7: "Upon You My Fellow Servants" (Doctrine and Covenants 12–13; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75)

Segment 1:

Title of Section 12: Call to Labor—Joseph Knight Sr.

Quote: “The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith "Chapter 15: "Establishing the Cause of Zion" [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society course of study, 2007], 186).

Facts about Joseph Knight, Sr.

• He lent his wagon to Joseph and Emma to get the plates. 
• He owned a store and gave Joseph shoes, three dollars, and more money to buy paper to translate.
• Joseph said this about Joseph Knight Sr “Joseph Knight…was among the number of the first to administer to my necessities…for fifteen years he has been faithful and true, and even-handed and exemplary, and virtuous and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left. Behold he is a righteous man (Susan Easton Black, Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, Deseret Book, p, 166-68)

God's instruction to Joseph Knight, Sr. 

1 ^aA great and ^bmarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my ^aword, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word.

• Quick = Alive

3 Behold, the field is ^awhite already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

• Already = Now

4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and ^areap, the same is ^bcalled of God.

• Reap = To gather; to obtain; to receive as a reward, or as the fruit of labor or of works; in a good or bad sense; as, to reap a benefit from exertions (see the 1828 Webster Dictionary). 

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of ^aZion (Doctrine and Covenants 12: 1–6).

Quote: “As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world!” (President Russell M. Nelson "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference).

Segment 2:

6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of ^aZion (Doctrine and Covenants 12:6).

• It = "To bring forth and establish the cause of Zion"

Quote: “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book, p. 186).

Teachings: Joseph Smith, 186).

What is Zion?

Quote: “Zion is both a place and a people… Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, 'the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them' (Moses 7:18). If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as they happen" (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Come to Zion," October 2008 general conference).

Quote: “For centuries, prophets have foretold this gathering, and it is happening right now.

"This premillennial gathering is an individual saga of expanding faith and spiritual courage for millions of people. And as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or 'latter-day covenant Israel,' we have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work” (President Russell M. Nelson "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference).

Qualifications for Assisting in the Work:

8 And no one can assist in this work except he shall be ^ahumble and full of ^blove, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be ^centrusted to his care (Doctrine and Covenants 12:8).

• Humble
• Full of love
• Faith
• Hope
• Charity
• Temperate = Self control or moderation 
• Cross reference Isaiah 54:7
• 7 For a small ^amoment have I ^bforsaken thee; but with great mercies will I ^cgather thee (Isaiah 54:7).

Segment 3:

Title for Section 13: Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Background for Section 13: 

"About five weeks into their translation of the Book of Mormon, on 15 May 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery retired to the woods on the banks of the Susquehanna River near Joseph's farm in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and inquired of the Lord concerning baptism and the remission of sins, which had been mentioned in the material they were then translating, 3 Nephi 11. As they prayed, John the Baptist appeared and informed them that he had been sent to them under direction of the Apostles Peter, James, and John. The Baptist laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph and Oliver and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, using the words that now constitute Doctrine and Covenants 13" (Stephen E. Robinson, H. Dean Garrett A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, Vol. 1, Deseret Book).

Quote: "We still continued the work of translation, when in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light . . ." (History of the Church, Vol 1, Chapter 5 "Aaronic Priesthood Restored," p. 39, BYU Studies).

Moroni told Joseph previously that he would receive the priesthood:

1 Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of ^aElijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and ^bdreadful day of the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants 2:1).

Joseph knew the Lord would answer his prayer about the priesthood: 

29 In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to ^aprayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full ^bconfidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one (Joseph Smith—History 1:29).

What led to Joseph and Oliver receiving the Aaronic priesthood: 

68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting ^abaptism for the ^bremission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a ^ccloud of light, and having laid his ^dhands upon us, he ^eordained us, saying: (Joseph Smith—History 1:68).

What John said to Oliver and Joseph: 

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I ^aconfer the ^bPriesthood of Aaron, which holds the ^ckeys of the ministering of ^dangels, and of the gospel of ^erepentance, and of ^fbaptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the ^gsons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in ^hrighteousness (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).

• This section is also verse 69 in Joseph Smith—History. 

Oliver's account of receiving the Aaronic priesthood from John. 

What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world was racked and distracted—while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard, as in the ‘blaze of day’; yes, more—above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, ‘I am thy fellow-servant,’ dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! ’Twas the voice of an angel from glory, ’twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapped in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!

“But, dear brother, think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts, and with what surprise we must have bowed, (for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing?) when we received under his hand the Holy Priesthood as he said, ‘Upon you my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the Sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!’

Segment 4:

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I ^aconfer the ^bPriesthood of Aaron, which holds the ^ckeys of the ministering of ^dangels, and of the gospel of ^erepentance, and of ^fbaptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the ^gsons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in ^hrighteousness (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).

Privileges of the Aaronic Priesthood:

1. Ministering of Angels

2. The Gospel of Repentance

3. Baptism by Immersion for the Remission of Sins

Quote: "We should always remember that men who hold the priesthood are not “the priesthood.” It is not appropriate to refer to “the priesthood and the women.” We should refer to “the holders of the priesthood and the women" (President Dallin H. Oaks, "The Powers of the Priesthood," April 2018 general conference).

Quote: “How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same as for the Spirit of the Lord.

“In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. As explained earlier, through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for ‘angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ’ (2 Nephi 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels (President Dallin H. Oaks, "The Priesthood of Aaron and the Sacrament," 1998 general conference).

Quote: “Think of it, my dear young brethren. This priesthood which you hold carries with it the keys of the ministering of angels. That means, as I interpret it, that if you live worthy of the priesthood, you have the right to receive and enjoy the very power of heavenly beings to guide you, to protect you, to bless you. What boy, if he is thoughtful, would not welcome this remarkable blessing?” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Priesthood of Aaron," November 1982 Ensign).

Sons of Levi

"President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that 'after the children of Israel came out of Egypt and while they were sojourning in the wilderness, Moses received a commandment from the Lord to take Aaron and his sons and ordain them and consecrate them as priests for the people. (Ex. 28.) At that time the males of the entire tribe of Levi were chosen to be the priests instead of the firstborn of all the tribes, and Aaron and his sons were given the presidency over the Priesthood thus conferred. Since that time it has been known as the Priesthood of Aaron, including the Levitical Priesthood.' (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:63.)" (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, "Section 13: "The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood," ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Women and Priesthood Power

Quote: "Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.

"The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love" (President Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual Treasures," October 2019 general conference).

Quote: "I entreat you to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. . . . As your understanding increases and as you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase. As you do so, you will find yourselves better able to help create eternal families that are united, sealed in the temple of the Lord, and full of love for our Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ" (President Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual Treasures," October 2019 general conference).

Segment 5:

Gospel Topic Essays: "Race and the Priesthood"

"Healing the Wounds of Racism," ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Quote: "Brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what I am about to say. God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, “black and white, bond and free, male and female" (President Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference).

Quote: "I grieve that our Black brothers and sisters the world over are enduring the pains of racism and prejudice. Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children" (President Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference).

Quote: "Knowing that we are all children of God gives us a divine vision of the worth of all others and the will and ability to rise above prejudice and racism" (President Dallin H. Oaks, "Love Your Enemies," October 2020 general conference).

Quote: "Now, with prophetic clarification, let us all heed our prophet’s call to repent, to change, and to improve. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can unite and bring peace to people of all races and nationalities. We who believe in that gospel—whatever our origins—must unite in love of each other and of our Savior Jesus Christ" (President Dallin H. Oaks, "Racism and Other Challenges," BYU Devotional, October 27, 2020).

The Church's Stance on Racism:

"We believe that God is the Father of all humankind and that “he denieth none that come unto him, [both] black and white … ; and all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). Because all people are equal before God, we believe that no person can rightly claim to be superior to another because of their racial or ethnic background. In addition, we believe that it is sinful to look down upon, denigrate, or discriminate against others because of their race" ("What is the Church’s stance on racism?" March 2020 New Era).

Segment 6:

Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’ (Joseph Smith—History, Oliver Cowdery's account).

“I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but you will believe me when I say, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage. No; nor has this earth power to give the joy, to bestow the peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence as they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit! Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind. The assurance that we were in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will of God, is to me past description, and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior’s goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to tarry; and in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease.”—Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1 (October 1834), pp. 14–16 (Joseph Smith—History, Oliver Cowdery's account).

Quote: “When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.” (Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference).

