Category: Other

Other

  • Lehi DNA

    Lehi DNA

    Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essay, ‘Book of Mormon and DNA Studies’: 1

    “One reason it is difficult to use DNA evidence to draw definite conclusions about Book of Mormon peoples is that nothing is known about the DNA that Lehi, Sariah, Ishmael, and others brought to the Americas. “

    1 Nephi 5:14, the Book of Mormon: 2

    14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

     

    Additional Study

    Tentative Faith Meets Uncompromising Facts: A Response to President Newsroom, Geneticist Simon Southerton – http://simonsoutherton.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/tentative-faith-meets-uncompromising.html

     

  • Literal Descendants

    Literal Descendants

    Excerpt from the LDS Gospel Topic Essays, ‘Book of Mormon and DNA Studies’: 1

    The evidence assembled to date suggests that the majority of Native Americans carry largely Asian DNA. Scientists theorize that in an era that predated Book of Mormon accounts, a relatively small group of people migrated from northeast Asia to the Americas by way of a land bridge that connected Siberia to Alaska. These people, scientists say, spread rapidly to fill North and South America and were likely the primary ancestors of modern American Indians.”

    Excerpt from the journal of Joseph Smith Jr., November 9, 1835: 2

    “When I was about 17 years old I saw another vision of angels, in the night season after I had retired to bed I had not been a sleep, when but was meditating upon my past life and experiance, I was verry concious that I had not kept the commandments, and I repented hartily for all my sins and transgression, and humbled myself before Him; <whose eyes are over all things>, all at once the room was iluminated above the brightness of the sun an angel appeared before me, his hands and feet were naked pure and white, and he stood between the floors of the room, clothed <with> in purity inexpressible, he said unto me I am a messenger sent from God, be faithful and keep his commandments in all things, he told me of a sacred record which was written on plates of gold, I saw in the vision the place where they were deposited, he said the indians, were the literal descendants of Abraham

    References

    References
    1 Book of Mormon and DNA Studies – https://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies?lang=eng
    2 Joseph Smith journal, November 9, 1835 – http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-1835-1836/23
  • Adamic Language

    Adamic Language

    “A Sample of Pure Language,” [Hiram Township, OH, between ca. 4 and ca. 20 Mar. 1832]. Featured version copied [between 26 Apr. and ca. Aug. 1832] in Revelation Book 1, p. 144: 1

    A Sample of pure Language
    given by Joseph the Seer
    as copied by Br Johnson1
    Question What is the name of God in pure Language
    Answer Awmen.
    Q The meaning of the pure word A[w]men
    A It is the being which made all things in all its parts.
    Q What is the name of the Son of God.
    A The Son Awmen.
    Q What is the Son Awmen.
    A It is the greatest of all the parts of Awmen which is the Godhead the first born.
    Q What is is man.
    A This signifies Sons Awmen. the human family the children of men the greatest parts of Awmen Sons the Son Awmen
    Q What are Angels called in pure language.
    A Awmen Angls-men
    Q What are the meaning of these words.
    A Awmen’s Ser◊◊◊ts Ministerring servants Sanctified who are sent forth from heaven to minister for or to Sons Awmen the greatest part of Awmen Son. Sons Awmen Son Awmen Awmen

    Excerpt from Bruce R. McConkie’s Mormon Doctrine, Adamic Language: 2

    In the beginning God gave Adam a language that was pure, perfect, and undefiled. This Adamic language, now unknown, was far superior to any tongue which is presently extant. For instance, the name of God the Father, in this original language, is Man of Holiness, signifying that he is a Holy Man and not a vague spiritual essence. (Moses 6:57.)

    This first language spoken by mortals was either the celestial tongue of the Gods or such adaptation of it as was necessary to meet the limitations of mortality; and Adam and his posterity had power to speak, read, and write it. (Way to Perfection, pp. 60-69.) In writing of the saints in the day of the first man, Moses says: “And a book of remembrance was kept, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration; And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled.” (Moses 6:5-6.) The beauty and power of this Adamic language is indicated by a statement made by Moroni to the Lord about the Brother of Jared (who spoke the original and pure language): “Thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art unto the oveipowering of man to read them.” (Ether 12:24.)

    During the millennium, it appears that men will again have power to speak and write the Adamic language. Of that day the Lord says he will “turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:9.) In some instances when the saints speak in tongues, the language impressed upon them by the power of the Spirit is the pure Adamic tongue.

  • More Good

    More Good

    From the Times and Seasons, 4:194 (1843): 1

    Sir:-Through the medium of your paper, I wish to correct an error among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the more cheerfully, because I hope sober-thinking and sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain pretentions [pretensions] of the self-wise. The error I speak of, is the definition of the word “Mormon.” It has been stated that this word was derived from the Greek word mormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of God. translated the Book of Mormon. Let the language of that book speak for itself. In the 523d page, of the fourth edition, it reads: “And now behold we have written this record according to our knowledge in the characters, which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech; and if our plates had been sufficiently large, we should have written in Hebrew: but the Hebrew hath been altered by us, also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold ye would have had no imperfection in our record, but the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also, that none other people knoweth our language; therefore he that prepared means for the interpretation thereof.”

