5/14/2017 - Section 28:1-3

May 14, 2017

Section 28:1-3

Order of Authority & Revelation for the Church, Satan’s Methods, Personal Revelation,

There is divine revelation for the Church. There is also revelation that is given to us as individuals. And there is also ‘revelation’ that is a ploy that Satan uses to pull people just enough from the truth as to harm their progression. Section 28 was given when the Church had been officially organized for only 3 months. One of the members, Hiram Page, had received and written down a series of revelations that had come to him via a stone he had found, and were contrary to what is written in the New Testament. Newel Knight, also member of the church, wrote of Hiram’s writings: “… Even Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family had given heed to them….Here was a chance for Satan to work among the little flock, and he sought by this means to accomplish what persecution failed to do.” All this occurred just prior to the second conference of the official Church. Joseph received this section just prior to that conference. Again from Newel Knight: “Conferencing having assembled, the first thing done was to consider the subject of the stone in connection with Hyrum Page, and after considerable investigation and discussion, Brother Page and all the members of the Church present renounced the stone and the revelations connected with it, much to our joy and satisfaction.”

Oliver Cowdery was told (v 5) by the Lord that he might “not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom”. In other words, the Lord was telling Oliver that while he might give counsel and advice to the Saints, he was not to establish Church doctrine or revelation. That was the office of the prophet only.

P 7 has official Church policy about the order of divine guidance within the Church: “The Prophet taught in 1833 that ‘it is contrary to the economy of God for any member of the Church or any one, to receive instructions for those in authority, higher than themselves; therefore you will see the impropriety of giving heed to them; but if any person have a vision or a visitation from a heavenly messenger, it must be for his own benefit and instruction; for the fundamental principles, government and doctrine of the Church are vested in the keys of the kingdom. (History of the Church 1:338)

“An official statement by the First President of the Church in 1913 gave additional illumination to this principle: “From the days of Hiram Page (D&C 28), at different periods there have been manifestations from delusive spirits to members of the Church. Sometimes these have come to men and women who because of transgression became easy prey to the Arch-Deceiver. At other times people who pride themselves o their strict observance of the rules and ordinances and ceremonies of the Church are led astray by false spirits, who exercise an influence so imitative of that which proceeds from a Divine source that even there persons, who think they are ‘the very elect,’ find it difficult to discern the essential difference. Satan himself has transformed himself to be apparently ‘an angel of light.’

“When visions, dreams, tongues, prophecy, impressions or any extraordinary gift of inspiration, convey something out of harmony with the accepted revelations for the Church or contrary to the decisions of its constituted authorities, Latter-day Saints may know that it is not of God, no matter how plausible it may appear. Also, they should understand that directions for the guidance of the Church will come by revelation, through the head. All faithful are entitled to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for themselves, their families, and for those over whom they are appointed and ordained to preside. But anything that is in discord with that which comes from God through the head of the Church is not to be received as authoritative or reliable. In secular as well as spiritual affairs, Saints may receive Divine Guidance and revelation affecting themselves, but this does not convey authority to direct others, and is not to be accepted when contrary to Church covenants, doctrine or discipline, or to known facts, demonstrated truths, or good common sense….

“Be not led by any spirit or influence that discredits established authority and contradicts true scientific principles and discoveries, or leads away from the direct revelations of God for the government of the Church. The Holy Ghost does not contradict its own revealings. Truth is always harmonious with itself. Piety is often the cloak of error. The counsels of the Lord through the channel he has appointed will be followed with safety, therefore, O! ye Latter-day Saints, profit by these words of warning.” (Joseph F Smith, Anthon H Lund, and Charles W Penrose: A Warning Voice,: Improvement Era, Sept 1913, pp1148-49.)

3/17/2021 – D&C 28

This section deals with Hiram Page who “had a certain stone, and professed to be receiving revelations by its aid concerning the up-building of Zion and the order of the Church.” 

One thing I found today is that many of the early converts came from a congregationalist background. This is where anyone had the right to proclaim doctrine if the rest of the congregation concurred.  So it seemed natural to them to respond to Hiram Page’s revelation as valid. This section is a teaching time for the saints, that while they certainly could receive revelation for themselves and their own families,  only the prophet could receive relation for the entire Church. 

