D&C 36

Section 36 has the same background as section 35 because it is given to Edward Partridge, who went with SR to meet Joseph Smith. The IM gives the account of JS’s mother of the event when JS met Edward Partridge saying, “In December of the same year (1830), Joseph appointed a meeting at our house. While he was preaching, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge came in and seated themselves in the congregation. When Joseph had finished his discourse, he gave all who had any remarks to make, the privilege of speaking. Upon this, Mr. Partridge arose, and stated that he had been to Manchester, with the view of obtaining further information respecting the doctrine which we preached; but, not finding us, he had made some inquiry of our neighbors concerning our characters, which they stated had been impeachable, until Joseph deceived us relative to the Book of Mormon. He also said that he had walked over our farm, and observed the good order and industry which it exhibited; and, having seen what we had sacrificed for the sake of our faith, and having heard that our veracity was not questioned upon any other point than that of our religion, he believed our testimony, and was ready to be baptized, ‘if,’ said he, ‘Brother Joseph will baptize me.’ ‘You are now, replied Joseph, ‘much fatigued, brother Partridge, and you had better rest to-day, and be baptized tomorrow.’ ‘Just as Brother Joseph thinks best,’ replied Mr. Partridge, ‘I am ready at any time.’ He was accordingly baptized the next day.” 36:1-2 - The Lord begins this revelation like he does many other, introducing Himself and forgiving sins. The name he uses to introduce himself is new though, “the Mighty one of Israel.” The IM comments on this saying, “In this revelation our Lord announces Himself as ‘the Mighty One of Israel.’ This name also occurs in Isaiah. It means Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, who led His people out of Egypt, with a strong arm. While the ‘mighty one’ of Assyria was a winged bull, and while earthly kingdoms adopt images of eagles, lions, etc., as emblems of strength, and ‘Mighty One’ of the Kingdom of God is Jehovah.” The reason that I found this interesting is because this was my point when discussing that the Lord uses the analogy of him being a “hen” that gathers her chickens. Human beings will liken themselves to great wild animals, ferocious and fierce, but the God of the universe is ok with identifying himself as not only a timid and non-threatening animal, but as the female of that species. Another interesting tidbit from verse 1 is that the Lord calls Edward Partridge to “preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump.” The IM teaches, “Trumpets were used anciently to sound an alarm, to signal for battle, or to announce the coming of royalty. The sounding of trumpets, therefore, symbolizes heralding or announcing something highly significant. The sound of a trumpet is loud and clear and draws the attention of those within its range. Edward Partridge was called to preach in that manner- not quietly or timidly, but boldly, with clarity and authority.” The Lord continues, “And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.” The IM quotes Elder Harold B. Lee as teaching, “The Lord here is saying that when one of his authorized servants puts his hands by authority upon the head of one to be blessed, it is as though he himself was putting his hand on with them to perform the ordinance. So we begin to see how he manifests his power among men through his servants to whom He has committed the keys of authority.” I really like this, I think back to all the blessings or setting apart that I can remember and thought how cool it is that that was just as significant as if the Lord himself were the one pronouncing the blessing. The IM also comments of what the “peaceable things of the kingdom” are, and I love this because it’s so clear and concise and comforting, and this was something that we discussed last night. The IM teaches, “Shortly before He was crucified, Jesus promised His disciples the gift of peace. This peace is not the peace of the world but the inner peace that comes from the knowledge that one has found the truth, has had his sins remitted, and is on the path that leads to eternal life. This knowledge and assurance comes from the Holy Ghost, who is appropriately called the Comforter. Thus, all Saints may in this world of strife and turmoil receive peace from Christ by the Holy Ghost and the assurance that the course they are pursuing is correct.” 36:3-8 - The Lord uses some interesting verbiage next, saying, “And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.” DJR gives an interesting insight into the phrase of “Hosanna” saying, “The waving of palm leaves (which symbolized triumph and victory, in Biblical cultures) often accompanied the shouting of Hosanna. In Mormon Doctrine, under ‘Hosanna Shout,’ Bruce R. McConkie mentions the waving of white handkerchiefs in conjunction with the Hosanna Shout during our temple dedications. Our waving of white handkerchiefs is symbolic of the waving of palm branches. We invite the Savior to come into our lives and save us, thus giving us triumph and victory over all things which could prevent us from returning to the presence of God forever.” I always wondered how the handkerchiefs and the Hosanna Shout, but having them symbolically be a stand in for palm leaves makes a lot of sense and I’m glad to know that little piece of information. The Lord continues that they should preach “crying repentance, saying: Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh.” We see again the importance of “crying repentance” and this might go hand in hand with section 35’s talk of miracles that follow the believers. Concerning hating “the garments spotted with the flesh” the IM quotes Elder Bruce R. McConkie as teaching, “To stay the spread of disease in ancient Israel, clothing spotted by contagious diseases was destroyed by burning. And so with sin in the Church, the saints are to avoid the remotest contact with it; the very garments, as it were, of the sinners are to be burned with fire, meaning that anything which has had contact with the pollutions of the wicked must be shunned. And so also with those yet in the world who are invited to join the kingdom.” This reminds me of the concept of obedience being a blessing not a sacrifice, when we can look at sin as deadly as a contagious disease, then we have the proper attitude towards it, instead of looking at it longingly with regret. Finally the Lord tells Edward Partridge to “gird up your loins,” The IM teaches, “In Biblical language, to ‘gird up the loins’ is to prepare for a journey, or for work. The Hebrews wore girdles (sashes) when traveling, and when at work. On such occasions they girt their clothes about the (by tucking them under the sash) to ensure free movement of the limbs. The servants of the Lord must be prepared to do His work, and to go when He calls.” The IM continues by quoting President Spencer W. Kimball as teaching, “I feel that when we have done all in our power that the Lord will find a way to open doors… but I can see no good reason why the Lord would open doors that we are not prepared to enter… When I ask for more missionaries, I am not asking for more testimony-barren or unworthy missionaries. I am asking that we start earlier and train our missionaries better in every branch and ever ward in the world. That is another challenge- that the young people will understand that it is a great privilege to go on a mission and that they must be physically well, mentally well, spiritually well, and that ‘the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.’ I am asking for missionaries who have been carefully indoctrinated and trained through the family and the organizations of the Church, and who come to the mission with a great desire.”