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| Nauvoo circa 1840 |
Section 125
Background Information
As saints from all over the United States, Canada, and the British Isles gathered to Nauvoo, some of them settled across the Mississippi River in the Iowa territory where land was inexpensive. Towns sprang up such as Montrose, Zarahemla, Ambrosia, Augusta, Nashville, and Keokuk. Two stakes were organized, the first in October 1839 in Zarahemla, with President John Smith, JS' uncle, as president. With the increasing emphasis on Nauvoo as a gathering place, however, the question was raised as to whether or not the Iowa saints should move across the river into Nauvoo. In March 1841, JS inquired of the Lord as to his will concerning the Iowa saints. Should they move across the river to join the rest of the saints, or should they stay in Iowa?
Section
1 What is the will of the Lord concerning the saints in the Territory of Iowa? 2 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I say unto you, if those who call themselves by my name and are essaying to be my saints, if they will do my will and keep my commandments concerning them, let them [the saints] gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them by my servant Joseph, and build up cities unto my name, that they [the saints] may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come [referring to the end times judgments]. 3 Let them [the saints] build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo, and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it. 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.
- Verse 2: Essaying to be My Saints
- Websters 1828 Dictionary defines essaying as “trying, making an effort, attempting.” Furthermore, essaying is a type of trying where one exerts full effort. Those who are "essaying" to be saints are those who are striving with all their might to be saints. One definition of a saint is a sanctified and holy or godly person.
- Verse 3: Let the Name of Zarahemla be Named Upon It
- The settlement called Zarahemla had been founded in 1839, and the prophet Joseph had recommended the name. Here the Lord merely gives his approval of the name. Some argue that the Lord's naming the city Zarahemla does refer to the geographic location of the Book of Mormon city of Zarahemla, similar to the fact that the Jordan River in Salt Lake Valley received its name form the Jordan River in the Judea. While possible, it is also possible that the city designated Zarahemla could also refer to the Nephite city. The Iowa city is located on the Mississippi river. Notably, we know from Alma 2 that the Nephite city of Zarahemla boarders along the river Sidon. For those interested in the evidences for this view, here is video that makes the case.
- Verse 4: Nashville
- The village of Nashville was located in Iowa, across the river from Nauvoo, and a little south of Zarahemla. Nashville and Zarahemla were used as gathering places for the saints as they fled from Nauvoo and as stopping points for the members as they gathered to Winter Quarters and then traveled on to Salt Lake City.
Section 126
In the summer of 1833 he traveled to Kirtland with several of his Canadian converts, where he heard Joseph Smith teach about the gathering, emphasizing that building the kingdom of God required more than just preaching. Thus instructed, Brigham returned to New York and, with the Heber C. Kimballs, moved his household to Kirtland so he could participate in building a new society.In 1834 Brigham responded to the call to join Zion’s Camp. In February 1835 he was called to be a member of the church’s first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He fulfilled a mission in the eastern states in the summer of 1835. In 1837 he served two separate missions to the eastern states. He traveled to Great Britain in September 1839 to preach the gospel. He returned on July 1, 1841, with Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor, and he received this revelation some eight days later.
In 1836 Joseph had beheld in vision the sacrifices and privations that Brigham and the other apostles would suffer in their missionary experiences. Joseph wrote:
I saw the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swollen, with their eyes cast downward, and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold him. The Savior looked upon them and wept. . . . Also, I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and the angel of God was standing above his head, with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but he did not see it (HC, 2:381).
Almost all Brigham Young had done since he joined the Church was serve one mission after another. He had been away from his home almost the entire nine years he had been in the Church. He had served faithfully and well. When Brigham left on his mission to England, his family was facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. In an 1854 discourse he described the immense trial of faith he struggled with when he left his family to travel across the Atlantic
When I left my family to start for England, I was not able to walk one mile, I was not able to lift a small trunk, which I took with me, into the wagon. I left my wife and my six children without a second suit to their backs, for we had left all our property in possession of the mob. Every one of my family were [sic] sick . . . Joseph said, “If you will go, I promise you, that your family shall live, and you shall live, and you shall know that the hand of God is in the calling for you to go and preach the Gospel of life and salvation to a perishing world.” . . . My family lived . . . As for being cast down, or at all discouraged, or even such thoughts entering in my heart as, “I will provide for my family, and let the world perish,” these feelings and thoughts never once occurred to me . . . When I was ready to start, I went and left my family in the hands of the Lord, and with the brethren. (JD, 2:19).
