Don't Steady the Ark

There’s an interesting story 2 Samuel 6 about a man named Uzzah.  During David’s reign he helped drive an ox cart that contained the ark of the covenant, taking it back to Jerusalem after it had been in the hands of the Philistines.  We read this is the account, “And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error, and there he died by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6-7).  Apparently the cart was shaking and Uzzah thought that the ark needed to be steadied in order to protect it.  So he put forth his hand and touched it, and because of this God smote him and he died. 

At first reading it seems a pretty harsh punishment for what likely was a well-meaning action.  The student manual explains the seriousness of what Uzzah did this way: “The ark was the symbol of God’s presence, His glory and majesty. When first given to Israel, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and not even the priest was allowed to approach it. Only the high priest, a type of Christ, could approach it, and then only after going through an elaborate ritual of personal cleansing and propitiation for his sins…. However well-meaning Uzzah’s intentions, he approached casually what could only be approached under the strictest conditions.  He had no faith in God’s power” (see here).  Uzzah broke the very serious restriction that none were to touch the ark besides the high priest, and he did not trust that God could take care of His own kingdom.  In our day the example has been used by modern prophets to teach that we should not try to “steady the ark” in presuming that we know better than those who have been called by God to lead the Church. 

President John Taylor referred to this scriptural account this way: “Do not think you are wise and that you can manage and manipulate the priesthood, for you cannot do it. God must manage, regulate, dictate, and stand at the head, and every man in his place. The ark of God does not need steadying, especially by incompetent men without revelation and without knowledge of the kingdom of God and its laws” (Taylor, Gospel Kingdom, p. 166, as quoted here).  As we serve in the Church with imperfect people, there may be times when we are tempted to think we know better than those who are called to preside over us.  But our job is not to perform the duties of others; rather, according to the Lord, our job is this: “Let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling” (D&C 84:109).  Ultimately we must seek to perform the labors that God has given us and trust that He is the Lord of the Vineyard who will do His work.  Joseph Smith put it this way: “Men cannot steady the ark—my arm cannot do it—God must steady it” (see here).  We are to “lift where [we] stand,” as President Uchtdorf taught, and have faith in these words of the Lord: “I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work” (2 Nephi 27:21).