Emphasis Scriptures

The word 'desire' occurs 230 times in the standard works.

48 of those occurances are found in the list of scriptures highlighted below. These verses have the highest concentration of the word 'desire' in the standard works and contain 20.9% of all occurances. Assuming 30 seconds per verse, it would take about 20 minutes to read the entire list.

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Alma 44:1-2 (3 in 2 verses)

1 Kgs. 5:8-10 (3 in 3 verses)

Hel. 5:6-8 (3 in 3 verses)


D&C 11:8-10 (3 in 3 verses)

 11:8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

 11:9 Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments, and you shall be blessed.

 11:10 Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee;




Ps. 92:11 (2 in 1 verse)

Philip. 4:17 (2 in 1 verse)

Mosiah 29:32 (2 in 1 verse)

Alma 32:27 (2 in 1 verse)

Alma 60:6 (2 in 1 verse)

Ether 8:10 (2 in 1 verse)

D&C 6:8 (2 in 1 verse)

Gal. 4:20-21 (2 in 2 verses)

Gal. 6:12-13 (2 in 2 verses)

Mosiah 18:10-11 (2 in 2 verses)

Alma 17:22-23 (2 in 2 verses)

Alma 20:26-27 (2 in 2 verses)

Alma 29:6-7 (2 in 2 verses)

Alma 42:29-30 (2 in 2 verses)

Alma 57:7-8 (2 in 2 verses)

3 Ne. 28:1-2 (2 in 2 verses)

D&C 18:27-28 (2 in 2 verses)

D&C 43:12-13 (2 in 2 verses)

Exact Word Count

  FULL PART ALL
OT 77 43 120
NT 34 31 65
BM 89 116 205
DC 27 37 64
PGP 3 3 6
TOTAL 230 230 460

D&C 3:4
For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.

D&C 4:3
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

D&C 5:1
Behold, I say unto you, that as my servant Martin Harris has desired a witness at my hand, that you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., have got the plates of which you have testified and borne record that you have received of me;

D&C 5:23
And now, again, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, concerning the man that desires the witness--

D&C 5:24
Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see.

D&C 6:3
Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

D&C 6:8
Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

D&C 6:20
Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

D&C 6:22
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

D&C 6:25
And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to translate, even as my servant Joseph.

D&C 6:27
And now I command you, that if you have good desires-- a desire to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven-- then shall you assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.

D&C 7:1
And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.

D&C 7:3
And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

D&C 7:4
And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom.

D&C 7:5
I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done.

D&C 7:8
Verily I say unto you, ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.

D&C 9:1
Behold, I say unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.

D&C 10:46
And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.

D&C 11:3
Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

D&C 11:8
Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

D&C 11:10
Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee;

D&C 11:14
And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.

D&C 11:17
And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

D&C 11:21
Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

D&C 11:27
Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap.

D&C 12:3
Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

D&C 12:7
Behold, I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work;

D&C 14:3
Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

D&C 15:4
For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

D&C 16:4
For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

D&C 18:1
Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:

D&C 18:27
Yea, even twelve; and the Twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name; and the Twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart.

D&C 18:28
And if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature.

D&C 18:37
And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, and also unto David Whitmer, that you shall search out the Twelve, who shall have the desires of which I have spoken;

D&C 18:38
And by their desires and their works you shall know them.

D&C 19:36
Leave thy house and home, except when thou shalt desire to see thy family;

D&C 20:37
And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism-- All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

D&C 24:14
And these things ye shall not do, except it be required of you by them who desire it, that the scriptures might be fulfilled; for ye shall do according to that which is written.

D&C 43:12
And if ye desire the glories of the kingdom, appoint ye my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and uphold him before me by the prayer of faith.

D&C 43:13
And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him;

D&C 49:2
Behold, I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me and must needs repent.

D&C 52:12
And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff.

D&C 54:3
And if your brethren desire to escape their enemies, let them repent of all their sins, and become truly humble before me and contrite.

D&C 58:44
And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my church, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive their inheritance in this land, except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.

D&C 62:7
I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you desire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive this blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart in all things.

D&C 63:57
And again, verily I say unto you, those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power.

D&C 67:1
Behold and hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together, whose prayers I have heard, and whose hearts I know, and whose desires have come up before me.

D&C 80:2
And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith.

D&C 88:121
Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.

D&C 95:16
And let the lower part of the inner court be dedicated unto me for your sacrament offering, and for your preaching, and your fasting, and your praying, and the offering up of your most holy desires unto me, saith your Lord.

D&C 99:7
And after a few years, if thou desirest of me, thou mayest go up also unto the goodly land, to possess thine inheritance;

D&C 101:6
Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.

D&C 117:4
Let them repent of all their sins, and of all their covetous desires, before me, saith the Lord; for what is property unto me? saith the Lord.

D&C 125:4
And let all those who come from the east, and the west, and the north, and the south, that have desires to dwell therein, take up their inheritance in the same, as well as in the city of Nashville, or in the city of Nauvoo, and in all the stakes which I have appointed, saith the Lord.

D&C 127:10
I will say to all the saints, that I desired, with exceedingly great desire, to have addressed them from the stand on the subject of baptism for the dead, on the following Sabbath. But inasmuch as it is out of my power to do so, I will write the word of the Lord from time to time, on that subject, and send it to you by mail, as well as many other things.

D&C 132:61
And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood-- if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

D&C 137:9
For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.