free thinker
26th October 2005, 05:16 PM
In the original Book of Commandments of 1833 we find this revelation given through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery:
" you shall receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you ask in faith, with an honest heart...Remember this is your gift. Now this is not all, for you have another gift which is the gift of working with the rod: behold it has told you many things:behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this rod of nature, to work in your hands, for it is the work of God;and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that you shall know."
In the subsequent version called The Doctrine and Covenants published in 1835 the Lord seems to have wanted a different rendition. It is as follows:
" Now this is not all your gift, for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron: behold it has told you many things; behold there is no other power save the power of God that can cause the gift of Aaron to be with you; therefore doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands ,for it is the work of God"
The rod reffered to above is a divining rod used to find buried treasure.
When people talk about mormon culture being rich etc. I blanch a bit. This just seems like silly treasure hunting turned religion to me. I think JS and Oliver were, as Van Wagoner calls them " Pious Frauds" .
Now for a little fun. Here is something that a treasure digger should never have to ask:
Where is my rod? I mean, if you have the gift of Aaron why do you need to ask. Just feel for it.
free thinker
" you shall receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you ask in faith, with an honest heart...Remember this is your gift. Now this is not all, for you have another gift which is the gift of working with the rod: behold it has told you many things:behold there is no other power save God, that can cause this rod of nature, to work in your hands, for it is the work of God;and therefore whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, that you shall know."
In the subsequent version called The Doctrine and Covenants published in 1835 the Lord seems to have wanted a different rendition. It is as follows:
" Now this is not all your gift, for you have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron: behold it has told you many things; behold there is no other power save the power of God that can cause the gift of Aaron to be with you; therefore doubt not, for it is the gift of God, and you shall hold it in your hands, and do marvelous works; and no power shall be able to take it away out of your hands ,for it is the work of God"
The rod reffered to above is a divining rod used to find buried treasure.
When people talk about mormon culture being rich etc. I blanch a bit. This just seems like silly treasure hunting turned religion to me. I think JS and Oliver were, as Van Wagoner calls them " Pious Frauds" .
Now for a little fun. Here is something that a treasure digger should never have to ask:
Where is my rod? I mean, if you have the gift of Aaron why do you need to ask. Just feel for it.
free thinker