Historical Background
On July 23, 1833, the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, were forced to sign an agreement that they would leave the area. This was a staggering blow to the members who had moved there. Their expectation was that Independence, Missouri, would be the cite for the New Jerusalem, the City of Zion, the place where the Lord Himself would reign during the millennium. This revelation, dated August 2nd, 1833, continues to give encouragement to the Saints in Missouri and assures them that, if they will keep the commandments the Lord gives them, they will have the blessings He has promised. The issues addressed in this revelation are: the Lord’s feelings about the School of the Prophets in Missouri, and the construction of a temple there.
D&C 97:1-5 Blessings upon the Righteous
What blessings does the Lord pronounce upon the righteous? According to His own words, why does He show mercy to those who are meek? What can you do to receive the Lord’s mercy?
D&C 97:6-9 The Ax at the Root of the Tree
What would some members have to do before the Lord would show them mercy? Think of the difficulties that the members of the Church faced in Jackson County. What promise does the Lord make to them if they are faithful? Remember, they had already signed an agreement that they would leave the area. Why would this revelation be a test of faith for some members? What tests of faith has the Lord given you?
D&C 97:10-17 The Temple in Zion
How was the temple construction to be funded? What promises did the Lord make to the “pure in heart” when the temple was built? What blessings have come to you because you have prepared yourself to go to the temple?
D&C 97:18-28 Blessings and Curses upon Zion
The people in Zion (Jackson County, Missouri) had suffered terrible persecution. They were on the verge of being removed from the area. What blessings did the Lord promise them if they were faithful? What curses did he promise them if they were not faithful? When have you received promises from the Lord when things seemed hopeless? How has the Lord blessed you in those times?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Doctrine and Covenants Section 96
Historical Background
The concept of gathering to Zion, in the early days of the Church, meant that people should come to the place where the leaders of the Church and many members were already gathered. In the case of Section 96, the gathering place was Kirtland. If the Saints were being asked to gather to Kirtland, there would need to be sufficient land to live on. Furthermore, as other gathering places would be established, land would have to be purchased by the Church to provide those who were gathering a place to build homes and raise crops. Section 96 establishes the pattern for this type of project. One of the pieces of land that was being considered for purchase in the Kirtland area belonged to a man named Peter French. The council that was assembled to determine how to deal with Mr. French and his property could not come up with a solution. Therefore, the matter was taken to the Lord.
The “order” spoken of in this revelation is the United Firm, or the United Order. It should be remembered that the purpose of this organization was to explore business opportunities that the leaders of the Church might engage in for the benefit of the Church, to provide financial resources that would fund temples, missionary work, and provide for the families of Church leaders.
D&C 96:1-5 Who Should Deal with Mr. French?
Who was designated by the Lord to work with Mr. French for the purchase of his land? What was the land to be used for? How would the purchase of this land ultimately bless the Church and all people everywhere? What purposes are served when the Church buys property today? How have you been blessed because Church leaders continue to follow this pattern?
D&C 96:6-9 John Johnson Becomes a Member of the Order
Why was John Johnson chosen to become a member of the United Firm, or the United Order? What blessings was he promised if he remained faithful? How are these blessings like your own if you remain faithful?
The concept of gathering to Zion, in the early days of the Church, meant that people should come to the place where the leaders of the Church and many members were already gathered. In the case of Section 96, the gathering place was Kirtland. If the Saints were being asked to gather to Kirtland, there would need to be sufficient land to live on. Furthermore, as other gathering places would be established, land would have to be purchased by the Church to provide those who were gathering a place to build homes and raise crops. Section 96 establishes the pattern for this type of project. One of the pieces of land that was being considered for purchase in the Kirtland area belonged to a man named Peter French. The council that was assembled to determine how to deal with Mr. French and his property could not come up with a solution. Therefore, the matter was taken to the Lord.
