Doctrine and Covenants is the Words of God

Today I have completed my scripture study of Doctrine and Covenants with the help of the Church program Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students.

It was all started by a little struggles, doubts and questions I have early this year. And I was thinking a lot about Joseph Smith’s First Vision, as I first watched the video in the Primary Sharing time. How can I pray and get the answers from the Lord to guide me in facing my doubts and answers?

That is how I have a thought that I should study the Doctrine and Covenants. I had an urge that I should study with the Seminary guide so that I can understand better.

And, that was how it goes and my personal scripture study journey of the Doctrine and Covenants.

I still remember the first day when I opened the Section 1. It was just like the Lord was talking to me directly, warn and forewarn me face to face. And, there were so much experiences that I have during this journey, and that I would record down my thoughts and feelings in my journal. It was so sacred to me…

I feel happy and joy, that I have eventually completed all the homework required in each lesson.  I was and I am indeed amaze of the young men and young women in the Church who participate in this Seminary program. Solid 32 weeks of scripture study almost everyday, studied and answered every single question everyday.

And almost every time, I feel closer to the Spirit and the Lord when I pondered and looked back to my life, how His hand touched my life and my family during I was answering all those questions in the book.

If you asked me have I finally find the answers for my doubts or my questions early this year? I can tell you that I have not yet…

But through this 32 weeks journey, I have learned that the Lord talks to us, He gives us revelations and that is how our Church started – from a young Joseph Smith who had questions. And, the Lord still talks to us today through His living prophet, President Thomas S Monson;

I have learned that His grace and mercy that He loves everyone of us, and how He shaped each one of us to become the person He wants us to be, just like He shaped young Joseph Smith to become the Prophet that restored the gospel through His warnings, counsels, admonitions as what I have studied in the Doctrine and Covenants;

I have learned that the Doctrine and Covenants is the words of God. It is the compilation of the revelations from the Lord to Joseph Smith whenever Joseph seeks the Lord’s answers.

I have learned that the Lord loves me, and these little struggles and fears that I have are part of the plan He have installed for me.

I have not yet find the answers to all my doubts and questions, but I know that because I have learned all these things for myself, that the Lord gives me the strength and faith that I need to move forward, trusting in the Lord, in spite of things I do not understand and comprehend now.

As what President Dieter F Uchtdorf said:

“Fear not; ask questions. Be curious, but doubt not! Always hold fast to faith and to the light you have already received. Because we see imperfectly in mortality, not everything is going to make sense right now. …”

“… Searching for answers to your questions can bring you closer to God, strengthening your testimony instead of shaking it. It’s true that ‘faith is not … a perfect knowledge’, but as you exercise your faith, applying gospel principles every day under any circumstances, you will taste the sweet fruits of the gospel, and by this fruit you will know of its truth.”

The Reflection in the Water

President Dieter F Uchtdorf

Church Educational System Fireside 1 Nov 2009