tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78948283398335479082024-03-13T14:48:10.387-07:00Gospel Doctrine UndergroundA Blog for LDS Sunday School Teachers Who Don't Always Follow the ManualThe Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-44829727910065046362009-07-21T13:30:00.001-07:002009-07-21T13:31:43.818-07:00Lesson 27: What Worked?So, how did Lesson 27 go? What topics led to the most interesting discussion? What pointers can you give?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-1411640708547674862009-07-16T13:34:00.000-07:002009-07-16T13:39:31.272-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 27: Good News/Bad NewsI have good news and bad news about this week's Gospel Doctrine Underground post(s) on Lesson 27. First, the good news: There is a really interesting post and discussion on the lesson going on at <a href="http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/07/15/back-row-questions-doctrine-and-covenants-lesson-27/">By Common Consent</a>. You will want to check it out.<br /><br />The bad news: Most of my ideas for a post this week have been addressed by the BCC post. I am not sure what I can add . . .The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-69009326954828351422009-07-14T09:49:00.000-07:002009-07-14T09:54:17.405-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 27: Getting StartedThe next couple of lessons deal with the Missouri period, the conflict between the Saints and their neighbors, and the resulting adversity and suffering. Here are a couple of resources on the Missouri period that I found interesting:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mormonhistoricsitesfoundation.org/publications/studies_spring_01/MHS2.1Hartley.pdf">http://www.mormonhistoricsitesfoundation.org/publications/studies_spring_01/MHS2.1Hartley.pdf</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Missouri.shtml">http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Missouri.shtml</a> <br /><br />I also highly recommend the chapters in Bushman's <em>Rough Stone Rolling</em> that deal with this turbulent time in Church history.The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-61566913546257682632009-07-13T08:10:00.000-07:002009-07-13T08:23:20.766-07:00Lesson 26: What Worked?So, I focused my lesson primarily on Thomas Marsh and his ups and downs with the Joseph Smith and the Church. I engaged in more story-telling that I usually do, and did not get a lot of discussion. Everyone seems to know the "cream strippings" story (it <em>did</em> figure prominently in the apostasy lesson), so I think my lesson added some depth and complexity to Thomas Marsh's character and relationship to the Church.<br /><br /><br /><br />How about you? How did you approach this lesson? What was particularly interesting to your class?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-66369421402662708192009-07-11T16:58:00.000-07:002009-07-12T15:07:38.214-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 26: Thomas MarshThe lesson this week focuses entirely on Section 112 of the Doctrine & Covenants, and the theme is missionary work. In my opinion, the lesson does not really track with the text that well. Section 112 is directed to Thomas Marsh as President of the Quorum of the Twelve. It contains personal counsel and admonition for him, as well as direction on how to lead the Apostles in their missionary labors. The manual, on the other hand, focuses on the sacrifices the rank and file members of the Church in Kirtland made to share the gospel (huh?), the Twelve preaching in England (ok), and the Kirtland saints remaining faithful despite adversity, which is kind of ironic, given the Thomas Marsh back-story.<br /><br /><br />The Thomas Marsh back-story makes Section 112 pretty interesting. Here was a guy who converted to the Church in the earliest days and rose to preside over the Quorum of the Twelve. He has an interesting relationship with Joseph Smith, taking him on when he thought Joseph was too hard on the Twelve (see Rough Stone Rolling at 298). He flees Missouri during the conflict between the Mormons and the Missourians, and eventually testifies against the Prophet, accusing him, essentially, of trying to set up his own theocratic kingdom on the American frontier. Somewhere in the midst of this is the famous cream strippings story (his wife holds back the cream form some milk she shared with a neighbor, which leads to conflict, Church courts, appeals to the First Presidency, etc). Thomas leaves the Church for almost 20 years, but later rejoins the Saints in Utah and reconciles with the brethren.<br /><br /><br />To me, this story makes some of the passages in Section 112 especially interesting, even poignant. For example, the Lord tells Thomas that “there have been some few things in thine heart and with thee with which I, the Lord, was not well pleased.” D&C 112:2. The Lord counsels Thomas, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give the answers to thy prayers.” D&C 112:10. “Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also unto youward, shall not be taken from him till I come.” D&C 112:15.