Church History & D&C - Day 3

Part I - Church History

Thought: “This glorious First Vision … was the parting of the curtain to open this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration. I submit that if Joseph Smith talked with God the Father and His Beloved Son, then all else of which he spoke is true. This is the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to the path of salvation and eternal life.” (GBH - Ensign, Nov. 1998 p. 71)

"The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world, since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension n high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of his kingdom-not the kingdom of man-never more to cease nor to be overturned. Having accepted this truth, I find it easy to accept of every other truth that he enunciated and declared during his mission of fourteen years in the world. He never taught a doctrine that was not true. He never practiced a doctrine that he was not commanded to practice. He never advocated error. He was not deceived. He saw; he heard; he did as he was commanded to do; and, therefore, God is responsible for the work accomplished by Joseph Smith-not Joseph Smith. The Lord is responsible for it, and not man." (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 495-6A)

 Book of the Week- " Joseph Smith's First Vision-A Guide to the Historical Accounts" Steven C. Harper.  This book was written to provide a context and a community for readers who desire to trust Joseph. He told friends that when as a youth, he attended revival meetings, he wanted badly to join in the shouts of joy but, I could feel nothing.

 Church History By The Year

1775	Lucy Mack Smith born
1777-81	US Constitution	Separation of Church and State
1798	Lucy & Joseph married by JP	Parents and grandparents in Congregational Church.
1799	Asael & Joseph Smith	Organize Universalist Society
1802	Lucy nearly dies	Makes promise to find religion to help her serve God.
1816	Smiths Move to Palmyra	Population 600
1818	Smith purchase farm in Farmington Township	100 acres. They cleared 30 acres in 1st year.
1819	Revivals Intensify in Palmyra vicinity	Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians all growing very rapidly in Palmyra
1819	Attempted Assassination of Joseph
1820	6000 converts to Presbyterianism in USA	1/3 in Western New York. Baptists and Methodist also boomed
1820	First Vision	Most significant historical event since Christ's resurrection.
1821	Catharine born	Family now is 11
1822	Farmington divided	Smith farm became part of the newly created township of Manchester.
1825	Erie Canal finished	363 miles from Hudson River to Lake Erie. 1 block from Palmyra Main Street.

 Erie Canal. Proposed in 1808 and completed in 1825, the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. An engineering marvel when it was built, some called it the Eighth Wonder of the World.. It was 363 miles long, 4 feet deep and 40 feet wide, and floated boats carrying 30 tons of freight.  It passed within a block of Palmyra's main street. A ten foot wide towpath was built along the bank of the canal for the horses and/or mules which pulled the boats and their driver. Enlarged twice.

 

First Vision: 1)Jack and 2) BYU

1. Best documented theophany in history. It's not a matter of life & death. It is much more important than that! Therefore... Moroni 10:4 - A "seeker" is a searcher, an explorer, one who endeavors to find something hidden or lost, as in seeker after truth. Like Joseph Smith. Assuming is the enemy of seeking. (D&C 88:118)

2. The contests about religion centering on the role of individual choice in salvation.

            A. Calvinism - Man is depraved because of the Fall. God chooses a few to save. Puritans who founded the Congregational church and Presbyterians.

            B. Arminian theology - God's grace endowed man with the ability to choose Christ and be saved. (Methodists)

            C. Baptists were split. Some with A and some with B.

            D. Universalists believed God would save all

3. Smith Family         

            A. Joseph Sr. has dreams (http://saintswithouthalos.com/n/visions_js_sr.phtml) which left him with questions, but doesn't believe in organized religion. Influenced by father and brother. (Both named Asael)

            B. Lucy tries to fulfill promise to serve God. Tries Presbyterianism, but it seemed empty. Joseph Sr. discouraged her from the Methodists. Lucy prayed and had dream of 2 trees. While his mother, Hyrum, Samuel, and Sophronia joined the Presbyterian faith, he, his father, and Alvin remained unchurched.

            C. Joseph Jr. -

                        a. at about the age of twelve my mind became seriously iprest with regard to the all importent concerns for the welfare of my immortal soul.

                        b. Joseph's pre-First vision revelation. James 1:5

                        c. Joseph actually spoke with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

                        d. He learned that the promise of James is true. Prayers are answered.