    Here then the subject is put to silence, for “none other people knoweth our language,” therefore the Lord, and not man, had to interpret, after the people were all dead. And, as Paul said, “the world by wisdom know not God,” so the world by speculation are destitute of revelation; and as God in his superior wisdom, has always given his saints, wherever he had any on the earth, the same spirit, and that spirit, is John says, is the true spirit of prophesy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I may safely say that the word Mormon stands independent of the learning and wisdom of this generation.-Before I give a definition, however, to the word, let me say that the Savior says according to the gospel of John, I” am the good shepherd;” and it will not be beyond the common use of terms, to say that good is among the most important in use, and though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good; the Dane, god,; the Goth, goda; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed; the Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the addition of more, of the contraction, mor, we have the word Mormon; which means, literally, more good.

    Yours,

    Joseph Smith.

     

    Excerpt from an October General Conference address by Gordon B. Hinckley (1990): 2

    “Look,” he went on to say, “if there is any name that is totally honorable in its derivation, it is the name Mormon. And so, when someone asks me about it and what it means, I quietly say—‘Mormon means more good.’” (The Prophet Joseph Smith first said this in 1843; see Times and Seasons, 4:194; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 299–300.)

    His statement intrigued me—Mormon means “more good.” I knew, of course, that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon. I had studied both Latin and Greek, and I knew that English is derived in some measure from those two languages and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon. But his was a positive attitude based on an interesting perception. And, as we all know, our lives are guided in large measure by our perceptions. Ever since, when I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us—in a newspaper or a magazine or book or whatever—there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good.”

     

     

     

  • Garments

    Garments

    Excerpt from ‘William Clayton An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton’, Pg. 223: 1

    “Elder John Taylor confirmed the saying that Joseph and Hyrum and himself were without their robes [garments] in the jail at Carthage, while Doctor Richards had his on, but corrected the idea that some had, that they had taken them off through fear. W. W. Phelps said Joseph told him one day about that time, that he had laid aside his garment on account of the hot weather.”

    References

    References
    1 William Clayton An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton – https://archive.org/details/AnIntimateChronicleWilliamClayton
  • Pistol

    Pistol

    John Taylor recounting the events surrounding the martyrdom at Carthage Jail, History of the Church, 7:102: 1

    “I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, ‘Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!’ He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed, died. I had in my hands a large, strong hickory stick, brought there by Brother Markham, and left by him, which I had seized as soon as I saw the mob approach; and while Brother Joseph was firing the pistol, I stood close behind him. As soon as he had discharged it he stepped back, and I immediately took his place next to the door, while he occupied the one I had done while he was shooting. Brother Richards, at this time, had a knotty walking-stick in his hands belonging to me, and stood next to Brother Joseph, a little farther from the door, in an oblique direction, apparently to avoid the rake of the fire from the door. The firing of Brother Joseph made our assailants pause for a moment; very soon after, however, they pushed the door some distance open, and protruded and discharged their guns into the room, when I parried them off with my stick, giving another direction to the balls.”

    References

    References
    1 History of the Church, 7:102 – https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-7-chapter-9
  • Wine

    Wine

    John Taylor recounting the events surrounding the martyrdom at Carthage Jail, History of the Church, 7:101: 1

    “Sometime after dinner we sent for some wine. It has been reported by some that this was taken as a sacrament. It was no such thing; our spirits were generally dull and heavy, and it was sent for to revive us. I think it was Captain Jones who went after it, but they would not suffer him to return. I believe we all drank of the wine, and gave some to one or two of the prison guards. We all of us felt unusually dull and languid, with a remarkable depression of spirits. In consonance with those feelings I sang a song, that had lately been introduced into Nauvoo, entitled, ‘A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief’, etc.”

    References

    References
    1 History of the Church, 7:101 – https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-7-chapter-9
  • What’s Wrong

    What’s Wrong

    Excerpt from an October 1960 General Conference address by Elder Marion G. Romney: 1

    Now, brethren, if we will keep these things in mind, we shall not be deceived by false teachings. I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him home. At that time there was a great deal of criticism against the President of the Church because of a front-page editorial some of you may remember. We talked about it. When we got to his home I got out of the car and went up on the porch with him. Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: “My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.” Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, “But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.”

     

    References

    References
    1 Marion G. Romney, Conference Report October 1960, pp. 73-78 – http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1103
  • As Anticipated

    As Anticipated

    Excerpt from a February 27, 2015 interview with Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland and Hugh Hewitt: 1

    HH: The first was a man, the second was a woman. I would wonder what the burden of having all these young people on the road in an era of religious intolerance is like.

    JH: It is a burden. It is a worry. We proceed with great faith. We say a lot of prayers on behalf of those young people, because they’re your sons and daughters and my sons and daughters, collectively speaking, and they’re someone’s child. And we worry about them a lot. But the miracle is that every indication we have, and we try to be very careful, we try to be very sensitive about where they work and to what locations they’re assigned and so on and so forth, but having said that, the statistics are that they’re safer in the mission field than they were at home. The chances for an accident, the chances for a serious difficulty or a death, are really minimal. We have been very, very blessed. We knock on wood and say our prayer, and don’t want to be arrogant about that, because there is a very high risk. But we’re greatly blessed, and they continue to come They continue to serve. And those numbers will increase. We’re projecting out probably within four years, the baseline number for the missionary force will be something around 100,000.

     

    Excerpt from the February 1, 2018 LDS News Release ‘Church Announces Mission Adjustments’: 2

    “Changes to mission boundaries are common. Since President Thomas S. Monson announced in 2012 the change in the ages for missionary service, the Church has created 76 new missions to accommodate a surge of growth in only a few years, from 58,000 to 88,000 missionaries. The initial wave of missionaries has since receded to about 68,000 missionaries, as anticipated.”

