6/12/2017 - Section 40:1-3

June 12, 2017

Section 40:1-3

Leaving the Gospel Causes, Faith Blessings Follow, Endure to the End, Retirement is not the End,

The preface contains Joseph’s comments concerning this section: “As James Covill rejected the word of the Lord, and retuned to his former principles and people, the Lord gave unto me and Sidney Rigdon the following revelation.” As the synopsis to this section says, this revelation speaks of how “ Fear of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.”

For me, it is v 2 that explains one of the causes of people falling away from the gospel they once embraced: “And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.”

James Covill truly wanted to change. He came many miles, in winter, to meet Joseph. He had truly “ covenanted with the Lord that he would obey any command that the Lord would give him through me as His servant, and I received the following..”(Preface to section 39) James Covill wanted to change. His heart was right. Temptations came quickly to him…he did not stand fast. Even though the Lord had told him “thou shalt have great faith” –we must, with that faith, walk through the difficult times. We sometimes have to take our first steps into the unknown, and then will come the reward of our faith. We must be ready participate in our blessings to make the beautiful promises come to fruition. The Lord gives us opportunities. He tells us the blessings that will follow. We must be ready to follow His path as we come to our promised blessings. James Covill let fear block out his faith. The scriptures say that faith and fear cannot exist together. If he had taken his struggles to the Lord, asking the Lord for help and guidance as he start out on his new undertaking—he would have been helped through his hard time—his time of growth into this new calling.

P 81: “President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that James Covill “was convinced of the truth, for it is clear that the Lord revealed to him things which he and the Lord alone knew to be the truth. However, when he withdrew from the influence of the Spirit of the Lord and had time to consider the fact that he would lose the fellowship of the world, and his place and position among his associates, he failed and rejected the promises and blessing which the Lord offered him.” (Church history and Modern Revelations) The Lord, in His explanation of James Covill’s rejection, used language from the parable of the soils. (Matt 13:1-9,20-22)”

These are things I want to keep close in my mind. Even though we are in our retirement, and you would think that life really slows down, there are still so many challenges ahead of us, and new things to become proficient in, and new situations in which we could be of help to others, and many of my own thoughts and attitudes that still need refining. I need to remember just how to go forward in faith—for as long as we are on this earth, the Lord is giving us the opportunity to learn more lessons.

4/18/2021 – D&C 40

Section 40 is actually a follow up to section 39 which was addressed to James Covel. James Covel, a Baptist minister for 40 years, had heard about the gospel. And the things he heard made him want to know more about this ‘new’ religion. He traveled some distance to meet with Joseph Smith. After he had talked with Joseph, he stated that he had covenanted with the Lord to obey any commandment given him through the Prophet Joseph. 

It is within section 39 that the Lord said: “…”I say unto you my servant James, I have looked upon they works, and I know thee. And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time: and behold I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head.” (39:7-8) And in the very next verse 9, the Lord reminds him of some of his earlier difficult times: “Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of the pride and the cares of the world.” And once acknowledging those past times, the Lord promises him that “if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto tee: Arise and be baptized…and you shall receive B

But within one day of receiving this beautiful revelation with its amazing promises, James Covel quietly, with no explanation, left Fayette. This section is the Lord’s brief, but important, explanation of the reasons behind James Covel’s departure: “Behold, verily I say unto you that the heart of my servant James Covill WAS right before me, for he covenanted with me that he would obey my word.   And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the care of the world caused him to reject the word.   Wherefore he broke my covenant…. 

James’ heart WAS right on Jan 5 and his intentions were to follow the Lord by doing all the things the Lord had asked of him. There are many reasons that people turn from the Lord. The Lord tells us that James reason for turning away from his promises to the Lord were due to his fear of persecution and the cares of the world. If he returned to his congregation, they would fire him as their minister which would mean he could no long make a living in the way he had done so for 40 years. I’m sure he worried about how he could possibly make a living after being fired as a minister. 

On January 5 (section 39) he Lord had told him that he “shalt have great faith”, yet working with the Lord is a two way promise. He gives us commandments with the promise that IF we follow them, we will be blessed. We must participate –with the Lord—in making our blessings come to pass. I know from experience that it is not just our efforts that bring blessings, but faith and patience are also so often needed & involved in our spiritual growth.  When things get especially difficult, that’s my cue to immediately check in with the Lord and follow His promptings with courage.