There are many mentions of partaking of the sacrament in the early portions of this record. One day as Joseph Smith was on his way to procure wine for the sacrament, he was met by a heavenly messenger and given a revelation about the sacrament. "It mattereth not," the Lord taught Joseph Smith through his messanger, "what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, it is so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory..." (p. 106)
Section 27 of the Doctrine and Covenants lists the various servants of God who hold the keys for different portions of the Lord's work. Persecutions increase, but the Church grows, and the members increase in spiritual strength and in joy. On one occasion, Joseph Smith and his associates are miraculous preserved from a mob which is blinded from recognizing them. (p. 109) There is an incident with Hiram Page who is deceived by Satan into thinking that he receives revelation for the Church through a stone. The Lord deals compassionately with Hiram, for Joseph Smith is commanded to correct Hiram Page privately.
Many more revelations are received. The saints partake of the sacrament again, and the power of God is abundantly manifested. The Whitmers are given instructions through revelation. There is another conference of the Church:
"During this conference, which continued three days, the utmost harmony prevailed, and all things were settled satisfactorily to all present, and a desire was manifested by all the Saints to go forward and labor with all their power to spread the great and glorious principles of truth, which had been revealed by our Heavenly Father. A number were baptized during the conference, and the word of the Lord spread and prevailed." (p. 118)
The Elders, because of their testimony of the Book of Mormon, feel a desire to declare the Gospel to the Lamanites. This is when Parley P. Pratt enters the scene. B.H. Roberts gives a brief synopsis of Pratt's life up to this point, including the following passage:
"En route, however, he was moved upon by the spirit to stop off at Newark, in New York, while his wife continued her journey to her father's home. At Newark, Mr. Pratt first heard of and saw the Book of Mormon, and, without delay, hastened to Palmyra to investigate the story of its coming forth. At the home of the Smiths, near Manchester, he met with Hyrum, brother of the Prophet, and from him learned the particulars of the work." (p. 119)
The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt is one of my all time favorite books. His description of the impact of the Book of Mormon in his early life is just one of many memorable stories:
"Next morning I called at his house, where, for the first time, my eyes beheld the 'BOOK OF MORMON' that book of books-that record which reveals the antiquities of the 'New World' back to the remotest ages, and which unfolds the destiny of its people and the world for all time to come; that Book which contains the fulness of the gospel of a crucified and risen Redeemer; that Book which reveals a lost remnant of Joseph, and which was the principal means, in the hands of God, of directing the entire course of my future life.
I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.
As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life. I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation."
Section 27 of the Doctrine and Covenants lists the various servants of God who hold the keys for different portions of the Lord's work. Persecutions increase, but the Church grows, and the members increase in spiritual strength and in joy. On one occasion, Joseph Smith and his associates are miraculous preserved from a mob which is blinded from recognizing them. (p. 109) There is an incident with Hiram Page who is deceived by Satan into thinking that he receives revelation for the Church through a stone. The Lord deals compassionately with Hiram, for Joseph Smith is commanded to correct Hiram Page privately.
Many more revelations are received. The saints partake of the sacrament again, and the power of God is abundantly manifested. The Whitmers are given instructions through revelation. There is another conference of the Church:
"During this conference, which continued three days, the utmost harmony prevailed, and all things were settled satisfactorily to all present, and a desire was manifested by all the Saints to go forward and labor with all their power to spread the great and glorious principles of truth, which had been revealed by our Heavenly Father. A number were baptized during the conference, and the word of the Lord spread and prevailed." (p. 118)
The Elders, because of their testimony of the Book of Mormon, feel a desire to declare the Gospel to the Lamanites. This is when Parley P. Pratt enters the scene. B.H. Roberts gives a brief synopsis of Pratt's life up to this point, including the following passage:
"En route, however, he was moved upon by the spirit to stop off at Newark, in New York, while his wife continued her journey to her father's home. At Newark, Mr. Pratt first heard of and saw the Book of Mormon, and, without delay, hastened to Palmyra to investigate the story of its coming forth. At the home of the Smiths, near Manchester, he met with Hyrum, brother of the Prophet, and from him learned the particulars of the work." (p. 119)
The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt is one of my all time favorite books. His description of the impact of the Book of Mormon in his early life is just one of many memorable stories:
"Next morning I called at his house, where, for the first time, my eyes beheld the 'BOOK OF MORMON' that book of books-that record which reveals the antiquities of the 'New World' back to the remotest ages, and which unfolds the destiny of its people and the world for all time to come; that Book which contains the fulness of the gospel of a crucified and risen Redeemer; that Book which reveals a lost remnant of Joseph, and which was the principal means, in the hands of God, of directing the entire course of my future life.
I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.
As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life. I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation."
I love that. That is the kind of attitude that I would like to have each time that I open the Book of Mormon.
Missions are organized to "the borders of the Lamanites," to the Lamanites, such as the Catteraugus Indians. Book of Mormon geography battles enter here. Sidney Rigdon comes on the scene as one of the proselytes of Parley P. Pratt and his associates. Pratt was already friends with Rigdon and his crew, which opened the door to many conversions. After initial skepticism, Rigdon receives a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Frederick G. Williams is also converted to the Lord. He abandons his practice of medicine to engage in the work of the ministry. The stone cut out of the mountain without hands has begun to roll forth with greater power and velocity.
No comments:
Post a Comment