The Lord told Brigham in section 126 that he would not be required to leave his family again. The Lord had seen and accepted his offering. He had paid the price. Henceforth, Brigham will “send” rather than “take” the Lord’s word abroad. Brigham never filled another proselyting mission after this revelation. He did, however, travel for the Church in other capacities.
- Verse 1: Your Offering Is Acceptable to Me
- Each and every one of us are expected to make sacrifices to the Lord in order to not only receive blessings from him, but to live with him again. The Lord, not us, decides what that sacrifice will be and the when and how or offering it. For Abraham his sacrifice culminated in the offering of his son. For Lehi's family it was to leave everything they knew -- their comfort, possessions, and accoutrements -- and rely upon the Lord to provide for them in the wilderness. Those who willingly make these sacrifices receive blessings and qualify for entrance into God's presence if they remain faithful.
- Verse 3: Take Especial Care of Your Family
- Neal A. Maxwell remarked
- The gospel's illumination provides so much greater perspective for us concerning the role of the family... There are no perfect families, either in the world or in the Church, but there are many good families. My spiritual applause also goes to those heroic parents-left alone by death or divorce-who are righteously and "anxiously engaged" in nurturing and providing for their families, often against such heavy odds. Alas, in some families things do go wretchedly wrong, but these gross failures are no reason to denigrate further the institution of the family. We should make course corrections and fix the leaks, not abandon ship!...
- Obviously, family values mirror our personal priorities. Given the gravity of current conditions, would parents be willing to give up just one outside thing, giving that time and talent instead to the family? Parents and grandparents, please scrutinize your schedules and priorities in order to ensure that life's prime relationships get more prime time! Even consecrated and devoted Brigham Young was once told by the Lord, "Take especial care of your family" (D&C 126:3). Sometimes, it is the most conscientious who need this message the most! ("Take Especial Care of Your Family," Ensign, May 1994, 89)
Section 127
The Saints could see lie after lie in John’s writing, but the letters fed a fire that was already burning among their critics in Missouri. After recovering from the attack, Boggs had demanded that his would-be assassin be brought to justice. When he learned that Porter Rockwell had been visiting family in Independence at the time, Boggs accused Joseph of being an accomplice to his attempted murder. He then urged Thomas Reynolds, the new governor of Missouri, to request that Illinois officials arrest Joseph and send him back to Missouri for trial. Governor Reynolds agreed, and he in turn demanded that Thomas Carlin, the governor of Illinois, treat Joseph like a fugitive from justice who had fled Missouri after the crime. (Id).
- Verse 2: They Seem But a Small Thing
- When JS was called by the Lord, he was told that he would suffer great hardships and afflictions. The Lord's statement proved true. His statement about trials is worth reflection and discussion. JS' statement about his trials and afflictions appearing "but a small thing" reveals his godly character. And it is the outlook we must learn to cultivate. Trials and suffering are part of life. Although we don't have full control over our trials, we do have full control over how we'll respond to them. We can allow them to conquer us, by causing us to lose faith in God, ourselves, and humanity, and instead positioning ourselves towards nihilism and despair. Or we can overcome them, through faith, perseverance, diligence, humility, and desire, allowing them to refine our character and serve as instruments of growth and advancement. We when overcome
- Our lives only occupy three stages: 1) stagnation; 2) pruning; and 3) fruit producing
- The first stage is that of the natural man. In this stage, the natural man has not spiritually progressed. Although he may grow in knowledge through education and experience, he has failed to use that knowledge to grow spiritually. He lives his daily existence going through the motions without any real purpose.
