How God Speaks To Us

2025/02/01 12:00 AM Filed in: Revelation

The Lost 116 Pages of the Book of Mormon
In this discussion, we explore the consequences of repeatedly asking God after receiving a "no," the nature of divine permission versus divine endorsement, and the role of agency in prophetic decisions. This is based on the following insight that Joseph Smith was to bare the responsibility if the pages were to be lost found in this YouTube video "Lost 116 Pages Dilemma Solved! New Details Finally Answer 195-Year-Old Questions"

The Nephites and Kingship
"Here, they harkened to the council and had more years of peace."

Mosiah 23:7 "But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king."
Two cases led to ultimate demise—the Jaredites and the Israelites. It could be argued that in the case of the Jaredites, kingship was entirely a human decision, whereas in Samuel’s case, God permitted it, knowing the consequences but allowing agency.

Ether 6:22–23 "And now behold, this was the desire of them; and they said unto him: We will that a king should be anointed over us." "And now behold, this was grievous unto the brother of Jared, and said unto them: Surely this thing leadeth into captivity."
1 Samuel 8:6–7 "But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

Despite this, Mosiah was later able to end the practice of kingship among the Nephites. The Nephites benefited greatly from not having a king, whereas kingship led to downfall in the Bible and among the Jaredites.

Doctrinal Question 1: Does Repeatedly Asking God After Receiving "No" Eventually Lead to "Yes"?

From scripture, it seems that persistent asking can lead God to allow something, even if it is not ideal.

Jacob 4:14 "Because they desired it, God hath done it, that they may stumble."

Doctrine and Covenants 63:7–12 "He that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation... Signs come by faith, not by the will of men."

This suggests that when people persist in asking, God may allow them to experience the consequences of their desires rather than forcibly preventing them.

Doctrinal Question 2: Does God’s "Yes" Mean the Decision Is Right?
Not necessarily. When God grants a request after multiple petitions, it does not mean He endorses it as the best choice.

Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:1, Enos 1:24 "God cannot lie."

D&C 4:7, 6:5, 88:63 "Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

God expects faith from His followers, including prophets. He often does not lay out all the consequences, requiring trust in His wisdom.

Doctrinal Question 3: Why Didn’t God Just Say "No" Again and Prevent the Problem?
Joseph Smith had accepted previous "no" answers but was influenced by Martin Harris’s persistence. God placed the responsibility on Joseph, knowing the outcome. This experience likely reinforced Joseph’s obedience in later trials, such as:

Practicing Plural Marriage – Joseph struggled greatly before complying.
Translation of the Book of Mormon – Facing opposition, including the loss of the 116 pages.
Establishing the Church – Enduring lawsuits and persecution.
Implementing the Law of Consecration – A challenging commandment.
Establishing Zion in Missouri – Facing violent opposition.
Building the Nauvoo Temple – Knowing he wouldn’t live to see its completion.
Facing Martyrdom – Going to Carthage despite knowing his likely fate.

This pattern shows that God allows lessons to be learned through experience, rather than always providing immediate intervention.

Doctrinal Question 4: Why Was Joseph Held Responsible for the Lost Pages When It Was Martin’s Fault?
Articles of Faith 1:2 "Men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression."

While Joseph was not guilty of Martin's actions, he bore the responsibility as the prophet. Scriptural precedents show leaders being accountable for those they teach:

Jacob 1:19, Ezekiel 3:18–19, D&C 88:81–82 "If thou warn the wicked... thou hast delivered thy soul."

Joseph Smith later adopted the principle: "When the Lord commands, do it." His experience with the lost pages likely strengthened his resolve, demonstrating God’s willingness to let His servants learn through trial and error.

Conclusion
God’s responses are sometimes allowances rather than endorsements. Joseph Smith’s experiences with the 116 pages highlight the importance of trusting divine guidance, even when answers seem unclear. Through faith, obedience, and learning from consequences, both prophets and individuals grow spiritually.

Tags: Revelation, Prayer