Historical Background
In December of 1830 the Church became something different from what it had been before. Prior to this time, the Church had consisted of three families: the Smiths in Manchester, New York; the Whitmers in Fayette, New York; and the Knights in Colesville, New York. Added together, this group consisted of less than 100 souls. When Oliver Cowdery and his associates went to Missouri, they stopped and preached along the way. In the village of Mentor, Ohio, and surrounding communities, people accepted the gospel in large numbers. Within a matter of weeks there were more people in Ohio who had accepted the gospel than there were in New York State. With increased persecution against this new religion the Prophet Joseph asked the Lord for direction. Section 37 is the Lord’s revelation concerning the fate of the Church. It is the first time, and certainly not the last, that the Church was called upon to “gather” together to a new location.
D&C 37:1 Translate No More
The word “translate” in this verse refers to Joseph Smith’s effort to revise the King James Version of the Bible. In this task he was assisted by Sidney Rigdon, who acted as his scribe. Why were they told to stop the translation project?
D&C 37:2-4 Strengthen the Church
What was Joseph commanded to do before the Saints were to gather to Ohio? How do you think you would feel if you had lived in a place all your life and were asked by the Prophet to leave your property and move to a new place? What questions would you have? What would you want to know? Where has the Lord asked His Saints to gather in this generation? Cross-reference: D&C 115:5-6.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 36
Historical Background
Sidney Rigdon traveled to Fayette, New York in November/December 1830. He did not travel alone. Edward Partridge, a business man from Painesville, Ohio, also accepted the message of the Restoration preached by Oliver Cowdery and his associates as they traveled to the Lamanites in Missouri. This revelation is a response to Edward’s desire to understand what his role in the Church should be. He would later be called as the first bishop of the Church.
D&C 36: 1-8 A Commandment Concerning All Men
In this revelation the Lord explains how Edward will receive his authority and what he is to do with it. This is the pattern followed by all in this generation who are called to preach the gospel. Who may set apart missionaries today? What qualifications do missionaries have to have today? What do they do with their authority? How have you been blessed by the actions of faithful missionries?
Sidney Rigdon traveled to Fayette, New York in November/December 1830. He did not travel alone. Edward Partridge, a business man from Painesville, Ohio, also accepted the message of the Restoration preached by Oliver Cowdery and his associates as they traveled to the Lamanites in Missouri. This revelation is a response to Edward’s desire to understand what his role in the Church should be. He would later be called as the first bishop of the Church.
D&C 36: 1-8 A Commandment Concerning All Men
In this revelation the Lord explains how Edward will receive his authority and what he is to do with it. This is the pattern followed by all in this generation who are called to preach the gospel. Who may set apart missionaries today? What qualifications do missionaries have to have today? What do they do with their authority? How have you been blessed by the actions of faithful missionries?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 35
Historical Background
In September 1830, Oliver Cowdery received a commandment from the Lord to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. In October of that year he traveled with Peter Whitmer, Jr., Ziba Peterson, and Parley P. Pratt to fulfill that mission. Their travels took them to Mentor, Ohio, where Parley P. Pratt had lived prior to joining the Church. While there, they taught and baptized Sidney Rigdon, a 47 year old pastor in a religious movement known as the Campbellites. After his baptism in November 1830, Sidney traveled to Fayette, New York, to meet the Prophet Joseph. He arrived 7 December 1830. This revelation was given in response to Sidney’s request to know his role in the Restoration.
D&C 35:1-2 Sons of God
How is it that a person might become a “son of God”? What does it mean to become a son of God? Cross-reference: Moses 6:64-68; Mosiah 27:25-26.
D&C 35:3-6 Thou Wast Sent Forth
The Lord compared Sidney Rigdon to John the Baptist and Elijah the Prophet. How was he like these ancient prophets? How are all people who live the gospel preparing the way for Christ to come into the lives of their friends and neighbors?
D&C 35:7-12 I Will Show Miracles
List all the miracles that the Lord says His servants shall perform as He performs His great work among the Gentiles. What will happen to those who do not accept the gospel? How do people show that they are ready to accept the fullness of the gospel?