Newel Knight wrote of this situation: “After arranging my affairs at home, I again set out for Fayette, to attend our second conference, which had been appointed to be held at Father Whitmer’s where Joseph then resided. On my arrival I found Brother Joseph in great distress of mind on account of Hyrum Page, who had managed to get up some dissension of feeling among the brethren by giving revelations concerning the government of the Church and other matters, which he claimed to have received through the medium of a stone he possessed. He had quite a roll of papers full of these revelations, and many in the Church were led astray by them. Even Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family had given heed to them, although they were in contradiction to the New Testament and the revelations of these last days. Here was a chance for Satan to work among the little flock, and he sought by this means to accomplish what persecution failed to do. Joseph was perplexed and scarcely knew how to meet this new exigency. That night I occupied the same room that he did and the greater part of the night was spent in prayer and supplication. After much labor with these brethren, they were convinced of their error, and confessed the same, renouncing the revelations as not being of God, but acknowledged that Satan had conspired to overthrow their belief in the true plan of salvation. In consequence of these things Joseph enquired of the Lord before conference commenced and received the revelation published on page 140 of the Doctrine and Covenants [section 28], wherein God explicitly states His mind and will concerning the receiving of revelations.

“Conference having assembled, the first thing done was to consider the subject of the stone in connection with Hyrum Page, and after considerable investigation and discussion, Brother Page and all the members of the Church present renounced the stone, and the revelations connected with it, much to our joy and satisfaction.” (Journal History, 26 Sept. 1830.)

It is interesting that Oliver Cowdery, who was at this time the second elder of the Church, had been influenced by Hiram Page’s claimed revelation. The beginning words of this section were directed to Oliver: “I say unto thee, Olive, that it shall be given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and commandments which I have given. But , behold, verily, verily [truly, truly] I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun…” (v’s1-2)  The Lord continued on speaking to Oliver giving him a particular mission to perform and then the Lord gave him this further promise and caution as he goes out to preach the gospel: “…and thou shalt have revelations, but write them not by way of commandment.” I feel that the Lord is explaining to Oliver that our personal revelations are for us alone. 

The Lord continued speaking to Oliver telling him “…thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page (who had received the false revelation), between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him;” (v 11) This is an example to us as church members, as friends, and as family members that we should certainly correct when untruth is told, but that we should correct people in private, and in love. The Lord also gives him a timeline saying “…thou shalt assist to settle all these things, according to the covenants of the church, before thou shalt take thy journey among the Lamanites.” (v 14)  To me the Lord is telling us to clear up misconceptions immediately with love. And then the Lord promises Oliver what he promises to all his missionaries: “And it shall be given thee from the time thou shalt go, until the time thou shalt return, what thou shalt do.” (v 15) That is exactly what I experienced, as the mission nurse, during our mission to the Philippines. I was there to help missionaries who developed diseases and conditions – many I had read about, but even more I had never heard about. Everyone thought I was a GREAT nurse, but I assure you that I was amazed when I answered a phone and simply knew when a health problem was simple and easily handled with a few instructions to the missionary, or when I just knew to tell them to get to the hospital immediately—if they were near Manila, I told them I would meet them at the emergency room. And if they were on the island, I would tell them to get to the only hospital there & I would immediately call the senior missionaries who were nearest to the missionary. And when they called from an island where there were no senior missionaries and where there was only one hospital that was not a good hospital to go to, I would ask President Fermanis to get them on a plane to Manila immediately. During our time there, there were more really serious problems than I would ever have imagined, and the outcomes were so often miraculous. It WAS given me “what thou shalt do”. Every time, I knew I was acting above my true capabilities. I could not thank the Lord enough. He watches out for his missionaries; I merely followed his directions. And there are not words enough to express my gratitude for His interventions. The last verse of this section pretty much sums up my feelings: “And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing.” I could never have done what I did without His inspiration.

But back to Hiram for a bit—and this comes from David Butler’s remarks:  Hiram Page was a respected member of the church. He was one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. He was not an obscure person; he was involved in this new church in so many ways. In this revelation, the Lord made sure that Hiram understood that “Satan deceiveth him” (v 28). And He explained, once again, that revelations for the entire church would come only through the Prophet. And then here comes the best part for me: once everything was straightened out, the Lord told Hiram “thou shalt have revelations” No, he wouldn’t receive revelation for the Church, but, yes, he would receive personal revelation in other areas of his life. Yes, he would teach with power. Yes, he would receive direction from heaven—just not for the whole Church. I love how gentle the Lord is in teaching the pattern and how encouraging He is with Hiram, and all of us, in reminding us to expect revelation.