Many of the revelations contained in the Doctrine & Covenants contained commandments or doctrine that was obviously against the wisdom of the time, but have proven correct with time. However, I had never seen the radical nature of the revelation concerning the use of the earth contained in D&C 59. It seems obvious given our present knowledge, but at the time of Joseph Smith, the revelation as truly revolutionary. It went against the wisdom and knowledge of the time, but has been proven correct with time, just like all the other revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
D&C 59 was given in 1831, when manifest destiny was running through the country, and settlers continually moved west. The common idea at the time was that the earth had inexhaustible resources. Settlers burned down forests to make room for farms, and never considered it necessary to replant them. Settlers considered it a right to take land it convert it to their own purposes, regardless of the long-term effects. These actions were supported by the U.S. government, and it was not until many years later that the land and resources started to be depleted. Many of the local and national elections centered on helping settlers acquire land and on forcing the Native Americans west. The land was there to be taken and used by the American settlers.
Verses 16-19 seem to support this idea. The fulness of the earth is given to the Saints. With it, they should build homes and barns, raise crops and animals, grow orchards, and multiply and replenish the earth. Verse 18 states that the resources of the earth are "both to please the eye and to gladden the heart." The Lord later says that the earth is "to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." This makes it sound like the Saints could do whatever they want with the land if it strengthened their bodies or helped them spiritually, or even if it just pleases the eye. The land could be used for aesthetic purposes, and to make the lives of the people better and more fulfilling. The revelation was also utilitarian. The earth was to be used, not just to exist. The purpose of its creation is to bring us fulfillment and allow us to support our families and bring up children in the Gospel.
However, the Lord explains the limits to this promise in verses 20-21. The Lord is not pleased by extortion or excess. The earth is to be used with judgment and self-control. While the earth may appear limitless, the Saints were to control their consumption of it. This probably appeared ridiculous at the time, given that the huge majority of the land had not been used, but today we can see the wisdom of this commandment. Today, most of the land available is being used, and many parts of the earth have already been depleted. This revelation has new relevance for us today, and it falls to us to apply it and act prudently with the earth and its resources. We should use the land to bring up our families and make our lives better, but we also should not use the land beyond limits, what could be considered excess.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
BYU MOA
This week, I visited the "Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity" exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art, and it was a treat. Rita Wright showed us the paintings, but before entering the exhibit, we talked a little bit about what to expect. Many things in the world suggest a type of Christ, or hint at aspects of His Gospel and the Plan of Salvation.
The first piece that struck me at the exhibit was one depicting Christ, the veil, and another person. Christ was behind the veil reaching out, and his arm was partially covered by the veil but the tip of his hand reached out from behind it. It seemed like a line (or rod) shot forth from his hand across the piece. The other person was either falling or grabbing hold of the rod. In my opinion, he was grabbing on, though just barely. His other hand covered his heart, as if he were in pain. The most symbolic part of the painting I did not notice, but our guide pointed it out to me. While Christ's right arm reached through the veil, his other arm was also raised to the left, holding his body in the shape of the cross, extending in both directions forever.
I also loved "Exchange No. 8," by Ron Richmond. The textures are absolutely beautiful, though the symbolism of the painting was not clear to me at first. At the center of the painting stands a chair covered by a white cloth. Another chair has been knocked down directly in front of it, and was covered by a red cloth. There are many ways to interpret the symbolism in the painting, but I feel that the standing chair covered in white represents Christ. I am the fallen chair covered by the red cloth. The white symbolizes the purity and innocence of Jesus, and the chair stands as his throne or symbol of power. Since I am imperfect and guilty in many ways, I am in a fallen state, but the blood of Christ can cover my imperfections, and help me become as he is. I also loved that all around the edge of the painting, a faintly drawn circle can be seen, drawing attention to the center, which is Christ.
My favorite piece in the exhibit was at the very end, titled "Jesus and Mary: The Moment After," by Trevor Southey. The backdrop is a stunning dark mural made up of several different colors, and the painting is divided into three sections. The first shows a pile of sheets rolled around some sort of object, probably a person. I suppose this alludes to a body before resurrection, and is still under the bondage of death. The central panel shows Christ, covered in surreal colors running like veins over his skin. Mary was in the third panel, ghostly pale, and staring anxiously at Christ. My favorite part are two flowers that the artist placed between Jesus and Mary, symbolizing each of them. Mary is symbolized by the red rose, flowering slowly and gracefully, while Jesus is symbolized by the almond blossom, bursting forth suddenly in its beauty. I found the colors to be beautiful and the symbolism powerful, and I enjoyed the exhibit as a whole.
