A PRINCIPLE WITH PROMISE

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don’t Miss This Study

Episode: A Principle With Promise

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

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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.

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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])

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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])

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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

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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.

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Transcript

[A]

Hi, there. Welcome to Don't Miss this, a scripture study podcast with Dave Butler and Grace Freeman.

[B]

Each week, we point out things in the scriptures that we love and think you don't want to miss.

[A]

Thanks for listening. Hi there, everyone. I'm Dave Butler.

[B]

I'm Grace Freeman.

[A]

Welcome to Don't Miss this, our weekly scripture study class. Okay, today is a field trip day, so in one minute, we're going to take you back to Cartland, Ohio.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

It's a cowboy field trip, everybody. And I love these sections so much. I was actually really excited to teach them and forgot that we're doing the field trip. And so hopefully I did everything good back then that I wanted to. You said all your things. Sad, but we're excited for this lesson. But before we jump into it, let's give you a principle of prayer and then show you where the tippins go. They're actually really easy for this one. But before that, y', all, this is even crazy to say, but if you live in Utah, there's something called Swiss Days, and it happens during Labor Day weekend, and it's in. What's that city called? Midway.

[B]

Midway.

[C]

So even if you don't live in.

[B]

Utah, a Labor Day trip.

[A]

Yeah, you should come. It's so awesome. And good news. Brand is going to be there with a booth, and we may or may not have our 2026. Don't miss the things there at the booth, which is crazy, but also so awesome because my spirit is already living in the Old Testament. I'm so excited for it. I love that book more than any other book, and I want. I'm so exc. Excited to teach it. You cannot wait for us to study this together. We're back at it again, baby. And we may have our things there, but if they're not there yet, you'll get a sneak peek at least. And then there's all the other.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Because there'll be samples there.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So you can come see it all.

[A]

Yeah. But hopefully it's there and available and ready, which is nuts that we're getting ready for 2026, but at least it's something to get excited about, so.

[B]

And all the other stuff, we'll have everything else.

[A]

Exactly. Yeah. So either way it's fun. Either way, it's fun. A new miracle bracelets line, by the way. I don't know anyone else has announced that that might be an unallowed surprise. Don't tell anyone.

[C]

We.

[A]

So there's that that you want to know, because that's up and coming now.

[B]

Everyone has to go because so many secrets are.

[A]

Exactly. All right, you guys, the tippins go in section 89. They're for the word of wisdom. They will make sense when you see them, that they go in there. I love that they particularly focus on the who, the why, and the promises. Okay. Because that, I think, is the most important part. We get caught up in the details of it and miss the who, the why, and particularly the promises of the end. And they're symbolic promises, but you'll learn that in the video. So the tippins go there. Principle of prayer, y', all, for this week. And our summer of prayer comes from section 90. And it's this line, pray always and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good. Verse 24. I believe in a God who wants to work all things together for our good and wants to be involved in our lives. And his invitation is pray always. And we've had that one already. But it's this line, and be believing. Let's let the principle of prayer this week be. And the challenge of that prayer is to go into prayer with a believing heart. Be believing that. Believe he hears, Believe that he cares. Believe that he's going to work all things to your good. That belief is going to give life and spirit to the prayer, and it's going to turn it from a. From a rote routine to this beautiful, thrilling experience.

[B]

And I just think there's something about getting on your knees and praying and then, like, standing up and expecting miracles.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And to me, that's what be believing is. Is like you say, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen, and you stand up and you go about your day, and you expect God to show up.

[A]

Yeah, he has in the past. I know his character. I just remember this, as you were saying, that someone. I don't know if they gave me this challenge or they just said it once, and it, like, struck me, and it's been such a sweet experience for me. But he said, sometimes when I pray, I tell God I believe in him. And I tried it, and I've tried it sporadically, you know, throughout. And there's something really sweet about being in prayer and just saying, I believe in you. And anyways, it's just a really tender thing. So that's the verse. It's section 90, verse 24. That's the principle. Be a believer in. In your prayers as well. It's interesting. It kind of goes along with the poster, actually, which is lively. And we'll teach you about Frederick G. Williams and this principle in the video to be a lively member. What a great reminder to have lively prayer. Believing prayer. So we're excited for you to go to Kirtland on this field.

