Total membership- 14,782,473 -New children of record-122,273. Converts baptized. 272,330
"How do you
prepare for the 2nd coming?. You just do not worry about it. You just live the
kind of life that if the 2ndf Coming were to be tomorrow you would be ready.
Nobody knows when it was going to happen. Our responsibility is to prepare
ourselves, to live worthy of the association of the savior, to deport ourselves
in such a way that we would not be embarrassed if He were to come among us.
That is a challenge in this day and age."(GBH, Church News, Jan. 1999)
Book of the Week - "The
Heavens Resound-A History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio- 1830-1838"
by Milton V. Backman Jr.
Church History by the Year - Kirtland, Ohio
|
1830-Oct. 28
|
Missionaries arrived in Mentor
|
Teach Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Isaac Morley, Mary Rollins
|
|
1830-Nov. 5
|
John Murdock baptized
|
|
|
1830-Nov. mid
|
Sidney baptized followed by I. Morley
|
Titus Billings, Lyman Wight, NK Whitney, FG Williams, O. Hyde
|
|
1830-Dec.
|
Saints commanded to move to Ohio
|
|
|
1831-Jan. 2
|
3rd Gen. Conference (D&C
38:32-33)
|
Fayette, New York-Called to discuss move
|
|
1831-Feb. (early)
|
Joseph, Emma, Sidney, Edward arrive
|
John Whitmer had been presiding
|
|
1831-Feb. 4
|
D&C 41 - False notions & Spirits
|
Edward Partridge called as 1st Bishop
|
|
1831-Feb. 9
|
D&C 42-Law of Consecration revealed
|
"Part 1"
|
|
1831-Feb
|
D&C 43- Ms. Hubble
|
|
|
1831-Feb.-late
|
D&C 44- Missionaries called to meeting
|
|
|
1831-March 7
|
D&C 45- JSM
|
Joseph begins New Testament translation
|
|
1831-May-June
|
New York immigrants arrived in Ohio
|
|
|
1831-May
|
Revelation on False Spirits given
|
|
|
1831-June 3
|
Fourth General Conference
|
First in Kirtland
|
|
1831-June 7
|
Commandment given to go to Missouri
|
D&C 52
|
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF MARY E. LIGHTNER
I was born in the town of Lima,
Livingston County, state of New York, April 9, 1818. My father, John D. Rollins,.
My mother, Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen, She married my father in 1814 or
1815. Three children were the fruit of this marriage, James Henry, myself and
sister Caroline, the youngest. When Caroline was six months old, my father was
shipwrecked on Lake Ontario during a terrible storm. Only one person was saved
out of all the passengers and crew. When I was ten years old, we moved to
Kirtland, Ohio, and lived in a house belonging to Algernon Sidney Gilbert,
mother's sister's husband. We remained there two years, when we heard of the
plates of the Book of Mormon, being found by Joseph Smith. Soon the news was
confirmed by the appearance of Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, and Ziba
Peterson, with the glorious news of the restoration of the Gospel through the
Prophet Joseph Smith. They bore a powerful testimony, by the Holy Spirit, of
the truth of the great work they were engaged in; and which they were
commissioned by the Father to present to all the world. Quite a number of the
residents of Kirtland accepted baptism. Mother and myself also, in the month of
October, 1830. A branch of the Church was organized, and Father Morley was
ordained an elder to preside over it. He owned a large farm, about a mile from
Kirtland, and some three or four families went there to live, and meetings were
held there. A good spirit and one of union prevailed among the brethren for
some time. After Oliver Cowdery and his brethren left there for Missouri on
their mission to the Lamanites, a wrong spirit crept into our midst, and a few
were led away by it. About this time, John Whitmer came and brought a Book of
Mormon. There was a meeting that evening, and we learned that Brother Morley
had the Book in his possession the only one in that part of the country. I went
to his house just before the meeting was to commence, and asked to see the
book; Brother Morley put it in my hand, as I looked at it, I felt such a desire
to read it, that I could not refrain from asking him to let me take it home and
read it, while he attended meeting. He said it would be too late for me to take
it back after meeting, and another thing, he had hardly had time to read a
chapter in it himself, and but few of the brethren had even seen it, but I pled
so earnestly for it, he finally said, "Child, if you will bring this book
home before breakfast tomorrow morning, you may take it." He admonished me
to be very careful, and see that no harm came to it. If any person in this
world was ever perfectly happy in the possession of any coveted treasure I was
when I had permission to read that wonderful book. Uncle and Aunt were
Methodists, so when I got into the house, I exclaimed, "Oh, Uncle, I have
got the 'Golden Bible'." Well, there was consternation in the house for a
few moments, and I was severely reprimanded for being so presumptuous as to ask
