Day 19 - Alma 14-19; D&C 73-76


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The arm of the Lord is "extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name."

Scripture Reference: Alma 17-19

Ammon served a mission to the Lamanites. He offered to be King Lamoni's servant and was sent to help guard the king's flocks. Wicked men scattered the flocks. The other servants were afraid, but Ammon convinced them to gather the animals. When the robbers came again, Ammon fought them, cutting off the arm of each man who lifted a club to attack him. The robbers became frightened and fled. King Lamoni was amazed at Ammon's power. Ammon told the king his power came from God. Ammon became an instrument in the hands of the Lord and brought King Lamoni and many of the Lamanites to a knowledge of the truth. As Ammon began teaching King Lamoni, he helped him gain an understanding about God and heaven by teaching in a way that the king could understand. After establishing a level of understanding with King Lamoni, Ammon taught essential doctrines of the plan of redemption from the scriptures. After hearing and believing Ammon’s words, King Lamoni asked God for mercy upon him and his people. Perhaps Mormon wanted us to learn from the experiences of Ammon and King Lamoni and his people that the arm of the Lord is "extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name."

Lessons Learned - Do We Know Who We Are?

Dean R. Burgess, “Do You Know Who You Are?,” Ensign, May 2008, 53–55

Ammon, a great missionary of the Book of Mormon, was a faithful and valiant servant of King Lamoni. He miraculously preserved King Lamoni’s flocks and did all he could to serve the king. When hearing of Ammon’s powerful acts, Lamoni questioned who Ammon really was. Ammon declared:

“Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desireth which is right, that will I do.

“Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?

“Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.”

Ammon then explained who he was when he said, “I am a man … created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach … this people” (Alma 18:17–19, 34). Ammon knew who he was and what his true mission was.

Finding out who we are is one of life’s greatest quests. As parents and leaders, we make a sincere and honest effort to help those we love understand and know the answer to this simple but profound question, “Who am I?”

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Alma 14:11 The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand

One of the oldest arguments for atheism is that if there were a god, he would not allow so many terrible things to happen. Like the atheists, the people of Ammonihah expect that if there is a God, he will save his people from destruction by fire. The very presence of tragedy and suffering, in their view, argue against the existence of God. But their argument does not comprehend the importance and meaning of the agency of man (Moses 4:3).

The death of the righteous in Ammonihah is a great example of why God does not often use his almighty power to change the natural course of events. It is not, as some suppose, that God does not care enough about his children to save them from disaster but that he has placed us in a state to act according to [our] wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good (Alma 12:31). Therefore, the consequences of the unrighteous use of agency must be unaltered by his mighty hand. He does this that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just.

Hugh Nibley

“I went on a mission quite shortly after World War I, of all times, in German towns, and everybody had the same story. Nobody would believe anything. They wouldn't accept religion because God would not allow that [the atrocities of war] to happen. Their sons were in the war. Where I stayed first, Mrs. Bauer had a seventeen-year-old boy who was killed in the war. She said, ‘Why? What was he guilty of? Why should God [punish him]?’ They said, ‘There is no God; he would never allow that sort of thing.’ Would he allow the holocaust? Would he allow the fire raids and things like that of World War II? Well, it is not God who is being tested here. It is men who are being tested here. We say he has failed to pass our test. We are not giving tests to him. That's after we have refused again and again all his pleas. He has pleaded with us to do this, but we wouldn't have anything to do with it…He [Alma] should not save them, but he is certainly wrestling here. ” (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, 2:345)

Spencer W. Kimball

“Now, we find many people critical when a righteous person is killed, a young father or mother is taken from a family, or when violent deaths occur. Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered. Some lose faith and turn sour when solemn administrations by holy men seem to be ignored and no restoration seems to come from repeated prayer circles. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the Gospel, free agency, would be ended.

“If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil -- all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, no controls.

“Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood. ("Tragedy or Destiny," Improvement Era, March 1966, pp. 180, 210 as taken from Daniel Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 206)

M. Russell Ballard

“I can understand why someone who lacks an eternal perspective might see the horrifying news footage of starving children and man’s inhumanity to man and shake a fist at the heavens and cry, ‘If there is a God, how could he allow such things to happen’…God has put his plan in motion. It proceeds through natural laws that are, in fact, God’s laws. Since they are his, he is bound by them, as are we….The Lord can control the elements. For the most part, however, he does not cause but he allows nature to run its course. In this imperfect world, bad things sometimes happen…[However], much adversity is manmade….Much adversity has its origin in the principle of agency….Often overlooked is the fact that choices have consequences….At times we will be affected adversely by the way other people choose to exercise their agency. Our Heavenly Father feels so strongly about protecting our agency that he allows his children to exercise it, either for good or for evil….But if we know and understand Heavenly Father’s plan, we realize that dealing with adversity is one of the chief ways we are tested.” (Ensign, May 1995, p. 23 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 271)

Marion D. Hanks

“The right question to ask is not why good people have trials, but how shall good people respond when they are tried?…God does not deny us the experience we came here to have. He does not insulate us from tribulation or guarantee immunity from trouble. Much of the pain we suffer and inevitably impost upon others is self-induced through our own bad judgment, through poor choices… But much that happens to us in this life we cannot control; we only respond.” (Ensign, Nov. 1992, p. 64 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 269)

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Alma 15:3 Zeezrom lay sick…with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind

The suffering of Zeezrom gives us a glimpse into the relationship between mind, spirit, and body. Many have wondered to what extent the human mind can control physical well-being. This story demonstrates that indeed the power of the human mind can definitely affect physical health.

While Zeezrom suffered in mind and spirit because of his many sins, his body was scorched with a burning heat which was more than just figurative. There was a literal burning fever which afflicted the body. The catharsis of repentance often leaves the physical body in a state of illness or weakness. So it was with Alma the younger, Saul of Tarsus, king Lamoni, etc.

When we read of the events of Gesthemane, we are reminded of this concept. As Christ prayed to the Father, there were no external forces to cause him any physical pain. There were no Roman soldiers to whip and hit him. Rather, he suffered both body and spirit from the great mental anguish and spiritual weight of the sins of the world. The physical pain came from within. It swelled and festered until it oozed out of every pore. While Zeezrom was scorched with a burning fever for his own sins, the Savior felt physical pain for the sins of Zeezrom, Alma, Paul, King Lamoni, and every other creature. Such mental and spiritual suffering would have killed the body of any mortal man. Only the Savior could suffer so much and still survive.

Elder Orson F. Whitney shared in this feeling: ‘Our little finite afflictions are but as a drop in the ocean, compared with the infinite and unspeakable agony borne by him for our sakes because we were not able to bear it for ourselves.’ In an inspired effort to define his suffering, Elder Neal A. Maxwell called it ‘enormity multiplied by infinity.’” (Tad Callister, Infinite Atonement, p. 128)

Boyd K. Packer

“I recently asked a doctor of family medicine how much of his time was devoted purely to correcting physical disorders. He has a large practice, and after thoughtfully considering, he answered, ‘Not more than 20 percent. The rest of the time I seem to be working on problems that very much affect the physical well-being of my patients but do not originate in the body.

“’These physical disorders,’ the doctor concluded, ‘are merely symptoms of some other kind of trouble.’…

“There is another part of us, not so tangible, but quite as real as our physical body. This intangible part of us is described as mind, emotion, intellect, temperament, and many other things. Very seldom is it described as spiritual.

“But there is a spirit in man; to ignore it is to ignore reality. There are spiritual disorders, too, and spiritual diseases that can cause intense suffering.

“The body and the spirit of man are bound together. Often, very often, when there are disorders, it is very difficult to tell which is which.” (Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 59 as taken from the BOM Institute Manual, 1981, p. 240)

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Alma 16:9 the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul…and also their great city

Because of the chronology of the Book of Mormon can be confusing, it is hard to remember what events had led up to this vicious attack on Ammonihah. The background of the story is told in Alma 24. The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were Lamanites who had made a covenant that they would no longer participate in wars or shed any man’s blood (Alma 24:17). Incited by the Nephite dissident leaders among them (who ironically were also of the order of the Nehors), a Lamanite army attacked the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi who had prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord (Alma 24:21). The Lamanite army killed 1005 helpless, unarmed believers. This had a remarkable effect on them. They were disgusted that they had taken the lives of their fellow Lamanites and vowed from that time that they would take vengeance upon the Nephites (Alma 25:1). This vengeance was fully exacted upon the people of Ammonihah(Alma 25:2).

