Please note that the Thursday evening class location has been changed starting March 14 to the building on 20th South and 500 East!
Part
I - Doctrine and Covenants
Thought: Today,
surrounded by so much information, we might think that navigating millions of
web pages will give us all that we need to know. We can find good and bad
information on the web, but information alone is not enough. God has given us
another source for greater knowledge,6 even knowledge sent from
heaven. Our Heavenly Father can give us such knowledge when we navigate the
celestial web in our hearts and minds. The Prophet Joseph
Smith said that he had “the oldest book in [his] heart, even the
gift of the Holy Ghost.”7
We
access this celestial source when we do things such as reading the scriptures,
hearkening to the living prophet, and praying. It is also important to take
time to be still8 and feel and follow the
celestial promptings. When we do this, we will “feel and see” things that
cannot be learned with modern technology. Once we have some experience in
navigating this celestial web, we will discern the truth, even when reading
secular history or other topics. The honest seekers of truth will know the
truth of all things by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Walter Gonzalez, CR-Oct.
2012)
Books of the Week: "Reflections
of Emma" Youngreen; "Emma and Joseph-Their Divine Mission"
Jones; "Mormon Enigma-Emma Hale Smith" Newell & Avery; "Emma Smith: An Elect Lady" Black.
Section 20-Revelation on Church organization and government, given through
Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of this
revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829. The complete
revelation, known at the time as the Articles and Covenants, was likely
recorded soon after April 6, 1830 (the day the Church was organized). The
Prophet wrote, “We obtained of Him [Jesus Christ] the following, by the spirit
of prophecy and revelation; which not only gave us much information, but also
pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to His will and
commandment, we should proceed to organize His Church once more here upon the
earth.”
Vs. 1-Note
the name of the Church (See D&C 115) When the Church was organized. HBL (CR
Apr. 1973) and SWK (CR Apr. 74) taught that Christ was born on April 6. Herod
died in 4 BC according to historians.
Vs. 5 - This
being forgiven of our sins is not a once in our life situation. Joseph was told
by the Savior in the First Vision and also by Moroni.
Vs. 11 - It
is common practice to use the Bible to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The
opposite is God's purpose.
Vs. 13-16 -
Accepting today's prophets and all scripture is essential to being saved today.
Vs. 17-28 -
Basic doctrines of the Creation, the Fall the Atonement and Baptism are taught
in this foundational section
Vs. 21-Top 100 most-read Bible verses on BibleGateway.com): John 3:16:
Vs. 29 -
Notice the 4 steps.
Vs. 35-
Don't change the Article and Covenants of the Church
Vs. 37-
Oliver commanded a change in this verse
Vs. 38-67-
Duties of Elders, Priests, Teachers,
Deacons
Vs. 65-Law
of Common Consent - See
Doctrines of Salvation 3;123-124; Orson F. Whitney CR. Oct. 1930 pp. 46-47
Vs. 65-67-
Added later by Joseph
Vs. 68-69 -
Duties of members
Vs. 70 -
Blessing of babies
Vs. 71 - Age
of accountability- See D&C 68:25-27
Vs. 72-74-
Manner of Baptism
Vs. 75-79-
Sacrament
Vs. 84-
Transfer Records
Section 21- Objected by many members. It looked
Anti-American-Back to a Kingdom & away from a democracy.
June
04, 2002 BYU Devotional "Follow the Prophet" Sheldon F.
Child
"The only safety we have as members of
this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when
the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and
commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, ‘as he receiveth
them, walking in all holiness before me; . . . as if from mine own mouth, in
all patience and faith.’ There will be some things that take patience and
faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may
contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may
interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as
if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is
that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God
will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to
shake for your good, and his name’s glory." HBLee CR, Oct. 1970, 152).
Vs. 4-8-Duties of a member
Section 22 - Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at
Manchester, New York, April 16, 1830. This revelation was given to the Church
in consequence of some who had previously been baptized desiring to unite with
the Church without rebaptism.
