D&C 12-17, JSH 1.66-75 Ep 308 Show Notes

D&C 12 is given to Joseph Knight Sr., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829.

Who was Joseph Knight and what was his association with the Prophet Joseph Smith?

How is D&C 12 like other revelations?

How does this section of scripture apply to us?

Joseph Knight (1772-1847, dies at Mount Pisgah, Iowa)

Polly Peck Knight (1774-1831 dies in Kaw Township, Missouri)^[1]The Joseph Smith Papers, Polly Peck Knight.

What does his death already tell you? He died with the Saints, his face pointing towards Zion. May we all be heading home when we are called beyond the veil, headed towards the light.

Father Knight, as Joseph was affectionately known by the Saints, purchased a farm on the Susquehanna River and built a gristmill. Biographer William G. Hartley wrote that he was “not rich, yet he possessed enough of this world’s goods to secure to himself and family, not only the necessaries, but also the comforts of life.” His religious orientation was the Universalist doctrine.^[2]Susan Easton Black, Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Joseph Knight Sr.” See also: William G. Hartley, “They Are My Friends”: A History of the Joseph Knight Family, 1825-1850 … Continue reading

Universalism was, to Joseph Knight and those of his time, the belief in the salvation of all souls. Universalists believed that it was impossible that a loving God would elect only a portion of mankind to salvation and doom the rest of them to eternal punishment in hell. Universalism was a response to the doctrine proposed by Calvin, that only a select few would be saved, predestined long ago by God.^[3]Brittannica, Universalism. The forerunner of Universalism in the United States was George De Benneville (1703–93), who in 1741 migrated from Europe to Pennsylvania, where he preached and practiced … Continue reading Universalism has a long history, predating Calvin, back to Origen. As Augustine is considered by many to be the father of Calvinism, so Origen (who predated Augustine) can be thought of as the father of Universalism.^[4]Origen’s statement helps readers understand his approach to Universalism: “For the end is always like the beginning: and therefore as there is one end to all things, so ought we to understand … Continue reading

How did Joseph Knight know Joseph Smith?

Father Knight first became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1826, when Joseph was 20 years old and single. In late 1826, he became a hired hand for the Knights and others in the Colesville, New York, as area near present day Binghamton, 115 miles southeast of Palmyra by dirt road. Joseph worked on their farm and probably helped at their sawmill. He bunked with Joseph Knight Jr., who said that in November of 1826 Joseph Smith “made known us that he had seen a vision, that a personage had appeared to him, and told him where there was a gold book of ancient date buried, and that if he would follow the direction of the angel, he could get it. We were told this in secret.”^[5]Hartley, Close Friends as Witnesses. Hartley writes: This and all subsequent statements in this article that are quoted from Joseph Knight, Jr., unless otherwise noted, are from his “Incidents … Continue reading Another son, Newel, said Joseph Smith visited them often and “we were very deeply impressed with the truthfulness of his statements concerning the Plates of the Book of Mormon which had been shown him by an Angel of the Lord.” While lodging at the Knight home Joseph spoke of his glorious visitations. “My father and I believed him,” wrote Joseph Knight Jr., “and I think we were the first to do so, after his own family.”^[6]Black, Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants? See also: Joseph Knight Jr., “Joseph Knight’s Incidents of History from 1827-1844,” compiled 16 August 1862, film of holograph, … Continue reading When Joseph Smith obtained the Book of Mormon plates, he used Father Knight’s horse and carriage as his means of conveyance.

Joseph Knight wrote of assisting the young prophet on another occasion: “I let him have some little provisions and some few things out of the store, a pair of shoes, and three dollars in money to help him a little.” He also wrote, “I gave Joseph a little money to buy paper to translate.”^[7]Black, Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants? See also:  As cited in William G. Hartley, “They Are My Friends”: A History of the Joseph Knight Family, 1825-1850 (Provo, Utah: … Continue readingJoseph Smith praised Father Knight for his donations that “enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season.”^[8]Black, Who’s Who? See also: As cited in William G. Hartley, “They Are My Friends”: A History of the Joseph Knight Family, 1825-1850 (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Co., 1986), p. 35.

