Doctrine & Covenants Section 107

Official Declaration 2

Section 107

In January 1835, Joseph Smith prepared to see that “the revelation of June 1829,” (D&C 18:37-38) was obeyed

He called a meeting of all “who went up to Zion in the camp”

On February 14, 1835, “President Joseph Smith, Jr. said that the first business of the meeting was, for the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, to pray, each one, and then proceed to choose twelve men from the Church, as Apostles, to go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people”

Three Witnesses

•The witnesses prayed and were blessed by laying on of the hands of the Presidency.

•The Witnesses then, according to a former commandment, proceeded to make choice of the twelve.

•HC 2:186-87

Original Quorum of the Twelve

Thomas B. Marsh

David W. Patten

Brigham Young

Parley P. Pratt

John Boynton

Orson Hyde

Lyman E. Johnson

William E. McLellin

Orspn PrattWilliam B. Smith

Luke S. Johnson

Heber C. Kimball

March 1835 The Prophet calls the Twelve on their

first mission to the eastern states and the Atlantic Coast. (March 12th)

The Twelve meet again (March 28th). Orson Hyde and William McLellin record: “. . . on reviewing our past course we are

satisfied and feel to confess also, that we have not realized the importance of our calling to that degree we ought . . .”

A RevelationOn March, 28 1835 the Twelve then request a revelation from

the Lord through Joseph Smith: “We therefore feel to ask of him whom we have

acknowledged to be our Prophet and Seer, that he inquire of God for us, and obtain a revelation, (if consistent) that we may look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be comforted.

Our worthiness has not inspired us to make this request, but our unworthiness. We have unitedly asked God our Heavenly Father to grant unto us, through His Seer, a revelation of His mind and will concerning our duty that coming season, even a great revelation, that will enlarge our hearts, comfort us in adversity, and brighten our hopes amidst the powers of darkness”

HC 2:210

Joseph Inquires of the Lord “In compliance with the

above request, I inquired of the Lord, and received for answer the following” Joseph Smith, HC

2:210 The first 58 verses of

Section 107 were given at that time

Verses 59-100 were largely adapted from a November 11, 1831 revelation received at the Hiram conference at which sections 1 & 133 were revealed

Melchizedek Priesthood Given to Adam and handed down by him from father

to son (41-58) To avoid repetition of name of diety (3), named after

Melchizedek (1-7) Who was Melchizedek? See also Hebrews 5:5; 7: 1-4; and JST, Genesis 14: 25-40

Presided over by the Presidency of the High Priesthood (First Presidency) and includes:

○ Apostles○ High priests○ Seventies○ Patriarchs○ Elders

“To administer in spiritual things” (8)

Keys of Blessings The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the

keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn (JST Genesis 9:23), and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.D&C 107:18-19

What did President Young Mean?

We live far beneath our privileges. Discourses of Brigham Young,

32

Aaronic Priesthood Why Aaronic?

Because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed (13)

Part of the higher priesthood○ Bishops○ Priests○ Teachers○ Deacons

“To hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments” (D&C Section 20)

Church Councils D&C 107:27-32 The principle of councils appears to be

eternal Council in heaven (Topical Guide)

What are the main councils mentioned?First Presidency (21-22)Council of the Twelve Apostles (23-24, 33,

35, 38-39, 58)Council of the Seventy (25-26, 34)High Councils (36-37)

The genius of our Church government is government through councils, . . . Hardly a day passes but that I see the wisdom, God's wisdom, in creating councils: to govern his kingdom.

In the spirit under which we labor, men can get together with seemingly divergent views and far different backgrounds, and under the operation of that spirit, by counseling together, they can arrive at an accord . . . That accord represents the wisdom of the council, acting under the Spirit. President Stephen L. Richards,

Conference Report, October 1953, 86

The Council of the Twelve Each Thursday morning promptly at eight

o'clock, the Council of the Twelve meets in the temple. We meet in the council room on the fourth floor . . . The Twelve sit in a semicircle facing the Presidency . . .

For two hours the Council of the Twelve considers matters to be brought before them under the direction of [the] President.

