Come, Follow Me Podcast #21: “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Servant”, Doctrine and Covenants 51-57
Scot
I grew up on a beautiful spread of woods and meadows near Rolla, Missouri. We had about 230 acres with our house up on the south hill overlooking a beautiful valley. A small stream called Spring Creek ran through the bottomlands and a narrow gravel road led from our home to the access road of old Highway 66. The view was so peaceful and beautiful. One late afternoon I stood outside with my Dad in our front yard looking over all of this beauty. Dad was a noted professor at the University of Missouri and for many years the Dean of the School of Science. He was brilliant. I’ll never forget this moment together, because I asked Dad a question and the answer he gave me would change my life…
Maurine
Welcome to Meridian Magazine’s Come Follow Me Podcast. We are Scot and Maurine Proctor and this week’s podcast covers Doctrine and Covenants, sections 51 through 57, and is entitled “A Faithful, a Just, and a Wise Servant.” We’ve had letters asking where you can find the written version of the podcasts—they are all located at latterdaysaintmag.com/podcast that’s latterdaysaintmag.com/podcast That’s a good way to check scripture references, quote sources and be sure that you got this or that story or quote just right. Please send your friends and family members to that same page to listen to the podcasts. We’d love to have them join us.
Scot
Now, back to my Dad and me on the front lawn at our home in Missouri. It was a gorgeous late afternoon in spring. The dogwoods and the redbuds had been in full bloom and now all the spring leaves were bursting forth on the thousands of trees before us. The fields and meadows were green and Spring Creek was running from the May rains. The scene was so beautiful. It’s what I saw every day of my growing up years. I turned to my Dad and asked, “Dad did you ever dream you would be looking out on a beautiful scene like this and see that valley below and this beautiful forest and know that you owned everything as far as your eyes could see?” Dad didn’t hesitate even a second, “Oh Scot, I’m not the owner here, I’m just a steward. The Lord owns the whole earth and the planets and the moon and the stars and we are just stewards.” I didn’t fully understand the answer then, but I think I understand it better now.
Maurine
And in these sections we’ve read this week, it’s clear that the Lord entrusts individuals with specific stewardships and it’s not always just land. It can be a mission to perform, books to write, places to go, people to teach, an assignment to fulfill—but these are all sacred stewardships, given by the Lord with the expectation that we will fulfill them faithfully and wholeheartedly.
In Section 52, verse 42 we read:
And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri…
Scot
I knew that Missouri was the promised land!
Maurine
We will talk about that a little later, Scot.
Continuing in verse 42:
…ye shall assemble yourselves upon the land of Missouri, which if the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.
That is quite a bit of doctrine and prophecy.
Scot
It certainly is. We learn that Missouri, specifically Western Missouri and more specifically Jackson County, is a sacred and holy land. And there is inference that a great city will be built there some day and the faithful will receive a gift or a crown of joy and rejoicing. That’s a lot to take in. We have to go way back in history in order to understand the context of these verses. But please note in the meantime that here in Section 52, twenty-nine individuals are called by name to make their journey to Independence, Missouri, to gather there for a special conference that will be held. We learn that this is a very specific place to gather. And in section 57 we learn more details, starting in verse 1:
1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together [these are those 29 who were named by name in section 52] according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
2 Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion.
3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
This is a very specific revelation.
Maurine
That’s right. The Lord says again that Missouri is the land he has appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
Remember, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the owners of the Universe, and they can designate and consecrate land as they desire, and this specific land in western Missouri was appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
And He says that THIS is the land of promise—now, let’s stop there a second, because that is a covenant phrase or reminder. We’ve talked about the 6 P’s of the Abrahamic covenant in a former podcast. Here’s a quick reminder of those covenant promises:
One is Protection.
Two is Posterity.
Three is Priesthood Power.
Four is Prosperity.
Five is Presence (to be brought into His presence or have His presence as in the Divine Shekinah with ancient Israel).
And Six is Promised Land.
And here in Section 57 we see this Promised Land trigger phrase—a covenant phrase. The Lord is making a covenant with latter-day Israel. Remember, President Nelson just referred to this in a recent talk when he referred to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “latter-day covenant Israel.” (see Nelson, Russell M. Let God Prevail, General Conference, October 2020).
Scot
We are “latter-day covenant Israel” and in these early days of the Church we see that the Lord was already establishing His covenant with His people. And let us recall some of the blessings that were promised to Abraham and to those who become Abraham’s seed by their obedience to God’s laws:
Initial Covenant Promises and Blessings of Abraham
- The Lord will bless those who bless us and curse those who curse us. (Gen 12:3)
- In Abraham and through his children (all of us who are of the covenant) shall all the families of the earth be blessed (That sounds like family history work!) (Gen 12:3)
- The Lord will multiply us exceedingly. This sounds like both here on earth but more importantly through all eternity. (Gen 17:2)
- God will multiply our seed (those of the covenant) as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore. (Gen 22:17) What is the estimate of the number of grains of sand and stars in the heavens? There are roughly seven quintillion, five-hundred quadrillion grains of sand (including all the deserts). And the estimate is that there are ten-times that number of stars. Astronomers have worked out that there are 70 thousand million million million – or seven followed by 22 zeros – stars visible from the Earth through telescopes. And that’s just the ones visible!