Talks: 

President Russell M. Nelson, "Let God Prevail," October 2020 general conference

President Dallin H. Oaks, "Racism and Other Challenges," BYU Devotional, October 27, 2020

0:00:00.0 Tammy Uzelac Hall: I want us to hear this quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith, because it has everything to do with what we're gonna talk about today, so here it goes, "The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory." Today, you guys, we are going to talk about two very important topics: Zion and the role that the restoration of the priesthood plays in building Zion or what the Doctrine and Covenants refers to as, "the cause of Zion."

0:00:54.3 TH: Welcome to the Sunday on Monday study group, a Deseret Bookshelf PLUS+ original brought to you by LDS Living, where we take the “Come, Follow Me” lesson for the week and we really dig into the Scriptures together. I'm your host, Tammy Uzelac Hall. Okay, now I know you probably have this down by now, but for those of you who might be new to our study group, please follow the link in our description that will explain how you can best use this podcast to enhance your “Come, Follow Me” study, just like my friend, Lisa Nelson in Oregon. Hi, Lisa! How ever you do it, we're so glad that you're here with us today. Now, here's truly the best part of this podcast, it's my friends. So I get to invite two friends each week to join me and discuss the Come Follow Me lesson for the week, and I am so thrilled and so excited to introduce you to Tamu Smith and Yahosh Bonner. Hi, friends.

0:01:38.3 Yahosh Bonner: Hi.

0:01:39.1 Tamu Smith: Hello.

0:01:40.5 TH: This is so fun.

0:01:41.5 YB: This is awesome.

0:01:42.1 TH: Okay, how do you two know each other?

0:01:43.4 YB: Well, we're family really. [chuckle]

0:01:46.3 TS: Basically. Basically. You know, that's my brother, but I'm the sister that can't sing so you don't hear much from me.

[laughter]

0:01:56.5 YB: When I first met you face to face Tamu, like 12 years ago, we were living in Nebraska, that we're coming through and I was like, “Oh, my gosh, I need to get my wife's hair done,” and you had this salon and it was like 11:00 o'clock at night, and I was like, "Sister, please." And you were like, "Alright." [laughter] And you came out and made sure that my wife got her hair done so I appreciate it.

0:02:19.1 TS: I remember that, yeah.

0:02:20.2 YB: That's the gospel right there, serving others. It's not about you, it's about what you can do for other people. Okay, let's go ahead.

0:02:26.7 TH: It is awesome. Well, and for those of you listening you're like, "Wait, gospel music? The Bonner Family?” Just go to YouTube and type in Bonner Family. B-O-N-N-E-R Family. And you'll never be the same. Their music has changed my life. I don't think there's a single song you sing that I don't cry. But yeah, their music's incredible so please go listen. And then Tamu, you have a book called, “Can I Get an Amen?” I highly recommend a read of that as well. And the reason why three of us know each other is, we toured together for Time Out for Women, and that was the greatest year of my life because I got to meet some incredible people and get great friends. I already knew Tamu, but I think for the three of us, we had such a good time, that was...

0:03:08.1 YB: Yes, yes, we did. That was a good reunion. It's a great reunion right now.

0:03:12.9 TS: It was, this is a good... It really is.

0:03:14.2 TH: Yeah. For those of you listening, if you wanna know more about my guests, you can find pictures and more information about them in our show notes, which are at ldsliving.com/sundayonmonday, so go check those out. Okay, so I have to say something about this episode because it is a little different than what we've done in the past, it's kind of like the Anthony Sweat episode, where in the middle of today's episode, I'm gonna invite another guest on, Barbara Morgan Gardner, who the three of us know really well, and she is going to talk to us about the priesthood because she has written a book about the priesthood, she's a Church history professor down at BYU, and I just wanted her to come on and give us a really cool background story about this restoration and about Section 13. So when we get to that part, we're gonna hear my conversation with Barbara Morgan Gardner, and then we'll leave that conversation and go back into the Scripture with Tamu and Yahosh.

0:04:02.8 TH: Okay, so friends, here's the deal about Section 12. In May of 1829, this was a revelation that was received at the request of a man named Joseph Knight, Sr. Now, there's a 34-year age gap between him and Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith is 23, Joseph Knight, Sr. is 57 years old. So let's find out what the Lord had to say. So friends, grab your Scriptures and let's dig in. So I have a question right from the beginning for the two of you, what is something that you have given or lent out to someone that helped them in their time of need? And Tamu, I know you have answers to this.

0:04:41.0 TS: I had some students and something went down with the roommates and I had two young women who lived with us for two months, it was the weirdest situation because at the time I had all my sisters... I mean, we had, I think it was like eight kids in a four-bedroom house, and we had these two students. So we had a family room and we had a living room, and they were like at the living rooms when you first walk in and I used to call it my President Hinckley room because really that was the only person that could ever go into that room.

0:05:12.4 TH: Sure, sure.

0:05:13.5 TS: The white carpet, all white stuff, and so I was like, this is my celestial room and only me and the prophet and Jesus can come in this room. And so they lived in that room for two months, slept on a blow-up mattress on the floor, and I think about that, and I think about how that had benefited me moving forward in my life, and it was a benefit to my children, and even today has been a blessing and a benefit to us. And at the time, it was just like, “Well, I mean, I don't have much I can offer, I have this floor space.” And they were like, “Okay, we'll take it.” And I was like, “For real? Okay.”

0:05:53.8 TH: That's a great story. Thank you, Tamu. What about you, Yahosh?

0:05:58.5 YB: I remember one time I was getting some of my favorite things in the morning on Saturdays at Kneaders, and my wife loves their breakfast sandwich, and I went and I got her breakfast sandwich, then I got my kids French toast, and I was going back and this homeless guy is there a lot, and I forgot to get an additional thing that I usually get, and I was like, “Well, my wife always gives to him, I'll just, I'll give... I gave her breakfast sandwich.” [chuckle] And she's amazing, and so I get home, she's like, “Where's my breakfast sandwich?” And I was like, “Oh, I gave it to that homeless guy that's usually there at that corner.” She's like, “Oh, that's great. Well, you got another one, right?” And I'm like, “Oh.”

[laughter]

0:06:36.9 YB: So whenever there's an opportunity to give, I give. And it's not so much about... It's about, yes, helping our brothers and sisters, but I wanna do what Christ would do. And he gave it all.

0:06:49.2 TH: I love that you just said, "I wanna do what Christ would do," because that, I think that was the motive behind the man, Joseph Knight, Sr. in Section 12. So here's some pretty cool things about this man that asked for this revelation. So Joseph Knight, Sr., he helped out Joseph Smith several times. It was his wagon that Joseph and Emma used to go and get the plates, when they finally were able to get them. He also owned a store, and he gave Joseph Smith shoes. He gave him three dollars at one time, and then he even gave him more money to buy paper to translate on. And it's kinda cool, 'cause here's what Joseph had to say about Joseph Knight, Sr., "Joseph Knight was among the number of the first to administer to my necessities. For 15 years, he has been faithful and true and even-handed and exemplary and virtuous and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left. Behold, he is a righteous man."

0:07:43.4 TH: How great to have that with anybody when they would look back and go, "Yeah, that person." And I think of the stories you both told, definitely, you have administered to people's necessities. So we're gonna label this section. So Section 12, the label for Section 12 is called, "Call to labor, Joseph Knight Sr." Now, I'm gonna remind you also that Section 12 is found in Section 6, Section 11 and Section 14. And I want you to understand that the repetition of these verses is not like it's a divine form letter from God, the whole purpose of the Lord repeating the same verses over and over again is it just emphasizes the importance of the calling to the work. And we're being asked to be a part of this, so for me, repetition just equals tremendous importance. And so the Lord is gonna repeat these verses, 1 through 6, yet again, and let's study these in Section 12. So let's go into verse 1. Yahosh, will you read that for us?

0:08:38.2 YB: A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

0:08:42.5 TH: Awesome. Here's my question to you, what is so great and marvelous about this work?

0:08:49.0 YB: I served a mission in Florida, and I'm a big brother. I'm a middle child, but I'm also a big brother, so I'm used to telling people what to do. And my first companion... Oh my gosh, he was amazing, he was great. He knew how to be a senior companion and how to tell me what to do. [chuckle] And I really struggled with that. And I remember visiting an elderly man that was in our area, and he was like, "How are you guys doing?" and we're like, "Oh, we're doing great." "You guys getting along?" "We love each other. Oh yeah, it's awesome." And he's like, "You know what? To help that love grow within your companionship, you have to serve one another." And I was like, "What?" but I'd never heard that before. And so we started to do that, and our love grew for one another. And we had the spirit so strong within that companionship from that point on, because we had that love to do his work.

