Lesson 9-The Only True and Living Church

Lesson 9-The Only True and Living Church

Scriptures referenced-Sec 20:1-36, 68-69, 75-79, Sec 21 and 27 and Sec 115:1-4

Headlines:
-The Church is given to us to navigate our way to our eternal home through a world generally hostile to Faith in God. Covenants and Ordinances are central.
-Our worship of the Savior is centered around the Sacrament
-The Lord continues to direct the Church (and us) through living prophets

1. The Church is organized in the latter days
At the time of the organization of the Church, the world was becoming increasingly hostile to Faith.  This was the general direction of "the enlightenment" (enlightenment is only partially correct, but the winners get to write history) but the rise of scientism (ability of science to explain the fundamentals of reality) combined with Darwin's theory of evolution was particularly toxic to faith. Nietzche was correct when his character Zarathustra said, "God is dead and we have killed him"!

On the positive side of the ledger, the U.S. Constitution and refugees seeking religious freedom were fertile ground for a new revelation.

In summary, as Nephi saw in vision, the Lord had a plan which we are executing now as we build the Kingdom of God.

Historical background for Section 20:
-Joseph and Oliver knew from earlier revelation (Sec 10:67-69) that they would be establishing a Church.
-In preparation, Oliver wrote up Articles and Covenants, substantially quoting and based on the Book of Mormon. These were not accepted by the Church and replaced by Section 20 which was received by revelation by Joseph and Oliver after the Church was organized.
-Section 20 was presented to the Church at the first conference following the organization of the Church on June 9, 1830 and were approved. The only revelation personally brought before the Church for approval by Joseph. It was soon published in the Evening and Morning Star (and the only revelation published twice).
-In the 1835 edition of the D&C, Section 20 came right after the preface (as the second revelation)
-Joseph made an addition to Sec 20:37, specifically "and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto a remission of their sins".
-Section 20 and 22 are often referred to as the Constitution of the Church

2. The Lord commands Church members to follow the prophet.
Sec 21:4-6-"in patience and faith" can refer to showing willingness for the Lord's purposes to be worked out in the future as well to show humility. It can also mean that we are to follow the Prophets even when you're own judgement may question the guidance (prayer can confirm these decisions). Note in v. 6 that Satan has no power over us.

21:9-Mighty Blessings come to those who serve the Lord. (my mission was a foundational experience for me and for others) These great blessings can be manifested in many ways.

3. The Lord encourages Church members to meet together often to partake of the sacrament
Sacrament is from the Latin "Sacramentum" referring to a sum deposited by two parties in a sacred place as committment for a binding agreement/oath. Note that the word sacrament is never used in the scriptures.
In the LDS faith the Sacrament points back to the sacrifice and atonement of Christ rather than as directly forgiving sins as in the Catholic faith.
Jesus used materials ready to hand such as bread and new wine emphasizing that it was the commitment and broken heart that we bring to the sacrament that makes it holy.
The timing of the Lord's Supper on the eve of the passover pointed to him as the last great sacrifice.

Sec 27 was given just prior to Emma and NK Whitney's wife being confirmed members of the Church

Notes on Scriptures reviewed:
Sec 20:
v.5-36 References to the coming for of the Book of Mormon, confirming its central position in the restoration of the Church.
v.17-19 LDS "creed" on the Godhead
v. 21-28- LDS "creed" on atonement, note that all of the verbs are action oriented
v. 30-34- LDS "creed" on plan of salvation
v. 37 After seeing that Joseph had edited in "that truly manifest....unto a remission of their sins", Oliver demanded "in the name of God" that Joseph remove this. Joseph declined and Oliver relented
v. 65-67 added by Joseph after the revelation was accepted by the Church.

Link to lesson notes scan:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B78D5btorZEeZTlqclFDSkd3M1k/view?usp=sharing

Lesson 7 The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel

Lesson organized around the theme rather than particular sections so specific sections weren't assigned for study

Headlines:
-First Principles/Ordinances are the gate and pathway to perfection (Matt 5:48)
-Define a journey or process that all of us should follow
-Fully encompass the Gospel

Introduction:
Life as a journey is reflected in much of the great world literature beyond scripture. Dante's Divine Comedy opens with "MIDWAY upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost." Dante was about halfway through life, about the same age and in a similar frame of mind as Lehi when he shared his vision of the tree of life saying that "it came to pass that as I followed him (the angel) I beheld myself that I was is in a dark and dreary waste" (1Ne 8:7). Joseph Smith shares a similar spiritual journey in J.S. 1:7-18.

We are all on a similar journey. The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel provide the framework for us to enter on this journey and return home to our Heavenly Father. Read 2Ne 31:17-18.

Note that the 4th Article of Faith that refers to the principles/ordinances comes directly after the Article of Faith confirming our believe in the Atonement of Christ.

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Chris is the first principle of the gospel

The Greek word used in the New Testament is "pistus" which can refer to a belief in a proposition but also often refers to trusting in another person (that is if we trust we follow). Also, in both Greek and Hebrew the word for "faith" and "faithfulness" is the same word. How would these readings change the meaning of having faith in Christ?

Faith grows as we exercise it. Note Joseph's faith developing as he comes to know the Lord better. In J.S. 1:11 he is "laboring under extreme difficulties" and untimately he "retired to the grove to make the attempt" in v. 12. He surely had some faith, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to the grove but compare this with v.29 where he shared Moroni's visit by saying "I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.

We can learn from honest mistakes or lack of faith.  Hectoring the Lord to allow Martin Harris to take the 116 pages resulted in Joseph losing his gift of translation and fearing that he may have lost his soul.  Later referring to the lesson learned he said, "I made this my rule, when the Lord commands, I do it!".

As described in the Lectures on Faith, Faith becomes the "motive power of all action". This is particularly true when is developed for righteous purposes (the power of the Lord is leveraged.

2. Through sincere repentance, we can partake of the blessings of the Atonement
Hamartano, usually translated in the Greek as sin means "to miss the mark".  "Ra ah" usually translated as sin from the Hebrew means "contrary to God's nature", "bad/evil". Note that there are many words in Hebrew that can be translated as sin.

Link to lesson notes scan:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B78D5btorZEeQnZVUWVWdG1ycnc/view?usp=sharing