DOCTRINE & COVENANTS - LESSON 2
JOSEPH SMITH-HISTORY 1:1-26

  1. Introductory Comments.
    1. Pioneer journal entry.
      1. From the writings of Jonathan Crosby.
        1. Brother Crosby writes about crossing Iowa: "During our first day's travel we came to a bad slue crossing in the road, and we got stuck fast so that we were compelled to unload in order to get out, but even then our team was not able to pull the empty wagon out. But just then, a large, fine yoke of oxen came along the road behind us overtaking us, unattended by any person, and which we considered very providential aid. So I hitched them on the wagon with my own team, and pulled out easily. I then turned the strange oxen loose again, loaded in the things we had taken out, and traveled on. We looked upon that aid and help as being directly from our Heavenly Father." (Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, Utah State Historical Society)
  2. The Need For A Restoration.
    1. Ask someone for a brief summary of the Great Apostasy.
    2. A brief history of Christianity.
      1. As we know, apostasy commenced in the days of the apostles.
        1. Paul: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking pervers things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:29-30)
        2. Paul also said that: "the mystery of iniquity doth already work". (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
      2. After the departure of the apostles, spiritual gifts ceased to exist in the church.
        1. Revelation & heavenly communication came to an end.
          1. Joseph Fielding Smith: "This condition also led to the universal belief, which the world holds even now, that the canon of scripture is full and there is to be no more scripture, notwithstanding the Lord has revealed through his servants that revelation is to continue." (Essentials In Church History, p8)
        2. There were changes in church government and the offices of the church.
      3. In the 4th Century, the church as it had evolved, became the state religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine.
        1. As the years marched on the simple principles of the Christian faith were embellished almost beyond recognition with pomp & mystic rites borrowed from pagan worship.
        2. Doctrines of the gospel were changed:
          1. The doctrine of the Godhead became one of mystery.
          2. The ordinance of baptism was changed to sprinkling.
          3. Infant baptism was instituted.
          4. Changes in the administration of the sacrament were instituted.
          5. Those entering the ministry were forbidden to marry.
    3. The Protestant Revolution.
      1. As time marched on there were many who recognized that the church had fallen from that taught by the scriptures and instituted by Jesus Christ and the apostles.
      2. Martin Luther was the foremost of those reformers.
      3. Another reformer, John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism said this:
        1. "It does not appear that these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were common in the Church for more than two or three centuries.... From this time they almost totally ceased.... The Christians had no more of the spirit of Christ than the other heathens." (John Wesley's Works, Vol. VII)
        2. Another time he stated that he waited for the Lord to send new apostles.
    4. Joseph Fielding Smith: "It was necessary, therefore, that one should be chosen and clothed with power from the Father to re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. In choosing a representative to stand at the head of this 'great and marvelous work about to come forth unto the children of men,' the Lord did not select one who was versed in the learning and traditions of the world."
  3. Introduction To Joseph Smith's Account.
    1. An incredible/remarkable story - from this small, humble beginning grows a story of epic proportions.
      1. The translation & coming forth of ancient scripture unknown to the modern world.
      2. The restoration of priesthood powers and keys from the beginning of man.
      3. A gathering that begins with the mission of one man and has now grown into an army of 50,000 missionaries.
      4. A people are driven from city to city, state to state, before finding a permanent home.
      5. This people becomes part of the making of America by blazing trails, settling the mountain valleys of the West, participating in the Mexican-American War, and being part of the discovery of gold in California.
      6. This people continue their impact on the West, America, and the world because of the kind of people that are being developed through their faith in the Restored Gospel.
      7. In the U.S. News & World Report article (referenced in the previous lesson) it was stated that "Mormonism stands on the threshold of becoming the first major faith to appear on Earth since the prophet Muhammed rode out of the desert." (U.S. News & World Report, Sep. 28, 1992)
      8. The whole story has yet to be told.
  4. Background.
    1. The Family.
      1. We see in the background of Joseph's ancestors traits and attitudes that were so important in the development of the Prophet.
