Podcast Summary: Don’t Miss This Study

Episode: A Principle With Promise

Hosts: Emily Freeman & David Butler
Date: August 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this field trip-themed episode of Don’t Miss This Study, Emily Freeman and David Butler take listeners to Kirtland, Ohio, focusing on Doctrine & Covenants Sections 88–92. The theme centers around the concept of a "principle with promise," particularly as found in the Word of Wisdom revelation, and how holiness, not merely health, is the higher purpose for these scriptural principles. The hosts also explore the origins and practices of the School of the Prophets, stories of sacrifice and becoming, and the inspiring lives of early saints like Frederick G. Williams and Vienna Jakes. The episode emphasizes the call to be "lively members"—engaged, believing, charitable, lifelong learners, and confident doers of good.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting & Context: Kirtland and the School of the Prophets

• Field Trip: The hosts broadcast from Kirtland, emphasizing the tangible history and spiritual growth that occurred there, notably at the Newell K. Whitney Store, which served as early church headquarters ([05:03]).
• Purpose of the School of the Prophets:
  • Rooted in D&C 88:68–70, the school's stated aim was to "sanctify yourselves" to "enter into the presence of God"—a theme echoed from Moses on Sinai and later extended to the Relief Society for women ([06:44]).
  • Emphasizes preparation, progression, increased becoming, and sacred unity ([07:53], [08:29]).
  • Teachings included organized, participative learning, mutual support, ceasing negative behaviors, and clothing oneself "with the bond of charity" ([08:55], [10:05]).
• Memorable Ritual:
  • Upon entry, members greeted each other with a formal, covenantal salutation:

    “Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant...in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love...” ([11:01]).

2. The Word of Wisdom: “A Principle with Promise” (D&C 89)

• Historical Backdrop:
  • The revelation was received during a School of the Prophets meeting, addressing not just health but the preparation for holiness amidst a setting where tobacco use was rampant ([14:17]).
  • Emma Smith’s distaste for cleaning up after the men is highlighted as a personal catalyst ([15:51]).
• Holiness Over Health:
  • Quote:

    "This is not so much a health code, but it is a holiness code. God's not trying to create a healthy people. He is trying to prepare and sanctify a holy people." (attribution to Anthony Sweatt, [16:05])

  • Focus on submission, discipline, and becoming—about creating a life and context where "an endowment of power" and the presence of God can reside ([16:56], [17:23]).
• Who & Why:
  • Who: Adapted for "the weak and the weakest of all saints"—a principle for everyone at every level ([17:29]).
  • Why: "In consequence of the evils and designs...in the last days," a warning against the addictive entrapments of conspiring men ([18:25]).
• Promises (D&C 89:18–21):
  • Spiritual and physical vitality described in symbolic terms rooted in temple and Old Testament language (e.g., "health in their navel and marrow to their bones," "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge," and protection like the Israelites at Passover) ([19:11], [20:03], [21:09]).
  • Invitation to see the Word of Wisdom not as restrictive, but as a "prelude to entering the presence of God" ([21:09]).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Section 89 is really about a holiness code and that requires submission and self-control and being diligent. It really is a training up of the spirit to become a saint.” ([18:51])
  • “It's about holiness and just sanctifying yourself to enter into his presence.” ([21:09])

3. Sacrifice and Becoming: Kirtland Stories

• Frederick G. Williams:
  • Consecrated his entire farm for the temple site, exemplifying the Kirtland spirit of sacrifice ([23:12]).
  • Quotation:

    “He gives up his entire farm. And that is where the temple currently is today.” ([23:12])

  • On the giving up of tobacco by early saints: "All 20 of them threw their pipes into the fireplace" after Joseph Smith gave the revelation ([24:02]).
• Lively Members:
  • Section 92: Frederick is told, "you shall be a lively member in this order" ([24:09]).
  • Discussion on how living the gospel and keeping commandments can be exhilarating or exhausting based on our approach ([24:09]).
  • Qualities of lively members: repentance, receiving and valuing revelation, continual learning, and active goodness ([25:11]-[30:50]).

