Significance of D&C 42

Section forty-two of the Doctrine and Covenants contains the Law of the Church. It is a composite revelation in which the first portion was received February nine, 1832 and the second portion on February 23. This revelation, in the prophets words, "embraces the law of the church." The Lord for the elders to preach the gospel and convert new people. Section forty-two also restates the ten commandments God has given to all of us to obey. This brings a bigger testimony of how the D&C, along with the Book of Mormon, and the Bible have the word of God and parallels with other. This fulfills God's promise to all his children that he speaks to all and that he is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Laws of consecration are also stated, where everyone is to care for the needy, the poor, the scik, etc. This teaches us a lesson of having charity, being humble, self-less, and benevolent for the "one." This reminds me much of when the scriptures say to loose ourselves in the service of others. By doing this, we are becoming more Christ-like. I have learned that doing this requires much sacrifice and love. But in the end, if we truly love God and his beloved Son, and strive to follow the commandments, doing this shall no longer be a sacrifice since we are doing out of love for God and having faith in Him.THe Lord revealed section forty-two by the prayers of faithful saints. The law was received in Kirtland, Ohio, where a temple would also be built. This was significant because ordinances would soon be established to " clothe the saints with endowments - temple clothes would be worn as a symbol of God giving us some sort of power). This reminded me of a discussion we had in my temple class. Many who are not members will often say why is the temple so "secretive." THere is a big difference between what is kept as a secret as what is watched as sacred. A secret can never be revealed - only to certain people. The temples are sacred, but anyone who is worthy and endowed may enter inside. Section forty two answers five questions asked by Grant Underwood. These included: shall the church come together, what is the law of the church, how are elders to dispose of families, how far is the will of the Lord that we should have dealings with the world, and what preparations do the saints need to make for the bretheren in the East and when and how. Section forty gives us an insight of the process on how the prophet recorded and published the works. This is a further testimony to me that the prophet Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of God; He was a young man with very little education. Yet, because the Lord chose him to restore the gospel, he was endowed with the spirit of revelation and power to bring the word of God to all men.