Church History Matters Podcast: Episode 104 - "Collaborating with Angels - Come Follow Me - E8 - Feb 17-23"

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Host: Scott Woodward
Co-host: Casey Griffiths
Podcast Series: Church History Matters
Hosted By: Scripture Central

Introduction

In Episode 104 of Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths delve into Doctrine and Covenants sections 12 through 17, exploring their historical context, doctrinal content, associated controversies, and lasting consequences. This episode, part of the "Come Follow Me" series for the eighth edition, meticulously examines pivotal revelations that shaped the early Latter-day Saint movement.

Section 12: The Knight Family

Context

• Introduction of the Knight Family:
  Starting with section 12, the revelation introduces the Knight family—key allies of Joseph Smith during the Book of Mormon translation process. Unlike the Smith family or Oliver Cowdery, the Knights played a supportive role without being Book of Mormon witnesses.

• Historical Background:
  Joseph Smith had previously worked for Joseph Knight Sr. as a laborer on their farm in Colesville, New York. During this time, Smith courted Emma and built strong ties with the Knight family, who became some of the first believers outside Smith's immediate family.

[06:54] Scott Woodward: "So weren't the Knights actually there on the night that Joseph Smith obtained the plates?"

[06:54] Casey Griffiths: "Yes, some of them were. Joseph even borrowed Joseph Knight Sr.'s wagon to go to the Hill Cumorah with Emma."

Content

• Repetition of Mission Call Language:
  Section 12 mirrors earlier sections (6 and 11) by reiterating a standardized mission call from the Lord, highlighting the universality of the priesthood call to those desiring to serve.

• Focus on Godly Attributes:
  The revelation emphasizes humility, love, faith, hope, charity, and temperance as essential qualities for those holding the priesthood.

[28:11] Scott Woodward: "What could have a greater impact on the list of long-lasting impact? Like, I don't know if you can stack up anything that will endure longer than people who actually choose Christ because of your influence."

Controversies

• Minimal Controversy in Section 12:
  Unlike later sections, Section 12 itself is largely uncontested. The Knight family is portrayed positively, with Joseph Smith expressing deep gratitude and respect.

[16:02] Scott Woodward: "Are you aware any controversy with Section 12?"

[16:04] Casey Griffiths: "Unless we stretch, there are no controversies directly tied to Section 12."

Consequences

• Acknowledgment of Supportive Families:
  Recognizing the Knights solidifies the foundational support system critical to the church's early years, influencing subsequent revelations and church developments.

[58:05] Casey Griffiths: "The Aaronic priesthood began as a holy order of temple workers and remains central to church operations, differing significantly from other Christian denominations."

Section 13: Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood

Context

• Delayed Inclusion:
  Section 13 was added to the Doctrine and Covenants in 1876, long after its original revelations, to emphasize priesthood authority amidst factional splits like the RLDS Church.

• Connection to Joseph Smith’s History:
  The section draws from Joseph Smith’s own accounts in "Joseph Smith History" (Pearl of Great Price) and was incorporated by Orson Pratt under Brigham Young's direction to reinforce priesthood keys and authority.

Content

• Restoration by John the Baptist:
  The revelation recounts how John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, conferring the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds the keys to ministering angels, repentance, baptism, and the remission of sins.

[30:41] Scott Woodward: "The first time priesthood is mentioned in Exodus is foundational, establishing Aaron's lineage for temple ordinances."

• Old Testament Parallels:
  The Aaronic Priesthood mirrors the Old Testament's Levitical Priesthood, transitioning from animal sacrifices to preaching repentance and baptizing, aligning with the New Covenant teachings of Jesus.

Controversies

1. Interpretation of "Keys of the Ministering of Angels":

   • Joseph Smith’s View: Initially tied to discerning true from false angels.
   • Modern Interpretation (Dallin H. Oaks): Links to practical ordinances like baptism and the sacrament, emphasizing their role in ministering to others.

2. Future of the Aaronic Priesthood:

   • Original Wording: Suggests the priesthood might be taken away until the Levites re-establish sacrificial offerings.
   • Revised Understanding (Doctrine and Covenants 128): Indicates the priesthood’s role culminates with the completion of ordinances for the dead, negating the return of animal sacrifice.

[46:37] Scott Woodward: "Joseph's interpretation evolves, especially after realizing the Nauvoo Temple's significance and the work for the dead."

Consequences

• Establishment of Priesthood Authority:
  Section 13 solidifies the Aaronic Priesthood's foundational role, influencing church structure and ordinances, and differentiating the LDS Church from other Christian denominations.

[58:45] Scott Woodward: "The Aaronic priesthood's impact is monumental, setting it apart through bestowed authority rather than earned accolades."

Sections 14-16: Introduction of the Whitmer Family

Context

• Transition and New Support:
  These sections introduce the Whitmer family as pivotal supporters during a period of persecution in Harmony, Pennsylvania. The Whitmers provided refuge and assistance, becoming essential to the translation process.

• Witnesses of the Book of Mormon:
  David, John, and Peter Whitmer became three of the eight witnesses, further intertwining the Whitmer family with the church’s foundational history.

