Doctrine and Covenants 41
Historical Context
Even before Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, the Spirit of God was at work among the new converts in the area. Elizabeth Ann Whitney later wrote about a spiritual experience she and her husband, Newel, had that prepared them for the arrival of the gospel and the Prophet to her community. She later recorded, “It was midnight—as my husband and I, in our house at Kirtland, were praying to the Father to be shown the way, the Spirit rested upon us and a cloud overshadowed the house. . . . The house passed away from our vision. We were not conscious of anything but the presence of the Spirit and the cloud that was over us. . . . A solemn awe pervaded us. We saw the cloud and felt the Spirit of the Lord. Then we heard a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming.’ At this we marveled greatly, but from that moment we knew that the word of the Lord was coming to Kirtland.”
In early February 1831, a sleigh carrying four people traveled through the streets of Kirtland and stopped in front of the Gilbert and Whitney Store. One of the men in the sleigh, “a young and stalwart personage,” jumped out and walked into the store and toward the proprietor, extended his hand “cordially, as if to an old and familiar acquaintance” and proclaimed, “Newel K. Whitney, thou art the man!” Whitney responded, “You have the advantage of me,” and as he mechanically shook the man’s hand added, “I could not call you by name as you have me.” The stranger replied with a smile, “I am Joseph the Prophet.” He continued, “You have prayed me here, now what do you want of me?” Joseph explained that he had seen the Whitneys in vision before he came to Kirtland. Newel soon introduced Joseph to his wife, Elizabeth, who later recalled, “I remarked to my husband that this was the fulfillment of the vision we had seen of a cloud, as of glory, resting upon our house.”
Joseph dictated the revelation in section 41 the same day that he arrived in Kirtland. The Whitneys warmly welcomed Joseph and Emma into their home. Joseph later noted, “I and my wife lived in the family of Brother Whitney several weeks, and received every kindness and attention, which could be expected, and especially from Sister Whitney” Describing conditions among the Saints in Kirtland, Joseph added,
The branch of the church in this part of the Lord’s vineyard, which had increased to nearly one hundred members, were striving to do the will of God, so far as they knew it; though some strange notions and false spirits had crept in among them. With a little caution, and some wisdom, I soon assisted the brethren and sisters to overcome them. The plan of “common stock,” which had existed in what was called “the family,” whose members generally had embraced the everlasting gospel, was readily abandoned for the more perfect law of the Lord: and the false spirits were easily discerned and rejected by the light of revelation.”
The law Joseph refers to is Doctrine and Covenants 42, which was received in two parts, the first portion being received just a few days later on February 9 (D&C 42:1-73) and the second part a few weeks later on February 23 (D&C 42:74-93).
Church Historian John Whitmer added a notation to the first part of this revelation when he copied it down a few months later. He explained that the revelation came about because Leman Copley, a new convert from the area, asked Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to live with him and promised to provide them with housing and provisions. This offer prompted Joseph to ask the Lord about the best course of action. In response, the Lord directed the Saints to build a home for Joseph and his family, which would keep him in the midst of the new converts in Kirtland who needed his guidance and direction. This revelation is also significant because it calls, from among the new converts, the first bishop to serve in this dispensation, Edward Partridge.
“Historical Introduction,” Revelation, 4 February 1831 [D&C 41]
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
D&C 41:1–6
1 Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings, ye that hear me; and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my name, with the heaviest of all cursings.
2 Hearken, O ye elders of my church whom I have called, behold I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word;
3 And by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law, that ye may know how to govern my church and have all things right before me.
4 And I will be your ruler when I come; and behold, I come quickly, and ye shall see that my law is kept.
5 He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you;
6 For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine.
In the October 1899 General Conference, Joseph F. Smith, then a member of the First Presidency, explained that he wanted to share “a few words in relation to the duty which devolves upon the men who have been speaking during this conference.” He then read the first four verses of Doctrine and Covenants 41. Commenting on these verses, President Smith stated, “The Lord here especially demands of the men who stand at the head of this Church and who are responsible for the guidance and direction of the people of God, that they shall see to it that the law of God is kept. It is our duty to do this. . . . The Lord requires of us that we shall see that his law is kept among the people. This is one of the principle reasons why we are talking to you as we are.”
The men and women chosen to act as the Lord’s representatives to the Church and to the world often come into prominence reluctantly. They are ordinary people with sins, faults, and challenges. Chosen as instruments to speak on behalf of God, they do possess one common attribute—a desire to bless the sons and daughters of God. Keeping the commandments bring blessings, and the burden of stewardship falls upon the shoulders of the men and women chosen to lead.
Speaking of his experience with other Church leaders, Elder David A. Bednar commented, “I have come to know their greatest desire is to discern and do the will of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. As we counsel together, inspiration has been received and decisions have been made that reflect a degree of light and truth far beyond human intelligence, reasoning, and experience. . . . Some people find the human shortcomings of the Brethren troubling and faith diminishing. For me those imperfections are encouraging and faith promoting.”
In these verses the Lord provides a simple but profound definition of disciple as one “that receiveth my law and doeth it” (D&C 41:5). Those who have covenanted to follow Jesus Christ are obligated to hear His words through imperfect people and then commit to live these commandments as best we can, accepting the Savior’s grace as sufficient for our deficiencies.
D&C 41:7–12
7 And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.
8 And again, it is meet that my servant Sidney Rigdon should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments.
9 And again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge; and I give a commandment, that he should be appointed by the voice of the church, and ordained a bishop unto the church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all his time in the labors of the church;
10 To see to all things as it shall be appointed unto him in my laws in the day that I shall give them.
11 And this because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile.
12 These words are given unto you, and they are pure before me; wherefore, beware how you hold them, for they are to be answered upon your souls in the day of judgment. Even so. Amen.
These verses mark the call of the first bishop to serve in this dispensation, Edward Partridge. At the time, the familiar ward and stake structure of the Church was yet to be revealed, and Partridge’s position was more closely aligned with the present-day role of the Presiding Bishop than with the current responsibilities of the bishops who oversee Latter-day Saint congregations. The bishop’s duties would be outlined in Doctrine and Covenants 46:27, 29; 58:17; 68:14, 19; 72; and 84:112. The duties of the Presiding Bishop would be outlined further in Doctrine and Covenants 107:13–17; 68–70; 87–88. Revealing the bishop’s duties line upon line, the Lord starts with the most important requirement for service as a bishop, or in any role in His kingdom: a heart that is pure (D&C 41:11).
Speaking directly to those who hold the office of bishop, President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
We expect you to stand as the presiding high priest of the ward, a counselor to the people, a defender and helper of those in trouble, a comfort to those in sorrow, a supplier to those in need. We expect you to stand as a guardian and protector of the doctrine that is taught in your ward, of the quality of the teaching, of the filling of the many offices which are necessary.
Your personal behavior must be impeccable. You must be a man of integrity, above reproach of any kind. Your example will set the tone for the direction your people follow. You must be fearless in denouncing evil, willing to take a stand for the right, uncompromising in your defense of truth. While all of this requires firmness, it must be done with kindness and love.
You are the father of the ward and the guardian of your people. You must reach out to them in their times of sorrow and sickness and distress. You stand as president of the Aaronic Priesthood, and with your counselors must give leadership to the deacons, and the teachers, and the priests, to see that they grow in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
Footnotes