      2. John Lathrop:
        1. An early ancestor on his mother's line, the Macks.
        2. A minister in the Church of England in the early 17th century.
        3. He came to not approve of the ritual of government of the Church & withdrew.
        4. He allied himself with the "Independents" and met secretly with them in London for 8 years.
          1. The bishop of London discovered their meeting place and sent officers who arrested Lathrop and 42 followers.
          2. They were fettered and confined in an old prison. After 2 years all were released except Lathrop.
          3. Lathrop was released from prison for a short time and allowed to visit his dying wife. After her death he was returned to prison.
          4. His children became destitute orphans and when the bishop heard this he finally released Lathrop from prison.
        5. Shortly after his release from prison, Lathrop took his children to America.
          1. Here in America he became a noted leader in church affairs.
      3. John Howland:
        1. A 5th great-great grandfather on the Mack line.
        2. One of 7 of Joseph progenitors that sailed on the Mayflower.
          1. While crossing the Atlantic, John narrowly escaped death during a violent storm.
          2. He survived that and the early trials in Plymouth to become "a profitable member, both in Church and Commonwealth."
      4. Solomon Mack:
        1. The Prophet's grandfather.
        2. He fought in the French and Indian War evidently having many narrow escapes.
        3. He, along with two of his sons, enlisted for service during the Revolution.
        4. Jason Mack, Solomon's son & Lucy's brother, became a Seeker.
          1. Believed by prayer & faith he could attain the gifts of the gospel enjoyed by the ancient apostles.
          2. Believed that at some future time God would manifest his power, as done anciently, in signs & wonders.
          3. Continued as a preacher the remainder of his life.
      5. Asael Smith.
        1. The Prophet's grandfather on his father's side.
        2. A pewholder in the Congregational Church in Topsfield, MA and Tunbridge, VT.
        3. Participated with two of his sons in the formulation of a Universalist society at Tunbridge.
        4. Due to having been burnt as a child, the cords on one side of his neck shrank, causing his head to tilt slightly.
          1. Asael did not agree with the religious views of many of his neighbors. They often said that his religious ideas were as distorted as his neck.
        5. Asael once prophesied the following: "It has been borne in upon my soul that one of my descendants will promulgate a work to revolutionize the world of religious faith."
      6. Lucy Mack:
        1. The Prophet's mother.
        2. She was one concerned with religion.
        3. Luck Mack Smith wrote: "In the midst of this anxiety of mind, I determined to obtain that which I had heard spoken so much of from the pulpit--a change of heart. "To accomplish this I spent much of my time reading the Bible and praying, but notwithstanding my great anxiety to experience a change of heart, another matter would always interpose in all my meditations--if I remain a member of no church, all religious people will say I am of the world, and if I join some one of the different denominations, all the rest will say I am in error. No church will admit I am right except the one with which I am associated. This makes them witnesses against each other, and how can I decide in such a case as this, seeing they are all unlike the Church of Christ, as it existed in former days." (HJS, pg 31)
      7. Joseph Smith, Sr.
        1. The Prophet's father.
        2. Lucy wrote that in 1811, in Tunbridge, Vermont, that "my husband's mind became much excited upon the subject of religion; yet he would not subscribe to any particular system of faith, but contended for the ancient order, as established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Apostles." (HJS, pg. 46)
          1. Lucy wrote that about this time her husband had a dream or vision and then said: "From this forward, my husband seemed more confirmed than ever in the opinion that there was no order or class of religionists that knew any more concerning the Kingdom of God than those of the world, or such as made no profession of religion whatever." (HJS, pg 48)
    2. Historical notes about this period:
      1. There were several periods of religious excitement following the establishment of the republic. The Smiths were part of this period.
