LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 80
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Stephen Burnett, at Hiram, Ohio, March 7, 1832.
1–5, Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith are called to preach in whatever place they choose.
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Stephen Burnett: Go
ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature that
cometh under the sound of your voice.
Note: Stephen Burnett realized that Joseph Smith was a fraud.
By the time Stephen returned to his parental home in Ohio, he had not
only had lost his missionary zeal but had become disaffected from the
Church. In 1837 he leagued himself with apostate Warren Parrish in
opposition against the Prophet Joseph Smith, claiming that Joseph had
departed from the true order of things by calling the church ‘The
Church of the Latter-day Saints.’” Stephen “rejected the Prophet and
denounced those who adhered to him as heretics.”
2 And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith.
Note: Eden Smith did not follow Brigham Young into polygamy.
Eden was disfellowshipped on July 2, 1833. He repented of his sins and
was rebaptized on August 27, 1834 in Eugene, Indiana by William E.
McLellin. Eden joined other Latter-day Saints in Missouri and later in
Nauvoo, Illinois. In April 1843 he was called to serve a mission with
Benjamin Leland to Erie County, Pennsylvania. When the Saints went
West, Eden returned to Indiana. He died on December 7, 1851 in
Vermillion County, Indiana at age of forty-five.
3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the
south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go
amiss.
Note: The Christian Gospel is Jesus Christ.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
4 Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true.
Note: Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith did not get any converts for Joseph Smith.
In March 1832 at Hiram, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a
revelation directing Eden to serve with Stephen Burnett “to preach my
gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the
west” (D&C 80:3). According to Eden’s journal, he and Stephen
Burnett served in eastern Ohio, holding many meetings. They were not
successful, however, in bringing converts to the Church.
5 Behold, this is the will of him who hath called you, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Note: The will of God is for everyone to sincerely believe in Jesus Christ.
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the
Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him
up at the last day.” John 6:40