<br /><br /><br />The one verse that really strikes me is 13. After telling Thomas to teach and admonish the Twelve, he says, “And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted and I shall heal them.” I wonder if Thomas had any sense in 1837 how this verse might play out for him, how the Lord might feel after him. Twenty years later, after leaving the Church and the Saints, then making his way west, he met with Brigham Young and asked if he could rejoin the Church. A few days later, Brigham Young asked him to address the Saints in a meeting on Temple Square. Thomas said,<br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p>My voice was never very strong, but it has been very much weakened of late years<br />by the afflicting rod of Jehovah. He loved me too much to let me go<br />without whipping. . . . For if he had not cared anything about me he would<br />not have taken me by the arm and given me such a shaking. . . . I know<br />that I was a very stiff-necked man. . . . I want your fellowship; I want<br />your God to be my God. . . . I have learned to understand what David said<br />when he exclaimed, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to<br />dwell in the tents of wickedness."</p><p align="left">Susan Easton Black, <em>Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants</em>, Deseret Book 1997.</p><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br /><p>Thomas Marsh lived through an amazing, difficult, complicated time. The events around him challenged his faith and led him on a tortuous journey. In the end, it appears that the Lord felt after him and brought him home. Can we hope for anything more?</p><br /><p><br />Does the story of Thomas Marsh make the lesson material more meaningful for you? Or does it just not fit this week? Does Section 112 fit in the lesson this week?</p></blockquote>The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-1464225018089824142009-07-02T10:08:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:44:56.097-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 25: The Power of GodlinessWhoo! It has been hard lately finding time to post. I will try to get something out on lesson 25 later today<span style="color:#000000;"> or</span> tomorrow. In the mean time, <a href="http://gosepldoctrineunderground.blogspot.com/2009/02/power-of-godliness.html">here</a> is a post I did a few months ago on Priesthood and the Power of Godliness, which also refers you to an old post at Mormon Matters.<br /><br />I have not read all the references extra-carefully to confirm this, but I think the title of this lesson <em>does not</em> appear in any scripture reference in the materials. Does anyone think that is interesting?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-85405235632581945862009-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:002009-06-16T08:06:39.538-07:00Gospel Doctrine 22: What Worked?Boy, Mormons <em>love</em> the Word of Wisdom! I am always surprised at how the topic gets people going. It seems that every has an opinion - - and a strong one - - on this topic.<br /><br />Our lesson focused almost exclusively on the what the WOW tells you to <em>do</em> (as opposed to what it tells you to avoid), and on the blessings that result. I tried to talk about some blessings that we don't always think of - - unity, identity, etc. The discussion was lively and engaging. What about you? What did you talk about? What caught your class' attention?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-69977173120733364212009-06-12T21:08:00.000-07:002009-06-12T21:11:54.753-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 22: The Word of WisdomAdherence to the Word of Wisdom may be the defining characteristic of Latter-day Saints for most of the world. Ask someone who is not a member of the Church about Mormons, and they are likely to mention, before almost anything else, that we do not smoke or drink alcohol.<br /><br />Most of us are pretty familiar with the history of the Word of Wisdom. Received in 1883 in response to tobacco use in the School of the Prophets, it was not observed as a commandment until 1851. Even before that, however, it was a centerpiece of Mormon culture.<br /><br />For most of the past 50 years, the Word of Wisdom has been riding high. The <em>wisdom</em> of the Word of Wisdom was reaffirmed time and again, as study after scientific study confirmed the health benefits of abstaining from tobacco, alcohol, red meat, etc. Mormons told themselves that this was evidence of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling. After all, how could he have known back in 1833 what science would demonstrate over a century later? <br /><br />But science isn’t always backing up the Word of Wisdom these days. The health benefits of red wine, and now coffee, are being touted. I am often surprised to hear less committed and even fully active members of the Church ask if I think the Word of Wisdom will be relaxed in light of recent scientific findings.<br /><br />I think the Word of Wisdom is about health. But I do not think it is <em>only</em> about health. I think it is about obedience and commitment. I think it about wisdom, both in avoiding unhealthy and problematic practices, and in gaining spiritual knowledge. But I think one of its most important purposes is the one I mentioned at the beginning of this post- - the indelible imprint it has made on Mormon culture. Observing the Word of Wisdom gives members of the Church a common life experience that is very powerful. It bonds us together and sets us apart from the rest of the world. Maybe it bonds us together <em>by</em> setting us apart. It is one of the central ways that you know that you are a Mormon, and that the Mormons around you are part of your group. It is one of the things that makes us a people.<br /><br />So, what do you think of the Word of Wisdom? What, if anything, does recent health science data say about it? What does it do for you? For your family? For the Church? Is it important, or overemphasized? Why?