Lesson 23: "A Commission to Testify

Lesson 23: "A commission to Testify"

D&C Sections 60, 61, and 62

Section 60

From the Church History in the Fulness of Time Student Manual:

   "Two important items required Joseph Smith’s attention in Missouri before he returned to Ohio: the dedication of the land as a place of gathering for the Saints and the dedication of the temple site itself. Both events were presided over by the Prophet Joseph Smith. At a special service on 2 August 1831, twelve men (in honor of the twelve tribes of Israel), five of them from the Colesville branch, laid the first log “as a foundation of Zion in Kaw township, twelve miles west of Independence.”14Sidney Rigdon consecrated and dedicated the land unto the Lord. As part of the service he asked his listeners, “Do you pledge yourselves to keep the laws of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands? [The audience responded,] we do. Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God? [Those present again said,] we do. After [the dedicatory] prayer [Elder Rigdon] arose and said, I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated to the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints (in the name of Jesus Christ having authority from him). And for all the faithful servants of the Lord to the remotest ages of time. Amen.”15
   "The dedication of the temple site in Independence took place the next day; again the services were simple but inspiring. Following the reading of Psalm 87, which extols the glory and majesty of Zion, a single stone, marking the southeast corner, was laid in place. Joseph Smith then dedicated the temple site by prayer. He reported that “the scene was solemn and impressive.”16 (https://www.lds.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times-student-manual/chapter-nine-gathering-to-the-land-of-zion?lang=eng)

Joseph Fielding Smith

From the D&C Student Manual:
   "It was pleasing to the Lord that the elders had traveled to Missouri, and now they were to return speedily to Ohio. But the Lord was not pleased with some of them. President Joseph Fielding Smith noted: “They had been commanded to preach the Gospel along the way and bear testimony among the people, but some had failed to magnify this commandment because of their fear of man. It is true that not every man is a natural missionary, and there are those who shrink from the responsibility of raising their voices in proclamation of the Gospel, and yet this is an obligation that we owe to this fallen world. The elders in the very beginning had been commanded to serve the Lord with all their ‘heart, might, mind and strength,’ for the field is white and ready for the harvest. A penalty was to be inflicted upon those who failed and they were not to stand blameless at the last day. The preaching of the Gospel was to be a means to them by which they were not to perish, but bring salvation to their souls. There are many who have been sent forth who have had a fear of man, yet the Lord has promised to support them in their labors if they will trust in him.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:220–21.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-60-thou-shalt-not-idle-away-thy-time-nor-bury-thy-talents?lang=eng)
How do we shrink from our responsibility?  What may we do to become better missionaries if we are not
"natural" ones?  What, according to Verse 7, will attend our efforts?

Verse 7: What does it mean to be made holy?

Section 61

Joseph Smith chronicled the receipt of this revelation as follows:

   “On the 9th, in company with ten Elders, I left Independence landing for Kirtland. We started down the river in canoes, and went the first day as far as Fort Osage, where we had an excellent wild turkey for supper. Nothing very important occurred till the third day, when many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine’s Bend, Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, saw the destroyer in his most horrible power, ride upon the face of the waters; others heard the noise, but saw not the vision.
   “The next morning after prayer, I received the following: [D&C 61].” (History of the Church, 1:202–3.) (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-61-the-lord-has-blessed-the-land-and-cursed-the-waters?lang=eng)

Keeping in mind that W. W. Phelps had been baptized a mere three months earlier in June of 1831 (see D&C 55), why do you suppose Satan would appear to him in an effort to terrorize him rather than seeking to cunningly ensnare him as is Satan's usual M.O.?

In vv 1-2, the Lord identifies himself as powerful, forgiving, and merciful.  What do you feel is the purpose of revealing this through the Prophet Joseph when Satan had appeared directly to William Wines Phelps?  What contrasts may be profitably drawn from the two presentations?

From the Student Manual:
D&C 61:7. What Was the “Errand and Mission” of Sidney Gilbert and William W. Phelps?

These men were to purchase a printing press and transport it to Missouri. William W. Phelps was to be the printer for the Church (see D&C 55:4; 57:11), and Sidney Gilbert had been appointed purchasing agent (see D&C 57:6).  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-61-the-lord-has-blessed-the-land-and-cursed-the-waters?lang=eng)

Is it possible to extrapolate from Sidney's and William's charge to purchase and transport a press to where it would be of use to the Church what the Lord's attitude toward learning/record-keeping/publication of Prophetic counsel, etc. may have been?  If the Lord is all-powerful, why rely on something as fallible as a printing press and flawed humanity to disperse his word?

Verse 10 informs us that "inasmuch as they [the returning missionary companionships] are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them."  What are the implications for us in this verse?

What advice (if any) in vv 36-39 pertains to us?  How?

Section 62

What attributes stand out to you from the Lord's introduction of Himself in verse 1?

From the Student Manual:

D&C 62:2–3. “Your Sins Are Forgiven You”

Missionary work has a redemptive effect for the missionary as well as the convert. The Apostle James wrote, “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). Of that teaching, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “By reclaiming an erring brother, we save both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the kingdom. In principle this special reward for Christ’s ministers applies also to those who preach the gospel and bring souls into the kingdom. The minister is rewarded with salvation and, of necessity, in the process, is freed from his own sins. (D. & C. 4:1–4.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:279.)  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-62-ye-are-blessed-for-the-testimony-ye-have-borne?lang=eng)

Why is it important that we bear testimony?  Who records our testimonies?  (See v.3)

"Smith and Sjodahl noted that “in this Revelation we are told that angels are scrutinizing the records kept of the testimonies of the Elders, and that they rejoice over the witnesses. It appears from this that the ministry on earth has its effects beyond the veil as well as on this side. An Elder who bears his faithful testimony to the truth does not know how far-reaching the result may be, though his visible audience may consist of but few.” (Commentary, p. 371.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-62-ye-are-blessed-for-the-testimony-ye-have-borne?lang=eng)

John Murdock

What is the promise in verse 9?  To whom is it promised?  Why is the condition of being always faithful attached to that blessing?

In this section, in vv 7-8, the Revelation appears to have a bit of a tangent about horses/mules/chariots.  There is documentation as to why that particular bit of information was recorded:

"D&C 62:7–8. Why Did the Lord Refer to Riding on Horses or Mules?
   "John Murdock was so ill on this occasion that he was unable to pursue his journey to Zion without some assistance. After this revelation was given, the four missionaries (John Murdock, David Whitmer, Harvey Whitlock, and Hyrum Smith) put their money together and bought a horse for John Murdock to ride, by which means they were able to continue their travels."  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-60-68/section-62-ye-are-blessed-for-the-testimony-ye-have-borne?lang=eng)

Does this indicate that the Lord cares for our comforts as well as for spiritual well-being?  Do other things indicate that the Lord has care for our physical bodies as well as our spiritual growth?  What are they?  Why do you think the Lord feels our physical well-being is important if our whole purpose is to come to know God and return to him?