D&C 52:1-20

Section 52 is a new one, kind of a random topic, everything put together that was pertinent at the time, kind of revelation. DJR gives the background as follows: “This revelation was given on June 7, 1831, in Kirtland, Ohio, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Church had just finished holding a four-day conference in Kirtland, which began on June 3 and finished on June 6. During this conference, several of the brethren were ordained to the office of high priest, the first time this specific office was conferred upon men in this dispensation. It was also during this conference that Joseph Smith revealed that John the Revelator (the Apostle who had served with Peter and James in the First Presidency and who was translated) was, at that time (1831) working with the lost ten tribes, preparing them for their return.”

52:1-10 - The Lord begins by telling the Saints that the next conference will be “held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people.” I think that it’s interesting that just in the last revelation, the people are told to “act for years” living in Ohio, and here they are told about going to Missouri. I wonder if they had mixed feelings. JS and SR are told to “take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri.” They are counseled that if faithful, their paths will be guided and the “land of your inheritance” will be revealed to them. The Lord ends up calling 28 missionaries in the revelation, and begins with Lyman Wight and John Corrill, John Mur-dock, and Hyrum Smith calling them to go to Missouri as well, but “preaching the word by the way, saying none other things than that which the prophets and Apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the power of faith. Let them go two by two, and thus let them preach by the way in every congregation, baptizing by water, and laying on of the hands by the water’s side.” The IM teaches, “In this revelation the Lord set a standard for missionaries and teachers: they should teach those things that He has revealed to His prophets and Apostles, that which is taught to them through the influence of the Holy Ghost. Many problems arise when people begin to offer their personal opinions as doctrines of the Church. In 1837 the Twelve Apostles wrote an epistle in which they warned: ‘Be careful that you teach not for the word of God, the commandments of men, nor the doctrines of men, not the ordinances of men, inasmuch as you are God’s messengers. Study the word of God, and preach it and not your opinions, for no man’s opinions is worth a straw. Advance no principle but what you can prove, for one scriptural proof is worth ten thousand opinions. We would moreover say, abide by that revelation which say ‘Preach nothing but repentance to this generation,’ and leave the further mysteries of the kingdom till God shall tell you to preach them, which is not now.’ Elder Bruce R. McConkie bore the following testimony: ‘The truth of all things is measured by the scriptures. That which harmonizes with them should be accepted; that which is contrary to their teachings, however plausible it may seem for the moment, will not endure and should be rejected.’” I think it’s difficult to differentiate, sometimes, opinion from testimony, which is probably why testimony meetings are so “colorful” sometimes.

52:11-20 - There’s verse 11, which to me seems kind of random, but the Lord says that he “will cut my work short in righteousness,” which doesn’t make very much sense to me. The Lord continues, “And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff. And behold, he that is faithful shall be made ruler over many things.” I like this statement, it takes me to the parable of the servants given the talents, it doesn’t say, “he that is exceptional” or “he that is better than everyone else,” it says “he that is faithful.” There is nothing that is contingent on anyone, the only one who determines is that statement is true is God and ourselves. It’s liberating and empowering, knowing that we are good enough, we have all the power we need to be valiant and faithful to the Lord’s satisfaction. Now the Lord sets forth a “pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived…. Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted on me if he obey mine ordinances. He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose landuage is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances. And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truth which I have given you. And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me. Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cased under the whole heavens.” DJR lists these attributes as follows: “1. The person prays to God faithfully. 2. The person humbly desires correction as needed. 3.The person  is living in harmony with the covenants he or she has made with God, including faithful church attendance, tithe paying, temple attendance, and so forth. 4.  The person’s language is gentle and pleasant, not caustic and bitter. 5. What you are hearing edifies you- in other words, brings you peace, light, and understanding. 6. The person is humble and respects and carefully follows the leaders of the Church, through whom the Lord extends His power and authority to all the world. 7. The person’s teachings and life is in strict harmony with the scriptures and the words of the modern prophets and Apostles.” I have to be honest, not very many of my own personal attributes are in harmony with this list. Anyone who has the attributes listed above, will not be convincing a significant amount of people to give them money or power or anything like that, and even if they did have those things, it wouldn’t be in their nature to misuse them. The IM says, “A pattern is a representative sample of traits, acts, or other features characterizing an individual. In these verses the Lord indicates that one observable feature of those who are inspired of God is that they obey the ordinances of the gospel.” I also think that they would not only obey the ordinances, but cherish them. We can obey out of motivation that is not God-centered, selfish motivations, but to cherish something only comes from the heart.