7/24/2017 - Section 54:1-10

July 24, 2017

Section 54:1-10

Law of Consecration, United Order, Living with Imperfect People, Obedience Brings Blessings Beyond Our Imaginations, Patient in Tribulations, Trials, Banish Selfishness, Seek the Lord Early, Reliance on the Lord Always, Journal,

Once again, very interesting background related to this section. The saints in New York were, as the Lord commanded, moving to Ohio. The Colesville Branch arrived as a group. Their coming was expected. The saints then living in Ohio were commanded to prepare for “the influx of newcomers” by giving part of the land they owned to those who were arriving. Nobody knows exactly what caused the problem, but B.H. Roberts recorded: “it is difficult to determine with exactness in what the transgressions of the Saints at Thompson consisted; but it is evident the selfishness and rebellion were at the bottom of their trouble, and that Leman Copley [who was giving the land in Ohio] and Ezra Thayre [who was the Branch President of the Colesville Branch from New York] were immediately concerned in it….It is evident that some of the brethren already living at Thompson, had agreed to enter into the law of consecration and stewardship with the Saints from Colesville; and that afterwards they broke this covenant”.  And from Newel Knight’s journal: “…a contract was agreed upon, and we commenced work in good faith. But in a short time Copely broke the engagement, and I went to Kirtland to see Brother Joseph.” John Whitmer, the Church historian then, wrote: “At this time [the early part of June 1831] the Church at Thompson, Ohio, was involved in difficulty because of the rebellion of Leman Copley, who would not do as he had previously agreed, which thing confused the whole Church, and finally the Lord spake through Joseph the Prophet…”

So there is a huge problem, and people on both sides are quite upset. First the Lord, in v 3, tells Newel Knight (the man appointed to lead the Colesville saints to Ohio ) to “stand fast in the office whereunto I have appointed you”.  The Lord acknowledges that the covenant of giving land to the Colesville Saints had “been broken, even so it has become void and of none effect.” And then the Lord explains the long term effects of this. V 5 speaks of those who formally covenanted to provide land and then chose to go back on their word: “woe to him by whom this offense cometh, for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea.”  And then in v 6 to the those who did not void their covenants when problems arose: v 6 “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment for they shall obtain mercy.” The Colesville Saints had followed the Lord’s commands and made a long, hard journey, and now (v 8-9) the Lord tells them to move on—this time to Missouri, and once there, to seek a living until the Lord has prepared yet another place for them. V 10: The Lord encourages and warns them: “And again, be patient in tribulation until I come….and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls.” 

As we view this from 2017, we know that Missouri experience was even more difficult than anything that had occurred in Ohio, and that these saints not only had to move again—this time from Missouri--but they had to flee in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances. But we also know from our vantage point that some of the saints in Missouri did not behave like ‘saints’. Their actions were not the actions of someone trying to be friends, or trying to be part of the community that they came to. So is this evidence—once again—that individuals can and do use their free agency to act poorly and thus temporarily thwart the Lord’s plans. So far, Bob and I have not been asked to covenant to live the United Order. But Bob and I almost have our mission papers in. That means we are covenanting to give our total time and energies to the Lord for 18 months. Might we encounter problems? Might those problems be with other members of the church? Yes—we found that with Sister Evelyn in Japan. I hope we can use the lessons and the wisdom we learned in Japan. And in this upcoming mission that we will put fully to use all the power we have, and rely on the Lord’s guidance and help, so that we can truly be worthy missionaries—so that we can truly love those we meet whether in or out of the church—so that we can overcome our selfish tendencies, our egos, and any ‘small’ thoughts. We are there to help the missionary work. We are there to spread the light of the gospel. We are there to grow closer to the Lord, and to help those around us to do the same. I pray for the gift of charity first, and then for enough energy to go forward, and the courage to follow all promptings. I have a wonderful companion who will lovingly assist me in all these endeavors. I am so blessed.

5/20/2021 – D&C 54

This is the situation that proceeded this section: When the saints in Colesville had been instructed to come to Ohio so suddenly, it cost many of them everything they had. But when they arrived in Ohio they were so grateful for Leman Copley (who had left the Shakers) and who now offered his land as a place for them to stay. But then Leman decided to return to the Shaker community, he broke his covenant to consecrate his farm for the Colesville group and evicted them from his property. The saints felt abandoned and had no idea where or how they would live. That’s when Newel Knight, who was the leader of the Colesville group, came to Joseph – the result was section 54.

John Whitmer, then the Church Historian, wrote: ‘At this time [the early part of June] the Church at Thompson, Ohio, was involved in difficulty because of the rebellion of Leman Copley, who would not do as he had previously agreed, which thing confused the whole Church, and finally the Lord spake through Joseph the Prophet, saying:’ He then quotes the revelation to Newel Knight. … —(John Whitmer’s History of the Church, chap. viii.)” (In History of the Church, 1:180n.)

The Lord begins this section reminding the saints that He is the Lord. He encourages them to “repent of all their sins, and become truly humble before me and contrite” (v 3) He went on to explain the importance of keeping our covenants. And then told them to continue west, for once again the Lord warned them that “enemies come upon you”.  He went on to tell them that after yet another journey (this one almost 1000 miles, after their long journey from Colesville), they should be ready to “seek ye a living…until I prepare a place for you” (v 9)

He ends with “be patient in tribulation until I come, and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls.”  So often, in our mortality, we misjudge what is quick for the Lord as to timing, does not seem quick at all to us. That’s when we fall back onto the importance of enduring to the end. The Lord knew how the trial would start and he knew how it would finish, and he told them how to stay close to Him. I’m sure that none of the saints knew just what they would be going through. But when we are close to Him, He really does sustain us – making the most difficult things possible. That is faith. I feel so blessed to have felt the strength of it through so many of the trials of my life.