The “order” spoken of in this revelation is the United Firm, or the United Order. It should be remembered that the purpose of this organization was to explore business opportunities that the leaders of the Church might engage in for the benefit of the Church, to provide financial resources that would fund temples, missionary work, and provide for the families of Church leaders.
D&C 96:1-5 Who Should Deal with Mr. French?
Who was designated by the Lord to work with Mr. French for the purchase of his land? What was the land to be used for? How would the purchase of this land ultimately bless the Church and all people everywhere? What purposes are served when the Church buys property today? How have you been blessed because Church leaders continue to follow this pattern?
D&C 96:6-9 John Johnson Becomes a Member of the Order
Why was John Johnson chosen to become a member of the United Firm, or the United Order? What blessings was he promised if he remained faithful? How are these blessings like your own if you remain faithful?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 95
Historical Background
The commandment had been given to the Church to build a Temple in Kirtland, Ohio (see Section 88). A committee was appointed to get contributions for the construction of the building and to supervise the project. These men were Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter. The revelation indicates that the First Presidency would have the actual building revealed to them so that they may know how to proceed. Frederick G. Williams, a member of the First Presidency, wrote:
“Joseph received the word of the Lord for him to take his two counselors, Williams and Rigdon, and come before the Lord; and He would show them the plan, or model, of the house to be built. We went upon our knees, called on the Lord, and the building appeared within viewing distance, I being the first to discover it. Then all of us viewed it together. After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us, and the makeup of the hall [the main hall on the first floor of the temple] seems to coincide with what I there saw to a minutia” (Recollection of Truman O. Angel, Temple Architect; Truman O. Angel journal (typescript), Brigham Young University Library, Special Collections; spelling and punctuation modernized).
Concerning the Kirtland Temple, Truman O. Angel wrote a letter to John Taylor, in 1885. He said, “F.G. Williams came into the Temple about the time the main hall 1st floor was ready for dedication. He was asked, how does the house look to you. He answered that it looked to him like the model he had seen. He said President Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and himself were called to come before the Lord and the model was shown them. He said the vision of the Temple was thus shown them and he could not see the difference between it and the House as built” (Letter from Truman O. Angell to President John Taylor, 11 March 1885, Church archives).
D&C 95:1-6 The Lord’s Chastisement
What do these verses teach us about love and chastisement? Why would the Lord chasten those he loves? The Lord asked that “mine house” be built for “preparation.” What was the preparation he would give “mine apostles”? Why were some called, but not chosen? What blessings do we receive as we regularly attend the temple in our generation?
D&C 95:7-10 An Endowment of Power
What did the Lord intend to give the faithful members of the Church? What was keeping them from receiving this blessing? What blessings is the Lord trying to give you? What are you doing that might be keeping Him from giving you those blessings?
D&C 95:11-17 The Love of the Father
What important principles do we learn about the love of the Father? How is the Father showing love in these verses? What was the purpose of the Kirtland Temple? How is its purpose different from temples that are built today? How does the Father show love to you as you attend the temple?
The commandment had been given to the Church to build a Temple in Kirtland, Ohio (see Section 88). A committee was appointed to get contributions for the construction of the building and to supervise the project. These men were Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter. The revelation indicates that the First Presidency would have the actual building revealed to them so that they may know how to proceed. Frederick G. Williams, a member of the First Presidency, wrote:
“Joseph received the word of the Lord for him to take his two counselors, Williams and Rigdon, and come before the Lord; and He would show them the plan, or model, of the house to be built. We went upon our knees, called on the Lord, and the building appeared within viewing distance, I being the first to discover it. Then all of us viewed it together. After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us, and the makeup of the hall [the main hall on the first floor of the temple] seems to coincide with what I there saw to a minutia” (Recollection of Truman O. Angel, Temple Architect; Truman O. Angel journal (typescript), Brigham Young University Library, Special Collections; spelling and punctuation modernized).
