Lessons 1 & 2: Intro to Doctrine & Covenants & Church History

Purpose:

To introduce class members to this year’s study of the Doctrine and Covenants and Church history and to help them understand their place in the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Lesson Reading:

• D&C Introduction
• D&C 1
• Our Heritage - Introduction
• Revelations in Context - William McLellin's Five Questions
• D&C 18:33–36
• D&C 84:60
• D&C 88:66
• Bible Dictionary - Dispensations

Church History Study Resources Intros:

• Our Heritage
• Gospel Doctrine Class Member Study Guide
• Church History Chronology
• Church History Maps
• Gospel Topics Essays - Introduction
• The Church Historian's Press - Home Page
  • About The Church Historian Press
  • The Joseph Smith Papers - About The Project
  • The Joseph Smith Papers - An Introduction
  • The First Fifty Years of Relief Society - About
• Church History Website - Home Page
  • Church History Website - Online Resources Directory
  • Revelations in Context - Series Introduction
  • Historic Sites Virtual Tours Intro
  • Pioneers in Every Land Intro
• Daughters in My Kingdom - The History & Work of Relief Society - Preface

Questions to Ponder:
1. The revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants address the needs of our day.

• Read the third paragraph in the Explanatory Introduction, found at the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants (this paragraph begins with the phrase “The book of”). How is the Doctrine and Covenants different from other books of scripture? What passages in the Doctrine and Covenants have been especially helpful or meaningful to you?
• Read the sixth paragraph in the Explanatory Introduction (this paragraph begins with the phrase “These sacred revelations”). What does this paragraph teach about how the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received? Why is it helpful to understand that most of the revelations came as answers to prayers?
• Read the eighth paragraph in the Explanatory Introduction (this paragraph begins with the phrase “In the revelations”). What are some of the doctrines of the gospel that are explained in the Doctrine and Covenants?

2. The Lord authored the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants.

On 1 November 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith presided at a special conference of elders, held in Hiram, Ohio. Those in attendance decided to compile some of the revelations the Prophet had received and publish them in a book called the Book of Commandments. Following the first session of this conference, the Lord signified His approval for the publication by giving Joseph Smith a revelation that He called “my preface unto the book of my commandments” (D&C 1:6). This revelation is now section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Doctrine and Covenants is the only book in the world that has a preface written by the Lord Himself. In that preface He declares to the world that His voice is unto all men (see v. 2), that the coming of the Lord is nigh (see v. 12), and that the truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants will all be fulfilled (see vs. 37–38)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 79).

• In D&C 1, the Lord raises a “voice of warning,” which He continues throughout the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 1:4). What warnings does the Lord issue in this section? (See D&C 1:7–10, 12–16, 31–33.) How do these warnings apply to us?
• For whom are the messages of the Doctrine and Covenants intended? (See D&C 1:1–4, 11, 34–35.) How are these messages to go to all people? (See D&C 1:4.)
• In D&C 1, the Lord foretells the great destiny of His latter-day work (D&C 1:23, 30). How are the prophecies of the Church’s growth being fulfilled in our day?
• In D&C 1, the Lord explains some of the purposes for the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. Read D&C 1:17–28. As recorded in these verses, what are some of the purposes of the revelations?
• Read D&C 1:37–38 and D&C 18:34–36. What does the Lord teach us about His words and His voice in these verses? How is searching the scriptures different from merely reading them? How have you benefited from searching the Lord’s words in the Doctrine and Covenants?

3. This course will discuss major events of the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Read Bible Dictionary Definition of "Dispensations."

“Prophets, priests and kings … have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory, ‘the dispensation of the fulness of times’” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 231).

• Why is our dispensation different from any of the previous ones? What are some of the blessings and responsibilities of living in this dispensation?

This dispensation can be divided into six historical periods as follows:

New York Period	1820–1830
Ohio-Missouri Period	1831–1838
Nauvoo Period	1839–1846
Pioneering the West	1846–1898
Expansion of the Church	1899–1950
The Worldwide Church	1951–present

Many of the important events in these six historical periods are summarized in “Church History Chronology” on pages 272–73 in this manual and pages 27–28 in the Class Member Study Guide.

• Which events in the history of the Church have particular significance to you?

4. We can each help to move forward this great latter-day work.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us” (quoted by Marvin J. Ashton, in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 36).

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The most serious challenge we face, and the most wonderful challenge, is the challenge that comes of growth” (quoted in “President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Apr. 1995, 6).

• What are some challenges that are presented by the Church’s tremendous growth? What are some examples of the Church’s efforts to meet these challenges?

