The Humility of Revelation: Joseph, William McClellan, and Our Own Responsibilities

How readily do we assume we understand the workings of the Lord? How often do we, in our own councils and responsibilities, evaluate the actions of others with a critical eye, believing we could do better? Doctrine and Covenants 67-70, as discussed in this week’s Saints in the South podcast, offers a humbling perspective on the reception and publication of the Book of Commandments, a crucial step in the Restoration.

The anxiety surrounding Joseph’s grammar and phrasing – the very language of revelation – is understandable, even relatable. It’s a testament to the human tendency to measure the divine by our own imperfect standards. Yet, the Lord’s response is not one of defensiveness, but of challenge. “Yea, verily I say unto you, if it were pleasing unto the Father that I should speak unto them concerning these things, I should have commanded them that they should be written even with the very words which I have spoken” (D&C 67:6). He doesn't demand uncritical acceptance, but invites scrutiny.

The ensuing test—to have the “wisest” among them attempt to produce a better revelation than Joseph—is a brilliant illustration of the impossibility of replicating the divine. William McClellan, a former schoolteacher, accepted the challenge, but ultimately, the brethren recognized that Joseph's revelations were, undeniably, from God. This wasn’t merely about grammar; it was about the inherent authority and inspiration behind the words themselves. To attempt to rewrite them was to attempt to rewrite the will of the Father.

This episode, as Marcus highlighted in the podcast, echoes a principle that strikes at the heart of our own discipleship. We are all, at times, presented with situations where we believe we see a better path, a more efficient solution. But how often do we pause, truly consider, and recognize the possibility that our understanding is limited? Are we willing to submit our own ideas to the test of humility, to acknowledge that the Lord's ways are higher than our ways?

The Lord’s instruction regarding parents in Zion (D&C 68:28) further underscores this point. The responsibility to teach the gospel to our children is not merely a suggestion; it is a divine mandate. Failure to do so incurs a weighty consequence, not merely a matter of personal shortcoming but a spiritual burden upon the parents themselves. This echoes the call to continual growth and a recognition that our efforts, even with the best intentions, may fall short without the Spirit’s guidance.

The parable of the two seeds (D&C 68:31-39) serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle between good and evil within the hearts of men. It calls us to diligently root out the tares of wickedness and cultivate the fertile ground of righteousness. This is not a passive process; it requires constant vigilance and a commitment to aligning our will with the Lord’s.

Ultimately, D&C 67-70 is an invitation to humility, a call to recognize the divine authority of the prophets and apostles, and a reminder of our individual responsibilities in building Zion. Let us strive to emulate William McClellan’s willingness to accept the challenge, not to surpass the Prophet, but to understand and support the work of the Lord.