Church History Matters Podcast Summary Episode 144 - D&C 88 CFM - The Surprising Truth About God’s Laws - E33B August 11-17 Release Date: August 6, 2025 Host/Authors: Scott and Casey from Scripture Central

Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 88

In Episode 144 of the Church History Matters podcast, hosts Scott and Casey delve deep into Doctrine and Covenants 88 (D&C 88), exploring its profound teachings on God's laws and their implications for the Latter-day Saint community. The episode titled "The Surprising Truth About God’s Laws" serves as a comprehensive analysis of this pivotal scripture, aiming to unravel both its beauty and the challenges it presents.

Understanding God's Laws: Author or Subject?

Scott opens the discussion by highlighting a central theme of D&C 88: “Doctrine and Covenants 88 is God saying, you don't comprehend all things, but you can. I want you to, I'm going to.” (00:00). Casey echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the desirability of obeying divine laws: “Who wouldn't want to obey the laws of God?” (00:05).

The conversation pivots to a fundamental theological question: Is God the author of the law, or is He subject to it? Scott and Casey grapple with this, referencing other scriptures like Alma 42 from the Book of Mormon, which suggests that God must uphold justice to remain divine. Casey articulates the complexity:

“If God tried to overpower justice with his mercy without providing any sort of atoning context, then God would cease to be God.” (01:21)

God as the Author of Order and Law

Scott presents an analogy comparing God to an author who organizes existing elements to create something new, asserting that:

“God is the author of law in the sense that he creates ordered spaces and gives them law and light and truth.” (02:04)

Casey expands on this by discussing Joseph Smith's teachings in Nauvoo, where God is portrayed as progressing from a man to a divine being. This introduces a controversial doctrine that contrasts with traditional Christian views of God as unchanging and existing ex nihilo (out of nothing). Scott acknowledges the tension:

“These Revelations are either considered the most blasphemous thing you've ever heard... or it's the most amazing thing you've ever heard because it's God getting into the nuts and bolts of how he does things.” (06:41)

Entropy vs. Negentropy: God's Role in the Universe

The discussion shifts to the concept of entropy—the natural tendency towards disorder—and its opposite, negentropy, which represents order and organization. Casey introduces the term "cosmic entropy" to describe the inevitable decline and disorder in the universe:

“Entropy is just, like, happening... God as the opposite of that, we looked up the word. The opposite of entropy is negentropy.” (14:17)

Scott reinforces this by illustrating how God's actions infuse life and order into the cosmos:

“The opposite of entropy is God. Entropy is the gradual breaking down of all things. And God is the great organizer of things.” (20:33)

Practical Consequences of D&C 88

Casey outlines three major practical outcomes from D&C 88 that guided early church leaders:

1. Holding a Solemn Assembly: Commanded by the revelation to sanctify themselves and behold the face of God (47:30).
2. Organizing the School of the Elders/Prophets: Establishing a dedicated learning institution to prepare leaders to fulfill their divine commission (47:30).
3. Building the Kirtland Temple: Constructing a sacred space where the solemn assembly and the school of prophets could operate, playing a crucial role in the restoration process (47:30).

Ordinances, Covenants, and Eternal Stewardship

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the enforcement of divine laws through ordinances and covenants, particularly focusing on temple ordinances and eternal marriage. Scott and Casey argue against the notion that these ordinances are arbitrary or capricious, emphasizing that they are designed to:

• Preserve and sanctify individual lives and marriages against the natural course of entropy.
• Enable eternal life by infusing divine law, light, and truth into all things (14:17).

Casey articulates the concept of cosmic entropy and how God's ordinances act as a shield against it, ensuring that relationships and the earth itself can be eternally preserved and sanctified.

