Faith in Every Footstep

Readings:

1. 1. a. 
      Doctrine and Covenants 136.
   2. b. 
      Our Heritage, pages 71–77.

Section 136 in the Doctrine and Covenants is full of direction, both physical and spiritual direction.  Jesus Christ is the author of this (and of course all others) section and therefore helps me to know that he is aware of and can direct the physical, mental and emotional aspects of his church - a huge group of people, only to get larger.  If he is able to direct a huge group of people he can surely direct my puny little affairs.

The beginning of the section contains general directions on how the people should be groups and how they should care for each other, leaving the decisions of which captains and details of organization jobs to choose and such up to the called leaders (though they surely sought the help of God in making those decisions).

Then follows spiritual, which affects temporal, well-being:

19 And if any man shall seek to build up himself, and seeketh not my counsel, he shall have no power, and his folly shall be made manifest.
 20 Seek ye; and keep all your pledges one with another; and covet not that which is thy brother’s.
 21 Keep yourselves from evil to take the name of the Lord in vain, for I am the Lord your God, even the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.
 22 I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; and my arm is stretched out in the last days, to save my people Israel.
 23 Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another.
 24 Cease drunkenness; and let your words tend to edifying one another.
 25 If thou borrowest of thy neighbor, thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee.
 26 If thou shalt find that which thy neighbor has lost, thou shalt make diligent search till thou shalt deliver it to him again.
 27 Thou shalt be diligent in preserving what thou hast, that thou mayest be a wise steward; for it is the free gift of the Lord thy God, and thou art his steward.
 28 If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
 29 If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.
 30 Fear not thine enemies, for they are in mine hands and I will do my pleasure with them.
 31 My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.
 32 Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;
 33 For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.

And then this last direction:

42 Be diligent in keeping all my commandments, lest judgments come upon you, and your faith fail you, and your enemies triumph over you. So no more at present. Amen and Amen.

This seems like a lot to do, and quick frankly it is!  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the most recent General Conference of the church recited a list of things the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in his talk "Come, Join With Us."  He cited three possible reasons: First, directions we receive are from Jesus Christ, if we believe in Him we will gladly follow His direction. Secondly, when we believe in Jesus Christ we want to do more than just believe, we want to put our faith into practice. Thirdly, "walking the path of discipleship leads to precious blessings."