Section 1

This preface of the Doctrine and Covenants has been warning and comfort to me all in one. I try to imagine the Lord speaking straight to me because I am the one who is wanting a deeper understanding of the doctrines of the church, the covenants I have made and will make, and the commandments that are specifically for my time in history. 

That being said, a few things stuck out through the section, like in the beginning when it says that the secret acts of the rebellious shall be revealed (v3). I never had considered myself rebellious when I sinned until my change of heart less than a year ago when I no longer wanted to hurt Christ or myself anymore by sinning. In v7 the Lord says that all that He has decreed will be fulfilled, and I should probably know all that better if I am going to take myself more serious and work towards my salvation. The thought of maybe serving a full time mission has crossed my mind first when the age change happened and my best friend left on her mission, and then again when she came back and suggested it to me. If going on a mission is going to happen, whether soon or later, it is comforting to know that the Lord protects His own as mentioned in v8. It also comforts me that if I do missionary work without going on a full-time mission, I can have similar blessings even though I feel like I am weak (reference to v23).

All that is fine and dandy but the message that is given by Christ's disciples is what I first need to accept and live by or I might end up  like the people described in v14-16. I want to be numbered as God's people when He comes even more than ever because He will dwell with us at the end of the world while the devil has power over all who are not with Christ (v35-36). I am jumping around a bit but I found 3 things that the Lord did to help us in the last days avoid that awful fate with satan: 1. He called Joseph Smith Jr. to tell us all the commandments we must follow, 2. He called others to get the word out, and 3. He made the weak things of the world strong so that faith might increase on earth. (v17-19). The results of doing those 3 important things were that we trust in God, faith increases, His everlasting covenant established, and the fulness of His gospel can be proclaimed to everyone (v19-23). 

The last topic I find really important in this Preface is the simple fact that we have to be constantly learning to come to deeper understandings of the gospel. The Book of Mormon was brought forth and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was established. I love that Christ is happy with the church as a whole, even if individuals who sin are needing to repent because He doesn't tolerate ANY sin. As a teacher-to-be I fully understand the need to constantly be learning (its even in my patriarchal blessing) and I want to search the scriptures to find the truths they hold. The truths will be forever no matter if I believe them or not, but I do believe them. I do want to follow God's commandments. I want to live with Him again because I love Him.