D&C/CHURCH HISTORY - LESSON 16
D&C 51-56

  1. Introductory Comments.
  2. Section 51.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. In the spring of 1831 saints were migrating from the eastern states to the Kirtland area.
      2. It was primarily the function of the bishop to make arrangements for their settlement. Although the basic elements of the law of consecration had been given in Section 42, Bishop Partridge sought additional instruction on matters that needed more detailed answers.
      3. The Prophet received this revelation in May 1831 at Thompson, Ohio.
    2. The Lord's instructions to Bishop Partridge for organizing the Saints:
      1. V3: To appoint to every man equal according to his:
        1. Family.
        2. Circumstances.
        3. Wants.
        4. Needs.
      2. V4-5: Everyone would transfer his property to the bishop.
        1. The bishop would deed back whatever each one needed - stewardship.
          1. The surplus was retained by the bishop for those who could not provide for themselves.
        2. In the case of transgression, one who was removed from the church would lose their standing in the society. They would retain the property deeded to them, but would have no claim on the portion set apart for the sick and needy.
      3. V8: An agent to be appointed to take the excess money provide food and clothing for the people. The agent would see to it, that property was not unduly accumulated, but that the needs of all were supplied.
        1. How would you like that calling?
      4. V13: The bishop to appoint a storehouse where the products of the community would be stored.
      5. V14: The bishop to reserve a portion for himself & his family while he is engaged in this business.
      6. In regards to our time, President Kimball said, "Consecration is the giving of one's time, talents, and means to care for those in need--whether spiritually or temporally--and in building the Lord's kingdom. In Welfare Services, members consecrate as they labor on production projects, donate materials to Deseret Industries, share their professional talents, give a generous fast offering, and respond to ward and quorum service projects. They consecrate their time in their home or visiting teaching. We consecrate when we give of ourselves." (Ensign, Aug. 1984, p4)
      7.  READ V9. Deal honestly.
        1. Certainly, the law of consecration is dependent upon adherence to this principle.
        2. TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE HONEST & UNIFIED. HOW MIGHT WE SOMETIMES BE DISHONEST WITH OURSELVES, WITH OUR FELLOWMEN, OR WITH GOD?
  3. Section 52.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. On Friday, June 3, 1831, a special conference of elders was convened in Kirtland.
        1. This was the 4th General Conference of the Church.
        2. Many who attended this conference had never heard the Prophet speak.
          1. Those who attended said that he was inspired by the power of the Holy Ghost.
          2. Jared Carter wrote, "Surely the Holy Ghost spoke through him and marvelous, indeed, was the display of the power of the Spirit among the Elders present." (Barrett, p181)
          3. Brother Carter also wrote that Joseph "prophesied that John the Revelator was then among the Ten Tribes of Israel..." preparing them for their return.
        3. The first high priests in this dispensation were ordained. 19 elders were ordained to this position.
      2. Section 52 was revealed to the Prophet on the day following the conclusion of this conference.
    2. Discussion of Section 52.
      1.  READ V2-3. Missouri, a land consecrated for the Lord's people. Joseph & Sidney called to journey to Missouri.
        1. In this section, several others given instructions to travel to Missouri and preach the gospel along the way
      2.  READ V9. Teach only that which is written by the apostles & prophets.
        1. This is the standard by which to determine what is taught in the Church.
        2. Bruce R. McConkie: "The truth of all things is measured by the scriptures. That which harmonizes with them should be accepted; that which is contrary to their teachings, however plausible it may seem for the moment, will not endure and should be rejected." (Mormon Doctrine, p765)
      3.  READ V14-19. The Lord gives a pattern that ye may not be deceived.
        1. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?
          1. This is the pattern of how to discern between false and true spirits.
          2. Those who exhibit the following traits are of the Lord.
            1. V15: Pray, contrite spirit, obedience to the ordinances.
            2. V16: Language is meek & edifieth.
            3. V17: He that trembleth under the Lord's power (meek & submissive). Fruits - Shall be made strong.
          3. V18: He that is overcome and does not bring forth fruits according to this pattern is not of the Lord.
            1. D&C Commentary: "There were some in these early days who were not fully converted, and their spirits not being contrite they failed in their ministry, and did not follow the pattern of prayer, humility and faith." (p306)
            2. One example of this was James Covill mention in Sections 39 & 40.
      4.  READ V40. Remember the sick & the needy.
        1. TO WHAT EXTENT, DO WE AS A PEOPLE, POSSESS THIS CHARACTERISTIC?
      5. V43: "But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing."
        1. WHAT CITY IS THE LORD MAKING REFERENCE TO?
        2. D&C Commentary: "The Lord assured the Elders about to depart for Missouri, that He would hasten the time for the building of the New Jerusalem, and crown the faithful with joy. He is ready; whenever His people are ready, they may look for the redemption of Zion." (p311)
  4. Section 53.
    1. Revelation through the Prophet directed towards Algernon Sidney f righteousness." (TPJS, p64)
  5. Section 54.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. Last week we talked a little of Leman Copley, the Shaker who had joined the Church.
