LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 36
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Edward Partridge, near Fayette, New York, December 9, 1830 (see the
heading to section 35). Joseph Smith’s history states that Edward
Partridge “was a pattern of piety, and one of the Lord’s great men.”
1–3, The Lord lays His hand upon Edward Partridge by the hand of Sidney
Rigdon; 4–8, Every man who receives the gospel and the priesthood is to
be called to go forth and preach.
1 Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel: Behold, I say unto
you, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are
forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice
of a trump;
Note: The Christian Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
2 And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney
Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the
Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;
Note: Sidney Rigdon never taught peace.
On 17 June 1838, in Far West, Rigdon delivered a harsh public
condemnation of a large number of the members and leaders of the church
for their perceived disloyalty towards Smith and Rigdon.
3 And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.
Note: Believers will declare Jesus Christ.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have
handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we
have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which
was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen
and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us;
and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus
Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1
John 1:1-4
4 And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all men—
Note: Edward Partridge
became bankrupted and died from exhaustion.
Partridge died on May 27,
1840, in Nauvoo, Illinois, at the age of 46. Partridge expended much of
his wealth in support of the movement before he died.
5 That as many as shall come before my
servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling
and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the
everlasting gospel among the nations—
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as
his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with
them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ
had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus
whom I preach to you is the Christ.” Acts 17:1-3
6 Crying repentance, saying: Save yourselves from this untoward
generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments
spotted with the flesh. 7 And this commandment shall be given unto the
elders of my church, that every man which will embrace it with
singleness of heart may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have
spoken.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
8 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen.
Note: Jesus Christ is greater than the temple.
“Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple.” Matthew 12:6