Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 62

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
         SECTION 62

Revelation given through Joseph Sith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River at Chariton, Missouri, August 13, 1831. HC 1:205—206. On this day the Prophet and his group, who were on their way from Independence to Kirtland, met several elders who were on their way to the land of Zion, and after joyful salutations, received this revelation.

    1—3, Testimonies are recorded in heaven;
    4—9, The elders are to travel and preach according to judgment and as directed by the Spirit.
 1 BEHOLD, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your aadvocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to bsuccor them who are ctempteda.
 2 And verily mine eyes are upon those who have not as yet gone up unto the land of Zion; wherefore your mission is not yet full.

 1a who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted The Lord learn through his own mortality more concerning temptation than every man, for he resisted all his own temptations, thus being all the stronger and knowing how all might be overcome. As C.S. Lewis has stated: "". And thus also in 1 Corinthians, Paul so states that the Lord sees that we are not tempted above that which we are able, and that he, as it states here that he knoweth the weakness and how to succor those who are tempted, that he will make a way to escape the temptations, that we may be able to bear it (See 1 Corinthians 10:13). In Ether, it further explains how it is that we have been given 'weakness' or have been caused to become 'natural carnal beings', and that is that by this weakness we do learn to humble ourselves before God, and learn that it is only by and through such 'power' of God, our weakness(es) might be overcome and that He will make weak things become strong unto them (See Ether 12:27).  12a TG Millennium, Preparing a
        People for
     b D&C 2:1; D&C 49:28;
        D&C 58:65; D&C 68:11;
        D&C 68:35; D&C 84:119;
        TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming
 13a D&C 63:6; TG Anger
        TG God, Indignation of
     b Ezek. 21:3; D&C 35:14;
        D&C 84:114; D&C 85:3;
 14a Isa. 40:10 (5-10);
        D&C 45:47; D&C 56:1;
     b Zech. 14:1
     c Ezek. 33:31 (30-33);
        Matt. 11:15; Heb. 5:11 (11-14);
        2 Ne. 9:31; Mosiah 26:28;
        Moses 6:27;
        TG Hardheartedness;
        TG Haughtiness
     d TG Prophets, Rejection of
     e D&C 11:2; TG Disobedience
     f TG Apostles
     g Acts 3:23 (22-23); Alma 50:20;
        D&C 5:5; D&C 50:8;
        D&C 56:3 (1, 3-4)
 3 Nevertheless, ye are ablessed, for the btestimony which ye have borne is crecorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your dsins are forgiven you.
 4 And now continue your journey. Assemble yourselves upon the land of aZion; and hold a meeting and rejoice together, and offer a bsacrament unto the Most High.
 5 And then you may return to bear record, yea, even altogether, or atwo by two, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me; only be faithful, and bdeclare good tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, or among the ccongregations of the wicked.

 12a TG Millennium, Preparing a
        People for
     b D&C 2:1; D&C 49:28;
        D&C 58:65; D&C 68:11;
        D&C 68:35; D&C 84:119;
        TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming
 13a D&C 63:6; TG Anger
        TG God, Indignation of
     b Ezek. 21:3; D&C 35:14;
        D&C 84:114; D&C 85:3;
 14a Isa. 40:10 (5-10);
        D&C 45:47; D&C 56:1;
     b Zech. 14:1
     c Ezek. 33:31 (30-33);
        Matt. 11:15; Heb. 5:11 (11-14);
        2 Ne. 9:31; Mosiah 26:28;
        Moses 6:27;
        TG Hardheartedness;
        TG Haughtiness
     d TG Prophets, Rejection of
     e D&C 11:2; TG Disobedience
     f TG Apostles
     g Acts 3:23 (22-23); Alma 50:20;
        D&C 5:5; D&C 50:8;
        D&C 56:3 (1, 3-4)
 6 Behold, I, the Lord, have brought you together that the promise might be fulfilled, that the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together in the land of Missouri. I, the Lord, apromise the faithful and cannot blie.
 7 I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you adesire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive the blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a bthankful heart in all things.

 12a TG Millennium, Preparing a
        People for
     b D&C 2:1; D&C 49:28;
        D&C 58:65; D&C 68:11;
        D&C 68:35; D&C 84:119;
        TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming
 13a D&C 63:6; TG Anger
        TG God, Indignation of
     b Ezek. 21:3; D&C 35:14;
        D&C 84:114; D&C 85:3;
 14a Isa. 40:10 (5-10);
        D&C 45:47; D&C 56:1;
     b Zech. 14:1
     c Ezek. 33:31 (30-33);
        Matt. 11:15; Heb. 5:11 (11-14);
        2 Ne. 9:31; Mosiah 26:28;
        Moses 6:27;
        TG Hardheartedness;
        TG Haughtiness
     d TG Prophets, Rejection of
     e D&C 11:2; TG Disobedience
     f TG Apostles
     g Acts 3:23 (22-23); Alma 50:20;
        D&C 5:5; D&C 50:8;
        D&C 56:3 (1, 3-4)
 8 These things remain with you to do according to judgment and the directions of the Spirit.
 9 Behold, the akingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am bwith the faithful always. Even so. Amen.