In the Book
of Commandments this revelation as listed before D&C 20. These 2 sections
together were known as the "Articles and Covenants "of the Church.
Section 23- Do you notice any differences between the
revelations given to 5 fine men?
June 1830 a
conference was held in Fayette. Several ordained to the priesthood.
Section 24
Joseph Smith- After the June 1830 conference I returned to my
own house, and from thence, accompanied by my wife, Oliver, John and David
Whitmer, went to Mr. Knight, of Colesville, We found a number anxious to be
baptized. We erected a dam across a stream of water,; but during the night a
mob tore down our dam, which hindered us from attending to the baptism on the
Sabbath. We found that this mob had been instigated by certain sectarian
priests. The Sabbath arrived, we held our meeting. Oliver preached, and others
of us bore testimony to the truth. Amongst our audience were those who had torn
down our dam, after the meeting was dismissed, commenced &tried to turn them against us and our
doctrines. ...Early Monday morning we were on the alert we repaired the dam,
and the following thirteen persons baptized, by Oliver Cowdery; viz., Emma
Smith, Hezekiah Peck and wife, Joseph Knight, Sen., and wife, William Stringham
and wife, Joseph Knight, Jun., Aaron Culver and wife, Levi Hale, Polly Knight,
and Julia Stringham. Before the baptizing was finished, the mob began again to
collect. They amounted to about 50 men. They surrounded the house determined to
commit violence upon us. Some asked us questions, others threatened us, so that
we thought it wisdom to leave and go to the house of Newel Knight. There they
followed us, and it was only by the exercise of great prudence on our part, and
reliance in our heavenly Father, that they were kept from laying violent hands
upon us; and so long as they chose to stay, we were obliged to answer them
various unprofitable questions, and bear with insults and threatening without
number. We appointed a meeting for this evening, for the confirmation of those
who had been baptized. The time arrived, when to my surprise, I was visited by
a constable, and arrested, on the charge of being a disorderly person, of
setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon, etc. The
constable informed me, that the plan who had got out the warrant was to get me
into the hands of the mob, but that he was determined to save me from them, as
he had found me to be a different sort of person from what I had been
represented to him. Not far from Mr. Knight's house, our wagon was surrounded by a mob, who seemed only
to await some signal from the constable; but to their great disappointment, he
gave the horse the whip, and drove me out of their reach. He drove on to the town of South Bainbridge,
where he lodged me in an upper room of a tavern; and he slept with his feet
against the door, and a loaded musket by his side, On the day following, a
court was convened. My friend, Joseph Knight, had repaired to two of his
neighbors, viz., James Davidson and John Reid and retained them on my behalf
during my trial. My persecutors managed
to detain the court until they had succeeded in obtaining a warrant from Broome
county, which warrant they served upon me at the very moment that I was
acquitted by this court. The constable who served this second warrant upon me
had no sooner arrested me than he began to abuse and insult me; and so
unfeeling was he with me, that although I had been kept all the day in court
without anything to eat since the morning, yet he hurried me off to Broome
county, a distance of about fifteen miles, before he allowed me any kind of
food whatever. He took me to a tavern, and gathered in a number of men, who
used every means to abuse, ridicule and insult me. The next day I was brought
before the magistrate's court at Colesville, and put upon my trial. My former
faithful friends and lawyers were again at my side; Many witnesses were again
called forward some of whom swore to the most palpable falsehoods, and like the
false witnesses which had appeared against me the day previous, they
contradicted themselves so plainly that the court would not admit their
testimony. Finally, Newel Knight was called up and examined by Lawyer Seymour,
who had been especially sent for on this occasion. Mr. Knight was sworn, and
Mr. Seymour interrogated him as follows:"Did the prisoner, Joseph Smith,
Jun., cast the devil out of you?" "No, sir." "Why, have not
you had the devil cast out of you?" "Yes, sir." "And had
not Joe Smith some hand in its being done?" "Yes, sir." "And
did not he cast him out of you?" "No, sir; it was done by the power
of God, and Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of God, on the
occasion. He commanded him to come out of me in the name of Jesus Christ."
