6/1/2017 - Section 35:1-7

June 1, 2017

Section 35:1-7

Sidney Rigdon, Conversion, Baptism Authorized Mode, God is a Personal God, Holy Ghost Influence Of, Edward Partridge Example, Atonement Simple to Access,

P 70: “Sidney Rigdon was living in Mentor, Ohio on what was called the Western Reserve in 1830 when he first heard the message of the restored gospel and was baptized. Soon after his baptism he traveled to Fayette, New York to meet the Prophet.” This was December 1830 (a cold time to travel that long distance). Edward Partridge came with Sidney. Edward had not been baptized, but when he heard the missionaries’ message, he decided to investigate the church doctrine and its people, In this revelation Joseph referred to Edward as “a pattern of Piety, and one of the Lord’s great men.” Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer had just been called on missions. When Sidney arrived, he became Joseph’s scribe.

V 2: Christ is telling us about himself when he teaches us how to access the atonement: “…I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.” Essentially, it is to believe in Christ’s teachings and keep His commandments. That’s a pretty simple way to ensure our eternal progression.

V 3 shows Christ as a very personal God: “Behold, verily, verily, (truly, truly) I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers and prepared thee for a greater work.” Sidney had responded to the promptings of the Holy Ghost to make this long trip to meet Joseph. This trip was a blessing to Sidney and Joseph alike.

Sidney had been a Baptist minister, and then a founder with Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott of the ‘Disciples” (p 71). He had gathered many earnest people who could not accept the teachings of the sects of the day. He had prayed to seek further light than the world was able to give. V 5-6 explains that he had “baptized by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost…But now I give unto thee a commandment that thou shall baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, even as the apostle of old.”  I take that to mean that anyone who was baptized by him before, if they desire to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they must be baptized –again by water, but this time with priesthood authority—and then—again by priesthood authority—have the Holy Ghost confirmed upon them.