LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 52
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 6, 1831. A conference
had been held at Kirtland, beginning on the 3rd and closing on the 6th
of June. At this conference the first distinctive ordinations to the
office of high priest were made, and certain manifestations of false
and deceiving spirits were discerned and rebuked.
1–2, The next conference is designated to be held in Missouri; 3–8,
Appointments of certain elders to travel together are made; 9–11, The
elders are to teach what the apostles and prophets have written; 12–21,
Those enlightened by the Spirit bring forth fruits of praise and
wisdom; 22–44, Various elders are appointed to go forth preaching the
gospel while traveling to Missouri for the conference.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders whom he hath called and chosen in these last days, by the voice of his Spirit—
Note: Elders will be of good character and not youngsters.
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the
things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I
commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having
faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a
bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not
quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,
self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught,
that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
those who contradict. Titus 1:5-9
2 Saying: I, the Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye
shall do from this time until the next conference, which shall be held
in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people,
which are a remnant of Jacob, and those who are heirs according to the
covenant.
Note: In little over two years the LDS fanatics were driven from the land.
Under the auspice of Mormon leaders in Kirtland, settlers trickled to
the county during the following months. By 1833, Mormons numbered over
a thousand, representing about a third and as much as half of the
county's population. The Mormon settlers' religious, cultural, and
political differences, economic cohesion, their perceived affinity for
neighboring Native American tribes, and their divine claims to the land
of "Zion" contributed to growing animosity.
3 Wherefore, verily I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun.,
and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be
made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri. 4 And
inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them
what they shall do; 5 And it shall also, inasmuch as they are faithful,
be made known unto them the land of your inheritance. 6 And inasmuch as
they are not faithful, they shall be cut off, even as I will, as
seemeth me good.
Note: Joseph Smith made a false prophecy about Independence Missouri being Zion.
In August 1831, Smith announced that Independence, Missouri and the
surrounding area would become the "centerplace" of his planned "City of
Zion", a gathering place within Mormon millennial theology. Mormon
leadership in Missouri was instructed to make extensive land purchases
in the area to be distributed to incoming members.
7 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Lyman Wight and my servant John Corrill take their journey speedily;
Note: Lyman Wight did not follow Brigham Young into polygamy.
After the death of Joseph Smith resulted in a succession crisis, Wight
led his own break-off group of Latter Day Saints to Texas, where they
created a settlement. While in Texas, Wight broke with the main body of
the group led by Brigham Young.
Note: John Corrill realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Disfavor grew between Corrill and the Mormons. Some Mormons had in the
past accused him of opposing priesthood authority and "the Judgment of
God" in his preference for autonomy and democracy in the church. In his
only term in the Missouri House of Representatives, as a state
representative after the armed conflict subsided, Corrill presented a
petition from the Mormons for relief from their mistreatment. However,
he continued to distance himself from the church, culminating in his
excommunication in Quincy, Illinois on March 17, 1839. After this
event, he published "a 50 page pamphlet attempting to justify his
reasons" for leaving the church.
8 And also my servant John Murdock, and my servant Hyrum Smith, take their journey unto the same place by the way of Detroit.
Note: John Murdock remained faithful to his first wife.
Murdock avoided participating in the LDS practice of plural marriage
for over thirty years. In January 1857, he succumbed to ecclesiastical
pressure and married widow Majory McEwan as a plural wife. After they
were married in Salt Lake City, McEwan returned home to her children
rather than sleeping in the house with her new husband. She continued
to sleep at her own home, only traveling to the Murdock household to
help her sister wife with the housework. Although the Murdocks invited
her and her children to stay with them, she continually refused.
Tensions rose between the two wives. By the summer of 1857, McEwan
stopped visiting the Murdock home. On December 6, 1857, David Evans,
Murdock's local ecclesiastical leader, had a disciplinary meeting with
Murdock and McEwan and charged Murdock with "failure to consummate the
marriage". Murdock responded that this was due to his advanced age and
illness. Eventually, McEwan and Murdock were granted a divorce on
January 27, 1857.
