Lyman Sherman's Forgiveness and Calling
December 26, 1835 • Kirtland, Ohio
Lyman Sherman had come to Joseph Smith deeply troubled about his standing before the Lord, feeling he had committed serious sins. He had previously been ordained a high priest and served faithfully, including participation in Zion's Camp (1834). His conscience was so troubled that he sought a personal revelation through the Prophet to know his status. This humble seeking occurred just three months before the Kirtland Temple dedication.
December 1835 found the Church in intense preparation for the Kirtland Temple dedication (March 1836). The School of the Prophets was meeting regularly. The Doctrine and Covenants was being prepared for publication (1835 edition). Priesthood quorums were being organized according to D&C 107 (received March 1835). The promise of a solemn assembly where endowments would be given created anticipation among faithful elders.
Kirtland's population had swelled with gathering Saints, creating economic strain but spiritual excitement. The temple construction had required enormous sacrifice—workers often laboring while fasting, women providing china for the plaster. Opposition from Protestant ministers was increasing as the temple neared completion. Yet a spirit of unity prevailed among the Saints as they anticipated promised blessings.
The 1830s marked increasing democratization of religion in America, with camp meetings and revivals emphasizing personal salvation experiences. The concept of continuing revelation through prophets challenged Protestant cessationism. Social reform movements, including temperance and abolition, were gaining momentum. Economic uncertainty following the Panic of 1837 was beginning to loom.
Lyman Sherman received the peace he desperately sought, knowing his sins were forgiven. He was ordained to the First Quorum of Seventy on February 28, 1836, at the solemn assembly mentioned in the revelation. His service in strengthening the brethren contributed to the spiritual outpouring at the temple dedication. His faithful response validated the principle of personal revelation through the Prophet.
This revelation continues to comfort those who fear past sins disqualify them from service. The command to "strengthen brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings" has become a template for priesthood ministry. The pattern of waiting patiently for proper ordination maintains order in the Church. Sadly, Lyman Sherman died in 1839 at age 35, but his brief faithful service following this revelation exemplifies consecrated discipleship.
The pattern of seeking prophetic assurance about one's standing before God echoes David's psalms of repentance and Old Testament figures seeking divine oracles. The command to strengthen brethren reflects the ancient role of priests teaching and encouraging Israel. The concept of solemn assemblies dates to Mosaic gatherings at the tabernacle. Waiting for proper ordination mirrors Samuel anointing David long before he became king.
Today's members often struggle with feeling worthy after repentance, making Lyman's experience deeply relatable. The multifaceted command to strengthen others (conversation, prayers, exhortations, doings) provides a comprehensive ministry model. The principle of patient waiting for calls and ordinations helps anxious members trust in divine timing. The revelation shows that personal revelations through priesthood leaders remain available.
The day after Christmas 1835, Lyman Sherman approached Joseph Smith with a heavy heart. The Kirtland Temple stood nearly complete, its dedication just three months away. The Saints were preparing spiritually and temporally for the promised endowment of power. Into this atmosphere of anticipation came Lyman, burdened with guilt over past sins.
Lyman Sherman was no newcomer to the faith. Born in 1804, he had joined the Church in 1832 and was ordained a high priest the same year. He served faithfully in Zion's Camp in 1834, marching with Joseph Smith to Missouri. Despite this service, something weighed heavily on his conscience—sins that made him question his worthiness before God.
This revelation demonstrates an important pattern: individuals could receive personal revelations through the Prophet. Joseph didn't simply offer counsel; he inquired of the Lord and received specific revelation for Lyman. This pattern would continue throughout Joseph's ministry, though few of these personal revelations were canonized.
The Church was organizing according to the pattern revealed in D&C 107 (March 1835). The Quorum of the Twelve had been called, the Seventy were being organized, and priesthood offices were being clarified. Lyman's promised ordination to be "numbered with" the leading elders would be fulfilled at the solemn assembly.
