Final Review Flashcards
What year did these events happen?
First Vision
Moroni Visits
Joseph received the plates, Joseph & Emma Marriage
Charles Anthon in NYC, 116 pages lost
BofM translation completed, Aaronic & Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration
April 6 Organization of the Church
Joseph Smith First Vision account (earliest, Joseph Smith handwriting)
Joseph Smith First Vision account (detailed for Church History, in PofGP)
Wentworth Letter
1820 First Vision
1823-1826 Moroni Visits
1827 Joseph received the plates, Joseph & Emma Marriage
1828 Charles Anthon in NYC, 116 pages lost
1829 BofM translation completed, Aaronic & Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration
1830 April 6 Organization of the Church
1832 Joseph Smith First Vision account (earliest, Joseph Smith handwriting)
1838 Joseph Smith First Vision account (detailed for Church History, in PofGP)
1842 Wentworth Letter
When was Jerusalem and the temple destroyed?
70 AD
Joseph Smith—Matthew is the JST translation of what chapter in the New Testament?
Matthew 24
Why did the early Christians have difficulty with Matthew 24?
Because the way it was recorded made it sound like Jesus would return after the destruction of the temple
What evidence do we have that the Jews did not believe their temple would be destroyed?
1 Nephi 2:13 and Jeremiah 7:4
Be sure you know the two questions the apostles asked Jesus and what part of JS—Matthew responds to each question.
When will the temple be destroyed? (fisrt half of the chapter)
When will the destruction of the wicked at the end of the world be? (second half)
You should understand these concepts from JS-Matt 24: where the division of the two periods of time is located in the chapter; re-ordering of verses; and repetition of the verses.
Division: verse 22
Verse 6-8, 12, 14-15 were re-ordered (then shall the end come)
Verse 15 was repeated (stand in the holy place)
In general what was the fate of the 12 apostles? Specifically what happened to Peter, James, John, and Paul?
They were persecuted and killed.
Peter - Crucified upside-down
James - Killed by Herod Agrippa
John - Living a very long life, translated
Paul - beheaded by Nero
How were some of the early Christians saved from the destruction of Jerusalem? Where did they go?
Jesus warned them to flee to Pella, and they did
Who was Josephus? What is his great contribution concerning history of the period c. AD 70?
He was a Jewish historian, when Jerusalem was destroyed by Rome, he was adopted in by Vespasian and wrote the history of the destruction of the Jews
Note the conditions of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Which Roman Legate finally destroyed the temple and Jerusalem? (slide #34)
Titus with the 15th Roman Legion. Titus was assisting his father Vespian. There were 4 Roman Legions total
What is the Abomination of Desolation? When?
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD. Can also refer to the siege of Jerusalem at the last days
What is the Olivet Discourse? How is it different than Jesus’ other sermons? What section in the D&C includes parts of the Olivet Discourse?
Savior’s teaching to his apostles on the mount of Olives
It was different in audience, only his closest were there
D&C 45
What is the fundamental difficulty with understanding Matthew 24? What impression did this leave readers with? How does JS—Matthew address this problem?
They intersperse Jesus’s statements about the end of the world with the verses regarding the destruction of Jerusalem
Many thought Jesus would return quickly, during the time of the destruction of Jerusalem
JS separates the verses
Why were the Jews susceptible to false messiahs and prophets?
They were anticipating the coming of the Messiah because of the events surrounding Christ’s birth
hat does the Greek word apostasía mean? How does this relate to what happened in the early years of the Apostasy?
Mutiny, revolt, and revolution
The apostles were violently killed
hat are some of the conditions that contributed to the breakdown of the Jerusalem society according to Josephus? (see also slide #32)
There was brutal infighting among the different factions of the Jews
How do we keep from being deceived in the last days?
Keep your eye on the prophet and “treasure up” the words of Christ
What are the major signs given to alert us that the end is nearing? (slides # 8,9,10)
Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences, iniquity, gathering of Israel, as a light from the east
ow does Joseph Smith help us understand JS—Matt. 1:26? (slides #9, 10)
The 2nd coming of Christ will be gradual, as the dawn of day is gradual. It will start small, but soon the whole world will witness it
What did Presidents Kimball, Hinckley, Monson, and Nelson each show a particular interest in helping us to prepare for the Second Coming? (slides # 11, 12, 13, 14).
Kimball - lengthen your stride
Hinckley - built temples more quickly
Monson - Country after country opened to miss. work
Nelson - The gathering of Israel
hat does the parable of the fig tree in JS—Matt. 1:38-39 teach us?
The leaves signal that summer is near. The signs signal that the 2nd coming is near.
hen does Elder Holland believe the initial events and preparation for the Second Coming began? (slides #19, 20)
193 years ago, with the first vision
Why does Jesus give the apostles (and us) these signs in JS—Matthew?
