Commentary for Doctrine and Covenants: Sections 23-26

 

Section 23

Background Information 

This section was given shortly after the the organization of the Church of Christ on April 6th, 1830 (JS's history suggests the exact date of these revelations, section 23 is a compilation, fall between April 6th - the 11th), and were addressed to JS's family members and close associates who desired to know the Lord's will for them. This revelations was originally given in five separate revelations. Some scholars believe that the revelations were given one after the other. The revelations were later combined into section 23. 

As you read, it's worthwhile to pay attention to what the Lord says to each person, noting how it's similar and different. 

Section 

1 Behold, I speak unto you, Oliver, a few words. Behold, thou art blessed, and art under no condemnation. But beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation. 2 Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever [here the Lord promises OC that if he makes known his calling unto the church and the world, his heart will be opened to preach the truth]. Amen.

3 Behold, I speak unto you, Hyrum, a few words; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever, and this because of thy family [the Smith family's duty is to the church. It explains why many of the general authorities and presidents of the church descend from the Smith family line]. Amen.

4 Behold, I speak a few words unto you, Samuel [JS' brother]; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling is to exhortation [same as Hyrum], and to strengthen the church; and thou art not as yet called to preach before the world. Amen.

5 Behold, I speak a few words unto you, Joseph; for thou also art under no condemnation, and thy calling also is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church; and this is thy duty from henceforth and forever [Similar to what the Lord said the Samuel and Hyrum]. Amen.

6 Behold, I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world as well as in secret [apparently Jospeh Knight's challenge or burden was praying vocally] and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places. 7 And, behold, it is your duty to unite with the true church, and give your language to exhortation continually, that you may receive the reward of the laborer. Amen.

Section 24

Background Information

Two months after the Church of Christ was organized, JS met with converts in in Manchester, Fayette, and Colesville -- all of these were locations in New York. Prior to receiving this revelation, the new church, particularly JS, experienced persecutions. Several Colesville residents, in an effort to thwart baptism, destroyed a previously constructed dam in the stream. And before JS could confirm the converts he was arrested and charged two times for "being a disorderly person; of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon." He was later released and returned to Harmony, Pennsylvania. JS later returned with OC to Colesville to confirm the converts. However, before JS and OC could do so, they were confronted by a mob and had to leave. 

This revelation was given at sometime between JS and OC's return to Harmony and OC's departure for Fayette around mid-July. Despite the persecution and obstacles, this revelation commanded JS to continue confirming baptized believers and to go forth and preach.  

Section 

Instruction to JS

1 Behold, thou [JS] wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon [JS' calling was to bring forth the Book of Mormon], and to my ministry [JS' calling is also to serve in the Lord's ministry] ; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness! 2 Nevertheless, thou art not excusable in thy transgressions; nevertheless, go thy way and sin no more. 3 Magnify thine office; and after thou hast sowed thy fields and secured them, go speedily unto the church which is in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester, and they [the church in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester] shall support thee; and I will bless them both spiritually and temporally; 4 But if they [Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester] receive thee not, I will send upon them a cursing instead of a blessing.

5 And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church [as leading the restoration, JS had a responsibility to expound all the scriptures to the church]. 6 And it shall be given thee [JS] in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing. 7 For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou shalt have strength [JS' duty and responsibility is towards building up Zion. This is what he was called by the Lord to do]. 8 Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days [Although JS will experience many affliction, the Lord gives up a promise that He will be with JS. This promise gives JS the assurance he needs to endure]. 9 And in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling [JS will only have strength in things that pertain to his calling]. Attend to thy calling and thou shalt have wherewith to magnify thine office [a duty or charge of a sacred nature], and to expound all scriptures, and continue in laying on of the hands and confirming the churches [Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester]

Instruction to OC

10 And thy brother Oliver shall continue in bearing my name before the world, and also to the church. And he shall not suppose that he can say enough in my cause; and lo, I am with him to the end. 11 In me he shall have glory, and not of himself, whether in weakness or in strength, whether in bonds or free; 12 And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men [Interestingly OC is promised Samson-like strength].

13 Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons; 14 And these things [the casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons] 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. 15 And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside.

• Verses 13-14: Require Not Miracles: 
• Verse 13 is worded awkwardly. A simpler way to phrase it: Unless the miracles being performed deals with casting out devils, healing the sick, against poisonous serpents, and deadly poisons, JS and OC are to be commanded by the Lord before they perform it. 
• Verse 14 further instructs JS and OC that although they don't need to be commanded to cast out devils, heal the sick, etc, they are not to perform those miracles unless the people request it.  
• Verse 15: Cast off the Dust --  The phrase and concept comes from the gospels
• Mark: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
• Luke: “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”
• What is the significance of "casting off the dust?"
• Elder James E. Talmage explains: “To ceremonially shake the dust from one’s feet as a testimony against another was understood by the Jews to symbolize a cessation of fellowship and a renunciation of all responsibility for consequences that might follow. It became an ordinance of accusation and testimony by the Lord’s instructions to His apostles as cited in the text. In the current dispensation, the Lord has similarly directed His authorized servants to so testify against those who wilfully and maliciously oppose the truth when authoritatively presented (D&C 24:15; 60:15; 75:20; 84:92; 99:4). The responsibility of testifying before the Lord by this accusing symbol is so great that the means may be employed only under unusual and extreme conditions, as the Spirit of the Lord may direct.”