9 And let them journey from thence preaching the word by the way,
saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have
written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the
prayer of faith.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know
God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to
save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after
wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block
and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1
Corinthians 1:21-24
10 Let them go two by two, and thus let them preach by the way in every
congregation, baptizing by water, and the laying on of the hands by the
water’s side.
Note: Baptism is not the Christian Gospel.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
11 For thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in righteousness,
for the days come that I will send forth judgment unto victory.
Note: Judgment was rendered and the LDS fanatics were expelled from Missouri in 1838.
Possibly playing on Rigdon's July 4 sermon that talked of a "war of
extermination", Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44, also known as
the "Extermination Order", on October 27, which stated that "the
Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven
from the State if necessary for the public peace..."
12 And let my servant Lyman Wight beware, for Satan desireth to sift him as chaff.
Note: Lyman Wight remained faithful to Joseph Smith despite false prophecies.
Wight tolerated the conditions of the company—including the eating of
moldy and rancid food—under the promises from Joseph Smith that they
would not be afflicted by it. After a 900-mile march, the members of
the camp reached Missouri where they were smitten with cholera. They
were then discharged without having accomplished their goal of
returning the Latter Day Saints to Jackson County. At the end of Zion's
Camp, Wight wrote up the discharge orders and remained in Missouri
according to Smith's request.
13 And behold, he that is faithful shall be made ruler over many things.
Note: Lyman Wight founded his own fanatical LDS church.
He rejected Young as a prophet. Wight was eventually excommunicated by
Young on December 3, 1848; his most prominent follower, Bishop George
Miller, was also disfellowshipped. Wight moved his group of Latter Day
Saints to the Republic of Texas and he would eventually found several
communities on the central Texas frontier. Wight's followers built the
first Latter Day Saint temple west of the Mississippi. The temple was
built in Zodiac, Texas, about three miles from Fredericksburg.
Sealings, ordinations, washing and anointings, and adoptions were
performed in this temple by the Wightites.
14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may
not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth
deceiving the nations—
Note: Many false LDS prophets have gone out into the world.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the
world. 1 John 4:1
15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is
accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. 16 He that speaketh, whose
spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of
God if he obey mine ordinances. 17 And again, he that trembleth under
my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise
and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given
you.
Note: The New Covenant has eliminated the office of prophet.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His
Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He
made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express
image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,
when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as
He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews
1:1-4
18 And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even
according to this pattern, is not of me. 19 Wherefore, by this pattern
ye shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
Note: Believers will confess Jesus Christ not Joseph Smith.
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that
Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that
does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.
1 John 4:2-3
20 And the days have come; according to men’s faith it shall be done unto them.
Note: The Holy Bible was plagiarized.
“According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9:29
21 Behold, this commandment is given unto all the elders whom I have
chosen. 22 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Thomas B.
Marsh and my servant Ezra Thayre take their journey also, preaching the
word by the way unto this same land.
Note: Thomas Marsh realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
On October 19, 1838, the day after Gallatin was burned, Marsh and
fellow apostle, Orson Hyde, left the association of the church. Marsh
drafted and signed a legal affidavit against Smith on October 24, 1838,
which Hyde also signed. In addition to reporting on the organization of
the Danites and on the events in Daviess County, Marsh reported rumors
that the Danites had set up a "destroying company" and that "if the
people of Clay & Ray made any movement against them, this
destroying company was to burn Liberty & Richmond." He further
stated his belief that Smith planned "to take the State, & he
professes to his people to intend taking the U.S. & ultimately the
whole world". The committee that received Marsh's and Hyde's affidavit
noted that Marsh and Hyde left the church due to their "conviction of
[the Mormons'] immorality and impiety."
Note: Ezra Thayre should have realized that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
On June 6, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation instructing Thayre
to depart on a mission to Missouri with Thomas B. Marsh. In preparation
for this, Thayre was ordained an elder in the church by Lyman Wight.
