Historical Background
In December of 1831, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received a revelation instructing that they and other brethren were to preach the gospel in the communities in and around Kirtland, Ohio (see D&C 71). As they returned from that mission, they received this revelation. Remember that they had moved to Hiram, Ohio, to work on the inspired revision of the King James Bible. This revelation gives them further instruction on that project.
D&C 73:1-2 Direction to Missionaries Who Were Sent forth to Preach
What are the missionaries to do and how long are they to do it? When the time comes that their missions are to be completed, what should they do next?
D&C 73:3-4 Direction to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon
What are Joseph and Sidney to do and how long are they to do it?
D&C 73:5 A Pattern unto the Elders
The Lord directs the missionaries together with Joseph and Sidney to follow the pattern that has been established in verses 1-4. What is that pattern? Notice that he instructs each group to do what they are called to do “until conference.” Then they will receive more instruction. Missionaries have mission conferences in which they are trained and given new instructions. What kinds of conferences do members have, where they can receive new instruction?
D&C 73:6 Gird up Your Loins and Be Sober
This verse has simple instruction but it is given in archaic language. What does it mean to “gird up your loins?” Anciently, when people wore long robes, if they wanted to move faster, they would fix their robes so that they fastened above their knees, allowing them to run. Thus, the expression “gird up your loins” means to prepare to move faster. What about the expression “be sober?” What does that mean? How can members of the Church move faster and be more serious about what they are doing?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 72
Historical Background
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were called to stop the inspired revision of the King James Bible and preach the gospel in the regions around Kirtland to combat the negative things that were being said about them and the Church in that area (see D&C 71:section heading). A few days after this revelation was received, a meeting was held to give instructions to those who would preach with Joseph and Sidney. During this meeting direction was given that Newel K. Whitney should be called as a bishop (see verses 1-8). His responsibility was to be with the Saints in Ohio. Edward Partridge would continue to serve the Saints in Missouri. Additional instructions concerning the duties of a bishop are contained in verses 9-26Section 72 is the Lord’s message to those who will join with Joseph and Sidney in this effort. These instructions appear in verses 9-26.
D&C 72:1-8 Stewards Account to the Lord for Their Stewardships
Notice that the bishop is called by revelation through the President of the Church. Today, bishops are called by stake presidents. However, each bishop must be approved by the First Presidency before he can be called. Find the word bishop in these verses. What direction does the Lord give to Church members concerning bishops? What does it mean to be a steward? What is a stewardship? What is the stewardship of an officer or member of the Church? Who will each member account his or her stewardship to at some point?
D&C 72:9-15 The Duty of the Bishop: Care for the Poor
According to verse 10, what is the responsibility of the bishop in connection with the “Lord’s storehouse?” How shall the bishop help the poor? Where do the resources come from to help the poor? See verses 11-13. If the bishop in Ohio does not have enough to meet the needs of the poor from the resources he has available to him, what should he do? See verses 13-15. In the Church today, if a ward cannot meet the needs of its people through Fast Offerings, the stake presidency may make funds available from other wards.
D&C 72:16-19 The Duty of Members: Account to the Bishop
What are the members supposed to “render an account” of when they speak to the bishop? When the accounting is done, what does the bishop give the member? In the Church today, this accounting takes place during tithing settlement. The bishop gives the member a summary statement of the contributions that have been given. The member declares to the bishop whether he or she is a full tithe payer.
D&C 72:20-23 Directions to the Literary Firm
What was the Literary Firm commanded to do and how was the bishop, or bishops, to help them?
D&C 72:24-26 What to do When Members Move to a Another Unit of the Church
In these verses there are instructions given to members who are going to move from Ohio to Zion (Missouri). What are they directed to do so that the Church leaders in Missouri will know that the new members are faithful members of the Church? What does a bishop do, in the Church today, to verify that a new member who comes to his ward is a faithful person?
