Comfort From the Olive Branch

Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants was called by Joseph Smith the “olive leaf...plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us.” This was the perfect section for me to read and blog on this week, as I happen to be especially needing comfort this week.

My favorite part of this section is how much clarification it gives about the degrees of glory. Verse 22 says, “For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory”. This and surrounding scriptures give me so much insight into the judgment and life after death. The Plan of Salvation is much more merciful than we can comprehend. Placement in different degrees of glory is more about what sort of life we are prepared to live after death than our credentials. Everyone has been born into different circumstances and is given different opportunities, the opportunities that will give that person the chance to grow the most. God does everything He can to help us progress, but He will not force us. He cannot. In the end, we will all obtain the degree of glory that we will be most comfortable in. If you can't keep the celestial law, you will not be able to stand the celestial glory, you will only be comfortable in a lower degree. God wishes we could all obtain celestial glory, but just as the Israelites of old rejected the chance to be in the presence of God, there will be those at judgment who will reject the fullness of the blessings they could have obtained.

Another part of this section that I really like is verses 87-98ish. I have always been very fascinated by and excited for the end of the world. I have always loved how specific some of these prophesies about the future are. I am so excited to watch these last events unfold, and hope I am still on the earth to witness them. The world will become more and more wicked, and it will become increasingly hard to keep the commandments, but it will be such an amazing opportunity for growth and we will see miracles if we look out for them.

It has given me comfort to study this section. Reading it has reminded me of the depth of God's love for me and the depth and intricacy, yet simplicity of His plan of happiness for us. I cannot wait to receive the many blessings God has in store for me. I now have to be patient and stay faithfully engaged in the cause of zion as I await those promised blessings.