[B]

Now, we're not even country, we're British, you know, that's.

[A]

It's. It was a place of everyone where everyone was welcome. So have fun on the field trip and we'll see you next week. Hi, everyone, I'm David Butler.

[C]

I'm Emily Freeman.

[A]

Welcome to. Don't miss this. Here we are again on another one of our field trips, and we are in Kirtland. We were here last month, you remember, in the old sawmill when everybody was first. The old sawmill, when everybody was getting here for the. For the very first time. By the time you get to these sections that we're in right now, this is a bustling city and it's moving and things are really happening. And the most exciting stuff is really happening just with the development of the saints and who they're becoming. You'll see right behind us is the Newell K. Whitney store. This is, you remember, right when they came to Kirtland and Joseph met Newell K. Whitney. Thou art the man. And he's like, I'm sorry, I don't know you. And he says, you prayed me here, so what do you want? And that's his store. And Joseph and Emma will actually live in the upstairs of that store for a while. And it sort of becomes the headquarters of the church, especially in this time period right now. So yesterday, and by yesterday, I mean last week, we were talking about section 88, and we. And we left off the end sort of on purpose because we wanted you to see where something called the School of the Prophets was organized there in section 88, this school of the Prophets had a purpose, and it's in section 88. So before we start 89, we want to start back in 88, 68, and kind of 70 together first. This has come up before, so I'll just say it again. He says, tarry ye tarry in this place and call a solemn assembly that the Lord wants them to have this pull this solemn assembly all together. And in order to prepare for that, they're going to organize the School of the Prophets. But you want to always remember this was the purpose of the School of the prophets, 68, to sanctify yourselves that your eyes can be. Oh, I'm sorry. Your eyes also. That your minds become single to God. Oh, no wonder. Is your eye single to the glory of God. I was like, why would I have ever said eye when I saw mine. And the days will come, you will see him. For he will unveil his face unto you. And it shall be in his own time, in his own way, according to his own will. The purpose of the School of the Prophets was to sanctify this group of people enough to be able to enter into the presence of God. The history of this has roots in the Old Testament. It was called the Sons of the Prophets back then. And Moses, you remember, was trying to take that group of people up Mount Sinai to re. Enter into the presence of. Of God. And that is what's being organized right here, is a group of people who will do that later on. The Relief Society will be a school of the prophetesses with that same purpose of preparing the men and women to together enter into the presence of God.

[C]

So, and you love that word. Like both of the things are for preparing. They're for helping to teach progression and increase that becoming, that sense of becoming. You just love that. That is what was meant to be happening. Did you already say where it was?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, right here on the second floor of this. So. So many amazing things happen. So if you go to the end of section 88, starting at about 1:19, this is sort of the instruction to the School of the Prophets of what they'll be doing, how to prepare themselves for the meetings, to appoint a teacher. Organize yourselves and all those.

[C]

Yeah, they're fun. Organize yourselves. You hear a lot in these sections. We're going to talk about that in detail at the Kirtland Temple. We love that part. But I love that as they talk about having a teacher and making sure everyone's involved in the conversation or in the discussion. But let each person have a time to talk and to teach. You love the fact that they were all kind of growing together at the same time and learning together at the same time.

[A]

We should say 121, where it just talks about. Cease from your light speeches and your laughter. That was in context of the School of the Prophets. So I just want to make sure that it's very clear that you're allowed to laugh at other times. But there are some things that you want to hold. Remember we talked about that revelation? Like, how do you. Oh, we haven't gotten there yet. There's a revelation about how you hold these sacred things and make sure that. And this time there was a solemn and sacred purpose for it. And so you'll see some of this. 123. I love. Look at that. See that? You love one another. Right. And cease to be covetous if you're going to be able to stand together and places of holiness together, you have to have no bad feelings toward any other person who's in there. And then the spirit of the Lord can be poured out in places like that.