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “This is a season of a thousand opportunities. It is ours to grasp and move forward. What a wonderful time it is for each of us to do his or her small part in moving the work of the Lord on to its magnificent destiny” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 90–91; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 67).

• What can we each do individually and in our families to help move forward the Lord’s great latter-day work?

Lesson 48: Come unto Christ

Purpose:
To teach class members how to judge between good and evil and how to receive a testimony of the gospel and the Book of Mormon.

Reading:

Moroni 7-10

The Most Important Three Things in the World - Brett G. Scharffs

"Always Have His Spirit" - Elder Dallin H. Oaks


Overview:

1. Mormon explains how to judge between good and evil.

Discuss Moroni 7:1–19. Invite class members to read selected verses aloud. Point out that Moroni 7 contains the words of Mormon, as recorded by his son Moroni.

• Mormon referred to the members of the Church as "peaceable followers of Christ" (Moroni 7:3). On what basis did Mormon make this judgment about the Church members? (See Moroni 7:4–5.) How do we become "peaceable followers of Christ"?
   
• What did Mormon teach about the importance of our motives for doing good works? (See Moroni 7:6–9.) What does it mean to give a gift or pray "with real intent"? How can we purify our motives for doing good?
   
• What did Mormon teach about how we can discern good from evil? (See Moroni 7:12–19.)
   
• Mormon cautioned the people to "take heed … that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good … to be of the devil" (Moroni 7:14; see also 2 Nephi 15:20). What are some ways in which you see this happening today?
   
• What influence have we been given to help us judge good from evil? (See Moroni 7:16, 18–19.)
   
• In what ways has the light of Christ helped you discern good from evil? How can we become more receptive to the guidance of the light of Christ?
   

2. Mormon explains the importance of faith, hope, and charity.

• Mormon asked, "How is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?" (Moroni 7:20). How did he answer this question? (See Moroni 7:21–26)
   
• What is the relationship between faith and miracles? (See Moroni 7:28–30, 35–38.) Why is it necessary for faith to precede miracles? (See Moroni 7:37; see also Ether 12:12, 18 and the quotation below.) Why don't miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith? President Brigham Young said, "Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God" (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 341).
  
• What is hope? What relationship exists between faith and hope? (See Moroni 7:40–42.) Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: "As used in the revelations, hope is the desire of faithful people to gain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God hereafter. … Faith and hope are inseparable. Hope enables [us] to have faith in the first instance and then because of faith that hope increases until salvation is gained" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 365–66).
  
• What quality must precede faith and hope? (See Moroni 7:43.) Why must a person be "meek, and lowly of heart" to have true faith and hope?
   
• Mormon taught that in addition to faith and hope, we must have charity. What is charity? (See Moroni 7:46–47.) What are the characteristics of charity? (See Moroni 7:45.) How have experiences in your life confirmed that "charity never faileth"?
   
• How can we increase our faith and hope? How can we become filled with the pure love of Christ? Why must we strive to possess faith, hope, and charity? (See Moroni 10:20–21.)

3. Mormon teaches that little children are saved through Christ's Atonement.

• Why do little children not need baptism? (See Moroni 8:8–9, 11, 19–20) Why is the baptism of little children "mockery before God"? (See Moroni 8:20, 22–23.)
   
• How can those of us who have sinned gain salvation through the Atonement of Christ? (See Moroni 8:10, 24–26.)
   

4. The Holy Ghost testifies of all truth. Spiritual gifts follow those who come unto Christ.

• As the final chapter in the Book of Mormon, Moroni 10 contains Moroni's closing words. To whom is this chapter addressed? (See Moroni 10:1.) Moroni closes with "a few words by way of exhortation" (Moroni 10:2).
   
• Moroni exhorted us to "deny not the power of God" (Moroni 10:7). In what ways might we sometimes deny God's power?
  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
  "The Savior said, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid' (John 14:27).
  "I submit to you, that may be one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord's merciful heart. I can tell you this as a parent: as concerned as I would be if somewhere in their lives one of my children were seriously troubled or unhappy or disobedient, nevertheless I would be infinitely more devastated if I felt that at such a time that child could not trust me to help or thought his or her interest was unimportant to me or unsafe in my care. In that same spirit, I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands or trust in his commandments" ("Come unto Me," Ensign, Apr. 1998, 19).
  
  
• What did Moroni teach about spiritual gifts? (See Moroni 10:8–19.) Why do we each receive different gifts from God? (See D&C 46:11–12.)
   
• What have you learned and felt as you have pondered the messages of the Book of Mormon?
   
• How does Moroni's exhortation to "come unto Christ" reflect the entire message of the Book of Mormon? (Moroni 10:30, 32). In what specific ways has this year's study of the Book of Mormon helped you come unto Christ?