However, due to a disagreement about property that arose among Thayre
and some of the Latter Day Saints living in Thompson, Ohio, Thayre was
not prepared to leave when Marsh was ready. A revelation to Smith
revoked the mission call to Thayre, assigned Marsh a new companion, and
instructed Thayre to "repent of his pride, and of his selfishness".
23 And again, let my servant Isaac Morley and my servant Ezra Booth
take their journey, also preaching the word by the way unto this same
land.
Note: Isaac Morley should have realized that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.
On June 7, 1831, Morley was asked to sell his farm and act as a
missionary while traveling to Independence, Missouri with Ezra Booth
(an assignment given to him through Doctrine and Covenants 52:23).
Morley and Booth were chastised for lack of obedience three months
later in a revelation given in Doctrine and Covenants 64:15–16.
Note: Ezra Booth realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Ezra Booth (February 14, 1792 – January 12, 1873) was an early member
in the Latter Day Saint movement who became an outspoken critic of
Joseph Smith and the Church of Christ. He was "the first apostate to
write publicly against the new Church".
24 And again, let my servants Edward Partridge and Martin Harris take
their journey with my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun.
Note: Edward Partridge should have realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
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.
Note: Martin Harris realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
In 1837, dissension arose in Kirtland over the failure of the church's
Kirtland Safety Society bank. Harris called it a "fraud" and was among
the dissenters who broke with Smith and attempted to reorganize the
church, led by Warren Parrish. Smith and Rigdon relocated to Far West,
Missouri. In December 1837, Smith and the Kirtland High Council
excommunicated 28 individuals, Harris among them.
25 Let my servants David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock also take their journey and preach by the way unto this same land.
Note: David Whitmer realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Whitmer continued to live in Kirtland, Ohio, and his counselors, W. W.
Phelps and John Whitmer (Whitmer's brother) presided over the church in
Missouri until the summer of 1837. After the collapse of the Kirtland
Safety Society bank, Smith and his counselor Sidney Rigdon, battered by
creditors, moved to Far West, Missouri, to evade arrest. The ensuing
leadership struggle led to the dissolution of the presidency of the
church in Missouri. Whitmer resigned and separated from the church. He
was formally excommunicated from the church on the grounds of breaking
the Word of Wisdom, neglecting his leadership duties, meeting with the
other "Kirtland apostates", and circulating unfavorable information
about Joseph Smith.
Note: Harvey Whitlock was a confused religious fanatic.
In 1846, he became a member of Sidney Rigdon's church. By 1850,
Whitlock was in Salt Lake City, but there is no record of his having
been joined the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS Church) until 1858. Whitlock was excommunicated by the LDS Church
in 1859. In 1864, Whitlock moved to California, where he became the
head of the Pacific Slope Region of the Reorganized Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). In 1868, Whitlock was
excommunicated by the RLDS Church.
26 And let my servants Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt take their journey, and preach by the way, even unto this same land.
Note: Parley Pratt died due to polygamy.
Pratt practiced plural marriage. He was murdered in 1857 by the estranged husband of his twelfth wife.
Note: Orson Pratt rarely agreed with Brigham Young theologically.
As an apostle under Young's leadership, Pratt tended to disagree with
him on a variety of topics but found little support from the other
apostles. Young expressed an appreciation for Pratt's ability to preach
but added regrettably that Pratt preached "false doctrine" more often
than not.
27 And let my servants Solomon Hancock and Simeon Carter also take their journey unto this same land, and preach by the way.
Note: Solomon Hancock should have realized Joseph Smith was a fraud.
That was not the only time Solomon stood up in defense of the Saints.
