To download past handouts, go to: highlandvalleysundayschoolnotes2012.blogspot.

com

#1 In his letter to John Wentworth, Joseph wrote of many visits from the angels of God unfolding the majesty and glory of the events that should transpire in the last days (HC, 4:537) And according to President John Taylor, the Prophet Joseph not only had the principles developed but was conversant with the parties who officiated as the leading men in former ages (JD, 20:174-75) #2 Oliver Cowdery: When Joseph first attempted to take possession of the record, a shock was produced upon his system, by an invisible power which deprived him, in a measure, of his natural strength. He desisted for an instant, and then made another attempt, but was more sensibly shocked than before. What was the occasion of this he knew not there was the pure unsullied record, as had been described...he...supposed that physical exertion and personal strength was only necessary to enable him to yet obtain the object of his wish. He therefore made the third attempt with an increased exertion, when his strength failed him more than at either of the former times, and without premeditating he exclaimed, Why can I not obtain this book? Because you have not kept the commandments of the Lord, answered a voice...He looked and to his astonishment, there stood the angel who had previously given him the directions concerning this matter. In an instant, all the former instructions, the great intelligence concerning Israel and the last days, were brought to his mind: he thought of the time when his heart was

fervently engaged in prayer to the Lord, connected with this record. He had come, to be sure, and found the word of the angel fulfilled concerning the reality of the record, but he had failed to remember the great end for which they had been kept, and in consequence could not have power to take them into his possession...At that instant he looked to the Lord in prayer, and as he prayed darkness began to disperse from his mind and his soul was lit up as it was the evening before, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and again did the Lord manifest his condescension and mercy: the heavens were opened and the glory of the Lord shone round about and rested upon him. While he thus stood gazing and admiring, the angel said, Look! and...he beheld the prince of darkness, surrounded by his innumerable train of associated and the heavenly messenger said, All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that you may know hereafter the two powers and never be influenced or overcome by that wicked one...You now see why you could not obtain this record; that the commandment was strict, and that if ever these sacred things are obtained they must be by prayer and faithfulness in obeying the Lord These things are sacred, and must be kept so, for the promise of the Lord concerning them must be fulfilled (Messenger and Advocate, 2:197-98;
Times and Seasons, 2:393).

#3 Joseph Smith: In his hands he held the plates He turned over the leaves one by one we heard a voice from out of the bright light above us, saying, These plates have been revealed by the power of God, and they have been translated by the power of God. The translation of them which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you now see and hear. (History of the Church, 1:5455.)

one copy of valuable documents should be made. In the future he made duplicate copies of all important manuscripts. (Joseph Smith and the Restoration, 84)

#6 Lucy Mack Smith: Joseph who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own? Yes, it is gone, replied #4 Lucy Mack Smith: On coming Martin, and I know not where. Oh, my in, Joseph threw himself down God! said Joseph, clinching his hands. All is beside me, and exclaimed, lost! All is lost! What shall I do? I have Father, mother, you do not know sinnedit is I who tempted the wrath of how happy I am: the Lord has now God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself. They have seen an the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession. angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually. of what I have said, for now they know At length he told Martin to go back for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was and search again. No; said Martin, it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pilrelieved of a burden which was almost lows; and I know it is not there. Then must too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices I, said Joseph, return with such a tale as my soul, that I am not any longer to be this? I dare not do it. And how shall I appear entirely alone in the world. (History of Joseph before the Lord? Of what rebuke am I not Smith by His Mother, p. 152.) worthy from the angel of the Most High? I besought him not to mourn so, for #5 Ivan J. Barrett: Grievous as the experience was, it proved to be the lesson Joseph perhaps the Lord would forgive him, after a Smith needed in his youth to strengthen him short season of humiliation and repentance. But what could I do to comfort him, when and fortify him against temptations that he saw all the family in the same situation of would later beset his path. It taught him to hearken to the inspi- mind as himself; for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. ration that came to him and not to yield to However, Joseph was more distressed than the persuasions of men. the rest, as he better understood the conseIt taught him to be cautious in trusting men, for few could be depended quences of disobedience. And he continued pacing back and forth, meantime weeping upon. and grieving, until about sunset, when, by It also taught him that more than persuasion, he took a little nourishment.

