LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 72
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Kirtland, Ohio, December 4, 1831. Several elders and members had
assembled to learn their duty and to be further edified in the
teachings of the Church. This section is a compilation of three
revelations received on the same day. Verses 1 through 8 make known the
calling of Newel K. Whitney as a bishop. He was then called and
ordained, after which verses 9 through 23 were received, giving
additional information as to a bishop’s duties. Thereafter, verses 24
through 26 were given, providing instructions concerning the gathering
to Zion.
1–8, Elders are to render an account of their stewardship unto the
bishop; 9–15, The bishop keeps the storehouse and cares for the poor
and needy; 16–26, Bishops are to certify the worthiness of elders.
1 Hearken, and listen to the voice of the Lord, O ye who have assembled
yourselves together, who are the high priests of my church, to whom the
kingdom and power have been given.
Note: The New Covenant eliminated the office of high priests.
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a
High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true
tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest
is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is
necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on
earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the
gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the
heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to
make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things
according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But now He has
obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of
a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Hebrews
8:1-6
2 For verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me for a bishop to
be appointed unto you, or of you, unto the church in this part of the
Lord’s vineyard. 3 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. 4 For he who
is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the
mansions prepared for him of my Father.
Note: A bishop is not to be a novice or new convert.
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop,
he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able
to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but
gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house
well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a
man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of
the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he
fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover, he must have a
good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach
and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
5 Verily I say unto you, the elders of the church in this part of my
vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop,
who shall be appointed of me in this part of my vineyard. 6 These
things shall be had on record, to be handed over unto the bishop in
Zion.
Note: Zion is Jerusalem not Independence Missouri.
Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the
tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, in Jerusalem, that
they might bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD up from the City
of David, which is Zion. 2 Chronicles 5:2
7 And the duty of the bishop shall be made known by the commandments
which have been given, and the voice of the conference. 8 And now,
verily I say unto you, my servant Newel K. Whitney is the man who shall
be appointed and ordained unto this power. This is the will of the Lord
your God, your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
Note: Newel Whitney was a new convert but successful businessman.
Newel and Ann Whitney joined the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)
in 1830 without having read The Book of Mormon. He owned a store and an
ashery in Kirtland, and acquired more property as his business grew.
9 The word of the Lord, in addition to the law which has been given,
making known the duty of the bishop who has been ordained unto the
church in this part of the vineyard, which is verily this—10 To keep
the Lord’s storehouse; to receive the funds of the church in this part
of the vineyard; 11 To take an account of the elders as before has been
commanded; and to administer to their wants, who shall pay for that
which they receive, inasmuch as they have wherewith to pay; 12 That
this also may be consecrated to the good of the church, to the poor and
needy.
Note: Joseph Smith used Newel Whitney to provide for members.
In 1831, Whitney was appointed as a bishop in the church. At the time,
Edward Partridge was the only other bishop who had been called. Whitney
made personal decisions about how a bishop should support his local
community. He continued to operate his store as normal and offered
limited support for the poor in an early bishop's storehouse.
13 And he who hath not wherewith to pay, an account shall be taken and
handed over to the bishop of Zion, who shall pay the debt out of that
which the Lord shall put into his hands. 14 And the labors of the
faithful who labor in spiritual things, in administering the gospel and
the things of the kingdom unto the church, and unto the world, shall
answer the debt unto the bishop in Zion; 15 Thus it cometh out of the
church, for according to the law every man that cometh up to Zion must
lay all things before the bishop in Zion. 16 And now, verily I say unto
you, that as every elder in this part of the vineyard must give an
account of his stewardship unto the bishop in this part of the
vineyard—17 A certificate from the judge or bishop in this part of the
vineyard, unto the bishop in Zion, rendereth every man acceptable, and
answereth all things, for an inheritance, and to be received as a wise
steward and as a faithful laborer; 18 Otherwise he shall not be
accepted of the bishop of Zion.
Note: Despite the efforts of Newel Whitney, the United Firm was a failure.
In 1833, the Overseers of the poor made a warning list of 22 unemployed
families that might be expelled from Kirtland for being too dependent
on their community. At the time, this was a fairly common practice,
although such a long list was unusual. Such a list shows the extent
that the church (and Whitney) must have been supporting its members,
many of whom were working to construct the temple. The United Firm was
dissolved in 1834, with Whitney paying the debts members owed to each
other. The United Firm then wrote off over $3,000 of debt, and members
decided to do business individually.
19 And now, verily I say unto you, let every elder who shall give an
account unto the bishop of the church in this part of the vineyard be
recommended by the church or churches, in which he labors, that he may
render himself and his accounts approved in all things. 20 And again,
let my servants who are appointed as stewards over the literary
concerns of my church have claim for assistance upon the bishop or
bishops in all things—
Note: Newel Whitney lost everything following Joseph Smith.
In 1835, Whitney and Hyrum Smith went to New York to borrow money and
buy goods. These goods helped supply new stores established by other
church members. Whitney helped Joseph Smith establish a store in
Kirtland, but it was disbanded a year later, probably because the town
was already well-supplied by Whitney's store. On October 31, 1835,
Whitney brought his parents to visit Kirtland, where they met Joseph
Smith and were subsequently baptized. By 1836, Whitney was giving
food to the poor and needy. The Whitneys moved to Missouri in 1838,
where Whitney was appointed as a bishop, but persecution drove them to
Illinois shortly after their move.
21 That the revelations may be published, and go forth unto the ends of
the earth; that they also may obtain funds which shall benefit the
church in all things; 22 That they also may render themselves approved
in all things, and be accounted as wise stewards. 23 And now, behold,
this shall be an ensample for all the extensive branches of my church,
in whatsoever land they shall be established. And now I make an end of
my sayings. Amen.
Note: Joseph Smith kept rewarding Newel Whitney with high church positions.
On May 4, 1842 when Whitney, along with a group of nine others, met in
the upper story of the Red Brick Store. Those who were there, including
Whitney, became part of Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed. Later,
Whitney's wife, Elizabeth Ann, was added to the quorum. The Whitneys
and the other members of the Quorum of the Anointed were "some of the
highest ranking and most trusted leaders of the LDS church."
24 A few words in addition to the laws of the kingdom, respecting the
members of the church—they that are appointed by the Holy Spirit to go
up unto Zion, and they who are privileged to go up unto Zion—25 Let
them carry up unto the bishop a certificate from three elders of the
church, or a certificate from the bishop; 26 Otherwise he who shall go
up unto the land of Zion shall not be accounted as a wise steward. This
is also an ensample. Amen.
Note: After losing everything in Zion (Missouri), Newel Whitney was rewarded with wives in Nauvoo, Illinois.
In 1842, after being taught the doctrine of polygamy, Whitney and
Elizabeth Ann agreed to let their daughter, Sarah Ann, become a plural
wife of Joseph Smith. Two years later, Whitney married Olive M. Bishop
as a plural wife. Also in 1844, Whitney became a member of the Council
of Fifty and became First Bishop when Edward Partridge died. Whitney's
"First Bishop" title was changed to "Presiding Bishop" in 1847. In 1845
he married Emmeline B. Woodward Harris, Almira Elizabeth Pond, Abigail
A. Pond, Elizabeth M. More, and Henrietta Keyes. He married Ann Houston
in 1846.