Out of the Wilderness
Resources for Studying the Doctrine and Covenants
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and in my Come Follow Me Facebook group) this year we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants together.
Because the Doctrine and Covenants contains the revelations, or the answers, that the Lord provided, but not the context or the questions that were asked, it is necessary to read other sources to fill in the background for these revelations or answers.
To this end, I have begun to read four excellent books along with the Come Follow Me curriculum in my quest to better understand and appreciate the Doctrine and Covenants:
Revelations in Context: The Stories Behind the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants - This book contains stories from the point of view of those who experienced the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. These stories help to answer questions such as “What questions prompted the revelations?” “What did the Lord’s responses mean to those who received them?” “How did the people respond?”
Joseph Smith and the Doctrine and Covenants, by Milton V. Backman, Jr. and Richard O. Cowan - This book is a study of the origins of the Doctrine and Covenants that contains many previously unpublished stories about and quotations from the early saints. This book helps us to more fully appreciate the magnitude of the Restoration and to better understand the Lord’s revelations to the early Church and to us. This book contains testimonies written by those who observed the Prophet Joseph Smith at work and who labored with him during what the Lord described as 'the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness.'
The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, by Lyndon W. Cook - This book is richly documented with early newspaper accounts, letters, and diary entries that, like the aforementioned books, provide insights into the events and people associated with the revelations. It provides valuable information on the setting of the revelations and the relationships between unpublished revelations and the revelations that are presently canonized.
The Revised & Expanded Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith - This book is one of my favorites. It is a trustworthy sources of Joseph Smith’s thought, his mind and his mission, to match the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. It preserves Joseph Fielding Smith’s original compilation along with a side-by-side comparison with the primary sources that it was based on, thus allowing readers to explore both the Prophet Joseph Smith’s revelatory insights and the historical context in which his teachings were first shared. It honors the enduring legacy of the original Teachings while encouraging deeper exploration and understanding of their origins.
The Joseph Smith Papers Project also lists many helpful sources for our study. (see also here, here, here, and here
In my Come Follow Me - The Doctrine and Covenants in 2025 - Facebook group I’ve already begun to share insights from these sources and from my study of the Doctrine and Covenants, but from now on, I’ll gather and share insights directly in my Substack The Torch. A few of my friends and I also meet weekly, every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm MST to discuss and share what we learn from our study during the week.
My goal is to delve deeply into the Doctrine and Covenants in 2025 to grow in my faith in and conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and His Church. I share this goal in common with most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but my goal is distinct because I am trying to understand and untangle what I see as a large discrepancy between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the Lord Himself restored through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his peers and the corporate entity that now calls itself by the same name.
Below is my commentary (shared in my Come Follow Me Facebook group) thus far in the early stages of my study of the Doctrine and Covenants in 2025:
The Doctrine and Covenants provides the answers, the revelations, but in order to understand the original questions and the original context for the questions, we need to study other sources.
What have you discovered thus far about the background for D&C 1?
The book Revelations in Context is very helpful in this regard. As I understand it, a committee was appointed to furnish an introduction to the Book of Commandments, but what the committee produced was inadequate. People picked apart the committees document until Joseph Smith turned to the Lord for a Divine Preface to His book.
I wonder what the committee's text was like, and what the criticisms of it were. Maybe someone has found out something about that.
Besides the obvious fact that the Lord's own preface to His book is superior to anything that man could produce, it is interesting to learn about the process of Joseph Smith's inspiration and how this preface was received and recorded...
This comment was interesting, in connection with our study this week... why does the Lord use the term Idumea?
There is an elaborate history to the revelations and how they are recorded in our current LDS edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. It is helpful to learn from the sources that I posted below how and why those revelations were received, in what manner they were recorded and compiled, and how the early saints responded to them.
"As Richard Bushman has written, early converts 'accepted the voice in the revelations as the voice of God, investing in the revelations the highest authority, even above Joseph Smith’s counsel. In the revelations, they believed, God himself spoke, not a man.'"