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were called to stop the inspired revision of the King James Bible and preach the gospel in the regions around Kirtland to combat the negative things that were being said about them and the Church in that area (see D&C 71:section heading). A few days after this revelation was received, a meeting was held to give instructions to those who would preach with Joseph and Sidney. During this meeting direction was given that Newel K. Whitney should be called as a bishop (see verses 1-8). His responsibility was to be with the Saints in Ohio. Edward Partridge would continue to serve the Saints in Missouri. Additional instructions concerning the duties of a bishop are contained in verses 9-26Section 72 is the Lord’s message to those who will join with Joseph and Sidney in this effort. These instructions appear in verses 9-26.
D&C 72:1-8 Stewards Account to the Lord for Their Stewardships
Notice that the bishop is called by revelation through the President of the Church. Today, bishops are called by stake presidents. However, each bishop must be approved by the First Presidency before he can be called. Find the word bishop in these verses. What direction does the Lord give to Church members concerning bishops? What does it mean to be a steward? What is a stewardship? What is the stewardship of an officer or member of the Church? Who will each member account his or her stewardship to at some point?
D&C 72:9-15 The Duty of the Bishop: Care for the Poor
According to verse 10, what is the responsibility of the bishop in connection with the “Lord’s storehouse?” How shall the bishop help the poor? Where do the resources come from to help the poor? See verses 11-13. If the bishop in Ohio does not have enough to meet the needs of the poor from the resources he has available to him, what should he do? See verses 13-15. In the Church today, if a ward cannot meet the needs of its people through Fast Offerings, the stake presidency may make funds available from other wards.
D&C 72:16-19 The Duty of Members: Account to the Bishop
What are the members supposed to “render an account” of when they speak to the bishop? When the accounting is done, what does the bishop give the member? In the Church today, this accounting takes place during tithing settlement. The bishop gives the member a summary statement of the contributions that have been given. The member declares to the bishop whether he or she is a full tithe payer.
D&C 72:20-23 Directions to the Literary Firm
What was the Literary Firm commanded to do and how was the bishop, or bishops, to help them?
D&C 72:24-26 What to do When Members Move to a Another Unit of the Church
In these verses there are instructions given to members who are going to move from Ohio to Zion (Missouri). What are they directed to do so that the Church leaders in Missouri will know that the new members are faithful members of the Church? What does a bishop do, in the Church today, to verify that a new member who comes to his ward is a faithful person?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 71
Historical Background
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had moved their place of residence from Kirtland to Hiram, Ohio, so that they might dedicate a greater portion of their time to the inspired revision of the King James Bible. See D&C 64: section heading. As they were engaged in this activity, two men who had left the Church, Ezra Booth and Simonds Ryder, were publishing derogatory comments about Mormonism and causing people to wonder about the character of Joseph Smith. Thus, the leaders of the Church were faced with a dilemma: do they continue to work on the inspired revision; or, do they deal with the false statements that are being circulated about them by enemies of the Church? Section 71 contains the Lord’s answer to that question.
D&C 71:1-4 Proclaim the Gospel
As you read through these verses, notice what the Lord commands Joseph and Sidney to do. What are they to say? Where are they to go? How long are they to do this? What lesson do these verses teach us to do when we are confronted with two good things that must be done?
D&C 71:5-11 Receiving More of the Lord’s Word
Compare what the Lord says about those who receive his words (verses 5-7, 11) to those who are the enemies of the Church (verses 8-10). What blessings have come to you because you have been willing to receive the Lord’s words?
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had moved their place of residence from Kirtland to Hiram, Ohio, so that they might dedicate a greater portion of their time to the inspired revision of the King James Bible. See D&C 64: section heading. As they were engaged in this activity, two men who had left the Church, Ezra Booth and Simonds Ryder, were publishing derogatory comments about Mormonism and causing people to wonder about the character of Joseph Smith. Thus, the leaders of the Church were faced with a dilemma: do they continue to work on the inspired revision; or, do they deal with the false statements that are being circulated about them by enemies of the Church? Section 71 contains the Lord’s answer to that question.
D&C 71:1-4 Proclaim the Gospel
As you read through these verses, notice what the Lord commands Joseph and Sidney to do. What are they to say? Where are they to go? How long are they to do this? What lesson do these verses teach us to do when we are confronted with two good things that must be done?