[C]

You love this list. That's 124 through 126. That is just the same things that we are constantly working on today. Cease to be idle. Cease to be unclean. Cease to find fault, one with another. Don't sleep too long. Go to bed early so you won't be weary. Wake up early so that you will be invigorated. Why does that not work for you or me?

[A]

We don't know.

[C]

But those of you who are good at that one, we are so proud of you for being good at that. You love. Clothe yourselves with the bond of charity as with a mantle. I just. I love that. And you love these definitions of charity, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. And I love to change the word perfect. Perfect to complete. So the. So the bond of completeness and peace have to do with charity. I love that he teaches that. Pray always, all of those things. Where's the part you liked, too, about learning from the best books that's coming? Okay.

[A]

Yeah. So this is really fun. We thought this would be cool for you to just know that right away they're just going to start having these meetings at the School of the Prophets. And it says it here at the end. This is how you enter in to like the school when you come here, the doorway. Okay. You talk about it, since you love it so much.

[C]

Oh, I love it so much. Like, in my mind, I just want to see it play out so bad. It starts in 1:30. And this is the rules of when you. When you got up there. And this is the other thing again. Nobody's in charge. He just says, whoever gets in there first in the house, behold. This is beautiful. Let him be an example. And he's going to offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant. So the first guy who walks in is just going to kneel down and offer a prayer in that moment. And then anyone who comes in afterward, he's going to arise and with uplifted hands to heaven. He's going to salute his brother or brethren. If two or three walking at the time. These are the words that he says. And I don't know why, but I am in love with these words. Sometimes when I sit in initiatory, I memorize this in my head, because it's just so kind. He says this. 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 which covenant I receive you to fellowship. And then I love this part. 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, to walk in all the commandments of God, blameless in thanksgiving forever and ever. Don't you feel like if you just memorize that whole thing, you would be so kind and so good and just. It's the kind of welcome you want everyone to experience when they come in your life.

[A]

It really is the description of what a saint should be.

[C]

Should be. And then. Wait, I gotta say this part. The person had to say it back. Did you know that happened?

[A]

Or they said, amen. I hate to ruin it for you.

[C]

You would say amen. I would say it back because I think the language is so beautiful. So who's waiting at the door then is like, oh, and are you a brother or brethren? And then she starts again. I salute you in the name of the Lord.

[A]

And everyone behind Emily in line would be really wanting her to hurry up, just like, oh, why didn't she just do the amen? I'm just kidding. I loved it. It's really awesome. I wish more people would have just repeated it back. Because then you get the idea of, like, when we enter into classroom settings, when we serve with each other in families, like, this is the intent, right? Like, we're not going into the presence of God by ourselves together. Like, we become sanctified together. To enter into the presence of God, like, this was something that they were helping each other on and working on. Awesome. The School of the prophets. P.S. a little fact about the School of the Prophets. They restarted again in Salt Lake, and it eventually molds into the seminaries and institute program of the church. So what started right here at the School of the Prophets with the intention of preparing people to re. Enter into the presence of God and to build the cause of Zion, has now turned into what seminary and institute.

[C]

Okay, fun. So every time your kids walk in, can you just say this salute with all of them? I'll be so happy. I just love this one line. To be your friend through the grace of God in the bonds of love. Oh, we should just think of that every morning when we get started.

[A]

That's awesome. Okay. The reason we really wanted to save that for today. One. So you could see where it actually happened. But two, when you get into Section 89, which a lot of people know as the section on the Word of Wisdom, we just want you to remember that this section is in context of the school of the prophets, that this revelation was given in context of a group of people trying to sanctify themselves and ready themselves to enter into the presence of God. This is a very many of you are noticing. This is very, very temple language, right? And it was given in that. In that context. So section 89, they were meeting for the school of the prophets, like, often, as often as they could. And while they were there, you know, you've heard this story before, that they were just smoking and spitting and. And the room that they actually meet in, in the back is right over the room where the kitchen would be, where Emma would be is down in there working. And the floorboards had cracks in them because they're just these old school houses. And sometimes that tobacco spit would, like, like, drop through, like. And you can just imagine that it was not only on their minds, because kind of the talk of the day was about, like, giving up liquor and coffee and smoking. That's kind of was like the general talk of the day. But then also an impetus was like, Emma, like, having, like, tobacco drip on her face or something while she's in the kitchen cleaning the room.

