Question
Gramps,
In D&C 124:39, what does “…for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments” mean?
Debbie
Answer
Debbie,
Thank you for such an insightful question. This appears to be an archaic usage of the word. So, it meant something different to Americans of the 19th century than it does to us today.
The word “oracle” tends to conjure up images of the Oracle at Delphi. And in today’s parlance, we tend to think of Apostles and such as “oracles.” But that is not what is meant here.
The usage of the plural “oracles” indicates what we would call revelations today (the footnote in the current online scriptures points to Section 90).
4 Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church.
5 And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house. (Doctrine & Covenants 90:4-5)
Notice that verse 4 indicates that these oracles can be given to another person other than Joseph. So, these are not the people whom we call “oracles.”
Instead, Noah Webster defines oracles thusly:
Among christians, oracles, in the plural, denotes the communications, revelations or messages delivered by God to prophets. In this sense it is rarely used in the singular; but we say, the oracles of God, divine oracles, meaning the Scriptures. (Oracle : Webster’s 1828 dictionary. Definition 4)
Some Bible verses also use it in this way:
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us (Acts 7:38)
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them [the Jews] were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:2)
Therefore, it refers to the revealed word of God. Notice that Moses received the oracles and gave them to the people. But it is not limited to the scriptures they had at the time.
… for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion… (Excerpt from D&C 124:39).
Thus, it also includes additional revelation. This will be both generally (through prophets) or individually (personal revelation). And all this can be most easily attained through regular temple attendance.
Gramps