(Bushman, Believing History, 258–259.)
One thing that immediately impresses me about the Lord's preface to the Doctrine and Covenants is that it is very similar to the revelations of Jehovah to Abraham in ancient times. In Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible, in Genesis, the Lord spoke to Abraham in much the same way that He spoke to Joseph Smith.
There is so much gold in just this first section. I look forward to reading it and discussing it with you this Sunday.
If you want to understand the background for D&C 1, please read this.
I think that it is important to learn something about the history of the Doctrine and Covenants. For example, did you know that an early edition of the book contained the Lectures on Faith? If you haven't read the Lectures on Faith, I highly recommend them. In fact, it might be fun to review the Lectures on Faith as part of our study of the Doctrine and Covenants.
This is a brief explanation of the compilation of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"Church leaders undertook efforts to publish Joseph Smith’s revelations in the early 1830s, both in the church newspaper and in the Book of Commandments, a compilation of revelations that was aborted after a mob destroyed the Saints’ printing operation in 1833. A number of Joseph Smith’s revelations were then published in 1835 in a book called the Doctrine and Covenants, which was divided into two parts, the first comprising a series of seven doctrinal lectures on the subject of faith, and the second comprising the revelations organized in numbered sections (like chapters). Later Latter-day Saint editions expanded the canon, eventually adding a few documents that originated with church leaders other than Joseph Smith. The most recent major Latter-day Saint edition of the Doctrine and Covenants was published in 1981, with revisions to the section introductions and supplementary material in 2013."
What themes and purposes of the Doctrine and Covenants are introduced in the Lord's preface to His commandments?
What do we learn in this first section that can help us throughout the year as we study the Doctrine and Covenants?
What does it mean to search these commandments?
This is the format for our discussions:
1. A facilitator is chosen each week to guide our discussion and help maintain order
2. We begin with brief updates from each group member
3. We open with a prayer to invoke the Lord’s blessings and invite His Spirit to guide and enhance our conversation and our understanding
4. Each group member in turn shares what he or she gained from his or her scripture study that week while everyone else listens carefully and asks follow up questions after the person has finished
5. We then choose a chapter or a portion of verses from the Book of Mormon to read out loud together, with brief commentary if necessary along the way
6. We discuss the portion of scripture that we read out loud together, noting especially how these things testify of Christ and bring us closer to Him
7. Afterward, we open up the conversation to any topic Ideally the main part of the session (1st link) should last no longer than an hour, and the rest of the session (2nd link) is open to those who desire to remain for further discussion
What does it mean to hear the voice of the Lord?
In more preparation to study the Doctrine in Covenants, this week we are studying one of Joseph Smith's accounts of the First Vision.
This reminded me of "The Prophet Joseph Smith" study group that I started around the time of the so-called pandemic:
Honestly, I feel like we breezed through D&C section 1 too quickly.
Although we had a great conversation about section 1 on Sunday, there's just so much in the first section that is easy to take for granted.
A thorough study of the background for this section helps us to appreciate just how miraculous the Lord's preface to His commandments is. Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of God. He wasn't just making this stuff up as he went along. This Divine preface to the Doctrine and Covenants contains the voice of the Lord to Joseph Smith, to the early Church, and to the world.
The section summary demonstrates how significant this preface is:
"1–7, The voice of warning is to all people; 8–16, Apostasy and wickedness precede the Second Coming; 17–23, Joseph Smith is called to restore to earth the Lord’s truths and powers; 24–33, The Book of Mormon is brought forth and the true Church is established; 34–36, Peace will be taken from the earth; 37–39, Search these commandments.”
The Lord's voice to us today is a voice of warning, just as it was in ancient times. In fact, if you click on the word "Hearken" there are references to the words of two ancient prophets, Moses and Isaiah. Joseph Smith gives us the word of the Lord like a modern Moses or Isaiah.
In essence the Lord begins His Preface by saying "Listen up" or "Pay attention" or more accurately "Listen with the intent to obey."