such a favor, when Brother Morley had not read it himself. However, we all took
turns reading it until very late in the night as soon as it was light enough to
see, I was up and learned the first verse in the book. When I reached Brother
Morley's they had been up for only a little while. When I handed him the book,
he remarked, "I guess you did not read much in it." I showed him how
far we had read. He was surprised and said, "I don't believe you can tell
me one word of it." I then repeated the first verse, also the outlines of
the history of Nephi. He gazed at me in surprise, and said, "child, take
this book home and finish it, I can wait." Before or about the time I
finished the last chapter, the Prophet Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, and
moved into a part of Newel K. Whitney's house (Uncle Algernon's partner in the
Mercantile Business), while waiting for his goods to be put in order. Brother
Whitney brought the Prophet Joseph to our house and introduced him to the older
ones of the family (I was not in at the time.) In looking around he saw the
Book of Mormon on the shelf, and asked how that book came to be there. He said,
"I sent that book to Brother Morley." Uncle told him how his niece
had obtained it. He asked, "Where is your niece?" I was sent for;
when he saw me he looked at me so earnestly, I felt almost afraid. After a
moment or two he came and put his hands on my head and gave me a great
blessing, the first I ever received, and made me a present of the book, and
said he would give Brother Morley another. He came in time to rebuke the evil
spirits, and set the church in order. We all felt that he was a man of God, for
he spoke with power, and as one having authority in very deed.
Section
41
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church,
at Kirtland, Ohio, February 4, 1831. This revelation instructs the Prophet and
Church elders to pray to receive God’s “law” (see section 42).
Joseph Smith had just arrived in Kirtland from New York, and Leman Copley, a
Church member in nearby Thompson, Ohio, “requested Brother Joseph and Sidney
[Rigdon] … live with him and he would furnish them houses and provisions.” The
following revelation clarifies where Joseph and Sidney should live and also
calls Edward Partridge to be the Church’s first bishop.
Strange
Notions-"The family"- Whatever
is yours is mine and whatever is mine is mine too.
False
Spirits- Black Pete angels and letters directly from heaven., Wycam Clark
organized "Pure Church of Christ".
Vs. 1 - a
warning against hypocrisy.
Vs. 3- A
promise regarding "The Law" to be revealed in D&C 42.
Vs. 7 -
Where Joseph lived in Kirtland: 1)Newel K. & Elizabeth Whitney home for a
few weeks. 2) Morley Farm with the Morleys for about 2 months. 3) Frame home
built for Joseph & Emma on Morley farm-about 4 months. 4) Sept. 12, 1831
moved to Hiram, Ohio and the Johnson home for about 1 year. 5) Newel K. Whitney
store for 17-19 months. 6) Feb. 1834 - New white frame home north of the temple
and cemetery until Jan. 1838 when they left for Missouri.
Vs. 9-11-
Edward Partridge called as Bishop.
Section 42 - Known as "The Law" or "The Law of the
Church"- It was given to bring order to the Church. Revelation given in two parts
through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 9 and 23, 1831.
The first part, consisting of verses 1
through 72, was received in the presence of twelve elders and in
fulfillment of the Lord’s promise previously made that the “law” would be given
in Ohio (see section
38:32). The second portion consists of verses 73
through 93. The Prophet specifies this revelation as “embracing the law of
the Church.”
Law of Consecration
|
Date
|
Where
received
|
Where
Recorded
|
Content
|
|
4
Feb. 1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Edward
Partridge appointed first bishop.
|
|
|
9
Feb. 1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Law
of consecration explained.
|
|
|
Feb.
1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Saints
to administer to poor according to law.
|
|
|
7
Mar. 1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Call
to gather Zion; prospect of New Jerusalem.
|
|
|
Mar.
1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Saints
who settled in Ohio to save money for inheritance in Zion.
|
|
|
May
1831
|
Thompson,
Ohio
|
D&C 51:3ff
|
Bishop
Partridge to appoint portions (stewardships) according to family size,
circumstances, wants, and needs. Storehouse to be established.
|
|
June
1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Rich
and poor commanded to repent.
|
|
|
July
1831
|
Jackson
County, Mo
|
Missouri
appointed and consecrated as land of inheritance and center place for Zion.
|
|
|
1
Aug. 1831
|
Jackson
County, Mo
|
Zion
to come “after much tribulation.” Early immigrants honored to lay foundation
of Zion. Lands to be purchased in Independence.
|
|
|
Aug.