      2. There was a new wave of revivalism that followed the War of 1812 and subsided somewhat after 1820.
      3. It was with this background and into this setting we find Joseph Smith being molded as a young boy.
  5. Joseph Smith's Own Story.
    1. Joseph Smith's Own Story (Joseph Smith - History).
      1. Consider the eloquent language of this "uneducated" man.
      2.  READ JSH 1-4. Introduction & family background.
      3.  READ JSH 5-10. Period of great religious excitement.
        1. HOW DO THESE CONDITIONS SHOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL AS TAUGHT BY JESUS?
      4.  READ JSH 11-14. Joseph reads from James.
        1. WHAT PROCESS DID JOSEPH FOLLOW IN HIS SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH?
          1. His mind was active.
          2. He read and pondered the scriptures.
            1. Elder L. Tom Perry: "The scriptures that are never read will never help us."
          3. He prayed in simple faith.
    2. The First Vision.
      1. If time, play Pillar of Light from Music of The Work and the Glory.
      2.  READ JSH 15-20. Joseph's vision.
        1. AN IMPORTANT EVENT - A VISION ALMOST WITHOUT PARALLEL IN SCRIPTURAL HISTORY. WHAT OTHER EVENTS COMPARE?
          1. Voice of the Father at the Lord's baptism.
          2. Voice of the Father at the Mt of Transfiguration.
          3. When Stephen was toned he looked up into heaven and "saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."
        2. WHAT TRUTHS WERE LEARNED FROM THIS FIRST VISION?
          1. God lives.
          2. The personality of God.
          3. The heavens are not closed and God answers prayers.
          4. None of the churches then on earth were correct.
            1. Notice Joseph's question: "I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)--and which I should join." (18)
            2. It did not occur to Joseph that none of the churches were correct. This thought seemed to have not crossed his mind. What a revelation!
          5. The great power of the adversary.
            1. "It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?"
            2. Unlike us, the adversary, Lucifer, did not have the veil pulled over his memory. He know who Joseph Smith was. He knew the work that would be his. The battle had begun. This is a battle, a war, that we will see surface time after time in our studies for the next year.
        3. AS WE CONSIDER SATAN'S ATTEMPT TO DESTROY JOSEPH, WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT, ADVERSITY, AND FEAR?
          1. Encounter with the adversary by Heber C. Kimball and others opening the British mission.
            1. Years later Heber asked the Prophet what this vision had meant and if anything was wrong with him to have such a manifestation.
            2. Joseph responded: "No, Brother Heber, at that time you were nigh unto the Lord; there was only a veil between you and Him, but you could not see Him. When I heard of it, it gave me great joy, for I then knew that the work of God had taken root in that land. It was this that caused the devil to make a struggle to kill you."
            3. The Prophet continued: "The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes."
        4. CONSIDER THE SENSITIVITY OF JOSEPH'S MOTHER WHEN HE RETURNS HOME AFTER THIS VISION.
          1. Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "We should be grateful...for model families in the past, such as that of Joseph Smith sr., who, along with his wife, Luck Mack Smith, gave a boy prophet love, leadership, example, and support. Suppose, after walking back from that theophany at Palmyra, young Joseph Smith had encountered task-oriented ("Get the chores done!"), nonlistening parents? Or a jealous older brother? With all else he had to meet in the way of ridicule and persecution, could that lad have done his special work without the love and courage of a family that quietly, uncomplainingly agreed to share in his work and in his fate?" (That My Family Should Partake, p2)
      3.  READ JSH 21-26. Observations on the vision.
        1. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN PERSECUTED FOR YOUR TESTIMONY?
        2. HOW CAN WE BE SENSITIVE TO NONMEMBERS WHO TAKE OFFENSE AT THE STATEMENT THAT "ALL THEIR CREEDS WERE AN ABOMINATION" WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE CHURCH'S POSITION AS "THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING CHURCH UPON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH"?
          1. James E. Talmage: "When we say that the Lord is not pleased with those churches, we do not mean that he is not pleased with the members thereof.... ...the Church as such may be wholly corrupt because of the false claims that are being made for it, and yet there may be people who are doing their best."
          2. President Benson: "This message constitutes the heart and the foundation of the Church. If Joseph Smith's testimony of seeing God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is not true, then Mormonism represents a false system of belief. But if this vision was reality--and there are thousands who attest that it is by the verifying witness of God's Holy Spirit--then the Church of Jesus Christ was and is restored on earth again."
  6. Next Week.
    1. Lesson 3: D&C 2, Joseph Smith--History 1:27-54.