Doctrine and Covenants 21-24, 26

Following the Prophet, Yesterday

and Today

The Church officially organized on April 6, 1830, at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York. Nearly 60 people attended the meeting, which consisted of prayer, sustainings, ordinations, the administration of the sacrament, and confirmations. 

Background

“I then laid my hands upon Oliver Cowdery, and ordained him an Elder after which, he ordained me also to the office of an Elder of said Church.” Joseph Smith

Although they had been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood earlier, they were told to defer ordaining each other to the office of elder until the Church was organized.” History of the Church 

D&C 21-26:Around the Room

“The wise use of writing exercises and small group work can help teachers enhance the conditions of learner readiness and participation and be an effective way to have the Holy Spirit help students make personal application of gospel principles” (Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook for CES Teachers and Leaders [1994], 41).

Around the Room• Working in pairs, you will have roughly

2 minutes per station to read, mark and discover a principle/lesson/truth

• During this exercise, write at least 3 statements of truth in your study journal as you go around the room and visit the 10 stations

• Example: 1 Nephi 16:2-3 — “The guilty taketh the truth to be hard”

• Principle: When something is true, I should examine my life and seek repentance, rather than being a rebel.

Let’s begin

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

RotateWrite down a principle/lesson/truth in your journal.

You’re done!

• Share a few principles your wrote down

• What topics did you find most interesting?• Titles for our Prophets?• The names of our 15 Apostles and Prophets?• Did you know how to baptize someone?•What happens if the Prophet tried to lead the church astray?• How to have a bad day but still have a great life?•What is ‘common consent’?•What is ‘washing the feet’?

After the Church was organized, the Prophet Joseph Smith visited groups of friends in Manchester, Fayette and Colesville, New York.

In Colesville Joseph was teaching the gospel to a number of people who were anxious to be baptized.

Their interest in the church created feelings of opposition among the sectarian priests who feared the loss of their followers.

Historical Setting

A stream was dammed to prepare for baptisms the next day (Sunday), but a hostile mob destroyed the dam during the night.

Early Monday morning, the dam was rebuilt and 13 people were baptized, including Emma Smith. By the time the baptisms were completed, however, a mob of nearly 50 men had gathered, insulting and threatening to harm the Saints.

Mob Action

HC

Joseph ArrestedThat evening, the Saints met to confirm those who had been baptized and Joseph was arrested on charges of “being a disorderly person, of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon.”

This resulted in a trial and eventually acquittal. After the trial, Joseph and Oliver Cowdery returned to the Prophet’s home in Harmony, Pennsylvania.

HC

Joseph’s challenges:• Translate and publish

the Book of Mormon

• Organize the Lord’s Church

• Sending missionaries to the world

• Provide temporally for his family

Your Challenges:• Finishing High School

• Deciding on college or a mission

• Peer pressure

• Family situations

• Funding for College/and or mission

The Lord’s AnswerTo Joseph:

Magnify Your Calling

Secure your temporal needs

Go to Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester and the Lord will bless you

Continue to pray

Continue to translate the Book of Mormon

Be Patient

To You:

Magnify Your Calling

Save your earnings for your needs, not your wants

Continue to serve others and look for missionary opportunities among your friends

Continue to pray

Continue to read and study the scriptures

Be Patient

D&C 24:3-8 (especially D&C 24:7)

Doctrine and Covenants 21-24, 26