As a comfort, witness, to help us prepare, so we can share and hope
What are four times we know the Lord will appear (or has appeared) in this dispensation? Who did he appear to (or will appear to) in each case?
The first vision
The Kirtland temple
Adam-Ondi-Ohman (will)
Mount of Olives (will)
or the three parables in Matthew 25 (Ten Virgins, Talents, Sheep and Goats) know how they teach us to “watch” or prepare for the Second Coming (see Jackson article p. 5 and slide #37)
Are you filled with the holy spirit?
Are you building the kingdom?
How do are you treating your brethren?
How do you know if you are a sheep or a goat?
A sheep takes care of his fellows
In the parable of the talents:
Why were some given more than others?
Why was the one talent taken away?
What do they represent?
Given according to their ability
Laziness, slothfulness
Our resources given to build the kingdom
According to Jackson—will the elect be deceived by false prophets in the last days?
No
How does Jackson interpret JS—Matt. 1:40? Will any man know when the Lord will return? (see also slide #17)
No one will know the day or the hour but may know the season. JS believed the prophet will know the day
What was the biblical concept of God? What was the concept of God from the Nicene Creed? What was Augustine’s concept of humans? What are the two characteristics of the Apostasy?
Compassionate and merciful, interested in our lives, provided agency and a way to return to Him, intervenes, created us in His image
God and Christ are co-eternal and consubstantial (of the same substance), provides foundation for trinity
Humans inherited original sin, depraved by nature
Know the three points of preparing for the Restoration
- The protestant reformation
- The political / social climate of the US
- The prep of JS by his family
What was the religious situation in Western New York at Joseph Smith’s time? How did the Smith family lean?
The burnt over district
From the Bible. Prefers Presbyterian faith. JS leans towards Methodist
What was the purpose of the Orson Pratt and Orson Hyde accounts of the First Vision publications?
They were missionary tracts
How did Joseph Smith search for truth before he went to the grove to pray?
Searched the scriptures
Review the lessons from the First Vision. What did Joseph Smith learn concerning the reality of the nature of God?
Reality of Satan
Reality of apostacy
Nature of God: God answers our prayes, He looks like us, Him and Jesus are distinct beings,
hat was the reaction of those Joseph Smith related his visionary experience to?
Adverse
What types of “errors” was Joseph worried about when he prayed for forgiveness in 1823?
Weakness of youth, foibles of human nature, levity, jovial company
You should know how many visits Moroni made to Joseph Smith
8
Review Joseph Smith’s call as a prophet—the 5 points listed. (slide #12)
- Foreordained - said so himself
- Called from everyday - 14-year-old farm boy
- Mission or assignemnt - Dispensation head, translate BofM
- Reluctance - worry about his foibles
- Help - vision, messengers, translation aids
You should know the 3 prophets and book of scripture (in JS—History 1:36-41) that Joseph reports Moroni quoted passages from to him.
Malachi, Isaiah, Acts, Joel
Why do you think Moroni quoted Malachi to Joseph Smith? Who is the messenger of the covenant and did he come suddenly to his temple in Joseph Smith’s lifetime? Who were other messengers sent to Joseph Smith? What priesthood keys did Elijah bring to Joseph Smith?
Malachi taught when the people were facing serious apostacy
Messenger of the covenant = Jesus Christ
Other messengers - Peter, James, John, John the baptist, Elijah, Elias, Moses
Elijah brought keys of the hearts
From the Isaiah passage (see Isa.11 and D&C 113:1-6) who is the “stem of Jesse”? Who is the root? What will the root do? (slides #25-30)
Stem = Christ
Root / rod = JS
It will stand as an ensign to all people; gather Israel
Who is “that prophet” mentioned in Acts and Deuteronomy? (JS—H 1:40)
Christ
Who does Joel tell us will prophesy? And have dreams and visions? (Joel 2:28)
Your sons and your daughters
old men shall dream
young men shall have visions
you should know the 8 topics listed on slide #33 that Moroni covered in his message to Joseph Smith
The calling of JS The Restoration Restoration of the priesthood and keys The gathering Destruction before Second Coming Deliverance of the faithful Second Coming millennial state of the faithful
hat did Joseph Smith describe that his family found amusing? (slide #44)
A description of how life was for the ancient Nephites (dress, manner,)
How old was Joseph Smith and what was he praying for when Moroni first appeared to him in 1823?
Praying for forgiveness. Seventeen
What did Moroni tell Joseph Smith “the fulness of the Gentiles” meant? (see also slide #14, 15)
The spread of the gospel to all nations was imminent
How many times did Moroni visit during the night in 1823? How many times the next day?
three times that night, once the next day
What did Moroni teach Joseph Smith about “the prince of darkness” on the hill the very first time he went to find the plates in 1823? What was different about this experience with the adversary than what Joseph had experienced in 1820 just before the First Vision? (see also slide #43)
He learned that he would be tempted to take the plates for money.
