Part
I - Doctrine and Covenants
Thought: "I say to my
brethren that the book of Doctrine and Covenants contains some of the most
glorious principles every revealed to the world, some that have been revealed
in greater fulness than they were ever revealed before to the world; and this,
in fulfillment of the promises of the ancient prophets that in the latter times
the Lord would reveal things to the world that had been kept hidden from the
foundation therof; and the Lord has revealed them through the Prophet Joseph
Smith." (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine p. 45)
Section 6 - vs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 34,
35, 36
vs. 23- Oliver
Cowdery was taught another way in which positive answers come: “Did I not speak
peace to your mind concerning the matter?”12
The feeling of peace is the most common confirming witness that I personally
experience. When I have been very concerned about an important matter,
struggling to resolve it without success, I continued those efforts in faith.
Later, an all-pervading peace has come, settling my concerns, as He has
promised.
Section 7
- Oliver and Joseph
translate parchment together- See last week's notes on this section
Section 8 -
Vs. 1 - See 2 Nephi 27:7-8; 29:10-14;
3 Nephi 26:6-11; Ether 3:22-28, 4:5-7; Book of Abraham
8:1 - See James 1:5 - Ask in
Faith
Vs. 2 - Answers
to the mind and heart are messages from the Holy Ghost to our spirits. For me,
response to the mind is very specific, like dictated words, while response to
the heart is generalized, like a feeling to pray more. (Richard G. Scott, May
Ensign, 2007)
Vs. 6 - "Gifts such as Oliver's rod, Lehi's miraculous directors, the
brother of Jared's Urim and Thummim, and Joseph Smith's interpreters may have
been used more commonly in ancient times and in Joseph's day than in ours.
(D&IC 17:1). by 1829, when D&C 8 was given, such gifts were beginning
to be questioned. Skepticism of means as the scriptures call such gifts, was
part of the hostility of the Protestant Reformation and later of the
Enlightenment to anything Joseph would have called marvelous. Perhaps tht is
the reason Joseph revised the revelation before its 1835 publication, taking
out the mention of Oliver's rod and referring to it more generally as the gift
of Aaron. What bible believer could fault the legitimate use of a diving rod
like Aaron's or Moses? Far from discouraging Oliver from using his revelatory
gifts, the revelation teaches him how to use them legitimately. The Lord
legitimized, not criticized these gifts (Moroni 10:8, 24). Neither Joseph nor
Oliver denied his gifts. Oliver kept them sacred. As commanded, he did not
trifle with his gift or make it known to unbelievers (6:12). As intended,
little is known about it in our skeptical generation. Perhaps the equally
marvelous, supernal gift of the Holy Ghost remains nearly as mysterious. It is
remarkable available, yet few apply unto it, as the revelation commands (8:4)
(Harper, Making Sense, p. 43)
Vs. 10 -
Section 9 - What had Joseph been through
to prepare him to translate? A. First
Vision. B. Moroni's visits. C. Feb. 1828
- "Prior to Martin's arrival in Harmony, Joseph had begun copying a
considerable number of the characters from the plates and had translated some of
them by means of the Urim and Thummim in his possession. The resultant
transcript was taken to NYC." D. Lost manuscript...
Vs. 8- Elder Dallin H. Oaks: “I have met
persons who told me they have never had a witness from the Holy Ghost because
they have never felt their bosom ‘burn within’ them. What does a ‘burning in
the bosom’ mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning
produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in
the bosom. Surely, the word ‘burning’ in this scripture signifies a feeling of
comfort and serenity.”
1. There is an economy in
revelation. The Lord does not seem to waste anything, including his words, and
expects that his disciples will be of the same inclination. Thus we need not
expect that he will reveal things to us personally that he has already revealed
to others and that are available in the standard works or the words of the
living prophets.
2. 1 Nephi 15:7-11
3. Dallin H. Oaks: “Our Heavenly Father’s house is a
house of order…. Only the President of the Church receives revelation to guide
the entire Church…. The person who receives revelation for the ward is the
bishop…. Individuals can receive revelation to guide their own lives. But when
one person purports to receive revelation for another person outside his or her
own area of responsibility—such as a Church member who claims to have
revelation to guide the entire Church or a person who claims to have a
revelation to guide another person over whom he or she has no presiding authority
according to the order of the Church—you can be sure that such revelations are
not from the Lord.” (“Revelation,” New Era, Sept. 1982, 45-46)
4. “The Lord will speak to us
through the Spirit in his own time and in his own way. Many people do not understand this principle.
