D&C 28:1-8

Section 28 is interesting both historically and from a current point of view. DJR gives background as follows: “Hiram page, who was born is 1800, who studied medicine and traveled widely practicing it, and who was baptized into the Church on April 11, 1830 (five days after its organization), had found a certain stone which he considered to give him powers to receive revelations. He began using it and convinced others, including some members of the Whitmer family and Oliver Cowdery that he was receiving revelations for the Church including the location of Zion and the proper order of the Church. It is also helpful to know a bit about Hiram and Oliver and the Whitmer family. Hiram had married Catherine Whitmer, the oldest daughter of Peter Whitmer, Sr., and Oliver had married her sister, Elizabeth Ann. So, they were all part of the same family.” Good to know about the family set up because when I read who all was involved, it didn’t make sense to me because it seemed so random, but knowing that they were all family, even if by marriage, makes much more sense. One thing that I have to keep reminding myself is that in the beginning there was so much that hadn’t been revealed, so much that hadn’t be instituted, that we can’t really judge them from our view point that we have now, I mean we can’t judge them anyway, but the IM gives some pretty interesting background as to why this issue even came up to begin with. The IM says, “The Church, having been organized only a few short months, faced one of its first major problems at the time this revelation was given in September 1830: Who is entitled to receive revelation for the Church? The question arose because Hiram Page had found a stone through which he claimed to be receiving revelation.” And here’s where the background that’s interesting, “Many of the early converts came from a Congregationalist background, that it, from churches in which anyone had the right to proclaim doctrine if the rest of the congregation concurred. Thus, it seemed natural to them to respond to Hiram Page’s revelation as valid. But as a result of this revelation, the Saints in New York understood that only one could receive revelation from the Lord for the whole Church. The new converts in Kirtland also had to learn this same lesson.” It seems pretty far-fetched to us that someone could receive revelation for someone who was outside of their stewardship, but we have to remember that the Congregationalists didn’t have the true gospel on the earth at the time, so they were doing the best with what they had. And really, if we think about it, the concept that they held, principally, has a lot of the same points that we hold, that God still speaks today, that God speaks to individuals, that all members are valued as equals, that all can learn from each other, these are all aspects of the concept that both sects share, but without the direction of God himself, then it makes sense that they could come to that conclusion. The IM quotes Newel Knight as relating, “After arranging my affairs at home, I again set out for Fayette, to attend our second conference, which had been appointed to be help at Father Whitmer’s where Joseph then resided. On my arrival I found Brother Joseph in great distress of mind on account of Hyrum Page, who had managed to get up some dissension of feeling among the brethren by giving revelations concerning the government of the Church and other matters, which he claimed to have received through the medium of a stone he possessed. He had quite a roll of papers full of these revelations, and many in the Church were led astray by them. Even Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family had given heed to them, although they were in contradiction to the New Testament and the revelations of these last days. Here was a chance for Satan to work among the little flock, and he sought by this means to accomplish what persecution failed to do. Joseph was perplexed and scarcely knew how the meet this new exigency. That night I occupied the same room that he did and the greater part of the night was spent in prayer and supplication. After much labor with these brethren they were convinced of their error, and confessed the same, renouncing the revelations as not being on God, but acknowledged that Satan had conspired to overthrow their belief in the true plan of salvation. In consequence of these things Joseph enquired of the Lord before conference commenced and received the revelation published on page 140 of the Doctrine and Covenants (section 28), wherein God explicitly states His mind and will concerning the receiving of revelation. Conference having assembled, the first thing done was to consider the subject of the stone in connection with Hyrum Page, and after considerable investigation and discussion, Brother Page and all the members of the Church present renounced the stone, and the revelations connected with it, must to our joy and satisfaction.” I have to say that I’m pretty impressed with Hiram Page for simply acknowledging his wrong doing and bowing to the Lord’s command, that’s very humble and meek and submissive, everything that the Lord requires us to be. DJR says it best when he says, “It is gratifying to know that Hiram Page accepted counsel, renounced the stone he was using to receive false revelations and supported the Prophet at the conference.” In verse 1, the Lord addresses this section to Oliver Cowdery, so even though this is about Hiram Page, then what does this have to do with OC? DJR gives us the run down on the event that preceded this quoting Joseph Smith as saying, “I began to arrange and copy revelations, which we had received from time to time; in which I was assisted by John Whitmer, who now resided with me. Whilst thus employed in the work appointed me by my Heavenly Father, I received a letter from Oliver Cowdery, the contents of which gave me both sorrow and uneasiness. Not having that letter now in my possession, I cannot of course give here in full, but merely an extract of the most prominent parts, which I can yet, and expect long to, remember. He wrote to inform me that he had discovered an error in one of the commandments- Book of Doctrine and Covenants (20:37): And truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto a remission of their sins.’ The above quotation, he said, was erroneous, and added: ‘I command you in the name of God to erase those words, that no priestcraft be amongst us!’ I immediately wrote to him in reply, in which I asked him by what authority he took upon him to command me to alter or erase, to add to or diminish from, a revelation or commandment from Almighty God. A few days afterwards I visited him and Mr. Whitmer’s family, when I found the family in general of his opinion concerning the words above quoted, and it was not without both labor and perseverance that I could prevail with any of them to reason calmly on the subject. However, Christian Whitmer at length became convinced that the sentence was reasonable and according to Scripture; and finally, with his assistance, I succeeded in bringing, not only the Whitmer family, but also Oliver Cowdery to acknowledge that they had been in error, and that the sentence in dispute was in accordance with the rest of the commandment. And this was this error rooted out, which having its rise in presumption and rash judgment, was the more particularly calculated (when once fairly understood) to teach each and all of us the necessity of humility and meekness before the Lord, that He might teach us of His ways, that we might walk in His paths, and live by every word that proceedeth forth from His mouth.” This is the second time that I can recall OC being told by the Lord that he is to listen to what JS says. One of the books that I listened to made a good point saying that because JS and OC were so close, OC knew so many of JS’s flaws that it was difficult for him to see him as the prophet, which can make sense because we are all human, and flawed, like they say, no prophet is accepted in his own country. DJR comments, “Notice how gentle the Lord is with Oliver, even though he has caused much anguish and concern for Joseph as well as others. In verse 1, next, He assures this ‘second elder’ of the Church that he is still important. The Lord says, “Behold, I say unto thee Oliver, that it shall be given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and commandments which I have given.” The Lord clearly points out that “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.” JS is like Moses, the prophet, the mouth-piece of the Lord, and OC is like Aaron, the supporter, the expounder, I’m not super clear on this except to say that I think that it means that, especially in the context of actually restoring the doctrine, OC was to elaborate on what JS said, not contradict it. The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, “I was very necessary that Oliver Cowdery should receive this admonition, for he was inclined to take issue with the Prophet even in regard to matters of revelation. Much good came out of this unpleasant incident, for the members were taught that there was order in the Church and only one appointed to receive commandments and revelations for their guidance, and he was the one God had called. The members at that time were largely excusable for falling into this error, because they had but recently come into the Church and had to be taught in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God and its government. They did not know that it was wrong for a man other than the Prophet to claim to be the spokesman for the Almighty, and this revelation taught them that confusion would result from such a course, and that Joseph Smith held the keys of revelation until another was appointed to succeed him.” Although Hiram Page isn’t named yet in the revelation, the IM asks “In what way did Hiram Page violate the true order of divine guidance for the church?” Answering, “The Prophet taught in 1833 that ‘it is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instruction for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government, and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom. An official statement by the First Presidency of the Church in 1913 gave additional illumination to this principle: ‘From the days of Hiram Page, at different periods there have been manifestations from delusive spirits to members of the Church. Sometimes these have come to the men and women who because of transgression because easy prey to the Arch-Deceiver. At other times people who pride themselves of their strict observance of the rules and ordinances and ceremonies of the Church are led astray by false spirits, who exercise an influence so imitative of that which proceeds from a Divine source that even these persons, who think they are ‘the very elect,’ find it difficult to discern the essential difference. Satan himself has transformed himself to be apparently ‘an angel of light.’ When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or any extraordinary gift or inspiration, convey something out of harmony with the accepted revelations of the Church or contrary to the decisions of its constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no matter how plausible it may appear. Also, they should understand that directions for the guidance of the Church will come, by revelation, through the head. All faithful members are entitled to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for themselves, their families, and for those over whom they are appointed and ordained to preside. But anything at discord with that which comes from God through the head of the Church is not to be received as authoritative or reliable. In secular as well as spiritual affairs, Saints may receive Divine guidance and revelation affecting themselves, but this does not convey authority to direct others, and is not to be accepted when contrary to Church covenants, doctrine or disciple, or to known facts, demonstrated truths, or good common sense… Be not led by any spirit or influence that discredits established authority and contradicts true scientific principles and discoveries, or leads away from the direction revelations of God for the government of the Church. The Holy Ghost does not contradict its own revealings. Truth is always harmonious with itself. Piety is often the cloak of error. The counsels of the Lord through the channel he has appointed will be followed with safety, therefore, O! ye Latter-day Saints, profit by these words of warning.’ Oliver Cowdery was told by the Lord that he might ‘not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom.’ In other words, the Lord was telling Oliver that while he might give counsel and advice to the Saints, he was not to establish Church doctrine or revelation. That was the office of the prophet only.” Really long, but pretty straight forward, I definitely learned the hard way that personal revelation never contradicts prophetic counsel. It was a painful but very valuable lesson that I’m so grateful for. Another lesson that I find very valuable from this section is that you only receive personal revelation for those within your stewardship. I listened to a talk once where the speaker said, a general authority or something, speaking to single sisters said something like “If a man tells you that he’s received personal revelation that you are supposed to marry him, don’t do it unless and until you have the same revelation.” I thought “you’re kidding, do people actually say that?” But apparently they do. This is one of those “outside of your stewardship” things. Tomorrow we will get to OC being called on a mission to the Lamanites.