In September 1830, Joseph and Emma Smith moved from Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Fayette, New York, to live among members of the Peter Whitmer, Sr., family. The Hale family, of which Emma was a part, had turned against Joseph and would no longer shield him from the anger of local people. When Joseph arrived in Fayette, something happened in connection with Church government, something Joseph had never dealt with before. Hiram Page, who had married Catherine Whitmer, claimed to receive revelation in behalf of the new Church. Some prominent members, Oliver Cowdery included, gave credibility to these revelations.
Of this time, Newel Knight wrote, “Joseph was perplexed and scarcely knew how to meet this new exigency [deal with this new problem]. That night I occupied the same room that he did and the greater part of the night was spent in prayer and supplication. After much labor with these brethren they were convinced of their error, and confessed the same, renouncing [Hiram Page’s] revelations as not being of God.” (Newel Knight Journal, Church Archives.)
D&C 28:1-3 Establishing Responsibilities
Look carefully at the Lord’s words that describe the duties of Joseph and how they are different from Oliver’s duties. To whom does the Lord compare Joseph? Who does the Lord say Oliver is like, in relationship to Joseph? How would this explanation help early members of the Church?
D&C 28:4-7 Some Do’s and Don’t’s
What are the things the Lord tells Oliver he can do? What things does the Lord command Oliver not to do? What are the boundaries of our own priesthood assignments today? Who can priesthood leaders receive revelation for? Who can members receive revelation for? How has the principle taught in these verses been a blessing to the Church?
D&C 28:8-10, 15-16 A Journey to the Lamanites
The topic in this revelation, up until these verses, has been concerning revelation in the Church. Suddenly the topic changes. Now the subject of discussion has to do with an assignment given to Oliver Cowdery. What is he supposed to do? Where is he supposed to go? What is he supposed to say? How does this compare to the missionary assignments our missionaries receive today?
Explain to students that the expression "the borders by the Lamanites" refers to the place where the Native American Indians had been sent by the United States Government. They were living on reservations in different parts of the country. The Indians specified by this revelation lived in the western part of the State of Missouri, near the city of Independence. This location was about 1,000 miles from Fayette, New York.
Help students understand that this is the first revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants in which the “city Zion” is mentioned.
D&C 28:11-14 The Revelation Problem Addressed
What principles does the Lord teach Oliver that apply to resolving problems between members of the Church today? In verse 13, what three things must guide decisions that are made in the Church? Cross-reference: D&C 26:2. How does the principle of common consent protect the Church today?
No comments:
Post a Comment