9/27/2018 - Section 113:1-10

September 27, 2018

Section 113:1-10

Holy Ghost and me, Joseph Smith’s role, Joseph Smith and Kirtland,

I did not know that when Joseph Smith left Kirtland in January of 1838, it was because there were people against the church there who were seeking his life. It was not a previously planned trip; he was fleeing to protect his life. And yet when he arrives in Far West, after their “long and tedious trip” he writes of the joy and love he felt as he was reunited with the saints of Missouri. There had been extremely hard times in both places, and they focused on rejoicing at being with each other again.

And section 113 are some of the things they talked about. The history of the church does not know who asked the first questions about Isaiah—it may be that Joseph asked them on his own behalf. But we know that Elias Higbee asked the final questions. This tells me that in the midst of their hardships, they did not neglect their scripture studies. It’s difficult for me to include my scripture study in each day. The phone often rings first thing in the mornings, or there are sudden changes in what needs to be done. But one thing I have learned is that if I don’t do my scripture reading first thing, it usually doesn’t happen.

V 7 & 8 are so sweet to me: “…Put on thy strength, O Zion…He had reference to those whom God should call I the last days, who should hold the power of  priesthood…to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood…”   For me: this is stirs me to take full advantage of the blessing I was given after my baptism: ‘receive the Holy Ghost’. I should seek and ask and welcome the Holy Ghost with the preparations similar to those with which I welcome the guests and friends. For those friends I always plan and prepare: I gather foodstuffs, I clean my house, I cook, we all converse and share.  I can better prepare for the Holy Ghost’s visits: clear my mind of clutter, be stronger in my time with the scriptures –for the pre-existence and our after earth life experience are things the Holy Ghost understands much more than I can here on earth, and I should seek his help and advice, for that is his calling: helping and advising and prompting me. What a magnificent gift!!!! I need to take fuller advantage of that gift!

10/7/2021 – D&C 113

By July 1837 it seemed that the dissent among Church members in Kirtland Ohio had diminished. Joseph and several others went to Missouri. They didn’t return to Kirtland until December. The Joseph Smith papers describe the situation in Kirtland: “divisions in Kirtland became more pronounced…as dissidents, excommunicated church members, and others made threats against the lives of [Joseph Smith] and other church leaders.”  Again, from the Joseph Smith Papers we find that “On January 12, 1838, the Prophet received a revelation that directed the members of the First Presidency and all their “faithful friends” to leave Kirtland and go to Missouri as soon as possible. The Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtland that night. Their family joined them in Norton, Ohio, later, and by January 16 they had left for Missouri.”

They arrived in Far West, Missouri, on Mary 14, 1838. Joseph began keeping a record book that included questions about passages in Isaiah, and the Lord’s answer to those questions. These questions, and their answers, make up D&C 113.  I see this as a great example to us all. Joseph had seen and spoken with Heavenly Father and Christ. He had been tutored by angels. And yet he yearned to understand more of the truths of the Bible. But also, during Moroni’s visit to Joseph on September 21, 1823, Moroni quoted from Isaiah 11.

V’s 1-2 of this section clearly state that “the Stem of Jesse” is Jesus Christ. [The word ‘stem’ in v 1 is translated from a Hebrew word that refers to the trunk of stump of a tree—either a tree that has been cut down or a tree that has been planted.]

V’s 3-6 tells us that “the rod spoken of is a servant in the hands of Christ,” and “the root of Jesse is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom.” That refers to Joseph Smith. And then the Lord tells us about the meaning of the root of Jesse. 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie shared one interpretation of “the rod” and “the root of Jesse” referred to in Isaiah 11:10 and in Doctrine and Covenants 113:3–6: “Are we amiss in saying that the prophet here mentioned is Joseph Smith, to whom the priesthood came, who received the keys of the kingdom, and who raised the ensign for the gathering of the Lord’s people in our dispensation? And is he not also the ‘servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power’?

V’s 7-8 explains the phrase “Put on thy strength, O Zion” which has “reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of the priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood….” To me, this is a strong reminder to take full advantage of the blessing I was given after my baptism: to receive the Holy Ghost. And I should receive the Holy Ghost with the same preparation and welcome in which I work to give to guests I invite into my home. I give my full attention to them.

And v 10 gives us the last question, which asks about the meaning of “Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck”; and also gives us the answer: it is a plea for “the scattered remnants of the house of Israel to return to the Lord” and receive the fulness of the gospel. The phrase “the bands of her neck” refers to “the curses of God her [Zion] or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles.”

Emily Belle Freeman wrote about this section: “In it we learn that those whom God calls in the last days, those who hold His power to gather and to redeem, those who put upon His strength are acting in the authority of the priesthood. Called. To gather. To put upon His strength. It is my favorite definition of the authority of the priesthood.”

I’m not as knowledgeable in the scriptures as Emily Belle Freeman. But I do love this section merely because it shows me that the Lord delights in answering our questions. We can ask Him any questions and He will answer them according to our need to know, and probably, according to our attention to Him.