Doctrine & Covenants 59 — Study Guide

Verse & Theme

Summary & Resources

1–4 — Blessings of the Faithful in Zion

The Lord blesses those who come to Zion with an eye single to His glory. Both the living and the dead receive rewards: earthly inheritance and eternal rest.

The Lord opens with a pronouncement of blessings upon those who have come to Zion with pure intent—seeking His glory and keeping His commandments. He promises an inheritance to those who live, and rest and reward to those who die in faith. Obedience and diligence in Zion will bring both spiritual and temporal abundance, along with ongoing revelation and commandments. Language & Cultural Insights

• “Eye single to my glory” (v.1)

  • Greek parallel: The phrase echoes Matthew 6:22 — “If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (See our previous lesson May Christ Lift Thee Up)

  • The Greek word used here is ἁπλοῦς (haplous) – “simple,” “pure,” or “focused,” often implying moral clarity and spiritual integrity.
    

• “Rest from all their labors” (v.2)

  • See Hebrews 4:9–11, which speaks of entering into the Lord’s rest.
    

• “Their works shall follow them” (v.2)

  • Parallels Revelation 14:13 – “...they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”
    

• “Obeyed my gospel” (v.3)

  • Hebrew root idea behind obey (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ) means both to hear and to respond.

  • Implies covenantal attentiveness—obedience as an act of love and loyalty.
    

• “Crowned with blessings from above” (v.4)

  • This links the temple imagery of crowning with divine favor (cf. Psalm 103:4: “...who crowneth thee with lovingkindness...”)
    

Cross-References

• Matthew 6:22 – The single eye and fullness of light

• Revelation 14:13 – Works follow the righteous after death

• Hebrews 4:9–11 – Entering into the Lord’s rest

• Mosiah 2:41 – The blessed state of those who keep the commandments

• D&C 137:9 – God judges according to desires and works

5–6 — Foundational Commandments

The Lord reiterates the greatest commandments: to love God with all one's heart, might, mind, and strength, and to serve Him in the name of Jesus Christ. This is immediately followed by the command to love one’s neighbor and to refrain from theft, adultery, murder, or anything “like unto it.” These foundational commandments center covenantal life in Zion on love, devotion, and moral integrity.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…” (v.5)

  • Direct reference to Deuteronomy 6:5 – “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart…”

  • Hebrew: אָהַב (ʾahav) – “to love” in a covenantal context; implies loyalty, commitment, and affection.

  • The phrase “heart, might, mind, and strength” is an expansive call to holistic devotion (see also Mark 12:30).
    

• “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself…” (v.6)

  • Draws from Leviticus 19:18 – “...but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”

  • Jesus confirms these two as the greatest commandments (see Matthew 22:36–40).
    

• “Nor do anything like unto it”

  • This phrase shows the Lord’s pattern of extending commandments beyond surface acts to intent and related behavior—foreshadowing Christ’s deeper interpretation in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matthew 5–7).
    

Cross-References

• 2 Nephi 31:20 – Love of God and enduring to the end

• John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments”

7–8 — Gratitude and Sacrifice

The Lord gives a command to “thank the Lord thy God in all things” and to offer a specific kind of sacrifice—not of animals, but of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” These verses emphasize internal devotion and sincere worship over ritual or external show. Gratitude becomes a commandment and a spiritual practice, and sacrifice becomes deeply personal and covenantal.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “Thank the Lord thy God in all things” (v.7)

  • Compare with 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

  • Greek: εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō) – “to give thanks, express gratitude” — the root of the word “Eucharist” (Sacrament)

• “Sacrifice...a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (v.8)

  • Echoes Psalm 51:17 – “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…”

  • Hebrew for “contrite”: דָּכָא (dakaʾ) – “to crush, break, humble” — often used to describe spiritual humility

  • Compare also 3 Nephi 9:20, where Christ defines this as the acceptable offering in place of burnt sacrifices

Reflection Questions

• How do we cultivate gratitude in “all things”—even during trials?

• In what ways can a broken heart and contrite spirit be a daily offering in our lives?

• How might these verses reshape our understanding of worship and sacrifice?
  

 Cross-References

• Alma 34:38 – Live in thanksgiving daily

9–12 — The Sabbath Day and Holy Devotion

The Lord designates the Sabbath as a holy day for worship, devotion, and spiritual renewal. Saints are instructed to attend the house of prayer, offer up sacraments and oblations, confess their sins, and avoid worldly activity. These practices are not arbitrary, but covenantal rituals designed to keep Saints “unspotted from the world.”

Language & Cultural Insights

• “House of prayer” (v.9)

  • Echoes Isaiah 56:7 – “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.”

    
    

  • Hebrew: תְּפִלָּה (tefillah) – “prayer” – conveys petition, thanksgiving, and covenantal conversation with God
    

• “Sacraments upon my holy day” (v.9)

  • The “holy day” is the Sabbath (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbat) – day of rest and sanctification

  • Sacrament practices here mirror those in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 20:7)
    

• “Oblations” (v.12)

  • Hebrew: מִנְחָה (minchah) – “offering” or “gift,” typically grain or non-animal sacrifices
    

• “Confessing thy sins...before the Lord”

  • A covenantal act of renewal tied to repentance (compare James 5:16)
    

Reflection Questions

• How can you better consecrate your Sabbath to the Lord?