Precisely at ten o'clock, the First Presidency arrives. They have been meeting in their board room in the Church Administration Building. After some sacred ceremonies, including prayer at the altar, the meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve commences. . . .

The Council of the Twelve

There, in that sacred building, where we are literally out of the world, matters relating to the government of the Church are considered carefully and prayerfully. . . . It may be well for you to know likewise, that the decisions of this council are not consummated unless they are unanimous. They must be unanimous or there is no decision. Scrupulous care is given to see that these issues have the approval of the Lord. Many times in that sacred setting, in these meetings, his watch care over the Church has been in evidence. President Boyd K. Packer, quoted in Studies in Scripture,

Vol. 1, 408-09

Nuts and Bolts

The November 1831 revelation, essentially verses 59-100, deals with nuts and bolts of church administrationOutlines the responsibilities of church officersOutlines the jurisdiction of various councilsFlexibility for future needs

“To say that there will be a stated time, in the history of this Church… when the [priesthood] organization will be perfect, and that there will be no further extension or addition to the organization, would be a mistake.

“Organization is to go on, step after step, from one degree to another, just as people increase and grow in the knowledge of the principles and laws of the Kingdom of God and as their borders shall extend.”

When is the last time we had a change in our priesthood organization? What was it?

Orson PrattSermon 20 May 1877, Deseret News Weekly,18 July 1877

Example of Flexibility and Growth

Regional Representatives (1968-1995) We announce the call of a new local

officer to be known as an area authority. These will be high priests chosen from among past and present experienced Church leaders. . . . We are guided in setting up this new corps of area officers, as were our Brethren before us in the calling of regional representatives, by the provision contained in the revelation on priesthood, section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

D&C 107:98 April 1, 1995, General Conference

Distinction Between Priesthood and the Keys of the Priesthood

“The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this authority delegated to him.

“But it is necessary that every act . . . be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fulness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor . . . So it is throughout all the ramifications of the Priesthood—a distinction must be carefully made between the general authority, and the directing of the labors performed by that authority.”

Joseph F. SmithImprovement Era, Vol. 4 p.230January 1901

Sustaining Vote Concerning the First Presidency the

Lord has said, “Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church” (D&C 107:22).

I emphasize those words, “upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church.”

Your uplifted hands in the solemn assembly this morning became an expression of your willingness and desire to uphold us, your brethren and your servants, with your confidence, faith, and prayer. I am deeply grateful for that expression. I thank you, each of you. President Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1,

1995, General Conference

Every Faithful, Worthy Man

Since Adam

Abraham 1:21-27 Although we do not know the reason

why, from the dispensation of Adam, until the dispensation of the fulness of times, there has been a group of people who have not been allowed to hold the priesthood of God.

President Kimball Prays1 June 1978 “There were ten members of the Council of the

Twelve and three of the First Presidency there assembled. The result was that President Kimball knew, and each one of us knew, independent of any other person, by direct and personal revelation to us, that the time had now come to extend the gospel and all its blessings and all its obligations, including the priesthood and the blessings of the house of the Lord, to those of every nation, culture, and race, including the black race. There was no question whatsoever as to what happened or as to the word and message that came.”

~Elder Bruce R. McConkie

A World-wide Church “It was a revelation . . . That would

reverse the whole direction of the Church, both procedurally and administratively; one that would affect the living and the dead; one that would affect the total relationship that we have with the world. . . . This affects what is going on in the spirit world. . . . This is a revelation of tremendous significance.” Bruce R. McConkie, “The New Revelation on the

Priesthood,” in Priesthood, 134-35

Every Worthy Man

Conclusion Wherefore, let every man learn his duty,

and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand.D&C 107:99-100

John Taylor asked: “Who was the greater, the seventy or the high priest? It is the man who magnifies his office.” (Gospel Kingdom, 152)

The Gradual Development of Church Priesthood LeadershipSectionSection YearYear DevelopmentDevelopment

D&C 13D&C 13 May 15, 1829May 15, 1829 Aaronic Priesthood Aaronic Priesthood RestoredRestored

