Historical Background
Several families living in Amherst, Ohio, joined the Church. Arrangements were made for those Saints to have a conference in that city. On the 25th of January, 1831, the meeting took place with at least 24 elders in attendance. As part of this meeting, Joseph Smith was ordained President of the High Priesthood. Those who attended the meeting were anxious to know the will of the Lord for them. As they met, the Lord revealed to Joseph His will concerning these brethren. As the revelation was received, Sidney Rigdon acted as scribe and recorded it in the presence of the men who had come together for the conference. One revelation was given first, consisting of verses 1-22, in which ten men were called to serve in specific parts of the country: the south (William E. McLellan, age 26; Luke S. Johnson, 25; Major N. Ashley, 34; and Burr Riggs, 21), the east (Orson Hyde, 27; Samuel H. Smith, 24; Orson Pratt, 21; and Lyman E. Johnson, 21) and the west (Asa Dodds, 39; and Calves Wilson, ?). Afterward another revelation was received, consisting of verses 23-36, in which fourteen members were called to serve, with no specific location given (Simeon Carter, 38; and Emer Harris, 51; Hyrum Smith, 32; and Reynolds Cahoon, 42; Daniel Stanton, 37; and Seymour Brunson, 33; Sylvester Smith, 27; and Gideon Carter, 34; Ruggles Eames, ?; and Stephen Burnett, 18; and Micah B. Welton, 38; and Eden Smith, 26).
D&C 75:1-5 Go Forth to Proclaim My Gospel
What are the elders called as missionaries called to do? How are they supposed to do it? What will happen if they keep this commandment? Cross-reference: Alma 26:22.
D&C 75:18-22 Leave Your Blessings
Three times in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 24:15; 60:15; 75:20) the Lord instructs the elders to “shake off the dust of your feet” when they are not received well by people as they preach. What consequences are promised by the Lord, both to the unreceptive people and to the missionaries, when this happens? What should missionaries do when they are received graciously by people they teach? Why would it be a good idea for missionaries to focus on blessing families rather than cursing them? Cross-reference: D&C 121:45-46.
D&C 75:23-26 Support for the Families
Most of the missionaries who were called in this revelation were mature men with wives and children. They were willing to leave their families to serve. According to these verses, how were their families to be taken care of while they were on their missions?
D&C 75:27-29 Ask and They Shall Receive
What does the Lord expect of the missionaries with families? Notice the words Labor and Idler. What does the Lord say concerning these two words that would be good for us to remember? Cross-reference: D&C 42:42.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 74
Historical Background
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had abandoned the inspired revision of the King James Bible to preach and dispel the myths that were circulating about the Church. Section 73 instructed them to return to that project. This they did. In the course of working on that project they received light and knowledge concerning a New Testament verse: 1 Corinthians 7:14, which reads, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
D&C 74:1-4 A Great Contention
In the days of Paul the Apostle, there was a feeling among Jewish fathers who had not converted to Christianity that their children should be circumcised. Thus, the children, who had a Jewish mother who had converted to Christianity, were circumcised, according to the traditions of the Jews and the law of Moses. According to verse 4, what was the result of this decision?
D&C 74:5 A Commandment, Not of the Lord
What commandment did Paul give the ancient Church concerning marriage between Jewish converts to Christianity and Jews who had not converted? Where did this commandment come from? What is the Lord’s feeling about persons who are not of the same faith marrying one another? Cross-reference: D&C 132:15-17. Is it possible that a husband and wife can be members of the same Church but not have the same faith? Why would it be wise to marry a person who has the same faith as you?
D&C 74:6-7 Little Children Are Holy
The tradition of the Jews was to circumcise their children. Why is that no longer necessary? Cross-reference: D&C 137:10; Moroni 8:19.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had abandoned the inspired revision of the King James Bible to preach and dispel the myths that were circulating about the Church. Section 73 instructed them to return to that project. This they did. In the course of working on that project they received light and knowledge concerning a New Testament verse: 1 Corinthians 7:14, which reads, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
D&C 74:1-4 A Great Contention
In the days of Paul the Apostle, there was a feeling among Jewish fathers who had not converted to Christianity that their children should be circumcised. Thus, the children, who had a Jewish mother who had converted to Christianity, were circumcised, according to the traditions of the Jews and the law of Moses. According to verse 4, what was the result of this decision?
D&C 74:5 A Commandment, Not of the Lord
What commandment did Paul give the ancient Church concerning marriage between Jewish converts to Christianity and Jews who had not converted? Where did this commandment come from? What is the Lord’s feeling about persons who are not of the same faith marrying one another? Cross-reference: D&C 132:15-17. Is it possible that a husband and wife can be members of the same Church but not have the same faith? Why would it be wise to marry a person who has the same faith as you?
D&C 74:6-7 Little Children Are Holy
The tradition of the Jews was to circumcise their children. Why is that no longer necessary? Cross-reference: D&C 137:10; Moroni 8:19.
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