Concerning the Kirtland Temple, Truman O. Angel wrote a letter to John Taylor, in 1885. He said, “F.G. Williams came into the Temple about the time the main hall 1st floor was ready for dedication. He was asked, how does the house look to you. He answered that it looked to him like the model he had seen. He said President Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and himself were called to come before the Lord and the model was shown them. He said the vision of the Temple was thus shown them and he could not see the difference between it and the House as built” (Letter from Truman O. Angell to President John Taylor, 11 March 1885, Church archives).
D&C 95:1-6 The Lord’s Chastisement
What do these verses teach us about love and chastisement? Why would the Lord chasten those he loves? The Lord asked that “mine house” be built for “preparation.” What was the preparation he would give “mine apostles”? Why were some called, but not chosen? What blessings do we receive as we regularly attend the temple in our generation?
D&C 95:7-10 An Endowment of Power
What did the Lord intend to give the faithful members of the Church? What was keeping them from receiving this blessing? What blessings is the Lord trying to give you? What are you doing that might be keeping Him from giving you those blessings?
D&C 95:11-17 The Love of the Father
What important principles do we learn about the love of the Father? How is the Father showing love in these verses? What was the purpose of the Kirtland Temple? How is its purpose different from temples that are built today? How does the Father show love to you as you attend the temple?
Doctrine and Covenants Section 94
Historical Background
In Mid-1833, there were two great issues confronting the Church: the construction of the Temple in Kirtland, and the publication of the inspired revision of the King James Bible. Section 94 is one of three revelations, along with Sections 95 and 97, that address these compelling needs. The perspective of the Lord on these matters shows that He is willing to bless the people with His physical presence if they will obey His commandments and directives. Difficulties were experienced by the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, during this time because the Saints did not follow the commandments given them by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph. Still, there is a feeling in the revelations that if the Saints will repent and comply with the Lord’s directives they will be blessed.
A building committee is established in this revelation: Hyrum Smith (age 33), Reynolds Cahoon (43), and Jared Carter (32). The Prophet Joseph was 27 years old at the time.
D&C 94:1-9 A Building for the Presidency
What are the details the Lord gives concerning the building that will be constructed for the Presidency of the Church? Why would the Presidency need a building? What activities were they supposed engage in when they were in the building? What buildings does the Church have today that are used for these purposes?
D&C 94:10-12 A Building for Printing
What things were to be printed in the building dedicated to printing? What publications does the Church print today? Why do they print these things?
D&C 94:13-17 The Building Committee
Who were the three men called to be the building committee? What ere their duties? Why would the Lord indicate that they should receive land for homes in Kirtland?
In Mid-1833, there were two great issues confronting the Church: the construction of the Temple in Kirtland, and the publication of the inspired revision of the King James Bible. Section 94 is one of three revelations, along with Sections 95 and 97, that address these compelling needs. The perspective of the Lord on these matters shows that He is willing to bless the people with His physical presence if they will obey His commandments and directives. Difficulties were experienced by the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, during this time because the Saints did not follow the commandments given them by the Lord through the Prophet Joseph. Still, there is a feeling in the revelations that if the Saints will repent and comply with the Lord’s directives they will be blessed.
A building committee is established in this revelation: Hyrum Smith (age 33), Reynolds Cahoon (43), and Jared Carter (32). The Prophet Joseph was 27 years old at the time.
D&C 94:1-9 A Building for the Presidency
What are the details the Lord gives concerning the building that will be constructed for the Presidency of the Church? Why would the Presidency need a building? What activities were they supposed engage in when they were in the building? What buildings does the Church have today that are used for these purposes?
D&C 94:10-12 A Building for Printing
What things were to be printed in the building dedicated to printing? What publications does the Church print today? Why do they print these things?
D&C 94:13-17 The Building Committee
Who were the three men called to be the building committee? What ere their duties? Why would the Lord indicate that they should receive land for homes in Kirtland?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