It should be evident from the preceding chapters that the Ammonihahites deserved the punishment they received. In case you’ve forgotten, let’s review what they had done to deserve this fate:

1) They reviled, spat upon, and cast out Alma when he first came to them (Alma 8:13).

2) They tried bribery to get Amulek to reject the Lord (Alma 11:22)

3) They had rejected warnings and cries of repentance from both Alma and Amulek (Alma 9:15,18; 10:19).

4) They spat upon and cast out the repentant Zeezrom (Alma 14:7).

5) They stoned and cast out the male believers (Alma 15:1).

6) They burned the wives and children of the believers in order to mock the power of Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:8-10).

7) They mocked, bound, and tortured Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:14-24).

In spite of all this wickedness, they retained an attitude of rebellion which is best encapsulated in their defiance of Alma when they said, We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day (Alma 9:4). But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcases were mangled by dogs and the wild beasts (v. 10).

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Alma 17:2 they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth…they had searched the scriptures diligently

Scriptures are of little value unless they are searched. They are useful if they are “read,” but the term “search” implies something totally different. To “search” is to try to understand, to look for personal meaning, to understand historical context, to reference other sources, to find resolution to conflicts, and to internalize principles. Had the sons of Mosiah “read” the scriptures, though they may have read them one hundred times, they would not have had the power that they received by searching them diligently. The Lord has never commanded the saints to “read” the scriptures; He always commands them to “search” them: search them diligently that ye may profit (Mosiah 1:7)….and search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah (3 Ne 23:1). The result of diligent searching is that one becomes as the sons of Mosiah who had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth.

Howard W. Hunter

“To understand requires more than casual reading or perusal—there must be concentrated study….Not only should we study each day, but there should be a regular time set aside when we can concentrate without interference…The important thing is to allow nothing else to ever interfere with our study….There are some who read to a schedule of a number of pages or a set number of chapters each day or week….It is better to have a set amount of time to give scriptural study each day than to have a set amount of chapters to read. Sometimes we find that the study of a single verse will occupy the whole time.” (Ensign, Nov. 1979, pp. 64-5 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, pp. 279-80)

Joseph Smith

“Search the scriptures-search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to his glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. No; for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them. Then again we say: Search the Scriptures, search the Prophets and learn what portion of them belongs to you.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 11)

Thomas S. Monson

“May I suggest…a formula [in missionary work] that will ensure your success: Search the scriptures with diligence!…Your confidence will be directly related to your knowledge of God’s word. Oh...I am sure you have heard of some missionaries who were lazy, less than effective, and anxious for their missions to conclude. A careful examination of such instances will reveal that the actual culprit is not laziness, nor disinterest, but is the foe known as fear. Our Father chastised such: ‘…with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man (DC 60:2).’” (Conference Reports, Oct. 1969, pp. 93-4 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 279)

Ezra Taft Benson

“We should make daily study of the scriptures a lifetime pursuit…The most important [thing] you can do…is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently…Learn the doctrine. Master the principles…You must…see that…searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity.” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 47 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 280)

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Alma 19:16 one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish

Abish is noteworthy not just because of her pivotal role in the events of chapter 19 but because she is one of the few women mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon. The others are Sariah, Eve, Sarah, Mary, and Isabel (Alma 39:3). Some may wonder why women did not play a bigger part of the narrative of the Book of Mormon. Others may complain, but this is a great example of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon because it followed the old Hebrew cultural tradition which was male-dominated. The Lord God should not be held responsible for this cultural tradition, nor does this scant treatment of women reflect the Lord’s view on the role and importance of womanhood.

