Things Temporal and Things Spiritual

By Hollis

Today during my personal studying of the scriptures (which can be long and drawn out if I want because I am a stay at home husband and we don't have kids), I came across an article in the July 2005 issue of the Ensign (an LDS publication containing messages and stories of a spiritual nature) on the role of the Presiding Bishopric. It describes the role of the Presiding Bishopric in the LDS church as the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood as well as administrator of the temporal matters of the church. They are also general authorities and thus are likewise called to assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in any capacity requested. Bishop Keith B. McMullin, author of this article and 2nd counsellor in the Presiding Bishopric, cites D&C 24:34-35 in reference to the Lord saying that He has given no law that is temporal and goes on to explain what this means. I hadn't previously understood how every law could be spiritual, even those seemingly temporal.

He states,
"In most people’s minds, the temporal affairs for which the Presiding Bishopric is responsible are the business aspects of the Church. But in the 29th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says, “Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; … for my commandments are spiritual” (D&C 29:34–35).

The Lord does not look at things the way we do. And so it is with the temporal affairs of the Church. Because a copy of the Book of Mormon is a printed book, to the unknowing eye it may appear to be like any other book. But this book is produced to introduce to the world the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. And so the “temporal affairs” that bring about the translating, printing, binding, and distributing of the Book of Mormon are rife with spiritual implications. This principle is true for everything “temporal” the Church does."

I just wanted to share that.