D&C 13 & 27D&C 13 & 27 Between May 15, 1829 & Between May 15, 1829 & April, 1830April, 1830

Melchizedek Priesthood Melchizedek Priesthood RestoredRestored

D&C 18D&C 18 June 1829June 1829 Oliver & David called Oliver & David called Apostles (107:23)Apostles (107:23)

D&C 20:2-3D&C 20:2-3 April 6, 1830April 6, 1830 Joseph sustained as the Joseph sustained as the First Elder and Oliver as First Elder and Oliver as Second. Both sustained as Second. Both sustained as “teachers of the gospel”“teachers of the gospel”

D&C 21D&C 21

Verses 4-7Verses 4-7

April 6, 1830April 6, 1830 Joseph sustained as Joseph sustained as prophet, seer and revelator, prophet, seer and revelator, & Apostle& Apostle

Promises to the SaintsPromises to the Saints

D&C 28:2D&C 28:2 Sept. 1830Sept. 1830 No one appointed to receive No one appointed to receive revelation for the Church revelation for the Church except the prophet.except the prophet.

The Gradual Development of Church Priesthood Leadership

SectionSection YearYear DevelopmentDevelopment

D&C 28:2, 7D&C 28:2, 7

D&C 84:19-20D&C 84:19-20

Sept. 1830Sept. 1830 Joseph holds keys to the mysteries.Joseph holds keys to the mysteries.

D&C 43:1-6 D&C 43:1-6

Note vs. 4Note vs. 4

February, 1831February, 1831 Only Joseph Smith the prophet can receive Only Joseph Smith the prophet can receive revelation of the Church (reiteration needed revelation of the Church (reiteration needed today?)today?)

D&C 64:5D&C 64:5 Sept. 11, 1831Sept. 11, 1831 Keys of the kingdom shall not be taken Keys of the kingdom shall not be taken from Joseph Smithfrom Joseph Smith

D&C 75 (heading)D&C 75 (heading) Jan. 25, 1832Jan. 25, 1832 Joseph sustained as President of the High Joseph sustained as President of the High Priesthood.Priesthood.

D&C 81:1-5D&C 81:1-5 March 1832March 1832 Frederick G. Williams called to be Joseph’s Frederick G. Williams called to be Joseph’s Second CounselorSecond Counselor in the Presidency of the in the Presidency of the High Priesthood, High Priesthood, Keys of the kingdomKeys of the kingdom belong to the Presidency. Duties outlined. belong to the Presidency. Duties outlined. First Presidency more formally organized. First Presidency more formally organized.

The Gradual Development of Church Priesthood LeadershipSectionSection YearYear DevelopmentDevelopment

D&C 90:1-6 Note D&C 90:1-6 Note vs. 3, 5, 6vs. 3, 5, 6

March 8, 1833March 8, 1833 This revelation is a continuing step in the This revelation is a continuing step in the establishment of the First Presidency. establishment of the First Presidency. Priesthood versus keys. As a consequence Priesthood versus keys. As a consequence of this revelation, the counselors mentioned of this revelation, the counselors mentioned in verse 6 are sustained…in verse 6 are sustained…

Mar. 18, 1833Mar. 18, 1833 Sidney Rigdon sustained as First Counselor Sidney Rigdon sustained as First Counselor and Frederick G. Williams as Second and Frederick G. Williams as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.Counselor in the First Presidency.

June 1834June 1834 Zion’s CampZion’s Camp

Feb. 14, 1835Feb. 14, 1835 Calling of the TwelveCalling of the Twelve

D&C 107 (note: D&C 107 (note: vs. 23-24; 25-26; vs. 23-24; 25-26; 33)33)

Mar. 28, 1835Mar. 28, 1835 Revelation of the organization of the Revelation of the organization of the Priesthoods (Melchizedek and Aaronic) of Priesthoods (Melchizedek and Aaronic) of God.God.

Regional Regional Representatives;Representatives;

Area AuthoritiesArea Authorities

1968; 1 April,19951968; 1 April,1995 Regional Representatives (1968-1995)

Area Authorities Area Authorities April 1, 1995, General Conference