D&C/CHURCH HISTORY - LESSON 11
D&C 30-36

  1. Introductory Comments.
  2. Section 30.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. September 26, 1830 - The second conference of the Church convened in the home of Peter Whitmer in Fayette, NY.
        1. Oliver Cowdery reported that 35 members had converted since the June conference bringing the total membership to 62.
        2. Hiram Page's revelations were discussed and all members present renounced them.
        3. Joseph Smith was appointed by unanimous consent of the conference to receive revelations and commandments for the Church.
        4. Thought and prayer was given to the mission of Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr to the Lamanites on the Western frontier.
        5. David Whitmer was appointed to keep church records until the next conference.
      2. The following revelation was given at the end of the conference, but prior to its breakup.
        1. Directed to David, Peter, and John Whitmer.
    2. Discussion of Section 30.
      1.  READ 30:1.
        1. Many of us could replace David's name with our own in these verses.
        2. DAVID WHITMER WAS CHASTENED BECAUSE HE DID NOT RELY ON THE LORD FOR STRENGTH. HOW ARE YOU AFFECTED WHEN YOU RELY TOO MUCH ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH?
        3. HOW CAN WE LEARN TO RELY ON THE LORD FOR STRENGTH?
          1. Alma 26:12: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
        4. WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE STRENGTHENED YOUR TESTIMONY OF THE LORD'S CAPACITY TO CARRY YOUR BURDENS?
      2.  READ 30:2.
        1. WHAT HAD DISTRACTED DAVID WHITMER FROM HIS DUTY?
          1. "your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me"
          2. DOES THIS EVER HAPPEN TO US?
        2. HOW CAN WE SHIFT ATTENTION FROM EARTHLY CONCERNS TO SPIRITUAL CONCERNS?
          1. Read the scriptures - they will lead us to the Spirit and teach us what we must do.
          2. Prayer.
      3. In v5 Peter Whitmer is called to join Oliver on his mission to the Lamanites.
  3. Section 31.
    1. This section was received by the Prophet in September 1830 and directed to a new convert, Thomas B. Marsh.
      1. V1: Commended for his faithfulness.
      2. V2: His family to be blessed.
      3. V4: Called to preach the restored gospel.
      4. V9: Commanded to govern his house in meekness.
  4. Section 32.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. In 1830, a man by the name of Parley P. Pratt had been living and farming in Ohio. He informed his brother William that he was going to leave his farm and go out and share the good news of the gospel.
        1. Prior to this time Parley had been a Baptist, but had switched to the Reformed Baptist or Campbellite faith due to the preaching of a Sidney Rigdon.
        2. Says Parley: "In August, 1830, I had closed my business, completed my arrangements, and we bid adieu to our wilderness home and never saw it afterwords. "On settling up, at a great sacrifice of property, we had about ten dollars left in cash. With this small sum, we launched forth into the wide world, determining first to visit our native place, on our mission, and then such other places as I might be led to by the Holy Spirit." (PPP, p35)
      2. He says that they went to Cleveland and that booked passage on a "schooner" for Buffalo.
        1. They then took a canal boat to Albany.
        2. He says that at Rochester, he and his wife decided to part. She would go and visit some friends and Parley would continue on as directed by the Spirit.
      3. SHOW VIDEO CLIP: Parley P. Pratt Finds The Book of Mormon.
        1. The power of the word. Says Parley: "As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life. I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation." (PPP, pp36-37)
