Lesson 3: Student Choice Assignment
Choice #4 (Doctrine and Covenants, section 19):
“This revelation came in response to Martin Harris’s inquiry to the Prophet regarding his standing before the Lord. Troubled in spirit by his transgression, concerned about his farm, which he had mortgaged to finance the printing of the Book of Mormon, and perhaps sobered by the responsibility attendant to the remarkable vision shown to him and the other special witnesses of the book of Mormon, Martin was desirous to receive both confirmation and direction from the Lord.” (Joseph F. McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, Deseret Book, 2000, pg. 143)
Joseph Knight, Sr., remembering the occasion, made the following remarks:
[Martin Harris] Came to us and after Compliments he says, “The Books will not sell for no Body wants them.” Joseph says, “I think they will sell well.” Says he, “I want a Commandment [revelation].” “Why,” says Joseph, “fulfill what you have got.” “But,” says he, “I must have a Commandment.”
Joseph put him off. But he insisted three or four times he must have a Commandment. [The following day] he got up and said he must have a Commandment to Joseph and went home. And along in the after part of the Day Joseph and Oliver Received a Commandment, which is in Book of Covenants [section 19]. (“Joseph Knight’s Recollection of Early Mormon History,” BYU Studies, Autumn 1976, p. 37)
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• How does the above account help and change your understanding of section 19 of the Doctrine and Covenants? What lessons did you learn that apply to your life right now?
Joseph Knight, Sr.’s memoirs of the manner in which section 19 was received changed my understanding of section 19 in that it made me feel a little irritated with Martin Harris for harping, begging, insisting, and repeatedly pleading once again for Joseph to ask the Lord for something. My mind keeps returning to the 116 pages and how that all worked out. I can’t help but think, (just a little bit), “This guy just can’t learn a lesson!” However, my next thought is filled with awe and gratitude for the clarification, mercy, and beauty that flows from section 19! It really is awesome and I wonder how it would be different or if it would have existed at all, if Martin Harris hadn’t been so . . . insistent? It has helped change my understanding of the Doctrine and Covenants by illuminating the purpose that the Lord has to get us to more fully understand His desire to help us, have mercy on us, and save us.
Some lessons that I learned that currently apply to my life from this section are found in verses 20, 23, and 31-32. Verse 20 reminds me of my constant need to repent and abandon my sin and weaknesses. It is meaningful to me that we are constantly commanded throughout the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants to repent, so that we can have part in Christ’s atonement. It is a testimony of mercy and love that He wants us to inherit eternal life and eternal happiness. Verse 23 applies so very much to my life right now because most days I feel so overwhelmed and suffocated with everything that demands my attention that a feeling of defeat easily follows. The Lord provides a recipe for peace in vs. 23. Study, learn, be obedient to His laws in a spirit of humility and then we will be filled with peace. I need to be more diligent in these things, so that I can receive this peace on a daily basis. I need it daily, for sure! Vs. 31-32 tells me what to fill my life’s work in doing. I find great comfort in the Lord’s words; “this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life.” It is wonderful to know exactly what He expects and exactly what qualifies as acceptable to Him.
• Besides the commandment to Martin Harris to sell part of his land to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon, what other doctrines were revealed in this revelation that furthered the restoration of the Gospel and our understanding of the Plan of Salvation?
Other doctrines that were revealed in this revelation that furthered the restoration of the Gospel and our understanding of the Plan of Salvation were to preach repentance, share the happiness and the joy that come from the knowledge of the Gospel, and the invaluable blessing that prayer is to our lives.
• What doctrines in this section differ from those of other Christian faiths?
From what I understand, other Christian faiths have different views as to Christ’s suffering and to the concept of hell. The book of Luke in the Old Testament is the only record containing specific record that the Savior had shed great drops of blood as He suffered in Gethsemane. Many people have taken this in the figurative sense, but in Doctrine and Covenants, Christ himself speaks of how the pain and suffering caused him to literally bleed at every pore.
This section also clears up for us a mistaken view of God’s punishment. It was MORE than enlightening to read this section again after reading the Student Manual on section 19 and to understand with a brighter and clearer vision, what lie in store for those in “hell”. James E. Talmage expounded the scriptures in verses 6-7 and 11-12 as Christ refers to punishment, torment, and damnation. “To hell there is an exit as well as an entrance. Hell is no place to which a vindictive judge sends prisoners to suffer and to be punished principally for his glory; but it is a place prepared for the teaching, the disciplining of those who failed to learn here upon the earth what they should have learned. True, we read of everlasting punishment, unending suffering, eternal damnation. That is a direful expression; but in his mercy the Lord has made plain what those words mean. ‘Eternal punishment,’ he says, is God’s punishment, for he is eternal; and that condition or state or possibility will ever exist for the sinner who deserves and really needs such condemnation; but this does not mean that the individual sufferer or sinner is to be eternally and everlastingly made to endure and suffer. No man will be kept in hell longer than is necessary to bring him to a fitness for something better. When he reaches that stage the prison doors will open and there will be rejoicing among the hosts who welcome him into a better state. The Lord has not abated in the least what he has said in earlier dispensations concerning the operation of his law and his gospel, but he has made clear unto us his goodness and mercy through it all, for it is his glory and his work to bring about the immortality and eternal life of man.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1930, p. 97.)
• What other insights can you find in this section concerning God’s punishment and his loving mercy?
If we do not repent, we must suffer as Christ suffered. That suffering will be more than we
can comprehend, (19:15,17)- punishment
He promises to “pour out His Spirit” upon those who will pray always. (19:38)- mercy
He declares that in order to save, to spare the children of men from suffering, He has
done the suffering for us if we repent (19:16)- mercy
Christ does not present anything for the understanding of mankind that we are
unprepared to receive (19:22)- mercy
Eternal punishment is NOT endless torment/punishment. It is referred to as
‘Eternal’ because it is God’s punishment and He is eternal- it is a reference to Him.
Eternal damnation, however, is different and refers to a damnation, or a stopping of
progression forever- not being permitted to grow for eternity (19:6-7, 11-12)
punishment and mercy
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