     

    References

    References
    1 A Conversation with LDS Elder Jeffrey Holland, Hugh Hewitt – http://www.hughhewitt.com/a-conversation-with-lds-elder-jeffrey-holland/
    2 Church Announces Mission Adjustments, Mormon Newsroom – https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mission-adjustments-2018
  • Criticism of Leaders

    Criticism of Leaders

    Excerpt from ‘The Lord’s Way’ by Dallin H. Oaks, Pub. 1991: 1

    “Government or corporate officials, who are directly or indirectly elected or appointed by majority vote, must expect that their performance will be subject to critical and public evaluations by their constituents. That is part of the process of informing those who have the right and power of selection or removal. The same is true of popularly elected officers in professional, community, and other private organizations. I suppose the same is true of religious leaders who are selected by popular vote of members or their representative bodies. Consistent with gospel standards, these evaluations, though critical and public, should be constructive.

    A different principle applies in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where the selection of leaders if based on revelation, subject to the sustaining vote of members. In our system of church government, evil-speaking or criticism of leaders by members is always negative. As President George F. Richards of the Council of the Twelve said in a conference address in April 1947: “When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause.” This is why the Holy Ghost will not guide or confirm criticism of the Lord’s anointed or of church leaders, local or general. This is why we are commanded and counseled to refrain from criticism of church leaders. It is for our own spiritual well-being.

    The Lord’s command to avoid criticism, faultfinding, and evil-speaking will never be welcome in a society where controversy is a popular form of entertainment, where opposition is institutionalized, and where personal criticism is commonplace. Some Latter-day Saints do not understand and accept the reality that the institution of “loyal opposition,” which serves a valuable purpose in a democracy governed by the majority, is a contradiction of terms when applied to a theocracy. Some also do not understand that the faultfinding is spiritually destructive to those who engage in it, and that members who engage in personal criticism of church leaders isolate themselves from the Spirit of the Lord. There are ways to differ with the church leaders, but they are the Lord’s ways, not the world’s ways.”

     

    References

    References
    1 ‘The Lord’s Way’ by Dallin H. Oaks, Pub. 1991 – https://deseretbook.com/p/lords-way-dallin-h-oaks-2997?variant_id=108461-paperback
  • Can’t Leave it Alone

    Can’t Leave it Alone

    Excerpt from a Utah State University baccalaureate address by Boyd K. Packer: 1

    “They leave the Church but they can’t leave it alone”

     

    Excerpt from an address by David O. McKay given to the North British Mission 1 March 1961: 2

    “Every member is a missionary. He or she has the responsibility of bringing somebody: a mother, a father, a neighbor, a fellow worker, an associate, somebody in touch with the messengers of the gospel.”

     

    References

    References
    1 “Go and Bring In Those People Now on the Plains” (We Are Our Brothers’ Keepers), Vaughn Featherstone, Aug. 11, 1981 – https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/vaughn-j-featherstone_go-bring-people-now-plains-brothers-keepers/
    2 TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH: DAVID O. MCKAY, “Every Member a Missionary” – https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-david-o-mckay/chapter-6?lang=eng#note10-
  • For the Love of God

    For the Love of God

    Excerpt from an October 1967 General Conference address by Ezra Taft Benson, ‘Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh’: 1

    “The world largely ignores the first and great commandment—to love God—but talks a lot about loving their brother. They worship at the altar of man. Would Nephi have slain Laban if he had put the love of neighbor above the love of God? Would Abraham have taken Isaac up for a sacrifice if he had put the second commandment first?”

    “There is no doubt that the so-called civil rights movement as it exists today is used as a Communist program for revolution in America just as agrarian reform was used by the Communists to take over China and Cuba.”

     

    References

    References
    1 October 1967 General Conference address by Ezra Taft Benson – http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1569&era=yes
  • Church Broke

    Church Broke

    Former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith speaking privately to LDS leaders about how he tried to help their aims while in congress. February 2009 (Beginning at 13:15): 1

    “I know, and have been a critic of the Iraq war, but I also admit to you that I voted for it because I felt the Lords hand in it. I hope it works out but I can promise you this, you’ll never send missionaries to the Arab street until the rule of law exists in Arabia. And it has taken root in Iraq. And ultimately I think that if that if that succeeds there will be an opportunity to begin building the church in the Middle East, which is a deeply troubled place.”

    LDS area authority Ralph Hardy introduces Former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith to LDS leaders in a private meeting held in February 2009 (Beginning at 3:20):

    “Gordon [Smith] became a skilled legislator and of greatest importance to this council today and in this sanctuary. I stand as a witness, of his tireless advocacy for the vital interest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For in my experience he always stood ready first and foremost as a High Priest and as a covenant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receptive and able and willing to serve it’s most vital interest in Washington and in fact internationally. “

    Though I can’t remember any Latter-day Saints that were permanent members of his staff. It was fair to say that his staff in the senate was church-broke. In fact, not many months ago his legislative director called me on the phone and he said “Ralph, you haven’t called us in 6 weeks, what are we supposed to be doing?”