[C]

We read that she hated cleaning the room after the School of the Prophets.

[A]

And it was so nice that she even cleaned it, because why didn't she not go up there and be like, you spat here. You're the one who's gonna. Who's gonna clean it for you.

[C]

Keep your house in order.

[A]

Like, right before, it was like, duh. So this section comes, you know, with all of those questions in mind, but, oh, maybe we'll just fill this out right here, because I think it's so important right underneath where we have where it says who and why. This is from our friend Anthony Sweatt, who taught us once that 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. And so this idea, I want you to think about this idea of the word of wisdom in that kind of.

[C]

Context, Especially when you think about submission and energy and what is life giving. It's just so interesting to think about why something that would be suggesting what sounds like health would actually make you holy.

[A]

Yeah, it's a little bit more about self restraint, discipline. If someone says, why do you follow that health code? It's like it's a submission to my God is why I do it. It's not about living longer. It's about creating an environment inside and out for an endowment of power to enter his presence. But let's look at some of like the who and why and the promises in here.

[C]

So much. So let's see, the who comes in verse three.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And it tells us it's given for a principle with promise and that it's adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints who are or can be called saints, which I love. I really love that idea of it. Just wherever you are, at whatever level this is going to make you better. And it has been adapted to you at whatever level you are at. So that would be the who. It's all saints. And the why is so interesting in verse 4. In consequence of the evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you and forewarn you by giving you this word of wisdom by revelation. So that is the why. It's because of the consequence of the evils and the designs that are going to happen in the last days. That's us. That's our time.

[A]

Yeah. And what's been interesting is like in that day for sure, but then also in. Not just in health and you know, like things that you put into your body, like, like eating and whatever. But who was it? Was it President Oaks who connected this also to pornography? He's like, there are people in this world who through their own conspiring and evil will try to take advantage of you, try to bring you down into addiction for their own monetary gain. And it's like this is a warning against.

[C]

Which makes so much sense when you start thinking that section 89 is really about a holiness code and that requires submission and self control and being diligent. And it really is a training up of the spirit to become a saint. That's what's happening.

[A]

So, you know, a lot of the stuff in the middle, we just want to skip to the end of the section and talk about the promises that come with this. They come all the way down at the bottom in verses 18 through 21. And we've left you a box for that to just consider these and let's just go over them real quick and then just open up the door for you. Thinking a lot more about them. He says, all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings walking in obedience to the commandments shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones. These aren't necessarily talking about your belly button and your bones, but this has, like, roots in the Old Testament of, like, your spiritual, mental, and physical core. Like the marrow of your bones are what give you life. This is like a promise that, like, you will be invigorated with just emotional, physical, and spiritual, like light and life.

[C]

And I think it's important too, as we attend the temple and as you start going more and more regularly, there are several lines within these three verses that are going to bring up temple language for you, which is a really neat connection again, to that just becoming a saint and that this. All of these promises, echo of promises that we are given specifically in temple language. And I love that.

[A]

Yeah. Even verse 19, wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures, is really talking about temple. It's a. It's a prelude to temple. Hidden treasures that will shall come, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. I mean, that could be physical, but it's really talking about running the race of life and walking that straight into our heart.

[C]

And as you think about the destroying angel and you think about that help that's gonna come and the marrow that's gonna come, it's just neat that it's almost like pulling you back to let me take you with my words to a place that is holy and help you see a bigger picture here.

[A]

Yeah. And 21, I love that verse. If you know the Old Testament, y', all, we cannot wait to teach the Old Testament next year. We're dying for it. And that's because you'll see right here, for example, all other scripture assumes that you know the Old Testament, and that's why. And there's just hints of it with no one telling you the story. And 21 is one of those. Right. That's the story of the Passover. But what's happening is they were marking their doors with the blood of the Lamb. And he's kind of helping you see, like, I'm more interested in you being marked by the blood of the lamb and marked as modern day Israel. And if you know this story, what happens is once they leave, they go straight to Mount Sinai to enter the presence of God. So marking their doors was a prelude to entering the presence of God. Like section 89 is a prelude to entering into the presence of God as well. This section is more about don't drink iced tea, even though I want to on a hot summer day. Right. It's about holiness and Just sanctifying yourself to enter into his presence.

