Historical Background
Once the Church had been organized Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery circulated among the three families that constituted the Church: the Smiths in Palmyra/Manchester, the Whitmers in Fayette, and the Knights in Colesville. These families, together with their friends who lived nearby, constituted the restored kingdom of God on the earth. This series of visits was not without its trials. Joseph was arrested twice for disorderly conduct. The thing that was disorderly about the conduct was that his doctrine was not consistent with the traditional understanding of the day. Furthermore, his preaching was drawing away persons from other congregations, thus putting those congregations at risk in the minds of their pastors. After this season of traveling about, Joseph returned to his home in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and received the revelation known today as Section 24. The question that seems to have generated this revelation is, “Are we doing all that our office requires?” After lifting the Church for four and a half months, Joseph and Oliver needed lifting themselves. The Lord’s answer represents a pattern for lifting those who have been called to the service of God in any generation.
D&C 24:1-7 The Duties of Joseph Smith
Listed in these verses are the duties given by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith. What were the duties? How was he to fulfill them? What blessings did the Lord promise him if he was faithful? What responsibility did he have to fulfill before he went to the communities where the Church had been organized? How do these principles apply to priesthood leaders today?
D&C 24:8-12 The Authority Given to Joseph and Oliver
Invite students to find the authority given to Joseph (verses 8-9) and Oliver (verses 10-12). What gifts were not granted to them? Why is it important to know the authority we have been given as well as an understanding of the gifts that we will not have?
D&C 24:13-17 Do That Which Is Required
What does it mean to have something “required”? Under what conditions were Joseph and Oliver to require miracles? When were they to give blessings? When were they to give cursings? Cross-reference: Matthew 10:11-15.
D&C 24:18-19 The Church Shall Give Unto Thee
Explain that the word “scrip” mean a bag or sack into which belongings could be packed for a journey. “Staves” is the plural form of the word “staff” which is a long walking stick or cane. The expression “prune the vineyard” means to cut away excess limbs or branches on a tree or vine to promote greater growth and healthier fruit. After reviewing these definitions, ask students to summarize what it was that the Lord was commanding Joseph and Oliver to do. How is their assignment from the Lord similar to what the general authorities of the Church do today? How is it like what missionaries do today? What can all members of the Church do to help the Church, the vineyard of the Lord, be healthier and larger?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 23
Historical Background
When those who followed the Prophet Joseph understood, to the extent that anyone can understand, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they inquired to know what their role or duty might be in helping that restoration to come to pass. This section is in answer to that question as it was posed by five different persons: Oliver Cowdery (verses 1-2), Hyrum Smith (verse 3), Samuel Smith (verse 4), Joseph Smith (verse 5), and Joseph Knight, Sr. (verses 6-7).
At the time this revelation was received, these men were of the following ages and circumstances:
Oliver Cowdery, age 23, single
Hyrum Smith, age 30, married to Jerusha Barden
Samuel Smith, age 22, single
Joseph Smith, age 24, married to Emma Hale
Joseph Knight, Sr., age 57, married to Polly Peck
D&C 23:1-7 Thou Art Under No Condemnation
Why does the Lord tell four of the five men that they are under no condemnation? Ask them why they think Joseph Knight was not told such a thing. Invite students to compare the blessings that were given to the five men. Compare their callings and blessings. How are they alike? How are they different? How would you feel if you were to receive one of these blessings from the Lord? Cross-reference: 2 Nephi 2:6-8.
When those who followed the Prophet Joseph understood, to the extent that anyone can understand, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they inquired to know what their role or duty might be in helping that restoration to come to pass. This section is in answer to that question as it was posed by five different persons: Oliver Cowdery (verses 1-2), Hyrum Smith (verse 3), Samuel Smith (verse 4), Joseph Smith (verse 5), and Joseph Knight, Sr. (verses 6-7).
At the time this revelation was received, these men were of the following ages and circumstances:
Oliver Cowdery, age 23, single
Hyrum Smith, age 30, married to Jerusha Barden
Samuel Smith, age 22, single
Joseph Smith, age 24, married to Emma Hale
Joseph Knight, Sr., age 57, married to Polly Peck
D&C 23:1-7 Thou Art Under No Condemnation
Why does the Lord tell four of the five men that they are under no condemnation? Ask them why they think Joseph Knight was not told such a thing. Invite students to compare the blessings that were given to the five men. Compare their callings and blessings. How are they alike? How are they different? How would you feel if you were to receive one of these blessings from the Lord? Cross-reference: 2 Nephi 2:6-8.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 22
Historical Background
In the early days, literally, of the Restoration there were questions that the young leader Joseph Smith could not possibly have understood would be coming his way. This section deals with one of those many questions. The issue addressed in this section is: what do we do if a person has been baptized in another Christian denomination? This revelation answers that question and establishes for the remainder of the Restoration the requirement that all persons coming into this faith must be baptized by the authority restored, not by the authority lost.
