LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 37
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney
Rigdon, near Fayette, New York, December 1830. Herein is given the
first commandment concerning a gathering in this dispensation.
1–4, The Saints are called to gather at the Ohio.
1 Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should
translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of
the enemy and for your sakes.
Note: Joseph Smith decided to escape New York justice for Ohio.
Smith pled the statute of limitations, since it had been over three
years since his 1826 arrest. After the prosecution argued Smith had
continued looking into the stone, Cowdery testified that Smith had not
used the stone but had instead used "two transparent stones, resembling
glass, set in silver bows". Vogel argues this testimony demonstrates
"Cowdery’s willingness to alter history", as eyewitnesses uniformly
report Smith had actually used the seer stone in a hat during the
dictation process.
2 And again, I say unto you that ye shall not go until ye have preached
my gospel in those parts and have strengthened up the church
whithersoever it is found, and more especially in Colesville; for,
behold, they pray unto me in much faith.
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
3 And again, a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient
in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio, against the time
that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them. 4 Behold, here
is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so.
Amen.
Note: Jesus Christ wants believers to go into all the world.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8