Maurine
- If we will obey His voice (as His covenant family) then we will become a peculiar treasure (or Segullah!) unto Him above all people! (Exodus 19:5; also Deut 14:2)
- We of the covenant are to be a light to the Gentiles that we of the covenant are His salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
- The Lord is married unto us (His covenant children) and He will bring us to Zion. (Jeremiah 3:14; see also Hosea 2:19)
- He will put His law in our inward parts, and write it in our hearts. He will be our God and we will be His people. We will all know the Lord from the least to the greatest. He will forgive us of our iniquity, and remember our sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:33-34)
And this is just the beginning of the covenant blessings to Abraham and his righteous posterity.
Scot
The Lord also designated by revelation to Joseph Smith a very specific piece of land for a temple:
Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.
That temple lot was foreordained as are all the temple lots. As of this podcast we have 252 temples open, under construction, being remodeled or announced—and every one of them, no exceptions, could have a revelation exactly like this one where the specific lot, the very specific place where each was built or will be built is known of the Lord and designated by Him.
This specific lot in Independence, Missouri was originally 63.26 acres and was purchased by Edward Partridge for $130.
Maurine
And when Joseph Smith laid out the original plat for the city of Zion in this very place—Independence, Missouri—the center of the city shows that not just one temple would be built here but a complex of 24 temples. The City of Zion will be unlike any city on earth.
In Enoch’s day, “he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.” (Moses 7:19) This city, that will be built in the last days, will also be called the City of Holiness, even Zion, the New Jerusalem. There will be two capital cities when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to live and reign on the earth a thousand years: Jerusalem, which is located in the land of Israel, and The New Jerusalem, which will be located in Jackson County, Missouri.
And just as in olden times with the City of Enoch:
17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
Scot
See, there is more covenant language there—the people had protection and the presence of the Lord and prosperity.
18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
19 And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion.
Now, we have vague imaginations of how this ancient city of Enoch must have been. The people were of one heart, there were no poor among them and because of the righteousness of the people, the Lord Himself came and dwelt with the people there for three-hundred and sixty-five years! (see Moses 7: 67-69). In our day, the Lord will come and dwell with His people and reign on the earth for a thousand years.
Maurine
These things are hard to imagine, but they are true. It’s like living through the 60’s and 70’s and trying to imagine that the Berlin Wall or the Iron Curtain would ever come down. It’s like wondering how the gospel will go forth into all nations and be preached to every kindred, tongue and people.
We spend a lot of time in the Middle East and have many dear friends in Arab nations and it’s very hard for us to imagine how the gospel of Jesus Christ will sweep through that part of the world as a flood.
One thing we are sure of: The Lord knows how to do His work and just as He said at the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants:
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (D&C 1:38)
You can count on His words coming to pass.
Scot
So, here we see a small gathering of a few dozen people from the Church of Jesus Christ that has less than a thousand members, and the Lord is revealing to Joseph Smith that the New Jerusalem will be built here and a temple or complex of temples will be built here and that this land is sacred and holy. Remember, the Kirtland Temple had not even been revealed yet and so the people were unfamiliar even with what a temple was.
Whenever the Lord consecrates a land or an area for the gathering of His people, He does so for the purpose of building a temple. And we are to build a temple so that we can come back into His presence or experience that covenantal divine presence. He wants us to come back into His presence and in the temple, He teaches us how that is to be done. His plan is brilliant and we see here in Missouri the laying of the foundation stones of this doctrine and this knowledge.
Maurine
Now, we have to talk a little about geography for a moment. At this date of July 1831, there were only 24 states in the Union and Missouri was the newest one. It had been admitted to the Union through the Missouri Compromise, an effort to retain a balance of free and slave states. Maine was admitted to the Union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. Missouri became part of the Union on August 10, 1821 and was the western-most state of the Union. It was the only state at that time west of the Mississippi River. If you look at a map of the United States at the time, Missouri stuck out like a sore thumb on the western side of the Mississippi.
So, for the Saints to be called to journey to Missouri was asking them to go into the wilderness, the western-most region of the United States. The state was less than ten years old and was settled by a pretty rough bunch of people a that time.
Scot
Joseph Smith recorded his impressions of the people in western Missouri:
“Our reflections were many, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the east, and standing now upon the …western limits of the United States…how natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the times, and to feel for those who roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement, or religion.” (History of the Church 1:189)
In the midst of these kind of observations the Lord reveals that this is sacred and holy and consecrated ground.
And why was that so?
Maurine
When we take groups on the Church History Tour every year we always say when we get to this area that “Missouri is the place where you can see less and feel more than any other place in Church History.”
And people get a bit confused about the earliest history of our Father in Heaven’s children. The Garden of Eden was located in what we now call Jackson County. This is why this land is holy ground.
When Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, they settled about 70 miles to the north and a bit east in a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman. And, of course, all those early times, pre-flood, were here in this area—all those early stories in the first six chapters of Genesis are here in this area of Missouri.
Scot
Now how far and wide the people spread out from there in that first thousand years of history, we do not know. We know that Adam and Eve built an altar whereon they offered sacrifice unto the Lord and that was located in Adam-ondi-Ahman. We know that three years previous to Adam’s death, and he lived to be just a few days shy of 1,000 years old (see JST Manuscript, OT1, page 11, lines 22–23), he gathered his righteous posterity for a large meeting (see D&C 107: 53-57) to bless them and give many prophecies about his posterity. This took place in Missouri in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. These places are holy and consecrated ground from the beginning of time.
