LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 41
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 4, 1831. This revelation
instructs the Prophet and Church elders to pray to receive God’s “law”
(see section 42). Joseph Smith had just arrived in Kirtland from New
York, and Leman Copley, a Church member in nearby Thompson, Ohio,
“requested Brother Joseph and Sidney [Rigdon] … live with him and he
would furnish them houses and provisions.” The following revelation
clarifies where Joseph and Sidney should live and also calls Edward
Partridge to be the Church’s first bishop.
1–3, The elders will govern the Church by the spirit of revelation;
4–6, True disciples will receive and keep the Lord’s law; 7–12, Edward
Partridge is named as a bishop unto the Church.
1 Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye
whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings, ye that
hear me; and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my
name, with the heaviest of all cursings.
Note: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners like Joseph Smith.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17
2 Hearken, O ye elders of my church whom I have called, behold I give
unto you a commandment, that ye shall assemble yourselves together to
agree upon my word;
Note: Jesus Christ sent believers out into 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
3 And by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law, that ye may
know how to govern my church and have all things right before me.
Note: False religion will advocate the law.
Therefore, He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among
you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness.” Therefore, know that only those who are of faith are
sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,
saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who
are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:5-9
4 And I will be your ruler when I come; and behold, I come quickly, and
ye shall see that my law is kept. 5 He that receiveth my law and doeth
it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and
doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from
among you;
Note: False religion will advocate the law.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it
is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things
which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one
is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just
shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who
does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of
the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is
everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come
upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of
the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14
6 For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of
the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or
the pearls to be cast before swine.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine,” Matthew 7:6
7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.
Note: Joseph Smith was a fraudster who rarely worked an honest job.
Treasure seeker: In his youth, he engaged in contemporary folk magic,
using seer stones to help local residents look for buried treasure (an
activity sometimes called "money-digging").
8 And again, it is meet that my servant Sidney Rigdon should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments.
Note: Sidney Rigdon never preached on the love of God.
Though some of his most politically explosive speeches actually
occurred just across the border in Missouri (such as the infamous Salt
Sermon and his July 4th Oration in 1838, which threatened an all-out
war of extermination against mobs), the foundation for this fiery
rhetoric was built during his years commanding audiences throughout
northeastern Ohio.
9 And again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge; and I give a
commandment, that he should be appointed by the voice of the church,
and ordained a bishop unto the church, to leave his merchandise and to
spend all his time in the labors of the church; 10 To see to all things
as it shall be appointed unto him in my laws in the day that I shall
give them. 11 And this because his heart is pure before me, for he is
like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile. 12 These words
are given unto you, and they are pure before me; wherefore, beware how
you hold them, for they are to be answered upon your souls in the day
of judgment. Even so. Amen.
Note: Joseph Smith took advantage of Edward Partridge.
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.