[64:11] Scott Woodward: "Section 14 emphasizes David Whitmer's future role as a witness and his unwavering testimony until his death."

Content

• Standardized Revelation Language:
  Similar to Section 12, these revelations reinforce the mission call, urging the Whitmers to seek and uphold their duties in support of the Restoration.

• Promises and Testimonies:
  Specific promises are made to David Whitmer about eternal life contingent upon his adherence to God's commandments, foreshadowing his steadfast testimony despite later excommunication.

[70:31] Casey Griffiths: "Including identical revelations to John and Peter Whitmer showcases Joseph Smith's sincerity and the revelation's universal applicability."

Controversies

• Duplicate Revelations:
  Sections 15 and 16 present identical revelations to John and Peter Whitmer, raising questions about redundancy. However, John A. Widtsoe interprets this as a testament to Joseph Smith's sincerity, valuing each revelation's significance.

[70:31] Casey Griffiths: "John A. Widtsoe highlights the preservation of even seemingly redundant revelations as a mark of Joseph Smith's genuine commitment."

Consequences

• Solidifying Church Leadership:
  Establishing the Whitmers as key witnesses reinforces their authority and the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, providing multiple attestations to its divine origin.

[76:40] Casey Griffiths: "The Whitmers' testimonies enrich the historical narrative, offering firsthand accounts of the translation process."

Section 17: Book of Mormon Witnesses

Context

• Empirical Evidence for the Book of Mormon:
  Section 17 is crucial as it designates Martin Harris, David Whitmer, and Oliver Cowdery as the three witnesses who saw the Book of Mormon plates and an angel, providing tangible evidence to support the book's authenticity.

Content

• Witnesses’ Divine Experience:
  The section details a divine encounter where the three witnesses see the plates, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, and other sacred artifacts, affirming the Book of Mormon's historical legitimacy.

[84:47] Scott Woodward: "The Lord not only showed them the plates but also other artifacts to validate the Book of Mormon's authenticity."

• Obligation to Testify:
  The witnesses are commanded to bear testimony of their experiences, ensuring that their declarations are central to every printed edition of the Book of Mormon.

[82:24] Scott Woodward: "Every reader is confronted with these testimonies, obligating personal reflection on their authenticity."

Controversies

• Sincerity and Consistency of Witnesses:
  Critics question the witnesses' genuine experiences, noting that some left the church or never returned, challenging the consistency and reliability of their testimonies.

• Spiritual vs. Physical Experiences:
  Debates arise over whether the witnesses saw spiritual manifestations or tangible, physical objects, with some suggesting the experiences were subjective or drug-induced, though the witnesses vehemently deny such claims.

[88:44] Casey Griffiths: "We’re going to invite Dr. Daniel Peterson to further explore these controversies in an upcoming episode."

Consequences

• Perpetual Witness Testimonies:
  The three witnesses' testimonies are embedded in every copy of the Book of Mormon, serving as a continual challenge and affirmation for readers to assess the book's truthfulness.

[99:36] Casey Griffiths: "The witnesses’ enduring testimonies compel readers to engage deeply with the text’s authenticity."

Conclusion

Episode 104 of Church History Matters provides an exhaustive exploration of Doctrine and Covenants sections 12 through 17, highlighting the foundational roles of the Knight and Whitmer families, the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, and the pivotal testimonies of the Book of Mormon witnesses. Through rich historical context, doctrinal analysis, and thoughtful discussion of controversies, Scott and Casey offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of these critical revelations and their enduring impact on the Latter-day Saint movement.

[99:36] Scott Woodward: "The witnesses seem to have the same effect as CS Lewis's arguments—maintaining a climate in which belief may flourish."

For a deeper dive into the controversies surrounding the Book of Mormon witnesses, listeners are invited to tune into the upcoming bonus episode featuring Dr. Daniel Peterson, a leading expert on the subject.

Notable Quotes:

• Casey Griffiths [05:02]: "The priesthood’s bestowed by those with authority and that a person enters into the priesthood that way is radically different and is still a huge difference between us and most Christian religions."

• Scott Woodward [27:38]: "Section 13 does exactly what it's supposed to do, which is explain that the Aaronic Priesthood was restored by the ministering of an angel, and here’s what it’s supposed to do."

• Casey Griffiths [70:32]: "Every revelation is preserved because it was spoken by the Lord and is part of building the kingdom of God."

Further Resources:

• "The Documentary History of the Book of Mormon" by Larry Morris – An extensive compilation of documents related to the Book of Mormon witnesses.

• Upcoming Episode: Interview with Dr. Daniel Peterson on the controversies surrounding the Book of Mormon witnesses.

About the Podcast:

Church History Matters is an insightful podcast by Scripture Central, aimed at making Latter-day Saint scripture and church history accessible and understandable. Through in-depth discussions and expert interviews, the podcast seeks to strengthen faith by addressing historical and doctrinal challenges faced by believers.

For more resources, visit scripturecentral.org. Support the podcast by donating to help produce and disseminate quality content aimed at upholding enduring faith in Jesus Christ.

Note: The views expressed in this summary are based on the podcast transcript provided and represent the perspectives of Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths. They do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Scripture Central or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.