D&C 98:11-13 “11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. 12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith. 13 And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.”
Study Insights
D&C 98:11–13 – Line Upon Line and the Law of Faithfulness (August 6, 1833)
A Commandment to Forsake Evil and Cleave to Good
In August 1833, while the Saints in Missouri faced hostility and violence, the Lord revealed words of strength and principle through the Prophet Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio. Among these sacred teachings, Doctrine and Covenants 98:11–13 shines as a personal and collective challenge to rise above darkness and live by divine truth. The Lord’s commandment is clear and universal: “forsake all evil and cleave unto all good.” This isn’t simply moral advice—it’s a call to spiritual transformation.
To “cleave unto all good” means more than casual righteousness; it requires devotion, discernment, and deliberate alignment with God’s will. The early Saints, enduring mob persecution and uncertainty, were reminded that holiness is not found in circumstances but in choices. This verse invites all believers to live by “every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God,” echoing the Savior’s words in Matthew 4:4. In turbulent times, the voice of the Lord becomes the compass—the sure guide leading from confusion to clarity, from fear to faith.
The Principle of Growth: Line Upon Line
The Lord’s reassurance in verse 12 offers profound insight into spiritual development: “For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept.” This phrase captures one of the most enduring truths of discipleship—that spiritual growth comes gradually, through faithful effort and continuing revelation.
For the Saints in 1833, who longed for deliverance and understanding, this teaching reminded them that divine wisdom unfolds in stages. God’s revelations are layered, progressive, and deeply personal. Each “line” builds upon the last, requiring patience, obedience, and trust. The Lord was not withholding truth; He was preparing His people to receive it. Their trials were part of that preparation—a proving ground for faith and endurance. To modern disciples, this principle still applies. The Lord’s answers often come in increments, not bursts. He invites His followers to grow steadily through scripture study, prayer, and obedience. True understanding is cultivated through experience, testing, and divine timing. The phrase “I will try you and prove you herewith” reveals that progression is inseparable from testing—faith is refined only when stretched.
The Promise of Life Eternal
Verse 13 lifts the message to its eternal height: “And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal.” For the early Saints, this was not a metaphor. Many faced the possibility of death for their faith, yet the Lord’s promise assured them that sacrifice in His name would lead to everlasting life.
This declaration mirrors Christ’s own words in the New Testament: “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” It reveals the divine paradox of discipleship—that the ultimate victory is found in surrender to God’s will. The Lord teaches that no righteous sacrifice is forgotten, and no faithful life is lost in vain.
The principle extends beyond physical martyrdom. Every act of consecration—every time a believer sacrifices comfort, pride, or ambition for the sake of righteousness—is a form of “laying down one’s life” for the Lord. In return, He promises the highest gift: life eternal, complete and glorious in His presence.
The Path of Covenant Living
Doctrine and Covenants 98:11–13 is more than instruction—it is an invitation to covenant living. The Lord calls His people to moral purity, patient growth, and consecrated devotion. He reminds them that divine truth is revealed in layers, that trials refine faith, and that eternal life crowns those who persevere in His cause. For the Saints of 1833 and every generation since, these verses embody the essence of discipleship: to turn from evil, to cling to light, to trust the process of revelation, and to consecrate one’s life to the service of God. In this sacred pattern—line upon line, precept upon precept—believers find not only peace in mortality but also the promise of immortality and eternal life.
