Key Points:

• Dedicating the Kirtland Temple: On March 26, 1836, Joseph Smith prepared to dedicate the Kirtland Temple, the first House of the Lord in this dispensation. That day, he met with Oliver Cowdery and others to prepare a prayer, a thoughtful process because Joseph had never done this before. Oliver recorded that he helped Joseph compose the prayer for the solemn occasion.

• Solemn Assembly: The next morning, nearly a thousand Saints filled the Kirtland Temple, while others met nearby. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., they sustained Joseph as Prophet and Seer, followed by a dedication service with hymns, scripture, and prayers. In the afternoon, Joseph offered the dedication prayer, reading from what became Doctrine and Covenants 109, summarizing the Church’s aspirations and presenting them to the Lord.

• Content of the Prayer: Section 109 expresses gratitude to God and asks Him to accept the temple, allowing the Saints to receive promised blessings, including the power to become like Him, following principles laid out in section 88. Joseph prayed for the Saints to be endowed with power, organized according to divine law, and equipped to fulfill their missions (Doctrine and Covenants 109:4–15). He also prayed for strength and protection for missionaries, the safety of Saints driven from Jackson County, and mercy upon their persecutors, asking for the repentance of those who had wronged them.

• Personal and Family Prayers: Joseph prayed for himself, recounting his sincere efforts to honor his covenants, and asked for blessings for Emma, their children, his in-laws, Church leaders, and the entire congregation, that they might be “exalted” with their families—a term here first used in the Doctrine and Covenants to indicate temple-enabled salvation (Doctrine and Covenants 109:69).

• Petitions for Eternal Life: The prayer concludes with a desire for Saints to be “clothed with salvation” and rise in the first resurrection, crowned with glory and “robes of righteousness” (v. 76). Joseph repeated his plea that the Lord “hear us” and “accept the dedication,” envisioning Saints joining in worship with heavenly choirs.

• Legacy of Section 109: Section 109 set a precedent for future temple dedications and offers a guide on how to pray in the temple: to ask for blessings aligned with God’s will, and to seek growth in degrees of divine glory until fully exalted. Alongside sections 76, 84, 88, and 93, section 109 extends the doctrine of the temple, encouraging Saints to “grow up” to God’s presence and fullness of joy, laying a foundation for the later revelation on exaltation in section 132. This prayer invites Saints, limited by mortality, to seek divine power and ultimately transcend into the eternal presence of God, surrounded by His majesty, truth, mercy, and infinite fullness (Doctrine and Covenants 109:77).

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https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-109

Key Points:

• Seeking Revelation through Joseph Smith: On December 26, 1835, Lyman Sherman, a member of the recently established Quorum of the Seventy, approached Joseph Smith with a profound impression. Feeling “wrought upon”—unsettled and prompted—he shared his need for guidance, hoping to receive a revelation clarifying his duty. Joseph then received section 108 for Lyman, providing him with counsel and peace.

• Assurance and Patience: The Lord’s message began with reassurance, encouraging Lyman to “let [his] soul be at rest” and to exercise patience until the coming solemn assembly, where blessings and sacred ordinances awaited him and his fellow Saints. Lyman faithfully waited, and in 1836, he participated in the solemn assembly held in the Kirtland Temple, receiving the anticipated blessings and ordinances (Doctrine and Covenants 108:2, 4).

• Principles of Revelation and Order: Joseph taught that revelation was universally available, yet there was an order to its reception. Section 108 exemplifies both principles. Lyman received a personal impression to seek revelation but did so through Joseph. The Lord forgave Lyman and confirmed his feelings, highlighting the importance of following the revealed order in matters relating to the Church and higher callings.

• Legacy of Loyalty and Devotion: Known for his loyalty and humility, Lyman acknowledged Joseph’s prophetic role and submitted to the order established by God. In 1839, the First Presidency called him to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, though he passed away before his ordination. Lyman’s legacy reflects his faithful commitment to revelation, trust in the Lord’s timing, and respect for divine order.

Read full article here:

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-108

Key Points:

• Calling of the First Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In early 1835, Joseph Smith called and ordained the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. These young Apostles, recognizing the importance of their calling, gathered frequently to receive Joseph's instruction. At a March council, Joseph proposed they travel east to organize and support Church branches, which marked the beginning of their journey toward fulfilling their new responsibilities.

• Preparation and Revelation of Section 107: The Apostles sought guidance and, united in prayer, requested a revelation of God’s will for their mission. Section 107 provided direction, revealing priesthood principles and helping the Apostles understand their duties. Heber Kimball described it as a revelatory experience received from the Lord through Joseph, which the Apostles embraced with gratitude.

• Structure and Powers of the Priesthood: Section 107 describes the two main priesthoods—Melchizedek and Aaronic. The Melchizedek Priesthood offers exaltation, while the Aaronic serves as a preparatory priesthood. It established Church quorums, including the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Seventy, each with specific duties and authority. The revelation emphasized unity in decision-making and detailed roles of each quorum in leading and regulating the Church.

• Responsibilities and History of Priesthood Lineage: The revelation outlines each quorum's responsibilities: the Apostles were to travel globally and oversee the Church under the First Presidency’s direction, while the Seventy would support them. Patriarchs, called through revelation, were to serve as "evangelical ministers." Verses 40–57 recount the priesthood lineage passed from Adam, describing a gathering where Adam blessed his descendants with promises for future generations.

• Duties and Accountability in the Priesthood: Later verses clarify duties within Aaronic and Melchizedek quorums and stress the importance of diligence and learning. It ends with a call for accountability, urging priesthood holders to fulfill their duties or risk being judged unworthy. The language recalls Lehi’s charge to his sons to “arise from the dust...and be men” (2 Nephi 1:21).

• Enduring Influence of Section 107: Section 107 had a profound impact on Joseph’s understanding of priesthood and fatherhood, which historian Richard Bushman noted as “restoring fatherhood” in addition to priesthood. This revelation continues to inspire many to rise, embrace responsibility, and fulfill their priesthood callings.

Read full article here:

https://byustudies.byu.edu/online-book/doctrine-and-covenants-contexts/section-107