"Receive of His Fulness"

Ron Linn (American, born 1987)
hraun 1 (bed) (2016)
Inkjet print on newsprint, 24 x 36 inches
Courtesy of the artist
Artist’s website

Section 93 of Doctrine and Covenants contains many profound concepts. Among them is an examination of the elements, the spirit, the body, and intelligence. “The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy,” says verse 33.

During an artist’s residency in Iceland, the artist Ron Linn explored element, as well. He notes, “Iceland is a volcanic island, and so a lot of it is made up of lava, either old or new. And in parts there’d be these vast fields of old lava that had become overgrown with arctic moss. And I found this image so captivating. It seemed like a good illustration of Iceland itself. There was this space in which I just wanted to kind of curl up, and felt soft and safe and home-like, but just underneath the surface there was all of this really twisted, sharp rock and a really violent history of volcanic eruptions.”

The elements of Section 93 are different than the elements of fire, water, and plant life that Ron explored in Iceland, but are they all eternal?

Gospel Questions

1. This section includes many names for Jesus (for example, see verses 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 22, 26, etc.) As you look for the names of Jesus in this section, which one feels most applicable to the place Jesus holds in your life presently and why?

2. While Jesus’ description of the truth as “knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24) can be interpreted as constant, it can also feel to have an element of evolution. How do these ideas mesh in relation to “the Spirit of truth” which is Jesus (D&C 93:26)?

3. Jesus tells Joseph Smith to “hasten…to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion” (D&C 93:53). How can this type of knowledge benefit Zion?

For Children & Youth

Hi. What is it like for you to go to someplace that you’ve never been before? How do you explore it? The artist Ron Linn found himself on an island made of lava. As he tried to understand it, he found himself wanting to connect with it, but failing. Here is a place that was created very violently—erupting volcanoes are scary—but not if it is covered in soft arctic moss. The next time you go exploring, can you capture your feelings and reactions to that place?

Gospel Questions

1. Heavenly Father describes Jesus as "my beloved Son" (D7C 93:15). What does this tell you about the relationship between God and Jesus? What does this teach you about your relationship with God and Jesus?

2. How can obedience give you more truth and light (D&C 93:28; see also D&C 93:39)? What do you learn about light and truth in this chapter?

3. Jesus explains, "What I say unto one I say unto all" (D&C 93:49). How does this impact the way you read scriptures?