LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 53
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 8, 1831. At Sidney
Gilbert’s request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord as to Brother
Gilbert’s work and appointment in the Church.
1–3, Sidney Gilbert’s calling and election in the Church is to be
ordained an elder; 4–7, He is also to serve as a bishop’s agent.
1 Behold, I say unto you, my servant Sidney Gilbert, that I have heard
your prayers; and you have called upon me that it should be made known
unto you, of the Lord your God, concerning your calling and election in
the church, which I, the Lord, have raised up in these last days.
Note: Sidney Gilbert should have left the church.
A letter written by Sidney put leaders on edge. The angry reaction to
the letter by Orson Hyde and Hyrum Smith is as follows: “Brother
Gilbert’s letter of December 10th, has been received and read
attentively, and the low, dark, and blind insinuations, which were in
it, were not received by us as from the fountain of light, though his
claims and pretensions to holiness were great.”1 Apparently, the Lord
also concurred with their views for on March 8, 1833 he revealed to the
Prophet Joseph, “I am not well pleased with my servant . . . Sidney
Gilbert” (D&C 90:35). Even though rebuked by Church leaders and the
Lord, Sidney did not falter in his commitment to the Church. On June
29, 1834 cholera also took the life of Sidney Gilbert.
2 Behold, I, the Lord, who was crucified for the sins of the world,
give unto you a commandment that you shall forsake the world.
Note: Sidney Gilbert should never have kept company with Joseph Smith.
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral
people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people
of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters,
since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have
written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is
sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 1
Corinthians 5:9-11
3 Take upon you mine ordination, even that of an elder, to preach faith
and repentance and remission of sins, according to my word, and the
reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;
Note: Believers will preach Jesus Christ.
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.” And some of them were
persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of
the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. Acts 17:2-4
4 And also to be an agent unto this church in the place which shall be
appointed by the bishop, according to commandments which shall be given
hereafter. 5 And again, verily I say unto you, you shall take your
journey with my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon.
Note: Sidney Gilbert was a successful businessman and the church needed money.
After they arrived at the Independence town center, the Lord revealed
to Joseph, “Let my servant Sidney Gilbert plant himself in this place,
and establish a store, that he may sell goods without fraud. And thus
provide for my saints, that my gospel may be preached unto those who
sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death” (D&C 57: 8,
10). In compliance with the revelation, Sidney opened a branch store of
dry goods and groceries in Independence that mirrored the N. K. Whitney
and Company store in Kirtland. The Independence store prospered.
6 Behold, these are the first ordinances which you shall receive; and
the residue shall be made known in a time to come, according to your
labor in my vineyard. 7 And again, I would that ye should learn that he
only is saved who endureth unto the end. Even so. Amen.
Note: Sincere belief leads to confession of Jesus Christ for salvation.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will
not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and
Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For
“whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13