Blessings of Sabbath-day observance & law of Sabbath given for this dispensation.

"fulness of the earth" is a blessing of sabbath day observance.

Law & covenant of Sabbath given to Moses's dispensation.

One of the Ten Commandments.

Blessings of Sabbath-day observance.

Sabbath as example of everlasting covenant.

"Sabbath" used as term for millenium.

Vol. 1, pp. 100-107 - What can we do on the Sabbath?
Vol. 3, pp. 59-62 - Sabbath moved to 1st day, sundry comments on Hebrew Sabbath, and arbitrariness of particular day.
Vol. 4, p. 208 - Sabbath is spiritual law.
Vol. 4, pp. 210-211 - Reflection on keeping of Sabbath and effect of saint non-observance.

Ideas for what "can" be done on the Sabbath.

Dead Sea sect's rules for the Sabbath.

Sabbatic years years discussed in relation to jubilees.
Lists a number of identifiable sabbatic years.
Discusses how the Lord supported his people through their sabbatic years using the examples listed.

Blessing the bread, including the words of the blessing.

Blessing of the wine, including the words of the blessing.
It should be noted that as water is typically used currently, that the word "wine" should be substituted with "water" when pronouncing the blessing.

In the ordinance of the sacrament it does not matter particularly what is eaten or drunk.

under heading "Conducting Sacrament Meeting":
"[non-members are] not expected to take the sacrament. However, it is not forbidden."
Mentions children taking the Sacrament as well.

On what it means to partake of the sacrament unworthily.

"For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood bunworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood ye shall forbid him."

"see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily"

Native Hebrew term for wine is "blood of the grape".
The hebrew word for bread originally meant "flesh".
Other historical notes on this symbolism and the sacrament ordinance.

Discusses how the ordinance of the sacrament changed during the apostasy.

"I’m puzzled by the instructions in D&C 20:76 that the priests should 'kneel with the church' in blessing the sacrament. What does this mean, and has it ever been the practice for the whole congregation to kneel?"

The teaching of a specific false doctrine was made a bar to communion by a Bishop, which decision was sanctioned by the first presidency.

Links sacrifice to transgression.
Suggests that "transgressions", as opposed to "sins", create a need for sacrifice.

Story of how Pres. Monson's sunday school class sacrificed for a fellow student.

Joseph discusses the sacrifices of Cain and Able to contrast the principles governing a sacrifice offered in faith with one offered without faith

The story of God's commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son.

Two things seem particularly noteworthy here. First that the author styles Isaac as Abraham's "only begotten son", clearly drawing a parallel with Christ, and second, that Abraham went about to perform the sacrifice because he had faith in God that he was yet powerful unto the fulfilling of his promises, because he was capable of raising Isaac from the dead.

Some mention of the role of Satan. (Prince of Malevolence)

Dissertation on Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. Covers symbolic meaning of the sacrifice, the effect of the sacrifice, and the practice of human sacrifice in general.

The oft cited similarity between this sacrifice and the sacrifice of Christ is brought up, but with a few noteworthy points which may be above and beyond what others may have considered.

First, that scripture notes that it was a three day journey to Mount Moriah and that, it might likewise be considered a three day journey back and that as Abrahams faith seemed to be laid on the idea that his son would be resurrected, he told those with him that he and his son would return. Hence, his son would go, be sacrificed, and three days from that time, he would return home, and presumably, he did return home, three days after the time at which he would have been sacrificed.

Second, that Isaac. like the Savior, carried the wood upon which he was to be sacrificed.

Established by Melchizedek.
People "wrought righteousness", "obtained heaven", and "sought for the city of Enoch".

Ruled by Melchizedek.
His people were wicked, but repented under Melchizedek's preaching.

Melchizedek king of Salem.

The Lord reproved the brethren for their disrespectful mode of salutation.
Proper titles should be used for individuals who's callings come with a titles.
Some reasoning on why this is so.