As others sought baptism into the Church, Father Knight hesitated: “I had some thots to go forrod, But I had not red the Book of Mormon and I wanted to [examine] a little more I Being a Restorationar and had not [examined] so much as I wanted to.”^[9]Black, Who’s Who? See also: Joseph Knight, “Manuscript of the Early History of Joseph Smith,” in Dean C. Jessee, “Joseph Knight’s Recollections of Early Mormon History,” … Continue reading Aware of his hesitation, the Prophet Joseph prayed for him and received a revelation in April 1830: “Behold I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends… And, behold, it is your duty to unite with the true church, and give your language to exhortation continually…” (D&C 23:6-7.)

In obedience Father Knight was baptized on 28 June 1830 by Oliver Cowdery. Soon after his baptism religious persecution was directed against him. Rather than deny his new faith Father Knight left New York and settled with others from Colesville in the small Ohio community of Thompson. “We all went to work and made fence and planted and sowed the fields,” wrote Father Knight. His stay in Thompson was brief: “We was Commanded to take up our Jorney to the Regions westward to the Boarders of the Lamanites.”^[10]Black, Who’s Who? See also: Joseph Knight, “Manuscript of the Early History of Joseph Smith,” in Dean C. Jessee, “Joseph Knight’s Recollections of Early Mormon History,” BYU … Continue reading

He moved with the Saints to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1831. There the Knight family suffered from poverty. According to William G. Hartley, “A stranger staring at them would not see in them the prosperous Yankees they had once been in New York before embracing Mormonism.”^[11]William G. Hartley, “They Are My Friends”: A History of the Joseph Knight Family, 1825-1850 (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Co., 1986), p. 135. Having arrived in July 1831, after what was a difficult journey for Polly Knight, the Knights prepared once again to build the kingdom of God.^[12]This trip was rough on Polly’s constitution. She grew weaker and weaker as they journeyed from Ohio to Missouri. At one point, her son Newel left the company to obtain wood to build a coffin for … Continue reading

The Knights experienced many highs and lows in Missouri. They helped to establish the center stake of Zion (see D&C 57) when in Missouri, becoming a leading group in the ceremony of dedication of the site. Hartley writes, “In an impressive ceremony, 12 men representing the twelve tribes of Israel laid the first log as a foundation of Zion; five of the men were Knight relations. Newel was one of the seven men who dedicated the Independence temple site. Such rituals seemed full of promise to all the Knights except mother Polly, who was dying. She became the first Latter-day Saint buried in Zion. Death claimed two more Knights that year, including Newel’s sister Esther.

In this outpost colony of the Church, the families labored hard during an optimistic first year of building, fencing, and establishing homes… they agreed to consecrate properties in order to live cooperatively. When a council of high priests was created to govern the Missouri church, Newel Knight became one of them, and also he continued to be president of what was still termed the Colesville Branch. As part of plans to one day build the Independence temple, six Knight men made labor pledges.

Joseph Knight, Sr., decided to remarry and chose Phoebe Crosby Peck, who was Polly’s widowed sister-in-law. Phoebe had four children of her own, and she bore Father Knight two more. Counting Phoebe’s four, Joseph Knight, Sr., was father or stepfather of 13 children.

In 1834, Missourians drove the Saints, including the Knight network, from Jackson County. The mobbers shot Philo Dibble, whom Newel Knight saved from death through a remarkable experience when Newel Knight laid his hands on his head. Fearing for their lives, the Knights rushed to the Missouri River ferries. Joseph Knight, Jr., told of women and children walking with bare feet on frozen ground. The Knight group lost much property, including a gristmill. The family had moved twice before, but this was their first forced move. Of that hard winter, Emily Colburn Slade Austin recalled: “We lived in tents until winter set in, and did our cooking out in the wind and storms.”^[13]Austin, Emily M. Mormonism; or Life Among the Mormons. Madison, WI: Cantwell, 1882, p. 72.

