Part I - Church History
Thought: “It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before
the foundations of the earth were laid, that he should be the man, in the last
dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and
receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God.
The Lord had his eye upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s
father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to
the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that
family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of
that man. He was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last
dispensation.” (JD 7:289-290)
Book of the Week: "The Revised and Enhanced History
of Joseph Smith By His Mother" Edited by Scot and Maurine Proctor-
69 year old Lucy sat down with a 23 year old scribe
named Martha Jan Knowlton Coray to tell her story in the bleak mid-winter of
1844-1845 just months after her two sons, Joseph and Hyrum, had been murdered
at the Carthage Jail, followed 33 days later by the death of her son, Samuel.
In 1840 she had lost her husband, Joseph who died pre-maturely because of
persecution. She had lost her New York farm, seen her husband imprisoned, her
sons on multiple occasions. Of her 6 sons who had grown to maturity only
William remained alive. She said, I often wonder to hear brethren and sisters
murmur at the trifling inconveniences which they have to encounter and I think
to myself, salvation is worth as much now as it was in the beginning of the
work. But I find that 'all like the purchase, few the price will pay.'
1. Early Manuscript 64 pages
1. Preliminary Manuscript 210 pages (re-surfaced in
1960's)
2. Revised Manuscript - Edited by Howard and Martha. A
to Lucy and B to the Church$
3. 1853 Publication - Lucy-William-Isaac Sheen-Orson
Pratt- Published in England. Sold to saints, popular, recalled (concerns:
William, Lucy's accuracy, Break off groups, Orson was unauthorized. Richard
Lloyd Anderson said it was "reliable, but not infallible"
4. Revised 1853 Edition committee; George A. Smith and
Elias Smith; 1) William, 2) Emma, 3) Dates and places, 4) misstatements and
misconception of Mother Smith, 5) Profanity by Missouri mobster, 6) grammar, 7)
additions to clarify, 8) Unfavourable comments about Church, and 9) Items of
interest only to the family. Published in Improvement Era in 1901. In book
form, edited by Preston Nibley 1n 1945.
5. 1996 Edition - Pictures, end notes, appendix, index
and use of Preliminary Manuscript to bring Lucy's voice back more clearly
The product of
the Proctors's editorial effort is a readable narrative that preserves much of
the flavor of the dictated manuscript, along with the additional information,
chapter divisions, and transitions borrowed from the revised manuscript and
1853 edition. The Proctors rightly assert that in their Revised and Enhanced
History of Joseph Smith, "Lucy's voice is heard more clearly, her sentiments
and perceptions explored more openly than ever before" (xxx). Their
amalgamation will suffice for many readers, but the scholar who wishes to
understand all of the nuances of the preliminary manuscript will turn to Vogel's
more exact transcription or to the preliminary manuscript itself. Only in that
earliest version does the History of Joseph Smith
by His Mother become "The History
of Mother Smith, by Herself." (Glen M. Leonard)
Joseph Smith's
Heritage
1. Joseph Smith Sr. July 12, 1771-Sept. 14, 1840
- Came from a religious background, but didn't trust the churches of his time.
He sought the ancient order established by Jesus and his apostles. He had a
series of 7 dreams over a period of years*
2. Lucy Mack
Smith July 8, 1776-May 14, 1856- When 8 her mother almost died. Her sister died
as she was caring for her when Lucy was 16. Lucy went through great depression
and pulled herself out of it through prayer and scripture study. Moved in with
her brother Stephen in Tunbridge who introduced her to the Smith family. Sought
for religion, Finally baptized without joining church. Had a dream where she
was convinced that her husband would accept the pure gospel when it was
available.
3. Asael Smith
March 7, 1744-Oct. 31, 1830 - Philosophy agreed with Universalists. "God
was going to raisse up some branch of his family to be a great benefit to
mankind. Read much of Book of Mormon.
4. Mary Duty
Smith Oct. 11, 1743-May 27, 1836-) Joined Saints in Kirtland in 1836. Accepted
testimony of Joseph. Died 10 days after arrival. Health and age prevented her
baptism.
