D&C Section Sixty Two

You can read the scriptures and there is always some gem, some wonderful thought that inspires you, that answers a question, gives comfort, or some way brings you closer to the Lord and closer to who you are. I think there are a couple in this section.

Five days after the last revelation was given, Joseph Smith and his group are still traveling along the Missouri River when they meet a group of elders coming from Kirtland. It's hard to imagine the joy they feel in finding each other. The Savior tells the group from Kirtland, and now tells us, that he is our advocate, that he knows our weaknesses, but also knows how to succor us, especially when we are tempted. To succor means to give aid in a time of distress. It's a comforting thought to know that the Lord knows our weaknesses and how to help us. And it's even better to know that he will help us. In Ether 12, he tells us that he will make our weaknesses become strengths if we turn to him for help. Whenever we feel inadequate in the face of something, it's so good to know that we don't have to face it alone. He promises that he will not leave us comfortless.

In this revelation, you can sense a difference between the two groups. The group with Joseph Smith seems to have been reluctant to bear testimony of the gospel in their travels. He said that he was unhappy with them because there were some who would not open their mouths. This group from Kirtland is praised by the Lord for their willingness to share. Then he tells this group, and I think he's telling us also, that when we bear our testimony, we are blessed. He says our testimonies are recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon. I believe that when the angels look upon these testimonies, they are blessed for having read them. When we bear testimony, the Spirit will always touch someone's heart when our testimony is borne in humility. This often brings about a change of heart in some way. Perhaps the person is spiritually strengthened. Maybe they're testimony has been weak and this strengthens it and points them in a direction where they continue to grow. In some way, someone is blessed by the testimony we bear. That is why I think the Lord says he will forgive our sins when we bear our testimony. We don't know that it will happen every time, but I believe it happens more often than we realize. What a promise. Certainly one worth thinking about.