To whom does the Lord speak in this first section? What is the Lord's warning? Why is He warning?
How does the Lord describe the conditions of the world and of people in the time of Joseph Smith and the time in which we now live?
What is the calamity of which the Lord speaks?
Have these prophecies already been fulfilled? What has yet to be fulfilled?
What invitations does the Lord give us in this first section?
I'm sharing these thoughts and these questions because I think that we need to study the scriptures more deeply and because I've seen how rampant scriptural illiteracy is, even in the Church.
I'm looking for other serious students of the Doctrine and Covenants to join us, because I believe that these things are much more relevant to us now than we can even begin to imagine.
Why does the Lord, in His preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, warn all people to fear and tremble?
What is the Lord's commandment and solution to the impending calamity? (D&C 1)
What are some things that we learn about our Savior Jesus Christ in Doctrine and Covenants 1?
What does it mean that the [weak](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../dc-testament/dc/1...) things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones?
The beginning of the first volume of Saints provides good background information for understanding the circumstances and the challenges that led the young Joseph Smith, Jr. to seek wisdom from God...
Joseph Smith, jr. was part of an amazing family. The faith and determination of his mother in particular is legendary. In case you have not read Lucy Mack Smith's biography of her son Joseph, I highly recommend it...
I found it interesting to consider that the Prophet Joseph Smith's leg injury and operation left him with a limp in a way that might remind us of the great Jacob, son of Isaac, whose name was changed to Israel after his wrestle with the angel. Jacob, Israel prevailed with God as did Joseph Smith, Jr. and they both must have walked with a limp.
There is a saying in Italian: "Chi va con lo zoppo impara a zoppicare," which literally means "He who walks with the lame learns to limp," or in other words, "Bad company corrupts good character."
But in this case, to walk with Israel and Joseph Smith, Jr., both of whom may have walked with a limp, is to walk with good company. I'll take the limping of Israel and Joseph Smith over the bad company of the world any day.
What similarities do you see between the religious fervor and war of words in Joseph Smith's time and our own time?
Which questions did Joseph Smith often ponder in the midst of the war of words and tumult of opinions?
Why did the passage of scripture in the Book of James come with such power to Joseph Smith's heart?
What stands out to you about the Lord's response to Joseph Smith's inquiry?
Back in 2014, Neil Andersen invited us to record the testimony of Joseph Smith in our own voice and to listen to it often... which I did... and I'm listening to my recording now (in my personal Box account).
What stands out to you about Joseph Smith's testimony of his theophany (first vision)?
My scripture study this morning just happened to connect three sacred texts together in a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
The Old Testament account of Joseph who was sold into Egypt
Lehi's prophesy to his son Joseph in the Book of Mormon regarding Joseph in Egypt, Moses, and the Prophet Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith's first vision accounts
I testify that Joseph Smith, jr. was and is a true prophet, the great prophet and seer and instrument in the hands of God.
I know that Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet, and that he translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.
The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and leads souls unto repentance and salvation. It is true.
"Joseph Smith testified repeatedly that he experienced a remarkable vision of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Neither the truth of the First Vision nor the arguments against it can be proven by historical research alone. Knowing the truth of Joseph Smith’s testimony requires each earnest seeker of truth to study the record and then exercise sufficient faith in Christ to ask God in sincere, humble prayer whether the record is true. If the seeker asks with the real intent to act upon the answer revealed by the Holy Ghost, the truthfulness of Joseph Smith’s vision will be manifest. In this way, every person can know that Joseph Smith spoke honestly when he declared, 'I had seen a vision, I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.'"
Anyone who has served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints knows how important Joseph Smith's account of his first vision is.
Like all missionaries, I memorized Joseph Smith's account of his first vision, and I shared this account so often that the words (in Italian) are forever ingrained in my memory:
"...vidi esattamente sopra la mia testa una colonna di luce più brillante del sole, che discese gradualmente fino a che cadde su di me...