5. Solomon Mack
Sept. 15, 1732-Aug. 23, 1820- Born-Lyme Conn.-Raised as indentured-servant.
fought in French and Indian War
6. Lydia Gates
Mack Sept. 3, 1732-About 1817- School Teacher-Home taught children: Jason (1760)(Sad
Story), Lovisa (1761)(married) & Lovina (1762)-both died after long
illnesses in their early 30's in 1794. Both were faithful Christians. Lydia
(1764) Stephen (1766)- fought in Revolutionary War & early citizen of
Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan. Daniel (1770), Solomon (1773)
"Joseph
Smith's Home Environment" Ensign, July 1971, Richard Lloyd Anderson
Church History By The Year
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1771- July 12
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Birth of Joseph Sr.
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Topsfield, Mass
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1775- July 8
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Birth of Lucy Mack
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Gilsum, NH
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1794
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Lovisa & Lovina
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Sisters of Lucy died.
Lucy,16 yrs old cared for Lovina
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1796-Jan. 24
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Marriage of Joseph &
Luck
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Tunbridge, VT- Farmed
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1797
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Loss of 1stborn son of the Smith
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1798-Feb. 11
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Birth of Alvin
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Tunbridge
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1800-Feb. 9
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Birth of Hyrum
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Tunbridge
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1802-Spring
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Move to Randolph,
VT
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Lucy almost died. Joseph,
"My wife! You must die. The doctors have given up. Lucy covenanted with
the Lord & heard a voice.
Ginseng root
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1803
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Move to Tunbridge-Lose Tunbridge farm-Sophronia born (May 17)-Move to Royalton, VT, (Summer)-Move to Sharon, VT
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1804-July 10
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Emma Hale born
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Harmony, PA
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1805-Dec. 23
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Birth of Joseph Jr.
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Sharon
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1806/7
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Move to Tunbridge
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1808-March 13
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Birth of Samuel
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Move to Royalton,
VT
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1810-March 13
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Birth of Ephraim
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Died March 24
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1811-March 13
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Birth of William
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Royalton, VT
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1811-April
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Joseph Sr.
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1st of 7 visions - Move to Lebanon, NH
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1812-July 28
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Birth of Catharine
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Typhoid fever epidemic. All
Smith children 7 under age of 15, including Ctharien, a few months old-
Sophronia p. 69
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1813
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Joseph Jr.-Osteomyelitis
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Leg operation- on crutches
for 3 years & limped rest of life.
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1814
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Move to Norwich
VT
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Crop failure
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1815
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Crop failure, Paper reports
cheap land in New York
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1816-March 25
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Birth of Don Carols
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Crops killed by Ice
Storms-Year without a summer-Move to NY- page
85
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1817
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Purchase 100 acres 2 miles
south of Palmyra
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1818
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Move into small
cabin in Manchester property
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1819
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Attempted assassination of
Joseph
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1820
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First Vision
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1821-July 18
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Birth of Lucy
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Lucy 44 years old, Joseph
48
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Part 2 - Doctrine and Covenants
Thought: If asked which book of scripture provides the most frequent
chance to “listen” to the Lord talking, most individuals would at first think
of the New Testament. The New Testament is a
marvelous collection of the deeds and many of the doctrines of the Messiah. But
in the Doctrine and Covenants we receive the voice as well as the word of the
Lord. We can almost “hear” him talking. (Neal A Maxwell, Ensign, Dec. 1978 p. 4-6)
Book of the Week:
"Revelations of the Restoration by Craig Ostler and Joseph Fielding
McConkie" (Available on Line)
D&C 1 - 65 Revelations revealed before
Section 1.
Several elders attending the Nov. 1,
1831 conference had previously been assigned to form a committee to draft a preface to the Book of
Commandments. When the committee reported to the assembled elders they concluded their remarks by asking
Joseph to inquire of the Lord as to His acceptance of their work. As the elders
united in prayer, Joseph pled with the Lord for an answer. When Joseph's prayer
ended, he dictated a preface with Sidney acting as scribe. this preface stamped
the revelations Joseph had received with the Lord's endorsement.
