THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 3
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July 1828, relating to the loss of 116 pages of manuscript translated from the first part of the Book of Mormon, which was called the ”;Book of Lehi.“; The Prophet had reluctantly allowed these pages to pass from his custody to that of Martin Harris, who had served for a brief period as scribe in the translation of the Book of Mormon. The revelation was given through the Urim and Thummim. HC 1: 21—23. See also Section 10.
1—4, The Lord’s course is one eternal round; 5—15, Joseph Smith must repent or lose the gift to translate; 16—20, The Book of Mormon comes forth to save the seed of Lehi.
1 THE works,
and the designs, and the purposes of God [ While this is a general statement it is also a specific reference to the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon cp v.16, 10:43; 11:9 as Joseph is declared to assist in bringing forth the work.] cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.
2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round. [ In other words God has a plan and sets forth thru design to implement that very plan - he does not have to keep changing his plan or his mind. What do we have to do in our lives to walk the same as God? We have to understand Gods plan for us, become one with him, and we will be walking at his side and he at ours. It means that all things, past, present, and future are continually before Him. As Neal A. Maxwell said, “What we mortals encounter as the unforeseen, God has already seen.” ( Ensign , Nov. 1987, 31). We cannot comprehend how this is done because all things in this mortal life have a beginning and an end. But we may rest assured that God knows and comprehends everything, and “it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men” (v. 3). This should give us absolute confidence in his promises to us. ]
3 Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, [ Can we however get frustrated as men in doing the work of God? If we do does that make us bad in any way. God's plan includes the agency of man, as a result we can get frustrated in fulfilling our duty as often the actions of others go in a different direction than Gods plan or even in Gods plan for them so oft time we can and do get frustrated. But should we? Or should we just do our best as leave the rest to God and not allow frustration to be a part of our feelings. ] but the work of men;
4 For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, [1)]yet if he boasts in his own strength, [ If he is not humble and does not recognize where his real strength comes from - God - then he will loose that strength. What do we know about Joseph Smiths statue and strength? He was very strong, made a living at it, solved his problems normally with his own strength - including playing. If he resorts to pride - that he has done it of himself he will loose the ability to continue to do that which he has previously done. How did Joseph Smith act with pride in the situtation of losing the transcript? See answers 2 & 3 later in this verse - 1) he set aside the counsels of God 2) he followed his carnal desires and own will How do we act with pride in our lives? What is the warning here for us? ] and [2)] sets at naught the counsels of God, [ In reference to Jospeh smith asking specifically could he let Martin Harris take the 116 pages of th eBook Of Lehi to which he was instructed not to do. ] and [3)] follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, It is not only fitting that God is not going to give his power to those who are not willing to do his will, and to do his will we have to be submissive to listen to what he wants us to do. he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.
5 Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, [ Specifically the Golden plates delivered to Joseph Smith by Moroni. ] but how strict were your commandments; [ And what were those commandments exactly? JS-H 1:42: "Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them" ] and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them. [ How can we put this scripture in a more personal tone in our lives? You have been entrusted with my most sacred blessings - eternal marriage and family, and how strict were my commandments unto you; and remember the very special promises were made to you, if you did not transgress them. ]
6 And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men. [ Note that Joseph Smith is still young at this time so Joseph probably just believed the word of his friends and that was good enough. I don't think he had any idea of the measure that Satan would go too, to destroy the work. Joseph is still learning these things here. Why would Joseph put these contrary words about him here if he were not a prophet and recording everything that God told him- why not leave some words that wer not kind to him right out? ]
7 For, behold, you should not have feared man [ Allowed yourself to be pressured by them in an attempt to gain approval of the world. ] more than God. Although [ Grant all this; be it so; allow all; suppose that; admit all that; as, That is, grant, admit or suppose what follows - It is a transitive verb, and admits after it the definitive that... A suggestion then that this is the way that men do and will act. ] men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his [ God's ] words—
8 Yet you should have been faithful; [ You should have done as I told you to do and not let Martin Harris take the 116 pages of manuscript. ] and he [God] would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble. [ Have you ever wondered if or what things might have been different for Jospeh if he would not have loaned the manuscript to Martin Harris? Did Jospeh bring challenges into his life that he might not have otherwise had? Certainly the reprimand from the Lord, the ability to translate for a period, the depression and feelings of letting the Lord down... What about us in our lives? Notice how this is not the end of the world for God. He repremands Joseph, he takes away priviledges in order to teach Joseph. He works with him to teach him a little here and a little there. After all he is building a prophet from a boy. ]
9 Behold, thou art Joseph, [ Stop and think for a moment. What if God talked to you and said "Thou art Greg" what significance do those words have? where has he used like words to help his children understand their role in his work? Moses 1: 6 "Moses, I have a work for thee"; 25"Blessed art thou Moses" ] and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware [ Watchful; vigilant; guarded; but more strictly in modern usage, apprised; expecting an event from information, or probability; How does this counsel apply to us? ] thou wilt fall.
