D&C 61:1-12

Section 61 covers some interesting topics that we haven’t covered yet, namely water and Satan’s influence over it. As we’ve learned in previous sections, the missionaries that have gone to Missouri are now supposed to go home, preaching as they go. The Lord told them that they can either buy or build boats to go back up the river, which ever they preferred, but it turns out that there have been problems on the water. The IM gives background information quoting Joseph Smith saying, “On the 9^th, in the company with ten Elders, I left Independence landing for Kirtland. We started down the river in canoes, and went the first day as far as Fort Osage, where we had an excellent wild turkey for supper. Nothing very important occurred till the third day, when many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine’s Bend, Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, say the destroyer in his most horrible power, ride upon the face of the waters; others heard the noise, but saw not the vision. The next morning after prayer, I received the following: (D&C 61).” DJR is sure to point out that there are parts of this revelation that seem to be specific to the time that it was revealed (i.e. the 1830’s,) but there is also part that can apply to us today.

61:1-6 - The Lord begins by reminding us that he is all powerful but he will “forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts,” this might be pertinent because the men in the party are bickering amongst each other, and the Lord is not pleased about it. He tells them to be more missionary minded, reminding “it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief.” The Lord also tells them that he allowed W.W. Phelps to see the vision of Satan riding on the waters “that ye might bear record; behold, there are many dangers upon the waters, and more especially hereafter. For I, the lord, have decreed in mine anger many destructions upon the waters.” The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as explaining how the water is cursed, saying, “in the beginning the Lord blessed the waters and cursed the land, but in these last days this was reversed, the land was to be blessed and the waters to be cursed. A little reflection will bear witness to the truth of this declaration. In the early millenniums of this earth’s history, men did not understand the composition of the soils, and how they needed building up when crops were taken from them. The facilities at the command of the people were primitive and limited, acreage under cultivation was limited, famines were prevalent and the luxuries which we have today were not obtainable. Someone may rise up and say that the soil in those days was just as productive as now, and this may be the case. It is not a matter of dispute, but the manner of cultivation did not lend itself to the abundant production which we are receiving today. It matters not what the causes were, in those early days of world history there could not be the production, nor the varieties of fruits coming from the earth, and the Lord can very properly speak of this as a curse, or the lack of blessing, upon the land. In those early periods we have every reason to believe that the torrents, floods, and the dangers upon the waters were not as great as they are today, and by no means as great as what the Lord has promised us. The early mariners among the ancients traversed the seas as they knew them in that day in comparative safety… Today this manner of travel in such boats would be of the most dangerous and risky nature. Moreover, we have seen the dangers upon the waters increase until the hearts of men failed them and only the brace, and those who were compelled to travel the seas, ventured out upon them. In regard to the Missouri-Mississippi waters, we have seen year by year great destruction upon them, and coming from them. Millions upon millions of dollars, almost annually are lost by this great stream overflowing its banks. Many have lost their lives in these floods as they sweep over the land, and even upon this apparently tranquil or sluggish stream there can arise storms that bring destruction. Verily the world of the Lord has been, and is being, fulfilled in relation to those waters. While the Lord has spoken of the sea heaving itself beyond its bounds, and the waves roaring, yet we must include the great destruction upon the waters by means of war, and especially by submarine warfare as we have learned of it in recent years.”  This can seem pretty scary, especially if we ever want to go on a cruise or something like that, and I have to be honest, one of my dreams is to sail around the world, but I’m scared of pirates, so maybe I’ll have to wait to do that until the next life. But as intimidating as that explanation was, the Lord reassures us that “nevertheless, all flesh is in mine hand, and he that is faithful among you shall not perish by the waters.” The Lord is in charge and as long as we are righteous and heed the counsel of the prophets and the Holy Ghost, then we can be assured that we will be cared for and live until our appointed time, whenever that it.

61:7-12 - The Lord now addresses Sidney Gilbert and William W. Phelps because they have been charged with buying a printing press and taking it back to Missouri. Apparently there have been lots of problems, and now the Lord is telling them that it is time for them to take their leave from those returning home and “let them take their journey in haste that they may fill their mission, and through faith they shall overcome.

This is short, but there I don’t want to launch into the next section tonight, so, until next week.