Where? - Hiram,
Ohio - 30 miles SE from Kirtland. John and Elsa Johnson home & 304 acre
farm. Home for Joseph for about 1 yr. Joseph move there with his family Sept.
12, 1834, to be undisturbed in his revision of the Bible and to prepare the
revelations for publication. 8 church conferences were held here. 15 Sections
of D&C received. (1, 65, 67, 68, 69, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 99,
133) Joseph and Sidney tarred and feathered by mob of about 50. Murdock twin
died.
A. John
Johnson and family were converted in part because of a healing of Joseph on
Elsa Johnson of her chronic rheumatism.
B. Johnson
had been Methodists. Went to visit Joseph in early 1831 with their preacher,
Ezra Booth.
C. March
24, 1832 Joseph and Sidney tarred and feathered there.
D. Father
Johnson moved to Kirtland and opening the inn where the mummies and papyri
obtained from Michael Chandler which were instrumental in the coming forth of
the Book of Abraham.
E. Father
Johnson left the Church in 1837 as part of the problems associated with the
Kirtland Safety Society.
F. He
died on July 30, 1843
at the age of 75. He is buried in the cemetery close to the Kirtland Temple
What? A
Conference of High Priests convened to
make decisions regarding the publications of revelations.
Who? Joseph,
Oliver, David, John, Peter, Sidney, William E. McLellin, Orson Hyde, Luke and
Lyman Johnson.
This revelation
was 1st published in the "Star" in March of 1833.
President Benson at the Hiram Ward,
March 22, 1986
Vs. 1 - Hearken
- 30 sections begin with this word.
Vs. 2&4 -
What % of the people in the world is the word of the Lord directed to?
Vs. 3 - Notice
the cross references to vs. 3 d - It appears that we had better repent or every
will know of our sins.
Vs. 5 - Remind
you of the "Standard of Truth?" HC 4:540
Vs. 6 - The
only book in the world with a preface dictated by the Lord.
Vs. 8 Power
given to seal. Anciently, a seal was a hard substance formed into a
particular emblem used to make an impression on wax or clay. Often a seal would
be set in a signet ring and used like a signature to convey authority or to
assure authenticity of a document. Figuratively, as used in a text such as
this, it signifies the right of possession. Thus Alma speaking of the
unrepentant says the devil "doth seal you his" (Alma 34:35), whereas
the Lord told Joseph Smith that the faithful "are sealed by the Holy
Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and
true" (D&C 76:53).
Vs. 12 – Prepare – 90
times in the D&C; 71 times in the OT; 15 times in the NT; 51 times in the
Book of Mormon
Vs. 14 – Bishop Hepworth and Gary Poll
Those in our
day can't find salvation with the Bible and without modern prophets any more
than the New Testament people could find it in the Old Testament without Jesus.
Verse 16- All gospel principles are simply appendages to our
understanding of the nature of God. The Nicene Creed is not found in any
Gospel. It derives from no utterance of Christ nor from the words of any of his
apostles. It directly contradicts the plain language of the New Testament. Its
ideas cannot even be expressed in scriptural language; they are cloaked in that
of the Greek philosophy from whence they came. Its best defense is the
admission that it is a mystery and as such is indefensible.
Vs. 17- A mission statement
Verse 19 & 23 – Weak things of the earth. See Gordon B. Hinckley
– CR, Oct. 71, p. 161.
Verses 24-28 – Five Reasons for the Doctrine and Covenants
1. So that
we could understand
2. When we
err it might be made known
3. When we
seek wisdom we might be instructed
4. When we
sin we might be chastened, that we might repent.
5. If we
are humble we might be made strong
6. That we
might receive knowledge from time to time
Verse 30 – God calls this Church the only true and living
church upon the face of the earth. Verse 35 -When peace shall be taken from the
earth. See D&C 97:12
Verses 37-38 - My favorite verses in this section.