    References

    References
    1 Private meeting with former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith speaking to LDS leaders (Youtube) – https://youtu.be/z4FPVZH8fIg
  • I Voted For it

    I Voted For it

    Former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith speaking privately to LDS leaders about how he tried to help their aims while in congress. February 2009 (Beginning at 13:15): 1

    “I know, and have been a critic of the Iraq war, but I also admit to you that I voted for it because I felt the Lords hand in it. I hope it works out but I can promise you this, you’ll never send missionaries to the Arab street until the rule of law exists in Arabia. And it has taken root in Iraq. And ultimately I think that if that if that succeeds there will be an opportunity to begin building the church in the Middle East, which is a deeply troubled place.”

    LDS area authority Ralph Hardy introduces Former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith to LDS leaders in a private meeting held in February 2009 (Beginning at 3:20):

    “Gordon [Smith] became a skilled legislator and of greatest importance to this council today and in this sanctuary. I stand as a witness, of his tireless advocacy for the vital interest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For in my experience he always stood ready first and foremost as a High Priest and as a covenant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receptive and able and willing to serve it’s most vital interest in Washington and in fact internationally. “

    Though I can’t remember any Latter-day Saints that were permanent members of his staff. It was fair to say that his staff in the senate was church-broke. In fact, not many months ago his legislative director called me on the phone and he said “Ralph, you haven’t called us in 6 weeks, what are we supposed to be doing?”

     

    References

    References
    1 Private meeting with former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith speaking to LDS leaders (Youtube) – https://youtu.be/z4FPVZH8fIg
  • This Generation

    This Generation

    Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832 (Doctrine and Covenants 84: 4-5): 1

    4 Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.

    5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

     

    References

    References
    1 Doctrine and Covenants Section 84 – https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/84.112
  • Son of Man

    Son of Man

    Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 5, Pg. 336: 1

    “The Prophet On The Second Coming Of The Christ.

    The question has been asked, can a person not belonging to the Church bring a member before the high council for trial? I answer, No. If I had not actually got into this work and been called of God, I would back out. But I cannot back out: I have no doubt of the truth. Were I going to prophesy, I would say the end [of the world] would not come in 1844, 5, or 6, or in forty years. There are those of the rising generation who shall not taste death till Christ comes.

    I was once praying earnestly upon this subject, and a voice said unto me, “My son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years of age, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man.” I was left to draw my own conclusions concerning this; and I took the liberty to conclude that if I did live to that time, He would make His appearance. But I do not say whether He will make his appearance or I shall go where He is. I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written—the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty-five years old. Then read the 14th chapter of Revelation, 6th and 7th verses—”And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come.” And Hosea, 6th chapter, After two days, etc.,—2,520 years; which brings it to 1890. The coming of the Son of Man never will be—never can be till the judgments spoken of for this hour are poured out: which judgments are commenced. Paul says, “Ye are the children of the light, and not of the darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief in the night.” It is not the design of the Almighty to come upon the earth and crush it and grind it to powder, but he will reveal it to His servants the prophets.”

     

    References

    References
    1 History of the Church, Vol. 5, Pg. 336 – https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-5-chapter-17
  • Illusory Truth Effect

    Illusory Truth Effect

    Excerpt from Wikipedia, topic: Illusory Truth Effect: 1

    “The illusory truth effect (also known as the truth effect or the reiteration effect) is the tendency to believe information to be correct after repeated exposure. This phenomenon was first identified in a 1977 study at Villanova University and Temple University. When truth is assessed, people rely on whether the information is in line with their understanding or if it feels familiar. The first condition is logical as people compare new information with what they already know to be true. Repetition makes statements easier to process relative to new, unrepeated, statements, leading people believe that the repeated conclusion is more truthful.”

    Excerpt from an address by Boyd K. Packer, seminar for new mission presidents on June 25, 1982: 2

    “It is not unusual to have a missionary say, ‘How can I bear testimony until I get one? How can I testify that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the gospel is true? If I do not have such a testimony, would that not be dishonest?’ Oh, if I could teach you this one principle: a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it!”

    Excerpt from an April 2008 General Conference address by Dallin H. Oaks: 3

    “Another way to seek a testimony seems astonishing when compared with the methods of obtaining other knowledge. We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it. Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”

    Excerpt from a October 2014 General Conference address by Neil L. Andersen: 4

    “A testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith can come differently to each of us. It may come as you kneel in prayer, asking God to confirm that he was a true prophet. It may come as you read the Prophet’s account of the First Vision. A testimony may distill upon your soul as you read the Book of Mormon again and again. It may come as you bear your own testimony of the Prophet or as you stand in the temple and realize that through Joseph Smith the holy sealing power was restored to the earth.22 With faith and real intent, your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith will strengthen. The constant water balloon volleys from the sidelines may occasionally get you wet, but they need never, never extinguish your burning fire of faith.

    To the youth listening today or reading these words in the days ahead, I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Let your voice help fulfill Moroni’s prophetic words to speak good of the Prophet. Here are two ideas: First, find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them with family and friends in family home evening, seminary, and your Young Men and Young Women classes, acknowledging that Joseph was an instrument in God’s hands. Next, read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price or in this pamphlet, now in 158 languages. You can find it online at LDS.org or with the missionaries. This is Joseph’s own testimony of what actually occurred. Read it often. Consider recording the testimony of Joseph Smith in your own voice, listening to it regularly, and sharing it with friends. Listening to the Prophet’s testimony in your own voice will help bring the witness you seek.”