How the Samaritans came to be proselytes to Judaism.
See also: 11.4.9, 11.8.6-7, 13.3.4, 12.4.1, 12.5.5, 18.2.2, 20.6.1

(w/ 4Q371, Frags. 1-2)

Some thoughts on tolerance in the same-sex marriage debate.

The official site supporting 2008's California Proposition 8.

The official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in support of 2008's California Proposition 8.

An example of Satan exerting power.

During the millenium, the righteousness of the people will cause Satan to have no power.

One mother's experience with how implementing a scripture study program improved her family.

A brief allegory regarding the importance of scripture study.

Discusses the power of immersing ourselves in the doctrines of the scriptures.

Brigham Young cited: "I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in these books."

Cites Papias in the early second century as follows:
"For I imagined that what was to be got from books [the scriptures] was not so profitable to me as what came from the living and abiding voice."
How the scriptures were removed from the hands of the people at large during the apostasy.

Importance of using the scriptures in teaching and also the importance of reading them through, beginning to end.

"The sealing ordinance is that ordinance which binds families eternally. Temple marriage is a sealing ordinance. Children born to couples sealed in the temple are born in the covenant. When a couple has been married in a civil ceremony and then sealed in the temple a year or more later, children not born in the covenant are sealed to the couple in a brief and sacred ordinance."

Description of time of the second coming.

Christ will bring down the mighty.

Describes the inescapable melting heat that accompanies second coming. ("Messiah", "Elect One")

All will bring gifts and pay homage to Christ.
He ("Righteous and Elect One") shall cause the house of his congregation to appear.

Works and mysteries of secret combinations contained on 24 plates transferred from Alma the Younger to his son, Helaman.
Interpreters (Urim and Thummim) prepared so that a servant of the Lord, referred to as Gazelem, would be able to reveal the secret works of these combinations.
Helaman should reveal murders to teach the people to detest them, but the secret oaths and covenants should be kept from the people lest they should fall into temptation and use them.

"There are two paragraphs in your letter which I do not commend, as they are written blindly. ... the second, no secret in the councils of Zion."

Brigham Young cited, citing Joseph Smith as having said that every man who lived on earth was entitled to a seer stone, but are kept from them in consequence of their wickedness.

Discusses the need for self-control and the damage that uncontrolled anger can cause.

Men are justified in defending selves, friends, property, and governments from unlawful assaults and encroachments.

Religious societies should not wield civil authority.

Murder most serious, followed by sexual sins.

"It is a crime next to murder itself to destroy and abort the fetus except for extreme reasons which would endanger the life of the mother."

Whoredoms more serious than pride.

Story of Spencer W. Kimball's service to a pregnant woman at a busy airport.

Some fruit's of Spencer W. Kimball's service in previous story.

A story of how one man's service changed the life of a boy, who in turn saved the man's own son from despair.

Thoughts on finding service opportunities on a tight schedule.

Subheading: "Lessons about Serving Others"
A story of how Elder Monson's grandfather gave an old widower a place to live when the man's house was to be demolished.
Also cited in General Conference, 1981 (per http://www.ldsliving.com/nt22.asp)
Subheading: "It Is More Blessed to Give Than Receive"
A story about how his Sunday School class sacrificed the class's party fund to help a fellow student who's mother had recently died.

"The Seventies are to constitute traveling quorums, to go into all the earth, whithersoever the Twelve Apostles shall call them."

Seven presidents of the first Seventy have authority, if need be, to call other Seventies.

The Seventy do not attend conferences of the Twelve unless requested to do so.

Since the Twelve and the Seventy are called to be traveling ministers, they have to depend upon their ministry for support and have a unique right to call upon the churches for their support, and the support of their families.

Presidents of the Seventy serve at the call of the Twelve.

The members of the Seventy serve at the call of the Presidents of the Seventy.

The seventies are not called to wait tables (meaning, to deal with temporal affairs, in allusion to the Biblical pronouncement). They are called to preach the Gospel, and should call other men (High Priests) to take care of the administration of the Kingdom.
The seventies are at liberty to go withersoever they will.
The seventies are not to be High Preists.