D&C 2
One of two sections in the D&C that the words came
entirely from an angel. (Section 13 is the other)
First included in D&C in 1876 along with 13, 77, 85, 87,
108-111, 113-118, 120-1123, 129-132, 136.
“The beginning and the end of the gospel is written in
Section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It is the Keystone of the wonderful
gospel arch and if that center stone should weaken and fall out, the whole
gospel structure would topple down in unorganized doctrinal blocks.” (ElRay L.
Christiansen, CR. April 1960, p. 48) "In his instruction to Joseph, Moroni
acquainted him with the covenant God made with Abraham concerning his seed and
with the many prophecies' about the latter-day gathering of Israel. All that
Joseph would restore in the coming years would build upon the foundation of
this understanding." (RR p. 58)One of 29 known scriptures quoted by Moroni
to Joseph Smith on the night of September 21, 1823.
Will the day of the Lord's coming be great or dreadful for
me? Elijah (Jehovah is my God) has returned twice; on the Mount of Transfiguration
(Matt. 17:3) and in the Kirtland Temple (D&C 110 on April 3, 1836) Joseph
Smith taught that Elijah was the last of the prophets to hold that sealing
power, which is necessary to administer in all the ordinances of the priesthood
and without that authority the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
During Joseph Smith’s lifetime,
he wrote or dictated four separate accounts of the appearance of Moroni: one
dictated to Frederick G. Williams in 1832; a journal entry in 1835; another,
the “official” account, dictated in 1838; and the Wentworth Letter, published
by the Prophet in 1842.2 In addition to the accounts that came directly from Joseph Smith,
other early accounts were written by Orson Pratt and Oliver Cowdery. Elder
Pratt’s account was published in a pamphlet in 1840, while he was serving a
mission in Scotland.3 Oliver Cowdery’s rendition is contained in three articles published
in February, April, and July 1835 in the Kirtland Messenger
and Advocate.4 The following is a list of the scriptures
quoted by Moroni, as reported by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The numbers
in brackets refer to the subject-matter categories listed below.
Deuteronomy 32:43 {9}
Psalm 100:1-2 {9}
Psalm 107:1-7 {6}
Psalm 144:11-12 {6}
Psalm 144:13 {8,
9}
Psalm 146:10 {9}
Isaiah 1:7 {1}
Isaiah 1:23-24 {1}
Isaiah 1:25-26 {1,
7, 9}
Isaiah 2:1-4 {9}
Isaiah 4:5-6 {9}
Isaiah 11:1-16 {2,
6, 7, 9}
Isaiah 29:11 {4}
Isaiah 29:13 {1,
2, 3}
Isaiah 29:14 {3,
4}
Isaiah 43:6 {6}
Jeremiah 43:6 {6}
Jeremiah 16:16 {6}
Jeremiah 30:18-21 {9}
Jeremiah 31:1 {9}
Jeremiah 31:6 {6}
Jeremiah 31:8 {6}
Jeremiah 31:9 {6}
Jeremiah 31:27-28 {9}
Jeremiah 31:32-33 {9}
Jeremiah 50:4-5 {6}
Joel 2:28-32 {3,
9}
Malachi 3:1-4 {2,
7, 9, 10,}
Malachi 4:1-6 {5,
7, 8}
Acts 3:22-23 {7}
I Corinthians 1:27-29 {2}
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1. Apostasy & scattering 2. The
calling of Joseph Smith
3. The opening of the heavens during the Restoration 4. The Book of Mormon
5. Restoration of Priesthood & sealing keys. 6. The gathering of
the elect
7. Destruction & cleaning prior to 2nd Coming 8. Deliverance of the
faithful
9. The pre-millennial & millennial state of the
faithful 10. The 2nd Coming
(Kent Jackson, Improvement
Era, 1990)
Part 3 -
Historical Figure
However, it is also clear
to me that almost from the onset of apostasy in the meridian dispensation,
the Lord began laying the foundation for the Bible that would serve as the
anchor for the Restoration. As early as the late fourth century, we see the
Lord’s Spirit working upon a man who has become known as one of history’s
most famous Bible translators—Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius, better known as
St. Jerome.