0:09:44.3 TH: Oh, that's awesome, I really appreciate that story. Thank you, Yahosh. Any thoughts from you, Tamu? What is so great and marvelous about this work?

0:09:53.0 TS: To me, the great and marvelous work is because it is a living Gospel, it has continued to live and breathe life into my life, into the life of my children. In the different interpretations, in the different takes, it continues to give, and it's the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And like Christ, he gave it all, and he continues to give, because it's a living Gospel.

0:10:17.3 TH: Absolutely.

0:10:18.2 YB: Oh my gosh, I love that. We focus on the living Christ, we focus on what he's still doing for us right now, because he's not dead, [chuckle] he's here.

0:10:27.0 TS: Right. Right. Right.

0:10:29.2 TH: So speaking of this, let's go to verse 2 then. Tamu, will you read that for us?

0:10:32.9 TS: Behold, I am God. Give heed to my word which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow. Therefore, give heed unto my word.

0:10:46.7 TH: I like the word quick in that verse where it says, "My word, which is quick." That word quick means alive or living. So when he says, "Give heed to my word which is alive and powerful," that's just what you said. And then how fun is this? "Sharper than a two-edged sword." Alright, we gotta talk about this. What in the world? Why would the Lord compare his word to a two-edged sword?

0:11:09.2 TS: Because I just had this experience where you think you know, but you don't know. And so on the one edge of the sword, you think, "Oh, this is a truth," 'cause it cuts you, it creates a wound that's deep and that I don't even wanna say a wound, because I think that scars can be beautiful, and I think it hits you in a place that you will never forget. And on the other side of it, if you grab a sword that's sharp on both ends, and you get to the other side, and you think, "Okay, that... I've learned that lesson," but there's another lesson for you to learn. And so you never know what you think you know, because as you grow, it grows with you.

0:11:47.5 YB: Yes.

0:11:48.3 TH: That is a great explanation.

0:11:50.1 YB: Yes.

0:11:51.2 TH: Because verse 3 and verse 4 talk about how the... It says... Verse 3 says, "Behold, the field is white, already to harvest." Highlight the word "already," that means now in Scripture. "Therefore who desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might and reap while the day lasts that he may treasure up his soul in the everlasting salvation." And then verse 4, "And whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God." Now, this idea of reaping, the word reap means to cut grain with a sickle. It's to clear the crop, but I love this definition also according to the 1828 Webster's dictionary that Joseph would have used at the time, the word reap also means to gather or obtain. Now, when we think about how we're reaping today, what does that look like? 'Cause I think reaping can look different for everybody.

0:12:34.4 YB: Well, it's amazing, the day that we live in.

0:12:37.2 TH: Yeah.

0:12:37.7 YB: The world, this huge world is smaller now. We can talk to our brothers and sisters in China, we can talk to them in Africa, Iraq, Tahiti. It doesn't matter where they're at in the world, we can connect with our brothers and our sisters. So there's so many different ways that each of us can connect with our brothers and sisters about the Gospel. And as we feel that, as that sword has cut us. We want others to feel that.

0:13:01.7 YB: So for me, there's so many different ways. It goes back to, if you want to be a part of the Lord's work, there's a place for you here. I was the director of basketball operations in southern Utah University. And I was just like, "Man, I love my job. I love connecting with these young men. Lord, please continue to put me in positions to where I can share this life with these young people." Well, within the next year, I'm teaching Junior High leadership, communication, journalism. And I'm just like, "Well, that's not the answer I was looking for." But now I was able to connect with these children who I would never have connected with in another way. And not that I was directly saying, "Jesus is Lord," but I was living in a way and sharing principles in my leadership class, where they could connect, and they knew what that was about.

0:13:52.2 TH: Oh, my gosh! I love that you just pointed out that an example can reap. That is so awesome. Thank you, Yahosh. What about you, Tamu?

0:14:00.9 TS: I reap through gathering with people. I get energy when I... There's something about the name Jesus. And there's a song, There's Something About the Name Jesus. And I get an energy even in mentioning Jesus. When I say it, when I'm going through the hardship, or when my friends are going through hardship, and I'm talking to them, there have been some friends that have not only left their religious foundation, but they've also left God. And there have been times where I've hesitated to say, "Jesus knows this". Or, when I read the Bible verse and just feeling that piercing in my heart to say it to mention Jesus's name under the influence of the Spirit, and not under the influence of Tamu, where I'm just like, "Girl, you need to get it together", because that's the judgmental voice in my head, is when I'm talking to people.

[chuckle]

0:14:56.8 TS: But when it's done under the influence of Jesus, and it's done with love, and it's done in that moment of what you're going through reminds me of this story, when I can say it in authenticity, there's this energy that enters the room. And when that energy enters the room, I know that we are reaping and we are in harvest right there. And I know that they know, even though they may not admit it to me, because I can see it. I see a boost in their energy. And even in speaking about it right now I got chills, because there's this energy that comes and that is when for me, when I'm going through my valleys, there are times where I just repeat, "Jesus".

0:15:45.4 TH: Jesus.

0:15:46.4 TS: Jesus, 'cause He has been through a valley.

0:15:49.7 TH: What I have loved about this discussion of reaping is it looks different for everyone. For those of you listening, I want you to think right now, how do you reap? What is the gift God has given you, and the ability to reap because we're all here on this Earth right now for the purpose of reaping? So, before we go on, I'm gonna read this quick quote from our Prophet from the October 2020 General Conference. He says, "As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world." So, in the next segment, we're gonna discover what that 'it' is and how it applies to reaping.

Segment 2

0:16:33.4 TH: Okay, Tamu and Yahosh, based on the quote that I read at the beginning of this episode by Joseph Smith, and now the quote by President Nelson, alluding to what 'it' is. I want us to go to Doctrine and Covenants, section 12, verse six, and tell me what the 'it' could probably be, according to that verse?

0:16:51.4 YB: To bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.

0:16:53.9 TH: Can I get an Amen? Highlight that, everyone, in your scriptures, this is what Joseph Smith also said about this, "We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object." We are reaping today to help establish the cause of Zion. So, my question for you is, then, what exactly is Zion? What are we talking about here?

0:17:15.9 TS: I think that a lot of people who are LDS or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will say that, to bring people into this church, into the gospel. And I think that church and gospel are two different things. And I think that Zion is Christ, because it is through Christ that we find our path. That's what that means to me.

0:17:44.2 TH: Excellent answer. Excellent.

0:17:45.6 YB: I love that. I love that. When I think of Zion, I just think of unity. What has unified me with other people more than anything, more than race, more than culture, is my love for Jesus Christ. And as I find other people who love Jesus like I love Jesus, there is a bond there. And we both know what we're about and how we should move. I think there's an edification there. But Tammy, I wanna know what you think.

[chuckle]

0:18:14.4 TH: Yes.

0:18:15.4 YB: I wanna know what you think.

0:18:17.3 TH: Wow.

0:18:17.9 YB: 'Cause you've been enlightening us and you've been blessing us with this knowledge. Will you, please? What does Zion mean to you?

0:18:24.8 TH: Well, yes. Okay. So, everything you said I will amen. Amen. Amen. I think it's the same. It is about Jesus. And I think sometimes we don't speak enough of Jesus. But in order to be a Zion people, we have to be committed to Him, because He's who will rule over Zion. And so, I love this quote by Elder Christofferson. Here's what he had to say about Zion. And I think it perfectly supports everything we've just talked about. And Yahosh, will you please read this quote for us?

0:18:54.0 YB: "Zion is both a place and a people. Zion is Zion because of the character attributes and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness. And there was no poor among them. If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards and states, we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary one, to become unified in one heart and one mind. Two, to become individually and collectively a holy people. And three, to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen. Zion will come only as they have."

0:19:42.6 TH: Oh.

0:19:42.9 TS: Amen.

0:19:43.5 TH: Amen, I love... Man, I love those...

0:19:45.5 TS: Spiritual word.

0:19:46.2 TH: So zion is...

0:19:46.8 YB: Oh, Elder Christofferson, man.

0:19:49.8 TH: Yeah, and it's all of God's people, Zion is us.

0:19:53.5 YB: All of Gods people, oh, Tammy, that is what you said, that is what you said.

