Foundations of the Restoration Midterm #1

Joe Cochran, lessons 1-8

How to tell if something is an official church teaching

You can tell if its:

• Taught in scripture

• Taught by the united voice of the 1st presidency and the quorum of the 12

• If it is in the Church handbook

Common misconceptions about validitiy of official teachings

If it is taught multiple times in conference

If church publications teach about it

Core doctrine

Unchangeable truths of salvation

EX: Baptism

Supportive Doctrine

Elaborative, descriptive , timely teachings that expand on core doctrines

EX: Baptism for the dead

Policy

Timely statements related to applications of supportive or core doctrines

EX: Performing proxy baptisms in the temple and keeping record of them

Esoteric Doctrine

Unknown or only partially revealed or yet to be revealed truths

EX: How proxy baptisms are accepted on the other side of the veil

What does upbraideth mean?

To extremely chastise

Why did Satan attack Joseph before God and Jesus appeared?

Because there is an opposition in all things

He goes after those who are trying to find truth

What did Jesus say to Joseph?

• Join no church

• All creeds and teachers are corrupt

  • They have a form of godliness but don’t have power

What did abomination mean in the context of Josephs time?

Extreme hatred and detestaton, also pollution

Jesus does not pinpoint one creed he just hates them all

How many accounts of the first vision are there?

4 versions

1832 Account of the first vision

• God commanded Joseph to write his history. It was not published in his lifetime

Audience: Himself

Context: Early in the church history writing JS history\

Unique aspects: JS focus on his sins and his repentance, written in josephs own hand not a scribes.

1835 vision account

• Fire and angels

Context: Warren parish writes it as a scribe, he has inspiration to do so

Audience: JS talking to Robert Matthews (Joshua the Jewish minister) who sought out Joseph

Uniqueness: Focus on correct church, One divine personage after another appeared, Joseph describes a pillar of fire, he evokes exodus for his jewish audience, angels appear

1838 vision account (MOST COMMON)

Context: Saints driven out of missouri and about to be driven from kirtland

• extermination order

• Liberty Jail

• GOING THROUGH HELL

• Starts it in jail and finishes after

• Speaks of it as the first major even and focuses on opposiiton

Audience:

• Persecutors

• Apostates

• Doubters

Uniqueness:

• talks about satans attack

• methodist preacher attack

• Defensive of the church

• response to persecution

1842 vision account

Context:

• John Wentworth wanted to publish Joseph’s teachings (Wentworth Letter)

• Articles of faith, standard of truth

Audience:

• Non members

Uniqueness:

• Nothing unique from the others

Moroni first visit

Basic malachi and resotration message, reveals record in hill BOM

Second Moroni visit

Same message as first plus a warning about judgements coming to the inhabitants of earth

Third Moroni Visit

Same message but make sure the plates are obtained to glorify God (dont sell them)

Tell your father about this vision

Fourth Moroni visit

Middle of the day

Same message but commanded to tell his father because he didn’t do it

What happened during the 4 years in between Josephs first visit with moroni and the successful attainment of the plates?

Moroni tutoring Joseph

Alvin dies

Takes a treasure hunter job which hurts his shot at being a prophet at translator

He must bring the right person to the plates which is Emma (his wife)

How did Joseph translate the plates?

Most of the time with the stone in a hat to block out light

He never really looked at the plates to translate them

Female witnesses of the plates

Lucy mack smith (feels them)

Lucy Harris (she saw them in her dream)

Emma Hale Smith (picked them up often)

Mary Musselman Whitmer (moroni appeared to her and showed her the plates)

Why does God use a Church?

The saving and exalting ordinances are only available in the restored church

We cannot wish our way into Gods presence

Priesthood authority

Permission from God to act for him

Priesthood power

power through covenants

Priesthood Offices

responsabilites

There is no calling or office in the church that is small or of little consequence

Priesthood Keys

Government of the Church