The sections listed above concern the actual organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and by the mouth of the Lord: "The only true and living church."
I think it is amazing that it was 10 years from the time that Joseph Smith went to inquire about which church was the right church to join, in 1820 to the formal organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph and his family, friends and supporters had been through an incredible amount of instruction, inspiration, revelation and joy, as well and persecution, barriers and hard experience. All of which were necessary in proving Joseph and all associated with him, by receiving the doctrines through revelation and experience in order to have the correct and true foundation to build a church. Section 20 is a different sort of section than many of the others because it is more of a document and statement of what doctrines the church is built on and how it operates, though it was received by Joseph and Oliver Cowdery from Jesus Christ, as were other sections. In the early copy of the Doctrine and Covenants, what we know as section 20, was actually the second section. It was read often in church meetings as sort of a declaration of doctrines and beliefs to help educate the members of the congregation in doctrine and procedure.
Here are the things that stood out to me:
DC 20:1-4 Establishes that the church was lawfully organized and names Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as apostles and first and second Elders of the church, respectively. The use of the word "apostle" is significant since there have been no named apostles since the days of Peter, James and John, signifying that the so-called "new" church is "The same organization that existed in the primitive church." (A of F #6)
*******(Many asterisks because this one is a BIG DEAL) DC 20:5-6 - I find it extremely interesting that one of the very first things that is mentioned in this declaration of doctrine and organization is the fact that Joseph Smith sought forgiveness, received forgiveness from the Savior and then was given revelation on how to proceed with both his life and the progress of the gospel in this new dispensation of time. I have not been able to get this out of my mind. How significant, that within the first six verses of this declaration for the organization of the church, we are given an example of a personal relationship with the Savior. Joseph did not have to go to a priest or leader for forgiveness, but only to the Savior himself. He was forgiven and the received instruction - from the Savior himself! This really is an eye-opener for the world and indicative of what "the only true and living church" is: one that lives and breathes and progresses by having a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ.******
From this point on, section 20 lists the doctrines that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on:
v 7-16 The Book of Mormon and The Bible work together at a statement that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and as such, the people of the world will be judged by how they receive these two books.
v 17-18 The nature of God and man: God is in heaven, he is infinite and eternal, unchangeable, the creator of heaven and earth and all things in them, including male and female, who were created after the image of God.
v 19 - God gave people commandments to love and serve Him and only Him.
v 20-24 - Man (Adam) transgressed these laws and became fallen, which necessitated an atonement (crucifixion and resurrection) to help people overcome their fallen state and sit down with God again.
v 25-29, 31 People can begin to return to God by following certain steps in this life: baptism and endure in faith through Jesus Christ, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, repent, believe on the name of Jesus Christ, serve with your might, mind and strength.
v 30-33 Doing these these helps provide justification and sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior. So pray always so you don't fall into temptation not to follow these things!
v 35-36 End with a confirmation that the these words were received from the Lord and that they are just and true.
Also, an important part of worship in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the weekly partaking of the sacrament: the bread and wine (which was later changed by revelation to water). The extremely significant and symbolic prayer for the sacrament emblems are set forth in DC 20:77 and 79 for the bread and water, respectively, and includes these covenants:
- We should eat or drink in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ (respectively), covenant to take upon us the name of the Son (be His followers in belief and action), always remember Him, keep His commandments.
- We are then promised to have the Holy Spirit with us.
Section 21 was received on the actual day of the organization of the church. This section actually lists what Joseph was called and sustained by the first official members of the church: (v1) seer, translator, prophet and apostle of Jesus Christ, and an elder of the Church. And this is by the will of God the Father AND the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, being inspired by the Holy Ghost (three separate beings).
The next few verses are very important as it established who the people should follow (emphasis added):
4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
Essentially, the Lord is telling the people that he uses men (specifically Joseph Smith at this point) to get the work done on earth. (v 7-9) He is inspired, he is diligent, he is prayerful, he cared for the welfare of all, he has received a remission of his sins and manifestations of blessings. Oliver Cowdery is ordained also to be an apostle, the first preacher of this church before the world.
DC 27 defines what emblems to use for the sacrament:
2 For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.
3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;
4 Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
Following verses list all the prophets and well-known followers of Jesus Christ who also partook of the sacrament, emphasizing it's importance and the eternal nature of the atonement.
The priesthood was and is a very important part and foundation of the organization of the church, but I covered that in the last post, so I won't pontificate upon it in this post. But just to stress the point one more time: I do believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church. I admit that I have not studied in depth into other religions because I don't believe finding religious beliefs is a "compare and contrast" type of endeavor, choosing what I think is best. I think it is believing in one true God. If I believe in a God that in omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, then I will take what He gives at the time He wants to give. I believe that sections 20-22, set forth the doctrines He gives, at the time He wants to give and indicates that He will give more in the future. I hope I'm always ready to receive what He wants to give me.
No comments:
Post a Comment