Let’s take a look at Abish’s spiritual maturity. Assuming that it was her father who had the vision and not her, 1) she was obedient to the vision and teachings of her father, 2) she was faithful and discreet as a silent convert, 3) she had the gift of discernment by which she knew that the three lay prostate by the power of God, 4) she was an opportunist and a missionary who gathered all to witness the power of God, 5) she was sensitive to the great conflict amongst the gathering (v. 28), and 6) she took inspired action amidst this great conflict which led to its resolution in that she took the queen and king by the hand, awakening them from their trances (v. 29-30). In the span of a very few verses, she demonstrates incredible spiritual acumen which is worthy of emulation.

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DC 73 Historical Background

On December 1, 1831, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, who had been engaged in translating the New Testament, were commanded to preach the gospel in response to anti-Mormon newspaper articles written by apostate Ezra Booth (see Section 71). In the revelation, Joseph and Sidney were to continue on this mission “even until it shall be made known unto you” (D&C 71:2). Section 73 is the revelation which instructed Joseph and Sidney that they had fulfilled their mission—it was time to return to the translation of the scriptures.

Joseph Smith

From this time (early December) until the 8th or 10th of January, 1832, myself and Elder Rigdon continued to preach in Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, setting forth the truth, vindicating the cause of our Redeemer; showing that the day of vengeance was coming upon this generation like a thief in the night; that prejudice, blindness and darkness filled the minds of many, and caused them to persecute the true Church, and reject the true light; by which means we did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters then being published in the Ohio Star, at Ravenna, by the before-mentioned apostate, Ezra Booth. On the 10th of January, I received the following revelation (Section 73) making known the will of the Lord concerning the Elders of the Church until the convening of the next conference. (History of the Church, 1:241-242)

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DC 74 Historical Background

In the spring of 1829, Joseph Smith translated the book of Moroni. Therein he was taught the doctrine of the Lord with respect to infant baptism, “little children need no repentance, neither baptism… he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement… For behold that all little children are alive in Christ” (Moro. 8:11-22). Mormon was teaching Moroni that it is impossible for children to be unholy because the atonement of Christ saves them.

Over two and a half years later, Joseph Smith is “translating” again—this time with Sidney Rigdon. He comes across a disturbing phrase, “else were your children unholy; but now are they holy.” (1 Cor. 7:14) Think how this phrase could be interpreted! Did Paul mean that children were unholy until they were baptized? Is that what Paul meant to say—that the Corinthian children are now holy because they have received the ordinance of baptism? Joseph Smith knows that doctrine can’t be right. He knows that a minister who performs infant baptism can use this scripture from Paul to teach the false doctrine that infants need baptism, saying without it the children were unholy.

The Prophet Joseph needs help understanding how and why Paul is referring to the children as being “unclean.”

Joseph Smith

The doctrine of baptizing children, or sprinkling them, or they must welter in hell, is a doctrine not true, not supported in Holy Writ, and is not consistent with the character of God. All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 197)

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DC 74:1 the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife

“In the Corinthian Church, some evidently held that when the husband, or wife, had been converted, he, or she, ought to abandon the unconverted partner as unclean and contaminating. Not at all! St. Paul says, in substance, that the conversion of one of the partners has brought a sanctifying influence into the family. As Meyer puts it, ‘The non-believing partner in a marriage becomes partner—as if by sacred contagion—of the higher, divinely consecrated character of his consort.’ ‘Else,’ the Apostle argues, ‘were your children unclean.’ If the wife—this is the argument—must abandon a husband because he is not a Church member, she would also be obliged to abandon her children. But this is not required.” (L. G. Otten and C. M. Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982-1983], 2: 16.)

Paul recognizes the struggles of part-member families among the Corinthians. Since there were significant cultural and religious differences between the believers and the unbelievers, his advice must have been a source of comfort and peace for those that wondered if they should leave their spouse for the gospel’s sake (1 Cor. 7:2-13). Rather than condescending to the unbeliever, Paul recognizes the sanctifying power of having a believer in the home. Hence, the husband is sanctified by the wife’s example. He is sanctified by the wife who brings the Spirit into the home. He is sanctified by the wife who raises up his children in light and truth. He is sanctified by the home teaching and missionary visits made possible by his wife’s membership. He is sanctified by the possibility that years of diligence will soften the husband’s heart towards baptism. One sister described her experience as follows:

“I was married in the temple in 1945 to a fine young man, and one whom I had known since I was 10 years old. One thinks that when one grows up in the same neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, that one would feel secure in a marriage that is sealed in the temple. Not necessarily so. After high school, my husband went to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His time in the service changed my nice young man into a person that I really didn't know.