D&C 35:13-16 The Poor and the Meek
Who shall preach the gospel? Who shall accept the gospel? What does the Lord mean when he says, “learn the parable of the fig-tree”? Cross-reference: Matthew 24:32; Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:38.
D&C 35:17-27 Lift Up Your Hearts
In these verses the Lord gives instruction to Sidney Rigdon and defines the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. How is Sidney’s mission, or responsibility, different from Joseph’s? When the Lord commands Sidney to “write for him,” what does that mean? Joseph Smith began his inspired revision of the King James Bible in June 1830. When the Lord tells Sidney to write for Joseph “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom,” he is assigning Sidney to be a scribe for Joseph Smith as he revises the Bible.
In September 1830, Oliver Cowdery received a commandment from the Lord to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. In October of that year he traveled with Peter Whitmer, Jr., Ziba Peterson, and Parley P. Pratt to fulfill that mission. Their travels took them to Mentor, Ohio, where Parley P. Pratt had lived prior to joining the Church. While there, they taught and baptized Sidney Rigdon, a 47 year old pastor in a religious movement known as the Campbellites. After his baptism in November 1830, Sidney traveled to Fayette, New York, to meet the Prophet Joseph. He arrived 7 December 1830. This revelation was given in response to Sidney’s request to know his role in the Restoration.
D&C 35:1-2 Sons of God
How is it that a person might become a “son of God”? What does it mean to become a son of God? Cross-reference: Moses 6:64-68; Mosiah 27:25-26.
D&C 35:3-6 Thou Wast Sent Forth
The Lord compared Sidney Rigdon to John the Baptist and Elijah the Prophet. How was he like these ancient prophets? How are all people who live the gospel preparing the way for Christ to come into the lives of their friends and neighbors?
D&C 35:7-12 I Will Show Miracles
List all the miracles that the Lord says His servants shall perform as He performs His great work among the Gentiles. What will happen to those who do not accept the gospel? How do people show that they are ready to accept the fullness of the gospel?
D&C 35:13-16 The Poor and the Meek
Who shall preach the gospel? Who shall accept the gospel? What does the Lord mean when he says, “learn the parable of the fig-tree”? Cross-reference: Matthew 24:32; Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:38.
D&C 35:17-27 Lift Up Your Hearts
In these verses the Lord gives instruction to Sidney Rigdon and defines the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. How is Sidney’s mission, or responsibility, different from Joseph’s? When the Lord commands Sidney to “write for him,” what does that mean? Joseph Smith began his inspired revision of the King James Bible in June 1830. When the Lord tells Sidney to write for Joseph “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom,” he is assigning Sidney to be a scribe for Joseph Smith as he revises the Bible.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 34
Historical Background
Orson Pratt, the brother of Parley P. Pratt, was 19 years old when he joined the Church. His brother reported that Orson received the message of the Restoration “with all his heart.” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 43.) After becoming a member of the Church, Orson traveled 200 miles to visit with the Prophet Joseph. Shortly after his arrival, the Lord through the Prophet gave him this revelation.
D&C 34:1-6 Blessed Are You
The Lord uses the phrase “blessed are you” twice in this revelation. Why was Orson blessed? What important things do we learn about the Lord in these verses? Why are Orson Pratt and others called to cry repentance in this generation?
D&C 34:7-12 The Great Day
Read these verses and explain why the Lord would call His Second Coming a great day. What can all who have accepted the gospel do to prepare for that great day?
Orson Pratt, the brother of Parley P. Pratt, was 19 years old when he joined the Church. His brother reported that Orson received the message of the Restoration “with all his heart.” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 43.) After becoming a member of the Church, Orson traveled 200 miles to visit with the Prophet Joseph. Shortly after his arrival, the Lord through the Prophet gave him this revelation.
D&C 34:1-6 Blessed Are You
The Lord uses the phrase “blessed are you” twice in this revelation. Why was Orson blessed? What important things do we learn about the Lord in these verses? Why are Orson Pratt and others called to cry repentance in this generation?
