Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 40

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
             SECTION 40

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Fayette, New York, January 1831. HC 1:145. Preceding the record of this revelation, the Prophet wrote: "As James Covill rejected the word of the Lord, and returned to his former principles and people, the Lord gave unto me and Sidney Rigdon the following revelation."

     
    1—3, Fer of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.
 1 BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, that the heart of my servant aJames Covill was right before me, for he covenanted with me that he would obey my word.

 2 And he areceived the word with gladness, but straightway Satan btempted him; and the fear of cpersecution and the cares of the world caused him to dreject the word.

 3 Wherefore he abroke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me gooda. Amen.

 3a It remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good The Lord is the judge and we are NOT to speculate as to a person's fate in God. Whether James Covill will or will not recieve this or that blessing of God is not of our concern. Often we set ourselves up to judge others and by so doing sentence them to their fate according to 'us', but that is NOT the way it ought to be. All is in the hands of the Lord and whether such as James Covill, or any of us for that matter receive such and such blessing of the Lord, it is between the Lord and each of us. And according as it does seem the Lord good.