Lesson 47: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Reading:
Moroni 1-6


Additional reading: 

Why the Church - By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

In the Strength of the Lord - Henry B. Eyring


Overview:

a. Moroni 1. Having survived the destruction of the Nephites, Moroni continues his writings. He must remain in hiding because he "will not deny the Christ."

b. Moroni 2–5. Moroni teaches about essential gospel ordinances.

c. Moroni 6. Moroni explains the requirements for Church membership and the need for record keeping and fellowshipping.



Questions to Ponder:

1. Having survived the destruction of the Nephites, Moroni continues his writings.

• What were Moroni's circumstances when he wrote this chapter? (See Moroni 1:1.
• Why would the Lamanites have killed him? (See Moroni 1:2–3.) 
• What does this show us about Moroni's faith? 
  • How can we develop such a firm testimony of Jesus Christ?
• Why did Moroni continue to write? (See Moroni 1:4.)

2. Moroni teaches about essential gospel ordinances.
The Book of Mormon teaches us about the importance of the ordinances of the gospel. However, until the book of Moroni, relatively little is recorded about how ordinances were performed. Moroni increases our understanding of how ordinances were performed in the ancient Church.

• How did the Savior instruct the disciples to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost? (See Moroni 2:2.)
• What were priests and teachers ordained to do? (See Moroni 3:3.)
  • How are these responsibilities similar to the duties of priesthood holders today? (See D&C 20:46–59.) 
  • How can we help Aaronic Priesthood bearers understand and fulfill their assigned duties?
• What covenants do we make through the sacrament? (See Moroni 4:3; 5:2.)
• What are we promised in return? 
• How do you feel when you have partaken of the sacrament reverently and worthily?
• Why are chapters 2–5 important for our day? 
• How does it strengthen you to see the same ordinances present in different dispensations of the Lord's Church?

3. Moroni explains the requirements for Church membership and the need for record keeping and fellowshipping.

• What did Moroni teach about the requirements for baptism? (See Moroni 6:1–3.)
• Moroni taught that after people were baptized and had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, "they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken" (Moroni 6:4). 
  • Why were their names recorded? (See Moroni 6:4.) 
  • Who has the responsibility to see that both long-time and new members are "remembered and nourished by the good word of God"? 
    • President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "Any convert whose faith grows cold is a tragedy. Any member who falls into inactivity is a matter for serious concern. The Lord left the ninety and nine to find the lost sheep. His concern for the dropout was so serious that He made it the theme of one of His great lessons. We must constantly keep Church officers and the membership aware of the tremendous obligation to fellowship in a very real and warm and wonderful way those who come into the Church as converts, and to reach out with love to those who for one reason or another step into the shadows of inactivity" (in Church News, 8 Apr. 1989, 6).
    • President Hinckley also said: "With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with 'the good word of God' (Moroni 6:4)" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).
• What can we do to follow President Hinckley's counsel? How have you been blessed by others who have remembered and nourished you?
• Moroni recorded that the Church "did meet together oft" (Moroni 6:5). 
  • Why? (See Moroni 6:5–6.) 
  • How are we strengthened when we fast and pray together? 
  • How do Church meetings give us an opportunity to speak to each other "concerning the welfare of [our] souls"? 
  • Why is it important that we meet together to partake of the sacrament?
• What did Moroni teach about how Church meetings were conducted? (See Moroni 6:9.) 
• What can each of us do to invite the Spirit into our meetings?

Lesson 46: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

Purpose:

To help class members understand the warnings and counsel given by Mormon and Moroni to people living in the latter days.

Reading:
Ether 7–15

Additional reading: 
The Guide to the Scriptures - Faith

Overview:
a. Ether 7–11 records the succession of righteous and wicked kings, the rise of secret combinations among the people, and the teachings of prophets who were called to preach repentance to the Jaredites. 
Ether 12 begins the account of the teachings of Ether, who was one of those prophets.  
Ether 12:1–22. Moroni explains the importance of faith and gives examples of the power of faith.
b. Ether 12:23–41. The Lord teaches Moroni that He gives us weakness that we may be humble. Moroni commends us to “seek this Jesus, of whom the prophets and apostles have written.”
c. Ether 13:1–12. Moroni records Ether’s prophecies concerning the promised land.
d. Ether 13:13–15:34. Moroni records Ether’s account of the destruction of the Jaredite civilization.

Questions to Ponder:
a. As we discussed in last weeks lesson, after arriving in the promised land, the Jaredites began to “multiply … and wax strong in the land” (Ether 6:18). When Jared and his brother died, a king was appointed to lead the people (Ether 6:21–30). Ether 7–11 records the succession of righteous and wicked kings, the rise of secret combinations among the people, and the teachings of prophets who were called to preach repentance to the Jaredites. Ether 12 begins the account of the teachings of Ether, who was one of those prophets.
Review the prophesies of Ether found in Ether 12:1–22.

