D&C 42 - Intro

I’m super short on time tonight and section 42 is really long and content heavy, so we’ll probably be spending the next month on this one, which is fine, scripture is scripture and this one is obviously important to the Lord, but we’ll probably only have time to do the introduction tonight, if that. DJR gives the background information as follows: “This revelation commonly referred to as ‘The Law’ or ‘The Law of the Lord.’ If you truly want to be a disciple of Christ and return to the Father in celestial exaltation, you will follow the principles and commandments taught in this section. The Lord promised the Saints that He would give them this ‘law’ in Ohio. (D&C 38:32). Given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section 42 was actually revealed in two parts. Verses 1 through 73 were given February 9, 1831, in the presence of twelve elders, and verses 74-93 were given two weeks later, on February 23, 1831. It was originally printed in the Book of Commandments as two chapters. Chapter 44 contained verses 1-73, and Chapter 47 contained verses 74 through 93. These two chapters were combined as Section 42 in later versions of the Doctrine and Covenants. This section is one of the great doctrinal revelations from the Lord, as explained by George Q. Cannon as follows: ‘Altogether this was a most important revelation. It threw a flood of light upon a great variety of subjects and settled many important questions. Faithful men and women were greatly delighted at being members of a Church which the Lord acknowledged as His own, and to which He communicated His word through his inspired Prophet as he did at this time.’” I’ve been listening to the commentary on section 42 and it’s pretty incredible. The IM gives the following background information: “Once the Prophet moved to Kirtland, Ohio, he acted swiftly to set the Church in order. Under direction from the Lord, he appointed the first bishop of the Church, put an end to an incorrect system of having all things in common, and defined many policies and procedures. Several problems developed as other members from New York began flooding into Kirtland. This place was already an area of rapid growth for the Church, because many of the people there had been prepared by Sidney Rigdon to embrace the truth. The Prophet had been told that the Lord would reveal His law to the Saints once they had moved to Ohio. However, after Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, the Lord added one further stipulation: the elders had to agree upon the word of the Lord and were to unite in a prayer of faith. Only then would they receive the law designated to help the Saints live peaceably together.” This made me wonder, why would the Lord add this stipulation? I don’t think that it was so that they would have to jump through hoops, but I think that it was to make sure that everyone was converted enough and ready to receive the new law. If the Lord just dropped it on Joseph Smith and he came out to the people with these new concepts, it could be overwhelming, but if the Church leadership all came together in prayer and asked the Lord for it, then they would be able to receive and implement it without major concern or upset. Now that I think about it, most of the revelations so far have come because they were asked for, not too many have been thrust on people when they weren’t expecting it. The IM continues, “Accordingly, on 9 February 1831 twelve men were called together by Joseph Smith and united in prayer and in faith and desire to receive the law. In response the Lord revealed His law to them. Only verses 1-73 of section 42 were given at that time. The rest of the revelation was received two weeks later, on 23 February. This latter part, according to President Joseph Fielding Smith, was ‘given for the establishment of the City of Zion – New Jerusalem- which was to be built by the law of consecration and obedience to the fullness of the gospel.” This concept of “law” that has been talked about so extensively for the last two section is discussed by the IM, saying, “The word law in a gospel sense refers to the statutes, judgments, and principles of salvation revealed by the Lord to man. Christ is the law- He gave it and embodies its principles. In this sense, the law of the Lord is a revelation of His character and attributes.” Now that’s an interesting way to look at it, I’d never considered it like that before, the law isn’t just something that the Lord obeys because he has to, he not only obeys the letter of the law, but he truly embodies the spirit of the law as well. The IM continues, “God has given laws to assist us in our quest to become like the Father and the Son. Non one can come to the Father except through obedience to the laws that Christ has given. The violation of these laws is what constitutes sin. The Lord in His infinite love and wisdom often gives laws to His children suited to their level of preparation. The Law of Moses was given to prepare the children of Israel for higher laws. The laws given in section 42 were to enable the Saints to purify their lives in preparation for the establishment of Zion.” I’ve often thought about why children and I guess people in general are happier when there are set boundaries and rules and laws. Logically, it would make sense that most people would be happiest if they were allowed to do whatever they wanted all the time, children especially. It’s counterintuitive to think that children are happier because they are told what to do and given consistent punishment when disobedient, but it’s true and I’ve thought long and hard about why that is, because it just didn’t make sense to me. What I’ve come up with is that when there are rules free us to focus on things that make us happy. For instance, if I was allowed to steal, if it wasn’t prohibited in so many way, I would spend all my time thinking about what I would steal, who I would steal from, I’d make plans, and sit in anger all the time. But by taking that away from me as an option, I’m able to spend that time instead on bettering myself as a person. By taking away that choice from me, I’m not free to enjoy other things. There are probably some people who would genuinely desire to become better people no matter what the laws are but I contest that most people would not be super interested in that pursuit. The other point of why rules make us happier is that by having rules for ourselves against harming others, we are in turn protected from being harmed, optimally. If I was allowed to steal from others, then they would be allowed to steal from me, and most of us can dish it out but we can’t take it. Like the IM says, the law was given “to enable the Saints to purify their lives,” and so we must be commanded and instructed on how to do that because I think that for most of us, the process is counterintuitive, meaning, most of us will not be able to figure it out in this lifetime on our own. Breaking the universal law means misery, and so a just and loving God would give us the most efficient way to happiness possible, and for this I am grateful, even if I have to learn most lessons the hard way myself.