    See also:

    References

  • Natural Action

    Natural Action

    Excerpt from an address by Brigham Young, made in the Great Salt Lake City Bowery, July 8, 1860 (JoD v. 8, p. 115):1

    “While brother Joseph was referring to the providences of God, I was led to reflect that there is no act, no principle, no power belonging to the Deity that is not purely philosophical. The birth of the Savior was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood—was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers.”

     

    References

  • Consent of Joseph

    Consent of Joseph

    Excerpt from an address by Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, October 9, 1859 (JOD Vol. 7, Pg. 289): 1

    “Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days. I can tell our beloved brother Christians who have slain the Prophets and butchered and otherwise caused the death of thousands of Latter-day Saints, the priests who have thanked God in their prayers and thanksgiving from the pulpit that we have been plundered, driven, and slain, and the deacons under the pulpit, and their brethren and sisters in their closets, who have thanked God, thinking that the Latter-day Saints were wasted away, something that no doubt will mortify them—something that, to say the least, is a matter of deep regret to them—namely, that no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation—the keys to rule in the spirit world; and he rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of Satan while he was yet in the flesh, and was a martyr to his religion and to the name of Christ, which gives him a most perfect victory in the spirit world. He reigns there as supreme a being in his sphere, capacity, and calling, as God does in heaven. Many will exclaim—“Oh, that is very disagreeable! It is preposterous! We cannot bear the thought!” But it is true.”

     

    References

    References
    1 Journal of Discourses Vol. 7, Pg. 289 – http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/JournalOfDiscourses3/id/9603
  • One on One

    One on One

    Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader (SNAP’s efforts were featured in the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight”): 1

    “No other reputable institutional church, private or public school, sports group, youth serving organization, or community center allows one-on-one meetings between adults and children. Why? It’s an invitation for sexual abuse. Why is the LDS church endorsing this horrible practice?”

     

    References

  • Brandy Sling

    Brandy Sling

    From Wilford Woodruff’s journal entry, June 9 1897, Vol. 7, Pg. 305: 1

    “June 9th I was quite restless all night. Felt chilly. Took a little Brandy sling and a cup of coffee, and slept some before daylight and until 9 am”

     

    From Wilford Woodruff’s journal entry, April 1897, Vol. 7, Pg. 290:

    “Arrived at 11.10. I drank some Hot Lemonade with a little brandy in it. Went to bed and soon to sleep.”

    “April 10th Had some distress in my stomach. Did not sleep good. Drank a cup of coffee at 7.30 and Slept for 3 hours.”

    “April 11th I slept some 3 hours after midnight. Ate a few stewed oysters & drank a cup of coffee for breakfast.”

    “April 13th I slept from 4 pm yesterday till 6 am some 7 1/2 hours. Had a cup of coffee & some bread & milk.”

     

    Excerpt from an 1880 General Conference address by Wilford Woodruff: 2

    “Now I will say a few words more, and then I will close. I have often been asked the question, what condition should a man be in in order to receive a recommend to go through the Temple of the Lord? I will tell my feelings in regard to this matter, and if they are not correct, President Taylor and others of the Twelve can correct me. I believe it is too late in the day to send men to the Temple who make a daily use of whiskey, or other strong drinks, tobacco, &c, and there perform the ordinances for their dead; it is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord God of Israel. If we are going to be saved, let us build up the Kingdom of God, let us be reasonable and live according to what we preach; let us live our religion. I do not believe that a man is fit to go into the temples of the Lord to administer these ordinances for the living and the dead, who will make a practice of drinking strong drinks. What do you drink? Whiskey? No; you drink strychnine; you drink tobacco and a great deal of abysinthe, “blue ruin” and death; you drink anything under heaven but pure liquor. It can scarcely be said to exist in the land. The “stuff that is sold deprives you of your agency, and gives the devil power over you; it does so with anybody who makes a practice of using this liquor and other intoxicants. No one who uses them is fit to administer in the ordinances of the House of the Lord.
    My own faith is that no one is fit to administer the sacrament, baptize the children of men, or administer in the House of God, unless he in a measure keeps the Word of Wisdom. The Spirit of God will not dwell in unholy temples.”

     

  • Simply Fiction

    Simply Fiction

    Excerpt from a 2000 BYU paper by Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) and Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU) titled ‘The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon’: 1

    “Spanning a period of twenty years (1869-1888), some seventy recorded testimonies about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon claim David Whitmer as their source. Though there are a number of inconsistencies in these accounts, David Whitmer was repeatedly reported to have said that after the loss of the 116 pages, the Lord took both the plates and the Urim and Thummim from the Prophet, never to be returned. In their stead, David Whitmer maintained, the Prophet used an oval-shaped, chocolate-colored seer stone slightly larger than an egg. Thus, everything we have in the Book of Mormon, according to Mr. Whitmer, was translated by placing the chocolate-colored stone in a hat into which Joseph would bury his head so as to close out the light. While doing so he could see “an oblong piece of parchment, on which the hieroglyphics would appear,” and below the ancient writing, the translation would be given in English. Joseph would then read this to Oliver Cowdery, who in turn would write it. If he did so correctly, the characters and the interpretation would disappear and be replaced by other characters with their interpretation

    Such an explanation is, in our judgment, simply fiction created for the purpose of demeaning Joseph Smith and to undermine the validity of the revelations he received after translating the Book of Mormon.”

     

    Excerpt from Joseph the Seer, Ensign (October 2015): 2

    “The stone Joseph Smith used in the Book of Mormon translation effort was often referred to as a chocolate-colored stone with an oval shape. This stone passed from Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery and then to the Church through Brigham Young and others.”