0:19:56.6 TS: 'Cause when all God's children get together what a time, what a time, what a time.

0:20:02.1 TH: What a time.

0:20:04.4 YB: Amen. Wow.

0:20:05.2 TH: And so here we are, we are seeking to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion, that is why we're here, that is what we're reaping for but when this revelation was given here is something to consider you guys, the Book of Mormon had not yet been published, the priesthood had not yet been restored, the church hadn't even been organized but now all of that has happened so this verse, the us today because all of that has happened now we read this and we're like okay, now to seek forth and establish and bring forth the cause of Zion we have a prophet President Nelson who has defined this term for us and here's what he said about this. Tamu, can you read this quote for us please?

0:20:45.3 TS: "For centuries prophets had foretold this gathering and it's happening right now. The pre-millennium gathering is an individual saga of expanding faith and spiritual courage for millions of people and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints or Latter Day covenant is real. We have been charged to assist the Lord with this pivotal work."

0:21:09.4 TH: So thank you for reading that because here's what's so cool about this section, Verse 8 tells us exactly what we need to do to get ready and to start doing this work. And as Yahosh reads this verse, I want you guys to mark all of the qualifications for being engaged in this great work, go ahead, Yahosh.

0:21:26.1 YB: And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things, whatever shall be entrusted to his care.

0:21:38.5 TH: Thank you. The word temperate let's mark that because in scripture it means having self-control or moderation in all things, why are these words important to doing the work?

0:21:50.0 YB: I used to tell my mom all the time and I still do it, mom you're amazing, I love you, I love you so much and she would say, "Do you love me?" "Yeah, mom." "okay, well, it snowed this morning can you come up and shovel my driveway." Oh, you love me you know, clean your room, do your homework show me and I don't know, it's just a funny thing because love is an action word, for me and my family a lot of people in my family they might have things that they need to get done but they won't accept anybody's help unless they wanna help, oh, you don't want help, oh, you're busy no, that's okay, don't worry about it I got it. But if you say, oh, I would love to help you, where can I help you, oh sure, thank you so much but if you don't have that love behind it, it's like oh, no we'd rather not have your help.

0:22:34.9 TS: When people are in need sometimes it's the hardest thing for them to ask. And having just gone through a memorial service for my younger sister who I raised like a daughter and to have to ask for help when people were hesitant about it, it was just like okay, forget it, I don't need it, I don't need your help, I'll just figure it out, I'll do it myself. And for me if I'm gonna ask I'm asking you because I really need it but for me it was the people that were offering to do things, what can I do, where can I help you do and I think that when I posted something on Facebook Yahosh was one of the first people to say something and you reached out to me Tammy and so it was... When I needed something, you guys... The people that reached out were the people that were easy to ask because they extended that love first and just to think that you cannot assist in the work except you be humble and full of love and having faith, hope and charity for me this Scripture was the highlight of this lesson.

0:23:47.4 YB: I love that, that's a real life application right there, how you said for those people who reached out in love it makes a difference, it just feels... It feels different.

0:23:58.1 TH: Wow, thank you.

0:24:00.3 YB: And so I also wanted to be a part, Tamu, and I'm so glad you reached out to us, we love you so much and just know at least.

0:24:05.8 TH: This is an incredible service, an incredible service. The spirit is so strong there.

0:24:09.8 TS: Thank you I was grateful that you guys were able to be there and to participate because of course... Again, it's one of those things that keeps giving because it was... You guys were there and my biological, I guess my blood ties family, many of them could not be there in the flesh and so to be enveloped in that love meant so much to me, it was an extension of Christ. I love y'all too.

0:24:40.7 TH: That was Zion, is all about Jesus.

0:24:45.1 TS: Yes it was.

0:24:45.1 YB: Yes, yes.

0:24:45.1 TH: It's Jesus. Thank you for sharing that. Okay, so here's what I want you to do next to verse 8, I want you to put the reference Isaiah 54:7, because Isaiah Chapter 54 is the end-all beat-all, this is the chapter about the gathering but I love Verse 7 because Verse 7 says to us, "for a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee." And we know it's kind of cool in Hebrew that word small moment, it literally translates as just a sec. I mean, he's really saying, I'm gonna be back in just a minute and with great mercies I will gather thee. In order for this gathering to take place though, we had to have the priesthood restored that had to happen first. So in the next segment I've invited Barbara Morgan Gardner to come and talk to us about the priesthood being restored and what section 13 is saying to us, so we'll study that in the next segment.

Segment 3

0:25:49.2 TH: Okay, everybody here she is, Barbara Morgan Gardner and I just have to tell you what I love about Barbara. Like me she loves a good story and she's a great storyteller but she's also a church historian and so I thought who would be better to come and just give us the great story about how we got section 13 and how the priesthood was restored. So Barbara, hi, I'm so glad you are here.

0:26:10.0 Barbara Morgan Gardner: I am so grateful that you asked me to do this giddy about this section, so thanks.

0:26:14.6 TH: I know, you love it so much.

0:26:15.9 BG: I didn't want to, anything to do with the priesthood but I love section 13 it all begins here.

0:26:21.4 TH: Well, in your book that you spent so much time writing which is one of my favorite books, everyone needs to read it, go get it it's awesome. So what I want you to do is just kind of first give us the background, tell us the history, the story about how we got section 13.

0:26:38.1 BG: So we're in the spring of 1829, May of 1829. Oliver and Joseph are immersed in the Book of Mormon, as we know, and specifically, they're reading 3 Nephi, Chapter 11, probably verse 21. This isn't for sure, but this is most likely the situation going on here. Joseph is reading to Oliver the words of Christ, where He basically says, "I give unto you power; ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into Heaven." And Joseph and Oliver recognized that they had no power and no one on the earth had power and they didn't have the authority to be baptizing. There was no permission to do so.

0:27:15.2 BG: And so, recognizing that, they went into the woods praying, as it says, "I'm inquiring of the Lord in respect to baptism for the remission of their sins." And that's what they really wanted to know. They had this translation of the plates. So what Section 13, then, is, is these two men going in there and then the response and the teachings of John the Baptist. You think about them going into the area that they were going to, I kind of wonder, "Why would they go into a body of water?" It seems... And in my, in strong words, I would say even clearly, they were expecting something. Joseph had already received answers to his prayers. He'd already seen Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He knew that God was wanting to answer prayers, and he knew that, I would imagine, that he was asking an extremely important, pertinent question, and we don't know exactly what he heard from Christ as He was telling him, but the idea of him perhaps having this authority coming in the future is going to be important. We know that from Moroni's visit and what is now Section 2, that eventually some of these things are going to be coming forth in the future.

0:28:24.6 TH: Well, I'm glad you brought that up, Barb, because it reminds me of the verse in Joseph Smith History, when he went to go pray to receive a remission of his sins. So he goes to pray, and I love how he just says, "But the reason I prayed is because I'd had already had a vision, and so I knew certainly that the Lord was gonna answer this prayer." He's so confident that he's gonna get an answer. And so I think you're right with Section 13, is, he's with Oliver, who, by the way, he's only known for five weeks. They've only been translating for five weeks together. And Joseph's like, "We're just gonna go pray." And Oliver doesn't know what's gonna happen. I think you're right. I think Joseph's like, "I'm pretty sure I know how this is gonna play out." I just love that you brought that up. He...

0:29:01.2 BG: And I love that you brought up Oliver, too, because Oliver's trying so hard to receive revelation. He's, like, this buddy of Joseph, he's gonna become the second elder of the Church, he's gonna have a lot of responsibilities, but so far, he hasn't had a lot of personal success.

[chuckle]

0:29:13.7 TH: Just that one night. Cast your mind.

0:29:16.6 BG: Right. And, clearly, I think... I shouldn't say "clearly," but it seems that he's had a confirmation of that one night, as well, now, with Joseph Smith, and so anyways... So now we get into Section 13, where we get in... Frankly, into the history of the Church that Joseph Smith talks about, and they go in there with the intention of finding out more and understanding more about this baptism and this power and this authority they're going to need, or that doesn't yet exist, but they need it to exist in a sense. I love that they go in there, and I love that they receive an answer to their prayer that they specifically needed. Now we see Joseph in verse 68. We see it says, "We still continue the work of translation, when in the ensuing month May 1829, we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates." And then he just kind of... Joseph is so dry.

0:30:11.9 TH: We're in Joseph Smith History 1, right? Verse 68?

