Doctrine and Covenants 93:21-23, 13, 20, 19

 

How are you growing or receiving "grace for grace" with the principles of the gospel and in the different areas of your life?

"21 And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;

23 Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21-23)

"13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;

20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace." (Doctrine and Covenants 93: 13, 20)

"19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness." (Doctrine and Covenants 93: 19)

And here's the introductory commentary for this week's reading assignment: "August 25–31: “Receive of His Fulness” Doctrine and Covenants 93"

"“When you climb up a ladder,” Joseph Smith taught, “you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).

Sometimes that ladder of exaltation seems impossibly high, but we were born to climb to the top with the Savior’s constant help. Whatever limitations we may see in ourselves, Heavenly Father and His Son see something glorious in us, something godlike. Just as Jesus Christ “was in the beginning with the Father,” so “ye were also” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21, 23). Just as He “continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness,” so also “you shall receive grace for grace” (verses 13, 20). The restored gospel teaches about the true nature of God, and so it also teaches about your true nature and destiny. You are a literal child of God with the potential to “in due time receive of his fulness” (verse 19)."

Line upon line, precept upon precept. Here a little, there a little. That's how we grow in different aspects of our lives (until we receive of His fulness). And as we do our work, we can also follow this principle. With my "go, go, go" personality, I have the tendency to do a lot of work with the strength and energy that I have. I get overwhelmed because I want to accomplish more than my strength and energy allow me to. And I want to accomplish more because I want to be on top of things. So, I tend to do more, instead doing of here a little, and there a little. I need to be more balanced. Grow in different aspects of life a little at a time. Climb the ladder step by step, not many steps at a time for one aspect, while taking no steps in other aspects. And I need to climb with the Savior's help always.