Joseph Smith wrote a letter to the Saints while in Liberty Jail from which have been derived some sections in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 121-123). In addition to what we find in the D&C, the letter also contained valuable information that was never canonized and therefore, unfamiliar to many saints today. In the letter written between 20 and 25 March 1839 Joseph explains the following:
"If anything should have been suggested by us, or any names mentioned, except by commandment, or thus saith the Lord, we do not consider it binding; therefore our hearts shall not be grieved if different arrangements should be entered into. Nevertheless we would suggest the propriety of being aware of an aspiring spirit...
To Joseph, when a prophet was acting as a prophet he spoke like a prophet. Joseph made many "thus saith the Lord" pronouncements (D&C 56:14; D&C 86:1, 8; D&C 124:1; etc). His direction to the saints was that unless the brethren had put forth a "commandment," or spoken "thus saith the Lord," they could make arrangements to suit their needs and circumstances. They could seek guidance in living their religion according to the dictates of God's Spirit to them and their families. Joseph was incarcerated and not with the saints, yet they wondered at the continued operation of the church and how to conduct themselves. Joseph explained that he did not consider even the leaders' opinions "binding" upon the saints.
In the same letter, Joseph went on to teach that "outward appearance" is not always the best way to judge a man; he must be judged by his words and deeds. For "lips betray the haughty."
He spoke out against the use of flattery:
"Flattery also is a deadly poison. A frank and open rebuke provoketh a good man to emulation; and in the hour of trouble he will be your best friend; but on the other hand, it will draw out all the corruptions of corrupt hearts, and lying and the poison of asps is under their tongues; and they do cause the pure in heart to be cast into prison, because they want them out of their way" (HC 3:295).
Lastly, there is a verse in D&C 121 which was pulled from Joseph's letter that reads as follows:
"God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now" (D&C 121:26).
In the original letter there was a sentence that preceded that verse that helps you understand what is actually required to obtain that unspeakable gift and knowledge. That paragraph of the letter began by saying:
"And now, brethren, after your tribulations, if you do these things, and exercise fervent prayer and faith in the sight of God always, He shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now" (HC 3:296).
Oh, what we miss out on when we fail to consider context.
Showing posts with label Joseph Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joseph Smith. Show all posts
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Regularly Ordained
A good question was asked that would be helpful to answer with a post. The question was about the previous post and how D&C 42:11 fits in. Here is the scripture and question:
"11 Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church" (D&C 42:11).
"How do you reconcile that verse with Abinadi, the unnamed prophet who called Eli the high priest to repentance, Samuel the Lamanite, John the Baptist, Lehi, and most of the Old Testament prophets, who were neither ordained by the heads of the church nor did the church know they had authority besides what they claimed God gave them."
To simplify, I don't think there is a need to 'reconcile that verse' with prophets the Lord chooses independent of men's input. This may appear contradictory at first glance, but is not. Read the entire section and ask when, why, and under what circumstances the revelation was given.
These were instructions to the church. Specifically, they were instructions given to the church while Joseph was alive. It duly established a precedent and order by which our missionary work is carried out. There were to be no secret ordinations performed to offices within the church. Those who were extending the call to serve and ordaining others to "go forth to preach" were to be "known to the church" to have authority to do so. We still follow this instruction.
Section 42 contains instructions for the church in sending forth missionaries and in preaching the gospel, and was revelation given while a particular group of elders was present. Beginning with verse 1 it is clear the Lord has in mind "ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together" (D&C 42:1). Specific instructions were given for the elders present, and exception is even made for Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to some of the instructions that were given (D&C 42:4-5). The revelation is instructions for "building up" Christ's church (D&C 42:8). When you get into verses 11, 12, 13 and so on, it remains clear this is instruction for "this church."
There is an order in the Lord's church. Joseph followed these instructions and called and sent missionaries to preach the gospel. Missionary work was to be organized and authorized by the "heads of the church." It was not to be a free-for-all. There was order established by the Lord, and the church has done a good job following that order.
