[Joseph Smith Sermon] Calling and Election Sure
Correction of Bible - Genesis 2:7
Matter Eternal - Spirit is Matter (1)
-- May 17, 1843
Ramus, Illinois. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 131, a revelation containing requirements for obtaining the celestial degree of glory. (2)
[Joseph Smith] (1) (Wednesday Morning). Ramus, Illinois.
William Clayton Diary
At 10 Prest. J. preached on 2nd Peter Ch 1. He shewed that knowledge is power & the man who has the most knowledge has the greatest power. Also that salvation means a mans being placed beyond the powers of all his enemies. He said the more sure word of prophecy meant a mans knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation & the spirit of prophecy through the power of the Holy priesthood. He also showed that it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. Paul had seen the third heavens and I more. Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles.
Samuel A. Prior Statement, Times and Seasons 4 (15 May 1843): 198
He commenced preaching, not from the Book of Mormon, however, but from the Bible; the first chapter of the first of Peter, was his text. He commenced calmly and continued dispassionately to pursue his subject, while I sat in breathless silence, waiting to hear that foul aspersion of the other sects, that diabolical disposition of revenge, and to hear that rancorous denunciation of every individual but a Mormon. I waited in vain---I listened with surprise---I sat uneasy in my seat, and could hardly persuade myself but that he had been apprised of my presence, and so ordered his discourse on my account; that I might not be able to find fault with it, for instead of a jumbled jargon of half connected sentences, and a volley of imprecations, and diabolical and malignant denunciations heaped upon the heads of all who differed from him, and the dreadful twisting and wresting of the scriptures, to suit his own peculiar views, and attempt to weave a web of dark and mystic sophistry
around thegospel truths, which I had anticipated, he glided along through a very interesting and elaborate discourse, with all the care and happy facility of one who was well aware of his important station, and his duty to God and man, and evidencing to me, that he was well worthy to be styled "a workman rightly dividing the word of truth," and giving without reserve, "saint and sinner his portion in due season" ---and I was compelled to go away with a very different opinion from what I had entertained when I first took my seat to hear him preach. (3)
[Joseph Smith] (2) (Wednesday Evening). Ramus, Illinois.
William Clayton Diary
In the evening we went to hear a Methodist preacher lecture. After he got through Pres. J. offered some corrections as follows. The 7th verse of C 2 of Genesis ought to read God breathed into Adam his spirit or breath of life, but when the word "ruach" applies to Eve it should be translated lives. Speaking of eternal duration of matter he I said. There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter but is more fine or pure and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cant see it but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter.
Samuel A. Prior Statement, Times and Seasons 4 (15 May 1843): 198
In the evening I was invited to preach, and did so.---The congregation was large and respectable---they paid the utmost attention. This surprised me a little, as I did not expect to find any such thing as a religious toleration among them.---After I had closed, Elder Smith, who had attended, arose and begged leave to differ from me in some few points of doctrine, and this he did mildly, politely, and affectingly; like one who was more desirous to disseminate truth and expose error, than to love the malicious triumph of debate over me. I was truly edified with his remarks, and felt less prejudiced against the Mormons than ever. He invited me to call upon him, and I promised to do so. (3)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, May 17th Wrote Bro[ther] Page in behalf of the Quorum [of the Twelve Apostles]. (4)
-- May 17, 1843. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Brother [] Perkins, after which we took a pleasure ride through Fountain Green. At 10 President Joseph preached on 2nd Peter Chap[ter] 1. He shewed that knowledge is power and the man who has the most knowledge has the greatest power. Also that salvation means a marts being placed beyond the powers of all his enemies. He said the more sure word of prophecy meant, a marts knowing that he was sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy through the power of the Holy priesthood. He also showed that it was impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. Paul had seen the third heavens and I more. Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles.
Dined at Brother [Almon] Babbits. President Joseph said to Brother Johnson and I that J[oseph] B. Noble when he was first taught this doctrine set his heart on one and pressed J[oseph Smith] to seal the contract but he never could get opportunity. It seemed that the Lord was unwilling. Finally another came along and he then engaged that one and is a happy man. I learned from this anecdote never to press the prophet but wait with patience and God will bring all things right. I feel to pray that God will let me live so that I may come to the full knowledge of truth and salvation and be prepared for the enjoyment of a fulness of the third heavens.
After dinner I took a pleasure ride with Lorain and the children. P.M. President Joseph attended the City council and afterwards rode out with B. F. Johnsons family. In the evening we went to hear a Methodist preacher lecture. After he got through President Joseph offered some corrections as follows. The 7th verse of C[hapter] 2 of Genesis ought to read God breathed into Adam his spirit or breath of life, but when the word "ruach" applies to Eve it should be translated lives. Speaking of eternal duration of matter he said There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter but is more fine or pure and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cant see it but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. The gentleman seemed pleased and said he should visit Nauvoo immediately. (5)
Footnotes:
1 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook
4 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843
5 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
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