COC section 26 = LDS section 27
Some have supposed that they
received two ordinations, one, under the hands of Peter, James, and John, and
one by each other; but it is scarcely supportable that they would fail to
mention so important an item. There is no historical evidence of such an event.
Nor is there any evidence that Peter, James, and John were present, either when
the instruction was given to ordain them or when the ordination actually took
place. . . . it is not safe then to write historically that Joseph Smith and
Oliver Cowdery were ever ordained literally under the hands of Peter, James,
and John. He who does so writes recklessly and without sufficient evidence upon
which to base his conclusion. (Joseph Smith [III] and Heman C. Smith, eds. The
Hsitory of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
Vol. 1, 1805-1835 [Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1967], 63-64 as
cited in Dale E. Luffman, Commentary on the Community of Christ Doctrine and
Covenants, 2 vols. [Independence, Miss.: Herald House, 2019], 1:127)
COC and LDS Section 1:
“the day speedily cometh . . .
when peace shall be taken from the earth” (6b). At the time of this counsel a
tariff crisis was influencing relationships among the states in the United
States. Later a Civil War would occur, beginning at the rebellion of South
Carolina. That rebellion would be prophesied by Joseph Smith Jr. in December
1832. Truly this prophecy has come to be fulfilled in a way that Joseph
would never have imagined. War, greed, and avarice have dominated the
modern and postmodern world. Later revelation would attest to this: “These are
portentous times. The lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the
gods of war, greed, and avarice. The land is being desecrated by the thoughtless
waste of vital resources. You must obey my commandments and be in the forefront
of those who would mediate this needless destruction while there is yet day”
(Doctrine and Covenants 150:7). Peace has been taken from the earth. (Dale E.
Luffman, Commentary on the Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants, 2
vols. [Independence, Miss.: Herald House, 2019], 1:25, emphasis added)
COC and LDS Section 46:
It is important to remember that
many Christians at the time, and converts to the church, had a lively belief in
a personal Satan or Devil as well as a belief in hosts of demonic angels. Evil
usually was attributed to such personifications. When bad things happened it
was because of the Devil or because evil forces were perceived to be at work.
The significance of personal accountability and culpability in mistakes and
misdeeds was often overlooked. That perspective was represented in the
cautionary language of 3c. Seduction by evil spirits, doctrines of devils, and
commandments of men were to be avoided! (Dale E. Luffman, Commentary on the
Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants, 2 vols. [Independence, Miss.:
Herald House, 2019], 1:220)
