Jesse Gause

I’m interested in the story of Jesse Gause.  He is mentioned in the section header of D&C 81 with this summary: “The historical records show that when this revelation was received in March 1832, it called Jesse Gause to the office of counselor to Joseph Smith in the Presidency. However, when he failed to continue in a manner consistent with this appointment, the call was subsequently transferred to Frederick G. Williams.”  It seems surprising that a member of what would become the First Presidency could completely leave the Church—it certainly would be a devastating blow to have such a thing happen today.  Jesse apparently was baptized in the fall of 1831 and then was called to serve as a counselor to the Prophet in March of 1832.  He traveled to Zion from Kirtland in April and returned a few months later.  He was then called to serve a mission with Zebedee Coltrin to the east, but his companion returned to Kirtland because he was sick.  At that point it appears that Jesse simply left the Church and did not return.  One summary of Jesse Gause put his departure this way: “Jesse Gause continued east and walked right out of the history of the Church, never again to return” (see here).  We don’t know what made him leave, but he died by 1836 without ever returning. 

                In hindsight the revelation that was given to Gause—and subsequently transferred to Frederick G. Williams—seems to warn him about staying faithful.  The Lord told him, “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.  And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father” (D&C 81:5-6).  He was told to “stand” in his office and to be faithful unto the end, and yet he instead walked away and lost the faith.  We don’t know the reasons why and certainly can’t judge him, but we can ask ourselves if we will follow the admonition of this section.  As we in hindsight watch him walk out of the history of the Church, perhaps we can hear the voice of the Lord say to us, “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)  There are many who choose to do just that in our day, and even those who have served missions and made temple covenants decide to also walk out of the history of the Church.  As President Benson would say, we are each “backed up to the wall of faith” and we must decide where will make our stand (see here).