Now, you remember those five intrepid missionaries sent from New York, Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, Peter Whitmer, Jr. and then Frederick G. Williams who joined them in Ohio? They had already made their way the fifteen hundred miles to western Missouri. They were the first of the Latter-day Saints to arrive. Parley was then selected to go back east to report on their mission to Missouri.
Maurine
And it was this report, Scot, from Parley that prompted the Prophet Joseph to receive section 52 which indicated the next conference of the Church would be held in western Missouri.
Back to stewardships, in this month of June, 1831, the Lord began to give instructions to the Saints about Missouri in a vast, grand plan. Algernon Sidney Gilbert was called to be a land agent in western Missouri by setting up a store to sell goods and then use those funds to purchase lands “for the good of the saints.” And he was given specific instructions in the revelation to establish a store “that he may sell goods without fraud…” (D&C 57:8) That’s such an indication of what was happening at this western frontier of America.
Edward Partridge was called as the first bishop in the Church to divide the properties in Missouri among the Saints as they arrived. The Colesville Branch of the Church from New York, led by Newel Knight, desired to move as a group to Missouri to claim their inheritance. They would be the first to arrive as a group in this new and untamed land. This, too, was a 1,500-mile journey.
Scot
William W. Phelps, who, by the middle of June, was not even a baptized member of the Church, was called and chosen to be baptized and then ordained by the Prophet Joseph to be an elder in the Church. He was specifically called to work with Oliver Cowdery in Missouri “to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in [the] church, that little children also may receive instruction before [the Lord].” (See D&C 55:4)
Of course, in order to print books, you have to have a printing press. The saints obtained a printing press, had it carried by steamer on the Missouri River to Independence and began various printing projects, including the Church’s first periodical, The Evening and Morning Star which began in June 1832. This was the first printing press on the far western border of the United States.
All of us know William W. Phelps. He would become the most prolific lyricist for sacred hymns of the Church. Fifteen of his original hymns can still be found in our current, 1985, edition of the Hymnbook, including favorites: The Spirit of God, Redeemer of Israel, Now Let Us Rejoice, Praise to the Man, Gently Raise the Sacred Strain, and my personal favorite, If You Could Hie to Kolob.
Maurine
Scot, I remember with such deep, tender feelings when we went and visited our two kids in the BYU Jerusalem Center. On one particular Shabbat, you asked the Branch President if you could do a special musical number. The number you chose was If You Could Hie to Kolob. I was sitting in the audience of that stunning auditorium overlooking the beautiful old city of Jerusalem. You and Mariah and Andy sang that hymn in an unforgettable, celestial arrangement and setting. It moved me more than any other time you have sung that hymn.
Scot
Well, and I remember so well, Maurine, being at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, this amazing national celebration of Scottish heritage and music in the stadium at the Edinburgh Castle—when 300 bagpipers came out on the field with pipes blazing in perfect unison “Scotland the Brave” which is the tune that we all recognize as Praise to the Man.
William Wines Phelps wrote the hymn, The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning just in time to be printed as hymn number 90, the last hymn, in Emma’s first hymnbook, and the little hymnbook was printed the first quarter of 1836, just in time for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. It had to be printed with a smaller type font than all the other hymns in order to fit it on those last two pages of the hymnbook. He wrote it with six verses, two of which we do not sing any more. He was known for exploring doctrine and scriptural depth in his hymns. Here is the original verse 4:
We’ll wash, and be wash’d, and with oil be anointed
Withal not omitting the washing of feet:
For he that receiveth his penny appointed,
Must surely be clean at the harvest of wheat.
Maurine
We have all been blessed by William W. Phelps and his using his talents to bless and inspire the Latter-day Saints.
Now, there are two more things we want to talk about from this week’s studies. One is found in Section 51, verses 16 and 17. The Lord is talking about Ohio here:
16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;
17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.”
There’s a lesson in this for all of us. We sometimes make a move because of a job or a school change or some other specific situation, but in our hearts we think, “this is very temporary and when we finally get enough money, or when so and so graduates, THEN we can get that perfect house with the perfect lawn in the perfect setting surrounded by perfect neighbors and that will be the perfect stage of life.” That’s not how the Lord wants us to think.
Scot
When my parents took us as a family from Utah to Missouri, I was only 1 year old and they said to each other, “We’re only going to be here for 2 – 5 years max, and then we will move back to Utah.” Well, they started changing their thinking and just acting like they would stay there forever. They did stay for 27 years and we loved every minute of it.
We also moved to Ankara, Turkey two different times for a one-year sabbatical each time. Now, you know that is very temporary. And most of the people who were in Ankara were American military who were stationed there for 2 or 3 years so there was generally a temporary attitude that radiated from everyone. Not from my Mom and Dad. They acted like each person they met was going to be an eternal friend and some of those people truly did become our eternal friends. And our time there was priceless—we acted upon the land “as for years” and this really did turn unto us for our good.
Maurine
The Lord gives the Latter-day Saints, as they are getting ready to move to Missouri, a great pattern that is applicable to us today. In section 52, starting in verse 14 we read:
14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—
So, we learn from this that Satan is the great deceiver. He purposely goes forth throughout the land deceiving whole nations. That means that an entire country could be deceived into a false practice, a wicked tradition, false ideas, be caught in snares of lies—and therefore the entire nation can go astray from correct and true principles. Satan does this on an individual basis, but here, the Lord reveals that he deceives entire nations.