1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Saints
commanded to purchase lands by money and forbidden to obtain lands by blood.
|
|
|
Nov.
1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Elders
appointed stewards over revelations. Surpluses to be consecrated to Church.
|
|
|
4
Dec. 1831
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Newel
K. Whitney appointed second bishop of Church at Kirtland. Further duties of
bishop made known.
|
|
|
Mar.
1832
|
Hiram,
Ohio
|
Saints
commanded to establish storehouses in Zion, to further organize so Church
would be independent.
|
|
|
26
Apr. 1832
|
Jackson
County, Mo
|
United
order to be established to manage affairs in Zion and Kirtland.
|
|
|
30
Apr. 1832
|
Independence,
Mo
|
Widows,
orphans to be provided for by consecration to storehouses.
|
|
|
22–23
Sept. 1832
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Forecast
of the city and temple of New Jerusalem.
|
|
|
27
Nov. 1832
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Inheritances
in Zion to be determined by those who consecrate.
|
|
|
25
June 1833
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
HC,
1:364–65
|
Letter
from the Prophet to Bishop Edward Partridge on the size of a member’s
stewardship.
|
|
2
Aug. 1833
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
House
in Zion (Jackson County) commanded. Zion is pure in heart.
|
|
|
6
Aug. 1833
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Saints
commanded to follow Constitution. Law of war, law of forgiveness given to Saints.
|
|
|
12
Oct. 1833
|
Perrysburg,
NY
|
Chastened
Zion to be redeemed.
|
|
|
10
Dec. 1833
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
HC,
1:453ff
|
Letter
from the Prophet to retain lands; petition to God to return Saints to land of
inheritances.
|
|
16
Dec. 1833
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Reasons
for Saints’ expulsion from Jackson County. Zion not to be moved out of her
place. Saints to rely on constitutional process.
|
|
|
24
Feb. 1834
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Saints
to redeem Zion after tribulation. Zion to be redeemed by power.
|
|
|
23
Apr. 1834
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
Separation
of united order in Kirtland and Zion. Sacred treasury provided for.
|
|
|
22
June 1834
|
Fishing
River, Mo
|
Redemption
of Zion postponed till Saints are prepared, endowed, and numerous. United
order dissolved until Zion’s redemption.
|
|
|
1
Sept. 1835
|
Kirtland,
Ohio
|
History
of the Church, 2:254
|
Prophet’s
letter to elders of the Church relating his June 1831 vision to go to western
Missouri.
|
Taken from Wm. O. Nelson Ensign, Jan.
1979 "To Prepare a People"
The United Order is the administrative agency for receiving
consecrated funds. It is the temporal organization to implement the Law of
Consecration in our lives. It is like the Presiding bishopric's office is the
administrative agency for our tithing funds.
Three Principles: 1)Individual consecrates property to the
Church. 2) Individual receives stewardship. 3) Periodic accountability of
stewardship.
"If we must give all that we have, then our giving
only almost
everything is not enough. If we almost
keep the commandments, we almost
receive the blessings. For example, some young people assume they can romp in
sinful mud until taking a shower of repentance just before being interviewed
for a mission or the temple. In the very act of transgression, some plan to
repent. They mock the gift of mercy that true repentance allows. Some
people want to keep one hand on the wall of the temple while touching the
world’s “unclean things” with the other hand. We must put both hands on the
temple and hold on for dear life. One hand is not even almost enough. The
rich young man had given almost everything. When the Savior told him he must
sell all his
possessions, that wasn’t just a story about riches. We can have eternal life if
we want it, but only if there is nothing
else we want more. So we must willingly give
everything, because God Himself can’t make us grow against our will and without
our full participation. Yet even when we utterly spend ourselves, we lack the
power to create the perfection only God can complete. Our all by itself is still
only almost
enough—until it is finished by the all
of Him who is the “finisher of our faith.” At that point, our imperfect but
consecrated almost
is enough.... Almost
is especially enough when our own sacrifices somehow echo the Savior’s
sacrifice, however imperfect we are. When we really are afflicted in the
afflictions of other people, we may enter “the fellowship of his sufferings”
enough to become joint-heirs with Him. May we not shrink when we discover, paradoxically, how dear a price
we must pay to receive what is, finally, a gift from Him. When the Savior’s all
and our all come together, we will find not only forgiveness of sin, “we shall
see him as he is,” and “we shall be
like him.” (Bruce C. Hafen, "The Atonement: All
for All,” Ensign, May 2004, p. 97)
Vs. 1 - Ye elders of my church - There
were 12
Vs.