When malcontents spoke against the Prophet Joseph Smith and the First
Presidency, “Elder Solomon Hancock pleaded in favor of the Presidency,
stating that he could not raise his hand against them.”5 According to
the Far West High Council minutes of December 13, 1838, “Solomon
Hancock says he is a firm believer in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine
and Covenants, and that Brother Joseph is not a fallen prophet, but
will yet be exalted and become very high.”6 When Latter-day Saints were
fleeing from the government-sanctioned extermination order in Missouri,
Solomon covenanted to assist them. Mosiah Hancock reported, “The
Hancock brothers, Levi, Joseph, and Solomon, with their guns guarded
and fed 600 men, women, and children while camped in the woods after
they had been driven from their homes.” Solomon escaped from
hostilities in Missouri and settled in Illinois. There he served on the
high council in Lima and as the president of the Yelrome Branch. In
1845, when mobs threatened to destroy the Saints in Yelmore, Brigham
Young advised Solomon, “It is wisdom for you to remove the women and
children from Yelrome as fast as you can. . . . We think it best to let
them burn up our houses while we take care of our families. . . .
Employ the best scribe you have, or half a dozen of them, if necessary,
to pen minutely all the movements of the enemy.8 Solomon’s home was
burnt to the ground, as were many others. He and his family resided in
Nauvoo for a season before being forced, once more, to flee for their
safety to Iowa. They traversed the loess hills of Iowa, stopping at
temporary encampments, before reaching Council Bluffs. Solomon died on
December 2, 1847, near Council Bluffs at age fifty-four.
Note: Simeon Carter should have realized Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Simeon attended the fourth conference of the Church held on June 3–6,
1831, at the schoolhouse on Isaac Morley’s farm. At the conference, he
was ordained a high priest by Lyman Wight. On June 7, 1831, the Prophet
Joseph Smith received a revelation calling Simeon to journey to
Missouri with Solomon Hancock (see D&C 52:27). As Simeon Carter and
Solomon Hancock traveled through the states of Ohio, Illinois, and
Indiana to reach their westward Zion, they preached the message of the
Restoration in small towns along the way. Simeon wrote of being
“thankful that he had been spared & preserved to go to the land of
Zion & also thanked the Lord that his feet had trod[d]en upon the
consecrated ground which was the inheritance of the saints.”2
28 Let my servants Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott also take their journey.
Note: Edson Fuller realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
He attended the fourth conference of the Church held on June 3-6, 1831
in Kirtland, Ohio. On June 7, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a
revelation calling Edson on a mission to Missouri (see D&C 52:28).
Edson never took that missionary journey. He remained in Ohio, working
as a carpenter, farmer, and storekeeper. He claimed the reason for not
going to Missouri was personal visions that specified he needed to
preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Ohio not Missouri. In 1840 Edson
was still residing at Chardon, Ohio but not associated with The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Note: Jacob Scott realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
On June 7, 1831 Jacob was called by revelation to journey to Missouri:
“Let my servants Edson Fuller and Jacob Scott also take their journey”
(D&C 52:28). According to George A. Smith, “It was only a short
time after the return from this mission, that Ezra Booth apostatized as
did Jacob Scott.
29 Let my servants Levi W. Hancock and Zebedee Coltrin also take their journey.
Note: Levi Hancock remained a loyal religious fanatic his entire life.
Like many early Latter Day Saints, Hancock practiced plural marriage.
Hancock was married to five wives, three of whom eventually divorced
him; he was the father of 18 children.
Note: Zebedee Coltrin remained a loyal religious fanatic his entire life.
Coltrin's second wife, Mary Mott (b. 1820, in Bethany, New York), gave
birth to ten children. She and Coltrin were married in February 1843,
and later, on January 20, 1846, sealed for eternity in the Nauvoo
Temple by Brigham Young. Mary also stood as proxy in the sealing of
Coltrin to his first wife Julia. Coltrin would later wed Hannah Husted
and Sarah Oyler at Nauvoo (1846), and Lavinia Elizabeth Fullmer (1857)
and Marriet Chaddock (1874) at Salt Lake City. Finally, Coltrin married
a seventh wife, Amanda Norwood.
30 Let my servants Reynolds Cahoon and Samuel H. Smith also take their journey.
Note: Reynolds Cahoon remained a loyal religious fanatic his entire life.