     

    References

    References
    1 The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon, BYU (2000) – http://emp.byui.edu/satterfieldb/Rel121/Process%20of%20Translating%20the%20BofM.pdf
    2 Joseph the Seer, Ensign (October 2015) – https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer?lang=eng
  • Unconditional Love

    Unconditional Love

    Excerpt from a 1993 Christmas Devotional address by Gordon B. Hinckley: 1

    “And so at this Christmas season we reach out to all in a spirit of love and reconciliation, even to those who speak evil against us. We sing beautiful carols that tell of the night of His birth, that silent and holy night. In moments of quiet, we reflect upon His matchless life and His unconditional love for each of us. As unworthy recipients of His mercy, we thank Him for His redeeming sacrifice.”

     

    Excerpt from a 2003 Ensign article by Apostle Russell M. Nelson: 2

    “While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional. The word does not appear in the scriptures. On the other hand, many verses affirm that the higher levels of love the Father and the Son feel for each of us—and certain divine blessings stemming from that love—are conditional.”

     

    References

    References
    1 December 11, 1993, Christmas Devotional – http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/23911/Devotional-focuses-on-the-Savior.html
    2 February 2003 Ensign, ‘Divine Love’ – https://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/02/divine-love?lang=eng
  • Participate

    Participate

    Excerpt from Handbook 1, Stake Presidents and Bishops, 6.10.1: 1

    “If a member of a bishopric, stake presidency, or high council or a clerk has a legal duty because of his occupation (such as a law enforcement officer) to report to government authorities facts that are likely to be disclosed in a disciplinary council, he should not participate.”

     

     

  • Roughing It

    Roughing It

    Excerpts from Mark Twain’s 1872 ‘Roughing It’: 1

    “All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the “elect” have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so “slow,” so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle—keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously-engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason.”

    “The book seems to be merely a prosy detail of imaginary history, with the Old Testament for a model; followed by a tedious plagiarism of the New Testament. The author labored to give his words and phrases the quaint, old-fashioned sound and structure of our King James’s translation of the Scriptures; and the result is a mongrel—half modern glibness, and half ancient simplicity and gravity. The latter is awkward and constrained; the former natural, but grotesque by the contrast. Whenever he found his speech growing too modern—which was about every sentence or two—he ladled in a few such Scriptural phrases as “exceeding sore,” “and it came to pass,” etc., and made things satisfactory again. “And it came to pass” was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.”

    “And when I am far on the road to conviction, and eight men, be they grammatical or otherwise, come forward and tell me that they have seen the plates too; and not only seen those plates but “hefted” them, I am convinced. I could not feel more satisfied and at rest if the entire Whitmer family had testified.”

     

    References

    References
    1 Mark Twain, ‘Roughing it’, 1872 – https://archive.org/details/roughingitbymark01twaiuoft
  • Mutual Masturbation

    Mutual Masturbation

    Excerpt from Spencer W. Kimball’s ‘The Miracle of Forgiveness’, Chp. 6:1

    “Youth come into contact early with masturbation. Many would-be authorities declare that it is natural and acceptable, and frequently young men I interview cite these advocates to justify their practice of it. To this we must respond that the world’s norms in many areas-drinking, smoking, and sex experience generally, to mention only a few-depart increasingly from God’s law. The Church has a different, higher norm.

    Thus prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward godhood which is the object of our mortal life. Our modern prophet has indicated that no young man should be called on a mission who is not free from this practice.

    While we should not regard this weakness as the heinous sin which some other sexual practices are, it is of itself bad enough to require sincere repentance. What is more, it too often leads to grievous sin, even to that sin against nature, homosexuality. For, done in private, it evolves often into mutual masturbation
    practiced with another person of the same sex and thence into total homosexuality. “

     

    References

    References
    1  ‘The Miracle of Forgiveness’, Spencer W. Kimball (1969) – https://archive.org/stream/MiracleOfForgiveness/MoF_djvu.txt
  • Joseph’s Bar

    Joseph’s Bar

    From the Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 12 Dec. 1843, signed by Joseph Smith Jr. [mayor]: 1

    “An Ordinance for the health and convenience of travellers and other purposes.
    Section 1 Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, that the Mayor of the City be and is hereby authorized to sell, or give Spirits, of any quantity he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health, comfort or convenience of such travellers or other persons as shall visit his House from time to time
    Passed December 12. 1843
    Joseph Smith Mayor”

     

    References

    References
    1 Nauvoo City Council, Ordinance, 12 Dec. 1843; Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 12 Dec. 1843, 194; signed by JS and Willard Richards – http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/ordinance-12-december-1843-c/1#source-note
  • Cain

    Cain

    Excerpt from the ‘Miracle of Forgiveness’, Spencer W. Kimball: 1

    “On the sad character Cain, an interesting story comes to us from Lycurgus A. Wilson’s book on the life of David W. Patten. From the book I quote an extract from a letter by Abraham O. Smoot giving his recollection of David Patten’s account of meeting “a very remarkable person who had represented himself as being Cain.

