A Lively Member

One of the shortest sections in the Doctrine and Covenants is 92 where Frederick G. Williams in Kirtland was called to be a member of the United Firm (later called the United Order). The United Firm was organized in April 1832 based on Doctrine and Covenants 78 and the original members consisted of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Gilbert, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Sidney Rigdon, John Whitmer, and Newel K. Whitney. Frederick G. Williams was not originally a member of the Firm, but in March 1833 he was admitted based on this revelation, and he received this counsel and promise: “And again, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams, you shall be a lively member in this order; and inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments you shall be blessed forever” (v2). At this time part of the Firm was in Missouri, and they were sent the revelation to them so they would know that Williams was a member. Steven C. Harper described, “They apparently raised some questions about Frederick’s role. He joined the firm, consecrated his farm, was ordained a counselor to Joseph Smith, continued to serve as a scribe, and was otherwise ‘lively’ though soft-spoken in building Zion. Joseph’s journal says, ‘Brother Frederick is one of those men in whom I place the greatest confidence and trust for I have found him ever full of love and Brotherly kindness. . . . He is perfectly honest and upright and seeks with all his heart to magnify his presidency in the church.’” Frederick G. Williams actively worked to fulfil his part in the firm while it existed, and he was a lively laborer in the kingdom.

I love the phrase “lively member,” and I believe it has application to all of us in whatever calling or responsibility we have in the Savior’s Church. He alluded to that in the first verse of this revelation when He said, “What I say unto one I say unto all” (Doctrine and Covenants 92:1). We are to be “lively” member in our own wards and in our stewardships. Another scholar, Casey Griffiths, said of this revelation, “In a part of this revelation, Frederick G. Williams was asked to be a ‘lively’ member of the order. One of the synonyms for lively in the language of the time was active. The word active is often used in the Church today to distinguish someone who participates in the Church from someone who is simply on the membership role but has little or no functioning role in the Church…. To be lively members of the Church, we should view our Church membership as an outlet in which we each offer up our best rather than demanding something in return for our participation.” It would certainly be interesting if we changed our language from “active” to “lively.” Instead of asking, “Is he an active member?” we could say, “Is he a lively member?” The word to me suggests more than just showing up on Sunday (what would typically constitute “active”) but also implies a sense of life and intentional engagement. We should be lively in all we do in the Lord’s kingdom.

The word is also used in Peter’s epistles to the Saints in the meridian of time. He wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Perhaps the key to us being lively members is to have a lively hope through the Savior’s resurrection. If our hope is alive in Christ, we will want to be active and lively in our service in His kingdom. Peter also said to those in the faith, “Ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:3-5). Normally we would not think of stones as having life, but the Savior is the “living stone” upon which the kingdom is built. And we strive to follow Him by also being “lively stones” in following Him. The imagery suggests that we are both firm and alive; we are constant in our witness of Him, but we are also alive in our efforts to serve and follow Him. This short revelation to Frederick G. Williams can remind us, in whatever capacity we have the opportunity to serve in, that as we be active and firm and full of life doing His work.