D&C 71:5-11 Receiving More of the Lord’s Word
Compare what the Lord says about those who receive his words (verses 5-7, 11) to those who are the enemies of the Church (verses 8-10). What blessings have come to you because you have been willing to receive the Lord’s words?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 70
Historical Background
This revelation contains directions given to a group of Church members called the Literary Firm. These men, who would invest their own money in the effort, were charged to see that specific items were printed and distributed among the members of the Church. These items included: The New Translation of the Bible, the Church hymnal, a Church almanac, children’s literature, and Church magazines. Members of the group included: Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Ridgon, John Whitmer, and Martin Harris. Later, William W. Phelps was included, together with Frederick G. Williams. Thus the original group consisted of the First Presidency (Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams with Oliver Cowdery as Assistant President), the Church Historian (John Whitmer), and one of the Three Witnesses (Martin Harris, who also possessed the means to make a substantial financial contribution). The revelation known as Section 70 is directed specifically to this group and became a guiding document for those engaged in similar publishing in the Church today.
D&C 70:1-8 Stewards over the Revelations
Notice the words commandment, appointed, ordained, require, manage. What is it that the stewards over the revelations are supposed to do? Who will hold them accountable for their efforts? What are they to do with the benefits (or profits) that come through the sale of their publications? Note that this revelation places responsibility for the preservation of scripture upon the First Presidency and Church Historian.
D&C 70:9-13 The Lord Requires Every Man to Account for His Stewardship
List all that the Lord names who will be expected to give an accounting to Him “in the day of judgment.” How are people who are responsible for spiritual matters different from those who are responsible for temporal matters? How are they the same?
D&C 70:14-18 A Reward from the Lord
What does the Lord expect of Church members before they can have spiritual blessings poured out upon them? We do not “equal in all things” today. The early Saints proved that they were not ready for this law. Today we have tithing. See D&C 119: section heading and verses 3-4. There are ways that members of the Church come close to living this law (the Law of Consecration): the way building projects are funded, missionary equalization of expenses, fast offerings, and the budget program of the Church. When living the Law of Consecration is required of a Church member it will come through appropriate priesthood officers and not in any other way.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 69
Historical Background
The revelations that could become the Book of Commandments for the Church were assembled and ready for publication. The plan approved by the brethren assembled to make these decisions, a group called the Literary Firm, determined that Oliver Cowdery should take the manuscripts to Missouri to be printed. The question that came before the committee was, should Oliver travel this great distance with the precious manuscripts, together with money to purchase land in Missouri, by himself. This revelation is the Lord’s answer to that question.
D&C 69:1-2 Wisdom from the Lord
What was the Lord’s answer to the question, “Should Oliver Cowdery travel alone to Zion (Jackson County, Missouri)?
D&C 69:3-8 The Duties of the Church Historian
As you read through these verses, keep in mind that John Whitmer was the Church Historian (see D&C 47). What duties connected to being Church Historian are mentioned in this revelation? How do we gather information today about the various units of the Church scattered throughout all the world? What reason does the Lord give for keeping this history? How can keeping a history of your own life bless the rising generations?
The revelations that could become the Book of Commandments for the Church were assembled and ready for publication. The plan approved by the brethren assembled to make these decisions, a group called the Literary Firm, determined that Oliver Cowdery should take the manuscripts to Missouri to be printed. The question that came before the committee was, should Oliver travel this great distance with the precious manuscripts, together with money to purchase land in Missouri, by himself. This revelation is the Lord’s answer to that question.
D&C 69:1-2 Wisdom from the Lord
What was the Lord’s answer to the question, “Should Oliver Cowdery travel alone to Zion (Jackson County, Missouri)?
D&C 69:3-8 The Duties of the Church Historian
As you read through these verses, keep in mind that John Whitmer was the Church Historian (see D&C 47). What duties connected to being Church Historian are mentioned in this revelation? How do we gather information today about the various units of the Church scattered throughout all the world? What reason does the Lord give for keeping this history? How can keeping a history of your own life bless the rising generations?
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