| Re: When did Joseph Smith receive his C&E? [message #1850 is a reply to message #1834] |
Fri, 04 January 2013 11:57   |
bishop
Messages: 144
Registered: July 2010
Location: USA
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Senior Member |
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I have a little different take on some of the ideas posted above. The heading of Section 132 states that many of the revelations that he wrote in this section were received in 1831, not 1843 when he wrote it down. I always took that to mean that Joseph Smith received his C&E in 1831.
To be forgiven of one's sins is not to receive C&E. Each time we are filled with the Spirit, we must be cleansed for it to dwell with us. When a person is healed under the direction of the Spirit, they are cleansed. Remember how the Savior asked, "Is it easier to say, thy sins are forgiven thee, or be thou healed?" Being forgiven of one's sins is a first step in spirituality, albeit a very important step. It can mean that someone is born again. I believe that Mormon wrote Enos' experience in such a way as to allow the beginner to believe it was about prayer, and yet allow the C&Eer to realize that it was about C&E. To say, "Thy sins are forgiven and thou shalt be blessed" is not the same as to be told, "thou shalt have eternal life." Only by the Spirit can we discern that Enos received his C&E as a result of his wrestling before the Lord.
Alma received a similar blessing from the angel.
15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.
I believe this is when he received his C&E, but it can only counted as conjecture since he was not promised exaltation.
So anyway this is my take on Joseph Smith and Enos receiving their C&E.
Bishop
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