D&C 28:11

“The devil is the father of lies, and he is ever anxious to frustrate the work of God by his clever imitations” (“Two Lines of Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 84).

Jeffrey R Holland. Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments. Complete talk.

http://salifeline.org/files/holland-souls-symb-sac.pdf

D&C 27:16. "Having your loins gird about with truth"

The procreative powers that Heavenly Father has blessed us with are one of the most sacred ways we can use our bodies. They open the door to the spirit world and allow Father's children to come to the earth and obtain bodies so they can continue to progress. It is the very key to their progression. Satan is damned and cannot progress anymore because he has no body. The proper use of those powers is the very thing that that will make us gods ourselves. In D&C 132:19 in the very last lines it says, ". . . which glory shall be a fulness and a  continuation of seeds forever and ever." This is referring to posterity.  Verse 20 begins, "Then shall they be gods, because they have no end..." This is not referring to living forever because everyone who comes to earth will be resurrected and live forever. This again is referring to posterity. It goes on to say, ". . .therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue. . ." Again, a reference to having posterity. In verse 22 it says, "For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives . . . " (Note that it is the continuation of lives, plural).  The only people who will have the opportunity to use the power to procreate after this life are those who go to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom and are gods. All others will lose that ability. You can see why Satan, the father of lies (by the way, that and the father of contention are the only ways he can be a father), works so hard to get us to misuse those powers. He knows that if he does, and we don't repent, that we will lose our exaltation. That is why he spreads so many lies saying that there is nothing wrong with pornography, homosexuality, adultery, fornication,etc. all those things strike at the very core of our existence and the reason for our being on earth. Heavenly Father safeguards mostly closely how we come into this world and how we go out. Sexual sins and murder have the most severe penalties of all other sins. The thing that will protect us is the truth about how to use those powers.

 

The  Proclamation on the Family is very clear-

"In The Premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their eternal Father and accepted his plan by which his children could obtain a physical  body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family  relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred  ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

 

"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for his children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We  further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between  man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

 

"We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. . ."

Understanding those truths is like putting on the armor of God. It is "girding your loins with truth."

(Comments on "girding about your loins with truth" Nov 2013 By Don Edwards retired S&I)

D&C 27:15 Armor of God

Elder M. Russell Ballard:
“I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 8).

D&C 27:13 Sacrament

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

“The sacrament is to be administered in a future day, on this earth, when the Lord Jesus is present, and when all the righteous of all ages are present.” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 587).

“Every faithful person in the whole history of the world, every person who has so lived as to merit eternal life in the kingdom of the Father will be in attendance and will partake, with the Lord, of the sacrament” (The Promised Messiah [1978], 595).

D&C 24:8 Trials

Elder Richard G Scott:

Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.

 

When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with real conviction, “Please let me know Thy will” and “May Thy will be done,” you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father. (GC 1995 "Trust In The Lord" Richard G Scott)

D&C 25:16 "This is my voice unto all"

President Gordan B Hinckley

“Insofar as I know, this is the only revelation given specifically to a woman, and in concluding it the Lord said, ‘This is my voice unto all.’ (D&C 25:16.) Therefore, the counsel given by the Lord on this occasion is applicable to each of you” (“If Thou Art Faithful,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 90)

D&C 25:3 Elect Lady

Margaret Nadauld

“Always remember that women of God can never be like women of the world.  The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.  There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind.  There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.  We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed; we need more goodness.  We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.  We have enough popularity; we need more purity.” (CR, October 2000, 16)

D&C 21:1 Prophet and Seer

SEER
“A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to [unclear to or hidden from] others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim. In short, he is one who sees, who walks in the Lord’s light with open eyes” (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, arr. G. Homer Durham, 3 vols. in 1 [1960], 258).

 

PROPHET

A prophet is “a person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of his dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, prophets may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophet,” scriptures.lds.org).

