RICHARD - Can you elaborate and explain what the Lord is talking about in D&C 78:19 Especially where it says: and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundredfold, yea, more.

JOEL - Here is the scripture:

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D&C 78:19)

A similar scripture appears in Matt. 19: 29:

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

In these two scriptures we are told that if we forsake all others for Christ's sake and are thankful for what God has given us we will be blessed both in this life and the next. We will be more successful in obtaing the temporal things necessary for living on this earth.
This promise was very reassuring for the saints during the early years of the Church, who suffered persecution from their enimies and were driven out of their homes. The promise was fulfilled, in that each time they were driven from their possessions, for the testimony of Jesus, they found a better location and become more prosperous.(eg. Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake City)

This promise can also apply to the faithful saints in our time who acknowledge the Lord in all things and forsake the things of this world. Having an attitude of thankfulness for the things of this earth which God gave us, makes us humble and more susceptable to the promptings of the spirit, which will help us know how we can obtain even more of the things of this earth necessary for life. The Holy Ghost will also soften our hearts and bless us with feelings of peace, long-suffering, gentleness, and even joy in the midst of afflictions. How this promise is fulfilled will be different for each individual and according to God's will for us.

RICHARD - Can you also tell me what the Lord is referring to when he talks about The Church of the First Born D&C 78:21 and I believe there are other locations in the scriptures it talks about this.

JOEL -
"For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion. (D&C 78:21)

The Firstborn is of course refering to Jesus, for He is the first born of the Father in the spirit and the first and only begotten in the flesh.

"And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn;" (D&C 93:21)

And He was also the first born from the dead, or the first person resurrected. (Col 1:18, Acts 26:23)

The Church of the Firstborn is Christ's heavenly church, and its members are exalted beings who gain an inheritance in the highest level of the celestial world and for whom the family continues in eternity. To secure the blessings that pertain to the Church of the Firstborn, one must obey the gospel from the heart, receive all of the temple ordinances, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Rom 8:14-17)

"For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn." (D&C 93:20, 22)