- The last two stages (pruning and nourishing) refer to the stages of disciples of Christ.
- 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit...4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15)
- The Lord's aim for us is to produce fruit. To produce fruit means to produce good works that benefit and save others. However, in order to produce these works, we must be pruned. Pruning refers to trials. The Lord prunes his branches through trials:
- 5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. 6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
- The purpose of pruning is to refine the person. Trials refine us by exposing us to things that we can't handle.
- "An effective test helps us to compare what we need to know with that we actually know about a specific subject; it also provides a standard against which we can evaluate our learning and development." (Elder Bednar, We Will Prove Them Herewith, October 2020 General Conference)
- Trials serve as a test, exposing us to what we don't know about ourselves and reality. Our character grows as we learn how to respond to the trial, not by ignoring and grinning our teeth through the experience, but by accepting it and learning from it. In my view, this is why the Lord says that those "who will not endure chastening (trials)...cannot be sanctified." (101: 5). The Lord uses trials to change us.
- I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. (D&C 98:4)
- We show our inability to endure the chastening by failing to meekly and humbly respond to the trial. Those who resort to cursing God and blaming him for their hardships are not enduring the chastening, but "denying him." And by denying him they are unwilling to go through the trials that will refine their character to become godly.
- Those who knew JS before and after his experience in Liberty Jail observed how much he changed (for the better) due to those experiences. Associates explained that after he Liberty Jail he had grown into the full stature of a prophet, no longer relying upon Sidney Rigdon to communicate is thoughts, but having his own mind and view.
- After the pruning, we then produce fruit. As our character has become refined and more like God's, we receive greater outpouring of his spirit which will enable us to accomplish greater works. And then the cycle repeats so that we can bear even more fruit
- "2...every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.." (John 15)
- Through this cyclical process of pruning and bearing fruit, our character grows to such an extent that the vicissitudes of life have have no power over us. Although they'll cause suffering and heartache, they will be unable to shake our faith in Christ and to move us our of our character. At this point, the opposition, which is the undoing of others, is the fire that turn us into a polished shaft for the Lord, leading us to glorify the Lord.
- Verse 6: Let There Be a Record...
- As one commentator explained:
- In the revelation to the JS (see D&C 124), the Lord informed the saints that the practice of performing baptisms for the dead belongs to his temple, but an exception was granted to them while they built the temple so that baptisms for the dead could be performed in the Mississippi River. The saints immediately began the work of baptism for their kindred dead. That work, however, was done in a random and disorganized manner. Wilford Woodruff remembered going into the Mississippi River, along with JS and others, and baptizing hundreds for their dead but without any recorders present to make record of the actions. “But the Lord told Joseph that he must have recorders present at these baptisms—men who could see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and record these things. Of course, we had to do the work over again. Nevertheless, that does not say the work was not of God” (Millennial Star [June 29, 1891]: 405).
- As Wilford Woodruff observed, the saints did not understand that a record needed to be kept of all ordinances performed and that there had to be witnesses to the performing of the ordinances. Here, the JS instructed the saints that in order for things to be recorded in heaven, they must be recorded on earth. The record should be kept in the temple for generations thereafter to have access to. JS, at another time, taught the Relief Society: “I have one remark to make respecting the baptism for the dead to suffice for the time being, until I have opportunity to discuss the subject at greater length—all persons baptized for the dead must have a recorder present, that he may be an eyewitness to record and testify of the truth and validity of his record. It will be necessary, in the Grand Council, that these things be testified to by competent witnesses. Therefore let the recording and witnessing of baptisms for the dead be carefully attended to from this time forth” (HC, 5:141).
Section 128
Background Information
Consist of another letter that JS wrote to the saints while hiding and pertaining the subject of baptism for the dead.
Section
1 As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind, and press itself upon my feelings the strongest, since I have been pursued by my enemies.