“He remained in the military for 20 years and much of that time we were not close to our family or the Church. As our family grew my husband encouraged me to take the children to Church but he would not go. We also could not discuss the Church or any religious topics at home.

“After reading this scripture I fasted and prayed continually that my husband's heart would be softened. I learned that our time is not the Lord's time, and I needed to live my life to be worthy of the time when my husband would accept and return to the fold. Although I had faith, I really never thought it would happen in this life. On our 49th anniversary of marriage we were able to go to the temple once again and have been going ever since. The joy we both feel is unspeakable.” (Living by the Scriptures, LDS Church News, 1998, 02/28/98)

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DC 75 Historical Background

“On 10 January 1832, Joseph smith had received instructions that the elders of the Church were to continue in their various labors for the two weeks remaining until a priesthood conference was held, when they would receive their mission calls and instructions (see D&C 73:1-2). Joseph and Sidney were also told to return home where they translated, preached and prepared for the coming conference.

“This conference was held in Amherst, Ohio, on 25 January 1832 and was a great success. Amherst was the home of Gideon Carter, Sylvester Smith, and others. One reason for holding conferences away from Kirtland or Hiram was to proselytize outlying areas, and Joseph Smith related that ‘at this conference much harmony prevailed, and considerable business was done to advance the kingdom, and promulgate the Gospel to the inhabitants of the surrounding country.’

“During the conference itself, Joseph Smith was presented, sustained, and set apart as president of the high priesthood of the Church. It should be remembered that Joseph already possessed the office of apostle and of priesthood authority necessary to organize the Church and preside over all its quorums and auxiliaries. These he had received under the hands of Peter, James, and John. It was still necessary, however, for Joseph to be accepted and set apart within the structure of the Church according to the law of common consent (See D&C 26:2).” (Stephen E. Robinson, H. Dean Garrett, A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, [salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2001] 1:279-280)

Robert J. Woodford

Section 75 is also a combination of two separate revelations received by Joseph Smith on 25 January 1832. The first comprises verses 1–22, and the second, verses 23–36. These have never been published separately, but manuscript copies in the handwriting of Sidney Rigdon (possibly the original manuscripts of these revelations) show section 75 was given as two revelations. (“How the Revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants Were Received and Compiled,” Ensign, Jan. 1985, 31)

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DC 76 Historical Background

The Amherst conference has just closed. Many brethren had been called upon to serve missions, and the Prophet returned to his work of translation. While working on the gospel of John, he read of the resurrection of the just and unjust as spoken of in John 5:28-29. This passage prompted the inquiry which led to the vision. The importance of this revelation cannot be overstated. While Christianity struggles to make sense of the concepts of salvation and heaven, the Latter-day Saints are blessed with a clear picture of the destiny of mankind after the resurrection of the dead.

Joseph Smith

Nothing could be more pleasing to the Saints upon the order of the kingdom of the Lord, than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision. Every law, every commandment, every promise, every truth, and every point touching the destiny of man, from Genesis to Revelation, where the purity of the scriptures remains unsullied by the folly of men, go to show the perfection of the theory [of different degrees of glory in the future life] and witnesses the fact that that document is a transcript from the records of the eternal world. The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; the continued duration for completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess the Lord and bow the knee; the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: "It came from God." (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1: 252 - 253.)

Philo Dibble

The vision of the three degrees of glory which is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants was given at the house of “Father Johnson,” in Hiram, Ohio, and during the time that Joseph and Sidney were in the Spirit and saw the heavens open there were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one during a part of the time—probably two-thirds of the time. I saw the glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision.

Joseph wore black clothes, but at this time seemed to be dressed in an element of glorious white, and his face shone as if it were transparent, but I did not see the same glory attending Sidney.