0:30:15.2 BG: That's right. Joseph Smith 1? There's only one. Verse 68. And then, Joseph, the way he describes things is so "Joseph." He's just... It's a matter of fact. This is the 1838 version. So he says, "While we were thus employed, praying, and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from Heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying... " And then that next part, Verse 69, is actually what is Section 13. The doctrine comes.

0:30:41.0 TH: And I think that's important to note. For those of you who are in Section 13, I would write somewhere the actual words of John the Baptist.

0:30:47.9 BG: And as members of the Church, I think you just hear that as "John the Baptist came." This is John the Baptist! He was...

[chuckle]

0:30:54.9 BG: He did anoint his head just a few years ago...

[chuckle]

0:30:58.9 BG: And now he is there putting his hands on these men and ordaining them to the Aaronic priesthood. This is huge. This is an angel from God. Again, Joseph may be like, "Oh, hi, John." Bet you Oliver was blown away. And you see that in Oliver's terms. At the end of the Joseph Smith History... If you go to that next page of that final part, there's a little star in the paper version.

0:31:22.7 TH: Oh, yeah. At the end of Verse 71 is a little asterisk, and I don't know how many people actually go and read that, but it is amazing.

0:31:30.0 BG: So go with me to the fifth paragraph, starting "What joy." "What joy! What wonder! What amazement! While the world was racked and distracted... While millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were wresting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld... Our ears heard. As in the 'blaze of day;' yes, more... Above the glitter of the May Sun beam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center of the words, 'I am thy fellow-servant,' dispelled every fear. We listened. We gazed. We admired! 'Twas the voice of an angel from glory, 'twas a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while his love enkindled upon our souls, and we were wrapt in the visions of the Almighty! Were was room for doubt?

0:32:14.9 BG: Now, here, uncertainty had fled, doubt sunk, no more to rise while fiction deception had fled forever! But, dear brother think, further think for a moment, with what joy filled our hearts and with what surprise we must have bowed, for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing? When we received under his hand the holy priesthood as he said, "Upon you my fellow-servants, in the name of the Messiah, I confer the priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon the earth that the sons of Levi might yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."

0:32:45.4 BG: And I would add for my purposes, although this is not John the Baptist, as you see them bowing and bowing the knee, every woman, every man, bows the knee to understand that God has restored the priesthood, power, and authority... His priesthood, power and authority on the earth today. I mean, to have been there would have been an amazing experience.

0:33:04.4 TH: And oh, my gosh, Barbara, this is gonna be so cool, because the very last segment today with Yahosh and Tamu, we're going to study the last paragraph of the section you're reading from.

0:33:12.2 BG: That's perfect. But here's the thing for women: I remember standing at the Susquehanna River, and when I was younger, I would take youth and adults, and I'd show them the spot, and then we'd talk about the priesthood and we'd say, "How amazing this is!" and "What blessings have you received?" and it was so wonderful. But the last time I went... This was probably two years ago... Right after the priesthood area had been restored, so we have the Harmony Area and Emma and Joseph's house, her parents' house, and all that stuff, I went to the Susquehanna River and I had the strongest impression and most wonderful experiences where it was just simply this: "Barb, do you really understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as important for you and every woman of this Church as it is for every young man and every man that you brought to the site? Do you really get that, and have you really taught it? Because the women of the church and the men of the Church need to know that this applies to the women."

0:34:07.1 BG: And then just, what, six months or a year later, I hear President Nelson say almost to the T the exact same phrase that I had felt the impression of as I was working on my book on women and the priesthood, and that was one of the reasons why I kept working on this, is those impressions. So why does this matter to the women? Why do we care that the priesthood has been restored?

0:34:25.7 TH: Wow, Barb. Those are awesome questions. So in the next segment, let's jump into Section 13 and discuss that. Let's find out why these words from John the Baptist matter to both, not just men, but women also.

Segment 4

0:34:50.9 TH: Okay, so let's just jump right in. Barbara, talk to us about Section 13, and why does the priesthood matter to both men and women?

0:34:57.5 BG: First of all, I love that he's speaking in the name of Christ. We have to understand that the priesthood is God's power and authority. It is God's power. It is nobody else's. And we know, we've almost said this to ad nauseum: The priesthood is not the men. And John the Baptist say it right here: "In the name of the Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels." So it's important, right off the bat, to understand the keys of the ministering of angels. This is something that I'd love for women to understand, and it's often misunderstood. Those who hold the Aaronic priesthood are given the keys of the ministering of angels, but what do keys do? Keys open doors. Who has the ministering of angels? Every covenant-making person in the Church. At the moment of baptism, every eight-year-old girl has the ministering of angels because she made a covenant with the Lord. How significant is it for every young women in the Church, starting at age eight, to know that she has angels on her left and on her right, on her front and behind her, walking through this life because she is making and keeping and supporting the sacred covenants that are only possible because the keys of ministering of angels were given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist in May of 1829?

0:36:04.2 TH: And for those of you listening who wanna know more about this, in our show notes, I've included a really great quote from Elder Oaks and Gordon B. Hinckley about the ministering of angels and what it means and what it looks like in our daily lives. Because you're right, Barb, We have to teach this. We have to teach the boys that they have the key to open that door for everybody to access this incredible power of ministering of angels. I love that you pointed that out. Our girls need to know that this is available to them.

0:36:31.6 BG: And our young men, our deacons, need to know that the young women have it just like they do. They don't have the key, but they have the same visitation. So what privileges do we receive because the Aaronic priesthood was restored? One of the privileges we receive is the ability to repent. Another is the ability to be baptized. Another, it is a privilege of having angels to accompany us in our everyday walk and talk of life. These are critical privileges as a result of just the Aaronic priesthood.

0:37:00.2 TH: And I just love that Barb mentioned that there are privileges to the priesthood, and you can number those in this verse. The first privilege is, number one, the ministering of angels. And then the second, the gospel of repentance. And the third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. How brilliant, Barb, that you just pointed out that the Aaronic priesthood is the key that opened the door for everyone to be benefited by these privileges. So cool.

0:37:24.1 BG: So a couple other things. First is, I love where John the Baptist says, "And this shall never be taken again from the earth." This is the first time and the only time since Adam and Eve were on the earth that a prophet was told that "This will never leave." So we are living a dispensation of where this is always going to be available for us. We don't ever have to worry, "Is there some time when we're not gonna be able to get baptized? Is there some day in the future when we're not gonna be able to receive remission of our sins?" That may sound kind of silly in our day because we're so used to it, so used to thinking that we are the last dispensation, but imagine how wonderful it was for Joseph Smith who didn't have this to know. This is now forever. This is secure and it will never be lost.

0:38:06.3 TH: Wow. Okay. I love it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now, go back into this verse, because you have to tell us about this part: "Until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." The sons of Levi belong to the House of Israel. Levi was one of the sons of the 12 tribes, and I've said this before, you have Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

0:38:29.7 BG: That's impressive.

0:38:30.2 TH: Well, thank you. So you have Levi in there, and that was the tribe that was allowed to... In fact, it was the only tribe allowed to use the priesthood. They were in charge of the priesthood and all the ordinances of the tabernacle. Of all of the children of the house of Israel, no one got any role in the priesthood except for the tribe of Levi. So that's what that's referring to right here in this verse. Now, when it says that it will happen again, them offering unto the Lord in righteousness, there's a lot of debate about this specific part of this verse, isn't there, Barb?

0:39:03.0 BG: There is a lot of debate, and there are some who would say that this means that there's going to be an animal sacrifice offering again. There are some who will say that this sacrifice of animals is no longer, but it's the sacrifice of the animal within us, as Elder Maxwell would say.

0:39:18.5 TH: Right.

0:39:19.6 BG: You look at different leaders of the Church at different times, and they have different opinions. There's not an actual statement that is the official statement of the Church that says, "This is what this means."

0:39:28.6 TH: Great. Thank you for pointing that out, 'cause I agree. And when I read that and people... It doesn't... I'm not hung up on it, I'm like, "I guess we'll see how that plays out. I don't really know what it means."

0:39:38.4 BG: I really appreciate you bringing that up, because there are some... We're gonna find out, in Doctrine and Covenants there are some things that frankly, we just don't have the answers to. But I really appreciate when people try, and we just recognize, "Now there's a differing of opinions here," and we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can look at this and say, "Although I have a testament of priesthood and the restoration of the priesthood, I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen with these sacrifices in the future, but it doesn't affect my testament at all." I just think it's awesome.