He later practiced plural marriage, marrying Lucina Roberts in 1843 and
Mary Hildrath in 1846 while living in Nauvoo, Illinois. He had two sons
and one daughter with Roberts and no known children with Hildrath. In
1846, Cahoon and his wives Thurza Stiles and Lucina Roberts moved to
Winter Quarters, Nebraska, with their children. In 1848, Cahoon
traveled west to Utah Territory, serving as captain of the 6th company
of Mormon pioneers. He settled in Murray, Utah. There is no record of
his wife Mary Hildrath accompanying him.
Note: Samuel Smith may have been poisoned by Brigham Young.
Lucy Mack Smith later suggested Smith had become ill because of the
fatigue and shock occasioning by his experience of the death of his
brothers. Smith's brother, William, later stated that he had good
reason to believe that Smith was poisoned by Hosea Stout on orders from
Brigham Young and Willard Richards.
31 Let my servants Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter also take their journey.
Note: Wheeler Baldwin did not follow Brigham Young into polygamy.
In October 1862 Wheeler spoke of his affiliation with the Cutlerites at
a conference of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints: “[Cutler] was ordained President of the High Priesthood. I
baptized some forty members. . . . Well, we took the Bible, Book of
Mormon, and Doctrine [and Covenants] for our guide; those . . . are the
foundation upon which we built.” Wheeler concluded his remarks by
promising that the remaining Cutlerites would accept Joseph Smith III’s
leadership and join the Reorganized Church.
Note: William Carter realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
By June 1831 William had been baptized and ordained an elder. He
attended the conference of the Church held on June 3–6, 1831, in
Kirtland, Ohio. The day after the conference, the Lord revealed to the
Prophet Joseph Smith that William, a blind man, was to serve a mission:
“Let my servants Wheeler Baldwin and William Carter also take their
journey” (D&C 52:31). Church historian John Whitmer recorded that
“William Carter, apostatized following the command and refused to go on
the venture.”1 On September 1, 1831, “Edison Fuller and William Carter
[were] silenced from holding the office of Elders in this Church.”
32 And let my servants Newel Knight and Selah J. Griffin both be ordained and also take their journey.
Note: Newel Knight should have realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
In both Missouri and later at Nauvoo, Illinois, Knight constructed
mills. In 1846–1847, Knight was part of the Ponca Encampment, led by
George Miller. While in Nebraska preparing to travel west, Knight grew
sick and received a blessing at the hands of his wife Lydia. It was
then reported that "all pain left him and in a short time he sweetly
fell asleep in death without a struggle or a groan."[1] Knight died at
Ponca (in what is today Knox County, Nebraska) from lung inflammation,
probably pneumonia.
Note: Selah Griffin realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
Selah never received any recompense for his losses. Upset by what he
had suffered for his religious beliefs, Selah forsook his affiliation
with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He remained in
Illinois when the Saints ventured west.
33 Yea, verily I say, let all these take their journey unto one place,
in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s
foundation, neither journey in another’s track. 34 He that is faithful,
the same shall be kept and blessed with much fruit.
Note: The Apostle Paul never needed direction from a false prophet.
Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to
come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit
among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to
Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is
in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
Romans 1:13-15
35 And again, I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphrey take their journey into the eastern lands;
Note: Joseph Wakefield realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
After completing the mission Joseph again returned to Kirtland.
Unfortunately, this time in the city of the Saints he joined dissidents
in denouncing Joseph Smith. George A. Smith reported that after his
apostasy, “[Joseph Wakefield] announced to the astonished world the
fact that, while he was a guest in the house of Joseph Smith, he had
absolutely seen the Prophet come down from the room where he was
engaged in translating the word of God and actually go to playing with
the children! This convinced him that the Prophet was not a man of God,
and that the work was false. Joseph Wakefield did not repent. In 1834
he was trying to defame the Prophet Joseph Smith by proving the Book of
Mormon was written by Solomon Spaulding.
Note: Solomon Humphrey died a religious fanatic.
