The DIB - Promised Blessings

Elder Bauer, Elder Law, and Elder Wiley

Hello - What’s a DIB? A DIB sounds like it could be some kind of ice cream or treat. And it is a treat. DIBs are wonderful! DIBs make me happy because they clearly show God’s great love for me and for all of mankind. DIB is an acronym that stands for Doctrine, Invitation, and Blessing. It is a pattern in the scriptures that is very exciting. For instance: James 1:5 is a DIB,

“If any of you lack, wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

The Doctrine is - God has wisdom and will share it with you liberally.

The Invitation is – to pray and ask of God.

The Blessing is - God will answer your prayers and give you wisdom when you ask in faith.

Our missionaries are asked to record DIBs in their scriptures to use as a teaching tool. The missionaries love searching for DIBs. When you start looking for DIBs you find them everywhere! And you can’t help but feel God’s abundance of love and blessings that He is waiting and wanting to shower down upon you.

This week during the time of interviews with the president, while I visited with the missionaries, I asked each missionary to give me their favorite DIB. In exchanged for the DIB I showed them a simple card trick. It was fun. I now have a list of 150 DIBs in the scriptures and this is just the beginning of finding more.

Sister Kolowich, Sister Lamb, and Sister Quinn with the book of DIBs and cards for the fun card trick

Another favorite DIB is 2 Nephi 32:3

“Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”  

Can you see the doctrine, the invitation, and the blessing in this verse?

I recently learned that acting on an invitation from the Lord helps to increase our faith. Increased faith is just another fabulous blessing from a loving Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.

When using DIBs in their teaching, missionaries can speak with power. They teach the doctrine and then they use the invitation to ask the person they are teaching to do something that will bring them closer to God. Next they say, “I can promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that the blessing will come into your life.”  Tears came to my eyes a number of times as the missionaries practice giving their DIBs to me.  I love how they challenged me to do something that would bring me blessings. They looked me straight in the eye and said, “Sister Quinn, will you commit to do this, this week?”

I felt the spirit and of course I will act on the invitation. I look forward to an increase in blessings!

Sister Smart and Sister Dietz

Here are two more DIBs:

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28

“…Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you.” 3 Nephi 9:13

Open your scriptures and start reading, you’ll find a DIB before you know it! What a treat! (hint: look for the word “will”)

Elder Young, Elder Hobi, and President Quinn