0:40:04.5 TH: Right, exactly.

0:40:04.9 BG: I think it's gonna be an exciting day when we actually do.

0:40:08.9 TH: And I think it's awesome, 'cause I love Old Testament. So when I see sons of Levi, I'm like, "Oh, I know exactly what this is talking about. They offer the sacrifices, the tabernacle. That'll be kind of cool, if we do something like that again. But if not, it's okay, too." So here's my big question for you, Barb. After all of the research you've done, and according to your awesome book, which I love, my question is: How can both men and women use the priesthood power as it relates to this great and marvelous work that we've been talking about?

0:40:35.3 BG: So I think that... So, there are a variety of ways to answer this question. So, originally, we're looking at the Aaronic priesthood. So, the importance of this is, we're able to perform, or men are able to perform sacred ordinances in the church structure. So baptism is now going to be possible. And this is what I was talking about here. But we also recognize under the Melchizedek priesthood, which this is now opening the doors to, both women and men receive power and authority to be able to exercise priesthood based upon the keys of their priesthood leaders, so a bishop would take precedent. So, when a women, for example, receives a calling, as she can speak and act in the name of God while she is teaching a class. She can receive personal revelation while she is talking to the young women. She can actually speak for God in that way, because she has been given the authority to do so. Often we just say, "It's the men who have the ability to act in the name of God." Well, when women have the power and authority to act in the name of God, they also have that mission, in a sense, to be speaking for God. That's critical.

0:41:31.7 TH: So, one of the things I loved about your book was that you were specific... When we talk about how the priesthood is not the men of the Church, you said that men are given the authority to perform saving ordinances for God's children on this earth. And I loved that, but that is different from, then, when we are given authority in our callings, like everyone can have that authority to do things on behalf of the Lord, too, just not saving ordinances.

0:42:01.2 TH: Yes. Let me break this up a little bit. So, we talked about priesthood, and we talked about keys a little bit already, and presiding use, specifically. So, when a person is called to be the stake president of a stake, he has given priesthood keys of presiding, which gives him specific authorities and keys that are able to open doors. When a young man... We're just gonna start with young men... When a young man is ordained to the priesthood, and becomes a deacon in a sense, he is given specific authority that fits within his ordination. So a young man is ordained to a priesthood office. Only a young man can perform priesthood, the ordinances, pertaining to his office. So even an Aaronic priesthood holder, an Aaronic priesthood holder can't... Can't give blessings. It has to be within his own office.

0:42:51.6 BG: There is not a woman in the Church right now who is ordained to a priesthood office, so that is a different authority. There is a second authority that comes to all members of the Church who receive a calling, both men and women. So a Young Men's President receives authority. A Young Women's President receives authority. And their authority is to teach and act and be a steward over the young men for the men and over the young women for the young women. This is not... Has nothing to do with their priesthood ordination. This is because they are acting in a calling under the direction of someone who holds priesthood keys.

0:43:25.1 TH: And their authority is equal. I love that you pointed that out.

0:43:28.9 BG: Yet, because this has nothing to do with their ordination into the priesthood. This is a calling.

0:43:33.0 TH: So when... Who presides in the meeting? They both do. I love that you pointed that out. The woman can preside.

0:43:38.8 BG: Right, and so that's why, when you have... If you have a husband and a wife that are called to teach the 10-year-olds, they both have equal authority to do so. He doesn't have priesthood authority over her because they both are called. This has nothing to do with priesthood ordination. They both are called. That's what the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood is doing. It is allowing us to serve others as God and Jesus Christ served others. It's allowing us to be saviors of mankind, as Jesus Christ was a savior of mankind. It's allowing us to perform priesthood functions and perform priesthood blessings for those who have passed beyond the veil. It's allowing us to have eternal families. It's allowing us to find joy that is only possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It's allowing a women to become what only women of the Church of Jesus Christ can become, which is exalted, heavenly gods, goddesses. It's beyond our capacity to understand, and in the process, we're here on mortality trying to raise families and trying to teach classes and trying to gather Zion and trying to bring together the House of Israel. And it's only possible as men and women... They can keep these sacred covenants with the intention of the salvation of souls in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I mean, this is a powerful stuff.

0:44:47.4 TH: Amen! We had to get the priesthood so that we can now build and be engaged in this cause of Zion. The doctrine and covenants will refer to it often, the cause of Zion, which is what this is all about. So thank you, Barb. Thank you for being here. That was so much fun.

0:45:04.6 BG: I love this section. I hope everybody just studies it and loves it. And I wanna say one thing on this, too: None of us have monopoly on the priesthood. None of us. It's asking the members of the Church, and especially pleading legitimately with the sisters of the Church, to understand, study and call upon God's priesthood power and to use His authority. So the only way we really can do that is through revelation, as Amaleki says. So all the books, all the material, all the manuals, everything that you listen to is helpful in doing so, but I plead also with everyone listening: Take it to the Lord. Let Him teach you. And right now, temples may not be available for everyone to go to, but temples are still there, and there are compensatory blessings that are promised for all those who are willing to pay the price. God wants us endowed with His priesthood power at the highest level possible, and He wants us to use it together in one strong force. Just as Christ is with His father, He needs us to be with Him. The Second Coming cannot take place until women and men are using their priesthood privileges like they should be, in the unified manner.

0:46:06.8 TH: Wow. Well, thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel like we've kinda just... Kinda scratched the surface. Okay, well, thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you.

0:46:14.6 BG: I love you guys so much. Love you, Tamara. Take care.

0:46:22.5 TH: Thank you.

Segment 5

0:46:28.1 TH: Wow, that was amazing. What I love the most is her invitation to study the priesthood, and when she said that our knowledge and understanding of God's power is necessary for the second coming of the Savior, that kind of stopped me for a minute. Alright, Tamu and Yahosh, so here's my question to you. After hearing that, I wanna know your experience with the priesthood as black members of the church. I just feel like we have to talk about that because, Tamu, you've shared with me before where people have said to you, "You know your religion is racist," and I always love what you've said and I love your thoughts. Will you please share that with us.

0:47:03.6 TS: Well, religious in America as a whole, slavery was built on the religious ideologies of men, and so if I can be an American citizen, I could certainly be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[chuckle]

0:47:19.9 TS: If I can be a Christian, I can be a member of this church, and so I think that for sure my walk in this gospel because of the demographics, hasn't been an easy one, but it has been one where it has been me and God at times, and that's what faith is about, it's between you and it's the individual that you are putting trust in. It hasn't been easy to worship here the way that I would like to worship, but it has certainly brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and my elder brother, Jesus Christ.

0:47:56.5 YB: I don't know, you expect or we expect a lot, but really as an African-American, racism isn't something that is new for us here, whether it was religion or in school or socially, it's not something that's new, unfortunately. And what we expect is for our faith in the Lord to be able to change people's hearts, so they can be true Christians, and many of us are, and many of us are still in that journey of trying to be a true follower of Christ and find those blind spots as, "Wow, that was prejudice. Oh, my way of thinking, that was wrong. That's not the gospel." And so in terms of the black experience and racism in our church, it happens all over America from the time that we were brought here in chains, unfortunately. But for me, how can I account for the spirit that I felt, the blessings that I've received, the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically the restored gospel of Jesus Christ? My family has been so blessed by the Gospel, and we have been changed. We're all very different. You know, you know our family. We're all different. There's so many of us...

0:49:08.8 TS: So different.

0:49:10.1 YB: But we think very differently. But the thing that unites us is our love for the Savior, is our love for the Gospel in its fullness. That's the power that the restored gospel has to unite people and bringing them closer to the Savior. Like Tamu said, "It's not easy," but it's never been easy for us and because of that, I feel like I am closer with my Savior and I'm grateful for it. You all want more adversity, I'd rather not.

[chuckle]

0:49:39.4 YB: But I understand that it's there and that's part of my journey in my walk with Christ.

0:49:44.6 TH: Yahosh, as you were talking, my question to you is, how can we make it easier for you? How can we make it better?

0:49:52.2 YB: There's so much you could do. There's so much. First of all, is say hi to me, developing a relationship with people that don't look like you, educating your children, talking about these issues with your children, so that when they first hear it, it comes from a place of love of understanding or, hey, you know what, Mom and Dad don't have all the answers, but we know what God said, "God is no respecter of persons that he loves his children," that we all are children of God. I think for parents, like for me, I have a responsibility to my children to teach them about what this world is and how we live here, this isn't home, and for us to get home, this is how we have to live. This is how we have to treat one another...

