Historical Background
Fourteen two-man teams of missionaries were called from Ohio to preach the gospel in Missouri (see D&C 52). Those who made the trip to Missouri, preached along the way, and when they arrived in Missouri they along with those who were already there were taught. The place for the New Jerusalem was revealed and instructions were given concerning those who would remain in Missouri. Section 60 contains instruction for the Ohio missionaries who were about to return to their homes.
D&C 60:1-4 With Some I Am Not Well Pleased
What pleased the Lord about the service of the missionaries who came from Ohio? What displeased the Lord? As you ponder these verses, what things do you think you have done that please the Lord? What things do you need to change in your life?
D&C 60:5-14 Speedily Return, Not in Haste
These verses answer several questions for the missionaries who are returning home and for the First Presidency (Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon), and the Presiding Bishop (Edward Partridge). For example, where are they supposed to go on their return home? What are they supposed to do as they travel? What should they not do? How will they pay for their travel? What if they can’t pay back the money loaned to them? What does the Lord mean when he says, “Thou shalt speedily return, proclaiming my word among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife”?
D&C 60:15-17 Wash Thy Feet as a Testimony against Them
In the days of Moses and Aaron, the priests were commanded to wash their hands and feet so that they might be pure when they entered into the presence of the Lord. See Exodus 30:19-21. Jesus washed the feet of his apostles as a sign of his humility before them, even though he was the creator of the world. See John 13:5-14. Why would the Lord say that missionaries should shake the dust off their feet “as a testimony against” persons who reject their testimony?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 59
Historical Background
The Saints who had traveled from Ohio and Colesville, New York, were anxious to receive instructions from the Lord. They had come expecting to build the New Jerusalem. The Lord, in this revelation, gives them the rules they were to live by. One day prior to this revelation being received, Sister Polly Knight, wife of Joseph Knight, Sr., passed away. Joseph Smith had lived with the Knight family in Colesville. They had shown him great kindness for many years. Of the passing of his wife, Joseph Knight, Sr., wrote: “Joseph [Smith] and Sidney [Rigdon] and a number of the brethren came. And they looked out and entered a considerable land for the people to settle on. We found it a new county with some settlers on it. There was one Joshua Lewis that had come into the Church the winter before, he and his wife. And they were faithful and good to us and took us into their house, my wife being sick as before stated. She died the seventh day of August, and Joseph and Sidney attended her funeral on the eighth. She was buried in the woods [at] a spot chosen, and by ourselves. I was along by where she was buried a few days after. And I found the pigs had begun to root where she was buried. I being very unwell. But I took my ax the next day and went and built a pen around it. It was the last I done for her” (Dean Jesse, “Joseph Knight’s Recollections of Early Mormon History,” Brigham Young University Studies 16 (Autumn 1976): 29-39; spelling and punctuation standardized).
This revelation was received the day Polly Knight passed away.
D&C 59:1-4 Blessings to Those Who Come to Zion
Find the blessings that the Lord promises to those who come to Zion, whether they live or die.
D&C 59:5-8 The Commandments for Those Who Come to Zion
Why would it be important for people who live in Zion to obey these commandments?
D&C 59:9-14 The Sabbath
Notice that this commandment is given “that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world.” How does keeping the Sabbath Day holy keep you “more fully” protected from the influence of the world? Notice that the word “Sabbath” never appears in these verses. What terms does the Lord use to describe the day we call the Sabbath Day? What can we do to make it the Lord’s Holy Day?
D&C 59:15-24 A Promise from God
Read through these verses looking for promises God makes to faithful people. What do the words “these things” mean in verse 15? Remember that the Lord has not only spoken about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, but about other commandments as well. How can keeping the commandments listed in this revelation give you “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (verse 23).
The Saints who had traveled from Ohio and Colesville, New York, were anxious to receive instructions from the Lord. They had come expecting to build the New Jerusalem. The Lord, in this revelation, gives them the rules they were to live by. One day prior to this revelation being received, Sister Polly Knight, wife of Joseph Knight, Sr., passed away. Joseph Smith had lived with the Knight family in Colesville. They had shown him great kindness for many years. Of the passing of his wife, Joseph Knight, Sr., wrote: “Joseph [Smith] and Sidney [Rigdon] and a number of the brethren came. And they looked out and entered a considerable land for the people to settle on. We found it a new county with some settlers on it. There was one Joshua Lewis that had come into the Church the winter before, he and his wife. And they were faithful and good to us and took us into their house, my wife being sick as before stated. She died the seventh day of August, and Joseph and Sidney attended her funeral on the eighth. She was buried in the woods [at] a spot chosen, and by ourselves. I was along by where she was buried a few days after. And I found the pigs had begun to root where she was buried. I being very unwell. But I took my ax the next day and went and built a pen around it. It was the last I done for her” (Dean Jesse, “Joseph Knight’s Recollections of Early Mormon History,” Brigham Young University Studies 16 (Autumn 1976): 29-39; spelling and punctuation standardized).
This revelation was received the day Polly Knight passed away.