...Quando la luce stette su di me, io vidi due Personaggi il cui splendore e la cui gloria sfidano ogni descrizione, ritti sopra di me nell’aria. Uno di essi mi parlò, chiamandomi per nome, e disse indicando l’altro: Questo è il mio Figlio diletto. Ascoltalo!"
This was a monumental conference in part because of the Restoration Proclamation.
As some of you know, I am wrestling to reconcile these great words with the fact that Russell M. Nelson is a member of Skull and Bones
who promoted COVID tyranny and has allegedly been involved in the cover-up of sexual abuse in the Church.
As I seek the truth about these and other matters, I still commend this celebration of the Restoration that relates to our study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year.
Which is your favorite of Joseph Smith's accounts of his first vision and why?
Who in this group has read this book, and what insights did you gain from it?
What stands out to you about this account?
"1835 Account. In the fall of 1835, Joseph Smith recounted his First Vision to Robert Matthews, a visitor to Kirtland, Ohio. The retelling, recorded in Joseph’s journal by his scribe Warren Parrish, emphasizes his attempt to discover which church was right, the opposition he felt as he prayed, and the appearance of one divine personage who was followed shortly by another. This account also notes the appearance of angels in the vision. Read the 1835 account here."
I love this account... there are some very important details in this account by the Prophet Joseph Smith... Thoughts?
Why did Joseph Smith compose the brief history that we can now read in the Pearl of Great Price?
When was the last time that you read the Wentworth Letter?
This powerful letter contains yet another account of Joseph Smith's first vision and the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also contains what we now call the Articles of Faith and Joseph Smith's stirring and memorable prophecy:
"Our missionaries are going forth to different nations, and in Germany, Palestine, New Holland, the East Indies, and other places, the standard of truth has been erected: no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
Amazing! I love this prophecy and this letter.
This is an introduction to the Wentworth Letter in case you would like to study it again in preparation for our conversation tomorrow:
"1842 Account. Written in response to Chicago Democrat editor John Wentworth’s request for information about the Latter-day Saints, this account was printed in the Times and Seasons in 1842. (The “Wentworth letter,” as it is commonly known, is also the source for the Articles of Faith.)4 The account, intended for publication to an audience unfamiliar with beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is concise and straightforward. As with earlier accounts, Joseph Smith noted the confusion he experienced and the appearance of two personages in answer to his prayer. The following year, Joseph Smith sent this account with minor modifications to a historian named Israel Daniel Rupp, who published it as a chapter in his book, He Pasa Ekklesia [The Whole Church]: An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States.5 Read the 1842 account here."
This is an excellent resource for learning more about both Joseph Smith's firsthand accounts of the First Vision and the second hand accounts as well...
This looks like a good book on Joseph Smith's First Vision...
There are awful allegations of abuse (SRA) connected with this particular author (RLA), but it is interesting that such alleged criminals are also revered professional LDS historians...
"It is a great thing to inquire at the hands of God, or to come into His presence; and we feel fearful to approach Him on subjects that are of little or no consequence, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially about things the knowledge of which men ought to obtain in all sincerity, before God, for themselves, in humility by the prayer of faith; and more especially a Teacher or a High Priest in the Church. I speak these things not by way of reproach, but by way of instruction; and I speak as if acquainted with you, whereas we are strangers to each other in the flesh.
I love your soul, and the souls of the children of men, and pray and do all I can for the salvation of all.
I now close by sending you a salutation of peace in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be and abide with you all. Amen."
JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.—DHC 1:338-339
Today we had a wonderful Sunday school class and lesson by a wonderful teacher who does an excellent job of inviting the Spirit of the Lord to teach and guide and testify of truth.
As we were edified and rejoiced together, we also learned many lessons from Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove. There are so many crucial doctrines and principles that we learn from Joseph Smith's first theophany.
One thing that impressed me as never before is how similar Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove was to Moses' theophany. There are numerous parallels to consider, but perhaps the most significant doctrine that we learn from both Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove and Moses' theophany as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price is the nature and character of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ and our divine worth as children of our loving Heavenly Father.