Jerome was born in northeast Italy in
A.D. 345. By age twenty-nine he had become a disciplined scholar and
Christian, living a life of contemplation and self-denial. But in a now
well-known dream, a heavenly voice accused him of worshiping secular
scholarship more than Jesus. “You are a follower of Cicero, not of Christ,”
he was told. From that point
on, he devoted his life to learning the original languages of the biblical
texts. In 382 he became secretary to Pope Damasus and formulated a plan to
produce a new, more trustworthy version of the Bible. This Bible would
correct the problems existing in the Old Latin manuscripts of the biblical
text that were in circulation. Whatever one thinks about Jerome—he was not
without his faults—I believe Jerome’s motives were honorable and that the
Lord used his abilities to accomplish important purposes. I believe the
spirit of restoration brooded over Jerome as a precursor to the development
of the King James Version of 1611.
In a letter to Pope Damasus
in 383, Jerome described the problem with the existing Latin manuscripts of
just the New Testament. In language reminiscent of the Prophet Joseph Smith,
Jerome said: “For if we are to pin our faith to the Latin texts, it is for
our opponents to tell us which; for there are almost as many forms of
texts as there are copies. If, on the other hand, we are to glean the truth
from a comparison of many, why not go back to the original Greek and correct
the mistakes introduced by inaccurate translators, and the blundering
alterations of confident but ignorant critics, and further all that has been
inserted or changed by copyists more asleep than awake?” Compare this statement with one by the
Prophet Joseph Smith: “I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the
pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or
designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors.” With the publication of Jerome’s Vulgate,
the Lord gave to the people of medieval Christendom that which they were ready
to possess and which best served His purposes at the time. As Alma said, “The
Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach
his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have” (Alma
29:8).
The Vulgate was an
early step in the preparation of a Bible ultimately suitable for the
restoration of Christ’s gospel on the English-speaking continent of America
and for later missionary efforts in Great Britain from whence came much
strength to the Latter-day Saint Church.
(Forerunners and Foundation
Stones of the Restoration" Andrew Skinner, 35th annual Sidney B. Sperry
Symposium)
Joseph Smith Sr.'s dream
*Summer
1811. or 1812 - Traveling in an open, desolate field, it occurs to Joseph
that he should stop and consider what he was doing before continuing. His
guide tells him this is "the desolate world; but travel on." The
road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel in it; for,
said I to myself, "Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to
death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and
straight is the gate that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go
in thereat." Soon he comes to a narrow path, which he takes. He sees a
beautiful stream running from east to west as far as he could see in both
directions. A rope runs along the bank as high as a man can reach. Beyond is
a pleasant valley with a beautiful tree in it. Its fruit is shaped like a
chestnut bur. As he watches, the burs open, dropping dazzling white fruit.
Joseph eats the fruit, which is "delicious beyond description." Then he remembers his family and brings
them—a wife and seven children—to the tree. They all eat and praise God for
the blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not
easily be expressed. Then Joseph notices
"a spacious building" on the opposite side of the valley, "and
it appeared to reach to the very heavens." It is full of doors and
windows, "filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these
people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger
of scorn at us and treated us with all manner of disrespect and
contempt." Turning from them,
Joseph asks the guide what the delicious fruit means. He told me it was the
pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him, and
keep his commandments. He then
commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were
all there. "No," he replied, "look yonder, you have two more,
and you must bring them also." In the distance he sees two small
children. He brings them to the tree, where they also eat the fruit. The more
we eat, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees,
and scooped it, eating it by double handfulls. When Joseph asks what the spacious building
means, he is told: "It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The
people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and
despise the Saints of god, because of their humility." I soon awoke, clapping my hands together
for joy.
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