Scot
And in verse 15 we read:
15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.
So, here are some of the ways we can avoid being deceived:
We must pray with a contrite spirit. The word contrite is from the Latin and it means ground to powder that is as fine as the dust of the earth. Now, why would we want to allow our spirits to become ground to powder? Because as we become like unto the dust of the earth, we become perfectly obedient and submissive to the Lord.
16 He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances.
Maurine
In Joseph Smith’s time there were spiritualists and some seekers who would contort their bodies and use their voices to yell or hit high pitched noises and sounds as if this would help them obtain the Spirit of the Lord. A key is that the person obeys the Lord’s ordinances, in other words, that someone submits herself or himself, with humility to be baptized by one who has the proper authority and then who will receive the Holy Ghost.
In these early days of the Church the Lord is giving revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, light upon light to give guidance and direction to his covenant people.
Scot
We only have 138 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, the vast majority of which were given through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Is that all the revelations that have been given in this dispensation? Of course not! I have in my files at least 86 other revelations that were given to the Prophet Joseph in this early part of the Restoration that were never canonized. These can all be found today in the Joseph Smith Papers.
When a temple is contemplated to be built, revelation is given.
When a new stake president is to be called, revelation is given.
When any major decision is made in the Church at the general level, revelation is given.
When a missionary, be it elder or sister, is called on a mission, revelation is given.
When a bishop or a relief society president or young women’s president or ward mission leader is called, revelation is given.
When contemplations are being made to open a nation to the preaching of the gospel, revelation is given.
When a general authority or officer of the Church or apostle is called, revelation is given.
Maurine
President Nelson said: “You and I get to participate in the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is wondrous! It is not man-made! It comes from the Lord, who said, “I will hasten my work in its time.” (D&C 88:73)….
“Remember that the fulness of Christ’s ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation—when the Savior’s Second Coming becomes a reality.” (Nelson, Russell M., The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming. Ensign, April 2020)
And from that little band of Saints in Western Missouri in 1831 has come 195 years of growth and maturity of the Kingdom of God. The Lord will indeed hasten his work in his time, and it appears that the hastening has begun.
Scot
That’s all for today. We have truly loved being with you again. Next week’s lesson is entitled: “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause,” and will cover Sections 58 and 59 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Thanks for Paul Cardall for the beautiful music and to Mariah Proctor for producing this show. Have a wonderful week and see you next time!
Come, Follow Me Podcast #19: “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”, Doctrine and Covenants 46-48
Scot
“We must remember that to every man [or woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us.” (Ashton, Marvin J., There are Many Gifts, General Conference, October 1987)
Each of us has at least one spiritual gift. Some people have many, but the Prophet Joseph Smith had them all. We will learn about them today.
Maurine
Welcome to Meridian Magazine’s Come Follow Me Podcast. We are Scot and Maurine Proctor and in this week’s lesson we will be studying sections 46 through 48 of the Doctrine and Covenants with the lesson entitled “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts.”
The Lord carefully teaches us through His holy scriptures that spiritual gifts are from Him and they are to be sought after. The main scriptural documentation of special gifts is in 1st Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13, the very last chapter of the Book of Mormon–Moroni chapter 10, and, in the course of our studies this week, section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Scot, I think we need to start by giving some historical context so that we can understand the setting at this early time in the history of the Church. It helps me to understand Joseph and Emma’s personal situation in all these places.
Remember, when they arrived in snowy Kirtland on a horse-drawn cutter or sleigh, the first of February, 1831. Emma was six months pregnant. I’m very interested in this aspect of the story because I have spent a lot of my life pregnant. In those days they did not have ultrasound so they didn’t know a great deal about this pregnancy, but Emma was larger than she had been in her last pregnancy and within three months of arriving in Ohio, she would give birth to twins.
Scot
That’s right. And let’s see where Joseph and Emma were living. They had been staying for the first few weeks in the home of Newel and Elizabeth Whitney—and the original home is still there, by the way, and can be visited in Kirtland. But soon, Isaac and Lucy Morley invited them to come and live on their farm just over a mile from the Whitney’s home. They had more than 200 acres of land and a number of small cabins or homes and they offered to build one for Joseph and Emma. Here, Emma would give birth to their twins on Saturday, April 30, 1831–a beautiful little girl and a precious little boy, Louisa and Thaddeus. These two angels only lived for three hours and they passed away. This, of course, was devastating to Emma and to Joseph. They had lost their first child, Alvin, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and now these two little ones here in Kirtland.
But a miracle was in the works that came with a price. That same day, John Murdock and his wife Julia, new converts to the Church, also delivered twins—a boy and a girl, but Julia had been sick for some time and unfortunately, she passed away in childbirth. So, there is John with five other young children and now these two newborn twins.
Maurine
And in those days, if you didn’t have the birth mother, you had to find a wet nurse or you would lose the babies—it’s not like you could go to the local trading post and order in some 1831 vintage formula. John heard of Joseph and Emma’s plight and he came to them and asked if they could adopt his twins and make them as their own and “perhaps this could assuage your pain and mine.” Joseph and Emma accepted the offer and so at age nine days old, they were officially adopted and they named them Julia Murdock Smith and Joseph Murdock Smith.