"And are you sure that it was the devil?" "Yes, sir. " "Did
you see him after he was cast out of you?" "Yes sir! I saw him."
"Pray, what did he look like?" The witness replied: "I believe I
need not answer your last question, but I will do it, provided I be allowed to
ask you one question first, and you answer me, viz., Do you, Mr. Seymour,
understand the things of the spirit? "No," answered Mr. Seymour,
"I do not pretend to such big things." "Well, then,"
replied Knight, "it would be of no use to tell you what the devil looked
like, for it was a spiritual sight, and spiritually discerned; and of course
you would not understand it were I to tell you of it. The lawyer dropped his
head, whilst the loud laugh of the audience proclaimed his discomfiture. Mr.
Seymour now addressed the court, and in a long and violent harangue endeavored
to blacken my Mr. Davidson and Mr. Reid followed on my behalf. They held forth
in true colors the nature of the prosecution, the malignancy of intention, and
the apparent disposition to persecute their client, rather than to afford him
justice. In fact, these men, although not regular lawyers, were upon this
occasion able to put to silence their opponents, and convince the court that I
was innocent. They spoke like men inspired of God, whilst those who were
arrayed against me trembled under the sound of their voices. Even the constable
who arrested me, and treated me so badly, now came and apologized to me and
asked my forgiveness for his behavior towards me; and so far was he changed,
that he informed me that the mob were determined, if the court acquitted me,
that they would have me, and rail-ride me, and tar and feather me; and further,
that he was willing to favor me and lead me out in safety by a private way. The
court found the charges against me not sustained. But through the
instrumentality of my new friend the constable, I was enabled to escape them
and make my way in safety to my own house.
I returned to Colesville, with Oliver to confirm those whom we had been
forced to leave. We had scarcely arrived at Mr. Knight's, when the mob was seen
collecting together to oppose us, and we considered it wisdom to leave for
home, which we did. Our enemies pursued us, but, we managed to get home, after having
traveled all night. Thus were we persecuted on account of our religious
faith-in a country the Constitution of which guarantees to every man the
indefeasible right to worship God according to the dictates of his own
conscience-and by men, too, who were professors of religion, and who were not
backward to maintain the right of religious liberty for themselves. (History of The Church 1:84-98)
Section 25- Note
vs. 16
Vs. 1-
Vs. 3-
Vs. 4-
Vs. 5-
Vs. 6-
Vs. 7-
Vs. 10-
Vs. 11 &
12-
Vs. 14 &
15-
Church
History By The Year- Emma Hale Smith - 5'9"Dark Hazel eyes, olive
complexion, dark hair, soprano voice, delightful sense of humor,
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1804-July 10
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Emma born-Harmony, Penn.
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Parents- Isaac Hale & Elizabeth Lewis-7th
of 9 kids
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Youth
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Raised a Methodist
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Uncle Nathaniel Lewis was a Methodist
preacher
|
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1810?
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Isaac changed from Deism to
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Christianity when he heard Emma praying for
him.
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1825-Nov.
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Joseph boards with Hales
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Working for Josiah Stowell & Joseph
Knight
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1827-Jan. 18
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Married Joseph. (22 1/2; Joseph 21)"-
Zacharias Tarbell in So. Bainbridge, N.Y. (Isaac said no 2x)
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"Preferring to marry him to any other
man I knew, I consented." Moved 130 miles north to Smith home in
Manchester, NY.
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1827-Sept. 22
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Joseph get plates
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Emma rides with him in Joseph Knights wagon
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1827-Dec
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Move to Harmony
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Bought 13 acres from Hales for $200-Emma
scribe
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1828-June 15
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Martin H. leaves-Baby Alvin born
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Lived only 3 hours-Emma very sick for 2
weeks
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1829-April 5
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Oliver Cowdery moves in
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(Spring) Joseph Knight provides supplies
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1830-June 28
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Baptized
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By Oliver Cowdery (crowd of 50 harassing)
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1830-July
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Given Revelation
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D&C 25 (Harmony)
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1830-August 1
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Confirmed member of Church
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1830-Aug/Sept.