4-Beginning of instruction to missionaries- vs. 6-2X2, Missionaries &
angels have the same jobs. vs. 9 1st D&C reference to the New Jerusalem (
see Ether 13:6) Vs. 11- No secret ordinations Vs. 13 - D&C 20 & 22. vs.
14- No Spirit-no teaching takes place.
Vs. 22-
"The words none else eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then
becomes pre-eminent in the life of the husband or wife and neither social life
nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor
thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse." (SWK Miracle
of Forgiveness, p.250)
Vs. 23 - George A. Smith stated: "I believe, if you will take the whole
circle of the history of apostates from this Church, that in ninety- nine cases
out of every hundred you will find that the spirit of adultery or covetousness
was the original cause. "There was a man named John Smith came into the
Church, and was somewhat prominent in the State of Indiana. He preached some
little, and was considered quite zealous; but he said he had proved that the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants was not true; 'For it says,' said he, 'that if a
man shall commit adultery, and not repent of it, he shall lose the Spirit of
God, and shall deny the faith. Now, I have done it, and have not denied the
faith; and so I have proved that the revelation in the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants is not from God.' The spirit of blindness had so taken possession of
him that he could not see that when he was proclaiming that the revelations
were not true, he was denying the faith. That spirit has such an effect over
the human mind as totally to blind them in relation to their own acts and the
spirit that governs them" (Journal of Discourses, 7:114).
Vs. 27- More strict than not to
bear false witness vs. neighbors.
Vs. 30-39- Consecration
Vs. 42 - Welfare reform suggestion
Vs. 46 - "The phrase, taste of death, is also found in 3 Ne.
28:7, 25, 37, 38; Ether 12:17; Mark 9:1; John 8:52. Among the promises given to
the righteous is that they will not taste of death, suggesting they will not
experience spiritual suffering, for their death will be sweet." (H.
Brewster, D&C Encyclopedia p.
578)
Vs. 62- Feb. 1831
Vs. 74-93-2nd part- Laws dealing
with transgressors. -Church discipline beginning
Section 43- Ms. Hubble story- See D&C 1:38; 21:4-6;28:2;30:3;
31:3-432:4; 35:15-25; 42:11-14; 43:1-7; 68:3-4; 107:91-
Imposters sugar coat- No need for repentance.
Vs. 8-9- A
pattern for all meetings, including FHE- Instruct-Edify
and bind
Vs. 15-16 - See JST Matt. 3:25 & 1 Cor.
2:1-5
Section 44-"The 1st commandment in section 42, directed
the elders to go forth for a little season preaching my gospel. In section 44 the Lord called for a
meeting of all the elders of the Church, even those still getting ready to
leave New York.
Vs. 4 -Laws
in Ohio did not recognize central headquarters of any church, only local
congregations. In order to be legally organized a congregation had to have, at
least 20 members, an official leader & the name of the church had to be
registered with the country clerk. Correspondence did go out from Kirtland,
calling the elders to assemble , & they did meet on April 9, 1831. After transacting
the business of the meeting, they adjourned until the 1st Saturday in June. (D&C Reference Companion p. 750)
Section 45- Joseph bought
King James Bible from the Grandin bookstore while the Book of Mormon was
being translated upstairs. He started with Genesis shortly after the Church was
organized in April, 1830. On March 7, 1831 he was to Gen. 19:35. On that day he
received D&C 45, a remarkable, composite text in which Jesus reiterates his
own sermon from Matt. 24, comments on it, and applies it to LDS striving to
replicate Enoch's Zion. The very next day Joseph began reading and revising the
New Testament. He did the Old & New Testaments together in March. In early
April he ended his translation of the OT until he completed the Nt. on Feb. 2,
1833. He then returned to the OT. A total of 3,410 verses in the printed JST
differ from the KJV. 1,289 in the OT and 2096 in the NT. (Harper p. 154 and
Black p. 104) Compare this section with JSM and Matt. 24.