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-32093604719302548872009-06-08T21:57:00.000-07:002009-06-08T22:01:26.856-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 21: What Worked?OK, I thought the lesson on the the signs of the last days was kind of hard to present in an interesting way. That said, I actually thought some of the ideas in the manual were kind of good this week. I will try to include some of them in comments later.<br /><br />But how about you? What worked in your lesson? How did you present this material?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-85319715287675174462009-06-02T16:31:00.000-07:002009-06-02T16:35:26.943-07:00Lesson 20: What Worked?I did not teach last week, but attended the lesson. I think lesson 76 offers some very interesting and challenging ideas. Our lesson, however, was very straightforward. It had some nice thoughts, but nothing too far below the surface.<br /><br />How about you? What was your lesson like? What resonated with you? With your class? How would you do it differently?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-69362799413379291662009-05-28T20:44:00.000-07:002009-06-02T16:36:18.282-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 20: Dying Without LawD&C76:72-74 (Speaking of those in the terrestrial kingdom) - - These are they who died without law; And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.<br /><br /><br />D&C 137:7 - - All who have died without a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">knowledge</span> of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kingdom</span> of God . . . .<br /><br />So, what does it mean to "die without law?" If you reject the gospel in this life, do you get a "do-over" to get into the terrestrial kingdom? How do you square these two scriptures?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-68521043201263932572009-05-25T19:41:00.000-07:002009-05-25T19:52:09.936-07:00Lesson 19: What Worked?So, this week I tried a modified version of the "attention activity" suggested in the manual. I used a picture puzzle, but instead of using it to talk about understanding the whole plan, I used it to talk about how and when different pieces of the Plan of Salvation were revealed or otherwise learned by Joseph Smith. We talked about the creation, fall, free <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">agency</span> and inklings of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">premortality</span> in the Book of Mormon, specific revelations in the D&C, and aspects of temple ordinances taught in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nauvoo</span>. With each <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">component</span> of the plan, I showed a part of the puzzle. Then I talked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">about</span> how our understanding of the Plan of Salvation followed the same pattern as the restoration generally. I think it made for an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">interesting</span> discussion of how we now understand the "Plan."<br /><br />What about you? How did you teach the lesson? What worked for you?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-13236851434244552012009-05-23T22:51:00.001-07:002009-05-23T22:59:17.029-07:00When is a Plan not a Plan?<em>Class, the Teacher has been very busy at work lately. I realize that this post is coming too late to help anyone teaching the lesson tomorrow, and I apologize. I will try to do better in the future.</em><br /><br />Lesson 19 is a little unusual in the Doctrine & Covenants curriculum in that, well, it does not really come from the Doctrine & Covenants. The lesson is on the Plan of Salvation, and while it quotes from the D&C, it contains <em>a lot</em> of material from other sources, including the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.<br /><br />I got wondering about why this was and realized something about the Plan of Salvation that I had never really focused on before: The Plan of Salvation is the great framework of our belief system. But, it was never really presented to Joseph Smith as a framework. He did not receive a revelation on “The Plan of Salvation.” It was never presented to him (that we know of from his writings and statements) as a coherent system of doctrine. It was never presented as a <em>plan</em>.<br /><br />Sure, the Book of Mormon talks about the plan of salvation (or happiness, or redemption, or mercy). But the “plan” in the BoM is about the fall and the atonement. There is a suggestion of some kind of premortality, because this “plan” was laid from the foundation of the world. The BoM also talks about foreordination (Alma 13), and certainly covers death, judgment and resurrection fully.<br /><br />There are other sources of material for the the Plan of Salvation, too. When Joseph received the Book of Moses over a series of months in 1830, he learned a lot about the creation, the fall and the atonement. There was even a passing discussion of the War in Heaven and premortality. “The Vision” (Section 76, received in 1832) spells out the three degrees of glory, one of the defining characteristics of the LDS view of Salvation. Section 93 of the D&C (received in 1833) expressly states that “[m]an was also in the beginning with God,” making clear that we lived before we were born into mortality. The Book of Abraham, translated in 1835, provides details about the War in Heaven, the pre-existence and foreordination. Salvation of dead surfaces in 1836 with Section 136, and in the 1840s, when Joseph starts discussing baptism for the dead and temple work.