Rel C 225 - Restoration of the Foundation

When did the First Vision occur?

Spring 1820

What four sources help identify official Church doctrine?

Repeated scripture, united current Church leaders, consistent official teaching, and recent Church publications or statements.

What five questions help evaluate a historical source?

Who wrote it, what they wrote, when they wrote, how it fits other sources, why they wrote

Are all doctrines equally important?

No. Doctrines differ in importance.

Is every statement from a Church leader doctrine?

No. Doctrine requires authoritative support, not an isolated statement

What two time frames shape a remembered account?

The past event and the rememberer's present perspective.

How do primary, contemporary, reminiscent, and secondary sources differ?

Primary: firsthand. Contemporary: recorded at the time. Reminiscent: firsthand but recorded later. Secondary: not firsthand

What distinguishes the 1832 First Vision account?

Partly in Joseph's handwriting, part of his first history, focused on forgiveness, and may mention only one Being.

What distinguishes the 1835 First Vision account?

Joseph told it to Robert Matthews. It describes the Father and Son appearing one after another and mentions the adversary and angels.

What distinguishes the 1838 First Vision account?

It was part of a longer history written during intense opposition and is now canonized in Joseph Smith-History.

What distinguishes the 1842 First Vision account?

It was written for the Wentworth Letter as a public summary of Church history and beliefs.

What are the four firsthand First Vision accounts and their record types?

Four: 1832 and 1838 histories, 1835 journal, 1842 Wentworth Letter

Why do the First Vision accounts differ in detail?

Audience, purpose, memory

What later research supported Joseph's First Vision account?

It confirmed that the region experienced significant religious excitement, contrary to earlier critics' claims.

What did Emma say about Joseph's ability to write before translating the Book of Mormon?

Could not write or dictate a coherent letter, much less the Book of Mormon

How was the term Urim and Thummim used in Joseph Smith's time?

Category covering both interpreters and seer stones, not one specific object

How did later Latter-day Saints narrow the term Urim and Thummim?

As referring exclusively to the interpreters

How did Joseph use the interpreters or a seer stone while translating?

Stone or interpreters in a hat. Joseph blocked light and read the appearing English words aloud.

Why did Joseph not retranslate the 116 pages?

Conspirators planned to alter the stolen manuscript, then discredit Joseph when a retranslation differed

What material replaced the lost 116 pages?

Small plates of Nephi through King Benjamin's reign

How does D&C 10 show God's perfect knowledge?

God had Nephi prepare the small plates about 1,000 years earlier, providing a replacement while preserving agency.

Which witnesses saw an angel and heard God's voice?

The Three Witnesses.

Which witnesses physically handled the plates?

The Eight Witnesses handled the plates, turned the leaves, and hefted them.

Which family supplied the majority of the witnesses?

WHITMER family (David among the Three, Christian, Jacob, Peter Jr., John among the Eight, Hiram Page was their brother-in-law)

What does D&C 18:10 teach about souls?

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God

What promise does D&C 18:15 give about bringing one soul to Christ?

Labor all your days and bring one soul to Christ: great joy in Father's kingdom

What earlier spiritual witness was Oliver told to remember in D&C 6:22-24?

Night Oliver prayed and God spoke peace to his mind: What greater witness?

According to D&C 8:2-3, how does revelation come?

Holy Ghost speaks to mind and heart, the same spirit that guided Moses

What does D&C 19:15-20 teach about Christ's suffering and repentance?

He suffered so those who repent need not suffer. Those who refuse must suffer. Repeated plea: repent

How does Christ describe His suffering in D&C 19:18?

It caused Him, even God, to tremble because of pain, bleed at every pore, and suffer both body and spirit

Where was Emma Smith from?

Harmony, Pennsylvania. Joseph and Emma lived near her parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Hale

How did ordinary family life overlap with Joseph Smith's work on the Book of Mormon?

Alvin died a few months after Joseph learned of the plates; Joseph married Emma in the year he received the plates; and their firstborn died when the 116 pages were lost.

How does D&C 3 relate to the Book of Mormon translation, and what are its major messages?

It responds to the loss of the 116 pages. Joseph is rebuked for fearing people more than God and reminded that God's work, designs, and purposes cannot be frustrated.

When, where, and by whom was the Aaronic Priesthood restored?