D&C 34:7-12 The Great Day
Read these verses and explain why the Lord would call His Second Coming a great day. What can all who have accepted the gospel do to prepare for that great day?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 33
Historical Background
Ezra Thayer was a civil engineer. He constructed bridges, dams, and mills in the Palmyra area. He had, in an earlier time, given employment to Joseph Smith, Sr. Speaking of his first attempt to read the Book of Mormon, he wrote:
“I then opened the book, and I received a shock with such exquisite joy that no pen can write and no tongue can express. I shut the book and said, what is the price of it? Fourteen shillings was the reply. I said, I’ll take the book. I opened it again, and felt a double portion of the Spirit, that I did not know whether I was in the world or not. I felt as though I was truly in heaven.” (The Saints Herald, July 1862.) Ezra was 39 years old when this revelation was received. He was originally from Randolph, Vermont; and was married.
Northrup Sweet was a son-in-law of Emer Harris. He had married Emer’s daughter Elnathan Harris. When the revelation was received, Northrup was 28 years old. He was baptized by Parley P. Pratt in the same month that the revelation was received.
D&C 33:1-7 The Field Is White
List the things the Lord says about Himself and the preparations He is making for the harvest of souls. What does the Lord mean when He says “the eleventh hour,” (Cross-reference: Matthew 20:6; remember that in the Bible the expression eleventh hour refers to the time just before sunrise.) “my vineyard,” (Cross-reference: Isaiah 5:7.) “every whit,” (The word whit means the smallest possible part.) “called forth out of the wilderness”? (Cross-reference: Revelation 12:1-6; see also JST Revelation 12:1-6.)
D&C 33:8-13 Open Your Mouths
The Lord uses the phrase “open your mouths” three times in these verses. What are missionaries supposed to say when they open their mouths? What are the blessings that will come to those who do open their mouths?
D&C 33:14-18 Things to Remember
What are the specific things that missionaries are supposed to remember as they preach the gospel? What role do the scriptures play in missionary work? What does the Lord mean when he tells missionaries to have their “lamps trimmed and burning”? Cross-reference: Matthew 25:1-13.
Ezra Thayer was a civil engineer. He constructed bridges, dams, and mills in the Palmyra area. He had, in an earlier time, given employment to Joseph Smith, Sr. Speaking of his first attempt to read the Book of Mormon, he wrote:
“I then opened the book, and I received a shock with such exquisite joy that no pen can write and no tongue can express. I shut the book and said, what is the price of it? Fourteen shillings was the reply. I said, I’ll take the book. I opened it again, and felt a double portion of the Spirit, that I did not know whether I was in the world or not. I felt as though I was truly in heaven.” (The Saints Herald, July 1862.) Ezra was 39 years old when this revelation was received. He was originally from Randolph, Vermont; and was married.
Northrup Sweet was a son-in-law of Emer Harris. He had married Emer’s daughter Elnathan Harris. When the revelation was received, Northrup was 28 years old. He was baptized by Parley P. Pratt in the same month that the revelation was received.
D&C 33:1-7 The Field Is White
List the things the Lord says about Himself and the preparations He is making for the harvest of souls. What does the Lord mean when He says “the eleventh hour,” (Cross-reference: Matthew 20:6; remember that in the Bible the expression eleventh hour refers to the time just before sunrise.) “my vineyard,” (Cross-reference: Isaiah 5:7.) “every whit,” (The word whit means the smallest possible part.) “called forth out of the wilderness”? (Cross-reference: Revelation 12:1-6; see also JST Revelation 12:1-6.)
D&C 33:8-13 Open Your Mouths
The Lord uses the phrase “open your mouths” three times in these verses. What are missionaries supposed to say when they open their mouths? What are the blessings that will come to those who do open their mouths?
D&C 33:14-18 Things to Remember
What are the specific things that missionaries are supposed to remember as they preach the gospel? What role do the scriptures play in missionary work? What does the Lord mean when he tells missionaries to have their “lamps trimmed and burning”? Cross-reference: Matthew 25:1-13.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