They believe that when they are ready and when it suits their convenience, they
can call upon the Lord and he will immediately respond, even in the precise way
they have prescribed. Revelation does not come that way…. “The principle stated
in [D&C 88:68] applies to every communication from our Heavenly Father: ‘It
shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.’ We
cannot force spiritual things.” (Oaks, Ensign, Mar. 1997, 10-11)
5. “It is contrary to the economy of
God for any member of the Church, or any one, to receive instruction for those
in authority higher than themselves.” (TPJS p. 21)
D&C 98:12 He often reveals things “line
upon line, precept upon precept” rather than all at once. Elder Richard G. Scott said: “When
we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These
require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to
act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex
problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the
end in sight.” (Ensign, Nov. 1989, 32)
6. What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed
fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an
answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence
of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with
the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are
sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly
occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come,
indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be
felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously
and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a
warning impression if you have made the wrong decision. (RGScott, 2007, Ensign,
May 2007)
7. Peter walking on water
Section 10 "Although the two date
assigned to this revelation were first May 1829 and then summer 1828, we now
feel confident that if it is not a composite of more than one revelation
combined later, the correct date is April 1829, shortly after the arrival of
Oliver Cowdery on April 5. Even if it is a composite, April 1829 best fits the
date when it was brought together to form the revelation as we know it today."
(Robert J. Woodford, "Discoveries
from the Joseph Smith Papers", "The Doctrine and
Covenants-Revelations in Context-37the annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, 2008
p. 28)
D&C
3:1; 1 Nephi 9; Words of Mormon 1:7
Vs. 4, 5, 28, 37,43,
Church
History By The Year- Hyrum Smith-Lean and 6'2"-light complexion, prominent nose
|
1800-Feb.
9
|
Hyrum
born
|
Turnbridge,
Vermont
|
|
1813
|
Joseph's
leg operation
|
|
|
1816-Mar.
15
|
Don
Carlos born
|
Family
move to Palmyra (Hyrum 16)
|
|
1818
|
Family
buys Manchester farm
|
|
|
1820
|
Joseph's
first vision
|
Hyrum
20
|
|
1823-Sept.
22
|
Moroni
visits Joseph
|
|
|
1823-Nov.
19
|
Alvin
died
|
Hyrum
now the oldest brother - 23 years old
|
|
1826-Nov.
2
|
Married
Jerusha Barden
|
6
children; Lovina, Mary, John, Hyrum, Jerusha, Sarah
|
|
1827-Sept.
16
|
Lovina
born
|
|
|
1827-Sept.
22
|
Joseph
obtains plates
|
Hyrum
provided a chest for plates
|
|
1827-Dec.
|
Joseph
& Emma move
|
Harmony
with the Hales
|
|
1829-Feb
|
Joseph
Sr. & Lucy visit Joseph
|
On
return to Manchester, Hyrum has quit business to care for sick Sophronia (26)
and Samuel (21)
|
|
1829-March
|
Smiths
forced from home
|
Moved
in with Hyrum and Jerusha
|
|
1829-May
|
Hyrum
visits Joseph in Harmony
|
|
|
1829-June
|
Baptized
|
2nd
child born (Mary)-Died May 29, 1832
|
|
1829-June
|
1 of 8
Book of Mormon Witnesses
|
|
|
1829-Aug-March
1830
|
Printing
of Book of Mormon
|
Hyrum
delivered manuscript pages
|
|
1830-April
6
|
1 of
original members of Church
|
Enabled
purchasing property, licensing missionaries
|
|
1830-June
9
|
Ordained
Priest
|
|
|
1830-Summer
|
Hyrum
lived in Waterloo
|
Branch
President of 12-20, also presided over Colesville and Fayette branches
|
|
1830-Sept.
1
|
PPP
baptized
|
Book
of Mormon given to Parley by Hyrum
|
|
|
|
|
|
1831-Feb.?
|
Hyrum
moved to Kirtland
|
Colesville
Branch led by Lucy, arrived in March
|
|
1831-June
14
|
Hyrum
leaves on mission to Mo.
|
Stops
in Detroit to visit family
|
|
1831-Sept.
22
|
John
Smith born -oldest son
|
Became
Church Patriarch
|
|
1833-June
5
|
Dug
trench for wall of Temple
|
Things
going poorly in Mo.
|
|
1834
|
Worked
on Temple-Chairman
|
Captain
of body guard for Zion's Camp
|
|
1835-Nov.23*
|
Joseph
marries Newell Knight to
|
Lydia
Goldthwait-1st wedding performed by Joseph
|
|
1836-Mar.
27
|
Temple
dedicated
|
|
|
1837
|
Kirtland
Safety Society
|
|
|
1837-Sept.
