Isaiah 11: 1,10; Doctrine and Covenants 113: 4, 6; 2 Nephi 21: 10-12; Joseph Smith-History 1: 40

What inspires you to stay strong and continue to participate in the work of the Lord today?

"1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

10 ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." (Isaiah 11: 1,10)

"4 Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.

6 Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days." (Doctrine and Covenants 113: 4, 6)

"10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.

11 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (2 Nephi 21: 10-12)

"40 In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when “they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,” but soon would come." (Joseph Smith-History 1: 40)

And here's the commentary entitled: "Joseph Smith was “a servant in the hands of Christ.” : 

"The prophet Isaiah referred to one of Jesse’s descendants as a “rod” and a “root” (Isaiah 11:1, 10). In section 113, the Lord explained that this descendant, a servant of Christ, would be instrumental in gathering the Lord’s people in the last days (see Doctrine and Covenants 113:4, 6). This prophecy describes the Prophet Joseph Smith quite well. How might this and other truths in section 113 have encouraged the Saints during the turmoil they experienced in Kirtland? What do you find in this revelation that inspires you to stay strong and continue to participate in the work of the Lord today?

See also Guide to the Scriptures, “Jesse,” Gospel Library; 2 Nephi 21:10–12; Joseph Smith—History 1:40."

Here's the prophecy describing the Prophet Joseph Smith: 

"Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.

Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days." (Doctrine and Covenants 113:4, 6). 

This prophecy might have encouraged the Saints during the turmoil they experienced in Kirtland because of what it says:

• "on whom there is laid much power"

• "whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days"

Keeping these things in mind would be encouraging. Whatever the Saints were going through at that time, they knew the Lord was with them through these words. God laid much power on the Prophet Joseph Smith. They did feel that power already. They knew that the priesthood and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of the Lord's people in the last days, were already restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the one to whom it rightly belongs. 

From this revelation, I find that Joseph Smith was indeed a servant in the hands of Christ. He truly was laid much power even from the time he was a young boy. The Lord had been preparing him to do His work of restoration and gathering of His people in these last days. If the Lord had laid much power on the Prophet Joseph Smith, He's doing the same to those who are participating in His work today. This inspires me to stay strong and continue to participate. 

Doctrine and Covenants 106; 108

 

🌿 In what tender ways have you felt the Lord’s hand strengthening and sustaining you as you serve Him?

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, November 25, 1834. This revelation is directed to Warren A. Cowdery, an older brother of Oliver Cowdery.

1–3, Warren A. Cowdery is called as a local presiding officer; 4–5, The Second Coming will not overtake the children of light as a thief; 6–8, Great blessings follow faithful service in the Church.

1 It is my will that my servant Warren A. Cowdery should be appointed and ordained a presiding high priest over my church, in the land of Freedom and the regions round about;

2 And should preach my everlasting gospel, and lift up his voice and warn the people, not only in his own place, but in the adjoining counties;

3 And devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.

4 And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—

5 Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief.

6 And again, verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter, and separated himself from the crafts of men;

7 Therefore, blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him; and, notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.

8 And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 106)

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 26, 1835. This section was received at the request of Lyman Sherman, who had previously been ordained a seventy and who had come to the Prophet with a request for a revelation to make known his duty.

1–3, Lyman Sherman forgiven of his sins; 4–5, He is to be numbered with the leading elders of the Church; 6–8, He is called to preach the gospel and strengthen his brethren.

1 Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.

2 Therefore, let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.

3 And arise up and be more careful henceforth in observing your vows, which you have made and do make, and you shall be blessed with exceeding great blessings.

4 Wait patiently until the solemn assembly shall be called of my servants, then you shall be remembered with the first of mine elders, and receive right by ordination with the rest of mine elders whom I have chosen.

5 Behold, this is the promise of the Father unto you if you continue faithful.

6 And it shall be fulfilled upon you in that day that you shall have right to preach my gospel wheresoever I shall send you, from henceforth from that time.

7 Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.

8 And behold, and lo, I am with you to bless you and deliver you forever. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 108)

And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "The Lord supports me when He calls me to serve." : 

"In Doctrine and Covenants 106 and 108, the Lord gave counsel and promises to two members who were called to serve in His Church. As you study His counsel, you might think about your own opportunities to serve the Lord—perhaps a ministering assignment, a Church calling, responsibilities in your family, or spiritual promptings to do good.

What do you feel the Lord’s message to you is in these revelations? Which phrases seem particularly meaningful to you? Here are a few to consider:

• When has the Lord given you “grace [or divine help] and assurance” to be able to serve Him? (Doctrine and Covenants 106:8).

• What do you think it means to strengthen others “in all your doings”? (Doctrine and Covenants 108:7)."

This past summer (July to August 2025), I was the only member of the Primary Presidency in the Bangkok Ward who was around because both our President and First Counselor were both on vacation in the US. I was the one in charge of the singing time for six weeks. The Lord has given me grace during those time because I was able to serve our primary children during the singing time and also during classes. Nothing prevented me from going to church during those six Sundays. My allergy never came back. It's amazing! 

To strengthen other in all my doings to me means uplifting others in my thoughts, words, and deeds. It means praying for them to help them rise above their challenges. It means judging them not as the sin differently than I do, and showing them more love instead. It means thinking well of them and remembering I'm only seeing a bit of what's going on in their lives. They already have what it takes to be able to improve. I can be there for them, inspiring them, guiding them to discover what they already have, and helping to bring out what's best in them. 

Doctrine and Covenants 86; Matthew 13: 24-30, 37-43

How can studying the parable of the wheat and the tares strengthen us?

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 6, 1832. This revelation was received while the Prophet was reviewing and editing the manuscript of the translation of the Bible.

1–7, The Lord gives the meaning of the parable of the wheat and tares; 8–11, He explains priesthood blessings to those who are lawful heirs according to the flesh.

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:

2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;

3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.

4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—

5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;

6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.

7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.

8 Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—

9 For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God—

10 Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.

11 Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. The Lord hath said it. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 86)

"24 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13: 24-30, 37-43)

And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "The righteous are gathered to Christ in the last days." : 

"Doctrine and Covenants 86 contains an interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the tares, found in Matthew 13:24–30, 37–43. As you learn about the meaning of this parable, consider filling out a table like this one:

Symbols	Possible meanings	Questions to ponder
Sowers of the seed	Prophets and apostles	What kinds of “seeds” do prophets and apostles plant?
The enemy	Satan	How does the adversary try to stop the Lord’s work?"
Field	The world	How can the wheat avoid being choked by the tares while growing together with it in the "field"?
The whore	The apostate, the great persecutor of the church	How can we avoid being enticed by "the whore" to "drink of her cup"?

The insights I got as I'm studying the parable of the wheat and the tares by filling out this table, are these: 1) The wheat is in competition with the tares in using the resources like sunlight, soil, and water, so it could grow in the field. This competition can weaken the wheat and slow down its growth. 2) The wheat can be enticed by the whore to drink of her cup as it associates with the tare (which the whore soweth) that is growing along with it, hindering its growth more and choking it as the tare gains more power over it. 

We are the wheat and we don't want to give away our power away to the tares. We need to stay firm and stand in holy places and be not moved so the tares cannot get us to drink of the whore's cup, and choke us, or influence us a lot, and then take away our own power to influence others. We want to remain strong to be able to continue to help the Lord in doing His work.