Links and Questions Related to CHFT 12

This Thursday, November 1, we will discuss Church History in the Fulness of Times, Chapter 12: Zion's Camp. Only one chapter to study this week! I look forward to the discussion on this interesting period in the history of the Church. For those who would like to read further, here are a couple of links to related articles: 1. "Zion's Camp March from Ohio to Missouri, 1834," Ensign, April 1979 2. "Joseph Smith and Zion's Camp," Ensign, June 2005 Also, a few study questions for any who would like to ponder a little more: 1. How long had the Kirtland High Council been organized when they heard the report on violence in Missouri? 2. Read D&C 103. What were the purposes of Zion's Camp? 3. How old was Wilford Woodruff when he volunteered to join Zion's Camp? How old was Brigham Young? 4. How many people marched with Zion's Camp at its largest? 5. Read D&C 105:1-11. List reasons the Savior gave that Zion could not be redeemed at that time. The above links can also be found on the blog, http://churchhistorytoday.blogspot.com. Whether or not you have time to look through the material, please join us for a lively discussion and video clips this Thursday!

Links and Questions related to CHFT 10-11

This Thursday in institute class we will discuss chapters 10-11 in Church History in the Fulness of Times - Chapter 10: "Development of the Church in Ohio, 1831-34" and chapter 11: "Expulsion from Jackson County." Click on the chapter titles for links to these readings. If you are interested in more information on these topics, you may click on these links: "Joseph Smith's Missionary Journal," "Mormon Persecutions in Missouri, 1833" (PDF), and a broadcast on the Mormon Channel titled, "Education in Kirtland," wherein historian Milton Backman discusses the School of the Prophets. For those who enjoy study questions, here are a few to consider: 1. Who was Ezra Booth and why did he lose faith? 2. Why did Joseph Smith speak with a light whistle after 24 March, 1832? What happened to Sidney Rigdon that same night? 3. What was historic about Joseph's and Sidney's missionary journey to Canada? How many missions did Joseph undertake during the Kirtland era? 4. What was the job of the "Literary Firm"? 5. List difficulties among the Saints inJackson County prior to July, 1833. 6. List points of contention between Church members and their non-member neighbors in Missouri. 7. Why are the names Edward Partridge, Isaac Morley, John Corrill, John Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and Sidney Gilbert held in honorable remembrance by the Church? 8. Who was Lilburn Boggs? Why was he allowed power?

Many thanks to Joan Fisler for finding this talk by Marion G. Romney regarding the Law of Consecration. The title of the talk is "Socialism and the United Order Compared." Click on the title to link to the text of the talk, which was originally given in April Conference, 1966. This talk gives a good definition for Socialism, then compares it with Communism, the United Order, and the Law of Consecration. I have included a picture of President Romney so he will not be confused with the Romney in today's news. Good reading!

Links and Questions related to CHFT 8-9

Just a reminder we will not meet this Thursday, October 11, for institute classes. Next Thursday, October 18, we will discuss chapters 8-9 in Church History in the Fulness of Times, "Gathering To Ohio" and "Gathering to the Land of Zion." For those who are interested in reading more about this period in church history, here are a few articles with links: "The First Road West: From New York to Kirtland, 1831," Ensign, Jan. 1979 "'Steadfastness and Patient Endurance': The Legacy of Edward Partridge," Ensign, June 1979 "To Prepare a People," Ensign, Jan. 1979 "Independence, Missouri, and the Mormons, 1827-1833," (pdf) BYU Studies, 1972 And here are a few study questions related to these chapters: 1. Which section of the Doctrine and Covenants was received by revelation at the third conference of the Church on Jan. 2, 1831? What was promised in this revelation? 2. What miracle of migration did Lucy Mack Smith record? 3. List challenges encountered by Joseph Smith and the early saints in northern Ohio. Why would the Lord allow members of the Church to experience these problems when he commanded them to go and extended great promises to them? 4. Who was the first bishop of the Church? What were his responsibilities? 5. What was noteworthy about the Newel K. Whitney store in Kirtland? 6. What three groups traveled from Kirtland to Missouri? Why did they go? How far was it? 7. What was the cost of an acre of land in Independence, MO, in 1831? 8. Who dedicated the temple site in Independence, MO? When was it dedicated? 9. Name the periodical published in Independence, beginning in 1832.

Links and Questions related to CHFT 6-7

This Thursday, October 4, we will discuss two chapters in Church History in the Fulness of Times: Chapter 6, Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ; and Chapter 7, The Infant Church Expands. Here are a few articles for those who wish to read further on the topics for this week: "Fayette: The Place the Church Was Organized," Ensign, Feb. 1989; "I Have a Question: Who were the six who organized the Church on 6 April 1830?", Ensign, June 1980; "How We Got the Book of Moses," Ensign, Jan. 1986; "The 'New Translation' of the Bible, 1830-1833..." BYU Studies. And here are a few questions for consideration as you read this week's lessons: How many people gathered at the Peter Whitmer, Sr. home on 6 April 1830 to witness the formal organization of the Church? What happened at the first meeting? Look at the Chronological Order of Contents page at the beginning of the Doctrine and Covenants. How many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were written in Manchester, NY? How many in Harmony, PA? How many in Fayette, NY? When was the first chapter of the Book of Moses translated? How far did Samuel H. Smith travel on his mission to sell copies of the Book of Mormon? Who were the four men selected to take the gospel to Native Americans? List some of the successes that came from the mission to the Lamanites.