DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Sections 69, 13

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

Oliver Cowdery
1 Dec 182827 Mar 1829: 16-week teaching contract in Manchester, New York. Boards with Joseph Smith, Sr. family. Vision of the Lord and the gold plates. Determined to go to Joseph and become his scribe.
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Oliver Cowdery & Samuel Smith

15 April 1829: Travel to Harmony, Pennsylvania. Stop at Peter Whitmers home in Fayette, New York. Begins writing for Joseph on 7 April 1829.
John Hamer bycommonconsent.com/author/johnhamer
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The Lords word as a sword

D&C 6:12:
1A

great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men. 2Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words.

Hebrews 4:12:
12For

the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Olivers gift
D&C 6:1012. What was Olivers gift? What are the mysteries? How will many be brought to the knowledge of the truth and convinced of the error of their ways? D&C 6:1417, 2223.

Olivers attempt to translate

D&C 6:2528. D&C 8:13. D&C 9:79.

How the Holy Ghost communicates

enlighten thy mindby the Spirit of truth (6:15). speak peace to your mind (6:23). tell you in your mind and in your heart (8:2). study it out in your mind; thenask me if it be right (D&C 9:8). your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right (D&C 9:8). if it be not rightyou shall have a stupor of thought (D&C 9:9).
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How the Holy Ghost communicates

We do not have the words (even the scriptures do not have words) which perfectly describe the Spirit. The scriptures generally use the word voice, which does not exactly fit. These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes, nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels, more than one hears. Once I came to understand this, one verse in the Book of Mormon took on a profound meaning, and my testimony of the book increased immeasurably. It had to do with Laman and Lemuel, who rebelled against Nephi. Nephi rebuked them and said, Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words. .
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How the Holy Ghost communicates

The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither loud nor harsh. It is not a voice of thunder, neithervoice of a great tumultuous noise. But rather, a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it can pierce even to the very soul and cause [the heart] to burn. Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a still small voice. The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?)

How the Holy Ghost communicates

Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth. Elder Boyd K. Packer, 1983

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How the Holy Ghost communicates

Mind + heart. Not purely emotion, not purely intellect. Burning in the bosom only one manifestation. Pure intelligence.

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How the Holy Ghost communicates

What does a burning in the bosom mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word burning in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity. That is the witness many receive. That is the way revelation works. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, 1997

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D&C 7
Expansion on John 21:2123. John the apostle in a translated state. Johns mission to
Prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people (D&C 7:3). Gather the tribes of Israel (D&C 77:14). Now among the Ten Tribes of Israel (HC 1:176).

Peter, James, and John hold the keys of the Presidency of the Church (HC 3:387 89).
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Aaronic Priesthood restoration (D&C 13)

15 May 1829: Joseph SmithHistory 1:6874. Prompted by 3 Nephi 27:1920? John the Baptist, a resurrected being. Power to baptize, but not give gift of the Holy Ghost. Joseph and Oliver baptize each other.
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Aaronic Priesthood restoration (D&C 13)

My fellow servants. In the name of Messiah. The keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. This shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
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My fellow servants
It is interesting to me that John spoke to Joseph and Oliver, when they were both young men and when they were not highly regarded by people of the world, as his fellow servants. He did not speak down to them as a king might speak to one of his subjects. He did not speak down to them as a judge might speak to an individual on trial before him. He did not speak down to them as a university president or a high school principal might speak to his students. Rather, he who was a resurrected being addressed these young men as his fellow servants. To me there is something wonderful in this. It speaks of the true spirit of the great and magnificent brotherhood of which we are all a part, the priesthood of God. We are all servants together, regardless of our position in the Church or in the world, regardless of wealth or lack of it, regardless of the color of our skinwe are all servants together, brothers one to another and sons of God as a part of this great body of sacred priesthood. President Gordon B. Hinckley, 1982
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Aaronic Priesthood restoration (D&C 13)

My fellow servants. In the name of Messiah. The keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. This shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
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Keys of the priesthood

The priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man. Priesthood keys are the right to direct the use of that power. The President of the Church holds the keys necessary for governing the entire Church. His counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also hold the keys of the kingdom and operate under the President's direction. Stake presidents, bishops, and temple, mission, and quorum presidents are given keys to guide the Church in their jurisdictions. Their counselors do not hold keys but receive delegated authority by calling and assignment. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, 2003
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Keys of the ministering of angels

What does it mean that the Aaronic Priesthood holds the key of the ministering of angels and of the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins? The meaning is found in the ordinance of baptism and in the sacrament. Baptism is for the remission of sins, and the sacrament is a renewal of the covenants and blessings of baptism. Both should be preceded by repentance. When we keep the covenants made in these ordinances, we are promised that we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The ministering of angels is one of the manifestations of that Spirit. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, 1998
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Keys of the ministering of angels

Think of it, my dear young brethren. This priesthood which you hold carries with it the keys of the ministering of angels. That means, as I interpret it, that if you live worthy of the priesthood, you have the right to receive and enjoy the very power of heavenly beings to guide you, to protect you, to bless you. President Gordon B. Hinckley, 1982

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Keys of the ministering of angels

A Priest holds the keys of the ministering of angels. Never in my life, as an Apostle, as a Seventy, or as an Elder, have I ever had more of the protection of the Lord than while holding the office of a Priest. The Lord revealed to me by visions, by revelations, and by the Holy Spirit, many things that lay before me. President Wilford Woodruff, October 1891

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Aaronic Priesthood restoration (D&C 13)

My fellow servants. In the name of Messiah. The keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. This shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
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The sons of Levi offer again

Compare Malachi 3:24. Aaronic Priesthood = Levitical Priesthood (priesthood of the Levites).

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The sons of Levi offer again

It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [of Jesus Christ] was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood, or with the Prophets. The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings. 24

The sons of Levi offer again

These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchisedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses' day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued. Joseph Smith, 1840
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DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

No class next week! In two weeks: D&C 4, 1112, 1416, 1819

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class