LDS Doctrine and Covenants Critique
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The Doctrine and Covenants
SECTION 99
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to
John Murdock, August 29, 1832, at Hiram, Ohio. For over a year, John
Murdock had been preaching the gospel while his children—motherless
after the death of his wife, Julia Clapp, in April 1831—resided with
other families in Ohio.
1–8, John Murdock is called to proclaim the gospel, and those who receive him receive the Lord and will obtain mercy.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my servant John Murdock—thou art
called to go into the eastern countries from house to house, from
village to village, and from city to city, to proclaim mine everlasting
gospel unto the inhabitants thereof, in the midst of persecution and
wickedness.
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
2 And who receiveth you receiveth me; and you shall have power to declare my word in the demonstration of my Holy Spirit.
Note: The Holy Spirit will declare Jesus Christ.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
3 And who receiveth you as a little child, receiveth my kingdom; and blessed are they, for they shall obtain mercy.
Note: The kingdom of God concerns Jesus Christ.
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the
things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one
forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31
4 And whoso rejecteth you shall be rejected of my Father and his house;
and you shall cleanse your feet in the secret places by the way for a
testimony against them. 5 And behold, and lo, I come quickly to
judgment, to convince all of their ungodly deeds which they have
committed against me, as it is written of me in the volume of the book.
Note: Believers will not attack back.
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is
good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are
blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a
defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame
you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be
ashamed. 1 Peter 3:13-16
6 And now, verily I say unto you, that it is not expedient that you
should go until your children are provided for, and sent up kindly unto
the bishop of Zion. 7 And after a few years, if thou desirest of me,
thou mayest go up also unto the goodly land, to possess thine
inheritance;
Note: John Murdock was neglected as a child and did the same to his children.
On April 30, 1831, Julia Clapp died giving birth to twins. Nine days
later, Joseph Smith and his wife Emma took the infants, Joseph and
Julia, to raise as their own. While Murdock could have left his
infants in the care of his in-laws, he chose not to due to their recent
estrangement over differing religious beliefs. He did not immediately
remarry, fearing his second wife would become like his own stepmother,
who tyrannized him as a child. After the death of his wife, John
Murdock sold his property to become a full-time missionary. Murdock
depended on the charity of hosts and people he visited to survive,
leaving his children with neighbors and family members whom he paid in
exchange for their care.
8 Otherwise thou shalt continue proclaiming my gospel until thou be taken. Amen.
Note: John Murdock was a confused religious fanatic, so Joseph Smith sent him away.
Prior to joining the Church of Christ, Murdock had belonged to many
churches. First, he affiliated with the Dutch Lutheran Church. He next
became a Methodist. He was also briefly part of a Baptist congregation,
which he left because he did not agree with their support of Calvinist
doctrines. In 1827, Murdock joined the Campbellites. His falling out
with the Campbellites was largely due to Alexander Campbell rejecting
the "gift and power of the Holy Ghost." Murdock was baptized a member
of the Latter Day Saint Church of Christ by Parley P. Pratt on November
5, 1830, in Geauga County, Ohio. Murdock was one of the first converts
to the church and one of the first full-time missionaries.