0:50:37.9 TH: Yeah.

0:50:38.4 YB: Right? And so I think we just gotta have those conversations, we have these conversations, not shy away from them, and not be like, "Okay, I love the... Well, let's just not talk about this. I don't know why this makes me so uncomfortable." We gotta go there, and then after we go there and we study, we gotta go here, we gotta ask God and get our own testimony and find out for ourselves, Why... Why have I felt this way? Why? Help me change my heart because I felt some certain kind of way about some people and I've been like, "That's not right. That's jealousy. That doesn't feel good." Lord help me, help my heart. And so we just have to be willing to be humble enough and to move forward in life. Oh, also...

0:51:17.8 TH: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:51:19.1 YB: The Bonner family album dropped today. It dropped today. Diversify your music. Diversify the...

0:51:28.0 TH: Amen.

0:51:28.3 TS: Amen to that.

0:51:29.2 TH: Yes.

0:51:29.5 YB: Shows that you're watching. Diversify your friend circles. Expose your children to a diverse world that is beautiful. Different isn't wrong, it's just different.

0:51:41.0 TH: I love, Yahosh, how you just said, "Talk to your kids about it," because when I was telling... The girls were like, "Okay, well, what are you teaching this week? What's the podcast about?" And then I got today's episode, and for a brief moment, I was like, "I have to tell them, they don't know this part of our church history, and this is my job to explain this." And I remember I walked for a brief second in my heart, I'm like, "Do I say it like it is? Or do I wait till they're older? What do I do?" And the spirit was like, "Now. You say it now." And I just explained to them about the history and how blacks couldn't hold the priesthood. And my favorite part were their faces when they're like, "Well, that's ridiculous."

0:52:19.1 TH: And then they say to me, "Well, why?" And just what you said, Yahosh, mom and dad don't have the answers. I was like, "You know what, I don't know." And then I did what you just said, I'm like, "But I know God loves all of his children." Today, in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we're living in the restoration, and we belong to a church that believes in change, but you're so right, we have to start in our homes... Just like elder Christopherson said, We have to be a Zion people here and we have to talk to our children about these things and introduce them to different cultures. Those are great answers, Yahosh.

0:52:50.7 TS: I agree with everything that Yahosh said. And also as you're educating, there's gonna be parts that make them feel uncomfortable, and that is a great time to teach them about the comforter because it's not your job to comfort them and it's not my job to comfort through those uncomfortable portions that actually we have the gift of the Holy Ghost, which we also know to be a comforter. I think that one of the disservices we do sometimes as members of the church, is that we try to skip through that part really fast instead of saying, "Okay, well, let's see what the leaders of the church in the past had to say," and to teach them to have grace and all of that, because really the perfect person to walk this earth was Jesus Christ. And so you have to teach them what grace is. That is how we stay here, and that is how we make it through as a Gospel family.

0:53:49.0 TH: So Tamu and Yahosh, I wanna know, why do you stay? In all of this hardship and adversity, why do you stay?

0:53:55.1 YB: Oh, man, it's not gonna take my joy.

[laughter]

0:53:58.2 YB: Well, no, no, I am blessed. I am so blessed by this Gospel, by my relationship that I've built by being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My relationships with my family is different, because I know I gotta be with them for eternity!

[laughter]

0:54:16.7 YB: I'm gonna work on those relationships. I'm not gonna throw it away. [chuckle] And so, just the things that I've learned and the spiritual experiences that I've had, and the blessings, both spiritual and physically, I attribute to the Gospel and being on this path. And so I know this is where God wants me to be, I know this is where my family's supposed to be. We have to search the Scriptures. We listen to our leaders, search the Scriptures, and then we pray, and that's how my parents were converted to the Gospel. They had missionary discussions for about six months and they were like, "Man, I really like this, this is really great. Ain't no black people in this congregation, Lord. Is this where you want me to be?"

[laughter]

0:54:57.8 YB: And so, they went to church one day and they just felt the spirit so strongly, the missionary said, "Will you pray about baptism," and they're like, "Okay, well, we'll get back to you," and so they went to the Scriptures, opened up the Scriptures, and in the Old Testament, it talked about temples and he was like, "Wow! Well, not a lot of churches are talking about temples," and my dad said, "Well, let's flip open the New Testament." Flipped open the New Testament. It talked about baptism for the dead, redeeming the dead. And he's like, "Okay, now we can pray."

[chuckle]

0:55:24.3 YB: So we have to do the work. And by doing that work, we solidify our relationship with the Savior, we strengthen our testimony, which continuously needs to be fed by conversations like this. Tamu, I've been uplifted, Tammy, I've been uplifted and edified by your testimonies today. This helps. This helps. We gotta keep doing this, but...

0:55:45.9 TH: Amen, yes!

0:55:46.1 TS: I stay here, because this is where the Lord wants me. I know that.

0:55:50.4 TS: And like Yahosh, I stay here, because I think about Ephesians, to some are called to be priests, profits and teachers, and I feel called to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know what I experienced when I entered the building. I knew Christ, I knew what the Spirit felt like, and just to be enveloped in that love and to literally hear the voice of God say, "You're home." He knew what my young heart was searching for at that time, and to go to my parents and say, "This is where God wants me," and to have them yield to that and to trust that I knew God enough to know what He wanted for my life, to know that what the Spirit testified to me. So I stayed, because God told me to be here, and it is here that I have grown in the Gospel of Christ in ways that I know that I would not have grown in the Church of God in Christ, and so my understanding of who I am as a child of God as well. And so this is where I needed to be, and this is where I'll stay.

0:57:03.0 TH: Yahosh and Tamu, thank you so much. To take the words from Yahosh, I have been edified from this discussion, and I have felt the spirit, that good, peaceful feeling. If anyone's sitting there thinking they have been edified, or they learned something new, that's the Spirit. The Holy Ghost is witnessing that everything that Yahosh and Tamu shared today is true, so thank you. Thank you for sharing your truth, and for sharing your testimony. I can't stop crying. It's, 'cause God loves all of us, and He loves His black brothers and sisters, He loves His children of color, He just does. There's nothing else, there's no debate, and so thank you for sharing your truth, I appreciate that.

0:57:44.4 TH: So in the next segment, we're gonna discuss how all of this will come full circle and how the priesthood power, God's power on Earth is what's going to aid us in our efforts to bring forth the cause of Zion.

Segment 6

0:58:05.8 TH: Alright, you two. If I were to say to you about the year 2020, "These were days never to be forgotten," what will you not forget about last year?

0:58:16.2 TS: I think globally, George Floyd and the piercing, like you talk about a double-edged sword, how that pierced America, how that pierced the hearts of the world, and how that changed and sparked a conversation. But I think individually and personally, it will be the year that my family, and by my family, I mean the family of my mother, we suffered a personal loss, and so that's what I will remember...

0:58:47.3 TH: Thank you, Tamu.

0:58:48.5 TS: About 2020.

0:58:50.5 TH: Thank you. How about you, Yahosh?

0:58:53.0 YB: As hard as it was for us and for so many, a heightened level of gratitude for my parents and what they have taught me growing up about who I am, about my divine heritage, about my earthly heritage. About my worth as a black man in America. So important for me to be able to also share that with my children and have that time quarantine with my kids to love on them and just to pump them up, letting them know who they are, the way my parents let me know, the way that I've learned through the Scriptures and the Gospel, and my relationship with God and the Savior. It was so important, because really, the world and America, in our actions, many times have told people that look like me that we are less than, that we aren't valued.

0:59:49.5 YB: And so for George Floyd to have passed away the way he did, to have been murdered that way and for people to have a heightened level of empathy that they haven't had before specifically for Black people, I felt it was very unifying but there was also some division obviously and people were able to see where they were at and why they felt the way that they felt but like Tamu said, it sparked a conversation. It opened hearts and it strengthened a lot of close relationships that I have with my brothers and sisters around the world to see people around the world caring and praying for America. America, we always try to help everybody else but they looked at us and they were praying and hurting for America. And so I saw the world just got so much smaller in 2020 and we're more connected and divided we ever been.

1:00:48.9 TH: Well thank you for...

1:00:51.1 TS: I also wanna add really fast that we suffered a loss but we also got a gain. I got a son in law who's amazing.

1:00:58.2 TH: Yes he is.

1:00:58.6 TS: So 'til that happened along my personal family.