The School of the Prophets was meeting in the temple, even before its dedication. Members were being taught the order of heaven, practicing washing of feet, and preparing for sacred ordinances. The emphasis on personal worthiness made Lyman's concerns especially poignant.
Building the temple had required enormous sacrifice. Members had given money, labor, and materials. Women crushed their china to mix with plaster for the temple walls. Men worked on the temple while their farms suffered. In this context of sacrifice, Lyman worried whether his offerings were acceptable.
The revelation brought Lyman immediate relief: "Your sins are forgiven you, and you are a clean man before me; therefore, lift up your head and rejoice." This divine assurance transformed his countenance and renewed his dedication to the work.
The specific command to strengthen brethren "in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings" gave Lyman clear direction. This wasn't just about formal teaching but infusing strengthening power into every interaction.
On February 28, 1836, at the solemn assembly mentioned in verse 4, Lyman Sherman was ordained one of the Presidents of the Seventy. The Lord's promise was literally fulfilled within two months of the revelation.
This revelation established that past sins, once repented of and forgiven, need not disqualify individuals from significant Church service. Many early Church leaders had checkered pasts before conversion or had made mistakes after baptism. Lyman's experience showed the reality of forgiveness.
The comprehensive nature of strengthening others—in conversation, prayers, exhortations, and doings—became a model for priesthood service. It wasn't enough to teach correct doctrine; priesthood holders must strengthen others through every form of interaction.
Lyman Sherman served faithfully as a Seventy until his death on January 27, 1839, at age 35, likely from consumption (tuberculosis). His widow Delcena later became a plural wife of Joseph Smith. Though his mortal ministry was brief, his revelation continues to bless those seeking assurance of divine forgiveness.
The Second Great Awakening emphasized personal salvation experiences. Camp meetings featured dramatic conversions and assurances of salvation. Lyman's revelation fit this cultural pattern while adding the unique element of revelation through a prophet.
Various religious groups in the 1830s taught forms of perfectionism—the idea that Christians could achieve sinless perfection. Lyman's revelation balanced this by acknowledging past sins while emphasizing moving forward in faith rather than achieving perfection.
Lyman had the courage to approach the Prophet about his spiritual concerns. Many suffer in silence, but Lyman sought divine guidance through proper channels.
The Lord's declaration "you are a clean man before me" shows the completeness of divine forgiveness. Past sins need not define future service.
Though promised ordination, Lyman had to wait for the proper solemn assembly. This patience demonstrated faith and prepared him for his calling.
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, and you are a clean man before me; therefore, lift up your head and rejoice.
2 And let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.
"clean man" - Complete purification from sin
"lift up your head" - Ancient gesture of confidence
"soul be at rest" - Peace about spiritual status
3 And from henceforth I appoint unto you that you should be a ruler and teacher in Zion, in my church, to strengthen them in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings; and behold, and lo, I am with you to bless and deliver you forever. Amen.
"strengthen" - To make strong, establish
Four Dimensions of Strengthening:
4 And let the residue of my servants go forth and proclaim my word unto the nations of the earth, and be ye diligent in all things that ye may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony, and to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come;
5 That their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of abomination which awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the world to come. Verily, I say unto you, let those who are not the first elders continue in the vineyard until the mouth of the Lord shall call them, for their time is not yet come; their garments are not clean from the blood of this generation.
6 Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.
7 For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree.
8 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
"liberty wherewith ye are made free"
"clean hands" - Ritual and moral purity
The soul at rest concerning spiritual standing represents complete peace about one's relationship with God—not anxiety about past sins or future judgment, but confident assurance of divine acceptance.
Strengthening others encompasses building faith, providing support, offering encouragement, and establishing others firmly in truth—through every form of interaction from casual conversation to formal teaching.
Clean hands symbolize both ritual purity and moral innocence—actions untainted by sin, service uncorrupted by selfish motives, and works acceptable before God.
Liberty in Christ means freedom from sin's bondage, guilt's burden, and Satan's power—a freedom that must be maintained through continued righteousness rather than returning to former sins.