- Verse 1: That Subject Seems to Occupy My Mind
- As one commentator explained:
- While the Prophet was in hiding, he had time to think about things that were of supernal importance in developing the work. He was beginning to sense that his time was short, and there was much work yet to be done. The completion of the temple and the attendant ordinances for the living and the dead had to be paramount in his thinking
2 I wrote a few words of revelation [Although sections 127 and 128 are letters, JS states that they are revelations, and thus carry a lot of weight] to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter [Concerning ordinance of baptism for the dead], which I now certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there should be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, and also to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord [Everything the Lord does must be attested by witnesses]. 3 Now, in relation to this matter, it would be very difficult for one recorder to be present at all times, and to do all the business. To obviate this difficulty, there can be a recorder appointed in each ward of the city, who is well qualified for taking accurate minutes; and let him be very particular and precise in taking the whole proceedings, certifying in his record that he saw with his eyes, and heard with his ears, giving the date, and names, and so forth, and the history of the whole transaction; naming also some three individuals that are present, if there be any present, who can at any time when called upon certify to the same, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 4 Then, let there be a general recorder, to whom these other records can be handed, being attended with certificates over their own signatures, certifying that the record they have made is true. Then the general church recorder can enter the record on the general church book, with the certificates and all the attending witnesses, with his own statement that he verily believes the above statement and records to be true, from his knowledge of the general character and appointment of those men by the church. And when this is done on the general church book, the record shall be just as holy, and shall answer the ordinance just the same as if he had seen with his eyes and heard with his ears, and made a record of the same on the general church book.
- Verse 3: Appointed in Each Ward
- As one commentator explained:
- Although stakes are mentioned often in the Doctrine and Covenants, this is the first and only reference in the Doctrine and Covenants to the “ward” as a key church unit. As early as 1839, Nauvoo was divided into three geographic areas called “wards,” each of which was presided over by a bishop.
5 You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel. 6 And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject [Referring to Baptisms for the Dead] in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
7 You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven. 8 Now, the nature of this ordinance [baptism for the dead] consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead. [The expression propria persona means “in person.” The expression “by means of their own agents” means “by proxy.” The Lord indicates that the ordinances are acceptable whether done in person or by proxy—so long as they conform to the requirements that he lays down]
- Verse 7: The Book of Life
- As explained in another post, there is a book of some sort that is kept in heaven and where the names of the righteous are recorded.
- As one commentator explained:
- Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that the Book of Life is a record "of our acts transcribed in our souls, an account of our obedience or disobedience written in our bodies, literally, it is the record kept in heaven of the names and righteous deeds of the faithful” (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:578).
- Those whose names are recorded in the Book of Life are those who are delivered by the Lord during the end times (see Daniel 12:1). And only those whose names are recorded in this book may enter Zion (see Revelation 21:27). Thus one requirement to have one's name recorded is to live a celestial law. We keep our names in this book through overcoming the world. (see Rev 3:5).
- Apparently, there are different records which are kept. The other record that is kept besides the book of life is a book that records our works. I imagine, that unseen to us, there are angels assigned to record our actions. We are being observed and our actions recorded for the day of judgment, when the books will be open and from them all of us will be judged.
- Verse 8: The Nature of this Ordinance Consists in the Power of the Priesthood
- Baptism for the dead requires the power of the priesthood because its efficacy rests on the sealing power. This understanding helps us makes since of the Lord's statement to JS in section 124
- 33 For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house to me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me; 34 For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory.
- The keys of the priesthood are ordained (bestowed), because the ordinance of baptism for the dead requires the sealing power. Baptism by water does not require the sealing power, because the ordinance of baptism by water is merely symbolic. The act of being baptized is to show outwardly show our commitment to follow the Lord and be his sons or daughters. The water symbolized the grave and the full immersion symbolizes burial and rebirth (see verse 12). The event that brings about the remission of sins is through the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which is effectuated through the Melchizedek priesthood, not the Aaronic.
- 2...Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. (3 Nephi 12)
- As the Lord explains, it is the fire that brings about the remission of sins.
- 37... 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.
9 It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power [the sealing power] has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it? 10 And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16:18, 19: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 11 Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living.