[C]

Yep. Okay, so we've started in 92.

[A]

Yeah, we're gonna move to 92. Don't worry. We're coming back to 90 and 91 in just a second. But we've already started to drop words like this. Cause it's just on the mind. But 92, we talk about this man, Frederick G. Williams, who we've talked about last month. Remember, we talked about him when we were at the John Johnson farm. This counselor to Joseph Smith, Freddie G. Who we just love so much. But there is a line about him, and Emily's going to point out to you, but before she does, just one thing with Kirtland that's really neat with him that we didn't talk about last time is he owned this big farm. And the Lord on Revelation asked him if he would be willing to consecrate that land for a holy purpose. And he does. He just gives up his entire farm. And that is where the temple currently is today. And so it's so neat, even in this. These verses in context, that he gives up his land so that. So that everyone else can experience the glory and holiness of the temple.

[C]

It's so interesting that Kirtland really becomes a time of that giving up. Do you notice that everywhere is that time of just great sacrifice in preparation of what's going to come. And it's property that's being sacrificed, and it's what, the tobacco that's being sacrificed. It's the Lord just saying, here, let me sanctify you. Let me make you cleaner in each of these areas through sacrifice, so you will be ready.

[A]

Oh, you just reminded me of something when you said giving up the tobacco that. I can't remember who it was that said it. Someone who said they were in this meeting. When Joseph gives this revelation to the school of the prophets, he said, 20 out of 21 of us use tobacco. And he said in that meeting, all 20 of them threw their pipes into the fireplace.

[C]

Oh, that's so cute.

[A]

I know. You want to go in and see the fireplace now.

[C]

We want to see the fireplace.

[A]

Okay, 92.

[C]

Okay, so 92 is so short. There's only two verses. And in verse two, there is the greatest line that says, and again, I say unto you, my servant, Frederick G. Williams, you shall be a lively member in this order. And in as much as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments, you shall be blessed forever. And we love that thought of a lively member. Like, it just has so much energy in it. And in fact, we've talked about this before. Depending on how you live the gospel and how you enter into the gospel, it can either give you energy or it can exhaust you. You like to use the word exhilarate. It can be exhilarating or exhausting. And we love that Frederick Williams was the type of member or the type of person who entered in and just became a lively member in the gospel. He just loved it. He loved what he was doing. And we want to talk about, as we go back into 90, what does it look like to be a lively member? How would the Lord describe something like that?

[A]

So we have a couple different principles in here, among others that you'll find of what that looks like. The first one is in section 90, verse one. And this is a revelation to Joseph Smith and I. Just like that. It starts like this. Thus saith the Lord. Verily, verily, I say unto you, my son, Remember that phrase? My son, my servant appears like over 90 times. Thy sins are forgiven thee according to thy petition. And I just love to think that this is an answer to a previous prayer that Joseph has had for repentance, that he's seeking for forgiveness again. Like, it's awesome that the first vision starts with a prayer for forgiveness, and that becomes a pattern through Joseph's life. And one of the things that makes people lively members is that they repent often and feel forgiveness. Like, I can't think of something more invigorating to me than turning back to the Savior and just feeling his approval. And, like, repentance is something that breathes life into people. Like, that's why President Nelson's been teaching so much. It's not a dreaded phrase. It's a turning back to Jesus to stand in his light and life again and just breathe, like, holiness. I don't know, it's just beautiful to just think like a lively member is someone who repents all the time.

