Tag: Doctrine and Covenants

What is the gift of Aaron that Oliver Cowdery was told he had? My first guess would be the gift of being able to speak and be understood as Aaron was a mouthpiece for Moses. I can’t be sure as no details are given.

The key to both the desire of John the beloved (and the three Nephites) and the desire of Peter (and the nine Nephite disciples) is that despite the differences in what they desired they would each find joy in their desire. The Lord delights to give us what will bring us joy even if we…

The Lord can build a strong witness by adding from one to the next. He spoke peace to the mind of Oliver Cowdery. He then used that as evidence in providing another witness of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. This is similar to the pattern of witnesses where Joseph was a witness who was…

The Lord instructed Oliver Cowdery not to make his spiritual gifts known except to those who already have a testimony of the restoration (“those who are of the faith”). I assume that is a pearls before swine situation where he is not to disclose the gift to those who wouldn’t value it.

The Lord is so explicit with Martin Harris. He must humble himself but if he does humble himself he will see what he desires and he will be shown by God and not by Joseph Smith. That basically promises him a place among the three witnesses if he will humble himself. On the other hand…

I get the impression here that with all that Joseph was learning and doubt, he and/or others around him might have suggested that he baptize people but the Lord tells him he will have to wait for that.

Martin Harris was asking Joseph to show him the plates. Joseph was instructed to tell Martin that he was under covenant not to and that he had no power to do anything with the plates unless the Lord commanded it. Joseph was meant to be the first some witness of the plates to the world.…

The phrase “if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work” clearly indicates that there is no shortage of labor. That fact can make it all the more falling when I have desires to serve and yet in the last 9 years I have had a calling for less than 4…

Joseph gave in to the pressure from Martin Harris – his friend – instead of trusting the Lord to ensure that everything would work out. It is too easy for men to follow their own judgement when things get hard rather than trusting in the Lord when He is not operating in a way they…

This is the message to Joseph after his first significant mistake in his mission – hedging Martin Harris and giving the manuscript pages which were subsequently lost. The Lord wanted Joseph to understand that no matter what Joseph had experienced before he was no different than any other man who could fall away and sin…