Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 4 part 1

Joseph’s Preparation

Joseph Smith’s First Vision took place in the spring of 1820 when he was 14 years old. He does not record any further diving communication until three years later. During those intervening years, what did Joseph do or not do? Review JS-H 1:27-28.

· He did

o Suffer persecutions

o Affirm that he had seen a vision

o Suffer temptations

o Commit “many foolish errors and display the errors of youth”

o Continue in the common vocations of life

· He did not

o Join any churches

o Commit any “great or malignant sins”

What did Joseph do? Read JS-H 1:29. What can we learn from Joseph when we feel condemned for our foolishness and imperfections?

Moroni's visit

How was Joseph’s prayer answered? Review JS-H 1:30-59. Discuss Moroni’s visit and what he told the young Prophet:

• Verse 33 – His name would be known among all people and spoken of for good and evil.
• A Google search this morning yielded 25.9 million hits for “Joseph Smith”
• Abraham Lincoln yielded 16 million hits
• Martin Luther King, Jr. found 15.7 million hits
• Thomas Edison returned 2.4 million hits
• Interestingly, Lilburn W. Boggs returned only 8,350 hits
• Verse 34 – Told about the plates containing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as he delivered it to the Nephites
• Verse 35 – Urim and Thummim, possessing these is what constitutes a “seer”

Old Testament Prophecies

Moroni then quoted several passages from the Old Testament:

• Part of Malachi 3 – It seems reasonable to guess that the part Moroni quoted is verses 1-6. God’s messenger will prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, who will come suddenly and judge in righteousness. Fulfilled through the ministry of Joseph Smith.
• Malachi 4 – The sealing power of the priesthood will be restored, and Elijah will return the keys needed to seal families eternally. Fulfilled in the appearance of Elijah and others in the Kirtland Temple.
• Isaiah 11 – The earth will be at peace; the elect will be gathered; an ensign will be raised to the people. The first half is not yet fulfilled; the gathering is taking place now.
• Acts 3:22–23 – Moroni explained that this prophet is Jesus Christ. The day when the wicked will be cut off has not yet come, but soon will.
• Joel 2:28–32 – Visions and revelations will be poured out on the faithful. Signs will be shown in the earth. They who call upon the Lord will be delivered. Moroni said this was not yet fulfilled but was about to be; I suspect this fulfillment has been happening with increased intensity ever since.
• Many other passages of scripture – Go read your scriptures and learn!

Preparation to receive the plates

When Joseph first saw the plates he was not permitted to take them. What preparation followed? He visited with Moroni annually for four years. Read JS-H 1:59.

• How has the Lord prepared you for your responsibilities?
• How might He be preparing you now?

God prepared for the loss of the 116 pages

Briefly review the history of the 116 pages of lost manuscript. What led to this potential tragedy?

• Read D&C 3:7 – How might Joseph have feared man more than God? What was the consequence? (He lost the ability to translate for a time, and the plates and the Urim and Thummim were taken from him.)
• Read D&C 3:8-10 – How do the Lord’s words show his love for Joseph? How can these verses help us in times of our personal struggles?
• Those who stole the manuscript planned to change parts and then use the modifications to discredit the Prophet. Read D&C 10:31-33.
• Read Words of Mormon 1:3-7 – Which records have more doctrinal value – the war chapters of Alma or Lehi’s vision of the tree of life?
• Read Ether 12:27 – How did God turn Joseph’s weakness into a strength for the entire church?
• Can you imagine how frustrating it must be to be on the side of wickedness? Even in their successes, God turns it into an advantage for Him!

Conclusion

Read D&C 10:62-66. This is the purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the scriptures revealed by God.