In this vein, if we consider the various first and second hand reports of Joseph Smith's First Vision together, what do we learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and our relationship to Them?
I find it significant that in both the case of Moses and of Joseph Smith, these great prophets sought for answers to substantial and difficult questions. In both cases, Heavenly Father responded to their sincere petitions, but before responding, He focused the petitioners attention, love, and reverence toward His Beloved and Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.
It was as if Heavenly Father taught Moses and Joseph Smith to first look toward the character and example of His Beloved and Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, because in Him all answers are found.
Our wonderful Sunday School teacher focused on three things that we learn from Heavenly Father's first words to young Joseph Smith. First, Heavenly Father called Joseph by his name. Second, Heavenly Father presented His Beloved and Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ and invited Joseph Smith to hear Him. Third, our Savior Jesus Christ spoke to Joseph Smith and forgave him of his sins.
What do we learn from the first part of the Heavenly response to Joseph Smith's inquiry?
In other words, young Joseph Smith received much more than he bargained for, and the answers were much greater than his sincere and simple questions.
Joseph Smith, Jr. learned things that he never could have previously supposed, things that had never previously entered his heart. He received some of the most profound answers even before the Lord responded directly to his inquiry regarding which church to join.
Compare Moses' experience in which Moses wanted to learn everything about the universe and everything in it. The Lord certainly taught Moses many things regarding this earth and everything and everyone on it, but even more importantly, He taught Moses that all of these things were created by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Thus, even before responding to Moses' sincere and diligent inquiry, God focused Moses' attention, love, and reverence toward His Beloved and Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ... as if to say: "I will answer your questions, but first behold my Beloved and Only Begotten Son, and hear Him."
One lesson I draw from all of this is that our sincere inquiries and petitions are heard and answered, but Heavenly Father's wisdom so far exceeds our own that He first directs our attention, love, and reverence toward His Beloved and Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ reside the answers to all of our questions and much, much, more. In Jesus Christ we not only receive forgiveness of sin or learn who we are as children of God or understand which church to join... in Jesus Christ we discover that He is the Answer above all answers and above all questions.
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Light and the Life of the World. All else, as important as it may be or as important as it may seem to us, pales in comparison to the glory, virtue, grace, intelligence, goodness, wisdom, knowledge, light, truth, and pure love that abide in our Savior Jesus Christ.
The same pattern is also noticeable in the theophanies of Abraham, the Brother of Jared, Isaiah, Nephi, and many others.
But as our wonderful Sunday School teacher correctly indicated, we do not need to go the Sacred Grove or experience a theophany in order to commune with Heavenly Father and receive answers to our sincere prayers. Heavenly Father knows each one of us by name. He calls each one of us by name. He showers His love upon each one of us, blessing us in ways that far exceed whatever blessings or answers we might hope for or imagine for ourselves.
And when those blessings and answers come, as they always do and as they surely will, they are only bestowed upon us because of and thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ, the Beloved and Only Begotten Son of our loving Heavenly Father, the Word Who was in the beginning with God and by Whom all things were made, our Savior and Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
I'm sharing this link again because it contain links to each of Joseph Smith's first hand accounts of the First Vision as well as several second hand accounts of the First Vision.
I've already shared the separate links to Joseph Smith's own first hand accounts of the First Vision, but I'll post the links to the second hand accounts in the comments below...
The Joseph Smith Papers also features videos about First Vision accounts...
Joseph Smith, jr. loved his family. The Smith were noble, truth-seeking, God fearing people. Joseph's mother Lucy Mack Smith was a valiant and persevering woman of God. I love her book "History of the Prophet Joseph Smith." It is one of the best books that I've ever read.
I love Joseph's tribute to his father in this section on "Voices of the Restoration." Joseph had eight brothers and sisters too. I wonder if anyone could name each of Joseph's brothers and sisters without looking up the names...
Unless you have read the Saints volumes or primary sources on the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it is likely that some of these details will be new to you...
A couple of great questions to ponder this week in our study...
