive leaves are symbolic of peace and in this case, the peace that comes from the tree of paradise. As you study section 88, I hope that you feel the peace that comes from Christ.
Jedediah M. Grant: “The Prophet stood in his own house when he told several of us of the night the visions of heaven were opened to him, in which he saw the American continent drenched in blood, and he saw nation rising up against nation.
“He also saw the father shed the blood of the son, and the son the blood of the father; the mother put to death the daughter, and the daughter the mother; and natural affection forsook the hearts of the wicked; for he saw that the Spirit of God should be withdrawn from the inhabitants of the earth …
… in consequence of which there should be blood upon the face of the whole earth, except among the people of the Most High. The Prophet gazed upon the scene this vision presented, until his heart sickened, and he besought the Lord to close it up again.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol 1, p. 147).
Frederick G. Williams: “Bro Joseph arose and said, to receive revelation and the blessing of heaven it was necessary to have our minds on god and exercise faith and become of one heart and of one mind. therefore he recommended all present to pray separatly and vocally to the Lord for to reveal his will unto us concerning the upbuilding of Zion & for the benifit of the saints and for the duty and employment of the Elders. Accordingly we all bowed down before the Lord, after which each one arose and spoke in his turn his feelings, and determination to keep the commandments of God.
“And then proceeded to receive a revelation concerning the duty of the Elders as above stated. 9 oclock P.M. the revelation not being finished the conference adjourned till tomorrow morning 9 oclock A.M. 28th met according to adjournment and commenced by Prayer thus proceded to receive the residue of the above revelation and it being finished and there being no further business before the conference closed the meeting by prayer in harmony with the brethren and gratitude to our heavenly Father for the great manifestation of his holy Spirit during the setting of the conference.” (Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 181).
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "[Section 88 is] one of the greatest revelations ever given to man." (Doctrines of Salvation Vol 3:181).
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “In the scriptures, peace means either freedom from strife, contention, conflict, or war, or an inner calm and comfort born of the Spirit that is a gift of God to all of his children, an assurance and serenity within a person’s heart.” (“Peace Within,” Ensign, May 1991, 36).
President Henry B. Eyring: “Reception of the Holy Ghost is the cleansing agent as the atonement purifies you….That is a fact you can act on with confidence. You can invite the Holy Ghost’s companionship into your life. And you can know when he is there, and when he withdraws. And when he is your companion, you can have confidence that the Atonement is working in your life.” (BYU Fireside, 29 October 1989).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “God has a perfect knowledge. He does not predict the future or speculate about the past. All things are before Him as if it were all ‘now.’”
“Therefore, God’s omniscience is not solely a function of prolonged and discerning familiarity with us—but of the stunning reality that the past and present and future are part of an ‘eternal now’ with God! (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:597.)” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 8.)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “God has never given any temporal commandments – that which affects our bodies also affects our [spirits]…
“… Sin debilitates. It affects not only the [spirit], but the body. The scriptures are replete with examples of the physical power that can attend the righteous. On the other hand, unrepented sin can diffuse energy and lead to both mental and physical sickness.” (In His Steps, Ensign Sep 1988, 5).
Cross References to Section 88:41:
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng).
Elder Orson Pratt: “Do we not expect that the Lord will, by and by, come and visit us and stay a little while, about a thousand years? Yes, and then we shall be made glad with the joy of the countenance of our Lord. He will be among us, and will be our King, and he will reign as a King of kings and Lord of lords.
“He will have a throne in Zion, and another in the Temple at Jerusalem, and he will have with him the twelve disciples who were with him during his ministry at Jerusalem; and they will eat and drink with him at his table; and all the people of this globe who are counted worthy to be called Zion, the pure in heart, will be made glad by the countenance of their Lord for a thousand years, during which the earth will rest.
“Then what? He withdraws. What for? To fulfill other purposes; for he has other worlds or creations and other sons and daughters, perhaps just as good as those dwelling on this planet, and they, as well as we, will be visited, and they will be made glad with the countenance of their Lord.
“Thus he will go, in the time and in the season thereof, from kingdom to kingdom or from world to world, causing the pure in heart, the Zion that is taken from these creations, to rejoice in his presence.” (Journal of Discourses, 17:331–32).
President Thomas S. Monson: “Do you realize that the restored Church was 98 years old before it had 100 stakes? But less than 30 years later, the Church had organized its second 100 stakes. And only eight years after that the Church had more than 300 stakes. Today [2014] we are more than 3,000 stakes strong.
“We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.” (“Hastening the Work,” Ensign, June 2014, 4).
President Thomas S. Monson: “Why is this growth taking place at an accelerated rate? Is it because we are better known? Is it because we have lovely chapels?
“These things are important, but the reason the Church is growing today is that the Lord indicated it would. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He said, ‘Behold, I will hasten my work in its time’ [Section 88:73]." (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/06/hastening-the-work?lang=eng).
