Church History Matters – Episode 156

D&C 106-108 – Priesthood Offices and Duties
Hosts: Scott & Casey | Scripture Central
Date: September 16, 2025
Podcast Sections Covered: Section 106 (Warren Cowdery), Section 107 (Priesthood Organization & Offices), Section 108 (Lyman Sherman)

Main Theme

In this episode, Scott and Casey delve into the historical context and modern significance of Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) sections 106, 107, and 108. Through lively discussion, they trace the origins, structure, and implications of Latter-day Saint priesthood offices, examining the key revelations that established church government and responsibilities—and exploring how these shape the Church to this day.

Table of Contents

1. Section 106 – Warren Cowdery’s Calling
2. Section 107 – The Structure of Priesthood & Church Government
   • Historical Context
   • Breakdown of Quorums & Offices
   • Authority, Hierarchy, and Unanimity
   • Priesthood: Order, Authority, and Duties
   • Patriarchal Order and Lineage
   • Controversies & Insights
   • Lasting Consequences
3. Section 108 – Lyman Sherman’s Personal Revelation

Section 106 – Warren Cowdery’s Calling

[00:46–11:50]

Key Points

• Background: Section 106 is a brief, 8-verse revelation for Warren Cowdery (Oliver Cowdery’s older brother) in Freedom, NY, in late 1834. Joseph Smith was busy preparing for Zion’s Camp and other duties but made time when prompted by the Lord to provide revelation for Warren.

• Warren’s Journey: Not a member when Joseph visited, Warren was baptized soon after and sought guidance about his role.

• Calling: The Lord calls Warren to be a presiding high priest in his region and instructs him to preach and build up the Church locally and in surrounding counties (03:55).

• Memorable Moment: The joy in heaven when Warren committed to the Lord.

  “There was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter and separated himself from the crafts of men.” – Scott [05:36]

• Relatability: Both hosts reflect on personal moments of commitment to the Lord, drawing parallels to Warren’s experience (06:00).

• End Note: Warren contributed significantly to the early Church—as a scribe, bookbinder, and High Council member—but, affected by the 1837 Kirtland apostasy and Oliver’s excommunication, ultimately left the Church and did not return before his death (10:37).

  “Kind of a sad ending to the Warren Cowdery story. Not an eternal ending—we don’t know what happens later. He’s in Jesus’ hands.” – Casey [11:36]

Section 107 – The Structure of Priesthood & Church Government

[11:50–81:56]

Historical Context

• 1835 Context:
  • “Section 107... one of the most significant sections in the entire Doctrine and Covenants.” – Casey [11:50]
  • Given amid the organization of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Seventy following Zion’s Camp. A “priesthood handbook” for the young and rapidly growing Church.
  • Not a single revelation but a composite—first 58 verses new, 59–100 a revised revelation from 1831 (18:45).

Breakdown of Quorums & Offices

• Overview:
  • Verses 1–6: Introduction—two priesthoods (Melchizedek and Aaronic).
  • 7–20: Rights, powers, authority, and offices.
  • 21–39: Responsibilities and relationships of presiding quorums (First Presidency, Twelve, Seventy).
  • 40–57: Patriarchal priesthood/tracing “the order” from Adam.
  • 58–100: Duties of presiding officers through all Church levels.
• Church Government Explored:
  • First Presidency: Top quorum; has authority to preside over all offices [34:00].
  • Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Traveling high council, authority equal to First Presidency if the latter is dissolved [34:00].
  • Quorums of the Seventy: Serve worldwide under the Twelve; theoretically equal in authority to the Twelve if the latter were dissolved, but this has never occurred [36:40].
  • High Councils: Local government in early Church; less relevant now due to global expansion.

Authority, Hierarchy, and Unanimity

• Unanimity Principle:

  “Every decision made by either of these quorums... must be by the unanimous voice of the same.” – [36:57]

  • Example given: 1978 revelation on priesthood—consensus achieved among the Twelve before announcement [39:00].
  • Encouragement toward unity and consensus:

    “Better to be united in a bad plan than be divided in a good plan. That's how we do things in the church.” – Scott [38:53]

Priesthood: Order, Authority, and Duties

• Paradigm Shift:

  • Priesthood as Order: More than “power/authority of God,” it’s an order/brotherhood to which one is ordained (21:29, 24:50).
  • Melchizedek as Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God—terms matter for understanding (23:00, 24:50).

• Specific Offices:

  • Melchizedek: Presidency, high priests, elders—spiritual authority.
  • Aaronic: Administers outward ordinances (baptism etc.), under bishopric, temporal affairs.

• Role of 70s:

  “A 70 can do anything that an apostle can do, so long as an apostle asks them to do it.” – Elder Bednar, as recounted by Scott [47:02]

• General Authorities:

  • The Twelve and Seventy called “general authorities” because they have broad, untethered jurisdiction [42:14].

Patriarchal Order and Lineage

• Evangelical Ministers/Patriarchs: Explained as those who bestow patriarchal blessings; system patterned after Adam gathering his posterity (53:00).

  “This order was instituted in the days of Adam and came down by lineage… this chosen family who plays center stage throughout most of the Bible… sometimes called the seed of Abraham, sometimes the house of Israel.” – Scott [52:15]

• Emphasis on Adoption:
  • All are invited—blessings not “elitist;” God uses one family as a model, but all can be adopted into this family [52:59].

