That date marked the day when our church family began a serious study of The Gospel of John. And it was soon after, I began Heart Issues for LDS (HI4LDS).
Yesterday, we finished our examination of the 879 verses. I am greatly privileged that my church family would allow me to lead them in over 150 hours in this study. And I will always treasure the hours of meditation and prayer in my personal journey through this book. The Gospel has changed my life.
And this is no mere hyperbole:
And there are many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
And I believe this last verse of the Gospel account gave Joseph Smith an idea. And that is where we clash yet again – even at the very end.
That’s a lot of books, the world’s a pretty big place. Does this give Joseph Smith an idea, or does it give him extra-canonical precedent? Especially given the fact that “canon” is extremely relative and is very elusive until the philosophical Greek councils of the 4th century.
Potato, potahto. Idahoans know, right?
Of course, Ethan, there can only be room for “restored” “extra-canonical precedent” a’la Junior Smith if the Canon of Scripture is ripped out of its proper context, that being the entire Apostolic Tradition. The councils of which you speak are, of course, witnesses to that Tradition and in perfect continuity with all that came before, all the way to Jesus and the Apostles. I assume you are speaking of a couple of regional councils which address the Canon of Scripture: the Ecumenical Councils of the Fourth Century, that of Nicea and Constantinople, do not. Further, the notion of a Scriptural canon is rooted in Judaism, the fact that the entire canon of the New Testament did not gain universal acceptance until relatively late notwithstanding.
“Whatsoever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.”
“He who hears you, hears Me,” says the Lord.
“…the Church, the fulness of [Christ]who fills all in all.”