Lacking proper food and shelter, many Saints became victims of “fever and ague”—probably malaria—including Sally Knight. After she gave birth to a son who died, she died. “Truly she has died a martyr to the gospel,” her bereaved husband Newel eulogized.

After being driven from Missouri the Knight family settled in Nauvoo in 1839. At this point in his life Father Knight was feeble and unable to work. His son Newel wrote, “My father, as my own family, depended on me for bread and the necessities of life.” He added, “It was a pleasure to me to supply his wants and add to his comforts.”^[14]As cited in William G. Hartley, “They Are My Friends”: A History of the Joseph Knight Family, 1825-1850 (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Co., 1986), p. 143. Aware of his faithfulness and poor health, the high council donated a house and lot to him.^[15]See Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-51), 4:76. One day the Prophet Joseph saw his elderly friend hobbling along without a cane. The Prophet approached him and, putting his arm around him, pressed Father Knight’s fingers onto the top of his cane and said, “Brother Knight, you need this cane more than I do.” The Prophet then told him to keep it as long as he needed it, and then to pass it on to descendants with the first name Joseph. The cane has been passed down through several descendants until the present day.

On a winter day in January 1842, Joseph Smith became reflective. He decided to list in the Book of the Law of the Lord the names of those “faithful few” followers who had stood by him since the beginnings of his ministry—“pure and holy friends, who are faithful, just, and true, and whose hearts fail not”^[16]History of the Church, 5:107. See: William Hartley, Close Friends as Witnesses: Joseph Smith and the Joseph Knight Families, in Joseph Smith: The Prophet, The Man, edited by Susan Easton … Continue reading Among these faithful few were:

my aged and beloved brother, Joseph Knight, Sen., who was among the number of the first to administer to my necessities, while I was laboring in the commencement of the bringing forth of the work of the Lord. . . . For fifteen years he has been faithful and true, and even-handed and exemplary, and virtuous and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left. Behold he is a righteous man, may God Almighty lengthen out the old man’s days . . . and it shall be said of him, by the sons of Zion, while there is one of them remaining, that this was a faithful man in Israel; therefore his name shall never be forgotten.^[17]HC 5:124-25.

The prophet also recorded the names of two of Joseph Knight’s sons, Newel and Joseph Knight, Jr., in the same book “with unspeakable delight, for they are my friends”^[18]Ibid.

After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the Knight family passed a severe test of loyalty. Unlike some others, they did not forsake the faith and follow pseudo-successors. Of Father Knight’s 13 children and stepchildren, all who were in Nauvoo as adults (except perhaps Nahum for whom we lack records) followed Brigham Young west, or spouses did in the case where the mate had died.^[19]Hartley, Close Friends as Witnesses.

Father Knight left Nauvoo and, with the aid of his son Joseph Knight Jr., gathered with the poor in Mount Pisgah, Iowa. Father Knight died in February 1847 at Mount Pisgah at the age of seventy-four.

Hartley writes:

Although none of the Knights were privileged to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates, their labors helped launch the Restoration, and through their devotion to Joseph Smith, they serve today as a solid and sizeable family witness of the Prophet. They are not silent witnesses. Lydia wrote her life story. Newel kept an invaluable journal. Joseph Knight, Sr., penned his recollections as did Joseph Jr. These four records contain personal histories, but they also stand as four written witnesses of Joseph Smith. All four of the Knight authors knew and revered the Prophet.

The Knight families knew Joseph in his early adult days, back when he was accused of digging for gold and using peep stones. Such criticisms did not make them doubt his calling. If the Prophet had been a charlatan or not genuinely religious as detractors then and since have charged, the large Knight clan would have known it and not followed him so faithfully for so long. Their devotion to the Prophet Joseph Smith was based on knowing him well, and it bears witness that his character, from age 20 to his death at 38, was righteous and good. His critics have questioned his motives, truthfulness, and divine claims; his friends have provided several evidences to demonstrate that God used him to restore truth to the earth. Such debates and discussions, when marshalling “evidence,” should not ignore the Knight family as long-term witnesses of the Prophet Joseph Smith. They had been loyal to the Prophet longer than anyone except the Smiths, and they felt Joseph was what he claimed to be.^[20]Ibid.