        1. After joining the Church, he had consecrated his land near Thompson, Ohio, to Bishop Partridge.
        2. The members of the Colesville branch, who had moved together from New York, were settled on the consecrated land of Brother Copley by Bishop Partridge according to the laws of the United Order as instructed in Section 51.
        3. After returning from his mission to the Shakers, Brother Copley apostatized from the Church, broke the covenant of consecration, and ordered the Colesville Saints off his land.
      2. The rebellion of Brother Copley sent the Colesville Saints into a frenzy. Newel Knight was sent to the Prophet to learn what these Saints should do. He arrived at the time of the special conference being held in Kirtland in June 1831.
      3. Section 54 was given through the Prophet to Newel Knight at Kirtland in June 1831.
    2. Discussion of Section 54.
      1.  READ V3: If this group wished to escape their enemies, they were to repent.
        1. HOW CAN BECOMING HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HELP YOU ESCAPE YOUR ENEMIES?
      2. V4: Since the covenant had been broken it had become void and of no effect and the order was dissolved.
      3. V7-8: Commanded to flee the land (leave Ohio) and move westward to Missouri.
      4. V9: The order to not be re-established. They were to earn a living like unto other men.
      5. READ V10. Be patient in tribulation.
        1. DOES THIS APPLY TO US TODAY?
    3. After receipt of this revelation, Newel Knight wrote:
      1. "We now understood that this was not the land of our inheritance--the land of promise, for it was made known in a revelation, that Missouri was the place chosen for the gathering of the Church, and several were called to lead the way to that state. "A revelation was also given concerning the gathering, on the receipt of which we, who constituted the Colesville branch, immediately set to preparing for our journey, and on the third day of June, I took passage with the Colesville company at Wellsville, Ohio...." (Barrett, p182)
  6. Section 55.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. In June of 1831, Joseph was making preparations for his journey to Missouri.
        1. While he was making those preparations, a man by the name of William W. Phelps knocked on Joseph's door.
        2. Phelps had closed his printing establishment at Canandaigua, New York, and had brought his family to Kirtland "to do the will of the Lord".
          1. Phelps had not yet been baptized, but had been converted by reading the Book of Mormon. Said Phelps, "By that book I learned the right way to God..."
        3. He came to Joseph to seek the will of the Lord.
        4. Section 55 was given through the Prophet at Kirtland in response to William's inquiry.
      2. WHAT ROLE DID WILLIAM W. PHELPS PLAY IN CHURCH HISTORY?
        1. He set up the first printing press for the Church in Missouri.
        2. Published the first Church newspaper, The Evening and Morning Star.
        3. Helped select, prepare, and publish the revelations in the Book of Commandments.
        4. Wrote hymns, including "The Spirit of God" and "Gently Raise The Sacred Strain."
    2. Discussion of Section 55.
      1. V2: To be ordained an elder to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism.
      2. V4: To be ordained to assist Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing and of selecting and writing books for the schools in the church.
        1. Wrote Phelps at a later time, "As a people we are fast approaching a desired end, which may literally be called a beginning. Thus far, we cannot be reproached with being backward in instruction. By revelation, in 1831, I was appointed to 'do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children might receive instruction;' and since then I have received a further sanction. We are preparing to go out from among the people, where we can serve God in righteousness; and the first thing is, to teach our children; for they are as the Israel of old. It is our children who will take the kingdom and bear it off to all the world. The first commandment with promise to Israel was, 'Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' We will instruct our children in the paths of righteousness; and we want that instruction compiled in a book." (Times and Seasons, 1 Nov 1845, p1015)
        2. This is an attitude towards education that has existed in the Church from the beginning.
      3. V5: Called to accompany Joseph & Sidney on their journey to Missouri.
  7. Section 56.
    1. Historical Background.
      1. Given to the Prophet at Kirtland in June 1831.
      2. Ezra Thayre was not ready to start his mission when Thomas B. Marsh was ready to begin.
        1. Ezra Thayre was involved in the controversy over consecration at Thompson, Ohio.
        2. Section 56 was given in response to this situation.
    2. Discussion of Section 56.
      1.  READ V1-3. Those of the church that do not the will of the Lord to be cut off.
      2. V5: Ezra Thayre's call revoked. Thomas Marsh to travel to Missouri with Selah J. Griffin.
      3.  READ V14-15. The saints have "many things" to repent of.
        1. WHAT THINGS DID THE LORD INDICATE NEEDED TO BE REPENTED OF?
          1. Seek to counsel in your own ways.
          2. Hearts are not satisfied.
          3. Obey not the truth.
          4. Pleasure in unrighteousness.
        2. ARE WE EVER GUILTY OF SOME OF THESE THINGS?
      4.  READ V16-17. The Lord speaks to the rich and the poor.
        1. WHAT IS THE LORD'S COUNSEL TO RICH MEN? TO POOR MEN?
          1. RICH:
            1. Wo unto them who give not your substance to the poor.
              1. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
          2. POOR:
            1. Hearts not broken, spirits not contrite.
            2. Bellies not satisfied.
            3. Hands not stayed from laying hold of other men's goods (welfare, lottery).
            4. Eyes full of greediness.
            5. Will not labor with your own hands (lazy).
  8. Next Week.
    1. Lessons 17 & 18: D&C 57-62.