Show Notes: D&C 2; JSH 1:27-65 Quotes and Notes 00:34 – Joseph describes spiritual sight. 04:59 – The weakness of youth is lack of experience. 20:46 – The definition of a true friend. 27:14 – Interpretations of Malachi 4:2. 44:10 – The significance of the temple. 53:02 – Joseph Smith’sContinue Reading

Show Notes: JSH 1:1-26 Quotes and Notes 00:35 – The First Vision ends the apostasy and ushers in the restoration. 06:43 – God restores information in the order of importance. 09:41 – Historical background of the First Vision. 20:57 – The First Vision teaches the pattern of prayer and revelation.Continue Reading

Show Notes: D&C 1 Quotes and Notes 00:30 – Brief overview of the Doctrine and Covenants. 06:58 – Find the Savior in this book. 08:39 – Anyone in a similar circumstance can apply these instructions. 16:23 – The setting and background of Section 1. 27:06 – Defending our beliefs withContinue Reading

Jesus calls the Twelve Apostles, commanding that they heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out devils.  I can imagine the weight they must’ve felt, being first hand witnesses to the power that the Savior had to do great miracles.  From the text we read: These twelve Jesus asentContinue Reading

During the last week in May I went on a visit to Fayette and was baptized by David Whitmer. On the first day of June, 1830, the first conference was held by the Church. Our number consisted of about thirty, besides many others who came to learn of our principles,Continue Reading

Oliver Cowdery’s Charge to the Twelve The following charge was given to the newly called Twelve Apostles by President Oliver Cowdery on 21 February 1835. Dear Brethren—Previous to delivering the charge, I shall read a part of a revelation. It is known to you, that previous to the organization ofContinue Reading

The story of the apostasy and return to the faith of Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde is a complicated one. When teaching about the history of the church in 1838, I find that it is vital to emphasize the humanity of all of the people involved in this conflict,Continue Reading

The Book of Daniel in Early Mormon Thought David J. Whittaker Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Versions of this essay were presented at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, December 1987, and at the Mormon History Association Annual Meeting, Logan, Utah, May 1988. Responding to a revelationContinue Reading

Scripture comes in its cultural packaging In 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, Paul expresses his frustration with the division amongst the Saints. He says: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you exceptContinue Reading

Emma Smith (Wife of Joseph Smith) The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen tablecloth, which I had given him to fold them in. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline andContinue Reading