D&C 12

D&C 12.8 Humble and Full of Love

Joseph Knight and his family members are the window through which the light of this section should be seen. The Savior is literally showing us what D&C 12.8 looks like in the lives of these stalwart saints. We can be like them as we forget ourselves and how others may view us and simply look to the Savior of the world and follow him. In the podcast we talked quite a bit about these ideas.

Two great Christian teachers were emphasized- C.S. Lewis and David A. Bednar.

From C.S. Lewis we read:

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call “humble” nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.^[21]C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book III, Ch. 8, Para. 13, p. 114.

From Elder David A. Bednar we are taught this about teaching and humility:

We must be careful to remember in our service that we are conduits and channels; we are not the light…It is never about me and it is never about you. In fact, anything you or I do as an instructor that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self—in the messages we present, in the methods we use, or in our personal demeanor—is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost.^[22]David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Address to CES Religious Educators, 3 Feb. 2006, 4.

D&C 12.8 Desires

Wealth, intelligence, or other qualities held in high honor by the world do not qualify one to be of service in the kingdom of God. Rather, such simple virtues as humility, love, faith, hope, charity, and temperance prove attractive to the light of heaven and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.^[23]Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants and Other Modern Revelations, Deseret Book, 2000, p. 116.

D&C 13, JSH 1.66-75 The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

JS-H 1.68 Baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. From this statement and from Oliver Cowdery’s account of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, it can be reasonably deduced where Joseph and Oliver were in the process of translation when they went into the woods to inquire of the Lord relative to the necessity of baptism. Oliver said that it took place “after writing the account given of the Savior’s ministry to the remnant of the seed of Jacob, upon this continent” (note following the end of Joseph Smith-History, 59). This would place the work of translation in 3 Nephi 11 in the middle of May 1829. It will be remembered that Nephi’s discourse on baptism (2 Nephi 31) was recorded on the small plates of Nephi, which were not translated until after the account of the ministry of the Savior and the books that followed it had been translated, in June of 1829.^[24]Historical evidence exists that supports the facts that Joseph and Oliver begin translation of the plates in the account of the transfer of power between King Benjamin and his son Mosiah in Mosiah … Continue reading

It was consistently argued by David Whitmer and others that Joseph Smith did not use the plates in the translation process. Joseph Smith, however, consistently maintained that the translation process involved the use of the plates.

Laid his hands upon us. There could be little surprise that when the priesthood was lost the knowledge of how it was properly obtained was lost also. Here we learn that the way the priesthood is conferred is by the laying on of hands. This symbolizes the placing of God’s hands upon those who are being commissioned to act in his stead (D&C 36:1-2). The same Hebrew word for hand means “power.” Thus, symbolically, the laying on of hands represents the conferring of power.

Aaronic Priesthood Restored JSH 1.69-72

JS-H 1.69 My fellow servants. The angel who ministered to John the Revelator said of himself, “I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets” (Revelation 22:9). Such salutations illustrate the sense of oneness that exists between the servants of the Lord in all gospel dispensations.

The keys of the ministering of angels. As the Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys or authority to perform the ordinances by which men come into the presence of God, so the Aaronic Priesthood holds the authority to perform the ordinances by which we are prepared to receive the ministration of angels. For instance, Joseph Smith said, “All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained.”^[25]Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 180-81.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained: “In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. . . . Through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for ‘angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ’ (2 Nephi 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels.”^[26]Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Conference Report, October 1998, 51.

It becomes the right of all who are of the household of faith to enjoy this blessing. We need not suppose that the ministering of angels is always known or seen by those to whom they have ministered. It was the apostle Paul who said that “some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). “Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described ‘the action of the angels or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive . . . revelations from the eternal world.'”^[27]Ibid.

