Midterm 1

Question 1

Section 1

Answer 1

know that this was a preface revealed by the Lord at a conference discussing publishing Joseph Smith’s revelations and that it was not the first section ever revealed to Joseph Smith (revealed between 67-68). The Lord’s message is to all people that the Lord’s wrath is coming upon the wicked before the second coming because they have broken the Lord’s everlasting covenant. God knows the calamity is coming so he sent his word for the people to hear once again. He says that all the prophecies (by his mouth or his servants) will be fulfilled.

Question 2

Section 3

Answer 2

Just before this Martin Harris lost 116 pages. The Lord says the Lord’s work cannot be frustrated and Joseph got rebuked for the way he trusts in mortal men. Joseph is still chosen. God says he is bringing forth the Book of Mormon to fulfill the promises he made anciently to the Nephites.

Question 3

Section 6

Answer 3

(Among other things, see especially verses 22–24.) Revelation for Oliver Cowdery in response to doubts and questions he had been harboring. Oliver is counseled to put the Kingdom of God first. Oliver is told to listen to the still small voice (did I not speak peace to your mind concerning this thing?) and that he has real spiritual gifts. Faithfully follow Joseph despite his flaws.

Question 4

Section 8

Answer 4

(9 is part 2) In response to Olivers desire to translate. Oliver is told he really has the gift of revelation and Aaron (using diving rods and such) which are related. Sec 9 is in response to Oliver’s struggle to translate after the attempt made in response to sec 8. The Lord explained he did not continue as he commenced. “You must study it out in your mind.”

Question 5

Section 10

Answer 5

In response to the loss of the 116 pages. The Lord says it was sinful to give the manuscript to Martin. The Lord says that wicked men would change the wording of the manuscript. They did this to avoid shame and get worldly glory. Instead of retranslation, Joseph is to continue translation because there is a more particular record found in the plates of Nephi.

Question 6

Section 13

Answer 6

Conferral of priesthood authority and priesthood keys (ministering of angels, gospel of repentance, and of baptism for the remission of sins) by John the Baptist. As a result, Joseph baptized Oliver, then Oliver baptized Joseph, then Joseph ordained Oliver, then Oliver ordained joseph.

Question 7

Section 20

Answer 7

(Just know that it was referred to early on as the “Articles and Covenants” of the Church; sets the doctrinal and organizational foundation of the Church [e.g. contains foundational doctrine as well as duties of priesthood offices and Church members.])

Question 8

Section 21

Answer 8

Revelation given 6 April, 1830 when the church was organized at the Whitmer home. 6 men voted to accept and sustain joseph and oliver. Joseph and oliver then ordained each other and admistered the sacrament and gave the gift of the holy ghost.

Question 9

Section 25

Answer 9

To Emma Smith, a daughter of God, and is an elect lady. She has a great role to fill in Zion and she should continue to follow her husband in his calling of being a revelator.

Question 10

Section 27

Answer 10

When Joseph went to get wine for a sacrament service he was stopped and received this revelation which says that it is in remembrance of the Savior’s body and that anything can be used. Wine should only be homemade for the sacrament.

Question 11

Section 28

Answer 11

(Among other things, know how this section relates to D&C 43—what theme carries through both? See the historical introduction on ScripturePlus or in Making Sense PDF on Learning Suite.) Given to Oliver Cowdery and in response to a scolding letter from Oliver to Joseph and Hiram Page using a stone to receive revelation for the church. Jospeh is as Moses, Oliver is as Aaron. Hiram was not appointed to receive sealed and hidden knowledge or to guide the church. Oliver was to correct Hiram. Only Joseph was the head of the church and able to receive revelation for it.

Question 12

Section 43

Answer 12

(Among other things, know how this section relates to D&C 28—what theme carries through both sections? How might this have helped a young Church trying to understand principles of revelation?) This is in response to many people in the church taking the title of “revelator.” Personal revelation is very real and essential, but revelation for the church is given in the order of the church.

Question 13

Section 67

Answer 13

During a church conference in November 1831 Joseph proposed to publish the book of commandments. The elders there were concerned that the language used by joseph was not elegant enough and had too many grammatical errors. In this revelation the Lord challenges the elders to “write” a revelation that is superior in language.

