Revelation, circa 8 March 1831–A [D&C 46]
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Source Note
Revelation, , OH, ca. 8 Mar. 1831. Featured version, titled “48th Commandment March ◊th. 1831,” copied [between ca. Mar. and June 1831] in Revelation Book 1, pp. 76–78; handwriting of ; CHL. Includes redactions. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation Book 1.
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Historical Introduction
In the heading to this text in Revelation Book 1, wrote that it was directed “to the Church concerning & meetings &c.” JS’s revelations and the Book of Mormon addressed these topics even before the founding of the in 1830. In May 1829 JS dictated a passage as part of his of the which stated, “And behold, ye shall meet together oft, and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you, and forbid them not.” Just weeks later drew upon these instructions in his “Articles of the Church of Christ,” which directed, “And the church shall meet together oft for prayer & suplication casting out none from your places of worship but rather invite them to come.” The JS document “Articles and Covenants,” unanimously approved at the 9 June 1830 of the church, stated the following concerning “church members after they are received by ”: “The or are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning this church of Christ to their understanding previous to their partaking of the sacrament, and being confirmed by the laying on of the hands of the elders, so that all things shall be done in order.”When introduced this revelation in his history he explained: “In the beginning of the church, while yet in her infancy, the used to exclude unbelievers, which caused some to marvel, and converse about this matter because of the things that were written in the Book of Mormon. Therefore the Lord deigned to speak on this subject, that his people might come to understanding.” The revelation made clear that none were to be excluded from public worship meetings.Besides clarifying matters related to church meetings, this revelation also addressed spiritual gifts, which were described in both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. After JS’s arrival in , he encountered spiritual expressions that he deemed unacceptable. In a letter to his brother , JS reported that on 4 March, less than a week before dictating this revelation, he aided a woman who “had an awful strugle with but being armed with the power of God he was cast out and the woman is Clothed in hir right mind.” In the same letter, JS noted that since his arrival in Ohio, “I hav[e] been ingageed in regulating the Churches here as the deciples are numerous and the devil had made many attempts to over throw them it has been a Serious job but the Lord is with us and we have overcome and have all things regular.” This revelation lists some acceptable spiritual gifts and warns that others are of the devil.
Footnotes
which are held before the world ye are also commanded never to cast any one out who belongeth to the out of your meetings nevertheless if any have trespassed let him not partake untill he makes reconciliation And again I say unto you ye shall not cast any out of your sacrement meetings who is earnestly seeking the Kingdom I speak this concerning those who are not of the Church And again I say unto you concerning your meetings that if there be any that is not of the Church that is earnestly seeking after the Kingdom ye Shall not cast them out but ye are commanded in all things to ask of God who giveth liberally & that which the spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all Holyness of heart walking uprightly before me considering the end of your salvation doing all things with prayer & thanksgiving that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits or doctrines of Devils or the commandments of men for some are of men & others of Devils Wherefore beware lest ye are deceived & that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts always remembering for what they are given for verily I say unto you they are given for the benefit of those who love me & keep all my commandments & him that seeketh so to do that all may be benefitted that seeketh or that asketh of me that asketh & not for a sign that he may consume it upon his lusts And again Verily I say unto you I would that ye should always remember & always retain in your minds what these gifts are that are given unto the Church for all have not every gift given unto them for there are many gifts & to evry man is given a gift by the spirit of God to some is given one & to some is given another that all may be profited thereby to some is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the son of God & that he was crusified for the sins of the World to others it is given to believe on their words that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful And again to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the [p. 77]
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