This shall never be taken again from the earth. According to Oliver Cowdery’s recollection, the words of the Baptist were, “Upon you my fellow- servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which shall remain upon the earth, that the Sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness!” (note following the end of Joseph Smith-History, 59). The law of sacrifice, as known from the days of Adam, will as a part of the restoration of all things be brought back at least for a time and season, the length of which we do not know.^[28]McConkie and Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, p. 119.

Until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. This language ties the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood to the prophecy in Malachi 3:1-4. The prophecy begins with the promise that the Lord will send his messenger to prepare the way before him and announces that he will come “suddenly” to his temple. Sectarian commentaries are in universal agreement that the messenger was John the Baptist and that this prophecy was filled in the manner in which he prepared the nation of Israel to accept Christ and his ministry. Indeed, Christ himself affirms that Malachi had reference to the Baptist (Mark 1:2). We part company with such commentary, however, in their assumption that Malachi’s prophecy found fulfillment in the mortal ministry of John. Christ is to come again, and it will be in his second coming that he will “suddenly come to his temple” when the rest of Malachi’s prophecy will find fulfillment. Of that day Malachi asked, “Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:2-3). No one had any difficulty abiding the presence of the mortal Christ, though the unclean certainly will in the day of his return. In his mortal ministry he was not like a refiner’s fire nor was he like fuller’s soap. He certainly did not purify the sons of Levi at that time nor was their offering (the sacrifices of the temple) acceptable to him. These are millennial events of which Malachi spoke, and as Christ is to return, so must the Baptist return, again to prepare the way for Him.^[29]Ibid.

The Aaronic Priesthood is a preparatory priesthood. As it was intended to prepare the nation of Israel for the coming of Christ in the meridian of time, so it is to prepare the covenant people of the Lord for the return of their King and the establishment of the millennial kingdom. What Malachi is telling us is that as the sons of Levi were to do a labor to prepare their people for the coming of Christ, in like manner they are to do a special labor in the last days to prepare those of the house of faith to receive that same Christ. Thus, John restores to Joseph and Oliver the very authority by which the sons of Levi will be purified and by which they will perform the same ordinances performed by their ancient counterparts.

Amplifying what is involved here, Joseph Smith explained: “It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets.

“The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings. . . .

“These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought to pass. It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.

“It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to son, through their succeeding generations.”^[30]Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 172-73; see also Smith, History of the Church, 4:207-12. See also Revelations of the Restoration, p. 120. I would also add my belief that … Continue reading

What is the offering spoken of in section 13?

The offering mentioned in this revelation is why we have the priesthood in the first place.  The whole purpose of the Church and the Restoration and the Priesthood is to unite families in the covenant.  Families sealed for time and all eternity, with an unbroken chain through time from Adam until the last family – this is what Jesus Christ wills for us as mortals.  The offering is the record in a “book” of all the individuals who have lived detailing that their redemptive work has been completed.  “Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.” (D&C 128:24)^[31]Mike Day, D&C 13, October 7, 2010.

JS-H 1.70 Holy Ghost . . . conferred on us hereafter. The Holy Ghost was first conferred upon men in this dispensation in the meeting at which the Church was organized which took place 6 April 1830.

What the Lord Requires: Do What You Can Do

I should baptize Oliver, . . . he should baptize me. Neither the God of heaven nor those angels who act under his direction do for men that which they can do for themselves. Joseph and Oliver had just had the priesthood of Aaron conferred upon them. They now held the authority to baptize by water and were directed to do so by the Baptist.^[32]Revelations of the Restoration, p. 121. Once Joseph and Oliver had the keys of authority from John the Baptist (Aaronic Priesthood authority), they were authorized by heaven to perform Aaronic priesthood ordinances.

Could John have baptized them? He certainly could have. But heaven doesn’t seem to work that way. Heaven expects us to do for ourselves what we can do, and that which we cannot do, the Lord sends his divine power to intervene on our behalf.