                        e. God was a loving Heavenly Father.

                        f. The Father and the Son are 2 separate and distinct glorious beings in whose literal image man is made. When Joseph walked away from the grove of trees near his home, he knew more about the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, than any other living soul. The heresy of the great apostasy concerning the trinity was dispelled in a moment of vision. No amount of philosophical debate can hold a flicker of light to the revelatory flame, brighter than noonday sun, that Joseph witnessed.

                        g. The reality of Satan. (JSH 15-16) The power of some actual being. Joseph was not wrestling with a formless power void of body but with a spirit being whose body is in the form and likeness of man. Devils are spirit beings that followed Satan in his rebellion against God in pre-mortality. In one account of this experience, Joseph said, "I heard a noise behind me like someone walking towards me. I strove again to pray, but could not; the noise of walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprang upon my feet and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking" (Backman, First Vision, 159).

                        h. No church on the earth had divine approval.

                        i. The creeds were an abomination

                        j. The Father introduced the Son. (3 other times)

                        k. Visions made one tired: JSH 1:20; Daniel 10:8-9; 1 Nephi 1:6-7; Moses 1:9-10; D&C 76.

                        l. Joseph was promised that at some future time the fullness of the gospel would be made known unto him. (HC 4:536)

 Primary Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision

1832 - Autobiography written on the first pages of a book used by Joseph to record letters he sent and received. (See D&C 85:1-2 and Sidney Rigdon's July 5 declaration) A highly personalized experience using the language of the revivals. He describes his consciousness of his sins and of his frustrating inability to find forgiveness in a church that matched the New Testament. It emphasizes the atonement and the personal redemption it offered Joseph. He wrote in his own hand of the joy and love he felt as a result of the vision, though he could find no one who believed him.

1835 (Nov. 9) - entry in Joseph's journal by his scribe, reporting Joseph's account of the vision to a visitor, reproduced in 1834-36 history. In this account Joseph cast the vision as the first in a series of events that led to the translation of the Book of Mormon. He emphasized the opposition he felt in the grove and how he attempted to pray but could not at first. It says that one divine personage appeared in a pillar of fire, followed shortly by another, and that Joseph envisioned many angels as well. Joseph added that he was about  14.

1835 (Nov. 14) - entry in Joseph's journal by his scribe, reporting Joseph's account of the vision to Erastus Holmes, reproduced in 1834-36 history.

1838 - account scribed by George Robinson and copied into Joseph's history by James Mulholland and later revised, presumably by Joseph, and copied again by Howard Coray about 1841; published in the Times and Seasons newspaper on March 15, 1842, redacted by Willard Richards later that year; later excerpted in the Pearl of Great Price. It emphasizes unusual religious excitement and Joseph's quest for a church as a catalyst for the vision. Other accounts emphasize more the internal process. This was the first fully organized attempt to place the events that had transpired in relation to the restoration of the gospel into a comprehensive and chronologically arranged record.

1842 - Joseph's letter to John Wentworth, published in the Times and Seasons newspaper on March 1, 1842, reproduced for Israel Daniel Rupp's An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States. A brief but telling account. It says that the 2 beings looked exactly alike and they told him the existing churches believed in incorrect doctrines.

 These accounts communicate to seekers Joseph's memories of how he experienced the vision at the time and how he remembered it over time.

 http://www.eldenwatson.net/harmony.htm#7

http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith's_First_Vision/Accounts

Ensign, April, 1996 - Joseph Lloyd Anderson - Joseph Smith’s Testimony of the First Vision

 Orson Pratt wrote the earliest published account of the First Vision in 1840. Assuming that he has accurately reflected the way Joseph Smith told the story, his account is very instructive. "While thus pouring out his soul," he wrote, "anxiously desiring an answer from God, he at length saw a very bright and glorious light in the heavens above; which, at first, seemed to be a considerable distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, for some distance around was illuminated in a most glorious and brilliant manner. He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; but perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and immediately his mind was caught away, from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision" (Backman, First Vision, 172).