[C]

Yeah, that's so good. We love in 4 and 5 when it says, nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even the church, and the oracles are the revelations. That's another word for just the revelations. And then you love in verse five when it says, and all they who receive the oracles of God, or all they who receive the revelations of God, let them beware how they hold them, lest they are accounted as a light thing and are brought into condemnation, therefore thereby and stumble and fall when the storms descend and the winds blow and the rains descend and beat upon their house. And I just love the thought of that, be careful how you hold those revelations, that they don't become a light thing to you. And I love that he tells us why. Because when the storm comes, when the rains descend, that's when you're going to need that revelation in your life. And it's made me think to myself, living in the time of President Nelson as the prophet has been so interesting for me in feeling like I am being tutored and how to receive revelation better. And I bet the same is true for you, that it just feels like he is continually saying, try this and then now try this and now try this. And not only is he telling us what to do, but I love when he's using words like I plead with you, I exhort you that he wants us to become better at revelation. He doesn't want us to hold that lightly, but that he wants us to understand the importance of it. And it makes me think to myself, do we have any idea of the storm that is about to come, of what we are about to face when we have a prophet that is being so careful about tutoring us in how to receive that revelation and to make sure we're not holding that lightly? And one of the thoughts we had as we talked about this is just to think back to the most recent general conference and what are the things from that conference that you are holding on to right now? What are the things that your family is holding on to? Can you even remember anything from that conference that has been life changing for you in this six month period? You know, at different times in my life, there are times when I think I would look back and say, I actually don't even know if I remember what happened at conference. And other times when I have been more invested in actually keeping up on those talks in the in betweens and reading them. This time I set a goal to read one talk every week until conference starts again. And it has been the most powerful experience I've had probably in a decade is just rereading one talk every single week. And I think there's a lot of things that we can do that are good. But I love this reminder to hold on to that revelation, not to take it lightly because of the storms that are ahead.

[A]

Yeah. So we left you a little box there to think about how you might hold those. You know, as you were talking, I thought to myself about like, oh, what would it even look like for someone to hold something like really carefully? And when I tried to imagine what would be inside my hands, it would be something really valuable like a Treasure or like something irreplaceable. Like that's like, you know, scary things you hold timidly or want to drop. Like, things you love. You hold them really carefully. It's cool to think like that. These other verses we want to point out are like 15 through 18. Even though you and I won't set and order the churches, that might not be, like, our responsibility to do that. We like in 15 that he says, study and learn and become acquainted with all good books and with languages and tongues and people. Like, that's what a lively member is like.

[C]

And you love in 16. Are you going to read that?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Part.

[A]

Oh. Oh, that. Well, oh, 16.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

This shall be the business. Oh, yeah. And this shall be your business and the mission in all your lives.

[C]

Don't you love that? Just be learning all the time. Like, find joy in learning, go to good books. And this should be your mission all of your life is to.

[A]

And it's so fun that, like, Joseph took this to heart and he learned German and then hired a Hebrew teacher and he wanted to learn all of the languages that he could. In fact, let's just give a little. We're not going to go into section 91, but let's give like a. Just kind of a hint at it that this is when Joseph is working on the translation of the Bible and he gets to the Apocrypha, which we don't have in our standard works, but a lot of. Yeah, yeah. Because in his section of the Bible and he asked whether he should, you know, do an inspired translation of the apocrypha. And in 91:5, the Lord says, oh, it's no need for you to do that, because verse four, whoever reads it, let him understand, because the Spirit will manifest truth, and whosoever is enlightened by the Spirit shall find benefit therefrom. And it's just cool that he's just like, go to plays, read books, study the scripture of other faiths, and let the Spirit guide and direct you and the things that you can benefit from all of those places. I think that is like, yep, so neat.

[C]

We Love in 24, where it says, search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good. And it's awesome because right after he gives that verse, which we love, we just love that thought of, if you'll just search, pray, and be believing, all things are going to work out for you. That's in essence what it says.

[A]

I did that phrase, be believing is so.

[C]

It's so good.

[A]

Like, It's a choice.

[C]

And then he introduces us to the cutest lady in this whole set of chapters right now, whose name is Vienna Jakes. Let's just talk about her story. Let's just talk about who she is, and then we'll come back and talk about what it says about her.

[A]

Yeah, she was out from the East Coast, Boston area, and when she comes across the Book of Mormon, it's funny that she says when she got it that she didn't fully comprehend what she was reading. She just really liked it.

[C]

You know how many of us have been Vienna. And they called her Sister Vienna. You love that, too.