1:01:01.9 TH: There you go. Well thank you both of you. The reason I asked this question is because I wanna show you where we see those words in scripture, so let's go to Joseph Smith History. I want this to be the theme of 2021, I want this to be the theme of our lives actually. So in Joseph Smith History, go to verse 71, go to the very end of verse 71 and do you notice what's at the very end of verse 71? A little star, a little asterisk and then look down below to where that little asterisk is. The reason why we have that in there is because right here, we need to stop in our reading and we need to read Oliver Cowdery's experience. So these are Oliver Cowdery's words down below, his experience with having the priesthood restored and scribing for Joseph Smith and I love how he describes it at the very first sentence. Tamu, will you read that for sentence for us?

1:01:52.2 TS: Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: "These were the days never to be forgotten, to sit under the sound of the voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom. Day after day, I continued uninterrupted to write from his mouth as he translated with the Eramenthemum or as the neophytes would have said, interpreters, the history or record called "The Book of Mormon."

1:02:24.4 TH: Thank you. I just love how Oliver says, "These were days never to be forgotten." And then we have to read the very last paragraph, so here's what I want us to read. And as we read this last paragraph, I want us to think about how we are involved in the gathering, you guys, these are days never to be forgotten. How awesome will it be to look back when we are in Zion and to go, "Boy, those were days never to be forgotten?" We got to gather, we got to help in the gathering of sin in the cause of Zion. And so I just think these words are beautiful, the very last paragraph is probably my favorite part. Now Barbara shared some of these words from all Oliver Cowdery earlier and now we're gonna come back and finish it but I want us to just take a minute and we're gonna read what Oliver had to say at the very end of his experience of the days never to be forgotten.

1:03:11.4 TH: So Tamu and Yahosh and I are each gonna take a turn and we're gonna read this final paragraph of Oliver Cowdery's words 'cause I love this so much. And here's what it says, I'll start. "I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion but you will believe me when I say that Earth nor men with the eloquence of time cannot begin to clove language in as interesting in a sublime manner as this holy personage. No, nor has this Earth Power to give the joy to bestow the piece, to comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence as they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit!" I love that.

1:03:58.4 YB: "Man may deceit his fellow men, deception may follow deception and the children of the wicked one may have the power to seduce foolish and untaught till not but fiction feeds the many and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current are giddy to the grave. But one touch with the finger of his love, Yes, one ray of glory from the upper world or one word from the mouth of the savior, from the bosom of eternity strikes it all into insignificance and blotted forever from the mind."

1:04:30.8 TS: "The assurance that we are in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus and the truth unsoiled as it flowed from the pure person, it's dictated by the will of God is to me past description and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior's goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to tarry. And in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease."

1:05:05.8 TH: Thank you. Those words to me were just so powerful, it just made me feet of President Nelson in his 2020 talk when he talked about how we can establish the cause of Zion. So I'm gonna read this and I wanna know your thoughts when we're done reading what the prophet had to say. "When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring of course to missionary temple and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work and serve. Any time we do anything that helps anyone on either side of the veil to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel."

1:05:47.3 TH: So we've talked a ton about it this whole time, you shared examples of how people have helped you or you have helped other people. So when we talk about the gathering of Israel, and we just want in a shout, "These were days never to be forgotten." Let this be 2021 and from here on out. Right?

1:06:06.4 YB: Yes.

1:06:06.8 TS: Amen.

1:06:08.0 YB: Oh in conference, Oh my gosh, I will not forget this conference. This last conference, I would never forget that either, let me add that to the list. Oh so amazing.

1:06:16.6 TH: Yes.

1:06:16.9 TS: Also the thing that I will remember in 2021 is that talk that Elder Oaks gave at BYU and all his other talks.

1:06:25.5 YB: Man, I mean President Nelson gave some just amazing talks, just straight to the heart. Like he talked about that double-edged sword, he nailed it in 2020, in the conference, it was just amazing. And even all the additional talks and messages that he gave throughout the year.

1:06:45.0 TH: I can't wait for 2021 and general conference and from here on out to just see how it is that we will be a part of this establishing the cause of Zion. It's going to be so fun. Because Christ is coming. That's the reality. Jesus is coming, and we have to be a Zion people. So that is why we're here. We are here to prepare for this, we are here to live in these days, never to be forgotten as we see miracles unfold and revelation fulfilled. It's just been so awesome to be a part of it. So thank you for being a part of this today you guys, this has been such a great discussion.

1:07:18.8 YB: So cool.

1:07:19.9 TS: Thank you.

1:07:20.4 TH: Loved it.

1:07:22.1 YB: Thanks, Tammy.

1:07:22.6 TH: Okay, so I always ask at the end of every episode for my guest to think of what was your takeaway?

1:07:28.3 YB: To be a part of his work, you have to have love and be humble. So move forward in love. That's my big takeaway that I gotta continue to remind myself, and then I hope that people who listen today, will serve in love, will learn in love and learn in humility.

1:07:46.5 TH: Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Yahosh. Tamu, what was your takeaway?

1:07:51.7 TS: My takeaway was just really settling in and dwelling in the thought of the restoration and what that looks like through the lens of God. I cannot even imagine, but just settling in that and thinking about it as we've suffered some loss in 2020, but also had some gains and what life looks like moving forward and how it's like my lens has shifted to not my perspective or restoration, but letting God do His work and restore what needs to be restored.

1:08:28.1 TH: Amen. So my takeaway actually happened before we started recording while everybody... While we were getting everything ready, Tamu, you just kind of started talking about the word restoration and this idea of when you borrow eggs from your neighbor, and you said that you don't just return two eggs, you always return a carton of eggs, and I just... I love how you applied that to how you give back more than what you borrowed. That for me was like, "Oh my gosh, she's right. Like the word restore, this restoration is to give us more and to make it better, and we're living in the restoration." So the Lord just keeps making it better and better, and this chair is just better and better and more comfortable and more beautiful to sit in and so I wrote in my scriptures next to a great and marvelous, you just said, "It continues to give." That's how you defined it, and I wrote that down like great and marvelous just means it continues to give, the restoration is going to keep on giving, and I love that. So thank you for sharing that with me.

1:09:22.3 TS: Thank you.

1:09:23.2 TH: I love you both. Thank you for being here today.

1:09:25.3 TS: I love you guys.

1:09:25.9 YB: Hey, love you.

1:09:26.3 TS: You guys are awesome thank you.

1:09:28.3 TH: So great.

[chuckle]

1:09:29.7 TH: Aah. For those of you who are listening, we would love to hear what your big takeaway was from this episode, if you have not already joined our discussion group on Facebook, and if you're not falling us on Instagram, please go there. It is such a great place to ask questions as you study throughout the week, and I try to answer anything I can that people ask. And then every week at the end of the week, and it's usually on a Sunday, we do a post asking for what your big takeaway was, so comment on the post that relates to this lesson to let us know what you learn today. I think we all learned a lot. This was powerful. I read all of those takeaways and then I share one that really stands out to me on Monday morning. You can get to both our Facebook and Instagram by going to the show notes for this episode on ldsliving.com/sundayonmonday. And it's not a bad idea to even go there because that's where we have all the links to the references that we shared today, and we have a complete transcript of this whole discussion, so that's kind of fun to follow along with as you listen.

1:10:20.7 TH: The Sunday on Monday study group is a Deseret Bookshop plus original, brought to you by LDS Living. It's written and hosted by me, Tammy Uzelac Hall, and today our awesome study group participants were Yahosh Bonner of the Bonner family, go get their music, and Tamu Smith, co-author of, Can I get an Amen. You can find more information about my two friends at ldsliving.com/sundayonmonday. Our podcast is produced by Katie Lambert and me, Tammy Uzelac Hall. It is recorded by Mix at 6 studios, and our executive producer is Aaron Helstrom. Thanks for being here, we'll see you next week. And I get so emotional now, because God loves all of his children, and all of his children are his favorite. I just believe that with all of my heart. So you who are listening right now, you are his favorite.

1:11:08.5 TS: I started thinking about what restoration means to me. If my neighbor borrows an age, I'm gonna take one egg back, or really, I would take a half a dozen or a dozen, but when I think about what it means to God, if he says he's gonna restore something, it's not just gonna be because he took an egg, you get an egg.

1:11:29.8 TH: He's gonna make it better, he's gonna give you more.

1:11:33.0 TS: He's gonna make it so much more than what you thought it could be.