"It’s one thing to believe that God had a work for Joseph Smith to do—we can look back on his life and clearly see what he accomplished. But have you ever considered that God has a work for you too? As you read [Joseph Smith—History 1:27–33](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...), think about what that work might be. How does it contribute to the ongoing Restoration of the Savior’s gospel?"
This is another great resource for better understanding the background of the Doctrine and Covenants and the questions that gave rise to the revelations that are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants...
I've started to read this book along with a few others, not to replace direct engagement with the Doctrine and Covenants, but to bring the revelations to life.
As I read section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants I was reminded that one of the main purposes of everything in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to bind families together in unity and love for eternity through the covenants and ordinances of the Temple.
God's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, and immortality and eternal life have everything to do with marriage and family.
This is a picture of my immediate family at the Temple for my youngest sister's (Abigail's) wedding.
This is also an excellent resource for better understanding and appreciating the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants...
The second chapter of this book deals with the revelations that we are studying this week...
Joseph Smith, jr. knew more than he could tell about the ancient inhabitants of America, and his family learned from him with rapt attention:
"During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of [the American] continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them."
How would you describe Joseph Smith's relationship with Moroni?
Why are the revelation of the Priesthood and the promises of the Lord so crucial to the Restoration?
Because no one was able to join for the discussion today, and by way of transparency, I would like to clarify what my intent and purpose for this group is.
One of my goals this year is to study the Doctrine and Covenants and early Church history more thoroughly and deeply than ever before. In the process I hope to grow in my conversion to Jesus Christ and to His Gospel and His Church. I am also, to the best of my ability and in the pattern of the inquisitive young Joseph Smith, seeking answers to perplexing questions.
The fulness of mine intent is that I might persuade men and women to come unto Christ and find salvation. I am seeking the things of God, and I would like to invite other sincere and earnest truth seekers to join me in my quest.
To be even more transparent about my purpose, I am seeking for the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the help of the Spirit of God and of the Doctrine and Covenants, and in the midst of a modern war of words and tumult of opinions, I am seeking for the Lord's true Church as distinguished from the many branches of the Restoration including the largest and most popular branch, the LDS Corporation that calls itself the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My experiences and studies and recent events have called up my mind to serious reflexion and poignant feelings and I am turning to the Lord for answers, because all is not well in Zion. There is something - or rather there are many things - amiss in the LDS Corporation, and my quest is to untangle the truth from the falsehood.
I am a disciple of Christ and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I will remain such because I have faith in and a testimony of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, the Restoration, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the Lord originally restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Nevertheless, I have many questions regarding the development and history of this Church and the entity that now carries the same title.
I am looking for sincere and earnest truth-seekers to join me in my study and my quest, and I know that better questions and better answers will arise as we continue to immerse ourselves in the Doctrine and Covenants and to grow into the principle of revelation.
For those who would like to join me in my quest, we meet each Sunday at 4 pm online to socialize, pray, read, study, and discuss the material in the Come Follow Me curriculum.
Thank you.
What stands out to you about Moroni's visits to and interactions with Joseph Smith, Jr.?
"He [Moroni] called me [Joseph Smith] by [name](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...), and said unto me that he was a [messenger](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...) sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for [good](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...) and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." (JS-H 1:33)
"When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, he quoted several Old and New Testament prophecies, such as [Isaiah 11](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../ot/isa/11...); [Acts 3:22–23](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../nt/acts/3...); and [Joel 2:28–32](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../ot/joel/2...). As you read [Joseph Smith—History 1:34–47](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...), think about why these prophecies might have been important for Joseph to know. Why are they important for you to know?"
After introducing himself, teaching Joseph Smith of his calling, and prophesying that Joseph's name shall be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, the angel Moroni instructs Joseph Smith regarding the Book of Mormon and the Urim and Thummim.
Then Moroni commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament, including part of the [third chapter](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...) of [Malachi](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scrip.../ot/mal/3...), and the the [fourth or last chapter](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scrip.../ot/mal/4...) of the same prophecy, with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles.
