D&C 75
D&C 75 is 36 verses, but I'm anxious to get into section 76, so let's see how far we get with this one. The background for this section is that it was given during a conference held in Amherst, Ohio in which the Elders asked JS to ask the Lord what he wanted them to do, which makes sense because the previous revelation had given them instructions until the time the next conference was held, which is this one. The heading to thise section in the scriptures says, "The occasion was that of a conference previously appointed. At this conference Joseph Smith was sustained and ordained President of the HIgh Priesthood. Certain elders, who had encountered difficulty in bringing men to an understanding of their message, desired to learn more in detail as to their immediate duties. This revelation followed."
75:1-5 - The Lord commands that those who have "given your names" or in other words, asked for information from the Lord "should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might- Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you. And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life." The concept of work, labor, idleness are heavy throughout this section and there is an excellent explanation later on. Proclaiming with a trump, to me, seems to mean being bold in the declaration of the gospel, but DJR suggests that it can also mean that the message is clear and simple, thought that was interesting. Concerning the concept of sheaves and crowns, the IM says, "Anciently, grain was cut by hand and tied into large bundles or sheaves which were then carried to the place of threshing. To see a person or an animal 'laden with many sheaves' was proof that the person had reaped an abundant harvest and would now enjoy the fruits of his labors. 'Elders who go out to preach the gospel sometimes return and report that they know not whether they have been the means of converting anybody or not. But if they are faithful, the harvest is sure. The seed they have sown may sprout and come to maturity years after they have been released.' The Lord already had instructed missionaries: 'For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to this soul.' Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented on the symbolism of being crowned: 'Those who gain exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world shall wear crowns. Perhaps literal crowns may be word on occasion- emblematic of their victory over the world and signifying that they rule and reign as kings and queens in the eternal house of Israel. But at all times will be 'crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.'"
75:6-12 - We have learned about William E. McLellin previously and the problems that he was having with his missionary assignment, and it turns out that this conference is the one where the Lord revokes the mission call that he had given William earlier, and did "chasten him for the murmurings of his heart; and he sinned; nevertheless, I forgive him," and commands him to go preach in the south countries. DJR says that this is an excellent example of the Lord's desire to work with us where we are and give us chances to improve constantly. The Lord commands Luke Johnson to go with him "calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them. Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end." The IM quotes Smith and Sjodahl as teaching, "They were commanded to preach the truth 'according to the revelations and commandments' given. They were to keep strictly to the revealed word, but even this they could not do without the aid of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God. Studying alone does not qualify an Elder for preaching the truth. It is the Spirit that qualifies... Some elders put all their faith in preaching. The Latter-day Saints generally will endorse the following, though uttered by one not a member of the Church: 'What is preaching without praying! Sermons are but pulpit performances, learned essays, rhetorical orations, popular lectures, or it may be political harangues, until God gives, in answer to earnest prayer, the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue. It is only he who prays that can truly preach. Many a sermon that has shown no intellectual genius and has violated all homiletic rules and standards has had dynamic spiritual force. Somehow it has moved men, melted them moulded them. The man whose lips are touched by God's living coal from off the altar may even stammer, but his hearers soon find out that he is on fire with one consuming passion to save souls.'"
75:13-22 - The Lord then calls several of the elders to preach the gospel, in companionships, telling them to leave blessings on the homes where they are accepts and to "shake off the dust of your feet" against those who reject them, "and it shall be more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment, than for that house." This comes back to the concept of leaving neutral ground. The heathen never knew the gospel, never had the opportunity to accept or reject it, but those who do reject it are more accountable for that decision. The IM quotes Elder James E. Talmage as teaching, "man will be accounted blameless or guilty, according to his deeds as interpreted in the light of the law under which he is required to live. It is inconsistent with our conception of a just God, to believe HIm capable of inflicting condemnation upon any one for noncompliance with a requirement of which the person had no knowledge. Nevertheless, the laws of the Church will not be suspended even in the case of those who have sinned in darkness and ignorance; but it is reasonable to believe that the plan of redemption will afford such benighted ones an opportunity of learning the laws of God; and surely, as fast as they so learn, will obedience be required on pain of penalty."
75:23-36 - There's a big difference between those called on missions today and those called back in 1831, and that is that most of the men called back then were married and had families. The Lord addresses that by commanding "the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world." The Lord says that those who are able to support their families "let him provide and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the church." The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, "the brethren who were called to take these missionary journeys were quite generally poor men in temporal things. It was difficult for them to go out on the Lord's work and leave their families without support. Yet the call was essential, for the souls of men were at stake and there were those waiting to hear the message who would be a strength to the Church after they received the Gospel. The Lord took into account the needs of the families of these brethren, and he said, 'It is the duty of the Church to assist in supporting the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world...' The commandment therefore was given that suitable places should be provided in which these families could be housed and cared for, and the members of the Church were admonished to 'open their hearts,' and assist in this undertaking. If there were brethren, however, who could support themselves and their families, this was required of them." And finally, the Lord reminds them that "the idler shall not have place in the church." The IM quotes Elder Franklin D. Richards as teaching, "President McKay has said, 'Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.' How true this is! Yet today as in earlier times many misguided individuals embrace the philosophy of idleness, feeling that the world owes them a living. Many have a desire to destroy the establishment that has been built upon productive effort. In this dispensation the Lord has many times confirmed the eternal principle of work. We have been told that there is no place in the Church for the idler 'except he repent and mend his ways,' and 'he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.'"
