As leaders and members of the newly restored church of Jesus Christ began to follow the guidance given in the Articles and Covenants of the Church (Doctrine and Covenants 20), they needed some corrective feedback along the way.
In August 1830, an angel explained to Joseph Smith that wine was not essential for the ordinance of the sacrament. The important thing is that we “partake with an eye single to [the Savior’s] glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:2).
The following month, the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery an important lesson: As the second elder of the Church, it was not his purview to command the first elder. He could absolutely receive revelation and give advice. But, the Lord explained, “Thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:6).
We all need course corrections as we walk the path of discipleship. Of course we don’t do everything perfectly yet. But as we accept and act upon His revelations, we draw closer to Him and prepare to receive His promised blessing, “that where I am ye shall be also” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:18).
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these revelations:
Outline
- Wine is not required for the sacrament (27:1-4)
- The sacrament connects us with ancient prophets with whom God made covenants (27:8-14)
- Put on the whole armor of God (27:15-18)
- God appointed Joseph Smith to receive revelation on behalf of the church (28:1-7)
- Oliver Cowdery is called on a mission to the Lamanites (v. 8-10)
- Oliver is instructed to explain to Hiram Page that he has been deceived: The “revelations” he thought he received are not from God (v. 11-16)
Key Themes
- God helps us unite truth from multiple sources.
- The promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continue to bless us today.
Book of Mormon Connections
- King Benjamin taught his people that their generosity must not exceed their capacity to give. “All things must be done in order,” he said (Mosiah 4:27). The Lord gave the same counsel to Oliver Cowdery as he taught him to support Joseph Smith as the “head of the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:4-6, 13).
Applications
- Don’t allow lower-priority activities to distract you from the things that matter most.
- Extend invitations with optimism, emphasizing the joy others will feel as they follow the teachings of the Savior.
- Put on the armor of righteousness: Improve your spiritual preparedness, so that you are ready to meet the challenges of the future.
Recommended Posts
Blog Post: March 25-30
The Shield of Faith
Like a shield deflecting fiery darts, faith protects and empowers us to press forward. Elder Boyd K. Packer and Sister Joy D. Jones have emphasized building faith at home. Parents can help children prepare spiritually, so they face life’s challenges with confidence, armed with their own handcrafted shields of faith.
My Runway
Like a pilot using their assigned runway, we each receive revelation from God within our appointed responsibilities. The Lord taught Oliver Cowdery this principle and instructed him to respect the “runway” of Joseph Smith. We can likewise receive revelation while respecting the revelation received by others within their assigned responsibilities.
“I Will Drink of the Fruit of the Vine with You”
At the Last Supper, Jesus promised to partake of the sacrament again with His disciples. A revelation to Joseph Smith expanded on this future event, naming twelve ancient prophets who will join Him. All of God’s children, past, present, and future, need Christ’s grace. The sacrament symbolizes His universal Atonement.
Keys
Keys open doors. In two revelations received in 1830, the Lord described to Joseph Smith various keys he has given to people. Reflecting on those keys can increase our appreciation for the opportunities He has made available to us.
Girt with Truth
Telling the truth isn’t always easy, but it beats the alternative. Paul taught that honesty is like a belt which holds our spiritual armor in place. God is perfectly truthful, and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were distinguished by their honesty. Choose to be honest with yourself and others. Gird yourself with truth.
Between Him and Thee Alone
Some conversations are better kept private. Scripture teaches that correction should often be done “between him and thee alone,” increasing the chance it will be received with an open heart. Alma’s loving counsel to Corianton was both direct and inspiring. Even difficult messages can be framed in optimistic and respectful ways.
The Prophet Joseph always deferred to the Lord’s counsel—he never wavered from his tutoring from as far back as the First Vision and pondering James 1:5. The Lord’s counsel was kind and fatherly with regard to Oliver Cowdery. We too can get caught up in the sometimes over-exuberance to do more in our calling, and it’s important to ensure that we counsel in our leadership circle so that 1) everyone is aware, and 2) the President is queued in, i.e., Elders Quorum, Relief Society, Primary, et al. presidency. The Lord wants us to excel, and to do so in an orderly manner.
RhsinAZ
Well said. Thanks for sharing your perspectives on this principle.