May 15, 1829, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, by John the Baptist, who conferred it on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

When and where was the Church organized?

April 6, 1830, at the Peter Whitmer Sr. home in Fayette, New York.

What three Aaronic Priesthood keys are named in D&C 13?

1) The ministering of angels 2) The gospel of repentance 3) Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins

What were Joseph and Oliver translating that prompted the priesthood question?

3 Nephi 11:21-26, where the Savior gives His disciples authority to baptize.

What did Joseph and Oliver do immediately after John the Baptist left?

They baptized each other in the Susquehanna River and then ordained each other.

How does Oaks connect the Aaronic Priesthood with the ministering of angels?

Baptism and sacrament cleanse and promise the Spirit. Angels speak by the Holy Ghost, so the promise includes angelic ministry

Who restored the Melchizedek Priesthood?

Peter, James, and John restored it to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery

What was D&C 20 originally called?

Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ

Which D&C section was first accepted by a sustaining vote of the Church?

D&C 20, the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ.

What three functions does D&C 20 serve?

Explains Church origins, teaches foundational doctrine and redemption, defines baptism, sacrament, offices, duties, and records

Which revelation was given on the day the Church was organized?

D&C 21, given April 6, 1830.

What titles does D&C 21 give Joseph Smith?

Prophet, seer, revelator, and translator.

What offices existed in the Church in April 1830?

Elder, priest, teacher, deacon. No deacons were ordained until October 1831

Which priesthood offices and governing bodies were added after 1830?

Bishop, high priest, high council, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Seventy

What are the earliest surviving manuscripts of D&C revelations?

Handwritten transcriptions in manuscript revelation books, John Whitmer copied many into the Book of Commandments and Revelations

Where was the November 1831 conference to publish the revelations held?

At the John and Elsa Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio.

How many copies of the Book of Commandments were voted?

TEN THOUSAND, twice the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Oliver Cowdery asked the question

What concern did some brethren raise about the revelations?

They questioned whether Joseph's simple, irregular language was worthy of God's voice.

How did D&C 67 answer criticism of Joseph's language?

Let the wisest write a revelation like the least of the Lord's

Who accepted the D&C 67 writing challenge, and what happened?

William McLellin failed after scribing D&C 66 the previous week

Which section is the Lord's preface, and where does it fall chronologically?

D&C 1. It was revealed at the November 1831 Hiram conference, immediately after what is now D&C 66.

Is D&C 1 the first section ever revealed?

No. It appears first because it introduces the other revelations

According to D&C 1:17-18, why did the Lord give the revelations?

Knowing coming calamity, God called Joseph Smith and gave commandments

What promise closes the Lord's preface in D&C 1:37-38?

Search them: true, faithful, promises fulfilled. Lord's voice and servants' voice are the same

What happened to the Book of Commandments in July 1833?

Mob destroyed the Independence printing office, threw out the press, and scattered printed sheets

Who saved pages of the Book of Commandments?

Mary Elizabeth Rollins and Caroline Rollins hid the pages in a cornfield.

When was the title Doctrine and Covenants adopted?

In 1835.

Why were early revelations edited before publication?

Transcription errors, printing errors, clearer wording, later revelation

What does D&C 68:4 teach about scripture?

Scripture is anything God's servants say through the Holy Ghost. Canon is scripture officially accepted by the Church.

What theme connects D&C 28 and D&C 43?

Only the one appointed by God receives commandments and revelations for the WHOLE Church

What happened in the Hiram Page incident?

Eight Witness and Aaronic teacher used a stone for false revelations. Oliver and several Whitmers believed them

Who was Mrs. Hubble, and what problem did she create?

Kirtland woman claiming prophetic revelations and laws. Many Saints believed her

What is unique about D&C 25?

Only D&C revelation addressed to a woman

What callings and responsibilities does D&C 25 give Emma?

Comfort and accompany Joseph, scribe, expound scripture, exhort Church, select hymns

How are D&C 1, D&C 67, and the November 1831 conference connected?

At the Hiram conference, Church leaders decided to publish the revelations. D&C 1 became the Lord's preface, and D&C 67 answered concerns about Joseph's language with a challenge that William McLellin tried and failed to meet.

When did Joseph begin the JST, and which passage came first?

Summer 1830, beginning with Moses 1

In what order did Joseph complete the JST?

Old Testament first, New Testament completed July 1832, Old Testament completed July 2, 1833

How did the JST influence revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants?