President Russel M. Nelson: “I also understand better now what He meant when He said, “Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.” Over and over again I have rejoiced as He has directed and executed the hastening of His work—even during a global pandemic.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/11nelson?lang=eng).
Elder John A. Widtsoe: “Things both in heaven—Astronomy.
“And in the earth—Everything pertaining to the cultivation of the soil.
“And under the earth—Mineralogy, geology, etc.
“Things which have been—History, in all its branches.
“Things which must shortly come to pass—Prophecies.
“Things which are at home and abroad—Domestic and foreign politics.
“Wars—perplexities—judgment—The signs of the times, by which the observer may know that the day of the Lord is at hand.
“A knowledge of countries and kingdoms—physical and political geography, languages, etc.
"These studies, the Lord considers necessary. [Section 88:80 quoted.] God does not require all His servants to become doctors, or professors, or even profound students of these subjects, but He expects them to know enough of these things to be able to magnify their callings as His ambassadors to the world.” (Priesthood and Church Government, pp. 55–56.)
Joseph Smith: “This winter [1832-33] was spent in translating the Scriptures; in the School of the Prophets; and sitting in conferences. I had many glorious seasons of refreshing. The gifts which follow them that believe and obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in His dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be poured out among us, as in ancient days;
“…by the power of the Holy Ghost I pronounced them all clean from the blood of this generation; but if any of them should sin wilfully after they were thus cleansed, and sealed up unto eternal life, they should be given over unto the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.
“Having continued all day in fasting, and prayer, and ordinances, we closed by partaking of the Lord's supper. I blessed the bread and wine in the name of the Lord, when we all ate and drank, and were filled; then we sang a hymn, and the meeting adjourned.” (History of the Church, 1:323-324).
John Murdock: “In one of those meetings the Prophet told us if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun.
“His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white and he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely.” (John Murdock Journal, typescript, p.13).
Zebedee Coltrin: “Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did and Joseph answered "that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother.”
“Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; he was surrounded as with a flame of fire. [I] experienced a sensation that it might destroy the tabernacle as it was of consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I saw Him.” ("Statement of Zebedee Coltrin," Minutes, 3 October 1883, Salt Lake School of Prophets, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah, 56-58).
Teaching Thoughts:
Jedediah M. Grant: “The Prophet stood in his own house when he told several of us of the night the visions of heaven were opened to him, in which he saw the American continent drenched in blood, and he saw nation rising up against nation.
“He also saw the father shed the blood of the son, and the son the blood of the father; the mother put to death the daughter, and the daughter the mother; and natural affection forsook the hearts of the wicked; for he saw that the Spirit of God should be withdrawn from the inhabitants of the earth …
… in consequence of which there should be blood upon the face of the whole earth, except among the people of the Most High. The Prophet gazed upon the scene this vision presented, until his heart sickened, and he besought the Lord to close it up again.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol 1, p. 147).
Frederick G. Williams: “Bro Joseph arose and said, to receive revelation and the blessing of heaven it was necessary to have our minds on god and exercise faith and become of one heart and of one mind. therefore he recommended all present to pray separatly and vocally to the Lord for to reveal his will unto us concerning the upbuilding of Zion & for the benifit of the saints and for the duty and employment of the Elders. Accordingly we all bowed down before the Lord, after which each one arose and spoke in his turn his feelings, and determination to keep the commandments of God.
“And then proceeded to receive a revelation concerning the duty of the Elders as above stated. 9 oclock P.M. the revelation not being finished the conference adjourned till tomorrow morning 9 oclock A.M. 28th met according to adjournment and commenced by Prayer thus proceded to receive the residue of the above revelation and it being finished and there being no further business before the conference closed the meeting by prayer in harmony with the brethren and gratitude to our heavenly Father for the great manifestation of his holy Spirit during the setting of the conference.” (Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 181).
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "[Section 88 is] one of the greatest revelations ever given to man." (Doctrines of Salvation Vol 3:181).
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: “In the scriptures, peace means either freedom from strife, contention, conflict, or war, or an inner calm and comfort born of the Spirit that is a gift of God to all of his children, an assurance and serenity within a person’s heart.” (“Peace Within,” Ensign, May 1991, 36).
President Henry B. Eyring: “Reception of the Holy Ghost is the cleansing agent as the atonement purifies you….That is a fact you can act on with confidence. You can invite the Holy Ghost’s companionship into your life. And you can know when he is there, and when he withdraws. And when he is your companion, you can have confidence that the Atonement is working in your life.” (BYU Fireside, 29 October 1989).
Elder Neil A. Maxwell: “God has a perfect knowledge. He does not predict the future or speculate about the past. All things are before Him as if it were all ‘now.’”