The next morning, he set out for home. We parted with heavy hearts, for it now appeared that all which we had so fondly anticipated, and which had been the source of so much secret gratifications, had in a moment fled, and fled forever. (same
source as #4)

touched, and I know that whereof I testified is true. It was no dream, no vain imagination of the mind it was real. (Scott H. Faulriing, The
Return of Oliver Cowdery, http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/ publications/transcripts/?id=50)

#9 Not to my knowledge, answered David. Im astonished at that, replied his sister, for the children came to me in the forenoon, #7 On the 9th day of July 1875, while he and begged of me to go out and see the was dying, I knelt by his cot I wanted to get what I thought would be his last words, men sow plaster in the field, saying, that but he could not talk audibly. Pilkington then they never saw anybody sow plaster so fast in their lives. I accordingly went, and saw prayed that his grandfathers last words could be understood. He reported, Strength three men at work in the field, as the chilwas given to him and he bore his testimony dren had said but supposing that you had as he had done many times before and I un- hired some help, on account of your hurry, I derstood every word. He then bore the same went immediately into the house, and gave the subject no further attention. (Smith, History testimony to the whole world and then laid of Joseph Smith, 136-37) back exhausted... He was buried with his Book of Mormon in his right hand and the #10 Though disaffected from the Church for Doctrine and Covenants in his left. (Susan fifty years. David Whitmer remained stalwart Easton Black, Whos Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, 127) in his testimony of the Book of Mormon. The following was published in the Richmond #8 A few months before his death, Oliver (Mo.) "Conservator" of March 25, 1881: received a visit from Jacob Gates, an old "Unto all Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and Mormon acquaintance from before his excommunication in 1838 Gates asked Cow- People, unto whom these presents shall dery about his testimony printed in the Book come: "It having been represented by one John of Mormon. He wanted to know if the testiMurphy, of Polo, Caldwell county, Missouri, mony was based on a dream, the imagination of his mind, an illusion, or a myth. Jacob that I, in a conversation with him last summer, denied my testimony as one of the wanted the truth. As the account goes, Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Oliver Cowdery got up from his resting "To the end, therefore, that he may unplace, retrieved a first edition Book of Mormon, and read solemnly the testimony. Turn- derstand me now, if he did not then; and that the world may know the truth. I wish ing to face Gates, he said, Jacob, I want you to remember what now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once for all to I say to you. I am a dying man, and what make this public statement: would it profit me to tell you a lie? I know "That I have never at any time denied that this Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. My eyes saw, my that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that ears heard, and my understanding was

book, as one of the Three Witnesses. Those who know me best well know that I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do again affirm the truth of all my statements as then made and published. "'He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear;' it was no delusion; what is written is written, and he that readeth let him understand. "'And if any man doubt, should he not carefully and honestly read and understand the same before presuming to sit in judgment and condemning the light, which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way of eternal life as pointed out by the unerring hand of God?' "In the Spirit of Christ, who hath said: 'Follow thou me, for I am the life, the light and the way,' I submit this statement to the world; God in whom I trust being my judge as to the sincerity of my motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life. "My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by this plain and simple statement of the truth. "And all the honor to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen! (Signed) "DAVID WHITMER SEN.
(http://www.gapages.com/whitmd1.htm)

he was going our way. But he said very pleasantly, No, I am going to Cumorah. The name was somewhat new to me, and I did not know what Cumorah meant. We all gazed at him and at each other, and as I looked round inquiringly of Joseph, the old man instantly disappeared so that I did not see him again. Sometime after this, my mother was going to milk the cows, when she was met out near the yard by the same old man (judging by her description of him), who said to her, You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors, but you are tired because of the increase of your toil; it is proper, therefore, that you should receive a witness, that your faith may be strengthened. Thereupon, he showed her the plates. My father and mother had a large family of their own, the addition to it, therefore, of Joseph, his wife Emma, and Oliver, very greatly increased the toil and anxiety of my mother. And although she had never complained she had sometimes felt that her labor was too much, or, at least, she was perhaps beginning to feel so. This circumstance, however completely removed all such feelings, and nerved her up for her increased responsibilities. ( B.H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of
the Church, 1:126-27)