<br /><br />From all these disparate parts emerges a plan. At some point, Joseph perceived these mosaic pieces as the Plan of Salvation, “one of Heaven’s greatest gifts to mankind,” and taught that it “should occupy our strict attention.” (See Sunday School Manual at 106). This makes it all the more interesting to me that the Plan of Salvation came to us the way it did. A piece at time. Maybe line upon line?<br /><br />I love the Plan of Salvation. It is one of those bedrock beliefs that is foundational to my world view. I would wager that most members of the Church feel that way. So, what do you make of this funny way of presenting The Plan? What does it say about revelation? About the restoration? About the Plan?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-87900066075608773752009-05-20T15:42:00.000-07:002009-05-20T15:47:50.397-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 19: The Plan of Salvation - - You Tell MeThis week's lesson is kind of interesting, in that it is not really tied to any specific section of the Doctrine & Covenants (Section 76 is the focus next week) or period in Church History. Instead, it focuses on the topic of the Plan of Salvation. <br /><br />So, what are your favorite sources on the Plan of Salvation? What scriptures, articles, or talks do you think of when you think about this topic?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-62111953071736434942009-05-18T21:29:00.000-07:002009-05-18T21:32:20.194-07:00Lesson 18: What Worked?Here is your weekly chance to share your successes and stories. How did the lesson go? What captured your class' attention?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-54183869267562108292009-05-14T23:33:00.001-07:002009-05-18T21:33:05.379-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 18: Walking in Darkness at Noon-day<a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=6def9207f7c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0">Lesson 18</a> focuses on the temple, and in terms of chronology, the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Much has been written of the great sacrifice required of the Kirtland saints in building the Temple, and of the amazing spiritual manifestations that accompanied its completion and dedication. Sections 109 and 110 of the Doctrine & Covenants are inspired and inspiring, representing some of the true pinnacles of the restoration.<br /><br />But for me, at least this time through the D&C, section 95 has really caught my interest. The section begins with the Lord chastening the saints for their failure to construct the Temple as he had directed in Section 88. In fact, the Lord tells the Saints that their procrastination is a grievous sin. To put in perspective, Section 88 preceded Section 95 by little more than months. Not a long time, in the eternal scheme of things.<br /><br />But the Lord grew impatient with and chastened the Saints. They lacked diligence and urgency building the His house. Contentions occurred among Church leaders. Members of the Church were disobedient and failed to keep the commandments. In a beautiful and poetic verse, the Lord tells Joseph that some of those ordained to build the Kingdom of God had “sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.” <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?search=D%26C+95%3A6&do=Search">D&C 95:6</a>.<br /><br />What an image. Here they were, members of God’s restored church. They had new scripture and a prophet receiving revelation from Heaven. The members of the Church could have been enjoying a noon-day sun unknown to the world for hundreds of years. And yet they, surrounded by light, were walking in darkness because of their lack of focus, their disobedience, their selfishness and laziness.<br /><br />It is easy to see how it happened. They were poor. It was winter and spring in Ohio - - not the ideal time to start a major construction project. They were trying to build Zion almost three states away in Missouri. The resources available to the Church and the Saints during this period were stretched to the breaking point. Building a Temple - - especially the Temple Joseph envisioned - - must have seemed overwhelming. Who can blame them for losing focus? Who would not have been tempted to wait for more favorable circumstances to start such a task?<br /><br />But God chastened them because he loved them. Their grievous sin was choosing to stay in the darkness when he wanted them in His light. How often do we commit that same sin? In what ways to we choose to walk in our own darkness instead into the noon-day sun? Section 95 has given me a new insight into disobedience, sin and forgiveness. Whom the Lord loves he chastens because his joy is seeing us walk not in darkness, but in light.The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-37427007599585752822009-05-11T08:18:00.000-07:002009-05-11T08:25:09.254-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 17: What Worked?OK, after a minor controversy at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GDU</span> about whether new insights could be offered on tithing, tell us how it went. What did you talk about? Did you get into the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definition</span> of tithing in the 1830s vs. today? Did you resolve the gross vs. net problem?<br /><br />Share you success stories here!The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-1821913802780603782009-05-06T21:20:00.000-07:002009-05-06T21:24:21.918-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 17: Tithing . . . Again.