Revelation vs. Discourse

This week in Doctrine and Covenants we studied several of the last sections. As previously mentioned, after Joseph left Liberty Jail the quantity of his teaching increased dramatically, and some of his sermons and epistles are now canonized. Why would we place these lessons on a level equal with direct revelation and legitimize them by adopting them as part of our standard doctrine? These teachings represent some of the most beautiful doctrinal messages of hope and comfort given to the Church in its infancy, and their messages also apply equally to us today. It's powerful to be able to read the words of the prophet himself so that he can speak to us from out of the dust nearly two centuries later.

Doctrine and Covenants 127 is one of my favorites. I think it teaches us more about Joseph's personality than other third-person accounts, and his frankness and courage are both endearing and inspiring. I love the Prophet's bold statement:

And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation... (D&C 127:2)

If someone undergoing tribulation like Joseph's can adopt this attitude, the rest of us can certainly learn to be more optimistic. Joseph demonstrates his perfect faith in God's ability to preserve him and improve him, a quality that we should definitely emulate. What a glorious message of hope!

Doctrine and Covenants Section 128 is an important example of necessary procedures being canonized. Without guidance like this to standardize Church practice, Church organization would not have unity throughout time and throughout the world. Joseph blends practical instruction regarding ordinance recording with essential eternal doctrine:

...the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time.(D&C 128:18)

These teachings aren't just important for the Church in Joseph's day. They establish the lasting significance of the ordinances we still perform. Plus, the entire end of this section is one of my favorite parts in all of scripture. It underscores our message that "men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).

Doctrine and Covenants Section 129 is an important precursor to higher temple endowment instruction.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 130 is basically awesome. It teaches numerous profound truths that we don't find in other Christian sources. The Savior is a man like us. The earth will be sanctified and become the Celestial kingdom. Our intelligence continues with us after this life, and our knowledge can give us an advantage. Blessings are contingent on obedience to law. The Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bone.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 131 is brief, but it contains some doctrines of paramount importance. Eternal marriage is necessary for exaltation in the highest degree of the Celestial kingdom. We can't be saved if we choose to be ignorant. All spirit is matter, and we will eventually be able to discern it with spiritual eyes.

It may seem strange to include these discourses and epistles in context of the rest of the Doctrine and Covenants, but when compared to other books of scripture it makes perfect sense. I think back to the numerous epistles of Paul in the New Testament or Alma's personal instructions to his sons in the Book of Mormon. It all goes back to a key point expressed in the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants.

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (D&C 1:38)