Did Joseph Smith know he would receive the plates four years after his first visit to the hill?
no
Review the events of the 1824 visit to the hill to see the plates. Did Joseph believe he would obtain them? What were the requirements? Why did he not obtain the plates? (also slide #45). What did he learn in 1826? (slide #46)
He thought he would obtain them. He did not because he set them down to look for something else in the box he could sell
Learns that if he obeys the commandments, he may obtain the plates next year
What special keys did the Lord tell Joseph Smith that Moroni held? (see also D&C 27:5)
The record of the stick of Ephraim (BofM)
hat did Moroni inscribe on the plates concerning their value? (see also Mormon 8:14-16)
the plates are of no worth but the record is of great worth
Who was Martin Harris? Know the basic experience of Martin Harris’ encounter with Charles Anthon in New York (JS—H 1:63-65). Did Harris know he was fulfilling scripture at the time?
He did not
Add two more topics for the list of what Moroni taught Joseph Smith (slide #28).
Apostasy and scattering, the coming forth of the BofM
What kind of tutoring did Joseph Smith receive between 1823 and 1827?
He was visited constantly by angels
How did Joseph and Emma meet? Get married? When? Where did Joseph and Emma live after they were married?
When JS was digging for the silver mine for Josiah Stoal
Eloped. Moved to Manchester NY to live with Smith fam
What are the circumstance of Joseph obtaining the plates? Who went with him? Any difficulties? What was Moroni’s warning?
At night
Emma
Some treasure hunters wanted to get them from him
If he were to lose them due to neglect, he would be cut off
how heavy were the plates, how did Joseph keep them safe?
50-60 lbs. He kept them in a lock box and under the hearthstones
Review slides #29, #30 and be able to identify the 5 different individuals and what part of the prophecy in Isaiah they are connected to.
JS likens Isaiah 29 to Martin Harris and Charles Anthon
Moroni likens Isaiah 29 to JS’ mission of bringing forth the BofM
The Lord likens Isaiah 29:13 to JS and the First Vision
Nephi likens Isiah 29 to his vision of “the day of the Gentiles”
How did Oliver Cowdery become a scribe? When was the bulk of translation of the Book of Mormon done, and how much time was involved? (slide #46)
Summer of 1829. Betweeen 55 - 65 working days
Review possibilities of how translation of the B of M was done. (slide #47)
Through instruments, by revelation / vision. He had no manuscript with him
What did Joseph and Oliver desire as they prayed for the blessings of baptism and the Holy Spirit? Who can you compare this to? (slide #7)
They desired to be followers of righteousness like Moses
Why were Joseph and Oliver given the priesthood, then baptized, and then ordained to the Priesthood? (slides #6, #9, #10) Who bestowed the Melchizedek Priesthood on them?
To confer the priesthood before baptism is contrary to the order of the church
Peter, James and John
Who are the three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon? How did they receive this privilege? Why was Joseph Smith so happy afterwards? Be able to recognize final testimony of each of them (who said it) from slides # 19, #20, #21.
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris
They asked for it, they were scribes and David sacrificed his home and farm for the BofM
Oliver - What would it profit me to tell you a lie?
David - I have never at any time denied that testimony, nor any part thereof
Martin - It is not a matter of belief, but of knowledge
Who are the eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon? How was their experience different than the three witnesses? What is the “Law of Witnesses”?
Hirum Page Hyrum Smith Joseph Smith Sr. Samuel H Smith Christian, Jacob, Peter, John Whitmer
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established
Who was the printer of the Book of Mormon? How was this financed? Who owns the printers manuscript now?
E.B. Grandin. Martin Harris farm mortgaged. Another church. Community of Christ.
Where was the Church organized? Who was baptized afterward in addition to the first six elders? (slide #52)
JS parents, Porter Rockwell, Martin Harris
What spiritual experiences did Oliver Cowdery have confirming his work with Joseph on the Book of Mormon?
He had spoke peace to his mind concerning the matter. JS received a revelation for him telling him this
What happened to Joseph and Oliver immediately following their baptism?
They had the spirit of prophesy and prophesied
What was the purpose of “Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions” by Orson Pratt? How is Orson Pratt’s summary of the beliefs of the Church similar to the Articles of Faith?
The wording influences JS’s
It was a missionary tract
What is included in the Wentworth letter? Why is this letter such a significant document? What did Joseph Smith declare the mission of the Church was in the Wentworth letter?
