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Quote mining/Doctrines of Salvation/DoS 1:170:Analysis
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Quote mining analysis
The quote and its use by the critic(s):
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In this restoration it is necessary that the Church of Jesus Christ in its simplicity and truth be restored. All the keys and powers of priesthood held by the prophets of former dispensations must be conferred upon God's chosen representatives on the earth. In this manner all the authority and keys of priesthood of the past are to flow into the most glorious and greatest of dispensations, like clear streams flowing into a mighty river. The everlasting covenant once given to the ancients, and which Isaiah says was broken, must be restored....Since the prophets predicted that in the last days the Lord would gather Israel and once more reveal to them his covenants, reason demands that these covenants and the keys of this restoration must be given to some chosen messenger. Joseph Smith is that messenger....
RESTORATION: LINE UPON LINE. There is a beautiful thread of consistency running through the scheme of gospel restoration. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery could not foresee the end from the beginning, but the Lord was the Architect, and made known to them little by little, as knowledge and organization were needed, until the perfect structure of the Church was restored. Inspiration is discovered in the fact that each part, as it was revealed, dovetailed perfectly with what had come before. There was no need for eliminating, changing, or adjusting any part to make it fit; but each new revelation on doctrine and priesthood fitted in its place perfectly to complete the whole structure, as it had been prepared by the Master Builder. |
there was no need for eliminating, changing, or adjusting any part to make it fit; but each new revelation on doctrine and priesthood fitted in its place perfectly to complete the whole structure, as it had been prepared by the Master Builder. |
Analysis
President Smith is not talking about editing or changing the text of the Doctrine and Covenants. He is denying the need to discard aspects of “the perfect structure of the Church” as “knowledge and organization were needed.” Thus, priesthood organization and the like did not to be substantially rewritten--additional offices and organization were added as time went on, but there was no rewriting or rejection of previous offices or organizational structures.
Furthermore, President Smith also speaks of the need to restore covenants and ordinances, and these two underwent no change or rewriting--though additional ordinances were revealed as the restoration progressed.