Then Moroni quoted the [eleventh chapter](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scr.../pgp/js-h/1...) of [Isaiah](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../ot/isa/11...), saying that it was about to be fulfilled.
Why?
Avraham Gileadi comments on the meaning of Isaiah 11...
Why did the angel Moroni quote Isaiah 11 as part of his instructions to the Prophet Joseph Smith?
There is a shoot, a stock, and a branch of Jesse in Isaiah's prophesy. What do they represent?
Joseph Smith received revelation on this topic:
"Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the [1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/ot/isa/11...)?
Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ." (D&C 113:1-2)
Gileadi translates stem as "stock," and therefore the stem or stock of Jesse is Jesus Christ.
But what about the shoot and the branch?
Gileadi interprets the shoot as:
"A pseudonym of a descendant of David the son of Jesse, who represents Israel's lineages that assimilated into the Gentiles as signified by the wild nature of the shoot (hoter) or 'watersprout.'"
He interprets the branch as:
"A pseudonym of a descendant of David the son of Jesse, who represents Israel's natural lineages that are nurtured by its assimilated lineages as signified by the branch (neser) grafted in that bears fruit."
If you are interested, check out Gileadi's analytical commentary on Isaiah 11. Do you agree with Gileadi? Why or why not?
Who is the Prophet of whom Luke writes in [Acts 3:22–23](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../nt/acts/3...) and why did the angel Moroni quote these verses in his instruction to the Prophet Joseph Smith?
Has this prophecy been fulfilled? Why or why not?
What is the fulness of the Gentiles?
Why did the angel Moroni quote [Joel 2:28–32](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../scri.../ot/joel/2...) as part of his instructions to the Prophet Joseph Smith?
Has this prophecy been fulfilled? Why or why not?
Who in this group has read this book?
In the first chapter, the authors claim and provide substantial evidence that Joseph Smith chose David Whitmer as his successor, that Oliver Cowdery lost the privilege of being Joseph Smith's successor, and that Joseph Smith also predicted that Brigham Young would one day lead the Church.
I look forward to reading more and learning more about what the authors call the "law of succession."
There is very helpful information in this book for understanding the background to the revelations that we are studying this week.
The biographical sketch of the life of Martin Harris was particularly fascinating and surprising. Martin Harris was such a key figure in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ.
The various members of Joseph Smith's family were also key figures in the Restoration.
Who were the key figures who began to gather around the young Prophet Joseph Smith at the beginning of the Restoration? Why were they drawn to the work of the Lord and to assist the Prophet Joseph Smith?
There are so many great stories in this book too that can help us to better understand the context and the reasons for the revelations that the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates during the rise of His Church in the last days.
What was Joseph Smith's response upon learning that Martin Harris had lost the translation?
Martin Harris was a good and a great man, and a very interesting man. He sacrificed a
Almost everything to help Joseph Smith with the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon. But like each one of us, he was also a very flawed individual.
This chapter is very helpful for understanding the background to the revelations that we are studying this week....
Unless and until we find the original lost pages, this book looks interesting...
This chapter from Saints volume 1 contains helpful background information for understanding the revelations that we are studying this week...
What lessons do we learn from the story of the lost 116 pages?
Which other professors did Martin Harris visit besides Charles Anthon?
Why did professor Charles Anthon shred the certificate that he gave to Martin Harris?
This is great background information.
Joseph and Emma Smith endured unimaginably difficult trials early in their marriage and during the time of the miraculous translation of the Book of Mormon.
How did Joseph Smith, Jr. translate the Book of Mormon?
This book contains the most accurate, detailed, and extensive information on Joseph Smith's seer stones.
I love Oliver Cowdery's testimony of events in the early Restoration.
His language is more exuberant and ecstatic than that of the more sober, straight forward, matter of fact, and spiritually experienced language of Joseph Smith.
But like Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery told the truth:
"Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind."
Oliver was a truth seeker whom the Lord led to Joseph Smith...