As the Apostle John closes his Gospel, he adds this comment: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written ever one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." (John 21: 25.)
In D&C 7's headnote we read that Section 7 is a "translated version of the record made on parchment by John and hidden up."
In D&C 93 we read, "John saw and bore record of the fulness of my glory, and the fulness of John's record is hereafter to be revealed. And he bore record, saying: ..." (D&C 93: 6-7.) From verses 7 through 18 it is an excerpt from John's more complete, and as yet unrevealed account.
[Bruce R. McConkie concluded that this was the testimony of John the Baptist, and not John the Beloved. I have accepted Elder McConkie's position in books I have written, however, I believe the account in Section 93 is more likely John the Beloved's record. Since the issue is only a 3 to me on the earlier scale I proposed, I have simply accepted Elder McConkie's view in what I have written.]
John likely had a good deal more to add concerning the Savior, but deliberately withheld it. Similarly, we have the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon as a reminder that not everything has been revealed to us which prior generations had given to them.
We ought to have a bit more humility about our "Restoration" than we have. The fact is, we have never been given what the ancients were trusted to possess. We have never been equal to them. We certainly aren't now. Until we take seriously the Book of Mormon (which will require us to both repent and become more humble than we've ever been), we aren't qualified to receive more. (See, e.g., 3 Ne. 26: 7-12; D&C 84: 54-58.)
Of what then do we have to boast?
Of what then do we have to boast?
ReplyDeleteNothing, as Moses said we are nothing.
In the April 2009 General Conference, President Monson said in his opening address, "Now, my brothers and sisters, I am pleased to report that the Church is doing very well."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-1,00.html
Collectively, we as members like to hear these things, in our pride we need to boast and pat ourselves on the back. It makes us feel better about ourselves and the safety we feel from being members of the church.
However, I think deep down we all know that things aren't quite right. We speak of Zion as we continually march down the road to Babylon.
It will be interesting to hear the talks this weekend. Hopefully we hear more weeping for Zion and not boasting.
More repenting and humility that ever before is needed individually as well as collectively as a church and as a nation. We will reap what we sow.