- Verse 11: The Grand Secret of the Whole Matter
- The Book of Mormon stresses its purpose is to teach the everlasting covenant of God to the children of men. This covenant is important because it is the channel by which men obtain the priesthood and through obtaining the priesthood are able to do the work of salvation on behalf of those who have died. This covenant is also important because it is the channel through which the gospel of Christ is taught and through the channel where one can repent and receive a remission of their sin, endowing them with the Holy Ghost to teach and to bestow additional spiritual gifts in the service of God's children. Covenants are the channel that bring about salvation.
12 Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead. 13 Consequently, the baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead, and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another—that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly, as Paul hath declared, 1 Corinthians 15:46, 47, and 48: 14 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge.
15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect. 16 And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? 17 And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
- Verse 15: Their Salvation is Necessary and Essential to Our Salvation
- In verse 18, JS states: "For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also..."
18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them! 20 And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times! 21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time [Michael is Adam. Gabriel is Noah. And Elder Bruce R. McConkie supposed that Raphael is Enoch (Ensign, April 1980, 23)]., all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!
- Verse 18: A Welding Together
- Orson F. Whitney taught:
- Involved in this mighty scheme of bringing together all things that are Christ’s, is the gathering of the scattered house of Israel, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the chosen people, through whom God has worked from the beginning for the salvation and betterment of mankind; and Joseph Smith, a descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, was the divinely appointed instrument for lifting up the ensign for the gathering of Israel in the last days.
- And what is the object in view? Why all this stupendous labor and sacrifice? Why must the house of Israel be assembled? Why must the gospel dispensations—links of a mighty chain extending from the creation down to the end of time—be bound together in one? It is because God is coming down upon the earth, and the way must be prepared before him. Jesus Christ is coming to reign as King of kings, to inaugurate the millennial era of universal freedom, righteousness and peace; and in order that his coming, which is designed as a blessing, may not prove a curse, a calamity, through the unpreparedness of his people and the world at large, he has set his hand in these days to perform the marvelous work and wonder that the Prophet Isaiah foretold. Israel must be gathered because this God who is coming is the God of Israel, and no other people have the right to receive him. He will come to his own as he came anciently, but his own will not reject him as they did before. Neither will he come again as a lamb led to the slaughter; he will come as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to sit upon the throne of David and reign for a thousand years, sanctifying the earth and preparing it for future glory, when it will become a heaven, a celestial abode for the righteous. God raised up Joseph Smith and revealed to him anew the everlasting gospel, and conferred upon him the powers of the eternal Priesthood, that he might lift up the ensign as a rallying center for the tribes of Israel, that a people might be ready to receive the Lord when he comes. (Conference Report, April 1918, 74-75.)
- Verses 19 -21: What Do We Hear?
- As one commentator explained::
- In the following two verses, the JS reviews some of the visits of heavenly beings to himself and others. Most of these accounts are well known to the saints. For instance, the visits of Moroni and Peter, James and John are widely known and are recorded in the History of the Church. The voice of God in the chamber of Father Whitmer instructing Joseph to ordain Oliver Cowdery an elder and that he should be ordained an elder by Oliver when the Church was organized (see the commentary for D&C 13:1) is another example of events that were recorded in the History of the Church (1:60-61). There are, however, no record of the voice of Michael detecting Satan on the banks of the Susquehanna River, nor of the visits of Gabriel and Raphael, nor the many “divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time.” It is clear that remarkable things happened to JS that we don't know about. One only wonders what more he would have revealed if he was not murdered so young.
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. 23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!
- Verse 22: Redeem Them Out of their Prisons
- The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "There is a way to release the spirits of the dead; that is by the power and authority of the Priesthood-by binding and loosing on earth" (History of the Church, 4:425). And, "God has administrators in the eternal world to release those spirits from Prison, the ordinances being administered by proxy upon them the law is fulfilled." (The Words of Joseph Smith, Ehat and Cook, 371 - 372)
24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.
25 Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend,
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