D&C 22:1 This Thing
Help students understand that the words “this thing” refer to the Restoration of the gospel in the Last Days. What is the difference between something that is old and something that is new and everlasting?
D&C 22:2-4 Baptism
What did the Lord compare the baptisms of other faiths to? Why would he use the words “dead works” to describe those baptisms? What does he compare the baptism of the Restored Church to? Cross-reference: 2 Nephi 31:17.
In the early days, literally, of the Restoration there were questions that the young leader Joseph Smith could not possibly have understood would be coming his way. This section deals with one of those many questions. The issue addressed in this section is: what do we do if a person has been baptized in another Christian denomination? This revelation answers that question and establishes for the remainder of the Restoration the requirement that all persons coming into this faith must be baptized by the authority restored, not by the authority lost.
D&C 22:1 This Thing
Help students understand that the words “this thing” refer to the Restoration of the gospel in the Last Days. What is the difference between something that is old and something that is new and everlasting?
D&C 22:2-4 Baptism
What did the Lord compare the baptisms of other faiths to? Why would he use the words “dead works” to describe those baptisms? What does he compare the baptism of the Restored Church to? Cross-reference: 2 Nephi 31:17.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 21
Historical Background
The Church was officially organized on the 6th of April, 1830. The ceremonial organization was to comply with New York State law which stipulated that at least three persons (and not more than nine) should indicate by a certificate of incorporation that they were responsible for transacting business in behalf of the religious society. The name that was used to identify the organization was “The Church of Christ.”
Six men were identified as officers in the Church. They were:
Joseph Smith, Jr., age 24, married to Emma Hale
Oliver Cowdery, age 23, single
Hyrum Smith, age 30, married to Jerusha Barden
David Whitmer, age 25, single
Samuel H. Smith, age 22, single
Peter Whitmer, Jr., age 20, single
The actual meeting for the purpose of organizing the Church took place in the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., Fayette, New York. A picture of a replica of this structure is generally in the back of more recent editions of the Triple Combination.
D&C 21:1-8 A New Calling for Joseph Smith
In previous revelations, the Lord indicated that Joseph’s calling was to translate the record of the Nephites (See D&C 5:4). In D&C 20:2 it is declared that he has been ordained an apostle and will be the first elder of the Church. (There was no First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, Quorums of the Seventy, stakes, wards, branches, or missions when that revelation was received. The total population of the Church at the time Section 21 was given may have been 70 people.) What titles and responsibilities does the Lord say Joseph has now? What is the responsibility of the Church toward Joseph Smith? What does the Lord know about Joseph? What does the Lord know about you?
D&C 21:9 A Mighty Blessing
What is the mighty blessing that the Lord promised to those who believe the words of Joseph Smith?
D&C 21:10-12 The Calling of Oliver Cowdery
Prior to this revelation, Oliver Cowdery was Joseph’s scribe as he dictated the Nephite record from the gold plates. Oliver had ordained Joseph to the Aaronic Priesthood and had baptized Joseph (see D&C 13). What new responsibilities were given to Oliver in the first meeting of the Church? What responsibilities do you have in the Church that can be traced back to the authority given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?
The Church was officially organized on the 6th of April, 1830. The ceremonial organization was to comply with New York State law which stipulated that at least three persons (and not more than nine) should indicate by a certificate of incorporation that they were responsible for transacting business in behalf of the religious society. The name that was used to identify the organization was “The Church of Christ.”
Six men were identified as officers in the Church. They were:
Joseph Smith, Jr., age 24, married to Emma Hale
Oliver Cowdery, age 23, single
Hyrum Smith, age 30, married to Jerusha Barden
David Whitmer, age 25, single
Samuel H. Smith, age 22, single
Peter Whitmer, Jr., age 20, single
The actual meeting for the purpose of organizing the Church took place in the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., Fayette, New York. A picture of a replica of this structure is generally in the back of more recent editions of the Triple Combination.
D&C 21:1-8 A New Calling for Joseph Smith
In previous revelations, the Lord indicated that Joseph’s calling was to translate the record of the Nephites (See D&C 5:4). In D&C 20:2 it is declared that he has been ordained an apostle and will be the first elder of the Church. (There was no First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, Quorums of the Seventy, stakes, wards, branches, or missions when that revelation was received. The total population of the Church at the time Section 21 was given may have been 70 people.) What titles and responsibilities does the Lord say Joseph has now? What is the responsibility of the Church toward Joseph Smith? What does the Lord know about Joseph? What does the Lord know about you?
D&C 21:9 A Mighty Blessing
What is the mighty blessing that the Lord promised to those who believe the words of Joseph Smith?
D&C 21:10-12 The Calling of Oliver Cowdery
Prior to this revelation, Oliver Cowdery was Joseph’s scribe as he dictated the Nephite record from the gold plates. Oliver had ordained Joseph to the Aaronic Priesthood and had baptized Joseph (see D&C 13). What new responsibilities were given to Oliver in the first meeting of the Church? What responsibilities do you have in the Church that can be traced back to the authority given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?
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