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Moved to Fayette, New York
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Newell Knight's wagon-Emma would never seen
her parents again.
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1831-Feb.
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Moved to Kirtland, Ohio
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Lived w/ Whitney's then 1 room cabin built
by Isaac Morley
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1831-Apr. 30
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Twins born-lived 3 hours-Thaddeus &
Louisa
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Adopted 9 day old Murdock twins - Joseph
and Julia-Lucy arrived in Kirtland
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1831-June-Aug
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Joseph goes to Missouri
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1831-Sept 2
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Moved to Hiram, Ohio-37 miles
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Until Sept. 1832-then moved back to
Kirtland
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1832-Mar. 24
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Joseph tarred and feathered
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Baby Joseph (w/ the measles) died March 29
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1832-Mar. 31
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Joseph to Missouri 3 months-Emma buried
Joseph w/ twins
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Emma bounces
around-Whitney-Cahoon-Williams-Smith (in-laws)
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1832-Sept.
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Moved into Whitney store
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Took in borders for most of the rest of her
life
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1832-Nov. 6
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Joseph III born hrs. after
Dad's return
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2 Days later Brigham, Joseph Young &
Heber came
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1834-May-Aug
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Zion's Camp
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1836-Jan.
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Emma's hymn book published
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90 -26 by WW Phelps. 42 from other churches
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1836-July 20
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Frederick Granger Williams Smith
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Born- Joseph soon left for Salem, Mass.
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1836-37?
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Move to home of own in Kirtland
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Apostasy/Joseph gone/Financial woes
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1838-Mar. 14
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Moved to Far West, Mo.
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|
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1838-June 2
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Alexander Hale Smith born
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Joseph left for Adam-ondi-Ahman 2 days
later
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1838-Oct. 31
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Joseph arrested & taken to Liberty
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Emma & children driven from house,
house pillaged. Emma visited X2 & slept there 3 nights?
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1839-Jan. 11
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Isaac Hale died
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Emma's father
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1839-Feb. 7
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Forced out of Missouri to Quincy
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Carried JST in bags. Lived with Cleveland
family
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1839-May 9
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Moved to Nauvoo
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5th State
|
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1839-40
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Joseph to Washington DC
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Seeking Missouri redress
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1840-June 14
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Don Carlos born-Lived 14 months
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Named after his uncle
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1840-Sept. 14
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Joseph Sr. died
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1841
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Emma baptized for parents &
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other family members
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1841-Aug. 7
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Don Carlos Smith died
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Emma said the most handsome man she had
seen
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1842-Feb. 6
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Son born who did not survive
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Emma nursed twin daughter of McIntire
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1842-Feb. 16
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Elizabeth Hale died
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Emma's mother
|
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1842-Aug-Dec.
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Joseph in hiding
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|
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1842-Mar. 17
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1st President of Relief Society
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Elizabeth Ann Whitney & Sarah Cleveland
couns.
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1843-May 28
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Sealed to Joseph
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By Hyrum in the old Homestead
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|
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|
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1844-June 27
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Widowed
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Married 17 years
|
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1844- Nov. 17
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Baby boy born
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David Hyrum
|
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1847-Dec. 23
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Married Lewis C. Bidamon
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Married 32 years
|
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1860-Apr. 6
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Joseph III sustained as president
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Reorganized Church, Amboy, Illinois
|
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1869
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Still the best midwife in Nauvoo
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1871-Dec
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Moved into Riverside home
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Part of old Nauvoo house
|
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1879-Apr. 30
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Died- Nauvoo- Nearly 75 yrs. old
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Last words, "Joseph, Joseph"
|
"I have
never seen a woman in my life who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship,
from month to month, and from year to year [with such] unflinching courage,
zeal and patience." (Lucy Smith)
Madsen, Carol Cornwall The “Elect Lady” Revelation (D&C 25): Its
Historical and Doctrinal Context
