Doctrine and Covenants 41-44

41) I Will Give You My Law

"The 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… [and] the Lord gave unto the Church the following" - Joseph Smith

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.

(Repeated again in D&C 43:8)

GET READY - lets lay down preparation

v. 4-5 The Lord is preparing the Saints in February to receive his law he will be giving. The law is received in the following section 42

What house? Where was Joseph to live after leaving NY?

7. And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.

Joseph Smith had just arrived in Kirtland from New York, and Leman Copley, a Church member in nearby Thompson, Ohio, “requested Brother Joseph and Sidney [Rigdon] … live with him and he would furnish them houses and provisions.” The following revelation clarifies where Joseph and Sidney should live he was called here to continue the translation of the bible

(Repeated again in D&C 43:13)

Bishop Edward Partridge

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;

• Context of Early Church Leadership: In 1831, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was young, and its members faced challenges in organizing and sustaining themselves.

• Edward Partridge’s Calling: Edward Partridge, a successful hatter in Ohio, was baptized in December 1830 and called by Joseph Smith to be the first bishop of the Church in February 1831 (Doctrine and Covenants 41:9–11).

• Role of a Bishop: The bishop’s role was modeled after New Testament examples, focusing on caring for the poor, managing Church resources, and overseeing temporal affairs.

• Challenges Faced: Partridge struggled with the demands of his calling, including managing resources for a growing Church and addressing members’ needs amidst poverty and persecution.

• Revelation Guidance: Doctrine and Covenants sections 42 and 58 provided instructions for Partridge, emphasizing the law of consecration, stewardship, and equitable distribution of resources.

• Law of Consecration: Members were to consecrate surplus property to the Church, which the bishop would distribute to those in need, fostering unity and self-reliance.

• Partridge’s Sacrifices: Partridge left his business, faced financial hardship, and endured persecution, including being tarred and feathered in 1833, yet remained faithful.

• Expansion of Bishopric: As the Church grew, additional bishops were called, and Partridge was appointed as a presiding bishop, overseeing other bishops.

• Legacy: Partridge’s service laid the foundation for the bishop’s role in the Church, emphasizing charity, stewardship, and spiritual leadership until his death in 1840.

In 1833, Edward Partridge, already stretched thin by his responsibilities to manage the Church’s resources and care for the poor under the law of consecration, faced intense persecution in Missouri. Despite his dedication, he was targeted by a mob in Independence, Missouri, who demanded that the Saints leave Jackson County. Partridge, committed to his faith and calling, refused to abandon his people. The mob seized him, and in a brutal act of violence, they tarred and feathered him, leaving him humiliated and physically harmed. This was a devastating moment for Partridge, who had already given up his successful business and personal wealth to serve the Church, only to endure such cruelty. Through this ordeal, Partridge remained steadfast, but the emotional and physical toll of this persecution, coupled with the ongoing struggles of poverty and displacement, underscores the heart-wrenching sacrifices he made. His suffering was compounded by the knowledge that his family and fellow Saints also faced similar hardships, with no immediate relief in sight.

D&C 41:11 …this because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile. Nathanael-

Upon meeting Jesus, Nathanael is amazed when Jesus reveals supernatural knowledge, saying, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” (John 1:48).

John 1:47"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

42) My Law to Govern My Church

The first commandment of the law is in V.1-10 Accepting the Lords chosen, and that the Elders of the church are to go and do missionary work. Preaching by the power of the Spirit declaring Gods word.

D&C 38:32 MATTHEW 18:10-14 The parable of the lost sheep

V.3 I commanded you, and are agreed as touching this one thing

I didn’t understand what touching meant in this context so I had to go and study it and from it I grab what Brother Partridge’s and the Saints will face in the future, but the importance here is the Lord use also in Matthew when teaching about his kingdom and what it would look like, he set it up the same when giving his law.

I found a connection of resolving conflict and seeking unity can connect to the theme. These is how we resolve disputes, how we enable powerful prayer and unlock the true power of God.

Reconciliation and Pain: Imagine two early Saints in Partridge’s community, divided over scarce resources during persecution, coming together to forgive and pray as in Matthew 18:19. Their agreement in prayer, amidst poverty and mob violence (like Partridge’s tarring and feathering), would be a “touching” moment of hope and healing, tinged with the sadness of their shared trials.

Ordination and Authority

10-11 To be able to preach the gospel you need to be ordained. This is really important. You cannot just go and preach the gospel without the Lord to give you the keys to do so.

Teach by the Power of the Holy Ghost

The gift comes with the prayer of faith and the Comfort will be there. He knows all things, he will give you direction, he can help with the gospel teaching and livings of the law. After the Lord sets us up with this tool then he teaches the commandments. Which are laid in a way we will need to be a Shepperd just like him help bringing those that are lost those that are in pain back to the fold.

The Law of Consecration

Because I have been given much, I too must give; Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live ,I shall divide my gifts from thee With every brother that I see Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care ,I cannot see another’s lack and I not share My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, My roof’s safe shelter overhead, That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need ;I’ll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

2013 Latterdaylight.com added this.

Missionary Verse: Because I have been blessed, dear Lord, I too must serve I’ll leave the comfort of my home to teach thy word .I’ll find thy sheep who’ve gone astray, And those who’ve never known the way ,I’ll make thy work, my work today. I shall give love to those in need ,I’ll show that love by word and deed: Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Death v. 43-51

How does the LDS look upon death? How can we not heal all that are sick and afflicted? The Lord give us comforting scripture here and as the LDS we see sweetness of death if we have lived righteous (v.46)

elders of the church, two or more, shall be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name; and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall live unto me. D&C 42:44

43) Prepare Yourself To Be Sanctified

The Lord is teaching us who He has chosen He also said we can ask him who is the prophet and if we should be following him (D&C42:68). Here the Lord is teaching again He has chosen JS to lead His church and that we should be going to the world to warn that he has sent His last servant to till the vineyard before he comes again. V.20-26 show that he is going to be showing warnings and trying to have people change before the end of the earth (v.31). There is going to be separation the wicked and the righteous will be separated before the judgment day(v.33)