D&C 115:1-4
There's not a ton of background information for this section, the section heading says, "Revelation given through the Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, April 26, 1838, making known the will of God concerning the building up of that place and of the Lord's house. This revelation is addressed to the presiding officers and the members of the Church." The IM says, "Section 115 was received nine days after section 114 and is addressed to the officers and members of the Church, particularly the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric. The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded that on 26 April 1838 at Far West, Missouri, he received the revelation setting forth 'the will of God concerning the building up of that place, and of the Lord's House."
115:4 - the Lord officially names the church as "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The IM quotes Elder B.H. Roberts as giving interesting explanation as "It will be observed that in verses three and four in this revelation the Lord gives to the Church its official name, 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' Previous to this the Church had been called 'The Church of Christ,' 'The Church of Jesus Christ,' 'The Church of God,' and by a conference of Elders held at Kirtland in May, 1834, it was give the name 'The Church of Latter-day Saints.' All these names, however were by this revelation brushed aside, and since then the official name is given in this revelation has been recognized as the true title of the Church, though often spoken of as 'The Mormon Church,' the 'Church of Christ,' etc. The appropriateness of this title is self evident, and in it there is a beautiful recognition of the relationship both of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Saints to the organization. It is 'The Church of Jesus Christ.' It is the Lord's; He owns it, He organized it. It is the Sacred Depository of His truth. It is His instrumentality for promulgating all those spiritual truths with which He would have mankind acquainted. It is also His instrumentality for the perfecting of the Saints, as well as for the work of the ministry. It is His in all these respects; but it is an institution which also belongs to the Saints. It is their refuge from the confusion and religious doubt of the world. It is their instructor in principle, doctrine, and righteousness. It is their guide in matters of faith and morals. They have a conjoint ownership in it with Jesus Christ, which ownership is beautifully recognized in the latter part of the title. 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' is equivalent to 'The Church of Jesus Christ,' and 'The Church of the Latter-day Saints.'" I had never heard of this definition of the Church's name, that it is both His and ours, I love that.
115:4 - the Lord officially names the church as "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The IM quotes Elder B.H. Roberts as giving interesting explanation as "It will be observed that in verses three and four in this revelation the Lord gives to the Church its official name, 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' Previous to this the Church had been called 'The Church of Christ,' 'The Church of Jesus Christ,' 'The Church of God,' and by a conference of Elders held at Kirtland in May, 1834, it was give the name 'The Church of Latter-day Saints.' All these names, however were by this revelation brushed aside, and since then the official name is given in this revelation has been recognized as the true title of the Church, though often spoken of as 'The Mormon Church,' the 'Church of Christ,' etc. The appropriateness of this title is self evident, and in it there is a beautiful recognition of the relationship both of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Saints to the organization. It is 'The Church of Jesus Christ.' It is the Lord's; He owns it, He organized it. It is the Sacred Depository of His truth. It is His instrumentality for promulgating all those spiritual truths with which He would have mankind acquainted. It is also His instrumentality for the perfecting of the Saints, as well as for the work of the ministry. It is His in all these respects; but it is an institution which also belongs to the Saints. It is their refuge from the confusion and religious doubt of the world. It is their instructor in principle, doctrine, and righteousness. It is their guide in matters of faith and morals. They have a conjoint ownership in it with Jesus Christ, which ownership is beautifully recognized in the latter part of the title. 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' is equivalent to 'The Church of Jesus Christ,' and 'The Church of the Latter-day Saints.'" I had never heard of this definition of the Church's name, that it is both His and ours, I love that.
Comments
Post a Comment