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZq7xsQX7Hk/SgJiM35AnFI/AAAAAAAAADI/oMV6ds9pyE8/s1600-h/WO3RCAHDCQL7CAPBTMBLCAZMFCERCATTTYNBCA6XGIE6CAT1KEBHCAKD1524CAY1FPSBCAIMFBJ7CAI8U1R3CAX5X91DCA0JOQQNCA9ZVF49CA5BZ7F4CASZZ1VJCASJWHAXCA1HI30SCA4XHLX0CAQLTJKR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332932882061106258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 95px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZq7xsQX7Hk/SgJiM35AnFI/AAAAAAAAADI/oMV6ds9pyE8/s320/WO3RCAHDCQL7CAPBTMBLCAZMFCERCATTTYNBCA6XGIE6CAT1KEBHCAKD1524CAY1FPSBCAIMFBJ7CAI8U1R3CAX5X91DCA0JOQQNCA9ZVF49CA5BZ7F4CASZZ1VJCASJWHAXCA1HI30SCA4XHLX0CAQLTJKR.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>OK, help me out here. The lesson is on tithing. Don't get me wrong - - I am pro-tithing. But, what on earth are we all going to say that is new and interesting? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Oh, yeah. The lesson covers fasting, too.</div><div> </div><div> </div>The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-17876726479315469892009-05-04T20:15:00.000-07:002009-05-04T20:21:21.443-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 16: What Worked?Here is your weekly opportunity to share <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">your</span> successes. Tell us what topics your class found interesting, what questions generated interesting discussion and what resources you used that enriched the lesson.The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-41607219834439188212009-05-01T21:38:00.000-07:002009-05-01T22:33:31.352-07:00Section 59: Death, Babylon and the Abundant Life<p>One of the fascinating things about studying the Doctrine & Covenants is having relatively ready access to the historical context of the revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith. For me, it is interesting to think about what was happening in the lives of the Prophet and the early Church members, and how that influenced the way they sought God and they way they understood what he spoke to them. In learning a bit about Section 59, it seems that there were at least three major dynamics influencing Joseph Smith’s thoughts. If I had to put name tags on these three influences, I guess I would say they were death, Babylon and the abundant life.</p><p>First, I think death was very much on Joseph’s mind when he received section 59. He had attended that day the funeral of a faithful sister, Polly Peck Knight. Polly Knight was one of the Colesville saints, and along with her husband Joseph, an early and constant supporter of the Prophet and the Restoration. She was quite ill when she left Ohio for Jackson County, and her strong desire was to see Zion and, if she were to die, be buried there. In fact, she died within days of arriving in Missouri, and her passing must have poignant for Joseph Smith. It certainly makes verse 2 poignant to me:<br /></p><blockquote>For those that live shall inherit the earth and those that die shall rest from<br />their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown<br />in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared from them.<br /></blockquote><p>Joseph was also struck by societal conditions in Jackson County in August 1831. Most Church members at this point were relatively civilized New Englanders. Suddenly, they were living on the frontier, neighbors to a pretty rough crowd. Law, order and genteel society were not the hallmarks of Jackson County. Joseph and many of the members of the Church were somewhat taken aback by conditions and the people there. My guess is, Joseph was wondering how he was going to build God’s Kingdom - - Zion - - in the middle of Babylon. How would he keep the Saints unspotted from the world around them? One answer came in Section 59 and the instruction to set aside a day for holiness and recommitment to God’s service. <em>See verses 9-10.<br /></em></p><p>Finally, Joseph was pretty enchanted with the land itself in Jackson County. He described the area almost as a literal paradise, where crops and herds raised themselves, surrounded by natural beauty. The last third of section 59 reflects Joseph’s feeling that Zion would be a place where the saints would live an abundant life, enjoying the earthly blessings that God had designed for them. “The fullness of the earth is yours,” the revelation states, “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.” <em>See verses 16, 18-19.</em><br /></p><p>What else do you see? What connections are there in Section 59 to these influences and themes? Are there other influences you find in this section?</p><p><em>(Much of the background for this post comes from Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, chap. 8, and Harper, Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants, pp. 207-09).</em></p>The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-85342348705375820522009-04-28T20:40:00.000-07:002009-04-29T16:33:34.378-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 16: Getting StartedHere are some resources to get you started on <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=11c09207f7c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0">Lesson 16</a>. <a href="http://www.ldsgospeldoctrine.net/kn/dc/dc059.pdf">Here</a> is a lesson I like it because it provides historical information on Polly Peck Knight. Joseph attended her funeral the same day he received Section 59. Unfortunately, I cannot figure out who wrote it. And, while I am not a Meridian Magazine kind of guy, I thought <a href="http://www.meridianmagazine.com/gospeldoctrine/dc/090417dc16.html">this article</a> by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Breck</span> England had a pretty thorough exposition of the Sabbath. Feast Upon the Word does a serious verse-by-verse analysis of Section 59 <a href="http://feastupontheword.org/D%26C_59:6-10">here</a>.