10 But remember, God is merciful; [ A statement of the characteristics of God. ] therefore, [ As a result - you should... ] repent [ Change your ways and ask for forgiveness. While this was specifically given to Joseph Smith I think it is good council for all of us. ] of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, [ So if we will constantly repent we can stay on the covenant path, making one mistake does not doom us, but that is not what the adversary will tell you! ] and art again called to the work;
11 Except thou do this, [ The Prophet took this counsel to heart. He said to the Saints later in Kirtland, “I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded me to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to Him I am accountable for every word I say" (Letter to N.E. Seaton, Esq., Kirtland, January 4th, 1833, in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , 6 vols. [ Salt Lake City : Bookcraft, 1965–75], 1:312-316 ”. And he counseled the Saints at Nauvoo that "Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire" ( Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith , sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [ Salt Lake City : Deseret Book Co., 1976], 256). ] thou shalt be delivered up [ Joseph is taught a powerful principle here that is later reinforced in D&C 10:5. The principle is that There are three great intelligent powers in the universe: God, man, and Satan. There is no question about which of those powers is the greatest. God has all power and therefore no one has greater power than He. But of these, who has greater power; man or Satan? Before answering, we should consider the truths taught in the following scriptures, thinking in terms of power. Man’s Power. Read D&C 10:5; Ephesians 6:10–13; Romans 8:35–39. Satan’s Power. Read Moses 4:4; 2 Nephi 2:29; 28:22–23; Alma 34:35. So what is the answer? It depends on the agency of man. Whether man’s power is greater than Satan’s depends on man’s willingness to bind himself to God and draw on His power. If he does not, then he comes increasingly under Satan’s power and dominion. Man’s choice could be diagramed in this way. Either man binds himself to God and draws on His power. Or he comes under the power of Satan. Joseph Smith stated this truth in these words: “The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.” (Teachings, p. 181.) What is the means of binding oneself to God? Read D&C 130:20–21; 82:4–10; 54:3–6.] and become as other men, and have no more gift. [ So Joseph is instructed that he must repent, and if he will not repent he will loose the power to translate and do the rest of the work that God has for him. Or in other words Joseph is free to choose which power he decided to bind himself too; God or Satan. I find it interesting that Joseph did not have to include this. He could have I suppose as most men would have - kept this conversation between him and God. However we have a man who is learning, who is humble and is transparent in his dealings with God. To me that adds a sense that he is genuine and real. He recognizes that he makes mistakes and does not try to hide them, he shares them and learns from them. ]
12 And when thou deliveredst up that which God had given thee [ When you exercised your agency and gave the copy of the sacred records to Martin Harris, you took that which I entrusted to you to someone whom is not trusted to do the will of God. What principle is God trying to teach Joseph Smith here? The story of Saul (1 Samuel 15:22) when Samuel came to him and explained - "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice," In otherwords some laws are more important than others! this is the entire crux of the matter. Do we do want we are commanded, or do we exchange the rules for ourselves? this simple quote which equates rebellion with idolatry. Sacrifice to who or what at this point? The Lord had already given a command to utterly destroy, the sacrifice then would have been to whom - certainly not the Lord. Broken down "To obey": to follow the Lord - "Better than Sacrifice": to worship idols... ] sight [ The spiritual ability to see what is written in the symbols, revelation through vision in a way, he saw the concepts in the symbols. ] and power to translate, thou deliveredst up that which was sacred into the hands of a wicked man, [ Referring to Martin Harris Why was Martin labeled a wicked man? See D&C 10:1,7 D&C 10:7 - Because Martin sought to take away the things wherewith Joseph was entrusted. Because the Lord knew his intent from the beginning - he was not just going to show the records to his wife - but had the whole thing planned out - and even if he was doing it with good intent it was against the will of God. ]