75:1-5 - The Lord commands that those who have "given your names" or in other words, asked for information from the Lord "should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might- Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you. And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life." The concept of work, labor, idleness are heavy throughout this section and there is an excellent explanation later on. Proclaiming with a trump, to me, seems to mean being bold in the declaration of the gospel, but DJR suggests that it can also mean that the message is clear and simple, thought that was interesting. Concerning the concept of sheaves and crowns, the IM says, "Anciently, grain was cut by hand and tied into large bundles or sheaves which were then carried to the place of threshing. To see a person or an animal 'laden with many sheaves' was proof that the person had reaped an abundant harvest and would now enjoy the fruits of his labors. 'Elders who go out to preach the gospel sometimes return and report that they know not whether they have been the means of converting anybody or not. But if they are faithful, the harvest is sure. The seed they have sown may sprout and come to maturity years after they have been released.' The Lord already had instructed missionaries: 'For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to this soul.' Elder Bruce R. McConkie commented on the symbolism of being crowned: 'Those who gain exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world shall wear crowns. Perhaps literal crowns may be word on occasion- emblematic of their victory over the world and signifying that they rule and reign as kings and queens in the eternal house of Israel. But at all times will be 'crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.'"
75:6-12 - We have learned about William E. McLellin previously and the problems that he was having with his missionary assignment, and it turns out that this conference is the one where the Lord revokes the mission call that he had given William earlier, and did "chasten him for the murmurings of his heart; and he sinned; nevertheless, I forgive him," and commands him to go preach in the south countries. DJR says that this is an excellent example of the Lord's desire to work with us where we are and give us chances to improve constantly. The Lord commands Luke Johnson to go with him "calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them. Praying always that they faint not; and inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end." The IM quotes Smith and Sjodahl as teaching, "They were commanded to preach the truth 'according to the revelations and commandments' given. They were to keep strictly to the revealed word, but even this they could not do without the aid of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God. Studying alone does not qualify an Elder for preaching the truth. It is the Spirit that qualifies... Some elders put all their faith in preaching. The Latter-day Saints generally will endorse the following, though uttered by one not a member of the Church: 'What is preaching without praying! Sermons are but pulpit performances, learned essays, rhetorical orations, popular lectures, or it may be political harangues, until God gives, in answer to earnest prayer, the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue. It is only he who prays that can truly preach. Many a sermon that has shown no intellectual genius and has violated all homiletic rules and standards has had dynamic spiritual force. Somehow it has moved men, melted them moulded them. The man whose lips are touched by God's living coal from off the altar may even stammer, but his hearers soon find out that he is on fire with one consuming passion to save souls.'"
75:13-22 - The Lord then calls several of the elders to preach the gospel, in companionships, telling them to leave blessings on the homes where they are accepts and to "shake off the dust of your feet" against those who reject them, "and it shall be more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment, than for that house." This comes back to the concept of leaving neutral ground. The heathen never knew the gospel, never had the opportunity to accept or reject it, but those who do reject it are more accountable for that decision. The IM quotes Elder James E. Talmage as teaching, "man will be accounted blameless or guilty, according to his deeds as interpreted in the light of the law under which he is required to live. It is inconsistent with our conception of a just God, to believe HIm capable of inflicting condemnation upon any one for noncompliance with a requirement of which the person had no knowledge. Nevertheless, the laws of the Church will not be suspended even in the case of those who have sinned in darkness and ignorance; but it is reasonable to believe that the plan of redemption will afford such benighted ones an opportunity of learning the laws of God; and surely, as fast as they so learn, will obedience be required on pain of penalty."
75:23-36 - There's a big difference between those called on missions today and those called back in 1831, and that is that most of the men called back then were married and had families. The Lord addresses that by commanding "the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world." The Lord says that those who are able to support their families "let him provide and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the church." The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as teaching, "the brethren who were called to take these missionary journeys were quite generally poor men in temporal things. It was difficult for them to go out on the Lord's work and leave their families without support. Yet the call was essential, for the souls of men were at stake and there were those waiting to hear the message who would be a strength to the Church after they received the Gospel. The Lord took into account the needs of the families of these brethren, and he said, 'It is the duty of the Church to assist in supporting the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world...' The commandment therefore was given that suitable places should be provided in which these families could be housed and cared for, and the members of the Church were admonished to 'open their hearts,' and assist in this undertaking. If there were brethren, however, who could support themselves and their families, this was required of them." And finally, the Lord reminds them that "the idler shall not have place in the church." The IM quotes Elder Franklin D. Richards as teaching, "President McKay has said, 'Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.' How true this is! Yet today as in earlier times many misguided individuals embrace the philosophy of idleness, feeling that the world owes them a living. Many have a desire to destroy the establishment that has been built upon productive effort. In this dispensation the Lord has many times confirmed the eternal principle of work. We have been told that there is no place in the Church for the idler 'except he repent and mend his ways,' and 'he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.'"
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