Dear Gramps,
Will you please elaborate on verse 121, Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants? Are we to cease from all laughter or is this commandment specifically for certain solemn occasions, such as in the School of the Prophets or temple work? The remaining part of the verse is self-explanatory and ought to be followed, but I stand perplexed about ceasing from all laughter because humor is good for the soul.
Greg, from Louisiana

Dear Greg,
Verse 121 of Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants continues a subject introduced in verse 117 as instructions to call a solemn assembly. In verse 119 the instruction is given to —

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.

The counsel given from this verse to the end of the chapter relates to procedures and attitudes that are required for the efficacy of the work in the house of the Lord, in the school of he prophets (v 137). So these instructions are not for general application in all walks of life, but for comportment in the temple. If these instructions were of general application they would be in conflict with the instructions in verse 15 of Section 59, that counsels against much laughter—

And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance–

Gramps