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We review some of the conversions and spiritual outpourings that occurred in Kirtland in November 1830, then discuss the revelations given to Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge.
D&C 84:64-72
Mormon 9:24
Mark 14:16-18
Revelation 18
D&C 3:9
D&C 43:3
D&C 38:9,15
D&C 61:37
D&C 62:9
D&C 78:18
D&C 82:24
D&C 4:3
I like the way you related D&C 35:20-21 to us and our day. I think there is also another meaning to that passage as it relates to the 3rd watch and the return of the servants.
20 And a commandment I give unto thee—that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect;
21 For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.
One of the usages of sleeping or to be asleep is to be dead. I think the elect are Joseph, Sydney, and many of the laborers. They will hear God’s voice and no longer be asleep – rise up from the dead to see him. I think there’s a future fulfillment of the commandment for Sydney to write for Joseph and for scriptures to be given. We know there are more records to come forth and these purified, raised from the dead, servants will bring them forth.
Maybe I’m seeing too much in it — or once you know the narrative you see these sorts of references weaved throughout the given revelations.
Thanks for the history you share each week. It does a lot to make the history live through real, 3-dimensional people.
The part of the podcast that really grabbed my attention was. “I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit.” (35:13) I couldn’t help but think of the term “deplorables” and whether the way it was thrust into common political vernacular might be a key to understanding the time in which we live and how it matches up with this prophecy. Verse 14 tells us that “their arm shall be my arm”. How many verses throughout Isaiah refer to the arm of the Lord? “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations” (Isa. 52:10) “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isa. 53:1) are just a couple. Some people believe the “arm” is code for a specific servant, but this verse might be saying the work is done by the “weak things of the world…by the power of my Spirit”.
The definitions of “weak” in Webster’s 1828 include things like “not politically powerful”, and “not compact, easily broken”. These seem to apply to the the general populations of the world who are great in number but apparently unrepresented politically when their cries and protests are ignored by their leaders (whether the cause is taxation, worldwide lock downs, being labeled “unessential”, or simply people asking for assurance that their elections were held according to the law and properly counted). Is it by the power of God’s Spirit that these groups are continuing their cry for justice in the face of censorship and cancel culture? Because as they continue to fight against the established powers, the powerful are starting to tremble and fall.
This leads me back to section 35 verse 7, which says “there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.” Great is not just a superlative, it also relates to “large in bulk or measure” or “being of extended length or breadth”. Folly is also a fun one to look up. “Weakness of intellect; imbecility of mind; want of understanding”. The definitions then continue from those that are non-criminal in nature to “An absurd act which is highly sinful; any conduct contrary to the laws of God or man; sin; scandalous crimes; that which violates moral precepts and dishonors the offender” followed by “Criminal weakness; depravity of mind”. Just look at the “woke” battles being fought right now, including the right to chemically alter the natural biology of children so they can choose their gender. We also have a FBI that can find a white supremacist/domestic terrorist behind every tree, but sees no problem with anarchists burning down cities in the name of peaceful protesting.
I could continue with what I see in these verses, but one last point I see is that unless a person has faith, they will not see what is happening right before their eyes; they will only see desolation upon Babylon (v.11) as its folly is revealed. There are tremendous numbers of people praying for the salvation of all nations, looking forth for the time of deliverance. They see the times in which we are living as clearly as the parable of the fig tree.
One final, last point. Going back to verse 14, it says, “and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them.” I don’t think we have begun to see this fire yet. The theme of the righteous being saved, even if by fire is throughout the scriptures. I just wonder if you have any thoughts on whether this is a literal fire, like the destruction of Sodom, or is it more along the lines of what Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith: “For behold, the day cometh that shall burn like an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them.” (JS-H v.37)