16 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall lay their hands upon you [JS and OC] by violence, ye shall command to be smitten in my name; and, behold, I will smite them according to your words, in mine own due time. 17 And whosoever shall go to law with thee shall be cursed by the law. 18 And thou shalt take no purse nor scrip, neither staves, neither two coats, for the church shall give unto thee in the very hour what thou needest for food and for raiment, and for shoes and for money, and for scrip. 19 For thou art called to prune my vineyard with a mighty pruning, yea, even for the last time; yea, and also all those whom thou hast ordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen.

• Verse 18: Neither Purse nor Script -- This statement is a quotation from Luke 10:4 ("Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way."). A purse (Greek = balantion) is a bag or pouch. A scrip (Greek = peran), as used in the accusative of Luke 10, is a "knapsack or a pack for carrying provisions." Thus the Lord's command is to JS and OC is that they are to travel without money or luggage. And this is because they were to depend on the Lord to provide -- an ultimate act of faith. 
• Verse 19: Prune my Vineyard
• What does it means that JS and OC are to "prune" with a "mighty pruning"? 
• What does pruning metaphorically mean in the scriptures? 
• Why would the Lord say pruning instead of harvesting? 
• What's the difference, if any, between planting, harvesting, and pruning?
• What does it mean that JS' "calling" is to prune? How is that compare to what the Lord instructed JS' father in section 4? 
• What does it mean that JS is to prune for the "last time"?

Section 25 

Background Information 

By June 1830, JS had given almost 30 revelations for individuals or small groups (some which we are not part of the Doctrine and Covenants). As with section 23 and 24 (among other revelations) the precise date of this revelation is unknown, but was given some time in July. Section 25 is directed towards Emma Smith and "manifests the will of the Lord to Emma Smith." When DW copied the text, he described it has a commandment to Emma to "select Hymns." 

Notably, Emma, along with William W. Phelps, compiled the church first hymnal "A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Moreover, when the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was established in 1842, JS read this revelation to members present and explained that Emma had been "ordain’d at the time, the Revelation was given, to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community." 

Section 

1 Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom. 2 A revelation I give unto you [Emma Smith] concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion [Emma is given a conditional promise].

• Verse 1: Sons and Daughters -- Notice that the Lord explains what those who receive His gospel are sons and daughters in His kingdom. Thus to be a son or daughter of God is a title. And it is given to those who have received the gospel. 

3 Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called. 4 Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen [Emma wanted to see the plates], for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come. 5 And the office [a duty or charge of a sacred nature] of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness [Emma's calling is to comfort JS. If she performs this, she will have magnified her calling and qualify to enter into the rest of the Lord, see Alma 13]. 6 And thou [Emma] shalt go with him at the time of his [JS] going, and be unto him [JS] for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him, that I may send my servant, Oliver Cowdery, whithersoever I will. 7 And thou shalt be ordained under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit [Emma is to have the duty of teaching the church, resembling the calling of JS in section 24] . 8 For he shall lay his hands upon thee, and thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost, and thy time shall be given to writing, and to learning much.

9 And thou needest not fear, for thy husband shall support thee in the church; for unto them is his calling, that all things might be revealed unto them [the Church], whatsoever I will, according to their faith [JS was able to only reveal unto the church what the Church desired to receive thru their faith]. 10 And verily I say unto thee [Emma] that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. 11 And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church. 12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

13 Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. 14 Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband, and the glory which shall come upon him. 15 Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive. And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come. 16 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen.

Section 26 

Background Information 

Ever since JS received the gold plates, his days and time were devoted to the work of the Lord. As a result, he found himself unable to find time for work and care for his temporal needs. This was especially true after the three branches in New York (Colesille, Fayette, Manchester) had been established. In tending to the needs of these branches, JS spend much of his time traveling between these branches. Section 26 addresses these matters. 

Section 

1 Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures, and to preaching, and to confirming the church at Colesville, and to performing your labors on the land, such as is required, until after you shall go to the west to hold the next conference; and then it shall be made known what you shall do. 2 And all things (in the Church) shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and faith, for all things you shall receive by faith. Amen.

• Verse 1: Let Your Time -- Here, the Lord explains where JS should place his efforts. As stated in the background information, JS found himself increasingly unable to take care of his temporal needs. The Lord responds that JS is to focus on the needs of the new Church until the next conference, where the Lord will direct JS in what to do.