Reliability of the Doctrine and Covenants
For years I put down the Doctrine and Covenants because of the "changing of the revelations." I thought myself smarter, or more enlightened than others because of this knowledge. It was only by the persuasive power of the Holy Spirit that I reconsidered.
One day while attending a class that was studying the Doctrine and Covenants, I had before me a copy of the revelations, which I had downloaded off the Internet. It showed the changes made to the revelations. It was color coded, showing what was added, what was deleted, and what was changed. And I was following along with my copy, thinking I had the advantage since I could see how the revelation originally read in the Book of Commandments. And then the Spirit of God asked: "If the revelation was changed, why was it changed?" Well, I'd heard all sorts of theories. But in that moment I was silent, waiting upon God as His Spirit rested very heavily upon me. And the still small voice continued: "If it was changed, does that mean it is wrong?" As I set aside my own human wisdom and arrogance, I began to be humbled. Something remarkable happened. Over time, the Spirit bore witness of the rightness of many of the changes and additions. He showed how they were in harmony with other Scriptures and prophecies.
I was also greatly surprised to discovered (buried in church history) details of the first changes to the revelations. They were not done in Kirtland by Joseph and others between the failed printing of the Book of Commandments and the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. As it turns out, some of the revelations compiled at Kirtland (sent to the land of Zion for printing) were changed after they left Kirtland and were delivered to the church in Missouri.
There had been a rebellion against the Prophet in the land of Zion. This rebellion is recorded in church history, in letters from that time period, in the journals of the Prophet, and in revelation. After the incident with the destruction of the printing press in Missouri by a mob, the Prophet and others in Kirtland had to restore some of the revelations back to their original content. It was discovered that some of the revelations, as they were going to be printed in the Book of Commandments, had been modified from the Kirtland originals without the permission or knowledge of the Prophet.
W. W. Phelps, who was involved with the printing of the Book of Commandments and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, not only admitted that the printing contained many "typographical errors" but mentions the possibility of error in principle as well. [Evening and Morning Star, vol. 2, p. 384]
At Kirtland they compared the revelations as they were being printed in Missouri, to their originals in Kirtland. They found not just typographical errors but errors also in principle of doctrine.
The following is a written statement by Oliver Cowdery concerning the changes: "On the revelations we merely say, that we were not a little surprised to find the previous print so different from the original. We have given them a careful comparison, assisted by individuals whose known integrity and ability is uncensurable. Thus saying we cast no reflections upon those who were entrusted with the responsibility of publishing them in Missouri, as our own labors were included in that important service to the church, and it was our unceasing endeavor to have them correspond with the copy furnished us. We believe they are now correct. If not in every word, at least in principle. For the special good of the church we have also added a few items from other revelations." [RLDS Church History Vol. 1 Chap 22 p.580]
The Prophet labored in Kirtland to make those corrections and additions as the Lord gave him insights and additional revelations. Those corrections and additions were put into the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. The Doctrine and Covenants was printed successfully and was voted approved by the church. Yet, God allowed a mob to foil the effort to print the Book of Commandments. Why?
The Lord has said that "in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." [Sec 59:5b]
If we are to recognize God's hand in all things, then why was the printing press in Missouri allowed to be destroyed? Why were the Saints in the land of Zion driven out? Ask the Lord. Study the matter out. You will see that these things took place because of the rebellion and disobedience of the Saints in Zion, for "the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion" [Sec 64:7b]
In response to the rebellion in Zion, Joseph wrote a letter to WW Phelps. The following is an excerpt from the letter, written in Kirtland January 11, 1833.
"Brother William W. Phelps:-I send you the olive leaf which we have plucked from the tree of paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us; for though our brethren in Zion indulge in feelings towards us which are not according to the requirements of the new covenant, yet we have the satisfaction of knowing that the Lord approves of us, and has accepted us, and established his name in Kirtland for the salvation of the nations; for the Lord will have a place from whence his word will go forth in these last days, in purity; for if Zion will not purify herself so as to be approved of in all things in his sight, he will seek another people: for his work will go on until Israel is gathered,"
Because of the rebellion in Zion, the Lord had to establish Kirtland as the place where his word (revelations) would go forth in purity. Evidently, His word was not going forth in purity in the Book of Commandments as printed in Missouri. Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and others attest to this.
