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Sidney Gilbert Algernon Sidney Gilbert Sidney Gilbert A Call to Sidney Gilbert to Forsake the World “Section 53 Historical Background There is little information on Algernon Sidney Gil- bert before he was introduced to the gospel in 1830. He was then the senior partner in the successful mercantile firm of Gilbert and Whitney in Kirtland, Ohio. Sometime after he joined the Church, he was or- dained an elder and sent to Missouri to buy land and operate a small store (see D&C 57:8). When mob vio- lence broke loose, Sidney Gilbert closed his store upon request and helped appease the mob temporarily. On 23 July 1833 he, with others, offered himself as a ran- som for the Saints. (See History of the Church, 1:391, Algernon Sidney Gilbert 394n.) He was devoted and faithful and sacrificed all of his goods during the persecutions in Missouri. He lacked confidence in his ability to preach, however, and, D&C 53:2 according to some reports, he said he “would rather What Does the Phrase “Forsake the World” Mean? die than go forth to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles” (History of the Church, 2:118). Ironically, he later con- The phrase “forsake the world” is the command- tracted cholera and died. Heber C. Kimball recorded in ment given to those who have entered into a covenant his journal that “the Lord took him at his word.” Elder relationship with the Lord. They are to forsake the B. H. Roberts wrote of Brother Gilbert, “The remarks in standards and habits of the apostate world. President the body of the history, and this expression from Elder George Q. Cannon taught: “We need to be born again, Kimball’s journal are liable to create a misunderstand- and have new hearts put in us. There is too much of the ing concerning Brother Algernon Sidney Gilbert, than old leaven about us. We are not born again as we should whom the Lord has had few more devoted servants in be. Do you not believe that we ought to be born again? this dispensation” (History of the Church, 2:118n). Do you not believe that we should become new crea- Joseph Smith received section 53 in answer to the re- tures in Christ Jesus, under the influence of the Gos- quest of Sidney Gilbert, who desired to know what he pel? All will say, yes, who understand the Gospel. You was to do in the Church. The revelation came during must be born again. You must have new desires, new a time of great excitement. A spiritual conference had hearts, so to speak, in you. But what do we see? We see ended, and many were assigned to go to Missouri and men following the ways of the world just as much as there receive further instructions from the Lord. In this though they made no pretensions to being Latter-day revelation Algernon Sidney Gilbert was also called to go Saints. Hundreds of people who are called Latter-day to Missouri and help with the work there as the bishop’s Saints you could not distinguish from the world. They agent over the storehouse. have the same desires, the same feelings, the same aspi- rations, the same passions as the rest of the world. Is this Notes and Commentary how God wants us to be? No; He wants us to have new D&C 53:1. “I Have Heard Your Prayers” hearts, new desires. He wants us to be a changed people when we embrace His Gospel, and to be animated by Many people secretly request to know the Lord’s entirely new motives, and have a faith that will lay hold will concerning them, but often the answer is too sacred of the promises of God.” (In Conference Report, Oct. to discuss with others. Sidney Gilbert’s request was not 1899, p. 50.) disregarded, for the Lord made known to him his call- ing and election in the Church. (See also D&C 6:22–24.) 1 Sidney Gilbert Newel K. Whitney store Kirtland, Ohio D&C 53:3 D&C 53:4. What Were His Duties As an “Agent” Ordination to the Priesthood unto the Church? Is a Call to Serve Others Sidney Gilbert’s calling was to receive monies for the Sidney Gilbert was directed to become an elder and Church and to buy land. He was to assist Edward Par- then to use that office in preaching faith, repentance, tridge in managing the temporal affairs of the Church in and the remission of sins, but his feelings of inadequacy Missouri (see D&C 57:6–9). in preaching the gospel prevented him from fully re- sponding to the call. There is, however, an account of Source: his successful missionary labors among his friends and Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual (2002), 113–14 family in Huntington, Connecticut (see History of the Church, 2:119). 2.
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