D&C 59:1-4 Blessings to Those Who Come to Zion
Find the blessings that the Lord promises to those who come to Zion, whether they live or die.
D&C 59:5-8 The Commandments for Those Who Come to Zion
Why would it be important for people who live in Zion to obey these commandments?
D&C 59:9-14 The Sabbath
Notice that this commandment is given “that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world.” How does keeping the Sabbath Day holy keep you “more fully” protected from the influence of the world? Notice that the word “Sabbath” never appears in these verses. What terms does the Lord use to describe the day we call the Sabbath Day? What can we do to make it the Lord’s Holy Day?
D&C 59:15-24 A Promise from God
Read through these verses looking for promises God makes to faithful people. What do the words “these things” mean in verse 15? Remember that the Lord has not only spoken about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, but about other commandments as well. How can keeping the commandments listed in this revelation give you “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (verse 23).
Doctrine and Covenants Section 58
Historical Background
In Section 52, missionary companionships, Church leaders, and others were commanded to gather to Missouri for a conference. The promise was made that if those who were invited were faithful to that commandment, the location of the New Jerusalem would be revealed. Section 52 was received in June. Church members started arriving in July. The location for the New Jerusalem and the place for the temple were revealed. Now the question became, what is the next step? Section 58 is the beginning of that answer.
D&C 58:1-13 Be Faithful in Tribulation
In verses 1-5, the Lord prepares the Saints for difficult times ahead. Find the word “tribulation” in these verses. What does the Lord want the Saints to know about tribulation? In verses 6-13, the Lord lists reasons why the Saints were asked to come to Missouri. List at least three reasons the Lord gives for gathering the Saints to this area. How are these reasons similar to the reasons that we gather people into the Church today?
D&C 58:14-25 Principles for the Bishop
Edward Partridge was the first bishop of the Church. His calling might be compared to the Presiding Bishop of the Church today. The principles the Lord gave to Bishop Partridge are similar to the principles modern bishops should follow. For example, what should a bishop beware of? How is he to judge the people? How should he treat the laws of the land and of the Church?
D&C 58:26-33 Men Should Be Anxiously Engaged
In verse 26 the Lord tells us how we can know if we are “not a wise servant.” Read verses 27-29 and find principles that would help a person know if he or she was a wise servant. How do verses 30-33 help us understand why some of the Lord’s promises to his children are not fulfilled? As you examine your own life, can you see why the Lord has fulfilled his promises to you? Why have some promises been left unfulfilled?
D&C 58:34-65 Prepare for the Coming of the Son of Man
The remaining verses in this revelation give specific instruction to individual members of the Church. Examine the instructions given to Martin Harris (verses 34-39), William W. Phelps (verses 40-43), the elders who came from Ohio (verses 44-49), Sidney Rigdon (verses 50-57), The First Presidency (verses 58-59), Ziba Peterson (verse 60), the elders who came from Ohio (verses 60-65). As you look at the specific instructions you will find principles that apply to all members today. Which ones seem to apply specifically to you? Memorize D&C 58:42-43.
In Section 52, missionary companionships, Church leaders, and others were commanded to gather to Missouri for a conference. The promise was made that if those who were invited were faithful to that commandment, the location of the New Jerusalem would be revealed. Section 52 was received in June. Church members started arriving in July. The location for the New Jerusalem and the place for the temple were revealed. Now the question became, what is the next step? Section 58 is the beginning of that answer.
D&C 58:1-13 Be Faithful in Tribulation
In verses 1-5, the Lord prepares the Saints for difficult times ahead. Find the word “tribulation” in these verses. What does the Lord want the Saints to know about tribulation? In verses 6-13, the Lord lists reasons why the Saints were asked to come to Missouri. List at least three reasons the Lord gives for gathering the Saints to this area. How are these reasons similar to the reasons that we gather people into the Church today?
D&C 58:14-25 Principles for the Bishop
Edward Partridge was the first bishop of the Church. His calling might be compared to the Presiding Bishop of the Church today. The principles the Lord gave to Bishop Partridge are similar to the principles modern bishops should follow. For example, what should a bishop beware of? How is he to judge the people? How should he treat the laws of the land and of the Church?
D&C 58:26-33 Men Should Be Anxiously Engaged
In verse 26 the Lord tells us how we can know if we are “not a wise servant.” Read verses 27-29 and find principles that would help a person know if he or she was a wise servant. How do verses 30-33 help us understand why some of the Lord’s promises to his children are not fulfilled? As you examine your own life, can you see why the Lord has fulfilled his promises to you? Why have some promises been left unfulfilled?
D&C 58:34-65 Prepare for the Coming of the Son of Man
The remaining verses in this revelation give specific instruction to individual members of the Church. Examine the instructions given to Martin Harris (verses 34-39), William W. Phelps (verses 40-43), the elders who came from Ohio (verses 44-49), Sidney Rigdon (verses 50-57), The First Presidency (verses 58-59), Ziba Peterson (verse 60), the elders who came from Ohio (verses 60-65). As you look at the specific instructions you will find principles that apply to all members today. Which ones seem to apply specifically to you? Memorize D&C 58:42-43.
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