May 24-30, 2021 Doctrine and Covenants 58–59 “ANXIOUSLY ENAGED IN A GOOD CAUSE”

Summary: Doctrine and Covenants 58. Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. Earlier, on the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and his party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service had been held, and two members had been received by baptism. During that week, some of the Colesville Saints from the Thompson Branch and others arrived (see section 54). Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering. 1–5, Those who endure tribulation will be crowned with glory; 6–12, The Saints are to prepare for the marriage of the Lamb and the supper of the Lord; 13–18, Bishops are judges in Israel; 19–23, The Saints are to obey the laws of the land; 24–29, Men should use their agency to do good; 30–33, The Lord commands and revokes; 34–43, To repent, men must confess and forsake their sins; 44–58, The Saints are to purchase their inheritance and gather in Missouri; 59–65, The gospel must be preached unto every creature.

Doctrine and Covenants 59. Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 7, 1831. Preceding this revelation, the land was consecrated, as the Lord had directed, and the site for the future temple was dedicated. On the day this revelation was received, Polly Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight Sr., died, the first Church member to die in Zion. Early members characterized this revelation as “instructing the Saints how to keep the sabbath and how to fast and pray.” 1–4, The faithful Saints in Zion will be blessed; 5–8, They are to love and serve the Lord and keep His commandments; 9–19, By keeping the Lord’s day holy, the Saints are blessed temporally and spiritually; 20–24, The righteous are promised peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

Supplemental How do I view the The most famous story of Deborah is the Jewish and term Judges in conquering of the Canaanites. Barak (‘lightning’ in Hebrew), the military leader Holy Land Israel? The information of Israel, was hesitant to follow her Insights about the Old prophetic instruction to engage the Testament Judges of Israel may, at best, enemy. He acquiesced after she agreed be incomplete. Their positions are to accompany him. (There may have been generally considered local and did not fewer wars if presidents and prime seem to be responsible to or for the entire ministers had accompanied their young nation of Israel. Jewish sources identify soldiers to battle). them more often as local military leaders who were God inspired. “These Judges How has democracy played a role in were not judges in the legal sense, but ancient Israel? heroes upon whom “rested the spirit of “From the political point of view, the God” and who led single tribes or groups people of Israel have more often been of tribes in military campaigns to free ruled by monarchies than by democratic Israel from periodic foreign oppression. forms of government. The Book of The rule of each judge was temporary and Deuteronomy makes provision for the in no case did these leaders receive the people of Israel to have a king, but insists allegiance of all the tribes. Only in the that the king must rule by law and “that his case of Deborah is there any hint of a heart be not lifted up above his brethren.” judicial function among the activities of a In biblical times, the Israelites believed Judge-savior.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) that their government had to derive from God. Thus, when Moses accepted the require of thee: only to do justice and to advice of his father-in-law Jethro to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy appoint leaders, he first obtained God's God” (Micah 6:8). This is one of many permission and then, with God's authority, passages which sum up the ethical appointed judges. Later, the people principles which are at the heart of Jewish rejected the advice of the prophet Samuel religion and which have influenced later and insisted on having a king --- this led to religions.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) the reign of Saul, followed by that of David. In spite of this, Jewish law still How significant is it to obey the laws of states that decisions are to be made and the land? conflicts to be resolved according to the A previous Gospel Doctrine discussion in principle of majority rule.” “. . . the Great this series compares the modern Jewish Sanhedrin was the name of the unique concept that the Law of Moses is for the court consisting of . . . judges which sat in Jews and the Law of Noah (Noachide a special part of the Temple in Jerusalem. Laws) are for the Gentiles. The Apostle These judges had to know a great many Paul explains the proper perception of the languages in order to understand the same law for everyone as he spoke to witnesses and the litigants without an King Agrippa at Caesarea. “Having interpreter (who might change — ever so therefore obtained help of God, I continue slightly the original statement). They unto this day, witnessing both to small never saw the litigants or the accused, in and great, saying none other things than case their judgment might be influenced those which the prophets and Moses did by their appearance. (Encyclopedia Judaica say should come: That Christ should Jr.) The judgement is always made suffer, and that he should be the first that through a curtain. should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the How is judgment to be carried out? Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22-23) “At this time “Judaism demands of its judges this same gentiles were either natives living in Erez balance, and the principle of mercy thus Israel or travelers passing through it. assumes extreme importance in the Resident gentiles were protected by administration of Jewish law. The prophet traditional hospitality and by contractual Zechariah (7:9) put it: ". . . execute the agreements made between Israel and the judgment and show mercy and neighboring states. Native gentiles were compassion every man to his brother.” expected to be loyal to Israel's civil laws in “Mercy and forgiveness, says the Talmud, return for protection, but were generally in are distinguishing characteristics of a humbler position than the Israelite Abraham and his seed, and these population.” “The gentile was not obliged characteristics motivated God to choose to acknowledge God, but was at least Israel as His people.” “Throughout the obliged to abandon the worship of false numerous persecutions and oppressions gods. Unlike Jews, Noachides were not which the Jews suffered, the Jewish required to suffer martyrdom rather than attitude toward Christianity was molded. break the law against idolatry; they were, The Jews viewed Christianity as the however, required to choose martyrdom contradiction between the high ideals it rather than shed human blood. In some preached (love, mercy and “turning the instances gentiles were also required to other cheek”) and the violent anti- observe Sabbath and the festivals, and to Semitism and discrimination it practiced.” fast on the Day of Atonement. Social “The prophets cried out against hypocrisy differences remained, nonetheless . . .” and social injustice, “What does the Lord “During the latter part of the Second Temple period (from the second century from a tribe like Midian to a vast empire B.C.E.) the prohibition against Jews such as Egypt. But the idea common to all marrying gentiles, limited originally to the was that the direct relationship between seven Canaanite nations --- Hittites, the king and the deity was part of the Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, natural order.” “The primary feature of the Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (“neither coronation was the anointing of the king's shalt thou make marriages with them” head with oil by a priest or prophet, the Deuteronomy 7:3) --- was extended to sign of the divine covenant --- that is, he include all gentiles, who might lure Jews had been chosen as God's anointed.” away from the true God. In order to (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) prevent the possibility of intermarriage the rabbis enacted a series of laws intended What biblical examples show the to limit social contact between Jew and importance of obeying the laws of the non-Jew. These included a strict land? prohibition on the use of gentile wine, The prophet Elisha healed Naaman the originally limited to that used in idolatrous Syrian. A faithful young woman, probably libations, but later extended to cover all serving in Naaman’s household, was a non-Jewish produced wine.” (Encyclopedia believer and prompted the “occupying” Judaica Jr.) Syrian officer to come to the prophet to be blessed. Elisha sent a message to do What does God prefer, kingship or a something simple - bath in the Jordan system of judges? River. When Naaman finally “swallowed “From the political point of view, the his pride,” he was blessed! Imagine - the people of Israel have more often been “enemy” was blessed! Elisha’s continued ruled by monarchies than by democratic theme was that he was a servant of God, forms of government. The Book of even refusing payment from Syria’s Deuteronomy makes provision for the highest-ranking officer in the Land of people of Israel to have a king, but insists Israel at that time. The anomaly is that the that the king must rule by law and "that his children of Israel strongly objected to the heart be not lifted up above his brethren." Syrian “occupying” forces. The prophet In biblical times, the Israelites believed was probably teaching the same principle that their government had to derive from that Jesus taught and that has been God. Thus, when Moses accepted the revealed again in our day: “Then saith he advice of his father-in-law Jethro to unto them, Render unto Caesar the things appoint leaders, he first obtained God's that are Caesar’s; and unto God the permission and then, with God's authority, things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) “We appointed judges. Later, the people believe in being subject to kings, rejected the advice of the prophet Samuel presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in and insisted on having a king --- this led to obeying, honoring, and sustaining the the reign of Saul, followed by that of law.” (Articles of Faith 11) “But I say unto David. In spite of this, Jewish law still you, Love your enemies, bless them that states that decisions are to be made and curse you, do good to them that hate you, conflicts to be resolved according to the and pray for