Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Church History & D&C - Day10


Thought: "There is a big difference between 20 years experience and 1 years experience repeated 20 times."

Book of the Week-"The Doctrine & Covenants by Themes" John & Jeannie Welch.

Corrections from last week: Lewis Bidamon outlived Emma. He re-married and died in 1891

"You may think I was not a very good Saint not to go West, but I had a home here and I did not go because I did not know what I should have there. It is important to note that she had young children to care for, so having a home was important. p. 63

Section 29- "About the same time that the second conference of the Church was held as Fayette, New York, in Sept. 1930, 6 elders and 3 members differed concerning the transgression of Adam. The discussions may have come about through the work Joseph had begun on the translation of the 1st chapters in Genesis. They united in prayer with Joseph that they might see eye to eye on the matter. As a result, the revelation recorded in section 29 was received, and it included much more than a response to their question-information was given on the gathering of Israel, apocalyptic judgments upon the wicked, and the ultimate triumph of the Saints in the last days. Since it is not known what specific differences these people had concerning the transgression of Adam, it is not known what specific verses in this revelation addressed the issues in question." (D&C Reference Companion, p. 737)

D&C 28:10 - Oliver, don't leave on your mission until the conference of September with the information in D&C 29.

              Vs. 1-8-Gathereing- A first

Vs. 2- Three requirements to be gathered.

Vs. 5 - One of my favorite titles for the Savior.  See also 45:3

Vs. 7 - "The elect of God comprise a very select group, an inner circle of faithful members of the Church. they are the portion of church members who are striving with all their hearts to keep the fullness of the gospel law in this life so they can become inheritors of the fulness of the gospel rewards in the life to come." (BRM, Mormon Doctrine p. 217; see also Abraham 3:22-23; Alma 13; Jer. 1:5- the elect as the foreordained

Vs. 8- "The Lord gathers His people in the last days to build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances & endowments, washings and anointings, etc."  (HC 5:423-4)

              Vs. 9-21 - Second Coming

Vs. 9 - Similar to what Moroni said to Joseph in JSH 1:37 and Malachi 4 or 3 Nephi 25 or Isaiah 9 or 24.

Vs. 11- A great summary verse

Vs. 12- The Twelve will judge the righteous and none else at 2nd coming. Preside and govern may be synonyms for judge. Remember, the kingdoms of the earth will no longer have power. "There will be a great hierarchy of judges in that great day, of whom Adam, under Christ, will be the chief of all. those judges will judge the righteous ones under their jurisdiction, but Christ himself, he alone, will judge the wicked" (Millennial Messiah, 584)

Vs. 15 - See 3 Nephi 8:24-25

Vs. 18 - See Zechariah 14:12

Vs. 21- I love the phrase, "abominations shall not reign!"

Vs. 23 - See TPJS p. 181 and JD 17:143 and D&C 88:18-20.

Vs. 26 - The role of Adam as the archangel is a key doctrine of the restoration. See D&C 78:16

Vs. 30-33- Spiritual and temporal creations - Moses 2-3

Vs. 36-38- Rebellion of Satan in Council in Heaven - Moses 4

Vs. 39-41 - Agency & temptations leading to Fall - Moses 4

Vs. 42-45- Gospel taught to Adam and family after Fall - Moses 5

              "It is my conclusion, from examining these documents and carefully observing their contents, and comparing them with D&C 29, that the translation of the early chapters of Genesis came first, in the summer of 1830, during which these fundamental doctrinal principles concerning the creation, agency, Satan, Council of Heaven, the Fall of Mann, and the preaching of the gospel to and Adam and his seed after the Fall, were revealed and enlarged upon over anything that had yet been received in any of the scriptures, then, shortly thereafter, the revelation known to us as D&C 29 was received by the prophet, part of which reviewed or restated in condensed form, the same fundamental concepts... This observation lays down a pattern repeated many times over in later revelations. The pattern shows that many of the concepts contained in the D&C were first presented to the mind of the prophet during his translation of the Bible. (Robert J. Matthews, Sperry Symposium, 1979 p. 5)

Vs. 47-48 - Little children redeemed by atonement of Christ.

Vs. 50 - Mentally disable not accountable. (See ATGQ - 3:20)

Section 30 - In Book of Commandments was chapters 31-33)

David Whitmer's problems; 1)Struggled with everything except the Book of Mormon, 2) Chose the seer-stone over Joseph, 3) Bible and Book of Mormon are all we need, 4) Revelations in D&C personal, not general, 5) Denied coming of John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, Moses, Elias & Elijah, 6)placed the things of the world ahead of those of the Spirit-therefore-Vs. 3

Peter Whitmer is call to go on the mission with Oliver

John is call to preach at Phillip Burrough's. (Philip born 1795. Appears to have joined Church but stayed in New York. Parley taught in his home on Sept. 5, 1830 &4 heads of family came forth & were baptized.

Section 31 -

              Thomas B. Marsh lived in Boston where he worked for a type foundry. He followed the Spirit to New York. He stayed for 3 months. On his return to Boston a lady asked if he had heard of the Gold Bible. He was interested. She referred him to Martin Harris. He found Martin at the Grandin building. Martin took Thomas to Oliver Cowdery who was at the Smith house. Thomas took 16 pages of the Book of Mormon home to Massachusetts. He and his wife believed the Book. Thomas wrote to Joseph and Oliver back and forth. When he heard the Church had been organized he moved his family to Palmyra in Sept. of 1830.