• What does it mean to be “unspotted from the world,” and how does the Sabbath help accomplish that?

• How does attending a house of prayer differ from private worship?
  

 Cross-References

• Exodus 20:8–11 – Commandment to keep the Sabbath holy

• Isaiah 58:13–14 – Delighting in the Sabbath brings blessings

• Acts 20:7 – Sacrament practiced on the first day of the week

• Mosiah 18:23–25 – Assembling and worshiping God on the Sabbath

13–14 — Fasting and Rejoicing

These verses redefine fasting not as deprivation, but as sacred rejoicing. The Lord calls for food preparation to be done with “singleness of heart” so that fasting may be “perfect,” or in other words, that “thy joy may be full.” Fasting is tied not only to worship but to fullness, spiritual satisfaction, and divine joy.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “Singleness of heart” (v.13)

  • Suggests focused intent, undivided devotion, purity of purpose.

  • Related Greek: ἁπλότης (haplotēs) – “sincerity, generosity, simplicity, singleness”
    

• “That thy fasting may be perfect” (v.13)

  • Greek root for “perfect” in NT: τέλειος (teleios) – “complete, whole, mature” (cf. Matthew 5:48)

  • This reflects a holistic spiritual fast—not just abstaining from food, but a fullness of purpose and joy in the Lord.
    

• “Fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer” (v.14)

  • The parallel phrasing equates fasting with rejoicing, reversing common associations with grief or mourning.

  • Connects with Isaiah 58:6, 8–11 – God’s chosen fast leads to healing, light, guidance, and joy.
    

Reflection Questions

• How might fasting be seen not as deprivation, but as celebration?

• In what ways can preparing food with “singleness of heart” honor the Lord?

• How does connecting fasting with rejoicing change your approach to spiritual discipline?
  

Cross-References

• 3 Nephi 13:16–18 – Fast in secret and with joy, not with a sad countenance

• Matthew 6:17–18 – Fasting with anointed head and washed face (joyful appearance)

15 — Worship Disposition

These verses shift the focus from worship and fasting to divine abundance. Those who keep the Sabbath and worship with thanksgiving are promised the fullness of the earth. This includes not just sustenance (food and clothing), but beauty, joy, and spiritual nourishment. Gratitude is the key that unlocks these blessings.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “With thanksgiving” (v.15)

  • Greek: εὐχαριστία (eucharistia) – gratitude, thankfulness; same root as “Eucharist,” the sacrament of thanksgiving
    

• “Not with much laughter, for this is sin” (v.15)

  • The caution is not against joy, but against irreverent or mocking laughter. Contrast this with the “cheerful heart” (v.15) and “rejoicing” (v.14).

  • Related: Ecclesiastes 7:6 – “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool…”
    

• “Fullness of the earth” (v.16)

  • See also Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof”
    

• “To please the eye and gladden the heart” (v.18)

  • This echoes the Edenic language of Genesis 2:9, where God made trees “pleasant to the sight, and good for food.”
    

Reflection Questions

• How do you show gratitude for the beauty and abundance of God’s creations?

• In what ways does Sabbath observance open your eyes to the gifts of the earth?

• How can rejoicing with a “cheerful heart” deepen your spiritual experiences, and how do celebrations relate to food?  Keep in mind, that in Jewish Culture, the Sabbath is one of the Appointed “Feast Days.”
  

Cross-References

• 1 Timothy 4:4–5 – Every creature of God is good and to be received with thanksgiving

• Moses 2:29 – God gave herbs and fruits for food to man

• Alma 30:44 – “All things denote there is a God”

16–24 — Abundance of the Earth: Judgment, Obedience, and Promised Peace

The Lord reminds the Saints that everything He has given is for their benefit—but it must be used wisely, not “to excess” or by “extortion.” God’s wrath is kindled only when His hand is not acknowledged and His commandments not obeyed. Those who do the works of righteousness are promised peace now and eternal life to come.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “With judgment, not to excess” (v.20)

  • Hebrew for “judgment”: מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) – divine justice, fair assessment, right use

  • Implies a divinely guided discernment—not just self-control, but covenantal stewardship.
    

• “Confess not his hand in all things” (v.21)

  • Links to Proverbs 3:6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
    

• “Peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (v.23)

  • Parallels John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…”

  • See also 2 Nephi 2:25 – “Men are that they might have joy” — joy and peace as fruit of righteousness
    

Reflection Questions

• What does it mean to use the Lord’s blessings “with judgment” in your life?

• In what ways can you actively acknowledge God's hand in “all things”?

• How have you seen peace and eternal perspective as rewards of obedience?
  

Cross-References

• Proverbs 3:6 – Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways

• John 14:27 – Christ’s promise of peace

• Mosiah 2:21–22 – Acknowledge God’s hand and keep His commandments

• D&C 14:7 – Eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God”