12/22/2017 - Section 72:1-6

December 22, 2017

D&C 72:1-6

Journal, Draw Near Unto Me   How To, Missionary in Hostile Discussions, Atonement, Relationship With The Lord, Progress, Growth,

Before I start on section 72, I’d thought I’d record some thoughts I had while pondering during the sacrament meeting last Sunday: I want to begin to pray to see my own short comings, and do this so that I can work to become better bit by bit. This isn’t to remind me how far I still have to go. It’s to help me actually look forward to getting better in the areas that are most important for me to work on. Not only would this effort help me to access the power of the atonement more often (for I think I try to do too much on my own without asking Heavenly Father for help), but it would make the atonement so much more than something I work to access only in times of trouble, or distress. It would make it much more a part of my daily life—as it should be! I also want to pray more to be especially aware of those things that are important for me to know, or to notice more quickly, that would allow me to be of help to others on an every day basis.

I find it extremely interesting, as I begin to read Section 72, that the church members of Joseph Smith’s time felt the same type of promptings that I have just described above: they had come to Joseph “to learn their duty and to be fully edified”—I’m sure wanting to do the very things the Lord would have them do. These men had been given callings (Edward Partridge as bishop, others had been called to be elders, Sidney Rigdon had specifically been called to a ministry to teach and to expose the untruths being publicized by their enemies. I smiled as I read a paragraph in the student manual on this section (p 152) that the scriptures teach us to “…firmly… commit ourself to the gospel, seek the power of the Atonement to overcome our sins, and take responsibility for our stewardship….”

In v 1, the first thing they are told to do is to “Harken [hear and do!] and listen to the voice of the Lord”. That is exactly what I am trying to do. The Lord is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. In their seeking, they were using Joseph as their mediator with the Lord. And Joseph was working to educate them—at this time, by example-- that they could go to the Lord themselves. It may take us a time to learn how to truly communicate with Heavenly Father and how to feel just how He communicates with us. But he stands ready—not so much to give it to us with a breezy, quick request—but to teach us that when we pray deeply, sharing our thoughts, and joys, and concerns, and deepest worries AND our hopes and desires and plans AND our requests for good things that will help both us and others—He will gently answer and guide us to an understanding –not just of our worries and questions, but of how we should communicate with Him and how we can learn to recognize how He communicates with us. To me that is simply establishing a desired relationship and working each day to help it deepen and grow.

In v 4 & 6 the Lord teaches: “And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity….For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.” The Lord gives as we are able to receive—then gives even more abundantly.

Oh my: this is where I got mixed up: my eyes when back up the page to Section 71 for this last bit of study….But it still brought good lessons to me. This section [here I am back in section 71!!]  goes on to give specific instructions to missionaries who are seeking to teach the gospel when there are hostile influences around them, ending with: “…there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper (check out D&C 19:29-31);  And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.” (v 9 &10 of section 71)

And then the Lord closes with v 11[of section 71]: “Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen”  He has ended with His simple reminder that will most assuredly keep us living within His light.

6/29/2021 – D&C 72

This revelation is actually “a compilation of two revelations received on the same day. Verses 1-8 make known the calling of Newel K. Whitney as a bishop…verses 9-26 were received giving additional information as to a bishop’s duties.”

Newel was called to be the second bishop in the Church. Edward Partridge, the first bishop called, was at this point living in, and handling, the affairs of the Church in Missouri. There was now a need for a Bishop in Ohio. When Newel received this calling from the Prophet Joseph, his response was “I cannot see a Bishop in myself, but if you say it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll try.” 

The Lord spoke directly to Newel in this revelation: “And verily [truly] in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity. For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father.” (v’s 3-4). As I read this, I feel that I need to be giving an accounting of myself to the Lord. If I could end each day truly accounting for the activities and thoughts and efforts of my day, I believe it would help me better myself. I also think it might help me receive even more help from the Holy Ghost as I go about ‘my business’. 

Newel later said to his wife, Ann, that this “would require a vast amount of patience, of perseverance and of wisdom to magnify his calling.” He recognized the work that was ahead of him. After his personal prayer, he heard this message from the Lord: “Thy strength is in me.”

President M. Russel Ballard said the following in a General Conference: “The Lord doesn’t generally come to us—he waits for us to come to him and ask. Then he gives us the answer. How many times have you said, “I have not received direction lately” or “I feel a void in my life.” Do we inquire of the Lord? Do we ask, see, and know as the Savior directed? As you have problems and question in your lives, do you follow this principle? I testify to you that as your minds are opened and as you truly inquire of the Lord, he will answer you. As we humble ourselves, he will lead us by the hand and give us answers to our prayers.”

He did have a what was most likely a very daunting task. But he also had a very sweet and amazing promise from the Lord. Plus the second revelation of that day (v’s 9-26) was full of additional, and wonderful, instruction from the Lord.

I love this information that I found in the student study manual. This is Part 2: “When Newel was called in December 1831 to serve as bishop in Ohio, he expressed feelings of inadequacy to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Bishop Whitney’s grandson, Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recounted how his grandfather felt when called as bishop and the assurances he received:

“The thought of assuming this important responsibility (the office of bishop) was almost more than he could bear. Though in natural gifts few men were better qualified for such a position, he nevertheless distrusted his ability, and deemed himself incapable of discharging the high and holy trust. In his perplexity he appealed to the Prophet:

“‘I cannot see a bishop in myself, Brother Joseph; but if you say it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll try.’

“‘You need not take my word alone;’ answered the Prophet, kindly, ‘Go and ask Father for yourself.’

“Newel … determined to do as [the Prophet] advised. His humble, heartfelt prayer was answered. In the silence of night and the solitude of his chamber, he heard a voice from heaven: ‘Thy strength is in me.’ The words were few and simple, but they had a world of meaning. His doubts were dispelled like dew before the dawn. He straightway sought the Prophet, told him he was satisfied, and was willing to accept the office to which he had been called” (in B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:271).

Newel K. Whitney served as bishop until his death in 1850.”

And this is what came BEFORE Part 2…this is Part 1: “Newell K. Whitney was a businessman who owned a store in Kirtland, Ohio, with his business partner, A. Sidney Gilbert. Before learning about the restored gospel, Newell and his wife, Ann, had been part of Sidney Rigdon’s congregation of Reformed Baptists, and they “desired the things of the Spirit. One night in 1829, as they were praying to be guided, they received a powerful spiritual manifestation. Ann explained:

“‘The Spirit rested upon us and a cloud overshadowed the house. … A solemn awe pervaded us. We saw the cloud and felt the Spirit of the Lord. Then we heard a voice out of the cloud saying, “Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming.” At this we marveled greatly, but from that moment we knew that the word of the Lord was coming to Kirtland’ [Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4 vols. (1901–36), 1:223]” (“Newel K. Whitney: A Man of Faith and Service,” Museum Treasures, history.lds.org).

Not long after that experience, the Whitneys heard the word of the Lord when Sidney Rigdon invited missionaries to preach to his congregations. The Whitneys became members of the Church in November 1830. A few months later Joseph and Emma Smith arrived in Kirtland. The Prophet wrote: “I and my wife lived [with] the family of Brother Whitney several weeks, and received every kindness and attention, which could be expected, and especially from Sister Whitney” (in Manuscript History of the Church, vol. A-1, page 93, josephsmithpapers.org). Later, in September 1832, the Whitney’s invited Joseph and Emma Smith to live in the dwelling part of their store, which became the headquarters of the Church for a time.”