The first piece that struck me at the exhibit was one depicting Christ, the veil, and another person. Christ was behind the veil reaching out, and his arm was partially covered by the veil but the tip of his hand reached out from behind it. It seemed like a line (or rod) shot forth from his hand across the piece. The other person was either falling or grabbing hold of the rod. In my opinion, he was grabbing on, though just barely. His other hand covered his heart, as if he were in pain. The most symbolic part of the painting I did not notice, but our guide pointed it out to me. While Christ's right arm reached through the veil, his other arm was also raised to the left, holding his body in the shape of the cross, extending in both directions forever.
I also loved "Exchange No. 8," by Ron Richmond. The textures are absolutely beautiful, though the symbolism of the painting was not clear to me at first. At the center of the painting stands a chair covered by a white cloth. Another chair has been knocked down directly in front of it, and was covered by a red cloth. There are many ways to interpret the symbolism in the painting, but I feel that the standing chair covered in white represents Christ. I am the fallen chair covered by the red cloth. The white symbolizes the purity and innocence of Jesus, and the chair stands as his throne or symbol of power. Since I am imperfect and guilty in many ways, I am in a fallen state, but the blood of Christ can cover my imperfections, and help me become as he is. I also loved that all around the edge of the painting, a faintly drawn circle can be seen, drawing attention to the center, which is Christ.
My favorite piece in the exhibit was at the very end, titled "Jesus and Mary: The Moment After," by Trevor Southey. The backdrop is a stunning dark mural made up of several different colors, and the painting is divided into three sections. The first shows a pile of sheets rolled around some sort of object, probably a person. I suppose this alludes to a body before resurrection, and is still under the bondage of death. The central panel shows Christ, covered in surreal colors running like veins over his skin. Mary was in the third panel, ghostly pale, and staring anxiously at Christ. My favorite part are two flowers that the artist placed between Jesus and Mary, symbolizing each of them. Mary is symbolized by the red rose, flowering slowly and gracefully, while Jesus is symbolized by the almond blossom, bursting forth suddenly in its beauty. I found the colors to be beautiful and the symbolism powerful, and I enjoyed the exhibit as a whole.
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Modern Exodus
Nephi, a prophet who wrote in the Book of Mormon, was commanded to build a ship that could carry him and his family from Bountiful, on the Arabian Peninsula, to the New World. Nephi's response was instant and willing, and he began to build the ship, but his brothers expressed doubt about his ability to build it. To motivate his brothers to help him, he recounted the story of the exodus of Israel from Egypt. "I, Nephi, spake unto them saying, Do you believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses to lead them out of bondage?" Nephi later wrote, "And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes."
The exodus of Israel from Egypt has provided inspiration and a foundation of faith to Israel throughout all of its history. Several miracles allowed Israel to escape from Egypt with many of their possessions, and i was a spiritual salvation as well as a physical one. They received the law of the Lord from Mount Sinai, and this law formed the basis of their worship and survival for the following centuries. Several decades of wandering brought them to the promised land, and the Lord helped them take the land from its former inhabitants and become established there.
This same situation has occurred in modern times as well. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized, and almost immediately encountered opposition and persecution. Joseph Smith was the modern Moses, and after leaving New York, the Church established itself in Kirtland, Ohio, where it received "The Law of the Lord," a modern equivalent to the law given on Mount Sinai. Huge spiritual blessings were received in Kirtland, but the Church was driven out, first from Ohio, and then from many of the other cities that they built. Finally, they traveled across the wilderness under the leadership of Brigham Young and established themselves in the Rocky Mountains, a promised land free of persecution, but desolate and barren in physical respects.
To apply Nephi's words to this modern exodus: Do you believe that our fathers, the first converts to the Church, would have been led away out of the hands of tyranny of the mobs and enemies to the Church, if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to lead them out of bondage? I say no. Surely, the Lord has raised up a righteous people among the Rocky Mountains, and is destroying the wicked and the oppression that they bring. As Nephi wrote, "And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes."
The exodus of Israel from Egypt has provided inspiration and a foundation of faith to Israel throughout all of its history. Several miracles allowed Israel to escape from Egypt with many of their possessions, and i was a spiritual salvation as well as a physical one. They received the law of the Lord from Mount Sinai, and this law formed the basis of their worship and survival for the following centuries. Several decades of wandering brought them to the promised land, and the Lord helped them take the land from its former inhabitants and become established there.
This same situation has occurred in modern times as well. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized, and almost immediately encountered opposition and persecution. Joseph Smith was the modern Moses, and after leaving New York, the Church established itself in Kirtland, Ohio, where it received "The Law of the Lord," a modern equivalent to the law given on Mount Sinai. Huge spiritual blessings were received in Kirtland, but the Church was driven out, first from Ohio, and then from many of the other cities that they built. Finally, they traveled across the wilderness under the leadership of Brigham Young and established themselves in the Rocky Mountains, a promised land free of persecution, but desolate and barren in physical respects.