 Part 2 - Doctrine and Covenants

Thought: This Doctrine and Covenants is my book and your book; but more than that, it belongs to all the world, to the Catholics, to the Presbyterians, to the Methodists, to the infidel, to the nonbeliever. It is his book if he will accept it, if he will receive it. The Lord has given it unto the world for their salvation." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:201)

 Book of the Week: "The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith" Lyndon Cook- This book by Brother Cook is possibly the best volume to have to get honest and compact historical background for each section of the Doctrine and Covenants. It has been well researched and thoughtfully organized. It is a must have for scholar or hobbiest interested in the history of the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 D&C 2 - See last week's notes - First published in the Times and Season on April 15, 1842.

 D&C 3 - First published as chapter 2 in the Book of Commandments

 Church History By The Year

1783	Martin Harris born	Easttown, Saratoga County, New York
	Married Lucy Harris	1st Cousin
	3 Children	Duty, George, Lucy
	Owned 240 acres of land	Palymyra
1828	Scribe for Joseph	April 12-June 14 -  116 pages
1828	Martin given permission to take manuscript home	Able to show it to 5 people: Lucy (wife), brother (Preserved); Father and Mother (Nathan & Rhoda); wife's sister (Mrs. Cobb)
1828	Emma gives birth to 1st child	June 15, Died the same day
1829	One of 3 Witnesses to Book of Mormon	June
1829	Gave $3000 to publish Book of Mormon	Mortgaged Farm
1830	Baptized	April 6- Ordained Priest by June of 1830
1831	Ordained High Priest	Member of Literary and United Firms
1834	Member of Kirtland High Council	Marched with Zion's Camp
1835	Assisted in choosing 12 Apostles
1837	Married Caroline Young	Lucy had died - 5 children: Martin Jr., John, Julila, Solomon, Ida Mae.
1837	Excommunicated in December	Did not move to Nauvoo or follow Brigham to Utah
1842	Rebaptized Nov. 6
1846	Joined James Strang & Strangites	Served Mission to England in 1846
1847	Organized New Church in Jan.	Working with William E. McLellan
1856	Wife, Caroline left him	She went to Utah to gather with Saints
1858	Organized new church in Kirtland	Working with William Smith, Custodian in Kirtland Temple
1870	Arrived in Salt Lake City in August	Rebaptized & received endowment in September
1875	Died in Clarkston, Cache County

Church History & D&C - Day 2

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

1771- July 12	Birth of Joseph Sr.	Topsfield, Mass
1775- July 8	Birth of Lucy Mack	Gilsum, NH
1794	Lovisa & Lovina	Sisters of Lucy died. Lucy,16 yrs old cared for Lovina
1796-Jan. 24	Marriage of Joseph & Luck	Tunbridge, VT- Farmed
1797		Loss of 1stborn son of the Smith
1798-Feb. 11	Birth of Alvin	Tunbridge
1800-Feb. 9	Birth of Hyrum	Tunbridge
1802-Spring	Move to Randolph, VT	Lucy almost died. Joseph, "My wife! You must die. The doctors have given up. Lucy covenanted with the Lord & heard a voice. Ginseng root
1803		Move to Tunbridge-Lose Tunbridge farm-Sophronia born (May 17)-Move to Royalton, VT, (Summer)-Move to Sharon, VT
1804-July 10	Emma Hale born	Harmony, PA
1805-Dec. 23	Birth of Joseph Jr.	Sharon
1806/7	Move to Tunbridge
1808-March 13	Birth of Samuel	Move to Royalton, VT
1810-March 13	Birth of Ephraim	Died March 24
1811-March 13	Birth of William	Royalton, VT
1811-April	Joseph Sr.	1st of 7 visions - Move to Lebanon, NH
1812-July 28	Birth of Catharine	Typhoid fever epidemic. All Smith children 7 under age of 15, including Ctharien, a few months old- Sophronia p. 69
1813	Joseph Jr.-Osteomyelitis	Leg operation- on crutches for 3 years & limped rest of life.
1814	Move to Norwich VT	Crop failure
1815		Crop failure, Paper reports cheap land in New York
1816-March 25	Birth of Don Carols	Crops killed by Ice Storms-Year without a summer-Move to NY- page 85
1817		Purchase 100 acres 2 miles south of Palmyra
1818		Move into small cabin in Manchester property
1819		Attempted assassination of Joseph
1820	First Vision
1821-July 18	Birth of Lucy	Lucy 44 years old, Joseph 48

 

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 32:23-24          {1, 7}

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}

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.