7/19/2017 - Section 51:1-2

July 19, 2017

Section 51:1-2

Calling Help In, Laws Why the Lord Gives Them, Seek the Lord’s Help then Follow His Suggestions,

It’s May 1831, about 4 months since the Lord instructed the Saints to gather in Ohio (D&C 37:3—Dec 1830). Edward Partridge has been called as bishop. The basic elements of the law of consecration had been given (D&C42—Feb 1831). More and more saints are arriving in Ohio, and Bishop Partridge—whose calling was to “regulate stewardships and properties”, sought help from the Prophet for more details on the law of consecration. Joseph went to the Lord and received Section 51.

Orson Pratt was with Joseph, when he received this revelation. His experience was later reported in the Millennial Star, 11 Aug. 1874 pp498-99: “No great noise or physical manifestation was made; Joseph was as calm as the morning sun. But he noticed a change in his countenance that he had never noticed before, when a revelation was given to him. Josephs face was exceedingly white, and seemed to shine. The speaker had been present many times when he was translating the New Testament, and wondered why he did not use the Urim and Thummin, as in translating the Book of Mormon. While this thought passed through the speaker’s mind, Joseph, as if he read is thoughts, looked up and explained that the Lord gave him the Urim and Thummin when he was inexperienced in the Spirit of inspiration. But now he had advanced so far that he understood the operations of that Spirit, and did not need the assistance of that instrument.”

Edward Partridge was simply trying to understand his calling and a task that was new to everyone—and the Lord understood that: v 1 “Hearken (listen AND do) unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize this people.” I can do this same thing in MY callings. In fact, I need to include the Lord’s guidance for that is how I can do my best—for my benefit and for the benefit of those around me.

Edward wanted to do things the Lords way. Cecil B MeMille (he produced & Directed the great movie The Ten Commandments, in 1956. He spoke at BYU on May 31 1957 and said: “We are too inclined to think of law as something merely restrictive—something hemming us in. We sometimes think of law as the opposite of liberty. But that is a false conception. That is not the way that God’s inspired prophets and lawgivers looked upon the law. Law has a twofold purpose. It is meant to govern. It is also meant to educate.”

One more quote I find interesting is from Elder Richard L Evans, from a conference address in Oct 1959. He was speaking about God’s laws: “What would a loving Father want for his children? What would any father want for his children? Peace and health and happiness; learning and progress and improvement; and everlasting life, and everlasting association with those we love. What less could heaven be? What less would a Father plan or propose, for those he loves, for those whom he made ‘in his own image’? He has declared his work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This is the ultimate objective. This is the whole purpose of the Gospel he has given.”

I find it very interesting. I often seek the Lord’s help. I’m afraid I don’t always follow through on His suggestions—whether that has to do with a lack of thorough understanding, lack of energy, lack of perseverance, laziness—or whatever other reason I come up with—it is to my detriment. He has given us a fairly simple formula. If I follow His directions, I will be rewarded with his promises—I know this through lots of personal experience. That’s pretty amazing!!!! And I need to remember just how amazing it is, and not become complacent. I’ll sign up everyday for the chance to win the Home and Garden TV network’s dream house—and my chances are 1 in 87 million. But keeping the commandments, praying each day and working hard to follow my promptings—that gives me a 100% chance of being happier, more productive, more useful, more loving, closer to the Lord and His Spirit…and the list goes on and on. Complacence is not the way I want to live my life: this life on earth, or my life back with Heavenly Father.

5/17/2021 – D&C 51

Edward Partridge is the bishop in Ohio, and is responsible for helping people find places to live. More and more saints are moving in, and most of them arriving—as well as most of them who are already settled—are living in extreme poverty. “Bishop Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord.”

When we face problems that seem to have no solution, do we turn to the Lord and ask for His guidance and instructions? I’ve never wondered why I struggle on my own before finally going to Him with my whole heart and mind---but in the future, I’d like to be much more prompt in turning to Him. In fact, if I am always turned to Him, then my life will flow much more easily.

The Lord begins with the fact that He is well pleased with Bishop Partridge—not only is the bishop working hard at his calling, but he seeks to understanding and guidance for the benefit of others. The Lord tells Edward to “appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs” (v 3). That means that not every family received the same things. But every family received “according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.”  Isn’t that how the Lord treats us, as we all go to Him in prayer?  That our wants and needs are different is not a problem. When Christ was about to leave this earth and he asked his apostles about their desires, Peter (the rock) and John (the beloved) both had good desires even though they had very different desires. The Lord knows us and loves us and helps us individually. I am very grateful for that.

The Lord uses the words “steward” and “consecrated” in this section, as the saints were trying to live under the law of consecration.  I looked up the definition of “consecration” and found several interesting ones: “to officially promise to give one’s time and attention to something (especially a religion)” “To make holy  or to dedicate to a higher purpose”. The ‘secr’ part of that word comes from the Latin sacer, meaning sacred. And “steward” definition is about taking care of other people or other people’s property. But then I found a Biblical definition of the word stewardship: “Stewardship can be consciously defined as Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation: The central essence of biblical world view stewardship is managing everything God brings into the believer’s life in a manner that honors God.”

This is how the Lord explained it to the people in Ohio: “And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws. And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;” (v’s 15-16)

The Lord wants us to use our every days to make things better for ourselves and others. He know they will not be in Ohio forever, but they were to be there for 8 years. “wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good”.  We are to behave in our circumstances, and in our actions with others, as if we are to be there, and with them, forever. We are simply to live our best wherever we are while we are there. And the end result of this is in v 19: “And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.” 

Heavenly Father has given us much work, AND much to look forward to. This is just one more reason why I want to talk with Him every morning and every evening—touching bases, discussing the good things of the day, and asking for help on the difficulties of the day. But above all, letting Him know of my love and gratitude for Him and His help and love and guidance.