To apply Nephi's words to this modern exodus: Do you believe that our fathers, the first converts to the Church, would have been led away out of the hands of tyranny of the mobs and enemies to the Church, if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to lead them out of bondage? I say no. Surely, the Lord has raised up a righteous people among the Rocky Mountains, and is destroying the wicked and the oppression that they bring. As Nephi wrote, "And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Law of the Lord
The Lord said, "Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high." Surely, many blessings awaited the Saints in Ohio, and they were given to them over several months in different forms. One of these blessings the Lord called, "The Law of the Lord," which we know as the 42nd section in the Doctrine & Covenants, a book of modern revelations given through Joseph Smith.
Section 42 addresses a myriad of topics, from Church administration, the Ten Commandments, the Priesthood, the New Jerusalem, and the Law of Consecration. Like all of Joseph Smith's revelations, they did not come as Joseph sat around, doing nothing. He was immersed in study and meditation, and had several questions that he asked the Lord. In the same way, we can receive revelation through the process of asking questions and seeking the answer from the Lord. Joseph's questions included, "Shall the Church come together into one place or continue in separate establishments?" "How are the Elders to dispose of their families while they are proclaiming repentance or are otherwise engaged in the service of the Church?" and "How far it is the will of the Lord that we should have dealings with the world and how we should conduct our dealings with them?"
The Law of the Lord formed a foundation for the Saints in many respects. It reiterated the Ten Commandments, but also explained more about Church organization and the Priesthood. The Elders are to preach, baptize converts, and build up the Church wherever they go. Also, for somebody to be an Elder, they must be called of God and receive the Priesthood by the laying on of hands.
This revelation also formed the basis for many of the early (and present-day) Church's disciplinary practices, explaining the punishments for each transgression, and how the councils ought to function. This revelation provided a framework upon which the leaders could build, in much the same way as Section 20. Joseph realized that the Church was expanding, and so more revelation was needed to guide the ever-growing Church.
The revelation was also part of developing the Law of Consecration, which the Church practiced in its infancy. Although the law failed due to the selfishness and dishonesty of some of the members, it provided a brief glimpse into the societies that existed in Enoch's city, and also among the Nephites after Jesus Christ's visit to the New World. Section 42 gave valuable insights and commandments to the Saints on how to keep the Law of Consecration, and its principles remain true today, even though the Saints were not (and still are not) capable of keeping them.
The last twenty verses of the section were added at a later time and have more to do with Church laws concerning discipline and Church membership. They complete what is a significant stone in the foundation of revelations that the early Church relied on.
Section 42 addresses a myriad of topics, from Church administration, the Ten Commandments, the Priesthood, the New Jerusalem, and the Law of Consecration. Like all of Joseph Smith's revelations, they did not come as Joseph sat around, doing nothing. He was immersed in study and meditation, and had several questions that he asked the Lord. In the same way, we can receive revelation through the process of asking questions and seeking the answer from the Lord. Joseph's questions included, "Shall the Church come together into one place or continue in separate establishments?" "How are the Elders to dispose of their families while they are proclaiming repentance or are otherwise engaged in the service of the Church?" and "How far it is the will of the Lord that we should have dealings with the world and how we should conduct our dealings with them?"
The Law of the Lord formed a foundation for the Saints in many respects. It reiterated the Ten Commandments, but also explained more about Church organization and the Priesthood. The Elders are to preach, baptize converts, and build up the Church wherever they go. Also, for somebody to be an Elder, they must be called of God and receive the Priesthood by the laying on of hands.
This revelation also formed the basis for many of the early (and present-day) Church's disciplinary practices, explaining the punishments for each transgression, and how the councils ought to function. This revelation provided a framework upon which the leaders could build, in much the same way as Section 20. Joseph realized that the Church was expanding, and so more revelation was needed to guide the ever-growing Church.
The revelation was also part of developing the Law of Consecration, which the Church practiced in its infancy. Although the law failed due to the selfishness and dishonesty of some of the members, it provided a brief glimpse into the societies that existed in Enoch's city, and also among the Nephites after Jesus Christ's visit to the New World. Section 42 gave valuable insights and commandments to the Saints on how to keep the Law of Consecration, and its principles remain true today, even though the Saints were not (and still are not) capable of keeping them.
The last twenty verses of the section were added at a later time and have more to do with Church laws concerning discipline and Church membership. They complete what is a significant stone in the foundation of revelations that the early Church relied on.
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