For example, the Lord could have provided a perfectly translated text of the Book of Mormon, already leather bound, in boxes of several thousand copies, ready to distribute to the world. So why did he have Joseph translate the text? Joseph needed to do what he could do, and heaven sent the help requisite to complete the task.^[33]I once asked Robert J. Mathews why the Lord required Joseph and Oliver to baptize each other, and part of our discussion is contained here. For more, see: The Baptism of Joseph Smith and Oliver … Continue reading

In the podcast we referenced Elder Uchtdorf’s message “You are My Hands” from the April 2010 conference. While I could not find in my searching the specific identity of this story, Elder Uchtdorf does say in his message a story is told. I find that significant. Stories have value, meaning, and application – even when they are sometimes combined with other stories, or if the exact details are lost to us. For example, in my studies of The Iliad, I have found that the exact details of Homer’s epic relating the fall of Troy may not be completely historical in all of its details. I certainly do not read it as such. But the messages of this epic tale have meaning. I was able to locate a Catholic chapel in San Diego that had a statue of Jesus Christ that was vandalized where the hands were removed. The statue has a sign that says “I have no hands but yours.” You can see the statue here.

JS-H 1.71 Immediately after they had baptized each other Joseph and Oliver were directed by John to reordain each other. Though no explanation is given it would appear that the Baptist was establishing the order of the kingdom— that is, that baptism must precede receipt of the priesthood. Their so doing also reaffirms the principle that angels do not do for us what we can do for ourselves.^[34]Revelations of the Restoration, p. 121.

JS-H 1.72 The same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. It was not uncommon in the meridian day for people to be named or renamed according to significant things they did or for a prominent event of which they were apart. Thus, John the son of Zacharias became known among the children of Israel as John the Baptist though this obviously was not the name given him by his father in his infancy (Luke 1:63).^[35]Ibid.

JS-H 1.73-75 Immediately after their baptism, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were immersed in the spirit of prophecy and revelation. They did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost at this time, for that would come, as noted, after the Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred upon them. They did, however, enjoy a rich outpouring of that Spirit whereby they discovered meanings otherwise hidden to them in their scripture study and their labor with the scriptures.^[36]Ibid.

D&C 14

Endure to the end

David Whitmer does not endure.  Born Jan 7 1805, died Jan 25 1888.  Excommunicated April 1838, he never returned to the church.  When Moroni showed the 3 witnesses the plates, he turned directly to David Whitmer and said, “David, blessed is he that endure to the end.”^[37]Roberts, CR Oct 1926, p. 126.

D&C 15-16

Greatest worth

John Whitmer- preach the gospel.  John was one of the 8 witnesses- born 27 August 1802, death 11 July 1878.  He bought cheap land in Far West after the Saints were given the extermination order in 1838.  He died with over 600 acres of prime farm land, livestock, farm machinery, and a two story home – wealthy by even modern standards.  He never denied his testimony.

Peter Whitmer- Peter lives from 1809 to 1836, he dies just shy of his 27^th birthday.  He died in the faith in Missouri.

Both sections are identical- both men are in similar situations –John is 26 and Peter is 19 at the time.  This tells us something about the Doctrine and Covenants- if you are in a similar situation of those in the section you are reading, the words of the Lord to the person in the section apply to you.  If you are in their circumstance, then you may heed the words the Lord applies to their situation to yours.

D&C 17 – facing the fight alone or with friends

The Three Witnesses fulfilled an important law established by the Lord. Elder Bruce R. McConkie pointed out that “whenever the Lord has established a dispensation by revealing his gospel and by conferring priesthood and keys upon men, he has acted in accordance with the law of witnesses which he himself ordained. This law is: ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.’ ( 2 Cor. 13:1 ; Deut. 17:6 ; 19:15 ; Matt. 18:15–16 ; John 8:12–29 .)

“Never does one man stand alone in establishing a new dispensation of revealed truth, or in carrying the burden of such a message and warning to the world. In every dispensation, from Adam to the present, two or more witnesses have always joined their testimonies, thus leaving their hearers without excuse in the day of judgment should the testimony be rejected.”^[38]Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 436.

