D&C 30

Section 30 is similar to something that we’ve seen before, in that this section is a compilation of 3 separate revelations received. The Prophet JS gives the background information as follows: “At length our conference assembled . The subject of the stone previously mentioned was discussed, and after considerable investigation, Brother Page, as well as the whole Church who were present, renounced the said stone, and all things connected therewith, much to our mutual satisfaction and happiness. We now partook of the Sacrament, confirmed and ordained many, and attended to a great variety of Church business on the first and the two following days of the conference, during which time we had much of the power of God manifested amongst us; the Holy Ghost came upon us, and filled us with joy unspeakable; and peace; and faith, and hope, and charity abounded in our midst. Before we separated we received the following: (D&C 30-31).” What I think is kind of crazy is that these revelations, published for all the Church to see, it’s like having all your business put out there, I don’t think that I would like to have my personal rebukes form the Lord or the Bishop put into print and then distributed throughout the Church. When I look at this, I think that, it’s similar to when Alma wrote the letter to Corianton and that was published, he’s quite notorious. I wonder if in the next life, what their reputation is, it would just be interesting to know. 30:1-4 – This first revelation is for David Whitmer, as DJR explains “As you will see, in verse 1-4, David Whitmer is chastised by the Lord. From the context and historical background, we have reason to believe that he was this scolded on account of his siding with Hiram Page who was receiving false revelation by means of his seer stone. As you have no doubt sensed, in the New England environment in which the Church was restored, it was quite a struggle to establish the principle of having only one person at the head of the Church, namely, the Prophet. In that same environment, it was a common belief that anyone could receive revelation for any group or individual. As the Lord instructs David Whitmer, we see firm instruction on these matters.” The IM asks, “What had David Whitmer done to deserve this rebuke from the Lord?” Answering, “David Whitmer is mildly rebuked for listening to Hiram Page, and perhaps for using his influence over other members of the family in favor of the supposed seer-stone. He was told that he had feared man, and set his mind on earthly things, instead of taking care of the ministry and listening to the Spirit and the inspired Prophet, with the result that he had been left to inquire for himself; the Prophet could not inquire for him. He was also commanded to remain at home, until further instructions should be given, and confine his labors, for the time being, to the Church and the world in the neighborhood. Deviation from the narrow path always brings with it come consequences which remain after the sin has been pardoned.” That’s an interesting concept, that even after the sin has been forgiven, we still, many times, have to deal with the consequences of that. Another interesting point is that the IM says that concerning the matter of Hiram Page and the “seer-stone” David Whitmer had to pray and get answers for himself, that JS couldn’t as the Lord and give him the counsel. This seems like an odd concept to us here today because we can’t petition the prophet for a personal revelation from the Lord, nor would he be likely to just receive one for us, so we consistently use our own prayers to communicate with the Lord. But for David Whitmer, who had received several personal revelations from the Lord through JS already, it might represent quite the change in procedure, and even though it might be viewed as difficult at first, this is definitely one way that David Whitmer, and all of us really, can draw closer to the Lord, through personal communication with Him. The Lord tells David “that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought. But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.” When I heard this, I thought that while it might have been a scathing rebuke, this easily could be given to me at pretty much any time, because I know that this is a sin that I am guilty of pretty consistently. In fact, this sentiment is so prevalent that the IM teaches, “Most Latter-day Saints could substitute their own names in these verses in place of David Whitmer’s and find the counsel profitable. There are few who have not at one time or another set their hearts on the things of this earth, giving them a higher priority than the things of God. Like David Whitmer, at such times they too are left to themselves to wonder what is wrong.” 30:5-8 – Peter Whitmer is the next to receive counsel from the Lord, and unlike his brother David he is not rebuked, which the IM suggests, has to do with his innocence in the whole “seer-stone” event. DJR notes that Peter Whitmer “never left the Church, rather remained faithful the rest of his life.” Peter’s counsel is quite straight forward, he is called to “take your journey with your brother Oliver; for the time has come that it is expedient in me that you shall open your mouth to declare my gospel.” Peter Whitmer is to be OC’s companion on the mission to the Lamanites. DJR comments that verse 6 is “some rather tender advice for missionary companions.” The Lord counsels concerning OC, “and be you afflicted in all his afflictions, ever lifting up your heart unto me in prayer and faith, for his and your deliverance; for I have given unto him power to build up my church among the Lamanites.” This might make sense in the context that most companionships will suffer many of the same hardships, but that the other person’s trials and tribulations should also be shared with the companionship, and that prayer and faith and turning to the Lord in all things can draw you closer to each other and the Lord. It’s interesting because some of the articles that I’ve read recently about Christian marriage advice say some interesting things like “pray for your spouse,” and “ask your spouse how you can pray for them.” I’ve never had anyone ask me how they can pray for me, and honestly I don’t know what I would say if they did, but this is the same concept, missionary companions and eternal companions can be very similar in relationship, and so it seems to me that the same counsel here could apply to both situations. Finally, the Lord reminds Peter what the end goal is, that if he will “give heed unto these things and be diligent in keeping my commandments, and you shall be blessed unto eternal life.” 30:9-11 – Finally, the Lord speaks to John Whitmer, who is also not rebuked. The Lord calls him “at the time to labor especially among the Saints. He was very active in the Church as an aid to the Prophet. He assisted in the compilation of the Revelations, and accompanied Oliver Cowdery to Jackson County to superintend the printing of them. He was one of the seven High Priests appointed to preside in the Church in Jackson County. He was Church historian and editor of important Church publications. But he did not remain faithful.” DJR says, “John will be called by the Lord to be the historian of the Church. He wrote 96 pages of history, while actively serving in this position, but refused to give them to the Church. This was one of the cases for his excommunication on March 10, 1833, in Missouri.” In the revelation the Lord says specifically that John is to “proclaim my gospel, as with the voice of a trump.” But instead of going to a faraway exotic, foreign land, his “labor shall be at your brother Philip Burrough’s, and in that region round about, yea, wherever your can be heard, until I command you to go from hence.” I wonder how he felt when John and David’s younger brother Peter was called to go preach to the Lamanites and they were both commanded to stay home and preach there. I wonder if it would be a similar feeling to receive a mission call to your home country when you had really hoped to go somewhere foreign and exotic. I would be guilty of that, I would want to go to like Madagascar or something like that and if I was called to Kansas, then I would imagine that I would feel disappointed, but the people are Kansas are just as precious to the Lord as those in Madagascar. I feel like sometimes we build our faith through doing hard things, and other times we have to build our faith by learning that the small things can be just as important. Sometimes faith takes grand gestures, and sometimes it takes just as much faith to maintain small things.