    ‘As I was riding along the road on my mule I suddenly noticed a very strange personage walking beside me… His head was about even with my shoulders as I sat in my saddle. He wore no clothing, but was covered with hair. His skin was very dark. I asked him where he dwelt and he replied that he had no home, that he was a wanderer in the earth and traveled to and fro. He said he was a very miserable creature, that he had earnestly sought death during his sojourn upon the earth, but that he could not die, and his mission was to destroy the souls of men. About the time he expressed himself thus, I rebuked him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of the holy priesthood, and commanded him to go hence, and he immediately departed out of my sight…”

     

    References

    References
    1 ‘The Miracle of Forgiveness’, Spencer W. Kimball – https://archive.org/stream/MiracleOfForgiveness/MoF_djvu.txt
  • Unclean

    Unclean

    Excerpt from the ‘The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson’, referencing an address by Apostle John W. Taylor: 1

    “6:30 p.m. General priesthood meeting, Pres. Kelly presiding. Apostle Jno. W. Taylor was the speaker. Topics treated. Said that those who have sexual intercourse with their wives or touch any dead body are unclean until evening, and, therefore, during that day should not enter the temple or officiate in the ordinances of the gospel. Advised the brethren not to eat pork or use it in their families. Dwelt upon the power and authority of the holy priesthood. Testified that he had seen the face of the Savior in vision by night. “

     

    References

    References
    1 A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, p514 – https://archive.org/details/AMinistryOfMeetingsRudgerClawson
  • We Don’t Have That

    We Don’t Have That

    Excerpt from a 2017 YSA Face to Face with Russell Ballard and Dallin Oaks:1

    MALE HOST:
    “…we have a lot of questions in the YSA about their friends dealing with doubts. A question from Utah asks what advice/guidance would you give for answering tough questions about church history when we are asked about them by someone who is struggling with their faith?”

    OAKS:
    “I think the first thing is to distinguish between questions and doubts. Some people merge those as if they were the same. A question asked with a sincere desire to increase one’s knowledge and understanding is the way to increase knowledge. We encourage questions. On the other hand, a doubt is an ambiguous word. Sometimes a doubt is a synonym for a question—you just want to know the truth about something. One dictionary definition of doubt is “accompanied by distrust, a rejection of something.” That’s the kind of thing that the scriptures have condemned. The savior, for instance, said “oh, thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt?” He said that to his apostles when they were in the midst of the storm. And, “doubt not but be believing,” comes out of Moroni, chapter 9. And “look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not,” that’s Doctrine and Covenants section 6.
    So, doubt is a confusing word. In some aspects we don’t encourage doubt and the scriptures condemn it. On the other hand, questions—sincere desire to know that aren’t accompanied by a presumption of rejection—are something that we wish to encourage.”

    BALLARD:
    “And some are saying that the Church has been hiding the fact that there’s more than one version of the first vision, which is just not true. The facts are we don’t study; we don’t go back and search what has been said on the subject. For example, Dr. James B. Allen of BYU, in 1970 he produced an article for the church magazines explaining all about the different versions of the first vision.”

    OAKS: “How long ago was that article?”

    BALLARD: “1970, that was back in 1970.”

    OAKS: “We’ve been hiding that for a long time…”
    [Audience laughter] [Oaks laughter]

    BALLARD continues:
    “It’s this idea that the Church is hiding something, which we would have to say as two apostles that have covered the world and know the history of the Church and know the integrity of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve from the beginning of time. There has been no attempt on the part, in any way, of the Church leaders trying to hide anything from anybody. Now we’ve had the Joseph smith papers. We didn’t have those where they are in our hands now. And so we’re learning more about the Prophet Joseph. It’s wonderful we are. There’s volumes of it. There’s so much in those books now on my book shelf. Maybe you’ve read them all [gestures toward Oaks], but I haven’t got there. I’m a slow reader. So, just trust us wherever you are in the world, and you share this message with anyone else who raises the question about the Church not being transparent. We’re as transparent as we know how to be in telling the truth. We have to do that. That’s the Lord’s way.”

    Excerpt from a 1978 interview with Apostle Legrand Richards: 2

    WALTERS: “Well I thought somebody said that Joseph Fielding had had Joseph Smith’s seer stone.”
    RICHARDS:”No. We don’t have that.
    WALTERS:”You don’t have that?”
    RICHARDS:”No.”
    WALTERS:”Oh.”
    RICHARDS::”We have got some of the early writings of the Prophet Joseph and things of that kind, and testimony of when Joseph Smith performed a plural marriage for them, but – things of that kind in the Historian’s office. But we have [unintelligible] church.”
    VLACHOS:”Is the seer stone in the historical department?”
    RICHARDS: “We don’t have a seer stone. That went back with the plates when [unintelligible]”
    WALTERS:”Oh! Okay, I hadn’t heard that. I see. I thought that somebody said that it was still out there somewhere.”
    VLACHOS:”Do you know what it looked like?”
    RICHARDS:”What?”
    VLACHOS:”Do you know what the stone looked like?”
    RICHARDS:”No. I’ve never seen it. And I don’t think there is any living man who has seen it.”

    Excerpt from the October 2015 Ensign, Joseph the Seer: 3

    “After Brigham Young died, one of his wives, Zina D. H. Young, who later became the third Relief Society general president, obtained a chocolate-colored seer stone from his estate that matched descriptions of the stone Joseph used to translate the Book of Mormon, and donated it to the Church.  Since that time, subsequent Church leaders have acknowledged the Church’s ownership of the seer stone.”

