Questions and Links for CHFT 35-36

REED SMOOT This Thursday (Feb. 21) in institute we will discuss chapters 35-36 in Church History in the Fulness of Times. Here are a few study questions for those who like to use them, and links to articles for extra reading on subjects related to the history of the Church during the early part of the twentieth century. Chapter 35: The Church at the Turn of the Century 1. What distinguished Lorenzo Snow among the prophets? How was he prepared to lead the Church? 2. How did President Snow know he should reorganize the First Presidency quickly after the death of Wilford Woodruff? 3. How much debt had the Church incurred by July 1898? Why had tithing donations waned? How many years of increased tithing participation by the Saints did it take before the Church was out of debt? 4. When were the first sister missionaries called and set apart? By what percentage did the number of missionaries increase during the decade 1890-1900? 5. What areas were opened to missionary work in the first decade of the twentieth century? Chapter 36: The Church in the Early Twentieth Century 1. Who was Brigham H. Roberts? Why was he asked to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives? Who led the movement to block his seating in Congress? 2. How old was Joseph F. Smith when he was ordained to succeed Lorenzo Snow? How had President Smith been prepared for this calling? 3. How old was Apostle Reed Smoot when he was elected to the U.S. Senate? Why was his election so controversial? How many years did he serve? 4. Which two world leaders defended the Church in the early twentieth century? 5. List some positive steps the Church took toward better public relations in an effort to educate people regarding the nature of the Church. Links to related articles: "The First Sister Missionaries," Ensign July 1980; "The Church in Japan," BYU Studies, 1973; "Mischievous Puck and the Mormons," BYU Studies, 1978; "Willard Bean: Palmyra's Fighting Parson," Ensign, June 1985.

Questions and Links for CHFT 33-34

This Thursday, February 14, ONLY THE MORNING CLASS will meet for institute. The evening class will not meet this Thursday, but will meet on Feb. 21. Both classes, on their respective dates, will discuss chapters 33-34 in Church History in the Fulness of Times. Here are a few study questions and links to related articles. Chapter 33: A Decade of Persecution, 1877-87 1. How was John Taylor prepared to lead the Church during a decade of persecution? BONUS: Read “Jubilee, Year of” and “Sabbatical Year” in the Bible Dictionary. Which aspects of the sabbatical year and the year of jubilee (7X7=49, 50 year celebration) were practiced during 1880? 2. When did Joseph Smith first receive the revelation on plural marriage? When did he teach this law to leading brethren? When was this revelation first read in general conference and published? 3. Who was George Reynolds and why did he go to prison in 1879? What did he do while incarcerated? 4. How did the Edmonds Act of 1882 change the face of Utah’s government and the lives of the Saints? What was the Edmonds-Tucker Act of 1887? 5. List areas where missionary work continued during the decade 1877-87 (as mentioned in this chapter). 6. Where did members of the Church go to avoid prosecution for polygamy? Chapter 34: An Era of Reconciliation (1888-98) 1. Why was Wilford Woodruff’s daily journal so important to the Church? 2. How many Utah citizens had been deprived of their right to vote by 1890? 3. How did President Woodruff know the time had come for the Saints to discontinue the practice of plural marriage? Who read the manifesto in general conference? 4. What had to happen before statehood could be granted to Utah? What was the Political Manifesto? 5. How long did it take to build the Salt Lake Temple? Give three promises prophesied during the Salt Lake Temple dedication. How many people attended dedicatory sessions? 6. How many new missions were opened by Wilford Woodruff? What other changes were made during his presidency? Related articles: “John Taylor: Defender of Truth” Ensign Jan. 2003; “Polygamy Then and Now” LDS Newsroom May 2008; “A Temple to Exalt” Ensign Aug. 1993; “Wilford Woodruff: Contending for the Faith” Ensign Jan. 2006 Videos on YouTube: “The Mountain of the Lord,” “Only a Stonecutter”

Questions and Links for CHFT 31-32

This Thursday, February 7, we will discuss chapters 31-32 in Church History in the Fulness of Times. Here are a few study questions, followed by links to relevant articles. Church History in the Fulness of Times, Chapter 31: The Quest for Self-Sufficiency 1. List reasons why leading public officials in the U.S. were eager to complete railroad lines across the continent. Where and when was the golden spike laid, uniting east and west railroad lines? 2. What were some elements of "home industry," or self-sufficiency, practiced by the Saints in Utah in the late 1860's? 3. Where and when was the first cooperative institution in Utah founded? Who supervised it? 4. Who was Joseph Ridges and what was his contribution to Church music? 5. Which nations enjoyed missionary success during the years 1864-1874? BONUS: How did the Salt Lake Tribune get its start? 6. Where was the first united order organized? Why there? Church History in the Fulness of Times, Chapter 32: Brigham Young's Presidency: The Final Decade 1. Name the three sisters assigned by Brigham Young to reestablish Relief Societies throughout the Utah Territory. List some early Relief Society projects. 2. What was the second auxiliary to take more permanent shape under the direction of Brigham Young? Who was the president of this organization? 3. What historic event prompted an organization for the young women of the Church? What was teh original name of this society? 4. Who were the Dusenberry brothers? Name the three educational academies opened by the Church in the 1870's-1880's. 5. What difficulties faced members of the Church in colonizing Arizona and Mexico? 6. Where were the first endowments for the dead performed? Who were among those to receive these sacred ordinances? BONUS: Of all the vast and varied accomplishments of Brigham Young, name one or two that impress you most. Links to related articles: "The Deseret Alphabet" (Friend, July 1985) "The Organ" (BYU Studies) "The Priesthood Reorganization of 1877: Brigham Young's Last Achievement" (BYU Studies) "Eight Presidents: A Century at BYU" (Ensign, Oct. 1975) "Eliza R. Snow: First Lady of the Pioneers" (Ensign, Sept. 1973)