3/27/2017 - Section 7:1-8

March 27, 2017

Section 7:1-8

John the Beloved, Linger on the Earth, Missionary Work Difficult and Great, When in Doubt Ask the Lord, Support One Another, Companion Support Might Mean Different Things to Different People, Diversity Is Good,

Joseph Smith recorded: “During the month of April [1829, at Harmony Pennsylvania,] I continued to translate, and he [Oliver Cowdery] to write, with little cessation, during which time we received several revelations. A difference of opinion arising between us about the account of John the Apostle, mentioned in the New Testament, as to whether he died or continued to live, we mutually agreed to settle it by the Urim and Thummim.” History of the Church 1:35-36   And the result of their questions was Section 7.

John, the Beloved, lingers on this earth just as the three Nephites do (3 Nephi 28:1-7). He does this because that was the desire of his heart: “give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee”. (v2)  Christ responds in the affirmative in verse 3: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.”

The rest of the section is spent explaining to Peter that we can all have different desires—and that’s okay. The desire of Peter was that he “mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom” (v 4). John had a different desire: that he might do “a greater work yet among men than what he has before done.” I wonder if this is why John the Beloved was given the Book of Revelations—for he would be there working throughout all the events that were prophesied. The important thing is that John wanted to be a missionary for the life of the earth. As an apostle of Christ he had already been a missionary. He had seen and felt the joy of people accepting the gospel. He had seen heartache, and sorrow, and contention. He knew the work for which he was applying, and he also understood the deep importance of that work. Religion is not just a ‘nice’ thing to be involved in—the correct religion is the reason for this earth and the reason for our existence and the reason for completing our earthly assignments to the best of our ability.

Peter desired something different and that was okay. Peter, James and John would all work together—but in different ways—until Christ’s second coming. The Lord is happy to help us achieve our desires for that which is good. The important thing for us to remember is that we can all desire different good things, AND we can all work to support each other.

1/26/2021 – D&C 7

I think the process of translating the BofM was not just a job that needed to be done, but it was also the answer to many questions. In the New Testament, John 21:21-24 speaks of the Lord telling Peter (who seemed to be a but jealous of John at this point) “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” 

Evidently Joseph and Oliver had differing ideas about John, the beloved, and what his role was after Christ was crucified-- whether the Apostle John had died or whether he continued to live on the earth. Instead of trying to work out the truth between them, they did what Joseph had learned—if ye lack wisdom, ask of God. Joseph then used the Urim and Thummim. The heading of this section tells us: “The revelation is a translated version of the record made on parchment by John”. The study manual says: “We do not know whether Joseph Smith had the actual parchment in his possession. He may have seen the parchment in vision or received the translated words through the Urim and Thummim.” But however it was received, this revelation clarifies that bit of the New Testament, and teaches that the Lord definitely granted to John his desire to live and bring souls to Jesus Christ until the Second Coming.

As I read this revealed section, it’s very clearly that Peter and John are both apostles. They are both good men. The both have a sure testimony of Christ and Christ’s mission. But these two apostles are different from one another…as we all are, and Christ is teaching them “…ye shall both have according to your desires, for ye both joy in that which ye have desired.” (v 8). The Lord doesn’t need us to all think alike and act alike. He simply wants us all to keep His commandments, and He will help us achieve our desires in doing that which is good. And there are so many things which are good!