Joseph Smith labored with the brethren in Zion concerning this rebellion. He even made a special trip to sort things out with them. His efforts seemed to pay off for a season. But soon they were in rebellion once again. We can see this in a letter from the High Council in Kirtland to the Saints in Zion:
"At the time Joseph, Sidney, and Newel left Zion, all matters of hardness and misunderstanding were settled and buried (as they supposed) and you gave them the hand of fellowship; but, afterwards, you brought up all these things again, in a censorious spirit, accusing Brother Joseph in rather an indirect way of seeking after monarchial power and authority. This came to us in Brother Carroll's letter of June 2. We are sensible that this is not the thing Brother Joseph is seeking after, but to magnify the high office and calling whereunto he has been called and appointed by the command of God and the united voice of this church."
The principle players in this rebellion were Priesthood leadership in Zion. Some of this rebellion first began in Kirtland among dissenters who then went to Missouri.
According to Lucy Mack Smith, "David Whitmer asked a young woman (Adaline M. Bernard, adopted daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Cowdery) who lived with David and Julia, to look into a seer stone she had found, to learn what Joseph meant when he said that a third of the church would turn against him. Her answer was that he (Joseph) would fall from his office because of transgression and either he (David) or Martin Harris would be appointed in his place and the one who did not secede Joseph in his office would be a councilor to him who did. Those persons who were disaffected towards Joseph commenced collecting together around this girl as soon as this news came to their ears until Dr Williams who was also one of the dissenters wrote the revelations that were given to the girl. After a prayer meeting, in which the dissenters did not participate, they announced they would hold meetings of "the pure church" every Thursday and circulated a roster to see how many would attend. It was ascertained that a great proportion of those whom we considered good members were decidedly in favor of the new party. In this spirit they went to Missouri, and contaminated the minds of many of the brethren against Joseph, in order to destroy his influence."
Whether you trust this testimony or whether we should lay any further charges at David's feet, this we do know: David was involved in a rebellion against the Prophet and the Presidency of the Church beginning at Kirtland. We know this to be true because it is backed by his own admission. We also know that David arrived in Missouri between the time of Joseph's initial visit there (when things were settled) and the time when the rebellious spirit was stirred up again. One of the chief complaints of the dissenters in Missouri was against the law of consecration in Zion. David and others refused to comply with it, believing Joseph was trying to rob them of their rights as free Americans.
Section 83 of the Doctrine and Covenants was received in Kirtland immediately following a trip to Zion that Joseph made. This revelation was given before the Book of Commandments was ever printed. Therefore, the condemnation spoken of in Section 83 cannot be directed at Joseph, Sidney or others in Kirtland because of changes they made to the revelations after the Book of Commandments was printed, as some speculate. This revelation was directed to those in the church who were in rebellion, even going so far as to specifically name the inhabitants of Zion as being guilty.
"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all; and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom, otherwise there remaineth a scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion; for, shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay." [Sec 83:8a-c]
We see this revelation more clearly in light of the rebellion against Joseph and the revelations he received from God. The law of consecration and other principles for the welfare of Zion were rejected by several Presiding Elders in Zion.
I believe that a message was delivered by God to the Saints in Zion when the mob destroyed the printing press. When the Saints returned after the mob had dispersed, lying in the street along with the broken pieces of the press was the type set. The last words set for printing were:
"…and the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land; for, verily, I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out." [Sec 64:7b]
Here was the Lord's message to the Saints in Missouri. Surely it came to pass as the Lord said it would.