D&C 20:75

Melvin J Ballard said:
“The one thing that would make for the safety of every man and woman would be to appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far away in one week—not so far away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not rectify the wrongs we may have done. … The road to the sacrament table is the path of safety for Latter-day Saints” (in Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard [1949], 151).

D&C 18:10. You matter to Him

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him” (“You Matter to Him,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 22).

D&C 19:6-12. Endless punishment

President J. Reuben Clark of the First Presidency gave the following insight concerning “God’s punishment”:

“When the Lord comes to give us our reward … and our punishment, I feel that [the Savior] will give that punishment which is the very least that our transgression will justify. I believe that he will bring into his justice all of the infinite love and blessing and mercy and kindness and understanding which he has. …

“And on the other hand, I believe that when it comes to making the rewards for our good conduct, he will give us the maximum that it is possible to give, having in mind the offense which we have committed” (“As Ye Sow … ,” Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [May 3, 1955], 7).

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained the meaning of endless torment and eternal punishment:

“We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants that eternal punishment, or everlasting punishment, does not mean that a man condemned will endure this punishment forever. … When a man pays the penalty of his misdeeds and humbly repents, receiving the gospel, he comes out of the prison house and is assigned to some degree of glory according to his worth and merit” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–1956], 2:160).

Elder James E. Talmage of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave additional insights concerning the meaning of eternal punishment:

“‘Eternal punishment’ … does not mean that the individual sufferer or sinner is to be eternally and everlastingly made to endure and suffer. No man will be kept in hell longer than is necessary to bring him to a fitness for something better. When he reaches that stage the prison doors will open and there will be rejoicing among the hosts who welcome him into a better state” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1930, 97; see also Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2001], 37).

D&C 19:20 Confession

D&C 19 Confession

The Miracle of Forgiveness, President Spencer W. Kimball
(Excerpts taken from chapter 13, pp 177-189)

Lifting Burdens Through Confession

The confession of sin is a necessary element in repentance and therefore in obtaining forgiveness. It is one of the tests of true repentance, for, "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them." (D&C 58:43. Italics added.)

Major Sins Confessed to Church Authority
 

Knowing the hearts of men, and their intents, and their abilities to repent and regenerate themselves, the Lord waits to forgive until the repentance has matured. The transgressor must have a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" and be willing to humble himself and do all that is required. The confession of his major sins to a proper Church authority is one of those requirements made by the Lord.

This procedure of confession assures proper controls and protection for the Church and its people and sets the feet of the transgressor on the path of true repentance. Many offenders in their shame and pride have satisfied their consciences, temporarily at least, with a few silent prayers to the Lord and rationalized that this was sufficient confession of their sins. "But I have confessed my sin to my Heavenly Father," they will insist, "and that is all that is necessary." This is not true where a major sin is involved. Then two sets of forgiveness are required to bring peace to the transgressor one from the proper authorities of the Lord's Church, and one front the Lord himself.

 

Voluntary Confession Is Best
 

It follows that 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 (Al. 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, wrung from an individual by questioning when guilt is evident. Such forced admission is not evidence of the humble heart which calls forth the Lord's mercy: "... For I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts." (D&C 61:2. Italics added.)

The wicked Cain denied his guilt when first accused. He never did confess his grievous sin, but finally admitted it after he was discovered. Even when he was confronted with his dastardly act he still tried to evade it by saying, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

 

Peace Through Confession
 

Confession brings peace. How often have people departed from my office relieved and lighter of heart than for a long time! Their burdens were lighter, having been shared. They were free. The truth had made them free. Having warned of excruciating pain and punishments, the Lord said: "... Confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken." (D&C 19:20.) There is substantial psychological strength in confession. Confession is not only the revealing of errors to proper authorities, but the sharing of burdens to lighten them. One lifts at least part of his burden and places it on other shoulders which are able and willing to help carry the load. Then there comes satisfaction in having taken another step in doing all that is possible to rid oneself of the burden of transgression. Those who take the course of honest confession of their sin further the process of repentance, of adjustment in their lives, of reconciliation with God.