John the Beloved

Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 7, which is a revelation that was given in response to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery asking about John the Beloved and whether or not he had died and speedily came to the Savior in His kingdom like the other Apostles or not. According to the notes on this chapter, this was actually a translation of a lost parchment that John the Beloved wrote himself.

I remember as a missionary I found such joy in the work that I envied John the Beloved and the 3 Nephites who tarried. That was in the first part of my mission. In the latter part of my mission however, I was so tired physically, mentally and spiritually that I was very ready to be done and to go home. But it’s just such a joy and a pleasure to teach people about the gospel that I could easily imagine why Alma and others like him would just give up their entire lives to preach the gospel. It is a very pleasurable experience.

However at the same time, I can’t help but feel very sad for john and the 3 Nephites. We have covered this before, but when you are filled with the Spirit, as they most undoubtedly are at all times, to come face to face with sin can be physically painful. And I can only imagine how hard it must be for them to live in such a world when they are so righteous. I know they can find joy in their work and that the Spirit is the ultimate companion, but it still must have been a sad and lonely life in regards to human companionship.

Here’s a fun food for thought, Peter, James and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery just a few months after this revelation was given. Peter and James would have appeared as resurrected beings, for surely they were. Have you ever thought though what the experience with John must have been like? Surely he didn’t just appear. He probably just came walking out of the woods and looked just like an ordinary man. Can you imagine what that must have felt like? Do you suppose he stuck around and talked to them for a little bit or perhaps he just took off immediately after giving them the Priesthood. I for sure do not know, but I think it is fun and neat to think about such things.

It is sections like this that make the Doctrine and Covenants so valuable. The Biblical passage that this is talking about is so vague that Joseph and Oliver had to pray about it and find out from the Lord which way it actually happened. The Doctrine and Covenants, since it is comprised of revelations from the Lord, is very good at clarifying certain points of doctrine as well as expounding on things of the spirit. Yes, there are some revelations that I just have to wonder why they were included, but generally speaking, those are the exception and not the rule. For the most part, all the revelations included in this book of scripture are easy to see why they were included and no one will contest that they are for the benefit of man. As we study them and ponder them, we will come that much closer to God and understanding the things of the Spirit. Until tomorrow.