The witnesses will add validity to Joseph’s testimony and preserve him

Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet’s mother, gave the following account describing Joseph’s feelings after he returned home from the manifestation to the Three Witnesses: “When they returned to the house it was between three and four o’clock p.m. Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith and myself, were sitting in a bedroom at the time. On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and exclaimed, ‘Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am: the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself. They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.’”^[39]History of Joseph Smith, p. 152.

Mary Whitmer – The Fourth Witness – Mother Whitmer and the Angel

In this podcast, we mention a video depicting Mary Whitmer’s witness of the Gold Plates. You can see that video here.

It is one of the most sacred sites of Mormonism—the Peter Whitmer Cabin in Fayette, New York. It was here that the Book of Mormon translation was completed. It was here that three men were chosen as special witnesses and granted the opportunity to converse with an angel, view the plates, and hear the witness of God in regards to the Book of Mormon. It was also here that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830, and many other great revelations were received. Considering the incalculable souls eternally blessed by what happened here, truly this is a holy place where the mercy of God was abundant.

But there was a day when this glorious future almost didn’t happen here. Joseph Smith came to Fayette in June 1829 at the encouragement of Peter and Mary Whitmer—whose home and farm it was. It was their generosity that opened up an upper room in which to translate. It was the food at their table and a place to sleep that sustained life while the work progressed. With Joseph came Emma and Oliver, as well as an innumerable train of visitors and the curious, and all of this weighted the burden on Mother Whitmer who felt the responsibility to care for them.

One day she was particularly tired. She went outside to attend the evening chores and milk the cow. She saw Joseph and Oliver nearby skating rocks across the pond—an activity they often did to relax and relieve the tedium of translation. It annoyed her and she thought to herself, that they might just as well chop some wood or carry a bucket of water as skate rocks, and according to her family, she was about to order them from the home.

She came out of the barn carrying two buckets of milk when she was met by a stranger, an old man, heavy set, with a knapsack on his back. At first she was frightened, but “when he spoke to her in a kind, friendly tone and began to explain to her the nature of the work which was going on in her house, she was filled with unexpressible joy and satisfaction. He then untied his knapsack and showed her a bundle of plates, which in size and appearance corresponded with the description subsequently given by the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. This strange person turned the leaves of the book of plates over, leaf after leaf, and also showed her the engravings upon them; after which he told her to be patient and faithful in bearing her burden a little longer, promising that if she would do so, she should be blessed; and her reward would be sure, if she proved faithful to the end. The personage then suddenly vanished with the plates, and where he went, she could not tell. From that moment [Mother Whitmer] was enabled to perform her household duties with comparative ease, and she felt no more inclination to murmur because her lot was hard.”^[40]Royal Skousen, Another Account of Mary Whitmer’s Viewing of the Golden Plates, Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 10 (2014): 35-44.

The power of not having to stand alone

Judges 4:1-9

The Israelites had struggled for years against their enemies on the plain due to the technology discrepancy.  Their enemies had chariots, and while Israel was successful in the hills, they were having difficulty with the chariots- see verse 3.

Deborah comes to Barak and says, “let’s go defeat these Canaanites!” and Barak says in verse 8, “If you go with me, then I will go!” and she said, “surely I will go with thee… for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” (verse 9)

How would Barak feel about taking on 900 chariots? Talk about something scary. Is Barak asked to do a difficult thing?

Barak had courage because of a friend with faith in Jesus Christ. Young women can be Deborahs in the lives of our young men, to encourage them to be faithful and serve missions.

This is a marvelous example of the power of a righteous woman in all of scripture. Because you are with them your very presence inspires young men with the courage and ability to obey the commandments and face great challenges and difficulties. Your power and influence can be used to encourage a young man to fill his mission and do it honorably.

What are the 900 chariots that we do not want to face alone? The chariots change as we go through life.  For me right now the chariots are meeting the needs of my family and raising teenagers.  One young lady said that for her the chariots were “hot guys!” So the chariots change as we move through mortality, but one thing remains the same: we all need a Deborah in our life. Oftentimes we need to be a Deborah for those in need.

What was Josephs challenge before the witnesses were called?  Have you ever faced something alone?  With friends? What was the difference in your life?