Question 14

What happened in Palmyra/Manchester, New York

Answer 14

first vision, receiving plates, martin harris meets JS, translation begins

Question 15

What happened in Harmony, Pennsylvania

Answer 15

oliver meets JS, aaronic restoration

Question 16

What happened in Fayette, New York

Answer 16

(e.g. some of the translation of the Book of Mormon took place here; the Three Witnesses had their experiences here; the Church was restored here), translation finished here

Question 17

What happened in Kirtland, Ohio

Answer 17

new church headquarters started here following mission to the lamanites, first temple

Question 18

What happened in Hiram, Ohio

Answer 18

(about 25 miles south of Kirtland; Nov. 1831 conference held here; also, JS received many revelations here)

Question 19

What happened in Jackson County, Missouri

Answer 19

Site of new jerusalem, much persecution forced saints to abandon their property and leave

Question 20

Who was Martin Harris and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 20

(D&C 3, 10, 19) (e.g. helped with the translation of the Book of Mormon, lost 116 pages [and know some about that experience, what happened, which revelations relate to it, etc.], was one of the Three Witnesses, paid printing costs for publication of Book of Mormon [D&C 19], etc.)

Question 21

Who was Oliver Cowdery and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 21

(D&C 6, 8, 9)He prayed to know more about the BoM translation and was told that he would have a part in writing for Joseph. 3 days later he started.

Question 22

Who was Emma Smith and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 22

(D&C 25)

Question 23

Who was John Whitmer and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 23

(e.g. assisted as scribe in translation of the BOM, one of the 8 witnesses)

Question 24

Who was David Whitmer and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 24

(e.g. one of the three witnesses)

Question 25

Who was Mary Elizabeth Rollins?

Answer 25

(just know she’s one of the sisters who saved printed pages of the Book of Commandments)

Question 26

Who was Caroline Rollins?

Answer 26

(just know she’s one of the sisters who saved printed pages of the Book of Commandments)

Question 27

Who was Hiram Page and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 27

(D&C 28)

Question 28

Who was Edward Partridge and what sections are they mentioned in the D&C?

Answer 28

(just know he’s the first bishop of the Church)

Question 29

Who was W.W. Phelps?

Answer 29

(just know he’s the first printer of the Church)

Question 30

Who was Sidney Rigdon?

Answer 30

(just know he’s the influential preacher who became a prominent leader in the early Church)

Question 31

Who was Robert Matthews?

Answer 31

(20th-century Latter-day Saint who helped bring the JST to our scriptures; typed the entire JST on a typewriter in the Community of Christ archives)

Question 32

When was the first vision?

Answer 32

Spring 1820

Question 33

When did John the Baptist confer the Aaronic priesthood and where?

Answer 33

May 15, 1829

Harmony, Pennsylvania

Question 34

When and where was the church organized?

Answer 34

April 6, 1830

Fayette, New York at the Whitmer home

Question 35

 What is the general idea of the Church statement about doctrine on the “Newsroom” website?

o Is all “doctrine” of equal importance or truth?

Answer 35

o Not every statement from a Church leader is doctrine. Doctrine is found in the scriptures.

 Not all doctrines are of equal importance “the precise location of the Garden of Eden is far less important than doctrine aboutJesus Christand His atoning sacrifice”

Question 36

 How can these statements help us practically evaluate what is and what is not the doctrine of the Church?

Question 37

 How would you evaluate a new historical source presented to you? What are questions that we should ask of historical sources to avoid making inaccurate assumptions?

Answer 37

(e.g. Is it a firsthand or secondhand account? How contemporary is the source? Who is publishing the source? etc.)

Who, what, when, where, why, intent and tone

Question 38

 Past and present are both involved in the recalling of any memory.

Answer 38

The [First Vision] accounts reveal that he [Joseph Smith] consciously interpreted the experience and discovered meanings in it later that were not available to him when it occurred” (Steven C. Harper

Question 39

How does our terminology of the Urim and Thummim differ from what was previously used?

Answer 39

This used more as a category of revelatory tools, now we only use it to reference that which was that with the plates by Moroni

Question 40

What years were the four first vision accounts written? What is unique about them?

Answer 40

1832 only account in JS handwriting
1835 given to robert matthew (aka joshua aka matthias the jewish minister)
1838 in the Pearl of Great Price
1842 Wentworth letter

Question 41

Where did oliver travel to to meet JS

Answer 41

Harmony, PA

Question 42

Where was JS when the translation was finished

Answer 42

Fayette, NY

Question 43

Where did Peter, James, and John visit JS and Oliver?

Answer 43

Susquahanna river near harmony, PA