<br /><br />If you know of other good sources, please feel free to post them here.The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-53563956803064764642009-04-27T08:41:00.000-07:002009-04-27T08:45:54.068-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 15: What Worked?Did you teach Gospel Doctrine Lesson 15 last week? How did it go? I thought it was kind of a hard lesson to engage the class in.<br /><br />Take a minute and share here what you tried that was particularly effective (or not). What topics generated good discussion? What materials (from the manual or supplemental) did you use? Give us your feedbackThe Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-57952354761135296262009-04-23T20:56:00.001-07:002009-04-24T14:09:33.971-07:00Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts? Really?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZq7xsQX7Hk/SfE6w4x2ewI/AAAAAAAAADA/h2oFu4tonhI/s1600-h/pentecost-tongues.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328104445705616130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZZq7xsQX7Hk/SfE6w4x2ewI/AAAAAAAAADA/h2oFu4tonhI/s320/pentecost-tongues.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am going to say something that might be a little controversial. I think we in the LDS Church have a complicated relationship with gifts of the spirit. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Spiritual gifts get a lot of lip service in the church. On paper, we really like them, and section 46 is prime evidence of that. What’s more, <em>certain</em> gifts of the spirit are very accepted among Mormons. The gifts of healing and being healed are very big. People have great faith in them, and most families have multiple stories of these gifts blessing their lives. The gift of prophesy is also very highly regarded, especially to the extent it refers to gaining a testimony of Christ and his church. Even beyond that, most people are very comfortable with the gift of prophesy as it relates to promptings and premonitions that keep us and our families safe from physical or spiritual harm, or that help us serve those around us who are in need. The gifts of wisdom, teaching, discernment, etc. - - all very well accepted.</div><br /><div>But other spiritual gifts are viewed with some, well, hesitation. Although no one would rule them out, the gifts of ministering angles and working miracles would be exercised and talked about very rarely. Maybe I lack faith, but if my neighbor told me (s)he had seen angels, I would wonder what was really going on. And the gift of tongues? Well, unless you are talking about missionaries or general authorities being able to learn and speak a language more easily than expected, I think you should proceed with caution. Can you imagine if someone started speaking in an allegedly angelic language in sacrament meeting? Even if someone there was allegedly able to interpret? How would your Bishop respond? </div><br /><div>This ambivalence about spiritual gifts started early in our history. As the saints started gathering to Kirtland, many experienced and exhibited some fairly extreme spiritual manifestations. Speaking in strange languages, seeing visions, acting in unusual ways supposedly under the influence of the spirit - - it was all going on in Kirtland. Joseph was not always comfortable with these demonstrations, and often tried to rein them in. In fact, a theme of the Doctrine & Covenants is how to avoid deception by false spiritual experiences and manifestations.</div><br /><div>It seems to me, the more subtle or understated the spiritual gift, the more readily accepted it is in the Church. Remarkable and emotional displays of spiritual fervor, or claims of special spiritual endowment, while commonly accepted by some Christians as gifts of the Spirit, would cause discomfort if not downright suspicion among most members of the Church.</div><br /><div>So, are some gifts better than others? What are the “best gifts” referred to in Section 46, and how do we earnestly seek them? And if we earnestly seek them, what should we really expect to find?</div><div></div>The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-39442629464202369082009-04-21T21:33:00.000-07:002009-04-21T21:35:20.037-07:00Getting Started on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 15: Spiritual Gifts<a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=b4a09207f7c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0">Lesson 15</a> is on spiritual gifts. <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=0393ef960417b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1">Here</a> is one of my all-time favorite talks on the topic by Elder Dallin Oaks. Keepaptichinin has its regular compilation of older materials <a href="http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/19/gospel-doctrine-lesson-15-how-we-taught-this-topic-in-the-past/#more-1634">here</a>. And for those of you unfamiliar with it, here is an oldie but a goodie: The Church Educational System <a href="http://www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/dc-in/manualindex.asp">Institute Manual</a> on the Doctrine and Covenants, with section by section analysis. Check out the chapter on Section 46.The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7894828339833547908.post-36415976816815625282009-04-20T07:57:00.000-07:002009-04-20T08:05:43.697-07:00Gospel Doctrine Lesson 14: What Worked?Lesson 14 generated some really interesting comments and discussion here at GDU. How did the lessons go? What angles did you try? What did you think worked particularly well?The Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134204886730230261noreply@blogger.com5