About half of D&C revelations came during JST work, many directly prompted by it

What JST passage prompted D&C 76?

John 5:29. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon meditated on it at the Johnson home before receiving the vision.

What five categories of changes appear in the JST?

Restore lost text, add unrecorded teachings or events, clarify wording, correct errors, adapt meaning for modern readers

How did Robert J. Matthews help bring the JST into Latter-day Saint scripture?

20th-century JST scholar. Gained RLDS archive access in 1968, visited 13 times through 1974, typed the full JST manuscript

Who brought the Egyptian papyri to Kirtland, and how did the Saints obtain them?

Michael Chandler brought them. Church members purchased the papyri together with the mummies.

What is the main idea of 'Abraham and the Ancient World'?

Later historical research has CONFIRMED previously unknown aspects of the ancient world that Joseph included in the Book of Abraham

What is a key scriptural contribution of the Book of Abraham?

Premortal existence, plus the plan, Creation, Fall, and Atonement

What is the chronological order of Joseph Smith's three major translation projects?

Book of Mormon 1827-1829, JST 1830-1833, Book of Abraham 1835

What do we know—and not know—about the Book of Abraham's relationship to the Egyptian papyri?

Some papyrus fragments survive, but they do not contain the Book of Abraham text. We do not know whether the translation came from a now-lost portion, used the papyri as a catalyst, or happened in another way.

What were the five major results of the mission to the Lamanites?

Preached to Lamanite descendants, established Kirtland base, gained converts, identified Jackson County as New Jerusalem, brought Joseph to Missouri

How did the mission to the Lamanites help make Kirtland Church headquarters?

The missionaries baptized well over 100 people there, creating a strong Church base by early 1831.

What are Harper's three legs of the law of consecration?

AGENCY, STEWARDSHIP, and ACCOUNTABILITY, a three-legged stool

What does agency mean in the law of consecration?

Freely obey the law independent of others. No one is forced

What does stewardship mean in the law of consecration?

Steward, not owner. Free agent accountable to God for entrusted property

What does accountability mean in the law of consecration?

God lets us act with His property and requires an account of our stewardship

Was the law of consecration ever revoked?

No. Law of sacrifice and law of consecration remain in effect

In what three senses can Zion be understood?

Place: Independence. People: pure in heart. Organization: wards and stakes

What three things must Saints do to establish Zion?

United in heart and mind, holy, eliminate poverty by caring for poor and needy

When early Saints spoke of 'going to Zion,' where did they mean?

Jackson County, Missouri, specifically Independence

Why do the Saints gather?

Build Zion, gather into wards and stakes for strength, defense, and refuge

How was the law of consecration lived in the early Church, and how can it be lived today?

Early Saints deeded property to the bishop and received stewardships according to their needs; it was not communal ownership. Today it is lived through covenants to dedicate our time, talents, and resources to God and to building Zion.

What major events are connected with Palmyra and Manchester, New York?

First Vision, Hill Cumorah, Grandin's printing office, the EIGHT Witnesses

What major events are connected with Harmony, Pennsylvania?

Emma's home, most of the Book of Mormon translated here, AARONIC PRIESTHOOD RESTORED, Susquehanna River

What major events are connected with Fayette, New York?

Some of the translation, the THREE Witnesses had their experience here, the Church was organized here April 6, 1830

What major events are connected with Kirtland, Ohio?

Church headquarters from early 1831, the temple, Newel K. Whitney store, Kirtland Safety Society

What major events are connected with Hiram, Ohio?

Johnson home, November 1831 conference, D&C 1, 67, 76, 133. About 25 miles south of Kirtland

What major events are connected with Jackson County, Missouri?

Independence, Zion, the New Jerusalem, the temple site west of the courthouse, Saints expelled 1833

What are Martin Harris's main connections to the course?

D&C 3, 10, 19. Palmyra farmer, 116-page scribe, Three Witness, financed printing with 150+ acres, visited Charles Anthon

What are Oliver Cowdery's main connections to the course?

D&C 6, 8, 9. Vermont teacher, principal scribe, second elder, Three Witness, priesthood restoration, Lamanite mission

What are Emma Smith's main connections to the course?

D&C 25. Joseph's wife, early scribe, Elect Lady, compiled first two hymnals, preserved JST manuscript