them which despitefully use principle of majority rule.” “In biblical times you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) in the ancient Near East, the monarch We don’t know for sure if that even was accepted as the sole ruler, with resulted in the conversion of Naaman and complete authority over his subjects. The it does not matter. The blessing was status of kings varied from emperor to unconditional on that point. The lesson for vassal as the kingdoms varied in size the unbelieving Israelites was repeated by the Savior as he said: “And many lepers (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) “Before the were in Israel in the time of (Elisha) the Resurrection of Christ, the members of the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, Church observed the last day of the week saving Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:27) as the Sabbath, as did the Jews. After the Resurrection, the members of the Church, How can I better understand the Lord’s whether Jews or Gentiles, observed the first Day? day of the week (the Lord’s day) to The prime factor of religious observance remember the Lord’s Resurrection. The for the Jews is keeping the Sabbath day Church today continues to observe one day holy. They feel that Sabbath observance each week as a holy sabbath day on which to worship God and rest from the labors of identifies them over all other peoples. the world.” (Bible Dictionary, Church of “The Hebrew name for the Sabbath is Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Shabbat, which derives from a root meaning to cease or desist. It gets this What are the seven extra sabbaths in name because the Bible tells us that on the Old Testament? the seventh day of Creation, God “shavat There are seven events, “miqra” (Sabbath mi-kol melakhto” --- He “ceased” or assemblies) that do not necessarily occur “desisted” from all His work (i.e., of on a weekly Sabbath) (Lev. 23) that are Creation). It is from this that the supreme annual Sabbaths observed by Jews. Two importance of the Sabbath derives; of the Sabbath assemblies occur in spring observance of the Sabbath is an act of on the first and last day of the Feast of testimony to the fact that God created the unleavened bread (known as Passover). world.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) On the A third occurs in the summer, this is the subject of blessings, it is interesting to Feast of Shavuot. Another four extra note that in some Jewish communities it is Sabbaths occur in the fall in the seventh customary for the father to bless his month, Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teru'ah) children on the Sabbath eve when he on the first day of the seventh month; the returns from the synagogue: “Hands are next is the Day of Atonement (Yom also significant in the symbolic act of Kippur); and two more during the seven bestowing a blessing. In rabbinic literature days of th Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) the priestly blessing is known as nesi'at on the first and last day. Sometimes the kappayim (“raising of the hands”) and is word Shabbaton is used to refer to all pronounced with the hands uplifted, and seven events. The Gospel of John the fingers spread in a special formation. describes the day beginning following In fact this special formation of the hands Jesus’ death as, “That sabbath day was is often engraved on the tombstones of an high day” (John 19:31-42). That night kohanim (priests).” “In the same way that began the first day of Passover week an priests lift their hands in blessing, so annual miqra, an extra annual Sabbath. parents place their hands on the heads of The King James Version may be the their children when they bless them. (For origin of naming the annual rest days as a example, in the Bible, Jacob blessed his “High Sabbath” in English. Passover is to grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by remember “rising” quickly and being placing his hands on their heads.) Placing delivered from Egyptian slavery. It is a the hands on another person is symbolic symbol of a future “rising” or deliverance not only of transferring blessing but also that would be even greater than the first of passing on authority. In talmudic times, Passover. When Jesus was born, there scholars received their rabbinic ordination was no calendar with a spring month of through the symbolic act of placing of the April. So, according to the biblical hands (known as semikhah).” calendar and because Passover always seventh day as a day of rest. Kiddush occurs at the first full moon after the first continues with the benediction for wine, day of spring, April 6, 1830, the date the preceded by the word savri (Attention!) so Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day that all present, men and women, may Saints was organized, leads us to look at fulfill the requirement of Kiddush by the biblical date. It was the Passover listening carefully to the recital of the week that year! prayer and by responding "Amen" afterwards.