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.