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Role of Priesthood Today:

  “It’s amazing how much fidelity we show to this revelation from the office of a deacon all the way up to the presidency of the high priesthood.” – Casey [68:46]

• On Apostolic Witness of Christ:

  • The charge for apostles is to be “special witnesses of the name of Christ,” referring to the totality of his mission, not necessarily a physical sighting (69:52).
  • Historical charge from Oliver Cowdery:

    “Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face… your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid his hand upon you.” – [72:15]

  • Modern apostolic reticence:

    “President Packer… said, ‘I've never asked it of any of my brethren.’” – [71:22] “I appreciate that the apostles still hold something sacred and basically don’t go around saying, ‘Yeah, I was talking to the Savior last night…’” – Casey [75:00]

  • All are invited to seek a witness:

    “Hopefully you and I and every person out there that has a witness of the living Christ can be witnesses too. It’s just not our full time job.” – Casey [78:17]

Controversies & Insights

• Are Apostles Required to Have Seen Jesus?
  • No, but it’s an aspiration outlined by Oliver Cowdery and Joseph F. Smith [72:15, 76:20].
  • Witness can come by the Holy Ghost, and is accessible to all (Paul as a precedent; President Harold B. Lee’s comments) [73:50].
  • Historical failures in the early Quorum of the Twelve (apostasy) suggest not all had seen Christ [76:20].
• Succession in the Presidency:
  • Covered more in depth in previous podcast series; Section 107 provides the framework for the authority of the Twelve after the First Presidency is dissolved [79:20].

Lasting Consequences

• Enduring Relevance:

  “This is the foundation really of the highest hierarchy of the church… the ecclesiastical structure that’s set up in section 107 we’re still using almost two centuries later.” – Casey [81:56]

• Organization for the Future:

  • System allows for infinite expansion (more quorums of Seventy as needed; separation of spiritual and temporal administration, checks and balances, etc.)

Section 108 – Lyman Sherman’s Personal Revelation

[81:56–94:27]

Key Points

• Context:
  • December 26, 1835, Lyman Sherman approaches Joseph Smith seeking a revelation about his personal standing and duty.
  • Sherman was a veteran of Zion’s Camp and a member of the Seventy; notable for his faith and loyalty.
• Revelation Content:
  • The Lord forgives Sherman's sins for his obedience in seeking counsel (85:01).
  • Instructed to “let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing and resist no more my voice” (85:24).
  • Called to wait patiently for his ministry and, in the meantime, “strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations and all your doings” (85:50).
    • Applied universally: “If someone came into a bishop or stake president… you could open up section 108 and read verse 7… that’s so universally applicable.” – Scott [86:13]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Divine Approval:

  “Let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing.” – Lord to Lyman Sherman [86:11] “I think the Lord just wanted you to know that you were the kind of person that he would entrust with this sort of responsibility.” – Casey [90:28]

• Consequences in Sherman's Life:

  • Sustained as a President of the Seventy and fulfilled his duties with courage and faithfulness. In a dramatic act, he destroys a printing press to protect the Church’s reputation during Kirtland’s apostasy (fire is rarely heroic, but here it was) [93:40].
  • Was later called to the Quorum of the Twelve but died unexpectedly before being ordained (88:43).

Controversies

• Sherman’s Posthumous Apostleship:
  • 1839: First Presidency nominates Lyman Sherman to replace an apostle who had fallen. He dies 11 days later, before ordination. Later, Orson Hyde (whom he would have replaced) returns and resumes his place as apostle [87:20]. The hosts reflect on how sometimes calls reveal the Lord’s trust, even if unforeseen circumstances intervene.

Memorable Moments

• Analogy Feast:
  • The episode opens with fun analogies for the three sections—a meal, with appetizer (106), main course (107), and dessert (108) [00:38].
• Personal Vulnerability:
  • Both hosts share their own spiritual coming-of-age stories when reflecting on Warren Cowdery’s call [06:00].
• Elder Bednar’s Classroom:
  • Elder Bednar’s “The 70 are apostles without keys” story provides clarity and practical context for Section 107’s instructions [47:02].
• Lyman Sherman’s “Faithful Arsonist” Title:
  • Remembered for literally burning down a press to protect the Church; “a hero for destroying church property” [94:02].

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Section 106 Context & Warren Cowdery’s Story: [02:03–11:50]
• Section 107 Historical Context & Overview: [11:50–18:45]
• Breakdown of Offices/Quorums & Authority: [19:53–34:00]
• Unanimity and Church Decision-Making: [36:57–42:14]
• Role of 70s – Bednar Story: [47:02–49:53]
• Patriarchal Order/Family in God’s Plan: [52:15–57:38]
• Role & Witness of Apostles: [69:28–79:20]
• Section 108, Lyman Sherman’s Story: [81:56–94:27]

Closing Thoughts

Scott and Casey’s discussion illuminates the complexity, inspiration, and enduring utility of D&C 106–108 in the organization and operation of the Church. Through stories, personal anecdotes, and scholarly analysis, they show how these revelations not only shaped 19th-century church government but remain vital to Latter-day Saints today.

“The ecclesiastical structure that’s set up in section 107 we’re still using almost two centuries later… There is a real beauty in attending general conference and seeing the system firing on all cylinders… It’s a testament to how thought out it was and how well structured.” – Casey [81:56]

Next week: Sections 109–110 and the Kirtland Endowment.