12/21/1997 - Section 71:1-11

December 21, 2017

Section 71:1-11

Spiritual Priorities, Meet Adversity With Truth, Don’t Debate Just Explain, Commandment Following Brings Growth, Obedience Rewards Of,

Ezra Booth, a Methodist minister, witnessed a priesthood healing and ended up joining the Church. I’m not sure of the time line here, but he was upset by a multitude of things. He published nine, extremely critical letters in the Ohio Star. When Joseph Smith read these articles he wrote that they “by their coloring, falsity, and vain calculations to overthrow the work of the Lord, exposed [Booth’s] weakness, wickedness and folly and left him a monument of his own shame for the world to wonder at” (History of the Church,1:217). There were also other people who had left the Church in anger and they, too, had published their feelings in newspapers.

At this time Joseph was continuing on with the work he had been commanded to do. As soon as he finished making all the arrangements for the Book of Commandments to be published, he and Sidney Rigdon resumed their work in on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. I find it very interesting that just as the Book of Commandments was in the process of publication that agitation against the Mormons—fueled by these angry letters—created an increase of antagonism against the Church. It was on Dec 1, 1831 while Joseph and Sidney were working on the translation, that this revelation was received. I find it interesting that in our day, it is often at the time that a new temple is announced, that much erroneous and adverse publicity is poured out.

In the first two verses, the Lord says “…the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries (those things not understood) thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of the Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will. (v1) I so love the promise of  “Spirit and power” the Lord promises to give them “even as I will”. And He will give them to us as we are working to follow His commands and direction.

In verse 2 Joseph and Sidney are instructed to not just “proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, [but] in the church also, for the space of a season”. I find it very interesting that Ohio was a fertile field for missionary work. I also find it very interesting that Joseph and Sidney were told to also teach & instruct members of the church there. I have seen, many times, a certain spirit of distrust, anger, and rashness come upon a person who begins a study of anti-Mormon literature. And I have felt, also, so very many times, a spirit of peace, of learning, of instruction, of encouragement, of comfort, of exciting direction that has come upon me when I read the scriptures in an attitude of prayer and an expressed desire to learn, to understand, and to grow through following the Lord’s commandments. It’s in this section, in v 6 that the Lord says “For unto him that receiveth, it shall be given more abundantly, even power.” And I know from my personal experience that the Lord gives as I have been ready to receive…sometimes He gives small, important helps, and sometimes then He gives more than I had hoped for.

President Joseph Fielding Smith, in speaking about this time period in 1831, said: “Quite generally the Lord counsels his servants not to engage in debates and arguments, but to preach in power the fundamental principles of the Gospel. This was a condition that required some action of this kind, and the Spirit of the Lord directed these brethren to go forth and confound their enemies which they proceeded immediately to do, as their enemies were unable to substantiate their falsehoods and were surprised by this sudden challenge so boldly given. Much of the prejudice was allayed and some friends made through this action.: )Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:269)

I love the way this section ends: “And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be cofounded in mine own due time. Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful.” He gives short and simple direction. If we follow that direction, we are able to understand with a gradually increasing ability—and sometimes on rare occasions: in a flash of warmth and light.

6/28/2021 – D&C 71

It is Dec 1, 1831. Joseph is continuing in his work to translate the Bible, and he has Sidney Rigdon as his scribe. Then Joseph received this revelation telling him to put aside his translating work, so that he and Sidney can publicly preach the gospel there in Ohio. Ezra Booth, who has left the church, is publicly preaching falsehoods about the church, and is also writing a series of articles for the newspaper. His efforts have created “unfriendly feelings” in the area.

The Lord tells Joseph in v 1 “that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of the Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.” The Lord continues telling Joseph to “proclaim unto the world in regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season.... (v 2). In this way Joseph can counter the “unfriendly feelings” that Ezra Boothe is causing by his preaching falsehoods, and the Lord tells Joseph that this will “prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.” (v 4) The Lord builds the church bit by bit---which is also how we grow nearer to God.  In v 6 the Lord explains even more “For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly.” Thus the Lord gives as we prove ourselves ready and anxious to receive more truths…and he promises that he will give “abundantly”. 

Joseph and Sidney follow the Lord’s revelation and immediately change their focus. After a month of combating the falsehoods that Ezra was publishing, Joseph noted that responding by preaching the truths of the gospel by the power of the Spirit “did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters than being published…by Ezra Booth.”

The Lord’s final counsel in this section was for us to “keep my commandments: they are true and faithful.” (v 11) It is so much easier for Him to reach us when we are doing our best to follow Him, and trying each day to be just a little bit better.