For the first part of this podcast, Bryce went through several verses us scripture to lay out the understanding of what the early Saints were expecting regarding Zion and its establishment. From his coverage of the Book of Mormon, and the early revelations, clearly the Saints expected to be gatheredContinue Reading

D&C 46 Given March 8, 1831… The question of how the Church is to conduct religious services was engaged in this revelation. It is good to remember that so many of the revelations of the Restoration are the result of questions. Questions open the door to understanding and when combinedContinue Reading

Section 41 Doctrine and Covenants 41 is of special importance because it restored the office of bishop in the Church of Christ. Though it would not be until the Church had established itself in the Salt Lake Valley that bishops would function in wards as they do in our day,Continue Reading

D&C 37 Go to the Ohio Though this revelation was given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, it was directed to the Church, which consisted of small congregations in Fayette, Manchester, and Colesville. Given in December 1830, it was the last of nineteen revelations received by Joseph Smith that year.Continue Reading

D&C 30-36 There is quite a bit to cover in this segment of scripture. The context (at least in Joseph Smith’s life) is that of Joseph’s early work in the Bible translation, something we introduced back in our podcast covering D&C 29. Section 30 is given to David, Peter andContinue Reading

Anciently the Sacrament was a meal. These meals took place in what are commonly called “house churches.” (You might even call it a home-centered church). The early Christian community started as a house church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship… They broke bread in theirContinue Reading

In this podcast, we will cover Section 25 first, examining three ways to interpret and apply this scripture. In the subsequent podcast we discussed sections 23, 24, and 26. The Show Notes reflect an overall view of all of these sections. D&C 23-26 Show Notes D&C 23 April 1830 revelationContinue Reading

The Articles and Covenants of the Church As early as June 1829 Joseph Smith asked Oliver Cowdery to formulate an expression of basic principles and practices of the soon-to-be-organized Church. Oliver in turn asked the Prophet to inquire of the Lord about what he should do. Doctrine and Covenants 18Continue Reading

Seven of the eleven witnesses of the Book of Mormon were members of the Whitmer family by blood or marriage. The Book of Mormon translation was finished at the Whitmer home in Fayette; near it the Three Witnesses saw Moroni and the plates; there the organization of the Church andContinue Reading

D&C 18 is given June 1829 in Fayette, New York. As promised by John the Baptist, the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored to the earth by the ancient apostles Peter, James, and John. This occurred sometime after the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood on 15 May 1829, and the first partContinue Reading