#10 ...in a clear, open place, a very pleasant, nice looking old man suddenly appeared by the side of our wagon and saluted us with, Good morning; its very warm, at the same time wiping his face or forehead with his hand. We returned the salutation, and by a sign from Joseph, I invited him to ride if

LESSON 4 OUTLINE Last week Brother Thomas gave a great lesson, Ive heard, on the First Vision, and Im so grateful for his help! As you know, these last two weeks especially have been hectic, but Thor made it to the MTC! Thank goodness we have 6 more weeks to get him long shirts and 38 inseam slacks!! Back to the First Vision. ~What year did it take place? (1820spring) ~Any ideas about what Joseph did for the next three years? JSH 1:27 In verses 28-29 he talks essentially about growing up, making foolish mistakes consistent with being an outgoing, cheerful teenager despite severe persecution. Three years go by, and Joseph decides hes ready to know whats next. ~Who is sent to be Josephs tutor? (Moroni, and many others) Quotation #1 There is much that can be found about those who tutored Joseph, but in the interest of time, let me just give his description of the apostle Paul: He is about five feet high; very dark hair; dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face; small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembled the roaring of a lion (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 180).

After Moronis first visit to Joseph in 1820 ~How many times did Moroni appear to him that night and day? (4) ...he went to Cumorah where he was able to remove the cover of the stone box which contained the plates. ~Why couldnt Joseph get the plates at this time? Quotation #2 Joseph was commanded to return to Cumorah each year for more tutoring. In 1827, Joseph was newly married and just 22 years old! He returned home late one night to a worried family. His mother wrote: He smiled and said in a calm tone, I have taken the severest chastisement that I have ever had in my life. [His father was upset and asked which neighbor might have given Joseph a hard time and began ranting and raving.] Joseph replied, Stop, father, stop. It was the angel of the Lord. As I passed by the hill Cumorah, where the plates are, the angel met me and said that I had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord; that the time had come for the record to be brought forth; and that I must be up and doing and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do. But, father, give yourself no uneasiness con-

cerning the reprimand which I received, for now I know the course that I am to pursue, so all will be well. (History of Joseph Smith by his Mother, 100) ~Few of us like to be chastised, am I right? ~How is chastisement from the Lord a blessing? (because then well know what course to pursue. What a wonderful insight! Lets always remember that.) Shortly after this on September 21, 1827, Joseph received the plates. ~How long did he have them? (2 years) ~How long did it take to translate them? (less than 3 months) ~So what did Joseph do with them for most of that 2 years? (Protected them from those who wanted to steal them. See Take Heed Continually: Protecting the Gold Plates, Ensign, January 2001) On June 20, 1829, as the translation was progressing, Joseph came across a scripture that told him there were to be 3 witnesses of the Book of Mormon. ~Was Joseph told who they would be? (not quite) Lets read: The section heading to D&C 17 ~Are most revelations given in response to a question? (yes, and this one follows that pattern.) After praying in the woods together, each in turn, twice, nothing happened and Martin said it was due to his lack of faith. So he separated himself from the others to pray alone. Then an angel appeared to the others. Heres how Joseph described what happened: Quotation #3 Shortly after that Joseph and Martin prayed fervently together and beheld the same vision. When they returned to the house it was about 3:00 in the afternoon. Put yourself in Josephs shoes for a moment. For nine years he has been persecuted terribly. For nine years he bore the burden of being the sole witness of the Restoration. ~How do you suppose he felt at this point? Quotation #4 A day or two later, eight more witnesses were permitted to see and touch the plates, but without the angel. Lets focus in on the lives of the 3 witnesses. Martin Harris was the first to meet Joseph. ~What was his vocation? (well-to-do farmer) In the spring after Joseph received the plates, Martin Harris served as scribe. Remember, Joseph and Emma had moved to Pennsylvania to avoid the mobs, and Martins farm was in New York, so this was a sacrifice! ~To appease his family, what did Martin ask of Joseph? (to take the manuscript

