While reading a biography of Alpheus Cutler (1784-1864), I came across the following discussion of D&C 85 (LDS ed.) and the “One Mighty and Strong,” as well as the prophesied seer in 2 Nephi 3. What is interesting is that the authors (1) believe they are one and the same person and (2) the ser in 2 Nephi 3 was not fulfilled in the person of Joseph Smith but a then-future prophetic figure. After quoting D&C 85, the authors claim that:
This revelation promises first that the leader whom the Lord will
raise up will be mighty and strong, or in other words will enjoy a greater
portion of God's Spirit because he has a special work to perform. He will hold
the scepter of power in his hand, showing that he does have the Holy Spirit and
authority through the priesthoods to act in the name of Jesus Christ, and will
have light and understanding to guide him in his work. This is the same man
referred to in Section 100, RLDS Doctrine and Covenants, whom God has promised
to raise up unto his people to lead them out of bondage, even as Moses led the
children of Israel out of Egypt.
Joseph of old spoke of this man, calling him a seer, and promised that
he would have power to unite the scriptures to the laying down of contention
and the establishing of peace among the fruit of the loins of Joseph, his
brethren, and to bring them to the knowledge of the covenants which God has
made with their forefathers, that in the latter days this gospel would go to
every kindred, tongue, and people (II Nephi: 2).
Now if the one mighty and strong is to arrange by lot the inheritances
of the saints, how can he do it if all hold their properties in their own
names? Where would the mighty and strong man find any property, whether real or
personal, to arrange as inheritances for the saints? We will also notice that
he is to set in order the house of God; if this is so then it is only
reasonable to assume that when he comes he will find the house of God out of
order. One of the first things the saints will be called upon to do is to come
up with all that they have and consecrate it to the Lord, and in that way this
leader would be able to assign each member or steward with a stewardship or
inheritance. (Rupert J. Fletcher and Daisy Whiting Fletcher, Alpheus Cutler
and The Church of Jesus Christ [Independence, Miss.: The Church of Jesus
Christ, 1974], 236)
The Church of Jesus Christ (“Cutlerite”) added a note
following this page of this work. While they disagree with the authorson some points in the above, they do not contest the identification of the future seer of 2 Nephi 3 with the One Mighty and Strong in LDS D&C 85:
NOTE
At the time this book was written
in 1974, we all believed, as Mr. Fletcher did, that the "Moses Man",
as described in Sec. 100 RLDS B of C, and the "one mighty and
strong", as described in Sec. 85 (Utah Doc. & Cov.), as well as in
Isaiah Chap. 34, verses 16 and 17, were one and the same, but after extensive
search and study, our findings forced us to accept the fact that they were two
separate beings. Section 100 (RLDS) reads, quote, Behold, I say unto you, the
redemption of Zion must needs come by power; there- fore, I will raise up unto
my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the Children of
Israel, for ye are the Children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham; and ye
must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched out arm, so
shall the redemption of Zion be, end of quote. Sec. 85 (Utah edition) 7th
verse, reads, quote, I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong,
holding the sceptre of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering,
whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a
fountain of truth, to set in order the House of God and to arrange by lot the
inheritances of the Saints whose names are found, and the names of their
fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God, end of
quote. Vs. 16 & 17, 34 Chap. Isaiah, reads, quote, Seek ye out of the Book
of the Lord, and read the names written therein; no one of these shall fail;
none shall want their mate; for my mouth it hath commanded and my Spirit it
hath gathered them. And I have cast the lot for them, and I have divided it
unto them by line, and they shall possess it forever; from generation to
generation they shall dwell therein, end of quote. In light of the above, we
must admit we were mistaken, as were many others, in our interpretation that
they were one rather than two beings.
Respectfully; The Church of Jesus
Christ.