      4. Parley said that he then went to the village of Palmyra in search of "Mr. Joseph Smith."
        1. He says that he overtook a man driving some cows and inquired of him for Mr. Joseph Smith.
        2. The man said that Joseph resided in Pennsylvania, a hundred miles distant.
        3. Parley then inquired after Joseph's father or any other members of the family.
        4. The man said he was Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother.
        5. Hyrum invited Parley home. Says Parley: "...we spent the night together; for neither of us felt disposed to sleep. We conversed most of the night, during which I unfolded to him much of my experience in my search after truth, and my success so far; together with that which I felt was lacking, viz: a commissioned priesthood, or apostleship to minister in the ordinances of God."(PPP, p38)
        6. Hyrum then told him of Joseph's story and what had transpired in the restoration. Says Parley: "After duly weighing the whole matter in my mind I saw clearly that these things were true;"
      5. On September 1, 1830, Parley P. Pratt was baptized by Oliver Cowdery in Seneca Lake.
        1. That evening, following his confirmation he was ordained an Elder by Oliver Cowdery.
        2. Following his baptism he went to Canaan, NY where is wife was staying and his family resided.
        3. He taught the gospel to his family. His younger brother, Orson, a youth of 19 years, received it with all his heart and was baptized.
      6. Following Orson's conversion, Parley returned to Fayette where he met the Prophet for the first time.
      7. Following Orson's conversion, Parley returned to Fayette where he met the Prophet for the first time.
    2. Discussion of Section 32.
      1.  READ 32:4-5.
        1. WHAT IS THE LORD TEACHING PARLEY & ZIBA HERE?
        2. They are to give heed to and teach the gospel as revealed. They are not to teach their own interpretations.
        3. They are to pray always to gain an understanding of the word.
        4. They are then to obey the word and not "trifle" with it.
        5. If they do so, they will be blessed.
  5. Section 33.
    1. Section 33 was given in October 1830, after the departure of the missionaries to the west.
      1.  READ 33:3-6.
        1. Emphasis again of the lateness of the hour.
        2. Ezra Thayre & Northrup Sweet are called to the work.
          1. V7: "...I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength."
      2. V17-18: "Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom-- "For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen."
      3. This was given in 1830. Consider how much later the hour is now.
  6. Section 34.
    1. On November 4, 1830, Parley's brother Orson arrived in Fayette, NY and met the Prophet.
      1. Joseph says that Orson "came to inquire of the Lord what his duty was".
      2. In this revelation Orson is called to the work.
        1. V5-7: "And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel-- "To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming. "For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory."
      3. Orson accepted the call and served the Church and kingdom faithfully to the end of his life.
  7. Section 35.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Parley P. Pratt, & Ziba Peterson left on their mission to the west on October 15.
      2. Later that month Parley led his three companions to the home of Reverend Sidney Rigdon, who lived in Mentor, Ohio.
        1. Parley was anxious to share the message of the gospel to the man who had a few months earlier converted Parley to the Reformed Baptist faith.
        2. When they shared the Book of Mormon with Sidney, he expressed doubts about their claims. They tried to argue their point and Sidney responded: "No, young gentlemen, you must not argue with me on this subject; but I will read the book, and see what claims it has upon my faith, and will endeavor to ascertain whether it be a revelation from God or not."
        3. Sidney consented to the missionaries preaching in his chapel.
        4. The missionaries continued west to Kirtland where they preached.
        5. When Oliver and Parley returned to Mentor a couple weeks later, they found that Sidney was ready to join the Church. Rigdon and his wife were baptized.
      3. By the time the four missionaries continued their mission west, they had left three organized branches of the Church in Ohio: Kirtland, Warrensville, and Mentor (presided over by Sidney Rigdon).
      4. On December 10, 1830 Sidney Rigdon and his friend, Edward Partridge, arrived in Fayette from Ohio. Edward Partridge was baptized by the Prophet the day after their arrival.
      5. Section 35 was directed at Sidney Rigdon and Section 36 at Edward Partridge.
    2. Discussion of Section 35.
      1. V13: "Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my Spirit;"
        1. D&C Commentary: "Threshing in olden times, was done by treading out the grain on a threshing-floor. The going forth of the messengers of the gospel among the nations is like trampling the wheat sheaves on the hard floor. The valuable kernels are carefully gathered up; the straw is left."
      2. The promise to the missionaries, the weak things of the world.
        1. V14: "And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them."
      3. The Prophet had begun his retranslation of the Bible at this time and in V20 Sidney was commanded to scribe for the Prophet in this endeavor.
      4. V24: "Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;"
  8. Next Week.
    1. Lesson 12: Sections 37-41.