DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Sections 5762

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

Background
7 June 1831: The next conference [of the Church]shall be held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people (D&C 52:2). Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and 28 others to leave immediately. Missouri as the land of Zion: D&C 28:9; 45:64; 54:8. Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and company already in Missouri since January 1831.
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Journey to Independence, summer 1831

Josephs first impression of Independence

But our reflections were many, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the east, and standing now upon the confines or western limits of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those that sat in darkness; how natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the times, and to feel for those who roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement, or religion; yea, and exclaim in the language of the Prophets: When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will Thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days? Our anxiety was soon relieved by receiving the following: [D&C 57]. History of the Church 1:189
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D&C 57
20 July 1831 (arrival + 3 days). 57:12. Missouriis the land which I have appointed and consecrated. 57:34. Independence is the center place.
Line running between Jew and Gentile (57:4).

D&C 57
57:610. Sidney Gilbert to buy properties for the Church; Edward Partridge to divide them among the Saints.
Gilbert called as agent unto this church (53:4).

57:1113. W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery to serve as printers.

D&C 58
1 August 1831 (arrival + 15 days). 58:15. The glory which shall follow after much tribulation. 58:67. For this cause have I sent you. 58:812. First, the rich and then the poor.
The parable of the Marriage of the Kings Son (Matthew 22:114).
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D&C 58
58:2629. Men should be anxiously engaged. They are agents unto themselves. 58:3033. I command andI revoke.
Compare 56:34.

On blessings offered, but rejected

[God] never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed, and which will not end in the greatest amount of good and glory to those who become the recipients of his law and ordinances. Blessings offered, but rejected, are no longer blessings, but become like the talent hid in the earth by the wicked and slothful servant; the proffered good returns to the giver; the blessing is bestowed on those who will receive and occupy; for unto him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundantly, but unto him that hath not or will not receive, shall be taken away that which he hath, or might have had. Joseph Smith, August 1842
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I, the Lord, remember them no more

Once we have truly repented, Christ will take away the burden of guilt for our sins. We can know for ourselves that we have been forgiven and made clean. The Holy Ghost will verify this to us; He is the Sanctifier. No other testimony of forgiveness can be greater. . Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; he tries to blur our vision and lead us away from the path of repentance and forgiveness. God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again. But if we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time. This will be part of the needed healing and sanctification process. Alma testified that after he cried out to Jesus for mercy, he could still remember his sins, but the memory of his sins no longer distressed and tortured him, because he knew he had been forgiven. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2007 11

Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse (D&C 57:3).

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City of Zion Plat (June 1833)

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Revised Plat (August 1833)

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Independence Temple Parcel after 1833

183448: Vacant, held in trust. 1848: Sold to James Pool. 1851: Incorporated into Independence. 186774: Purchased by Granville Hedricks Mormon offshoot church.
The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) or Hedrickites.

189196: RLDS lawsuit (failed).

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CofC (RLDS)

CC-TL

CofC (RLDS)

LDS

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D&C 59
7 August 1831 (arrival + 21 days). Polly Peck Knight (17741831). 59:813. Thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.

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D&C 60
8 August 1831 (arrival + 22 days). 60:13. With some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them.
Talent: 46:1314.

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D&C 61
11 August 1831 (departure + 3 days). McIlwaines Bend on the Missouri River.

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D&C 61
Creation: Land and water blessed (Genesis 1:1012, 2022). Fall: Land cursed, but not water (Genesis 3:17). Water used for cleaning & purification:
The Great Flood. Baptism, temple washings. Jesus = the Living Water. The sacrament.
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D&C 61
61:1416. In the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.
Revelation 8:811; 16:26 (cf. Moses 7:66). Days to come.

61:46. Dangers upon the waters will be more especially hereafter.

Specific to Missouri River. The faithful (61:6) and upright in heart (61:16) will be safe on the water.

Not the origin of missionary policy!

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DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Next week: Sections 6369

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class