D&C 10

I cannot imagine what Joseph Smith was going through when he initially received the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 10. This is the section where he is told what to do after losing the 116 pages given to Martin Harris.

Can you imagine being chastised by the Lord in such a direct manner. It must have been devastating. In fact, I get the feeling that even the Lord may have realized he was coming on a bit strong, at first, then seemed to fall into more of a "supportive/I understand" role.

I find it very interesting the way the Lord planned ahead for this debacle? We read in 1 Nephi 9:4-6 that the Lord asked Nephi to make a second set of plates. Nephi didn't know why he was to do this, but indicated that the "Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men;" The whole idea of trying to stop the publishing of the Book of Mormon by changing a previously translated section just doesn't make sense to me. In verses 14-19 the Lord indicates that these wicked men have a great plan. A plan that, with their cunningness, will stop the work in this generation. Here is what I don't understand. In verse 17 they say that if Joseph was given the gift to re-translate the lost section again, they will produce the original (altered) manuscript and show that they do not agree, thus proving to the world he does not have the gift of revelation. But wouldn't it show the wicked men, just how true the work is? Wouldn't they be convinced that Joseph Smith did actually translate the Book of Mormon? I guess once you get this entangled in Satan's web, even common sense is lost.

"Other Sheep"
In verses D&C 10:57-60, I love the way the Lord describes, in clearer terms, what he meant in John 10:16.