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) How is bread and wine (or water) used Another prayer spoken on Sabbath days on Sabbaths befor the meal? is, “ADON OLAM (“Lord of the world”) . . . “From Talmudic times, it was the special (it) is a rhymed poem of unknown duty of the housewife to bake the bread authorship, which was probably written in for the Sabbath. This bread, usually Babylon around the tenth century. The prepared from white flour, is also called present version, as it appears in the "hallah." Two such loaves are placed on Ashkenazi service, consists of ten verses. the festive Sabbath table as a symbol for The first six speak of God the eternal, all- the double portion of manna which the powerful and ever- ruling Creator of the Israelites in the wilderness received every universe. The next four verses are more Friday, and because of the Showbread in personal in nature. Here, God is much the Temple, which was displayed each closer to the individual worshiper, his Sabbath.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) In a hopes and his fears. "He is my God, my religious Jewish home, every Sabbath Redeemer, my Rock in time of trouble." Eve begins with an old ritual of a blessing Because the worshiper is confident of and pouring of a little pure wine (or living God's power and also aware of His [spring] water if wine is not available). personal concern, he closes his song by This procedure is called “Kiddush.” It is saying: “Into His Hand I entrust my soul, followed by a blessing, breaking, and Both while I sleep and when I am awake, eating of a little piece of the “Hallah” And with my soul, my body too, The Lord bread. That is called “Motzi.”The father or is with me, I shall not fear.” In many grandfather in the home always partakes congregations, Adon Olam is sung at the first, and then others receive the Kiddush conclusion of the Musaf service for and the Motzi. “The table is set for the Sabbath and holidays.” (Encyclopedia festive meal, with the Sabbath candles Judaica Jr.) During the days of the ancient glowing in polished holders. The family Temple, additional offerings were made stands and the father raises the brimming on high festive days. Mussaf is now silver cup to say Kiddush, the blessing recited instead of these offerings. and sanctification over wine. This age-old ceremony is in fulfillment of the biblical How does the Sabbath identify the command, "Remember the Sabbath day House of Israel? to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)” “Kiddush is “In the course of time observance of the recited on the evening of the Sabbath, or Sabbath became the identifying mark of the festival, before the start of the meal. the Jew. It set him apart from all other Nothing may be eaten before Kiddush. On religions. According to the First Book of Sabbath eve, the first paragraph of Maccabees (2:31--41), at the beginning of Kiddush includes a phrase from the end of the Hasmonean revolt against Syria, the the first chapter of Genesis and the Jews would not fight on the Sabbath but passage at the beginning of the second let themselves be killed. Later they which describe God's completion of realized that was a mistake and that if Creation and His sanctification of the danger to life is involved, the Sabbath is suspended.” “The rabbis of the Talmud What are some other Jewish thought that the Sabbath is the most memorable practices of Sabbath? important of all the laws of the Torah and “Women usher in the Sabbath each week that by itself it is equal to all the rest. One by lighting candles and blessing God "who statement is that "if Israel keeps one sanctified us by His commandments and Sabbath as it should be kept, the Messiah commanded us to kindle the Sabbath will come." They saw Shabbat as a light." On Saturday night, traditional special privilege; a gift that God gave His Jewish families light a havdalah candle people Israel and as a foretaste of the made of several wicks braided together, world-to-come.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) raise a cup of wine and sniff fragrant spices, thus bidding farewell to the How are animals and workers treated Sabbath peace and beginning a new on a Sabbath? week. “On the Sabbath, a special bread “Other biblical laws repeatedly show called hallah is used. The hallah is baked concern for the well being of animals. Man sweeter than regular bread because the must rest on the Sabbath and may not Sabbath is a “sweeter” day. “Funerals work his animals either. “Thou shalt not may not take place on the Sabbath or on do any manner of work, neither thy son . . the Day of Atonement.” “In some . nor thy servant . . . nor thy cattle” communities it is customary for the father (Exodus 20:10).” “The Sabbath and the to bless his children on the Sabbath eve festivals are particularly times of joy, and when he returns from the synagogue.” indeed it is a positive commandment, (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Fasting is an often difficult to observe, to be happy on integral part of Jewish life, yet never on a them. The joy required is not frivolity but, Sabbath unless it is Yom Kippur. There is contradictory though it may sound, a a monthly Yom Kippur Katan (lesser), a serious happiness. The highest level of day before the beginning of every month. joy according to the rabbis is the simhah It is a fast day, again, never on a Sabbath, shel mitzvah, the joy felt at performing a because Sabbath should be a joyous commandment or doing a good deed.” event, and fasting may be miserable to (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) some!