The Constitution

Because I am going back to school soon and next Sunday will be my last Sunday in my family's ward, I was released from my calling as a nursery worker. Bitter sweet. I'll miss those sweet spirits, and I know why I was called there. It was a great learning experience for me.
Well, I was grateful to be able to attend gospel doctrine class today. It was especially good because my dad is actually the gospel doctrine teacher in our ward.
Today's lesson I felt was especially most excellent. We are learning from the Old Testament from the books of Jonah and Micha.

I would like to share what I learned today.
Here is the scripture that we read today that was part of the lesson that I found the most interesting:
"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:1-2)

This scripture is talking about the last days. The first question that was asked in class was: What is "the mountain of the house of the Lord" referring to? The answer is the Temple.

The next question was what Temple specifically is mentioned here? "And many nations shall come...let us go up to the mountain of the Lord..." That would be the Salt Lake Temple; many nations flowing unto it and learning in the house of God, leaning his ways etc. Very true.

What is Zion? We know that Zion has many definitions, such as "the pure in heart" But in this context, Zion is Missouri.

And he word of the Lord is his gospel.

But was what is the law that shall go forth?

Here is a quote from President Harold B. Lee about these verses:

"President Harold B. Lee gave the following commentary on these verses: "With the coming of the pioneers to establish the Church in the tops of the mountains, our early leader declared this to be the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy that out of Zion should go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

"I have often wondered what that expression meant, that out of Zion should go forth the law. Years ago I went with the Brethren to the Idaho Falls Temple, and I heard in that inspired prayer of the First Presidency a definition of the meaning of that term-'out of Zion shall go forth the law.' Note what they said:

"'We thank thee that thou has revealed to us that those who gave us our constitutional form of government were wise in thy sight and that thou didst raise them up for the very purpose of putting forth that sacred document [as revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants 101]... We pray that kings and rulers and the peoples of all nations under heaven may be persuaded of the blessings enjoyed by the people of this land by reason of their freedom under thy guidance and be constrained to adopt similar governmental systems, thus to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Isaiah and Micah that "...out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem"' (Improvement Era, October 1945, p. 504.)

So what is the law that will go forth? It is our constitution; our way of government; of the people, by the people, for the people.

We can see this today; many countries who were once dictatorships and monarchies are now-in some form or another-adopting a more republic and 'of the people, by the people, for the people' governments.

We also read in Mosiah 29: 37-39 "And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these things forth among the people they were convinced of the truth of his words. Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins. Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them."

I think this scripture goes along these lines perfectly; these people no longer had or wanted a king, but judges. They were able to take upon them the responsibility of their own sins and they were anxious that everyone would be able to have a chance and to be able to cast in their voices; to be heard. They were excited for the liberty that was granted unto them. Sound familiar?

And I think it is because of that liberty which we have here in America, because of the constitution of the United States, that Joesph Smith was able to restore the gospel through Jesus Christ on the earth today. And it is because of our liberty, that we also have the freedom of religion.

This liberty is being spread throughout the world, the law is going forth. And once the law has gone forth, the gospel can also go forth. Countries of the world are being opened for missionaries.

Fun fact about me: I am related to the man who wrote the hymn "High on a Mountain Top." My great grandfather is Joel H. Johnson.

I think the fourth verse of this hymn also really applies to this lesson:

"For there we shall be taught The law that will go forth, With truth and wisdom fraught, To govern all the earth. Forever there his ways we’ll tread, And save ourselves with all our dead."

Isn't that so neat? I love going to gospel doctrine class.