Articles of faith, history of the church, the standard of truth
To bring the truth to the whole world
For each of the Articles of Faith 1-8 review how it addresses or responds to Christian or religious concepts and what it teaches us
Article 1
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost
○ We reject the trinity and do not align with the adopted Christian creeds
Aritcle 2
- We reject the original sin
- Children are innocent before God
Article 3
- Only Christ can save humankind
- Rejects predestination
- Rejects “by faith alone”
- Faith and works are needed
Article 4
- Faith is not enough, it must be followed by ordinances
Article 5
- Declares the three antecedents needed to authorize preaching
○ Must be called prophetically
○ Must be certified by the laying on of hands
○ Indidual announcing the calling must have authority from God
Article 6
- Primitivism: Christianity should be organized as the apostolic church
Article 7
- Some thought that the gifts of the spirit were… stranger
- Rejected uncontrolled behavior
Article 8
- Established the importance of scripture (sola scriptura)
- Rejects the idea that the Bible is without error
- The canon of scripture is open
Why do we believe we are Christians and yet many in the Christian world claim we are not Christian?
Because we do not believe in the trinity (Creeds)
Do we believe in other spiritual gifts not listed in this Article of Faith?
Yes
Do we believe in Biblical inerrancy? What did Joseph Smith say concerning this concept?
No, we believe the Bible is correct, as long as it was translated correctly
What is the best attested ancient text?
NT
For each of the Articles of Faith 9-13: review how it addresses or responds to Christian or religious concepts and what it teaches us
Article 9
- "there were no such things as revelations" - opposition to Joseph - We have the right to personal revelation - There is nothing in the Bible that suggests that we shouldn't have rev. - Packer - revelation is a continuous principle in the church. The church is still being organized
Article 10
- America at that time is known as a “city upon a hill”
- We feel an urgency to participate in the gathering of Israel
- Zion (New Jerusalem) would be built in the Americas
- JS - The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every dispensation
- Paradisiacal glory
○ Telestial - fallen earth (today)
○ Terrestrial - an earth lifted above death, sickness and the influence of the Adversary (paradisiacal)
○ Celestial - a glorified earth after the Millennium
Article 11
- Religious freedom was being restricted in America
- The constitution guaranteed the freedom of purpose and JS was a big proponent of this
- Uchtdorf - We honor and respect sincere souls from all religions… He hears the prayers of all people
- First presidency statement - The great religious leaders of the worlds such as Mohammed, Confucius and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato and others, received a portion of God’s light. We believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation
- “Holy envy” - Krister Stendahl
○ Leave room for “holy envy” by finding elements in other faiths to emulate
Article 12
- Saints sometimes appeared as a little separatist or clan-ish
Article 13
- Identifies relationship between previously stated doctrine and everyday, virtuous conduct - No statement of doctrine in this article - High moral standards must accompanies one's life
what are the five things Jesus Christ told the Nephites and Lamanites about the future of the Americas?
I shall gather in Zion They should be established a free people I will establish my covenant people among them They will build a new Jerusalem I will be there also
What are the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic Covenant? (PPT #16 slides 50, 51)
Promised land, posterity, priesthood
Ordinances, priesthood, gather Israel
What is Zion? Why was Enoch’s city called a “Zion”? What types of Zion are there in the scriptures?
Enoch was called Zion bc they were of one heart and one mind Zion = fortress, dry place Fortress City of Enoch Of on heart and mind David's city, Jerusalem New Jerusalem New (world) Jerusalem A gathering place for the Saints
And in that day Adam blessed God and was afilled, and began to bprophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my ctransgression my deyes are opened, and in this life I shall have ejoy, and again in the fflesh I shall see God.
Adam’s testimony
Were it not for our transgression we never should have had aseed, and never should have bknown good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
Eve testimony
Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy amouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
Enoch prophetic call
The Righteous is lifted up, and the bLamb is slain from the foundation of the world; and through cfaith I am in the bosom of the Father, and behold, dZion is with me.
Enoch in seeing a vision of Christ
And thus Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; for Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation; and he walked with God, as did also his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Not sure
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
The three messengers speaking to Abraham
And he said, aLay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou bfearest God, seeing thou hast not cwithheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Angel speaking to Abraham about Isaac
And I will make of thee a great anation, and I will bbless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and cPriesthood unto all nations;
10 And I will abless them through thy name; for as many as receive this bGospel shall be called after thy cname, and shall be accounted thy dseed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their efather;
11 And I will abless them that bless thee, and bcurse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy cseed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this dright shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.
Abrahamic covenant
Jesus to Abraham
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham abelieved God, and it was imputed unto him for brighteousness: and he was called the cFriend of God.
Paul writing about Abraham, we can be friends of God too
Is any thing too ahard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the btime of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
The Lord rebukes Abraham for laughing, not believing that he could have a son by Sarah