I do not make the claim that there are no flaws or errors in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. I cannot say the Bible or the Book of Mormon have no flaw or errors either. But the Doctrine and Covenants, as printed in 1835, should be viewed as reliable. It is the Word of God, or else the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, FG Williams and many others must be called liars. Or we are forced to dismiss the testimony of all the elders who assembled and officially adopted the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
Finally, I would cite the testimony of John Whitmer. He gave an "Address" when he left the Editorial chair of the Messenger and Advocate, in March 1836. He bore testimony first of the Book of Mormon and then added the following regarding the revelations found in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"I would do injustice to my own feelings if I did not here notice still further the work of the Lord in these last days: The revelations and commandments given to us are, in my estimation, equally true with the Book of Mormon, and equally necessary for salvation. It is necessary to live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God: and I know that the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, contain the revealed will of heaven. I further know that God will continue to reveal himself to his church and people, until he has gathered his elect into his fold, and prepared them to dwell in his presence." [Messenger and Advocate, vol. 2, p. 287]
Delving into the Tombs of Our Sires
Joseph Luff gave a revelation on February 19, 1930 to the leadership of the Temple Lot Church (who upheld the speculative writings of David Whitmer against the Prophet). The Lord chastened them saying:
"Who cry, 'Love all men as Christ hath loved', yet love not. Who pray, 'Forgive us, Lord, as we forgive'. Yet forgive not, but seek your redress as the godless do, and find delight in parading what ye account to be the wrongs of others. Would ye thus be forgiven of your Lord? Who seek to fatten yourselves upon the fruit of the folly of your brethren and declare God's favor in your increase. Who delve into the tombs of your sires in service for tokens of their erring, that by sowing these you might gather unto yourselves a harvest from the yield of disappointment and distrust, and in this have spent your energy rather than in declaring the gospel unto men. From whence have you learned that this is your calling? Or that by so doing ye give honor to God? Make answer to yourselves and be ye judges thereof. Who have interpreted the Scriptures to your liking…"
My friends, any religion or doctrine comes of evil and is not of God if it parades the wrongs of others. Even the supposed wrongs our own spiritual forefathers by means of various speculative theories. Some use these theories to build up their own teachings or private interpretation of the Scriptures. Some latch onto them as an explanation for the failures of the church and the lack of progress towards Zion. Remember Lehi's vision. The Great and Spacious Building represented the "wisdom of men" and they mocked those who partake of the fruit.
That fruit is the love of God. That fruit is the fruit of the Spirit. It does not include doubt and distrust of our brothers. One of the virtues we are supposed to exhibit is to "believe all things." This means we are willing to believe every good report. We are to be trusting and child-like by nature, not full of mistrust and doubt.
Some of the fruit gathered from the break up and failings of the RLDS were disappointment and distrust. They will not help us progress. They will not bring us closer to Zion. They will only further divide and spoil. I have already tasted the ultimate end of these speculations. I have been there. They only lead to further doubt and unbelief. They are a snare of the enemy. I was caught in this snare for a time. I understand it well. I have great compassion on those who are caught up in it.
One night the Lord brought me to my knees. I had to admit that my judgment of Joseph Smith and others was based merely on speculation. I had heeded the interpretation of events by men who were not witnesses to those events, or who had an axe to grind in order to justify their own iniquities. I felt the pangs of guilt for having spoken ill of these brothers. Who was I to judge them? I had no proof of any of these things. God did not reveal these things to me, but the presumption of man. Names of brothers I had spoken ill of came into my mind: Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Lehi, Nephi, and the Apostle Paul. I apologized to God for having spoken ill of them when I did not possess all the facts.
Immediately I felt an impress of the Spirit upon my heart. It wasn't just God that I needed to ask forgiveness of. I needed to apologize to these men. I needed to ask their forgiveness for bearing false witness against them. So I asked forgiveness of each of them. As soon as I began, I was powerfully flooded with the Holy Ghost. I felt forgiveness and grace pour out upon me. I felt a restoration in my soul, and a great healing. I felt their forgiveness of my offense. I felt their embrace in the bonds of eternal fellowship through the Lord Jesus Christ. When that happened, I knew for certain that I had been wrong. From that day forward I began to receive a tremendous blessing for this repentance. The fruit it has born in my life and ministry witnesses to me of its truth.
I don't have all the answers. But until proven otherwise, I will continue simply believing Joseph Smith to be a prophet. I will believe he was honest and true in his service to God and man. I will believe the revelations, as they were presented by him to the church in 1835, to be correct. And if they are not completely infallible, they are at least reliable. If we proceed in faith believing, using all three books as we seek understanding, then we will be blessed. If God desires to show me that something is wrong in any book, I am ready to receive it. But until then I simply accept it with the faith of a child. I will believe all things, and let the fruit of it manifest itself.
Friends, our problems in the church are not because of problems with our Scriptures. Our problems come from treating those Scriptures lightly. We have not kept the words He has given us. Let us repent. Let us do as God commands. Then we shall overcome all things and fulfill our destiny.
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