Vs. 2- Many afflictions? He did have 3 children, aged 9, 7 & 3 when the revelation was received and a wife with a propensity to covet milk.

Vs. 3 - This verse hangs on many a missionary plaque.

Vs. 4- Story of missionary returning from mission to Scotland.

Vs. 9-13- Great council for all of us.

Section 32 - Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Petersen called to go on Lamanite Mission.

"After Joseph Smith & Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt was the most influential figure in early Mormon history and culture." (Parley P. Pratt-The Apostle Paul of Mormonism)

Ziba Petersen-Baptized April 18-1830- Met Rebecca Hooper on this missionary journey who he married on Aug. 11, 1831. Ex'd 1833. Sheriff in California at Dry Diggins in 1848 performed the first legal hangings. (City re-named Hangtown)  Died himself shortly thereafter. Widow bought land from Lilburn  W. Boggs.

I noticed a dozen things the Lord tells Parley and Ziba in this 5 verse section; 1)Declare gospel, 2)Learn of Jesus, 3) Be meek & lowly 4)Go on Lamanite Mission,  5) Jesus Himself will go with them, 6)He is their Advocate, 7) Nothing shall prevail against them. 8) Give heed to that which is written, 9) Pretend to no other revelation, 10) Pray always to increase in understanding, 11) Give heed to the words of this revelation and 12)*trifle not = God will bless them.

* Something of little importance or value. 2. A small amount; a jot. 3. A dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake soaked in sherry ...

Section 33 -

Ezra Thayer -(born 1791) A bridge, dam and mill builder in Palmyra, New York area. "When Hyrum began to speak, every work touched me to the inmost soul. I though every word was pointed to me...The tears rolled won my cheeks...When Hyrum got through, he picked up a book and said, Her is the Book of Mormon. I said Let me see it. I then opened the book, and I received a shock with such exquisite joy that no pen can write and no tongue can express. I shut the book and said, what is the price of it? 14 shillings, was the reply. I said, I'll take the book. I opened it again, and I felt a double portion of the Spirit, that I did not know whether I was in the world or not. I felt as though I was truly in heaven. "Baptized Oct. 1830 by PPP (See D&C 33; 52:22; 54: Introduction; 56:5, 8-9; 75:31.)

Northrop Sweet- Baptized Oct. 1830 - Finished mission to Kirtland. Had the honor of (along with Wycom Clark and 4 others) organizing the first splinter church in our Church History  called, "The Pure Church of Christ. (JD 11:4)

Church History By The Year- Thomas B. Marsh -

1799-Nov. 1
Born in Acton, Mass.
Possibly 1800
1814
Ran away from home
Age 14
1820-Nov. 1
Married Elizabeth Godking
1 1/2 years in grocery business-unsuccessful
1822-30
In foundry Business-Boston
Joined Methodist -but comparison w/ Bible failed. Became a seeker- Felt impressed to go West
1830-Sept. 3
Baptized in Cayuga Lake, NY
By David Whitmer
1830-Sept.
Ordained Elder
 
1830-Sept.
D&C 31 given to Thomas-Called Physician to Church - vs. 10
1st of many missions (D&C 52:22; 56:5; 75:30-31)
1831-Spring
Moved with Church to Kirtland
 
1831-June 6
Ordained High Priest by Lyman Wight
Called to Missouri w/ Ezra Thayer, who delayed so I went to Joseph, who appointed Selah J. Griffin in Thayer's stead, with whom I journeyed to Missouri, preaching by the way;
1832-Jan.
Returned to Kirtland
With Cyrus Daniels
1832-Fall
Moved to Jackson County, MO.
 
1833-Sept.
Branch Pres. of Big Blue Branch
Jackson County, Missouri-Driven out w/ Saints
1834
Clay County High Council
 
1835-Apr. 26
Pres. of Quorum of 12
Kirtland
1835-Summer
Mission to East with 12
 
1835-6-Winter
School in Kirtland
Learning Hebrew and English classes
1836
Back to Clay County
Represented Church in finding new place for Saints
1836
Traveled to Kentucky
Borrowing $ from Church members to buy land in Far West- then moved to Far West
1837
Went to Kirtland
In support of Joseph & other Church leaders
1837-July-Aug
D&C 112
Mission to Canada w/ Joseph and Sidney
1837-Sept
3 Apostles excommunicated
Lyman & Lyman Johnson &  John Boynton
1837
Back to Missouri
 
1838-Oct.
Signed affidavit vs. Joseph
 
1839-Mar. 17
Excommunicated
Remained in Missouri 18 years
1857-Sept. 6
Rebaptized in Florence, Nebraska
After death of wife
1857-Nov.
Wrote history of self
 
1859
Settled in Spanish Fork
Taught school
1862-Nov. 1
Sealed to Hanna Adams
In Endowment House
1866
Died & buried in Ogden, Utah
Pauper & invalid

I have frequently wanted to know how my apostasy began, and I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart.

The next question is, 'How and when did you lose the Spirit?' I became jealous of the Prophet, and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath. I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful; and the Spirit of the Lord being gone, as the Scriptures say, I was blinded, and I thought I saw a beam in brother Joseph's eye, but it was nothing but a mote, and my own eye was filled with the beam. ( Journal of Discourses, 5:206–7)

The Strippings of Milk [story not mentioned in the History of the Church] George A. Smith  (JD 3:283–84)
Gordon B. Hinckley  (in Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 111; or Ensign, May 1984, 83