Doctrine and Covenants 82:7

Elder Richard G. Scott:

“Abandonment of sin … is an unyielding, permanent resolve to not repeat the transgression. By keeping this commitment, the bitter aftertaste of that sin need not be experienced again. Remember: ‘But unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return’ [D&C 82:7]. Joseph Smith declared: ‘Repentance is a thing that cannot be trifled with every day. Daily transgression and daily repentance is not … pleasing in the sight of God’ [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 148]” (“Finding Forgiveness,”Ensign, May 1995, 76).

Doctrine and Covenants 82:11–12

In early editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, pseudonyms, or false names, were used to protect the Church and Church leaders from enemies. This practice was used with the names of the members of the United Firm in Doctrine and Covenants 82:11. Thus, in some early editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, pseudonyms may appear in the text that now constitutes this verse. The real names were restored in later editions.

The “stewardships” or responsibilities of the members mentioned in verse 11 were as follows: six of the nine had been appointed “stewards over the revelations and commandments” (D&C 70:3—the Prophet Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, and William W. Phelps), two were the Church’s bishops (Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney), and one was in charge of the storehouse in Independence, Missouri (A. Sidney Gilbert).

Doctrine and Covenants 82:18

“The Lord’s storehouse … may be a list of available services, money in an account, food in a pantry, or commodities in a building. A storehouse is established the moment faithful members give to the bishop of their time, talents, skills, compassion, materials, and financial means in caring for the poor and in building up the kingdom of God on the earth.

“The Lord’s storehouse, therefore, exists in each ward. The bishop is the agent of the Lord’s storehouse. Guided by the inspiration of the Lord, he distributes the Saints’ offerings to the poor and needy. He is assisted by the priesthood quorums and Relief Society” (Providing in the Lord’sWay: A Leader’s Guide to Welfare [1990], 11; see also LDS.org).

Doctrine and Covenants 82:22

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“The commandment of the Lord that the saints should make themselves ‘friends with the mammon of unrighteousness,’ seems to be a hard saying when not properly understood. It is not intended that in making friends of the ‘mammon of unrighteousness’ that the brethren were to partake with them in their sins; to receive them to their bosoms, intermarry with them and otherwise come down to their level. They were to so live that peace with their enemies might be assured. They were to treat them kindly, be friendly with them as far as correct and virtuous principles would permit, but never to swear with them or drink and carouse with them. If they could allay prejudice and show a willingness to trade with and show a kindly spirit, it might help to turn them away from their bitterness. Judgment was to be left with the Lord” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:323; see also Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2001], 179.)