The revelation does not bind God, however. In fact, God's commandments to his children have never been binding on him. God and his holy prophets do things at times that appear contrary to what is right and holy (I think of Nephi killing his uncle, Abraham sacrificing his son, Elijah slaying hundreds of priests, God killing, etc.). Those examples are never license for others to break the commandments of God.
God is not bound to accomplish his work by our standards or expectations, even if they are standards he has established for the conduct of his church. God has called prophets independent of churches since the beginning. It makes you wonder if he would choose to do the same in our day as he has in the past.
God has also established his church, or a covenant people, throughout history. His covenant people, other than in rare cases that achieved Zion, have generally been slothful, proud, religious and unbelieving. It seems that when Zion has been established, it was because a people chose to accept what God offered through a true prophet while he was living (i.e. Adam, Enoch, Melchizedek, etc.). Most often though, the prophets have been killed and the fulness lost.
When Joseph Smith was killed a grand opportunity was lost. He had come with the fulness and offered to establish Zion. Generations have passed since then and God is beginning to extend that opportunity again. There is more to all of this. This is the beginning of the end.
"11 Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church" (D&C 42:11).
"How do you reconcile that verse with Abinadi, the unnamed prophet who called Eli the high priest to repentance, Samuel the Lamanite, John the Baptist, Lehi, and most of the Old Testament prophets, who were neither ordained by the heads of the church nor did the church know they had authority besides what they claimed God gave them."
To simplify, I don't think there is a need to 'reconcile that verse' with prophets the Lord chooses independent of men's input. This may appear contradictory at first glance, but is not. Read the entire section and ask when, why, and under what circumstances the revelation was given.
These were instructions to the church. Specifically, they were instructions given to the church while Joseph was alive. It duly established a precedent and order by which our missionary work is carried out. There were to be no secret ordinations performed to offices within the church. Those who were extending the call to serve and ordaining others to "go forth to preach" were to be "known to the church" to have authority to do so. We still follow this instruction.
Section 42 contains instructions for the church in sending forth missionaries and in preaching the gospel, and was revelation given while a particular group of elders was present. Beginning with verse 1 it is clear the Lord has in mind "ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together" (D&C 42:1). Specific instructions were given for the elders present, and exception is even made for Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to some of the instructions that were given (D&C 42:4-5). The revelation is instructions for "building up" Christ's church (D&C 42:8). When you get into verses 11, 12, 13 and so on, it remains clear this is instruction for "this church."
There is an order in the Lord's church. Joseph followed these instructions and called and sent missionaries to preach the gospel. Missionary work was to be organized and authorized by the "heads of the church." It was not to be a free-for-all. There was order established by the Lord, and the church has done a good job following that order.
The revelation does not bind God, however. In fact, God's commandments to his children have never been binding on him. God and his holy prophets do things at times that appear contrary to what is right and holy (I think of Nephi killing his uncle, Abraham sacrificing his son, Elijah slaying hundreds of priests, God killing, etc.). Those examples are never license for others to break the commandments of God.
God is not bound to accomplish his work by our standards or expectations, even if they are standards he has established for the conduct of his church. God has called prophets independent of churches since the beginning. It makes you wonder if he would choose to do the same in our day as he has in the past.
God has also established his church, or a covenant people, throughout history. His covenant people, other than in rare cases that achieved Zion, have generally been slothful, proud, religious and unbelieving. It seems that when Zion has been established, it was because a people chose to accept what God offered through a true prophet while he was living (i.e. Adam, Enoch, Melchizedek, etc.). Most often though, the prophets have been killed and the fulness lost.
When Joseph Smith was killed a grand opportunity was lost. He had come with the fulness and offered to establish Zion. Generations have passed since then and God is beginning to extend that opportunity again. There is more to all of this. This is the beginning of the end.
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