How Do We Receive of the Father’s Fulness?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 93 in a lesson titled “Receive of His Fulness.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

“When you climb up a ladder,” Joseph Smith taught, “you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).

Sometimes that ladder of exaltation seems impossibly high, but we were born to climb to the top with the Savior’s constant help. Whatever limitations we may see in ourselves, Heavenly Father and His Son see something glorious in us, something godlike. Just as Jesus Christ “was in the beginning with the Father,” so “ye were also” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:21, 23). Just as He “continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness,” so also “you shall receive grace for grace” (verses 13, 20). The restored gospel teaches about the true nature of God, and so it also teaches about your true nature and destiny. You are a literal child of God with the potential to “in due time receive of his fulness” (verse 19).

The scripture block includes the following principles: (1) Like Jesus Christ, I can be glorified and receive God’s “fulness” (Doctrine and Covenants 93, (2) The glory of God is light and truth (Doctrine and Covenants 93:1-39), and (3) “Set in order your own house” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:40-50).

This essay will discuss the third principle. We will first look at the applicable verses. 

40 But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.

41 But verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick G. Williams, you have continued under this condemnation;

42 You have not taught your children light and truth, according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your affliction.

43 And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.

44 Verily, I say unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, that in some things he hath not kept the commandments concerning his children; therefore, first set in order thy house.

45 Verily, I say unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me—

46 I called you servants for the world’s sake, and ye are their servants for my sake—

47 And now, verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun.—You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord;

48 Your family must needs repent and forsake some things, and give more earnest heed unto your sayings, or be removed out of their place.

49 What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.

50 My servant Newel K. Whitney also, a bishop of my church, hath need to be chastened, and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place.

The above instructions were given to the First Presidency and the Bishop in Kirtland – the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ. To me, the fact that Joseph Smith included this information in the Doctrine and Covenants shows that he is a true prophet. If he were a false prophet, he certainly would not have pointed out his personal faults.

The command to “set in order your own house” (verse 43) isn’t about organizing cupboards and closets but about teaching and learning “light and truth” (verse 42). It is easy to see where other people need to improve and more difficult to see where we personally need to improve. The Lord wanted his leaders to set a good example for all the members, including how they teach and learn in their own homes. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught this principle as follows:

“In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

“Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ [Doctrine and Covenants 64:33]. Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes” (“More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 19–20).