• Ether exhorted the people to believe in God, saying that “by faith all things are fulfilled” (Ether 12:3.) 
  • How did Ether describe those who believe in God? (See Ether 12:4.) 
  • How can faith and hope be an anchor for us? 
  • What are some examples of how faith leads to good works that glorify God?
• Ether prophesied “great and marvelous things” to the people, but they did not believe him. (See Ether 12:5.)
  • Why?
  • How have you or other people have been blessed for following prophetic counsel even when they could not “see” or understand the reasons for the counsel.
• Moroni recorded that the people would not believe the prophecies of Ether because they could not see them. Moroni then defined faith and gave examples of it. 
  • How did he define faith? (See Ether 12:6; see also Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21.) 
  • What do you think it means that we “receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith”? (Ether 12:6; see also Ether 12:29–31; D&C 58:2–4.) 
  • In what ways have trials strengthened and confirmed your faith?
• Moroni listed several events that occurred as a result of faith. 
  • What events did he list? (See Ether 12:7–22). 
  • What other examples from the scriptures have shown you the power of faith?
• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, 
  • “We receive by faith all temporal blessings that we do receive, [and] we in like manner receive by faith all spiritual blessings that we do receive” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 3). 
  • What are some blessings you have received because of your faith?

b. The Lord teaches Moroni that He gives us weakness that we may be humble.  (Ether 12:23–41.)

• What was Moroni’s concern about how the Gentiles would receive his record? (See Ether 12:23–25.) 
  • What was the Lord’s response? (See Ether 12:26.) 
  • Why is it important to read Moroni’s words—and all scriptures—with meekness?
• Read Ether 12:27, what does the Lord’s promise to those who humble themselves and have faith in Him? 
  • How have you seen this promise being fulfilled in the scriptures, your life, or the life of others?
• Moroni wrote of the importance of faith, hope, and charity (Ether 12:28–34). 
  • How do these qualities bring us unto Christ?
• Moroni exhorted us to “seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written” (Ether 12:41). 
  • In what ways can we “seek Jesus” today? 
  • What does the Lord promise those who do this? (See Ether 12:41.) 
  • Why do we need the grace of God and His Son?

3. Moroni records Ether’s prophecies concerning the promised land Ether 13:1–12.

• What did Ether prophesy about the New Jerusalem and the Old Jerusalem?

a. The Old Jerusalem (“from whence Lehi [came]”), will be “built up again, a holy city unto the Lord” (Ether 13:5). This will be done by the descendants of Judah before the Second Coming.
b. Before the Second Coming, “a new Jerusalem should be built up upon this land [the Americas]” (Ether 13:6). The New Jerusalem will be a holy city built by a remnant of the house of Joseph (Ether 13:8).
c. The City of Enoch will come down out of heaven and become part of the New Jerusalem (Ether 13:3, 10; see also Revelation 21:2, 10). This will occur after the Second Coming.

• How did Moroni describe those who would be worthy to live in these holy cities?(See Ether 13:10–11.) 
• What does it mean to be “washed in the blood of the Lamb”? (To be cleansed from sin through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.)

4. War rages throughout the land. The Jaredite civilization is destroyed. Ether 13:13–15:34. 

• The people cast Ether out, and he made the remainder of his record while hiding in the cavity of a rock (Ether 13:13–14). The people soon became engulfed in wars and secret combinations.
• During the second year that Ether dwelled in the cavity of a rock, the word of the Lord came to him. 
  • What did the Lord instruct him to do? (See Ether 13:20–21.) 
  • How did Coriantumr respond to Ether’s prophecies? (See Ether 13:22.)
• Ether 13:23–15:28 describes continual bloodshed as different groups sought to obtain power. Millions of Jaredites were killed in the battles. Although Coriantumr lost many battles and was wounded several times, he did not die. Near the end of the record, Coriantumr and Shiz gathered all the people together for a final battle. After several days of fighting, only Coriantumr and Shiz remained alive.
  • How did the battle finally end? (See Ether 15:29–32.) 
  • How was this a fulfillment of Ether’s prophecy? (See Ether 13:20–21.)
  • What can we learn from the Jaredite record about the importance of repenting before we become deeply involved in sin? (See Ether 15:1–5, 18–19; see also Helaman 13:32–33, 38.) 
  • How does sinning limit our agency?
• What are some similarities between the history of the Nephites and the history of the Jaredites? 
• What can we learn from the accounts of these civilizations?