The events and conversation, while they were seeing what is written (and many things were seen and related that are not written) I will relate as minutely as is necessary.

Joseph would, at intervals, say: “What do I see?” as one might say while looking out the window and beholding what all in the room could not see. Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at.

Then Sidney replied, “I see the same.”

Presently Sidney would say, “What do I see?” and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing.

And Joseph would reply, “I see the same.”

This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound or motion was made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision.

Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly. “Sidney is not used to it as I am.” (Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., They Knew the Prophet [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974], 68.)

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DC 76:22 this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him

In 1832, the Prophet said his testimony was the “last of all” testimonies given. While that may have been true in 1832, his testimony is no longer the last of all. Nor is he the last who can declare that he has seen the Lord. The apostles and prophets of our dispensation are careful in their language, humble in their testimony, but they have seen the Lord. The discerning listener can tell that their testimony is no less sure than that of Joseph Smith or Sidney Rigdon. Consider the following statements from some latter-day apostles. Elder James E. Faust said, “I understand that a chief requirement for the holy apostleship is to be a personal witness of Jesus as the Christ and the Divine Redeemer. Perhaps on that basis alone, I can qualify.” (“Response to the Call,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, 20) Similarly, Elder Neal A. Maxwell declared, “Humbly, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I say to you not only that Jesus lived, but that he lives—with all that those words imply!” (“Our Acceptance of Christ,” Ensign, June 1984, 69)

We should feel privileged to hear the testimony of those who have seen with their eyes and heard with their ears. Even now, we can hear the witness of Joseph Smith echoing in the testimonies of the latter-day apostles and prophets.

Ezra Taft Benson

As one of His latter-day witnesses, I testify that He lives today. He is a resurrected Being. He is our Savior, our Lord, the very Son of God. I testify that He will come again as our glorified, resurrected Lord. That day is not far distant. (“The Meaning of Easter,” Ensign, Apr. 1992, 4)

Howard W. Hunter

As an ordained Apostle and special witness of Christ, I give to you my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is in fact the Son of God. He is the Messiah prophetically anticipated by Old Testament prophets. He is the Hope of Israel. (“An Apostle’s Witness of Christ,” Ensign, Jan. 1984, 70)

Spencer W. Kimball

I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. I know that. I know that the gospel which we teach is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the church to which we belong is the church of Jesus Christ. (Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 113.)

Heber J. Grant

We have this testimony to bear to the world, that men in our day have seen Jesus Christ; that he has restored to the earth the gospel of life and salvation. (Conference Report, October 1926, 5.)

Gordon B. Hinckley

To all of these testimonies we add our own. He is Jesus the Christ, the Firstborn of the Father, the Creator of the heaven and the earth, the Jehovah of ancient Israel, the promised Messiah born in Bethlehem of Judea, the healer of the sick, the teacher of the doctrine, the Redeemer of the world, the author of our salvation, the resurrected Lord who sits on the right hand of the Father. (“Do Ye Even So to Them,” Ensign, Dec. 1991, 2)

Gordon B. Hinckley

In solemnity, and with understanding of the gravity of that which we say, we add our witness to all the world of the reality of the Resurrection, that this same Jesus who rose from the grave ascended into heaven… This is our testimony, which we bear in the name of Jesus Christ, and we invite all mankind to learn it so that they may rejoice in the blessings that come from following the teachings of our resurrected Lord, the Savior of Mankind. (“The Victory over Death,” Ensign, Apr. 1997, 5)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Read this on 7/28.

Alma 13 – Alma resumes narrating. High priests are chosen for good works and exceeding faith, and are foreordained to their role. Alma discusses the Melchizedek Priesthood. Alma tells the people to repent and that the day of salvation is coming near. More is said that is not recorded.

Alma 14 – Some believe, repent, and search the Scriptures. The majority are angry and seek to destroy A&A. They are bound and tried. Zeezrom repents and pleads to be allowed to substitute for A&A in their punishment. He is persecuted for this. A&A are beaten, taunted, and forced to watch as believers and Scriptures are burned. The Spirit tells Alma not to intervene, since the victims of this will be rewarded for their faith and the deeds being committed will witness against the offenders. A&A are imprisoned, where they are deprived of food, water, and clothing. They break the cords binding them, and the prison collapses, killing their tormentors. The people flee from A&A.