[A]

But she's just like, I want to call her Mama Vienna. How can no one call her that? That's all I call her in heaven if I make it. But she talked about reading the book, and she said it just illuminated my mind and I had to meet Joseph. So again, we've talked about this. That Book of Mormon becomes that gathering tool, you know, for these people that you're just like, I'm so glad that brought you in.

[C]

And you love that she pays her own way to get out there and just has to meet him before she'll commit to anything, which I think is so cute.

[A]

And she's 43 years old, never married before, but runs these businesses at the time. And she just goes out and to meet the prophet Joseph and decides I'm in and I want to be here. She convinces Oliver Cowdery. I'm sorry, Samuel Smith, Joseph's baby brother, and Orson Hyde to come out with her. She's like, I got to introduce you, too, to the rest of my family. And so they come back out to Boston and find out. They said, we found people who were already believing because of her witness to everybody before they even got there. And she fed them, housed them, and then set up this new branch in Boston area, just like just one lady by herself, which is so awesome. She ends up coming out to Kirtland, and she's really wealthy, and she just donates all of this money, all of it.

[C]

Like, she keeps back nothing. She gives everything and just trusts the church is going to take care of her.

[A]

Yeah. And Joseph Smith said about her, she proved to be a savior of life for the church. Just this transfusion of believing blood that came into the church, and she just brought it alive again. It's so good.

[C]

Tell our favorite story about the horse.

[A]

Oh, okay. She's gonna be there all the way to the end. We'll just kind of talk to you about this section is when she gets asked to move to Missouri, which she will. But, like, you're just going to keep finding her along the whole path. She's going to be at Zion's Camp. One of the few women who go on Zion's Camp when they have to redeem Zion. We'll talk about that next week or something. It's so hard to think of the timeline. And she also. When the doctrine of baptisms for the dead is given, Vienna Jack's Everyone goes down to the river for this first baptism for the dead, and she loves it so much that she gets on her horse and she rides into the Mississippi river because she wants to be front row. So this is the kind of lively member that she is. You know, she just like. And P.S. who loves that the first witnesses of baptisms for the dead were women and a horse. So really, you can have any kind of witnesses, it seems.

[C]

That is so awesome. We love this last line that they say about her at. Well, let's talk about this. This is so awesome, too. Before she crosses the plains to go to Utah, she marries, but then gets divorced. And so she, at the age of 60, drives her wagon all by herself across the plains. I mean, I'm sure she was in a company, but she drove her own wagon at 60 years old across the plains to get to Utah, which I love. Just her grit that she just was like in this gospel and she was gonna do it and live it, even if she had to do it all by herself.

[A]

Yeah. And in every station of life, you know, as a little bit older single woman, as a divorced woman, like in all these different areas. And you see this verse right here in 28 where it says she's gotta go to Zion. I love that the Lord calls her my handmaid. My handmaid. Vienna Jakes, my servant, my close servant. Give her some money so she can make it to Zion. I'm sure that's a phrase she never thought she'd hear with all this money that she had, but it's just evidence that she gave it away. And oh, she's so rad.

[C]

You love in 31 when it hints of what they said about Frederick Williams in Section 92 about being a lively member. The Lord tells her that all these blessings will come in as much as she is faithful and not idle, that she just. It doesn't sound like she was a woman who was ever idle, that she was just going. And at the end of her life, it was said of her.

[A]

Well, she said this at the end of her life in salt lake. In her 90s.

[C]

Yeah. In her 90s.

[A]

Yeah. She gathered a whole bunch of women together and she told them this advice. Never be afraid to do good. You will never be sorry. And that is such a beautiful thing to think about. Just like at the end of your life, when you look back on it, one of the things that you won't ever regret is your decision to just seek to do good.

[C]

Oh, it's so good.

[A]

That sums up what her life is like. If you want to follow along in everything we're doing, you can find us on Instagram at Don't miss this study, at this week's Grace and at MrDave Butler.

[B]

And if you want to subscribe to the app or get our weekly newsletter, all of the information can be found at. Don't miss this study dot com.

[A]

See you next week.