Section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants was given as fulfillment of the Lord’s promise that the “Law” would be given in Ohio. It is one of the few revelations that are specifically named in the Doctrine and Covenants. The significance of the Law is not just in its content; the significance is also derived from the manner in which the revelation was received. By understanding how this revelation was received, we can learn how to receive revelation for ourselves.

From the new publication of the Joseph Smith Papers, which contains the original manuscript of the revelations that became the Doctrine and Covenants, we learn that the Law was given in response to five questions asked, and that the text of the question was omitted from the publication of the document. After the revelation in Section 38, the leaders of the Church gathered together to discuss what they would ask the Lord in order to govern the Church as it moved to Ohio. From this, we learn that we must, by our own agency, consider a problem before we can go to the Lord and reasonably expect an answer. We also learn that we must ask questions of the Lord in order to receive revelation and that he won’t just give information to us without us asking and being prepared to receive it first.

In the Joseph Smith Papers, it is also evident that Section 42 is a composite revelation, that is, a compilation of separate revelations that were received about the same time and that treat the same topic. Verses 1-72 of what is now Section 42 were received on February 9, 1831 in the presence of 12 elders of the Church, while another revelation received approximately two weeks later was the basis for the rest of the text. This peculiarity is also instructive to us, in that it demonstrates that the Lord does not reveal the whole solution to a problem at one time; he gives us line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until the entire solution becomes clear. Thus, by understanding the manner in which the revelations was received, we can learn how we are to receive revelation.

Besides what we can learn from how the revelation was received, the contents of Section 42 are also of great benefit, especially for those governing the Church. The first part of the section deals with the manner in which elders are called and ordained, as well as the manner in which they should prophecy and teach (specifically by the Spirit). The remainder of the section discusses various commandments and Laws, including repetitions of the Law of Moses, principles governing the Law of Consecration, how to administer to the sick, and how the Scriptures are to be used.

Tags: Personal Revelation Commandments Law

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