Vs. 3- The word "advocate" come from the
Greek "paraclaytos" - para=to the side of and Kalayo - To summon. An
advocate is one who is called to another's side to aid him.
Vs. 10-14 -
Enoch's city will return
Vs. 15-17-
Jesus' Olivet Discourse given on the last Tuesday of His life.
Vs. 22 - the
end of the world seems to refer to the end of "worldliness"
|
1793- Feb. 19
|
Born - St. Clair, Pennsylvania
|
Parents William Rigdon & Nancy
Gallaher
|
|
1819
|
Left Father's farm
|
|
|
1819-March
|
Joined Regular Baptists
|
Received license to preach
|
|
1820-June 12
|
Married Phoebe Brook
|
11 children
|
|
1822
|
Selected as Baptist minister
|
Pittsburgh
|
|
1824-Aug.
|
Informed congregation he no longer
|
upheld doctrines they endorsed.
|
|
1824-26
|
Labored as Tanner
|
|
|
1827-
|
Leader of Regular Baptist Church
|
Mentor, Ohio
|
|
1830 (about)
|
Joined Campbell & others in
founding
|
"The Disciples of Christ"
|
|
1830-Oct. 28
|
Presented with Book of Mormon
|
"No, young gentlemen, you must
not argue w/ me on the subject; but I will read your book, & see what
claims it has upon my faith, & will endeavor to ascertain whether it is
a revelation from God or not."
|
|
1830-Nov. 14
|
Spoke to his congregation- Convinced
by revelation the BoM was true.
|
That he (Sidney) did not have
authority. Spoke 2 hrs. Melted into tears.
|
|
1830-Dec.
|
Traveled to Fayette, NY to meet Joseph
|
Served as scribe in Bible translation
|
|
1831-Feb
|
Returned to Ohio
|
|
|
1831-June 3
|
Ordained High Priest
|
|
|
1831-June-Aug.
|
Went to Missouri with Joseph
|
|
|
1831-Aug. 2
|
Dedicated Zion for gathering of Saints
|
|
|
1831
|
Tarred, feathered, dragged, left for
dead
|
With Joseph in Hiram
|
|
1831-Oct. 31
|
Imprisoned in Liberty Jail.
|
|
|
1832-Feb. 16
|
Receives D&C 76 w/ Joseph
|
Hiram, Ohio- Vision lasted over 1
hour-Sidney stayed up all night to write vision.
|
|
1832-Mar. 8
|
2nd Counselor to Joseph
|
Member of United & Literary Firms
|
|
1832-Apr.-May
|
Traveled to Missouri w/ Joseph
|
|
|
1832-Summer
|
Relinquished position in Pres.
|
Taught that Kingdom had been taken
|
|
1833-Mar. 18
|
1st Counselor to Joseph
|
|
|
1833-Fall
|
Traveled to Canada w/ Joseph
|
|
|
1833-Oct. 12
|
Appointed as spokesman for Joseph
|
|
|
1836
|
Participated in dedication of Kirtland
Temple
|
|
|
1836-Summer
|
Traveled to Mass. w/ Joseph &
others
|
|
|
1837
|
Charter member - Kirtland Safety
Society
|
Stockholder
|
|
1837
|
Presided over Stake in
Adam-ondi-Ahman.
|
|
|
1838-Apr. 4
|
Arrived in Far West, Missouri
|
|
|
1838-Oct. 31
|
Arrested for treason-Imprisoned -
|
in Liberty Jail until Feb. 1839
|
|
1839-40
|
To Washington DC w/ Joseph &
others
|
Seeking redress for Missouri persecutions
|
|
1843-Aug. 13
|
Cut off from Church for plotting to
have
|
Joseph sent to Missouri-reinstated
|
|
1843-Oct.
|
Joseph requested he be dropped from
|
1st Pres. - Upheld by Church members
|
|
1844
|
Chosen as VP running mate for Joseph
|
|
|
1844-May 11
|
Received Endowment
|
|
|
1844-June 18
|
Left Nauvoo for Pittsburgh
|
|
|
1844-Aug. 8
|
Spoke for 2 hrs. to convince Church
he-
|
should be guardian for Church
|
|
1844-Sept. 8
|
Excommunicated
|
Left again for Pittsburgh
|
|
1845
|
Organized Church
|
Moved to Franklin County Penn, Cuba NY
|
|
1876-Jul. 14
|
Died-Friendship, NY - 83 years old.
|
|
