2/13/2018 - Section 85:1-12

February 13, 2018

Section 85:1-12

Follow the Prophet, Obedience, Beware of rebellion jealousy pride unbelief hardness of heart, Draw Near Unto Me,

WW Phelps, living in Missouri, had inquired of Joseph about his concerns: all the Saints who had moved to Missouri were not following the full commandments of the Lord. Some who had settled there, purchased their own land and worked their own land, instead of consecrating their land and receiving their portion from the bishop. The Law of Consecration was new and so very different from the ways of the world. It would take great faith to live that law…especially when there were many who were weak who did not live the law as the Lord had given it. Unless it was carried out with full purpose of heart by all, there would be hurt feelings and accusations—all of which would be destructive. In 1905 an official statement was issued by Joseph F Smith, speaking about the time and situation of Section 85. Within that statement Joseph F Smith wrote: “ It was while these conditions of rebellion, jealousy, pride, unbelief, and hardness of heart prevailed among the brethren in Zion—Jackson County, Missouri…” Evidently the bishop at that time, Edward Partridge, “who—though a most worthy man, one whom the Lord loved, and whom the Prophet described as ‘a pattern of piety’, and ‘one of the Lord’s great men’—at times arrayed himself in opposition to the prophet in those early days, and sought to correct him in his administrations of the affairs of the Church…” The Lord had extended an entirely new system of living. Many of the saints had difficulties following it as the Lord had described it—and finally the Lord gave a simpler law….a law of tithing.

Perhaps there will come a time when the Lord gives us yet another opportunity to live a higher law. But at this time, my quest is to try my best to keep the commandments of the Lord – the commandments that direct my actions and the commandments that direct my thoughts—for that is how I have always come closer to the Lord, and experienced that sacred peace that He extends to us as we work to draw near unto Him.

8/2/2021 – D&C 85

It is now December 1832. There are still two gathering places of the saints: Kirtland and Missouri. At this point, there were more than 800 saints who were settled in Missouri. Some of these saints had not consecrated their properties as the Lord had commanded. Because of this they had not received an inheritance of land according to the laws of the Church, and they were upset about this situation. Joseph also sends this revelation to William Phelps as William had sent a letter to the Prophet asking what he should do about the Saints who were not participating in the system of consecration that they had previously stated they would adhere to.

In verse 1 the Lord reinforces the importance of keeping “a history, and a general church record of all things…and of all those who consecrate properties and receive inheritances legally from the bishop.”

In v 2 the Lord tells us that if a member does not enter into the law of consecration, then he should pay a tithe that will go into a fund that will be ready to be used in hard days to come. 

V8 speaks of a “man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God…” This refers to 1 Samuel 4-6 in the Old Testament when they were moving the ark of God, and Uzzah (who was traveling with those who had been commanded to move the ark) reached out to steady the ark when he was not one who had been given the calling of taking care of the ark). “The ark was the symbol of God’s presence, His glory and majesty. When first given to Israel, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and not even the priest was permitted to approach it. Only the high priest, a type of Christ, could approach it, and then only after going through an elaborate ritual of personal cleansing, which represented the cleansing of his sins.”  And now, in the days of the restoration, in Missouri, there were several men who feared that in their time also, that “the ark” was in danger of falling if and when they mistakenly presumed to steady it. Feeling that some of the things that had been given by revelation should be done in very different ways, and reaching out to change the ways the Lord had told them to follow actually took them further from the Lord. In The Joseph Smith Papers, Joseph clarified that the warning in this revelation did not apply to any specific person, “but it was given for a caution to those in high standing to beware, lest they should fall by the shaft of death as the Lord had said” In this section the Lord was teaching the saints of our day that tampering with the Lord’s specific commandments will only bring greater problems. 

In v 6 the Lord reminds us to be attuned to the “still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things….” Our being prepared to hear that still small voice requires our longing to hear it, and then courage to follow where that voice leads us. The bonus for us is that every time we are successful in our efforts, our ability to hear it becomes stronger.

In the beginning verses of this section, the Lord tells us to “Keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion…”  I have already been so thankful for my own efforts to write down the important moments (and yes, often the not-so-important moments) of my life. When I go back and read those special memories, I am filled once again with deep gratitude for those times the Lord has truly reached out to lovingly touch my life.