But that is not the whole story.
John Murdock’s wife, Julia Clapp Murdock had been ill through much of the latter part of the pregnancy. Julia’s parents, Orris and Phebe Clapp, loved their daughter very much. She was the 3rd of 13 children and they were so concerned about her precarious health and they were also very much opposed to their daughter and son-in-law having anything to do with the Mormons. John had felt that by giving Julia priesthood blessings alone and not availing himself of local doctors or apothecaries, he could help Julia and see her healed. Her parents dismissed all of these as absolute false teachings and wanted to take Julia to come and be with them and to have their doctor friends see to her needs. John would not hear of it and Julia, although ill, also had a testimony and was supportive of John’s wishes. And then, of course, she tragically died in childbirth. This was shocking and enraging to the Clapp’s who deeply mourned the loss of their daughter, not only to death, but to Mormonism.
Scot
But, Maurine, as you know, that’s also not the whole story.
Here’s the rest of the story. In 1997 and 1998 when the site for the Columbus Ohio temple was being looked for, as always, a few locations were suggested to the Temple Department and President Gordon B. Hinckley would have the final decision. He looked at the sites and felt very strongly about the one where it would finally be built and said, “This is the site and the land.” Of course, that is where the temple was built and was dedicated the 4th of September 1999. Although he did not know this until long after the dedication, the land used for the temple had originally belonged to Julia Clapp Murdock’s parents. That’s seems to be a wonderful, full-circle story. And, I think similar amazing stories could be told about many, if not all the temple sites.
So, now Emma had these Murdock twins and she nursed them to health and she and Joseph made them their own at John’s request.
Now, let’s turn to section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Maurine
Remember, the Church is barely eleven months old and these new converts are trying to learn everything new in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth.
Brigham Young University Professor Steven C. Harper writes: “Missionary John Murdock [yes, our same John Murdock] and his companions were preaching in Cleveland, Ohio, when a deceiver came forward and knelt as if to pray, but actually he was giving “a sign to the banditry to begin their abuse.” Immediately his cohorts blew out the candles and threw inkstands and books at the speaker. Later, back in Kirtland, the brethren counseled together about the situation. Some favored excluding from Church meetings all who were not firm in the faith. Others opposed this idea, citing the Book of Mormon passage in which the Lord commands the Church to ‘not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together” for sacrament or confirmation meetings. Both positions seemed justified. The Saints needed further light.” (Harper, Steven C., Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, 2008)
This is the setting for Section 46.
And the Lord answers their question in verse 3:
“Nevertheless ye are commanded never to cast any one out from your public meetings, which are held before the world.”
And the Lord gives more details in verses 4-7. I love the intimate nature of the Lord’s answers to these basic questions based on the true situations that these early Saints faced.
Scot
Let’s look briefly in verse 2.
“…it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.”
I remember so well, Maurine, one particular sacrament meeting in the Fairfax Ward in Virginia. I was conducting and as I was in the midst of some ward business, a sister walked into the back of the chapel and sat down. I was looking up at that moment and I saw her. The Spirit whispered to me at the pulpit, “You need to acknowledge that she is here. By name.” Well, I didn’t know her name although I had met her once before. And so, I said, in my spiritual voice, “I don’t know her name.” The Spirit said, “Open your mouth and I will give it to you.” I trusted Him, although I had no idea what I was going to say. I opened my mouth at the end of the ward business and I said, “We’d like to recognize Sister—and the name popped in my head—today. It’s so good to see you. A special welcome to you this beautiful Sabbath morning. We’re so glad you’re here.”
Well, I had no idea of the significance of that except that I was obedient. Sometime later I learned that this sister had really been having a hard, hard time and she had been through so many trials—especially of her faith. And she came to Church that morning as one last attempt to come to Church. And she had said in her prayer that morning, “Heavenly Father, I just need to have somebody acknowledge that I am there in Church—by name” and she had determined if that did not happen, this would be the last time she would ever come. The Spirit used this weak vessel to answer her prayer and I’m so grateful that I conducted that meeting as directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Maurine
Now, the main teaching of section 46 is about spiritual gifts and we’re going to talk about them in detail. And we have to start with verse 9 which is one of the most hopeful verses in holy writ and one of my favorites:
“For verily I say unto you, they [spiritual gifts] are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do”
I just love that those of us in the “seeketh so to do” category are also included in the divvying out of spiritual gifts. How many of us listening are the “seeketh so to doers”? I think, in so many cases we all fall into that category. And doesn’t that give you hope and fill you with joy that as you are striving to keep the commandments you are also blessed by the Lord and are given the blessings that you need!
Scot
I’ve always been uplifted by that verse. Now, we sometimes think that the 30 or so spiritual gifts that are outlined in the scriptures are the only spiritual gifts available. You know in your heart that this is simply not true.
Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught:
“…let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.
“Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
“We must remember that to every man [and woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us.” (Ashton, Marvin J., There are Many Gifts, General Conference, October 1987)
Maurine
That really opens our minds up to the possibilities of spiritual gifts. And isn’t it such an intimate view of our generous Father in Heaven who, before He sent us to this far-away place called earth and mortality, would give us gifts, embedded in our spirits, to travel with us so that we might glorify His name and utilize to help build His kingdom here upon the earth? It is all very wonderful.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught about spiritual gifts in this way:
“Those gifts of God that come to faithful people by the power of the Holy Ghost are called spiritual gifts or gifts of the Spirit. They come from God, they are administered by the Holy Ghost, and they are transmitted to men by the Spirit of Christ, which is the light of Christ, which is the agency of God’s power. Their receipt is predicated upon faith, obedience, and personal righteousness; hence they are reserved for the saints of God, for those who believe in his name and live his laws. They are the signs and miracles that follow those who believe, and their receipt, in one degree or another, is essential to salvation. No one can be saved in the celestial kingdom unless he receives some or many of the gifts of the Spirit.
Scot
Elder McConkie continued:
“Is it proper to seek for spiritual gifts? Should we plead with the Lord for the gift of prophecy, or of revelation, or of tongues? Is it fitting and right to pray for the soul-sanctifying privilege of seeing the face of the Lord Jesus while we yet dwell as mortals in a sin-filled world? Does the Lord expect us to desire and seek for spiritual experiences, or do the divine proprieties call for us simply to love the Lord and keep his commandments, knowing that if and when he deems it proper he will grant special gifts and privileges to us?
“By way of answer, it almost suffices to ask such questions as these: Are we not expected to seek salvation, the greatest of all the gifts of God? Why, then, should we not prepare ourselves for this greatest of all boons by seeking the enjoyment of the lesser ones? If we are to see his face in that eternal realm where the same sociality that exists among us here, then coupled with eternal glory, shall endure everlastingly, can we go amiss by seeking to establish that sociality here and now? Are we not commanded: Ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened? Why, then, should we smother a desire to heal the sick or raise the dead or commune with friends beyond the veil?” (McConkie, Bruce R., New Witness for the Articles of Faith, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, 1985, pp. 367-68)
Maurine
So, we are invited to seek the best gifts. To constantly try to improve upon what gifts we have been given and to use these gifts to lift and bless and strengthen our families and others.
It took me a while to figure out the gift or gifts that I had been given, but sometimes you can figure out your gifts by looking at your own life and seeing what you love to do and what you love to pursue and what brings you joy and satisfaction.
I found that I have been given a rich gift of discernment. I can read things from national sources, or listen to the news or to podcasts and I can discern truth from error very readily. I use this gift every day in my work on Meridian Magazine. We live in very difficult, confusing and troubling times and I have to know what is right and wrong, good and evil, true and false. This gift is such a part of my thinking that I have to sometimes stop and just thank the Lord that He gave me this gift and that I am blessed to use it every day.
George Q. Cannon has called the gift of discernment or discerning of spirits “a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. … No Latter-day Saint should be without this gift, because there is such a variety of spirits in the world which seek to deceive and lead astray” (Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols. in 1 [1987], 156–57).
This discernment also was extremely useful in raising our large family of eleven children. I am extremely grateful that I have been given this gift.
Scot
My Mom had a lot of spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy. Yes, a woman can have the gift of prophecy and should seek for this gift.
Back in the early 70’s, she was serving in our newly formed Columbia Missouri Stake as the stake Relief Society president. Our stake covered a huge area. Our stake center was 100 miles from our home. Mom would often put 2,000 miles on the car per month just doing her Church duties.
We lived very far from a temple. We grew up in the Salt Lake Temple district, although the temple was 1,400 miles from our home. We were so thrilled when the announcement came that the Washington D.C. Temple would be built—just 950 miles away!
We were given our temple assessment (in those days) and our ward raised that amount with great joy and some sacrifice so that we could have this wondrous temple so close to us. But very soon after the Washington D.C. Temple was dedicated, it was announced that our ward (and stake) would be put in the newly formed Jordan River Temple district! This temple was 1,400 miles away—again! Frankly, this upset a lot of people. Obviously, it didn’t stop anyone from going to the nearest temple; it was just the principle of the thing.
In one particular stake leadership meeting there began to be a rather heated discussion about why we could not have our own temple in Missouri and why did we have to be in the Jordan River Temple district. The discussion continued to get worse and finally my mother stood up (as the stake Relief Society president) and said, “I think we should cease such talk this instant! We will be placed in three more temple districts and then, finally, we will have our own temple.” She said this with such power the whole group went silent. No more words were spoken on the topic.
It wasn’t long before the Atlanta Georgia Temple was announced and we were placed in that district—only 660 miles away! Then came the placement of our stake in the new Dallas Texas Temple district—only 550 miles away! Within a short time, we were placed in the Chicago Illinois Temple district—just 400 miles away! And then on December 29, 1990, a temple was announced for St. Louis Missouri—just 100 miles from our home! This was the fulfillment of Mom’s prophetic words in that stake leadership meeting.
The gift of prophecy is a wonderful spiritual gift.
Maurine
And President Nelson is inviting each of us, encouraging us, asking us to seek the gift of personal revelation.
