After returning from Missouri in August 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation about the logistics of relocating church members to Missouri. In this revelation, the Lord places the migration in a doctrinal context, with particular reference to a number of passages from the New Testament. Here is a list of those passages and how the revelation helps us understand them better:
| Doctrine and Covenants 63 | New Testament | Expanded insights |
|---|---|---|
| “He that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation. … Faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.” (v. 7-12) | “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matthew 16:4; see also Mark 8:12, Luke 11:29). | If you seek signs as a substitute for believe, they may come, but not to your benefit. (See Jacob 7:13-15, Alma 30:43-52.) |
| “He that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear.” (v. 16) | “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28, 3 Nephi 12:28). | Lust drives away the Spirit and destroys faith. (See also Alma 39:9.) |
| “When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received.” (v. 21) | Story of Peter, James, and John seeing Jesus glorified on a high mountain, together with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-10; see also 3 Nephi 28:13-15.) | While on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John learned about the future transfiguration of the world. |
| “Unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” (v. 23) | “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). | The “living water” is identified as “the mysteries of [God’s] kingdom,” which He gives to those who keep His commandments. |
| “Behold, the land of Zion—I, the Lord, hold it in mine own hands; nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s.” (v. 25-26) | “Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21, Luke 20:25). | Follow civil law as you do God’s work. |
| “I … will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.” (v. 34, see also 54) | “He will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12, Luke 3:17). | The calamities preceding the Savior’s Second Coming will be devastating to those who are not close to Him. (See also 1 Nephi 22:17, 2 Nephi 30:10.) |
| “Until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked.” (v. 54) | The parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) | Like the wheat and tares, it may not be clear who is prepared to meet the Savior until He comes. |
| “These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (v. 66) | “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). | Same message as the New Testament passage: be patient in affliction, because it is qualifying you for glory. |
Collectively, these New Testament references send an important message to Joseph Smith’s contemporaries and to us. Sincere discipleship prepares us to be with Jesus Christ. Don’t seek signs as a replacement for faith. Don’t succumb to lust. Don’t break the law. Just as the Savior was transfigured on the mountain, He will transfigure the world. Those who remain close to Him may not be entirely spared the turmoil of the transformation, but they will emerge victorious and glorified because of Him.
Today, I will strive for authentic discipleship. I will live according to the teachings of Jesus and be patient in affliction, trusting that He is transforming the world and those who follow Him.
Leave a Reply