The Lord also wants little children to be instructed in His Church (4)
 

We will not retain a remission of our sins if we seek to counsel in our own ways, or have pleasure in unrighteousness (14)

Warnings against wicked rich and wicked poor:  (16-17)

• Selfishness on the part of the wealthy (see also D&C 104:13-18)
• The whole earth and all things in it belong to the Lord, and those who are wealthy should consider themselves stewards. Their role would be similar to that of government workers, who do not own the public resources and yet--under ideal circumstances--manipulate them for the public good
• Greed and laziness on the part of the poor (see D&C 42:42; 68:30-32)
• The Lord acknowledges that there will be material poverty in this life. Yet, it is clear that He is quite unhappy with those who make poverty their "livelihood"

The Lord's promised blessings to the righteous poor (18)

. They will be delivered from their circumstances by power

Independence, Missouri, identified as the center place of Zion, or the place for the city of New Jerusalem (2-3)

The following are the names of the 24 buildings that will compose the great temple complex in the city of Zion:

"Numbers 10, 11, and 12 are to be called, House of the Lord, for the Presidency of the High and most Holy Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of the Son of God, upon Mount Zion, City of the New Jerusalem.

Numbers 7, 8, and 9, the Sacred Apostolic Repository, for the use of the Bishop.

Numbers 4, 5, and 6, the Holy Evangelical House, for the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God.

Numbers 1, 2, and 3, the House of the Lord, for the Elders of Zion, an Ensign to the Nations.

Numbers 22, 23, and 24, House of the Lord for the Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the Order of Aaron, a Standard for the People.

Numbers 19, 20, and 21, House of the Lord, the Law of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Messenger to the People; for the Highest Priesthood after the Order of Aaron.

Numbers 16, 17, and 18, House of the Lord for the Teachers in Zion, Messenger to the Church.

Numbers 13, 14, and 15, House of the Lord for the Deacons in Zion, Helps in Government.

Underneath must be written on each house--HOLINESS TO THE LORD."   (History of the Church, Volume 1, Chapter 26, p.359)

. Read President John Taylor's explanation on the meaning of this city (Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, pp.146-148)

Blessings come after tribulation, but we can't see it until it happens (3-4)

Bishops are judges in Israel (17-18)

. Responsible to divide lands of the heritage, and to judge people by the testimony of the just

In the kingdom of God, no man is a ruler (20)

The laws of the land are not to be broken (21-22)

. Be subject to the powers that be
. For those living under despotic governments, see D&C 98:5-10; 134:1-3, 5-7, 9, 11)

It is not appropriate that we are commanded in all things (26-29)

. We must be anxiously (i.e. enthusiastically, passionately) engaged in a good cause
. Use free will.  For what?  To bring to pass much righteousness
. The power is in us to do so, wherein (i.e. in which way) we are agents

Full forgiveness for the repentant: the Lord promises he will no longer remember (42-43)

. If the Lord will no longer remember, why should we?

Full repentance includes confession and abandonment

. What could be the difference between "abandoning sin" and "quitting sin"?

"Repentance is a thing that cannot be trifled with every day. Daily transgression and daily repentance is not that which is pleasing in the sight of God."  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.148)

"... the ideal confession is voluntary, not forced. It is induced from within the offender's soul, not sparked by being found out in the sin. Such confession, like the voluntary humility of which Alma spoke (Alma 32:13-16), is a sign of growing repentance. It indicates the sinner's conviction of sin and his desire to abandon the evil practices. The voluntary confession is infinitely more acceptable in the sight of the Lord than is forced admission, lacking humility, [extracted] from an individual by questioning when guilt is evident."  (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, p.181)

Other practices condemned as sins: (39, 41)

. Search for worldly praise
. Search for excellence (i.e. superiority over others)

Questions for Review

1. Why did the Lord chasten some rich men? (56:16)

2. Why did the Lord chasten some poor men? (56:17)

3. What did the Lord say about the laws of the land? (58:21-22)

4. Why doesn't the Lord command in all things? (58:26-29)

5. What sign did the Lord give the prophet Joseph Smith to identify whether or not a person has repented of his or her sins? (58:43)