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Discourse, 14 May 1843

Source Note

JS, Discourse, [, Hancock Co., IL, 14 May 1843]. Featured version copied [ca. 14 May 1843] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, pp. [30]–[33]; handwriting of . For more complete source information, see the source note for Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff.

Historical Introduction

On 14 May 1843, JS preached a discourse in , Illinois, taking as his text the first chapter of 2 Peter. Verse 10 of this chapter includes the exhortation for the believing Christian to “make your calling and election sure.” This was a key text in the debate surrounding the doctrine of assurance, which Charles Buck, an influential Protestant theologian, defined as “the belief that we have an interest in the divine favour.” Buck contended that “the means to attain assurance are not those of an extraordinary kind, as some people imagine: such as visions, dreams, voices, &c.” Rather, assurance was communicated through such “ordinary” means as “self-examination, humble and constant prayer, consulting the sacred oracles, Christian communication, attendance on the divine ordinances, and perseverance in the path of duty.”
Although his revelations and teachings alluded to 2 Peter 1 as early as 1829, JS did not explicitly address the meaning of the phrase “make your calling and election sure” for another decade. In summer 1839, JS departed from the view of assurance advocated by Buck and others by teaching that individuals could make their “calling & Election shure” by following the principles of the gospel, by receiving salvific such as , and by faithfully serving God, after which the Lord would audibly declare, “Son thou shalt be exalted.” This declaration would be followed by a personal visitation by Jesus Christ as the “other comforter.” JS equated this process with being “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” mentioned in Ephesians 1:13.
JS revisited the subject during Sunday morning services on 14 May 1843, when he was briefly visiting with and to raise funds for the . In the discourse, JS first spoke of the necessity of acquiring divine “knowledge,” a word mentioned seven times in the first eight verses of 2 Peter 1. He then discussed 2 Peter 1:16–21, a passage recounting the time the apostles Peter, James, and John saw Jesus Christ glorified before them and heard a “voice from heaven” testify “that Jesus was the son of God.” JS argued that hearing that voice was insufficient to confirm to the apostles that their own callings and elections were sure, teaching that the reference to “a more sure word of prophecy” in 2 Peter 1:19 referred to receiving explicit confirmation that “they were in the heavens” and had the promise of eternal life. JS contended that other Christians rejected revelatory knowledge on this subject at their peril, since it was “the most glorious principle of the gospel” and “the main key that unlocks the heavens.”
recorded this discourse in his journal. The polished nature of the account suggests that Woodruff reconstructed JS’s words after the fact, likely from notes taken at the time. Woodruff also noted that “many other vary useful remarks were made on the occasion By Joseph the Seer.” JS revisited 2 Peter 1 two more times during the next week, on 17 May and 21 May 1843.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Assurance,” in Buck, Theological Dictionary, 35; see also Dodd, Sermon on the Doctrine of Christian Assurance, 1–60.

    Buck, Charles. A Theological Dictionary, Containing Definitions of All Religious Terms: A Comprehensive View of Every Article in the System of Divinity. . . . Philadelphia: W. W. Woodward, 1818.

    Dodd, M. A Sermon on the Doctrine of Christian Assurance. 2nd ed. London: Bensley and Son, 1817.

  2. [2]

    See Revelation, Feb. 1829 [D&C 4:6]; Revelation, 8 June 1831 [D&C 53:1]; and Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 Mar. 1839.

  3. [3]

    Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 2 July 1839.

  4. [4]

    Woodruff, Journal, 13–14 May 1843; Editorial Note following 12 May 1843 entry in JS, Journal.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  5. [5]

    Woodruff, Journal, 14 May 1843.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  6. [6]

    See Discourse, 17 May 1843–A; and Discourse, 21 May 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Discourse, 14 May 1843 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [32]

than to hear the voice of God saying this is my Beloved son &c Now for the secret & grand [drawing of a key] key. though they might hear the voice of God & know that Jesus was the son of God this would be no evidence that their election & calling & election was made shure that they had part with Christ & was a Joint heir with him, they then would want that more sure word of prophecy that they were in the heavens & had the promise of eternal live in the kingdom of God— then having this promise sealed unto them it was as an anchor to the soul sure & steadfast though the thunders might roll; & lightnings flash & earthquakes Bellow & war gather thick around yet this hope & knowledge would support the soul in evry hour of trial trouble & tribulation Then knowledge through our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ— is the grand key [drawing of a key] that unlocks the glories & misteries of the kingdom of heaven Compair this principle once with Christendom at the present day & whare are they with all their boasted religion piety & sacredness while at the same time they are crying out against Prophets Apostles Angels Revelations Prophesyings, & visions &c. why they are Just ripening for the damnation of hell, they will be damned for they reject the most glorious principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ & treat with disdain & trample under foot the main key that unlocks the heavens & puts in our possession the glories of the . yes I say such will be damned with all their professed godliness [p. [32]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [32]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Discourse, 14 May 1843
ID #
1065
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D12:301–305
Handwriting on This Page
  • Wilford Woodruff

Footnotes

  1. [10]

    See Matthew 3:17; 17:5; and JS History, vol. A-1, 3.

  2. [11]

    See Romans 8:17.

  3. [12]

    See Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 423 [Helaman 10:7]; Matthew 18:18; and Ephesians 1:13.

  4. [13]

    See Hebrews 6:19.

  5. [14]

    See Matthew 5:13.

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