Doctrine and Covenants 36

Doctrine and Covenants 36

Historical Introduction

Edward Partridge was working as a successful hatter in Painesville, Ohio, when he received word that a group of missionaries claiming to carry a new book of scripture had arrived in the area. Two years earlier, he and his wife, Lydia, had been members of Sidney Rigdon’s movement. According to Lydia, when the four missionaries arrived at their home, Edward told them that they were imposters, but “Oliver Cowdery replied that he was thankful there was a God in Heaven who knew the hearts of all men.” Oliver’s statement implied that he believed Edward was an honest man who would eventually accept the gospel. Edward, intrigued by the missionaries’ message despite his comments to the men, soon sent one of his employees to obtain a copy of the new book they carried with them.1

Lydia was baptized a short time later, though Edward remained unsure about whether he should join the new religion. Edward had been touched by the missionaries’ message but decided he would not be baptized until he could speak with Joseph Smith face to face. He decided to travel with Sidney Rigdon to New York to meet the Prophet in person. According to Philo Dibble, another new convert from the area, Edward went not only for himself but on behalf of others in Painesville who were interested in the new church. This group of seekers even helped pay part of Edward’s expenses for the trip and chose him to be the messenger because “he is a man who would not lie [to save] his right arm.”2

After a long journey, Sidney and Edward arrived at the home of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith in early December 1830. Lucy later recalled that

Joseph came with his wife again to Waterloo and appointed a meeting at our house. While he was preaching Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge came in. After the sermon a request was made that any who felt to speak should make such remarks as occurred to their minds. Mr. Partridge arose and stated that he had been to Manchester in search of us to ascertain the truth of what we preached that he had visit[ed] some of our neighbors in that place and enquired the character of the family some they said that the Smith family were very respectable people and no one could say ought against them until Joseph deceived them about the plates He had also walked over our farm and seen the neatness, order and industry exhibited in everything around he had seen what we had sacrificed for the truth’s sake and yet our enemies did not dispute our veracity upon any point but that of religion.”

[Edward then said,] “I am ready to be baptized, [if] Brother Joseph will you baptize me.” Joseph replied, “You have traveled a long way this morning, and you are much fatigued, and I think you had better rest and take some refreshment and tomorrow morning be baptized. “Just as you think,” Edward replied, “I am ready.”3

Shortly after this conversation, Joseph dictated the revelation in section 36 on behalf of Edward. Despite the cold weather, Joseph Smith baptized Edward in the Seneca River on December 11. Three days following the baptism, as mentioned in the revelation, Sidney Rigdon ordained him an elder.

Historical Introduction, Revelation, 9 December 1830 [D&C 36]

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

D&C 35:1–8

1 Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel: Behold, I say unto you, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump;

2 And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;

3 And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.

4 And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all men—

5 That as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel among the nations—

6 Crying repentance, saying: Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh.

7 And this commandment shall be given unto the elders of my church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have spoken.

8 I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen.

Edward Partridge is called, along with the other new converts named in these revelations, to preach the gospel. In calling Edward to the ministry, the Lord paraphrases an expression found in the Epistle of Jude that instructs disciples to “of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22–23). Speaking of this passage, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith explained,

This is symbolic language yet is plain to understand. This is an untoward generation, walking in spiritual darkness and the punishment for sin is spoke of as punishment in fire. Garments spotted with flesh are garments defiled by the practices of carnal desires and disobedience to the commandments of the Lord. We are commanded to keep our garments unspotted from all sin, from every practice that defiles. We are therefore commanded to come out of the world of wickedness and forsake the things of this world. Every man who will embrace the truth and receive it in humility of heart was entitled to be ordained and set forth, to teach the truth.”4

Footnotes

• 1. Scott H. Partridge, “Edward Partridge in Painesville, Ohio,” BYU Studies, 42, no. 1 [2003], 56.
• 2. Partridge, 56.
• 3. Lucy Mack Smith History, 1844–1845, book 10, 11, JSP.
• 4. Church History and Modern Revelation, 1947, 1:150.