“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” (Nelson, Russell M., Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, General Conference, April 2018)
Elder McConkie emphasizes this as well:
“Revelation and prophecy and testimony and visions—these are the foundation upon which the Lord builds his earthly church. As gifts of the Spirit, they are poured out upon the saints. Revelation is the making known of divine truths by communication from heaven; it is God speaking to man in numerous available ways; it is the giving of saving truths to unsaved mortals. One means is by rending the heavens and permitting fallen man to entertain angels and see within the veil; in vision the faithful are thus permitted to see the wonders of eternity and to come to know their Maker. When revelation dips into the future beyond what mortal eyes can see, it becomes prophecy. The earthly kingdom is governed and guided and sustained by the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. Testimony is the beginning of personal revelation in the life of a believing soul. And “upon this rock”—the rock of testimony and personal revelation—”I will build my church,” saith the Lord, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (McConkie, Bruce R., New Witness for the Articles of Faith, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, 1985, p. 375.)
Scot
Elder Marvin J. Ashton talked about a wonderful gift, the gift to hear and use the small voice. He said, “Still, small heavenly voices penetrate the heart with their gentle, convincing declarations…
“Most often, hope, encouragement, and direction come from a soft, piercing voice.
“Small voices are heard only by those who are willing to listen. Soft and small voice communications with our associates make priceless friendships possible. I am appreciative of people who find no need to raise their voices as they try to impress or convince. It seems most people who argue and shout have ceased listening to what the small voice could powerfully contribute.
“We love the small voice of a child saying, “Mommy, Daddy, I love you.”
“How powerful is a small voice that knows how and when to say, “Thank you.” …
“Remember that one of our greatest gifts is the small voice of the Holy Ghost whispering directions in our lives and making mighty testimonies possible.” (Ashton, Marvin J., There are Many Gifts, General Conference, October 1987)
It was that still small voice that spoke to me at the pulpit in the Fairfax Ward on that Sabbath morning when I was conducting. And in this noisy, tumultuous, cacophonous world, we really have to listen to hear this still, small voice.
Maurine
Remember, as we said in the beginning, the list of spiritual gifts in the scriptures is not exhaustive. Elder McConkie said, “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him. “All have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man [who is true and faithful] is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.” (D&C 46:11-12). (McConkie, Bruce R., New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 371)
I know that many of you listening to this podcast have unique and diverse gifts. We have met many of you and we know this. In fact, we are always blown away by the talented and amazing people we meet who have come to develop and exercise the various marvelous gifts they have been given from the Lord.
Scot
And Joseph Smith was especially blessed to have all the spiritual gifts that are mentioned in the scriptural accounts. Did he have the gift of prophecy? Yes. Did he have the gift of revelation? Yes. Did he have the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues? Yes! Did he have the gift of faith to know that Jesus is the Christ? Yes. Did he have the gift of healing? Yes. Did he have the gift of faith to be healed? Yes. Did he have the gift of discernment of spirits? Yes! We could document every one of these and, in fact, Truman Madsen did document them all.
He wrote: “I have gone through the life of Joseph Smith and singled out instances in that life when these gifts were manifest. It is no surprise that he did, in fact, experience all the spiritual gifts…Joseph was promised that upon him would be laid much power. When someone who had known him was asked to name the greatest miracle she had seen in the first generation of the Church, she replied that it was Joseph Smith. The Prophet was a God-made man. It will never do to say, as critics are beginning to say, “This man was a genius.” So, saying, they wish to reduce a most remarkable movement to its leader, its founder, and, as they believe, its origin. True, he was a genius, he was a brilliant man. It takes a brilliant man even to comprehend, let alone to write, as he comprehended and wrote, the glorious insights that came to him, even granting that they came from the Lord. He was a man of superb intelligence…He was a prophet, made so by the power of God. He was a modern miracle.” (Madsen, Truman G., Joseph Smith the Prophet, Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, 1978, pp. 36, 49)
Maurine
In conclusion of this part, the questions are: What spiritual gifts do you want to seek? What do you want to obtain from the Lord? What gifts would most bless your family and your friends? What is the gift that you already have that you want to develop even more for His glory? These are good questions to ask.
Now, much is going on in Kirtland at this time and the Church is growing. Joseph called for a conference of the Church to be held June 3-6, 1831 in an old log schoolhouse on the Morley Farm. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out in great abundance upon this occasion. Joseph Smith, Lyman Wight and Harvey Whitlock received a vision of both God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This is one of six appearances, that we know about, of the Father and the Son in this early part of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Scot
Levi Hancock recorded that the Prophet was speaking to the elders when “he stepped out on the floor and said, ‘I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand, let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now.” (The Life of Levi Hancock, BYU Special Collections, p. 33)
John Whitmer recorded:
“The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner…After he had prophesied, he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight [and ordained him] to the High priesthood after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied, concerning the coming of Christ…He saw the heavens opened, and the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Father. Making intercession for his brethren, the Saints. He said that God would work a work in these Last days that tongue cannot express, and the mind of is not capable to conceive. The glory of the Lord shone around.” (The Book of John Whitmer, Joseph Smith Papers, Chapter VII, dated June 3, 1831, grammar and spelling standardized)
Talk about exercising the gifts of the Spirit! And Maurine, you said this was one of SIX? Appearances of the Father and the Son? I have had these written in my scriptures for many years. Let’s give the list of the six that we know about.
Maurine
Obviously, number one on the list is the First Vision, given on or about Sunday, March 26, 1820 in the Sacred Grove, on the Smith Farm in Manchester Township, New York.
Scot
And the second one we just talked about: Friday, June 3, 1831 in the old log schoolhouse on the Isaac and Lucy Morley Farm in Kirtland, Ohio. And what was the occasion? It was the first ordinations of high priests in this dispensation.
