8) "Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion."
when they want to control somebody or something. It is a reminder that there are processes and procedures. Nothing is rashly done or in haste, and above all, there is no conflict with authority.
This text is particularly ironic because if one reads the accounts of life in Nauvoo during Joseph Smith's reign, the place was in constant turmoil and confusion. Mostly this was because of the dysfunctions and divisions created by Smith as he sought to increase the number of his sexual conquests (as justified by Section 132) and secretly brought others into the practice. But the lack of order became most evident upon Smith's death, which was a direct result of the dissension and confusion he himself had created.
At that critical point, where was the house of order? There was complete confusion as to what should happen next. Why didn't Smith have a plan of succession? If he did have one, why wasn't it common knowledge? Smith had no plan, no vision for the future. He was winging it from day to day, and ascribing his impulses to inspiration. Hardly the model of order.
The House of Order - certainly wasn't true then, but two-hundered years later, old guys in suits can solemnly invoke it to coerce and manipulate. Another failure of relating the hype to the reality.
It doesn't sound like him. It sounds like Brigham Young - who was obsessed with putting things in order and having his orders obeyed. More so than Smith.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 ... and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;.
Doctrine and Covenants 109:8 ... and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;.
Doctrine and Covenants 132:8 8 Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/2014 01:57PM by Elder Berry.
"No one can take the place of Joseph; he is in his place as the spiritual head of the church , and will always be there, through time and eternity."
"I am no prophet and revelator, as Joseph was, "he used to say to the Saints: "but Joseph left revelations enough for you to follow for twenty years; in the mean time, the Lord will reveal Himself to those among you whom He may choose so to honor, and there is no reason why you should not all have revelations."
But, revelations or not, one thing he insisted upon: that was, that the Saints were to "build the kingdom up for Joseph," and that he kept constantly before them. He next proceeded to make the church self-sustaining in a pecuniary sense. Each member was to tithe himself or herself one tenth of all their property, and place it in the hands of the "Twelve" for the use of the church. This tithing fund Brig-ham had absolute control of— a control that he has taken pains never to lose. He instituted other "reforms" in the church, and everything he proposed the people acquiesced in with a surprising readiness.
Young, Ann Eliza (2014-08-10). Wife No. 19: The Story of a Life in Bondage, Being a Complete Exposé of Mormonism, and Revealing the Sorrows, Sacrifices and Sufferings of Women in Polygamy (Illustrated) (Kindle Locations 1083-1092). Enhanced Media. Kindle Edition.
Of course J. Smith wrote D&C 132. It is the specific threat against Emma to keep her in line and intimidate her regarding Polygamy.
He wrote it because she had suggested that if he could have many wives then she would get a few husbands herself. When smith was satisfied with the text of his "revelation" (LOL) he sent his brother Hyrum over to read it to her.
She was not to happy but the ever growing ass wipe, Smith, used every bullying tactic he could think of, and even threatened her with eternal damnation if she did not let old Joe shag the neighborhood girls as he wished.