The Plan of Salvation and the Millennium

The hosts explore a more optimistic view of the Plan of Salvation, aligning it with D&C 88’s teachings that the earth will be sanctified and that God's ultimate plan is to dwell with His children on a glorified earth. They critique the traditional Christian notion of heaven as a distant, separate realm, proposing instead that:

“The plan of salvation is that this earth is going to become sanctified as a place where we're going to dwell forever.” (31:30)

Addressing the millennium, Scott and Casey express a desire for more scriptural clarity but acknowledge that current teachings suggest a period of peace followed by a brief period of rebellion led by Satan. They ponder the reasons behind such a rebellion despite millennial peace, ultimately attributing it to the fundamental human flaw of pride:

“Pride... is the sin that destroyed Lucifer.” (39:19)

Teaching and Applying D&C 88 Today

Scott and Casey emphasize the importance of teaching D&C 88's principles accurately within the church to foster a deeper understanding of God’s laws and their pivotal role in both individual and collective salvation. They argue that:

“If you really understand [the scriptures], does impact what you do in the here and now.” (35:58)

They advocate for a scripture-centric approach, minimizing cultural misconceptions about the afterlife, and encouraging believers to apply the profound teachings of D&C 88 to build a more hopeful and orderly society both now and in the eternal future.

Conclusion: Embracing Divine Laws for Eternal Advancement

The episode concludes with a reflection on how early church leaders applied D&C 88 to navigate challenges and build foundational structures like the Kirtland Temple. Scott underscores the revelation's enduring relevance:

“What's the message of section 88? Here's the instructions for how you can get into the presence of God.” (47:30)

Casey echoes this by highlighting the eternal perspective that D&C 88 offers, encouraging listeners to live in alignment with divine laws to achieve eternal life and coexist harmoniously with creation.

Notable Quotes

• Scott [00:00]: “Doctrine and Covenants 88 is God saying, you don't comprehend all things, but you can. I want you to, I'm going to.”
• Casey [00:05]: “Who wouldn't want to obey the laws of God?”
• Casey [02:04]: “God is the author of law in the sense that he creates ordered spaces and gives them law and light and truth.”
• Scott [06:41]: “These Revelations are either considered the most blasphemous thing you've ever heard... or it's the most amazing thing you've ever heard because it's God getting into the nuts and bolts of how he does things.”
• Casey [14:17]: “Entropy is just, like, happening... God as the opposite of that, we looked up the word. The opposite of entropy is negentropy.”
• Scott [20:33]: “The opposite of entropy is God. Entropy is the gradual breaking down of all things. And God is the great organizer of things.”
• Casey [31:30]: “The plan of salvation is that this earth is going to become sanctified as a place where we're going to dwell forever.”
• Scott [35:58]: “If you really understand [the scriptures], does impact what you do in the here and now.”
• Scott [47:30]: “What's the message of section 88? Here's the instructions for how you can get into the presence of God.”

Key Takeaways

1. God as Lawgiver: D&C 88 illustrates God not only as the author of divine laws but also as the ultimate organizer who infuses order and light into the universe, countering the natural entropy.
2. Human Potential: By adhering to divine laws, individuals can progress to become like God, achieving sanctification and eternal life.
3. Stewardship and Covenants: Emphasis on stewardship over the earth and the importance of ordinances and covenants in preserving eternal relationships and combating cosmic entropy.
4. Millennial Hope: The Plan of Salvation envisions a sanctified earth as the eternal dwelling place, moving away from traditional notions of heaven as a separate realm.
5. Continuing Relevance: Early church directives derived from D&C 88, such as building the Kirtland Temple and establishing prophetic institutions, remain foundational to Latter-day Saint history and practice.

This episode of Church History Matters provides a rich, theological exploration of D&C 88, challenging listeners to rethink traditional concepts of God, law, and salvation, while offering profound insights into the eternal progression and stewardship essential to the Latter-day Saint faith.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction to D&C 88
• 01:21 - Controversial Doctrines and the Author of Law
• 02:04 - God as the Creator of Law
• 06:41 - Reactions to Controversial Teachings
• 14:17 - Entropy vs. Negentropy
• 20:33 - God's Role Against Entropy
• 31:30 - Plan of Salvation and Eternal Earth
• 35:58 - Teaching Doctrine Effectively
• 39:19 - Potential Rebellion at the Millennium
• 47:30 - Practical Outcomes of D&C 88
• 50:15 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 144, providing both an overview and detailed insights into the discussions between Scott and Casey. It is designed to inform and engage listeners who seek a deeper understanding of D&C 88 and its implications for faith and practice.