Maurine
Number three is on the occasion of the Vision of the Three Degrees of Glory. This was received in the John and Elsa Johnson Farmhouse on Thursday, February 16, 1832.
Scot
That’s right. And the fourth appearance—again, that we know of—was on Monday, March 18, 1833 in the Newel K. Whitney Store in the room that we call the School of the Prophets in Kirtland. And what was that occasion? This was the organization of the First Presidency for the first time in this dispensation.
Maurine
And the fifth occasion was Thursday, January 21, 1836 in the 3rd floor of the Kirtland Temple in Joseph Smith’s office. This was the vision of the celestial kingdom where Joseph not only saw the Father and the Son, but he also saw his brother Alvin who had long-since died.
Scot
And the sixth occasion was exactly one week later, on Thursday, January 28, 1836 in the unfinished and undedicated Kirtland Temple where about one hundred Melchizedek Priesthood members were assembled.
Those are the six occasions that we know of the appearances of the Father and the Son in this early part of the Dispensation.
Now, we wouldn’t know any of these unless someone made a record of these things and in Section 47, John Whitmer is appointed to be the Church Historian and to keep a record of the history of the Church.
“Behold, it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history, and assist you, my servant Joseph, in transcribing all things which shall be given you, until he is called to further duties.”
Maurine
John Whitmer kept a record of the things he observed and how he observed them for many years. His record was 96 hand-written pages and covered the period from when he was called in March 1831 until the fall of 1836. He named his history The Book of John Whitmer and divided it into 22 chapters. This history contained many of the revelations given to the prophet Joseph Smith and is a very valuable history.
Others kept their own personal records at that time. Joseph Smith himself began writing his own personal history in November 1832. Joseph wasn’t great at keeping his own journal because he was so busy directing the affairs of the Church.
Wilford Woodruff kept a daily journal from the day of his baptism, December 31, 1833 until well in 1898. His journals are priceless. His journal covers 64 ½ years, 59 years of which Wilford was serving as an apostle of the Lord. He wrote his history in 31 daybooks and journals and more than 13,000 personal letters. Without Wilford Woodruff’s primary source journals we would not have many of the sermons and teachings of the Prophet Joseph.
Scot
And, of course, others kept journals and histories including the Prophet’s Mother, Lucy Mack Smith. And Maurine, you and I were privileged to go into that original manuscript and restore her voice into her history. That book, The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother was published by Bookcraft in 1996.
Parley P. Pratt also wrote his autobiography during this early period of the history of the Church. These all became primary sources of our understanding of this sacred history.
The Lord really likes record keeping. He encourages each one of us to keep a journal of our own lives and spiritual experiences.
I’m sure you remember President Henry B. Eyring’s teachings on keeping a record:
“When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.
He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”
Maurine
President Eyring continued:
“I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
Scot
“More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.” (Eyring, Henry B., O Remember, Remember, General Conference, October 2007)
The Lord wants us to develop our spiritual gifts and He wants us to write down our experiences and our interactions with the Spirit in our lives. We all have much to give and we all have much to record—not only the history of the Church but the history of our lives.
Maurine
That’s all for today. We’ve loved being with you as always. Remember that you can find the transcripts to each podcast so you can check notes and write down references at latterdaysaintmag.com/podcast That’s latterdaysaintmag.com/podcast
Next week’s lesson is entitled: “That Which Is of God Is Light” and covers Sections 49 and 50 of the Doctrine and Covenants. We’re excited to study and learn with you each week. Thanks to Paul Cardall for the beautiful music that accompanies this podcast and to Michaela Proctor Hutchins for producing this show. Blessings to each of you and see you next time.
By Scot and Maurine Proctor
Picture This: Let’s Get Down to Brass Tacks
When I was a little boy, my mother used to frequent a little fabric shop on Pine Street in Rolla, Missouri called Dent’s. It was a very old-fashioned store with hardwood floors and bolts of cloth stacked neatly on shelves behind the counter. The women who sold the cloth would generally just measure the cloth out to my mom by the length of their arms. What if mom wanted the women to be more accurate in their measurements? Well, let’s get down to brass tacks.
This is not a non-sequitur. One of my favorite Church historical sites to visit is the Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio. This place is extremely significant to our history and those who helped to restore this original structure after the Church purchased the building in 1978 were careful to make the restoration as accurate as possible to the late 1820’s and early 1830’s when the store was in its heyday. With the use of Bishop Whitney’s own records of his inventory at the time, visitors are treated to a very accurate representation of the store.
He carried bolts of lovely fabric brought in from the east. It was common in his day (as it was in my childhood at Dent’s) to hand-measure out the cloth, based on the length of the man or woman’s arm. This is similar to ancient times when measurements were done in royal cubits, the length of the king’s arm from his elbow to his fingertips.
If one was not comfortable with or did not trust the storekeeper to measure out the cloth by hand, one could say to him, “Let’s get down to brass tacks.” In the store, right on the counter, were three or four brass tacks pounded carefully right into the wood. The measurement of 36 inches could quickly be made. “Let’s get down to brass tacks” meant you wanted an accurate measurement of the cloth and it would be done in that manner.
So, if you ever visit Kirtland and the Newel K. Whitney store, right as you enter the main door, just to your right on that first open counter space—you will see the brass tacks!
And now you can picture this.
FEATURES
