D&C 52:21-44

51:21-34 - The Lord now begins calling specific people and DJR gives us some interesting insight into the background of some of them. He calls: Thomas B. Marsh, Ezra Thayre, Isaac Morley, Ezra Booth, Edward Partridge and Martin Harris are companions with Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, which I think is interesting. David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock, Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt are companions and brothers. Solomon Hancock, Simeon Carter, Edson Fuller, Jacob Scott, Levi W. Hancock, Zebedee Coltrin, Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith. DJR gives an interesting account about Reynolds Cahoon saying, “in 1834 he and his wife will have their seventh child, a boy. They will ask the Prophet Joseph Smith to give him a name and a blessing. As the Prophet prepared to do their bidding, he asked them what name they wanted him to give the infant. They declined to give one, instead asking Joseph to choose one. During the blessing, the Prophet named the baby ‘Mahonri Moriancumer.’ You can perhaps image the surprise of the patents at now having a son named Mahonri Moriancumer Cahoon! At the end of the blessing, Joseph explained to them that the Lord had just revealed to him during the blessing that the name of the brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon was Mahonri Moriancumer. This event was recorded in an early Church publication, The Juvenile Instructor.” Pretty interesting story there, it’s nice to hear about those who remained faithful, in the face of so many who did not. The Lord continues to call Wheeler Baldwin, William Carter, Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin. He instructs those called to “take their journey unto one place,” that DJR reminds us is Missouri, “in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s foundation, neither journey in another’s track.” They are to go different ways and not overlap in the areas. The IM comments, “Special instructions were also given to others of the elders, commanding them to go forth two by two in the proclamation of the word of God by the way, to every congregation where they could get a hearing. Though the western frontier of Missouri was their destination, they were commanded to take different routes and not build on each other’s foundation or travel in each other’s track.” They are promised that those that are “faithful, the same shall be kept and blessed with much fruit.”

51:35-44 - Now the Lord calls Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey to “take their journey into the eastern lands.” DJR tells us that this means New York. In verse 36 they are told to labor “with their families.” This is interesting considering that a vast portion of the members are also from New York, but only these 2 are called to go there to their families. This is a good example that the Lord knows and directs the work that he is performing, he knows who is ready to hear the gospel and who is prepared to give the appropriate message to them. Interestingly, the Lord says “that which was bestowed upon Heman Basset be taken from him, and placed upon the head of Sidmonds Ryder,” and this because of “transgression.” DJR gives background info saying that Heman Basset “left the Church shortly after this revelation was given. He was seventeen at this time and had already shown signs of being easily deceived.” Unfortunately, “Simonds Ryder… was a member for just three months. Among his stated reasons for leaving the Church was that the Prophet misspelled his name on his call to go to Missouri to preach. His name was spelled ‘Rider’ rather than ‘Ryder.’” Sad. The Lord continues, calling for Jared Carter and George James to “be ordained” priests. This is a lot of men leaving their families, many of whom are just getting settled in a new land. The Lord provides for this commanding “the residue of the elders (to) watch over the churches, and declare the word in the regions round about them; and let them labor with their own hands that there be no idolatry nor wickedness practiced.” The IM teaches, “This instruction was given to those elders not assigned to go as missionaries to Missouri. These men were assigned to stay home and be the priesthood leaders for the Saints in Kirtland. By laboring with their own hands for their support, rather than being paid for their priesthood service, these brethren would help prevent idolatry and priestcraft from springing up in the Church. Regarding the word idolatry in this verse, in this verse, in the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord warned that one of the characteristics of the last days would be that ‘every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his God… whose substance is that of an idol.’ Paul defined covetousness as idolatry. When people set their hearts on natural things, or prestige, or power to the point that God is no longer supreme, then that becomes as god to them. They worship, or give allegiance to, those things. This verse suggests that if the elders who remained in Ohio did not labor with their own hands, they might be guilty of this kind of covetousness or idolatry.” All are reminded to “remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.” I like that the Lord doesn’t give really specific ways in which this is to be done, caring and serving is to be done in conjunction with a relationship with the Lord.