4. Principles of Lively Discipleship (D&C 90)

• Repent Frequently:
  • “A lively member is someone who repents all the time.” ([25:11])
• Revelation:
  • Hold revelations carefully—don’t let God’s words become "a light thing" ([26:31]).
  • “When the storm comes...that's when you’re going to need that revelation in your life.” ([26:31])
• Learning:
  • Engage in lifelong learning, study good books, seek knowledge broadly, including from other faiths and perspectives ([30:33]).
  • “This shall be your business and the mission in all your lives.” ([30:37])

5. Notable Women: Vienna Jakes

• Conversion & Sacrifice:
  • Early convert from Boston who shared the Book of Mormon and funded missionary efforts ([32:32]).
  • Gave virtually all her resources to the Church, trusting she’d be taken care of ([33:18]-[34:14]).
• Examples of Faith & Grit:
  • Participated in Zion’s Camp, witnessed baptisms for the dead (“rides into the Mississippi river because she wants to be front row”), crossed the plains at age 60, lived into her 90s ([34:32]-[36:03]).
• Legacy:
  • Called “my handmaid” by the Lord ([36:03]).
  • Her advice in her 90s:

    “Never be afraid to do good. You will never be sorry.” ([37:00])

  • Hosts praise her as a model of never-idle discipleship and enduring, lively faith ([36:35]).

6. Principle of Prayer for the Week

• D&C 90:24:

  “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.” ([02:06], [31:51])

• Challenge: Enter prayer with a believing heart—expect God to show up and miracles to happen ([03:31]).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “There’s something about getting on your knees and praying and then, like, standing up and expecting miracles.” ([03:31])
  • “Sometimes when I pray, I tell God I believe in him...there’s something really sweet about being in prayer and just saying, 'I believe in you.'” ([03:49])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On School of the Prophets Greetings:

  “To be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God, blameless in thanksgiving forever and ever.” ([11:01])

• On the Word of Wisdom:

  “It's not about living longer. It's about creating an environment inside and out for an endowment of power to enter his presence.” ([16:56])

• On Sacrifice:

  “Kirtland really becomes a time of that giving up...property...tobacco...The Lord just saying, here let me sanctify you.” ([23:12])

• On Vienna Jakes:

  “She proved to be a savior of life for the church. Just this transfusion of believing blood that came into the church.” ([34:14]) “Never be afraid to do good. You will never be sorry.” ([37:00])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [05:03]: Introduction to the Kirtland field trip and background on the Newell K. Whitney store
• [06:44]-[08:09]: Discussion of the School of the Prophets—origins, purpose, connection to sanctification and presence of God
• [11:01]: Recital of the School of the Prophets greeting/covenant
• [14:17]-[21:09]: Deep dive into Section 89, the Word of Wisdom—context, purpose, code of holiness, promises
• [23:12]: Story of Frederick G. Williams’s sacrifice and the pipe-throwing after the revelation
• [24:09]-[30:50]: What it means to be a "lively member"; practical applications for repentance, revelation, and personal learning
• [32:32]-[37:00]: The life and faith of Vienna Jakes, stories of her legacy and concluding wisdom

Episode Takeaways

• The standards, commandments, and revelations in these sections are less about restrictive rules and more about spiritual preparation, unity, and empowerment.
• Holiness, discipline, sacrifice, and active, energetic engagement (“lively membership”) are recurring themes—these principles equip believers to receive revelation and meet future challenges.
• The stories of early saints like Frederick G. Williams and Vienna Jakes provide inspiration for modern disciples to live energetically, learn continually, and serve unwaveringly, no matter the personal cost.
• Prayer, approached with belief and expectation, transforms lives and invites God’s involvement and miracles.