of the Book of Lehi to New York to show his family.) ~Joseph asked twice, and what was the answer both times? (No!) Martin pestered Joseph to make a deal with the Lord, covenanting to show them only to his wife, parents and brother and sister-in-law. ~What was the Lords response this time? (Yes!) ~Knowing the disaster that would ensue, why did the Lord say yes? (to teach Joseph some important lessons) Quotation #5 Heres a description of the turmoil Joseph and Martin went through: Quotation #6 Now lets turn to D&C 3 and read the Lords response: D&C 3:1-9 1: What design & purpose is God referring to here? (the coming forth of the Book of Mormon) 2: Does God have to worry about what happens and adjust His course accordingly? (No!) 4: Who is He talking about here? (Joseph) 7: Who did Joseph fear more than God? (Martin) What does it mean to set at naught the counsels of God? (to ignore them) 8: When we trust in the arm of flesh, do we have such a promise? Why not? (only God is all-knowing and all-powerful) 9: Are any of us immune to the possibility of failing? D&C 3:12-15 And then in verse 16 He says, Nevertheless, my work shall go forth ~Did the Lord know the 116 pages would be stolen? (yes) ~What did He do to circumvent that? (Inspired Mormon to include the small plates in his abridgement of the large plates, see 1 Nephi 9 and Words of Mormon 1:3-7) Lets relate this lesson to our personal prayers. ~First, can we trust Heavenly Father? (yes, He can accomplish His works) ~What do we learn about what we should pray for? (less about what we need, since He already knows our needs, and more about what He wants for us. We are not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand, see Jacob 4:10) Martin Harris fell away from the church, but after 33 years he rejoined the saints. His grandson witnessed his deathbed testimony: Quotation #7

The second of the three witnesses to meet Joseph was Oliver Cowdery. ~What was his profession? (school teacher) Like David Whitmer, Oliver went through some fiery trials and fell away. Quotation #8 contains his deathbed testimony: Quotation #8 Finally, the third witness to enter Josephs life was David Whitmer. He was an acquaintance of Oliver Cowdery. Oliver had told David he was going to find out if Joseph was a prophet. Then he wrote David bearing testimony of the restored gospel. A couple of letters later Oliver commanded David to come to Pennsylvania and bring Joseph and Oliver back to the Whitmer home, due to persecution. David didnt know what to do. He had 20 acres to plow, which would not wait. But when he went ot plow he found that 5-7 acres had been plowed in the night. He said, I do not know who did it, but it was done just as I would have done myself, and the plow was left standing in the furrow. The next morning he went out to spread plaster on his fields, which was a common soild treatment of the day. He had left the plaster in heaps near the house, but now it was gone. He ran to his sister and asked what had happened to it. She was surprised and said, Wasnt it all sown yesterday? The story continues with quotation #9 Quotation #9 Needless to say, David Whitmer went to New York immediately! David Whitmer was excommunicated at the same time as Oliver Cowdery, and remained disaffected for fifty years! Toward the end of his life he published his testimony: Quotation #10 There is another witness worth mentioning here. David Whitmers parents home was a log cabin 20 x 30. There were five children still living at home! David was going to bring Joseph, Emma and Oliver to join them! How might you have responded? Annoyed? Stressed? While David went to get the guests, his mother readied the home. David writes the following about this time: Quotation #11 Is the Lord mindful of us? I testify that He is...