Solomon returned to Kirtland and joined other brethren in attending the
School of the Prophets. At one meeting he expressed his desire to see
an angel: About the time the school was first organized some wished to
see an angel, and a number joined in the circle and prayed. When the
vision came, two of the brethren shrank and called for the vision to
close or they would perish; they were Brothers Hancock and Humphries.
When the Prophet came in they told him what they had done and he said
the angel was no further off than the roof of the house, and a moment
more he would have been in their midst.
36 Let them labor with their families, declaring none other things than
the prophets and apostles, that which they have seen and heard and most
assuredly believe, that the prophecies may be fulfilled.
Note: The New Covenant has eliminated the office of prophet.
“The law and the prophets were until John.” Luke 16:16
37 In consequence of transgression, let that which was bestowed upon
Heman Basset be taken from him, and placed upon the head of Simonds
Ryder.
Note: Heman Basset was a fanatic that Joseph Smith could not trust.
When the missionaries left Kirtland to continue their westward journey,
false spirits were detected among their new converts—one being Heman
Bassett. According to historian Josiah Jones, Heman had a vision that
called him to “go into the world and preach.” Levi Hancock observed his
preaching: “Bassett would behave like a baboon. He said he had a
revelation he had received in Kirtland from the hand of an angel, he
would read it and show pictures of a course of angels declared to be
Gods, then would testify of the truth of the work and I believed it
all, like a fool.” Heman remained with the Church for many years.
Note: Simonds Ryder quickly realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
According to historian James B. Holm, “Both in the letter he received
and in the official commission to preach … his name was spelled
R-i-d-e-r, instead of R-y-d-e-r. He thought if the ‘Spirit’ through
which he had been called to preach could err in the matter of spelling
his name, it might have erred in calling him to the ministry as well.”
His later anger against Joseph Smith and the Restoration was more than
the misspelling of his name. He misunderstood the law of consecration:
When [Church leaders] went to Missouri to lay the foundation of the
splendid city of Zion, and also of the temple, they left their papers
behind. This gave their new converts an opportunity to become
acquainted with the internal arrangement of their church, which
revealed to them the horrid fact that a plot was laid to take their
property from them and place it under the control of Joseph Smith the
prophet.
38 And again, verily I say unto you, let Jared Carter be ordained a priest, and also George James be ordained a priest.
Note: Jared Carter did not follow Brigham Young into polygamy.
Upon the death of Joseph Smith, Carter supported the succession claims
of James Strang. He was subsequently disfellowshipped from the LDS
Church. Carter joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
(Strangite) in 1846, but was excommunicated within months of joining.
After his excommunication, Carter joined the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Chicago.
39 Let the residue of the elders watch over the churches, and declare
the word in the regions round about them; and let them labor with their
own hands that there be no idolatry nor wickedness practiced.
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and
ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who
commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
40 And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the
afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my
disciple.
Note: Good works without love is meaningless.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1
Corinthians 13:3
41 And again, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon and
Edward Partridge take with them a recommend from the church. And let
there be one obtained for my servant Oliver Cowdery also.
Note: The Apostle Paul did not need a recommend to preach Jesus Christ.
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the
word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and
judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the
Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light
to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the
earth.’” Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified
the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life
believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the
region. Acts 13:46-49
42 And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble
yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the
land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
Note: LDS religious fanatics were the antagonists of the 1838 Missouri War.
Under the auspice of Mormon leaders in Kirtland, settlers trickled to
the county during the following months. By 1833, Mormons numbered over
a thousand, representing about a third and as much as half of the
county's population. The Mormon settlers' religious, cultural, and
political differences, economic cohesion, their perceived affinity for
neighboring Native American tribes, and their divine claims to the land
of "Zion" contributed to growing animosity.
43 But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.
Note: Jesus Christ never talked about Zion in Independence Missouri.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
44 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and I will lift them up at the last day. Even so. Amen.
Note: Believers in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life and be resurrected into glory not Independence Missouri.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son
and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up
at the last day.” John 6:40