I had several students share experiences where they had a friend to lean on in tough situations.  One young lady shared the experience of killing her first deer and how her father walked her through the process of preparing the meat. She really needed her father by her side during that experience.

Elder Richard G. Scott’s experience

As a teenager, Richard was determined to earn his own money for college, and he showed a remarkable spirit of adventure in going about it. One summer he worked on an oyster boat off the coast of Long Island. Another summer he cut down trees in Utah for the forest service; he also repaired railroad cars.

During a later summer, his application to work for the Utah park service was denied because all the jobs were taken. He tucked away the rejection letter without telling anyone about it and left for Utah. By the time he had made the trip across the United States, he had only three cents left in his pocket.

“Didn’t you receive our letter?” asked the man when he showed up.

“Yes,” Richard replied, “but I would like to work anyway. Is there a position as desk clerk?” The man laughed incredulously. Lowering his expectations, Richard asked, “How about bellboy?” He got hardly more than a laugh. Swallowing hard, Richard pulled out all the stops: “All right,” he said, “I’ll wash dishes!”

“Forget it,” the man said. “We don’t have any openings.”

Fingering the three pennies in his pocket, Richard was desperate. “I’ll wash dishes for two weeks,” he said, “and if you don’t like my work, you don’t have to pay me.” At least that way he’d have a place to stay and eat, he figured. The man relented.

Richard washed dishes—but he also went into the kitchen to see if he could help. By summer’s end, he was the number two cook.

These experiences did more than pad his college savings account; they also helped him grow spiritually. During spare minutes he read and pondered the Book of Mormon and experienced a powerful spiritual awakening.

Back home, he attended George Washington University, studying mechanical engineering and playing clarinet and saxophone in a jazz band. As he neared graduation, all of his career plans seemed to be on schedule. But then “the Lord placed a bombshell in my little world: Jeanene Watkins.” A vivacious young woman, Jeanene was the daughter of Utah’s Senator Arthur V. Watkins.

Their budding relationship presented a problem for Richard’s carefully laid career plans. One night Jeanene said to him, “When I marry, it will be in the temple to a returned missionary.” He had not thought much about a mission, but with that motivation, he prayed harder than ever before and ended up talking to the bishop about it. Soon after graduation, he left for a mission to Uruguay. Jeanene graduated the following June in sociology and left the next day for a mission to the northwestern states. Two weeks after he returned, they were married in the Manti Temple.^[41]January, I 1989, Elder Richard G. Scott: The real power comes from the Lord.

The Last testimony of Martin Harris

The last testimony of Martin Harris was given to Elder William Harrison Homer, who was with him at the time of his death. Elder Homer recorded:

“The next day, July 10, 1875, marked the end. It was in the evening. It was milking time, and Martin Harris, Jr., and his wife, Nancy Homer Harris, had gone out to milk and to do the evening’s chores. In the house with the stricken man were left my mother, Eliza Williamson Homer, and myself, who had had so interesting a day with Martin Harris at Kirtland. I stood by the bedside holding the patient’s right hand and my mother at the foot of the bed, Martin Harris had been unconscious for a number of days. When we first entered the room the old gentleman appeared to be sleeping. He soon woke up and asked for a drink of water. I put my arm under the old gentleman, raised him, and my mother held the glass to his lips. He drank freely, then he looked up at me and recognized me. He said, ‘I know you. You are my friend.’ He said, ‘Yes, I did see the plates on which the Book of Mormon was written; I did see the angel; I did hear the voice of God; and I do know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, holding the keys of the Holy Priesthood.’ This was the end. Martin Harris, divinely-chosen witness of the work of God, relaxed, gave up my hand. He lay back on his pillow and just as the sun went down behind the Clarkston mountains, the soul of Martin Harris passed on. . . .

(Signed) William Harrison Homer.

“Signed in the presence of Mrs. W. H. Homer, Joseph Homer, Leah Widtsoe, John A. Widtsoe.”^[42]In New Witness for Christ, 1:253–54.