LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 17
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York,
June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained
the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had
learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three
special witnesses would be designated (see Ether 5:2–4; 2 Nephi 11:3;
27:12). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved
upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The
Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer
through the Urim and Thummim.
1–4, By faith the Three Witnesses will see the plates and other sacred
items; 5–9, Christ bears testimony of the divinity of the Book of
Mormon.
1 Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you
do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and
also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim,
which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked
with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were
given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.
Note: Joseph Smith mimicked Israel in the wilderness.
Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. Leviticus 8:8
And the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the
Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put
their complaints away from Me, lest they die.” Numbers 17:10
So, the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11
“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red
Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.
Deuteronomy 2:1
2 And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.
Note: By faith Abraham trusted God rather a con man.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was
said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was
able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received
him in a figurative sense. Hebrews 11:17-19
3 And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God;
Note: Believers will testify of Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and
throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they
should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For
these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand,
witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those
which the prophets and Moses said would come— that the Christ would
suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would
proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:19-23
4 And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be
destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the
children of men in this work.
Note: Joseph Smith was destroyed 15 years later.
Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the Latter Day Saint movement,
and his brother, Hyrum Smith, were killed by a mob in Carthage,
Illinois, United States, on June 27, 1844, while awaiting trial in the
town jail on charges of treason.
5 And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant
Joseph Smith, Jun., has seen them; for it is by my power that he has
seen them, and it is because he had faith.
Note: Moses trusted God rather a con man.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he
looked to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26
6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded
him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true. 7 Wherefore, you
have received the same power, and the same faith, and the same gift
like unto him;
Note: Believers trusted God rather a con man.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon
and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the
prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence
of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Hebrews 11:32-35
8 And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given
you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is
sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.
Note: The three witnesses for the Book of Mormon were excommunicated.
The Three Witnesses were Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David
Whitmer, whose joint testimony, in conjunction with a separate
statement by Eight Witnesses, has been printed with every edition of
the Book of Mormon since its first publication in 1830. All three
witnesses eventually broke with Smith and were excommunicated from the
church.
9 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you,
that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of
men. Amen.
Note: The righteousness of God is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there
is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously
committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that
He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26