Doctrine and Covenants 50 carries an invitation from the Lord that we accept every time we study, listen to a podcast, or go to church: “Let us reason together.” For today’s discussion on sections 49 and 50, we are joined by two educated women who are familiar with reasoning about the scriptures. And their insight will help us all be “edified and rejoice together.”
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 50:22 (Edified and rejoice together)
D&C 49:5,24 (Receive, flourish, and blossom)
D&C 49:2 (Part of the truth)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 49:1 (Preach exactly as you receive)
D&C 49:5 (Receive the Son)
D&C 88:33 (Receive not the gift)
D&C 49:4 (Blessings for service)
CR: Alma 8:29-32
D&C 49:27 (The Lord guides and comforts)
D&C 49:12-14 (Doctrine of Christ)
Words of the General Authorities:
“Which way do you face?” President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. “A Seventy,” he continued, “does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people. Never forget which way you face!” It was a powerful lesson. (Lynn G. Robbins, “Which Way Do You Face?”, October 2014 General Conference)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 50:1 (Hearken to the word)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
D&C 50:10-12 (Reason together)
Joseph Smith–History 1:20 (Learn for yourself)
D&C 50:21-25 (Understand, edify, and rejoice together)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 50:34 (Account it of God, be worthy to receive)
D&C 59:21 (Acknowledge the Lord)
Words of the General Authorities:
I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. (Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember”, October 2007 General Conference)
It saddens me to admit this, but I used to measure my relationship with the Savior by how perfectly I was living. I thought an obedient life meant I would never need to repent. And when I made mistakes, which was every single day, I distanced myself from God, thinking, “He must be so disappointed in me.” That’s just not true. (Tamara W. Runia, “Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy”, April 2025 General Conference)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
D&C 50:40-44 (None are lost)
D&C 49:27 (The Lord guides from all angles)
Translations:
Emmanuel - God with us (Hebrew)
View transcript here.