LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 55
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
William W. Phelps, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 14, 1831. William W. Phelps,
a printer, and his family had just arrived at Kirtland, and the Prophet
sought the Lord for information concerning him.
1–3, William W. Phelps is called and chosen to be baptized, to be
ordained an elder, and to preach the gospel; 4, He is also to write
books for children in Church schools; 5–6, He is to travel to Missouri,
which will be the area of his labors.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even
the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou
hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my
glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the
Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;
Note: The Holy Spirit is received by sincere belief in Jesus Christ.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the
children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of
all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and
began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him
openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God,
even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And
He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He
who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him
all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in
Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking
these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured
out on the Gentiles also Acts 10:34-45
2 And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph
Smith, Jun., to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and
remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the
Son of the living God.
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. 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 1:17-18
3 And on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit.
Note: Believers will be witnesses for Jesus Christ not Joseph Smith.
“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
4 And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery
to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for
schools in this church, that little children also may receive
instruction before me as is pleasing unto me.
Note: William Phelps realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud but loved power.
He was at times both close to and at odds with church leadership.
He testified against Joseph Smith, providing evidence that helped
persuade authorities to arrest Smith. He was excommunicated three times
and rejoined the church each time. He was a ghostwriter for Smith.
Phelps was called by Smith to serve as assistant president of the
church in Missouri and as a member of the Council of Fifty. After
Smith's death, Phelps supported Brigham Young during the succession
crisis.
5 And again, verily I say unto you, for this cause you shall take your
journey with my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that
you may be planted in the land of your inheritance to do this work.
Note: The land of inheritance was lost in two years due to inflammatory articles.
He was subsequently chosen "to head printing and publishing for the
Church" a few days later, on June 20. he moved to Jackson County,
Missouri in 1832 and spearheaded the church's publishing arm, W. W.
Phelps & Co., in Independence, Missouri, where he edited the
Evening and Morning Star from June 1832 to 1833. He was also
superintendent of the local schools. On July 20, 1833, while working to
publish the church's Book of Commandments, a mob of vigilantes attacked
Phelps's home, seizing printing materials, destroying the press, and
throwing Phelps's family and furniture out-of-doors. Most of the copies
of the Book of Commandments were destroyed in the raid. He fled to Clay
County, Missouri, where he was called as Assistant President of the
Church in Missouri on July 3, 1834.
6 And again, let my servant Joseph Coe also take his journey with them.
The residue shall be made known hereafter, even as I will. Amen.
Note: Joseph Coe realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
In August 1831, Coe was one of the individuals who assisted Smith in
laying the cornerstones for the temple at the Temple Lot in
Independence, Missouri. Coe was ordained a high priest of the Latter
Day Saints by Smith on October 1, 1831, and in 1834 he became one of
the twelve inaugural members of the presiding high council in Kirtland;
he was a member of the high council until 1837. In 1835, Coe provided
$800 of the $2400 used by the church to purchase some mummies and
papyri which Smith used to produce the Book of Abraham. After the
collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society, Coe became one of the
Latter-day Saint dissenters. He was 'cut off' from the church by the
high council in December 1837[5] and was formally excommunicated in
December 1838. Coe lived the rest of his life in Kirtland and did not
associate with any Latter-day Saint group after his excommunication.