13 Who has set at naught the counsels of God, [ This counsel goes to both Joseph Smith as well as Martin Harris, as well as us. In fire there are 3 elements: Oxygen, fuel, heat. In fraud there are three elements: Opportunity, Pressure or motive, Rationalization. In sin there are three elements. Opportunity, temptation, rationalization. Remove one or more of these elements and you won't sin. ] and has broken the most sacred promises which were made before God, and has depended upon his own judgment and boasted in his own wisdom. [ What was the reasoning that Martin used to show the plates to Professor Anton? To prove their authenticity, get more to believe - don't have to take the word of a poor unlearned farm boy - but can trust in the credentials of a professor. Is that not a good reason? What does this teach us about being strict in keep every word that God has given us? ]
14 And this is the reason that thou hast lost thy privileges for a season—
[ Almost all of the Book of Mormon as we now have it was translated between 7 April and 30 June 1829. Before that, from 12 April to 14 June 1828, Joseph had translated the 116 pages that Martin Harris lost when he borrowed them to show to members of his family. Moroni kept the plates while Joseph acted on the revelation's command to repent.Then in September 1828, one year after he first received them, Joseph received the plates again. ]
15 For thou hast suffered the counsel of thy director [ Interesting choice of words; at this time Joseph would have been familiar with the Liahona (or spiritual compass) that Lehi had, how it worked and when it did not. Lehi surely would have described the Liahona to some degree, and Joseph has now lost that record by failing to heed the principals of the director. Assuming the book of Lehi was reasonably similar in content to the account that we currently have from Nephi; there would have been writings about the various rebellions against the Liahona and their subsequent failures to make progress in their journey, etc. Only after they repented did the Liahona work again. Thus, the Lord is drawing a correlation between two instances of rebellion and indicating to Joseph that if he repents, and does better, his ultimate goal will be reached. ] to be trampled upon from the beginning. [ I suppose that this means since the beginning of the idea of Martin to show the plates to his wife - not since the beginning or he most likely would have never gotten the plates in the first place. Joseph recorded in JS History "What should I do? I have sinned -- it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord." ]
16 Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, [ Summary of concepts found in 1 Ne. 13; 2 Ne. 29 ] for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, [ Using the Isaiahnic concept of Jews, meaning Israel in general and not exclusively the literal descendants of the tribe of Judah, cp. 2. Ne. 29:5, 2 Ne. 30:4. ] even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people— [ What additional knowledge do we learn about the Savior from the Book of Mormon? "my people" i.e. Israel in general (cf. 3 Ne. 16:8-15) and the descendants of Lehi in specific. ]
17 And to the Nephites, [ Even though the Nephites were culturally annihilated, the lineage of Nephi was not annihilated because some few defected to the Lamanites, cf. Mormon 6:15. ] and the Jacobites, and the Josephites, and the Zoramites, through the testimony of their fathers—
18 And this testimony shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations.
19 And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records—that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, [ What are the specific promises that the Lord has made? See comments on D&C 2:2 ] which he made to his people;
20 And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.