Alma 15 – A&A go to Sidom and establish the Church there. They find those believers who were driven out of Ammonihah for their faith. Zeezrom is at Sidom, ill with a burning fever from guilt. He asks for A&A, who go to him. When he professes faith, they heal him. Zeezrom is baptized and begins preaching the Gospel. The people of Ammonihah are of the profession of Nehor and do not believe in repentance. A&A go to Zarahemla.

Alma 16 – Lamanites destroy the people of Ammonihah. Zoram asks Alma for the Lord’s will regarding the rescue of captives taken into the wilderness. The Lord tells them what the Lamanites will do and gives instructions. He will deliver the captives. Zoram obeys the Lord’s instructions and all captives are recovered. Ammonihah becomes known as the Desolation of Nehors. A&A preach the Gospel, along with many others. The Nephites are temporally equal and have peace. Preachers teach of righteousness and Christ’s coming ministry to the Nephites.

Alma 17 – Alma is reunited with the sons of Mosiah, who are still faithful after fourteen years as missionaries to the Lamanites. The sons of Mosiah recount their journeys: they go their separate ways to preach. The Lamanites are wild, indolent, and idolatrous, delighting in murder and robbery. Ammon goes to Ishmael and is taken captive. King Lamoni offers one of his daughters to Ammon, who declines and asks to be a servant of the king. His request is granted. He saves the king’s flocks from scattering and theft at the waters of Sebus, slaying the would-be thieves in the process.

Alma 18 – King Lamoni supposes Ammon to be the Great Spirit (the Lamanite term for God). He summons Ammon, who is inspired to know the king’s thoughts. He teaches the king the true Gospel. The king believes, and falls to the ground as if dead. He remains in this condition for two days and two nights.

Section 73 – The elders are to continue to preach, while Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are to complete the translation of the Bible.

Section 74 – Explanation of 1 Corinthians 7:14 – believers should not marry unbelievers who are unwilling to have children raised in the Gospel. Little children are sanctified by the Atonement.

Section 75 – Faithful elders who preach the Gospel will gain eternal life. We are instructed to pray for the Comforter, which teaches all things. The elders will judge those who reject their message. The Church is to help provide for the families of missionaries (in this time period, missionaries were generally men with wives and children).

Section 76 – Meditation on John 5:29 leads to a vision of the degrees of glory. The mysteries of the kingdom will be revealed to the faithful. All shall come forth in one of two resurrections – the resurrection of the just or the resurrection of the unjust (excellent discussion of this in the book Biblical Mormonism, by Richard Hopkins, who explains the four possible outcomes of the two judgments corresponding to the four possible destinations for the spirit after Judgment). Inhabitants of many worlds are begotten children unto the Father through the Atonement of Christ. The respective glories and the sons of perdition are explained. All the faithful may see this vision.

Moses 5 – Adam and Eve have children and Adam obediently offers sacrifices. The Gospel is preached from the beginning, even though murder and wickedness spread. Cain loves Satan more than God, and we have the incident of the offerings, in which Abel follows the Lord’s instructions to offer the firstling of his flock, while Cain decides that he will choose what to offer and offers produce. The offering made in obedience is accepted, the offering made in defiance of the Lord’s instructions regarding an acceptable offering is rejected. Cain, angry and rebellious, becomes Perdition. He marries a niece who shares his love for Satan over God. Cain becomes Master Mahan and kills Abel. He is driven forth to become an outcast. God sets a mark on him to keep him from being killed. Several generations later, his descendant Lamech in turn becomes Master Mahan, and kills Irad for revealing the secret given to Cain by Satan. Lamech’s wives denounce him.

Moses 6 – Adam and his posterity are literate, having a pure and undefiled language, and keep a book of remembrance. The righteous among Adam’s posterity preach repentance. God calls Enoch as prophet and seer. Enoch preaches the Gospel. The ordinance of baptism has been given from Adam onward.

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