"The Seventies ... are a sort of traveling council or Priesthood, and may preside over a church or churches, until a High Priest can be had. The Seventies are to be taken from the quorum of Elders, and are not to be High Priests. They are subject ... to the Twelve ..."

Official announcement regarding the discontinuation of stake seventies quorums.

Shaking off the Dust of the Feet is prescribed to elders when teaching and the master of slaves or the father of a family forbids them to teach.

"And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside."

From section heading: "Revelation given to Joseph Smith the prophet and Oliver Cowdery ..."

This section, like other sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, and even the book of Mormon, clearly distinguishes between "thou" and "ye". For those not familiar with the proper usage of these terms, "thee" and "thou" are singular, (referring to one person in the second person) while "you" and "ye" are plural (referring to more than one person in the second person). In this case, both Joseph and Oliver are being referred to, at least. (Whereas, some earlier verses only referred to one or the other, Oliver being referred to in the third person.) Verse 19 continues and makes clear that, in accordance with the section summary, these laws are general:

"For thou art called ... and also all those whom thou hast ordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen."

Considering that not all of the verses are applicable to all of the Elders nowadays, there is precedent for considering that "casting off the dust of your feet" might only be prescribed in a limited fashion. Particularly, it is apparent that few are called in modern times to go without purse or scrip, but rather to live by the support of the church according to their needs (v. 19). Apostles do so, but missionaries can only be considered to do so in a very limited sense.

Abraham goes to study with Shem after the death of his wife.

Rebecca goes to visit Shem, and Eber, his son, to enquire about her pregnancy.

Shem dies.

Joseph Smith's thoughts on Sidney Rigdon.
Sidney is a good man, but displays weakness unbecoming a president of the Church. Selfishness and independence of mind undermine the confidence of those that would trust in him, though he is a good speaker and skilled at winning friends.
He is compared to a donkey in needing much beating about to be humbled enough to learn to do his master's will. However, his work would be great and his posterity were to benefit from this work by being brought back, like stray donkeys, into the fold of God

Signs to precede the second coming.

"I will send you Elijah... before the coming... of the Lord."

Joel 2:28-32 fulfilled
Malachi 4:5-6 fulfilled

Christ shall return in glory.

Various signs and conditions to precede the Second Coming.

Wilford Woodruff describes a vision in which he sees the signs to precede the Second Coming and other things.

Moroni predicts a number of signs to come about during "this generation".

Sermon also noted in Kent P. Jackson's "Joseph Smith,s Commentary on the Bible"
Joseph prophesies that before the second coming, a time would come where there would be a year without the rainbow being seen. This would accompany famine and pestilence.

In the last days the rain and dew will be called away (there will be a drought). (When the moisture returns, it will cause destruction.)

Description of the last days.

Description of the last days.

A vision from a Journal entry of Wilford Woodruff's recorded Dec 16 1877. Another version of this vision exists, but, lacking an authoritative facsimile of the source, this one "seems" to be correct. (The other one may be from a different telling, or from somebody's poor transcription of a telling.)

I cite this one as most authentic because I have found statements by those discussing this vision, which say that this version matches publications of the journal in their posession.

While Wilford Woodruff records the vision, he seems to leave the vision unattributed (space is left near the beginning, seemingly for a name/attribution). John Taylor is often attributed as the author, and based upon my reading, this seems to be due, primarily, to the fact that John Taylor knew French, while Wilford Woodruff didn't, and the receiver of the vision had been reading scripture in French.

Anyhow, while there is some reason to doubt the value of this vision, I think it worth keeping in mind, as it does not seem to conflict with scripture, and even appears to harmonize some points.

Birth of Simeon.

Curse/Blessing from Jacob.

"Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgressions."

Discusses the Fall and contrasts sin w/ transgression.
Some interesting quotes extant. (J. Smith, B. Young, J. Fielding Smith)

Gives a description of conditions that could not be sin, but could be transgression.

God did not create or send sin.

"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

One single person's thoughts on finding herself single at 40 contrary to her life's expectations. Focuses on the fact that "the unexpected route is not a lesser route."