3
|
Assistant
Counselor in the 1st Presidency
|
Age
37
|
|
1837-Oct.
13
|
Jerusha
died-11 days after birth of 5th child Sarah
|
Hyrum
was on mission to Missouri
|
|
1837-Nov.
7
|
2nd
Couns. to Pres. Joseph Smith
|
Farr
West, Mo.
|
|
1837-Dec
24
|
Married
Mary Fielding Smith (36)
|
2
children; Joseph F., Martha Ann
|
|
1838-March
|
Moves
to Missouri
|
2
month trek over 1000 miles
|
|
1838-Nov.
1 to 1839-April 15
|
In
Richmond then Liberty Jail
|
Mary
gives birth to her first child Nov. 13-Joseph Fielding- Mary sick for 4
months-visit Hyrum
|
|
1841-Jan.
|
D&C
124:15- Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith, for I, the
|
Lord,
love him because of the integrity of his heart & because he loveth that which
is right before me.
|
|
1841-Jan.
24
|
Patriarch
to the Church & Asst.
|
President
of the Church-Chair temple building com.
|
|
1841-Aug.
7
|
Don
Carlos died
|
|
|
1841-May
14
|
Birth
of Martha Ann
|
|
|
1841-Sept.
25
|
Death
of Hyrum Jr. - 7 years old
|
|
|
1842-May
|
Endowment
given
|
Upper
room of Joseph's store
|
|
1842-May
|
Hyrum
defines hot drinks
|
Coffee
and Tea
|
|
1844-June
27
|
Died-Carthage
Jail
|
Age 44
|
[1]Death
separated Lydia Knight from her husband Newel on a cold, wet night of 1847.
Now, in the fury of a rainstorm she yearned for his strength, care, and
companionship. The poor cabin in which she and her children sought shelter from
the intensity of the storm that threatened the pioneers offered only slight
protection. But Lydia feared most for her one-week-old child. All their
clothing was wet, as were their blankets. Getting the older children settled as
best she could, Lydia took the baby in her arms to protect her. What with wet
clothing and falling temperature, Lydia feared they would catch cold. In the
agony of the night she cried out, "Oh, Newel, why could you not have
stayed with and protected me through our journeyings?"Then it was that she
heard his voice, "Fear not, I still watch over you." And with that, a
pleasant warmth encircled her and she and her baby slept warm throughout the
night. (See Susa Young Gates, Lydia Knight's History, p. 73. quoted in C&M
student manual p. 62).
D&C 11- Vs. 1-9 are the same
as 1-9 in D&C 6
Vs. 12-14 - That which comes from
God will always lead us to do good. It is not true that it is fair to cheat to
put down wickedness. (D&C 10:28)
Vs. 15-16 &21 -Just because
you are excited about the gospel, that doesn't give you license to start
preaching.
Vs. 20 - God tells us His work in
Moses 1:39. He tells us our work in this verse.
Vs. 26 - What to do while you are
waiting to be called
Section 12 - "I bought a barrel of
Mackrel and some lined paper for writing. And when I came home I bought some
nine or ten bushels of grain and five or six bushel taters and a pound of tea,
and I went down to see him and they were in want. Joseph and Oliver were gone
to see if they could find a place to work for provisions, but found none. They
returned home and found me there with provisions, and they were glad for they
were out." (Joseph Knight, Sr.)
D&C 13 - See Ensign article by Larry
Porter in Dec. 1996.
"While darkness covered the
earth and gross darkness the people; long after the authority to administer in
holy things had been taken away, the Lord opened the heavens and sent forth his
word for the salvation of Israel. In fulfillment of the sacred scripture the
everlasting Gospel was proclaimed by the mighty angel. [Moroni] who, clothed
with the authority of his mission, gave glory to God in the highest. This
gospel is the stone take from the mountain without hands. John the Baptist,
holding the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James and John holding the
keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, have also ministered for those who shall be
heirs of salivation, and with these ministrations ordained men to the same
Priesthoods. These Priesthoods, with their authority, are now, and must
continue to be, in the body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
blessed is the Elder who has received the same, and thrice blessed and holy is
he who shall endure to the end. Accept assurances, dear Brother, of the
unfeigned prayer of him, who, in connection with Joseph the Seer, was blessed
with the above ministrations, and who earnestly and devoutly hopes to meet you
in the celestial glory." (Written by Oliver in the home of Samuel Richards
at Samuel's home in upper Missouri, Jan 13, 1849)
Book
of the Week -
"Hyrum Smith-Patriarch" Pearson H. Corbett