“Therefore, God’s omniscience is not solely a function of prolonged and discerning familiarity with us—but of the stunning reality that the past and present and future are part of an ‘eternal now’ with God! (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:597.)” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 8.)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “God has never given any temporal commandments – that which affects our bodies also affects our [spirits]…
“… Sin debilitates. It affects not only the [spirit], but the body. The scriptures are replete with examples of the physical power that can attend the righteous. On the other hand, unrepented sin can diffuse energy and lead to both mental and physical sickness.” (In His Steps, Ensign Sep 1988, 5).
Cross References to Section 88:41:
- 2 Ne. 2:24
- 2 Ne 9:20
- Alma 26:35
- Mormon 8:17
- Moroni 7:22
- Psalms 147:5
- Section 38:1-2
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng).
Elder Orson Pratt: “Do we not expect that the Lord will, by and by, come and visit us and stay a little while, about a thousand years? Yes, and then we shall be made glad with the joy of the countenance of our Lord. He will be among us, and will be our King, and he will reign as a King of kings and Lord of lords.
“He will have a throne in Zion, and another in the Temple at Jerusalem, and he will have with him the twelve disciples who were with him during his ministry at Jerusalem; and they will eat and drink with him at his table; and all the people of this globe who are counted worthy to be called Zion, the pure in heart, will be made glad by the countenance of their Lord for a thousand years, during which the earth will rest.
“Then what? He withdraws. What for? To fulfill other purposes; for he has other worlds or creations and other sons and daughters, perhaps just as good as those dwelling on this planet, and they, as well as we, will be visited, and they will be made glad with the countenance of their Lord.
“Thus he will go, in the time and in the season thereof, from kingdom to kingdom or from world to world, causing the pure in heart, the Zion that is taken from these creations, to rejoice in his presence.” (Journal of Discourses, 17:331–32).
President Thomas S. Monson: “Do you realize that the restored Church was 98 years old before it had 100 stakes? But less than 30 years later, the Church had organized its second 100 stakes. And only eight years after that the Church had more than 300 stakes. Today [2014] we are more than 3,000 stakes strong.
“We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.” (“Hastening the Work,” Ensign, June 2014, 4).
President Thomas S. Monson: “Why is this growth taking place at an accelerated rate? Is it because we are better known? Is it because we have lovely chapels?
“These things are important, but the reason the Church is growing today is that the Lord indicated it would. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He said, ‘Behold, I will hasten my work in its time’ [Section 88:73]." (https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/06/hastening-the-work?lang=eng).
President Russel M. Nelson: “I also understand better now what He meant when He said, “Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.” Over and over again I have rejoiced as He has directed and executed the hastening of His work—even during a global pandemic.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/11nelson?lang=eng).
Elder John A. Widtsoe: “Things both in heaven—Astronomy.
“And in the earth—Everything pertaining to the cultivation of the soil.
“And under the earth—Mineralogy, geology, etc.
“Things which have been—History, in all its branches.
“Things which must shortly come to pass—Prophecies.
“Things which are at home and abroad—Domestic and foreign politics.
“Wars—perplexities—judgment—The signs of the times, by which the observer may know that the day of the Lord is at hand.
“A knowledge of countries and kingdoms—physical and political geography, languages, etc.
"These studies, the Lord considers necessary. [Section 88:80 quoted.] God does not require all His servants to become doctors, or professors, or even profound students of these subjects, but He expects them to know enough of these things to be able to magnify their callings as His ambassadors to the world.” (Priesthood and Church Government, pp. 55–56.)
Joseph Smith: “This winter [1832-33] was spent in translating the Scriptures; in the School of the Prophets; and sitting in conferences. I had many glorious seasons of refreshing. The gifts which follow them that believe and obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in His dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be poured out among us, as in ancient days;
“…by the power of the Holy Ghost I pronounced them all clean from the blood of this generation; but if any of them should sin wilfully after they were thus cleansed, and sealed up unto eternal life, they should be given over unto the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.
“Having continued all day in fasting, and prayer, and ordinances, we closed by partaking of the Lord's supper. I blessed the bread and wine in the name of the Lord, when we all ate and drank, and were filled; then we sang a hymn, and the meeting adjourned.” (History of the Church, 1:323-324).
John Murdock: “In one of those meetings the Prophet told us if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. And about midday the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun.
“His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white and he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely.” (John Murdock Journal, typescript, p.13).
Zebedee Coltrin: “Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did and Joseph answered "that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother.”
“Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; he was surrounded as with a flame of fire. [I] experienced a sensation that it might destroy the tabernacle as it was of consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I saw Him.” ("Statement of Zebedee Coltrin," Minutes, 3 October 1883, Salt Lake School of Prophets, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah, 56-58).
Teaching Thoughts:
- What is taught in section 88 that brings you peace?
- How have you seen God hastening his work – in its time?
- We may feel “insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!”
- Summarize the principle being taught in a few verses and write the principal in your scriptures. It will help your understanding and retention of what you have learned.