    See also:

    Church as transparent as it knows how to be – wasmormon.org
    Joseph Smith and “The” “First” “Vision” – wasmormon.org

    References

    References
    1 Apostle M. Russell Ballard, November 2017, YSA Face to Face – https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/oaks-ballard?cid=HP_SU_19-11-2017_dPFD_fBCAST_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng
    2 Apostle Legrand Richards, August 1978, Interview with Wesley Walters – http://thoughtsonthingsandstuff.com/the-legrand-richards-interview/
    3 Joseph the Seer, October 2015 Ensign – https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer?lang=eng
  • Alms

    Alms

    Matthew 6:1, King James Bible: 1

    “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

    ‘President Eyring Offers Support in the Caribbean After Hurricane Irma’, Mormon Newsroom. 2

     

    References

    References
    1 Matthew 6:1, King James Bible – https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-6-1/
    2 ‘President Eyring Offers Support in the Caribbean After Hurricane Irma’, Mormon Newsroom – http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-eyring-post-hurricane-irma
  • Cumorah Cave

    Cumorah Cave

    Topic: Hill Cumorah Cave

    From Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 17 June 1877: 1

    “Oliver Cowdery went with the Prophet Joseph when he deposited these plates. Joseph did not translate all of the plates; there was a portion of them sealed, which you can learn from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph got the plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back to the hill Cumorah, which he did. Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in which there was a large and spacious room. He says he did not think, at the time, whether they had the light of the sun or artificial light; but that it was just as light as day. They laid the plates on a table; it was a large table that stood in the room. Under this table there was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this room more plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in the corners and along the walls. The first time they went there the sword of Laban hung upon the wall; but when they went again it had been taken down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these words: “This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and his Christ.” I tell you this as coming not only from Oliver Cowdery, but others who were familiar with it, and who understood it just as well as we understand coming to this meeting. . . . [Don] Carlos Smith was a young man of as much veracity as any young man we had, and he was a witness to these things. Samuel Smith saw some things, Hyrum saw a good many things, but Joseph was the leader.”

     

    From The Journal of Wilford Woodruff, December 11, 1869: 2

    “December 11, 1869: At School of the Prophets: President Young said in relation to Joseph Smith returning the plates of the Book of Mormon, that he did not return them to the box from where he had received them. But he went into a cave in the Hill Cumorah with Oliver Cowdery and deposited those plates upon a table or shelf and in that room were deposited a large amount of gold plates, containing sacred records; and when they first visited that room, the sword of Laban was hanging upon the wall and when they last visited it, the sword was drawn from the scabbard and lain upon the table, and a messenger who was the keeper of the room informed them that that sword would never be returned to its scabbard until the Kingdom of God was established upon the earth and until it reigned triumphant over everyone. Joseph Smith said that cave contained tons of choice treasures and records. ”

     

    From the Journal of Discourses, 28 September 1856. In response to a Brother Mills’s statement about the handcart pioneers, Heber C. Kimball said: 3

    “How does it compare with the vision that Joseph and others had, when they went into a cave in the hill Cumorah, and saw more records than ten men could carry? There were books piled up on tables, book upon book. Those records this people will yet have, if they accept of the Book of Mormon and observe its precepts, and keep the commandments.”

     

    From Orson Pratt, The Contributor, September 1882: 4

    “But the grand repository of all the numerous records of the ancient nations of the western continent, was located in another department of the hill, and its contents put under the charge of holy angels, until the day should come for them to be transferred to the sacred temple of Zion.”

     

     

    Additional Study

    Hill Cumorah Cave, Joseph Smith Foundation – http://www.josephsmithfoundation.org/wiki/hill-cumorah-cave/
    Cumorah’s Cave, Cameron J. Packer, BYU – https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&httpsredir=1&article=1360&context=jbms

    References

    References
    1 Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 17 June 1877 – http://jod.mrm.org/19/36
    2 The Journal of Wilford Woodruff, December 11, 1869 – https://archive.org/stream/WoodruffWilfordJournalSelections/Woodruff_Wilford_Journal_Selections_djvu.txt
    3 Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 28 September 1856 – http://jod.mrm.org/4/105
    4 Orson Pratt, The Contributor, September 1882 – https://archive.org/details/contributor0312eng
  • Drank a Beer

    Drank a Beer

    From the 1902 LDS published ‘History of the Church’ vol. 6, p. 424: 1

    “At one, P.M., I rode out with Dr. Richards and Orrin P. Rockwell. Called on Davis at the boat. Paid Manhard $90. Met George J. Adams, and paid him $50. Then went to John P. Greene’s, and paid him and another brother $200. Called at William Clayton’s, while Dr. Richards and Orrin P. Rockwell called at the doctor’s new house. Returned home at 4:30 P.M.”

    Original citation, ‘President Joseph Smith’s Journal’, 1 June 1844 (notice the omitted text): 2

    “At one, p.m., I rode out with Dr. Richards and O.P. Rockwell. Called on Davis at the Boat. Paid Manhard $90. Met George J. Adams, and paid him $50. Then went to John P. Greene’s, and paid him and another brother $200. Drank a glass of beer at Moessers. Called at William Clayton’s, while Dr. Richards and O.P. Rockwell called at the Doctor’s new house. Returned home at 4 ½ p.m.”

     

    References

    References
    1 ‘History of the Church’ vol. 6, p. 424 – https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-6-chapter-20
    2 ‘President Joseph Smith’s Journal’, 1 June 1844, Joseph Smith Papers – http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-december-1842-june-1844-book-4-1-march-22-june-1844/144#source-note