![\"aslkdjfsai8a9y78t6ituayoii;plo\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/186\/2022\/09\/JFS_First_Presidency_1905_large-scaled.jpg\")
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But, first, here are a couple of items that have recently gone up on the website of the Interpreter Foundation:<\/p>\n
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\u201cConference Talks: The Divine Handclasp in the Hebrew Bible and in Ancient Near Eastern Iconography,\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/a> by David M. Calabro<\/span><\/p>\n David Calabro explores what he describes as the \u201cdivine handclasp\u201d in the Hebrew Bible. The term refers to a handclasp between God and his human servant that had a place in ancient Israelite temple worship. Calabro indicates it was a ritual gesture that was part of temple rite performance with a priest acting as proxy for God in close interaction with mankind. While other scholars have suggested the gesture was indicative of deity transporting mankind to \u201cglory,\u201d Calabro\u2019s research proposes the clasping of right hands while facing one another was ritually indicative of God granting access to His chosen rather than transporting him.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNibley Lectures: Time Vindicates the Prophets<\/em> \u2014 Prophets and Martyrs\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Between 7 March 1954 and 17 October 1954, Hugh Nibley delivered a series of thirty weekly lectures on KSL Radio that were also published as pamphlets. The series, which was called \u201cTime Vindicates the Prophets,\u201d was given in answer to those who were challenging the right of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a> to call themselves Christians.<\/span><\/p>\n This lecture is a discussion of what martyrdom is and how Joseph Smith\u2019s relates to those found throughout history.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Appropriately, given the fact that October 2022 General Conference<\/a> is rapidly approaching (this coming weekend), a friend has called my attention to a really interesting letter from President Joseph F. Smith to his daughter Edith E. Smith.\u00a0 While the letter is undated, it was obviously written during his tenure as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which extended from 17 October 1901 to 19 November 1918.\u00a0 It was also, almost certainly, written prior to his reception of the magnificent \u201cVision of the Redemption of the Dead\u201d on 3 October 1918, which he wrote out and submitted to the General Authorities of the Church on 31 October 1918.\u00a0 (It was unanimously accepted.) The revelation was initially published in December 1918, shortly after President Smith\u2019s passing, and was added to the Pearl of Great Price, one of the church\u2019s scriptural Standard Works, in April 1976.\u00a0 It has since been removed from the Pearl of Great Price and added, instead, to the Doctrine and Covenants\u00a0as section 138.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My darling daughter Edith,<\/span><\/p>\n You asked me if I had ever received a Revelation since I have been the President of the Church. For me to answer you specifically and in detail would require much time and the history of many things. Besides it might appear to be in praise of myself or even egotistical. I would rather that those who possess the Spirit of revelation and discernment who know me and my course of life should speak for me than to speak for myself.<\/span><\/p>\n But to answer your question, I can and will say that the Lord has revealed to me many precious things both before and since my Presidency of the Church.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact\u2014my whole life has been favored by a continuous inspiration from God which has led me in the performance of my duty each and every day thereof, inasmuch that I have been preserved from my enemies, from the power of the destroyer, from error in doctrine, in precept or example.<\/span><\/p>\n Under the influence of the Spirit of Inspiration and Revelation from God, I have been able to direct the affairs of the Church without one misstep or mistake. The Church has prospered under my administration, and has made steady growth and development in the face of the most determined opposition and wicked misrepresentation, ever wrought against it. And it has gained more friends and credit for efficiency and good works than in double that length of time before.<\/span><\/p>\n The history of my presidency will establish so far whether I have been inspired of God or of man.<\/span><\/p>\n The Lord has mercifully revealed to me my duty at every turn. He has shown me many of the wicked intentions of our enemies, and has preserved me from their cunning devices. He has given me strength and courage to reprove evildoers, and to speak the truth regardless of consequences.<\/span><\/p>\n Under my administration, peace, harmony and good will have prevailed in the general councils of the Priesthood to a remarkable degree, and the friends of the church have been devoted to the utmost extent toward the upbuilding of Zion.<\/span><\/p>\n For all of which I take no honor to myself, but give the credit unto God. The tree is known by its fruits; we do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles. I have no desire to extol myself or praise my efforts for the Church.<\/span><\/p>\n It has not seemed necessary for the Lord to require me to write any specific Revelation. The many we already have written are far too little read and understood. My plain duty has been to preach and teach observance and obedience to those we have, and it is revealed to me beyond a doubt that when we understand and obey them as we should, more will be given as the church and the world may need, and the Lord in his wisdom may see fit to give. Affectionately your father, Joseph F. Smith.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The original of this letter can be viewed at\u00a0https:\/\/catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org\/assets\/d2849da8-0edf-46fa-a3bd-6e5753c94ebb\/0\/0<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And then, of course, President Smith received thereafter the \u201cVision of the Redemption of the Dead\u201d that is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 138<\/a>, which I regard as one of the grandest revelations ever given to anyone, anywhere, at any time.\u00a0 For background on the vision, see George S. Tate, \u201cThe Great World of the Spirits of the Dead: Death, the Great War, and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic as Context for Doctrine and Covenants 138.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \u00a0 But, first, here are a couple of items that have recently gone up on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: \u00a0 \u201cConference Talks: The Divine Handclasp in the Hebrew Bible and in Ancient Near Eastern Iconography,\u201d by David M. Calabro David Calabro explores what he describes as the \u201cdivine handclasp\u201d in the Hebrew […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>