Regarding skepticism as a foundation for social work, Pres. Taylor said, "It is practical infidelity that has placed the world in its present position ; how far the unblushing profession of it will lead to restoration and happiness, I must leave my readers to judge."

As the Elders go about warning the inhabitants of the Earth to gather together, they should not commence with the slaves, but with the masters, nor should they seek to persuade slaves to gather contrary to a master's will, but if the master will not gather, then they should obtain permission to teach his slaves, and failing that, the sin be upon the head of the master.

Account of destruction.

Account of destruction.

Account of destruction.

Corrupt Israel compared to and described as Sodom and Gomorrah.

The doctrine that the devil, his angels, or the sons of perdition will one day be restored is a foolish and vain doctrine since their destiny is not revealed and never will be revealed to man. It is only ever to be known to those who are partakers of that destiny.

Discusses missionary work in the spirit world, the division of the spirit world into prison and paradise, and how the doctrine was lost.
Footnote 229 for chapter 14 contains a good citation of Joseph Smith regarding Luke 23:43. Christ, which is mistranslated "paradise". It is rather referring to the spirit world more generally. (from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 309)

In a dream, Enoch is shown the place where spirits of men go after they die, but before judgement.

Watching out for manifestations of evil spirits.
Many apostates had become mediums.
Spiritualistic philosophies being sugar-coated with scientific sounding names such as "animal magnetism".

"Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits..."
"Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God."
It does not seem that this could be talking about all kinds of spirits, as devils have confessed that Jesus is the Christ, but this seems to speak of a revelatory spirit, and/or false prophets.
Apparently there is a spirit of Antichrist more specific than the general disbelief of the world.

Being purified grants power over false spiritual manifestations.

Alma counsels Helaman regarding his stewardship of the sacred records.
If he is not faithful, God will take the records from him.
God will aid him in his stewardship.

Interesting point:
"for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not toaexcess, neither by extortion."

Interesting point:
"But it must needs be done in mine own way"

the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him

A "strait and narrow path" in Lehi's vision of the iron rod.

Gentiles must "enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path" and "continue in the path until the end of the day of probation."

How to find and walk the straight and narrow path.

An interesting account in the travels of George Q. Cannon, of how his group decided to leave the main path in search of an illusory shortcut (or "cutoff"). How they found great difficulty and how by following the guidance of an apostle, they were able to get back on the path. There is also and interesting account of how the Lord provided them with water when they had reached a critical point.

Apart from the interesting "living waters"-like title, this tale also ends with an short allegory of the straight and narrow path. In this case, a path made of gold. The hero had saved a princes, who she says must come back a year later to marry her. The hero's brothers, however, seek to take his place, but the princess builds a golden road and tells her servants that the one who she is to marry will travel on it directly. The brothers travel to the left and to the right, and are thus rejected. the hero, however, travels straight on and marries his princess.

3.8.5 - Josephus discourses/philosophises on the evil of suicide. Considers it cowardly.
This is an odd position for Josephus, considering that he on other occassions commends people for taking their lives. He later 3.8.9 notes to Vespasian that according to Jewish law it is proper for generals to die, seemingly suggesting that it is proper for them to commit suicide.
For himself, in this instance, he considers suicide improper. This is rightly so, and the reasoning he uses extends beyond this instance and makes me wonder at what he might say more on the subject.
4.5.1 - Josephus speaks of the suicides of some at Jerusalem as being worse than being killed due to suicide's being voluntary. This, then, is a reiteration of Josephuses belief that suicide is wrong.

Statistics show the activity in the Church correlates inversely with depression, suicide, and divorce rates.

This story is about "the water of life", (living water) which the stories hero must seek to heal his father who is sick. While obtaining this water of life, he also finds a loaf of bread which will never run out (bread of life).
One more interesting symbol is the sword he finds, which can slay whole armies, which might be seen as representing the word of God.

i) Good snake, brings a baby gifts, but is killed by mother.
ii) Trite
iii) Snake brings a crown to an orphan, but does not return because the crown was taken. (The snake is said to have had more treasures it would have brought.)