What were conditions like for the Saints in Missouri in
1833?
Few excerpts from History of The Church
Manifesto drafted and signed by citizens of Jackson county in early July
1833: we intend “as we do , to rid our society, peaceably if we can, forcibly
if we must” of the Mormons.
Reverend Finis Ewing publicly published the following:”Mormons are the
common enemies of mankind and ought to be destroyed”
On July 20th 1833 Edward Partridge, the Bishop of the Church made the following
journal entry: “I was taken from my home by the mob, George Simpson being
their leader, who escorted me about half a mile, to the court house, on
the public square in Independence; and then and there,a few rods from said
court house, surrounded by hundreds of the mob, I was stripped of my hat,
coat,and vest and daubed with tar and feathers put upon me and all this
because I would not agree to leave the county, and my home where I had lived
for two years”
Charles Allen was next stripped and tarred and feathered, because he would
not agree to leave. All armed and well organized and professing to be governed
by law under the direction of Lieutenant Govenor Lilburn W, Boggs who clamly
looked on and further stated to the saints “You now know what our Jackson
boys can do, and you must leave the county”
Even when the leaders of the Church addressed the national government to
redress the persecution of thousand of its citizens who had been banished
from their home - the federal government turned a deaf ear toward them.
The appeal was simple and based on the fact that the Constitution guarantees
that “ the citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges
and immunities of citizens of the several states” - as was such denied the
Saints under the hands of the Officers of the state of Missouri.
What action would you want to take under these circumstances?
At this point how would you feel about government?
What would you attitude be toward the constitution and the laws of the
government?
READ SECTION 98:4-12
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August 6, 1833. HC 1: 403—406. This revelation came in consequence of the persecution upon the saints in Missouri. It is natural that the saints in Missouri, having suffered physically and also having lost property, should feel an inclination toward retaliation and revenge. Therefore the Lord gave this revelation. Although some news of the problems in Missouri had no doubt reached the Prophet in Kirtland (nine hundred miles away), the seriousness of the situation could have been known to him at this date only by revelation.
12 For he will agive unto
the faithful line upon line, [ How
do we receive persdonal revelation from the Lord? known
only by personal revelation. It comes, line upon line and precept upon
precept, by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who love and serve God
with all their heart, might, mind, and strength ] precept
upon precept; [ Is
there a difference between Line upon line and precept upon precept? What
is the difference between line upon line and precept upon precept? Line
upon line denotes - inpiration upon inspiration - So the Lord give us
a prompting see's what we do with that prompting - then will give us
more based on our action to the prompting. Precept upon precept denotes
learning, knowledge, the use of what we have learned. It does not cast
pearls before swine so to speak, meaning - the spirit works by giving
a little seeing how we respond to it and then giving more where possible.] and
I will btry you
and prove you herewith.
What have we been taught about the Constitution and form of government of
the United States?
D&C 58 - How the Lord works through his prophet. Section 58 was given
in 1831 when the saint were sent to build up Zion - Jackson County Missouri.
As we read this notice the instructions that the Lord is giving the Saints
- this is long before the begin to have problems with the Missouri mobs.
someone READ D&C 58:5-8
5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it
to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
[Revelation explains reasons why Zion is to be established
in MIssouri]
6 Behold, verily
I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—
[1] that
you might be obedient,
[ Why
is learning obedience so important? First
reason for establishing Zion in Missouri Obedience - there must be one leader,
one master, the Savior was greater than Lucifer because he submitted his
will to the will of our Father and it is no different for us. We can only
serve one master - try as hard as we might!] and
[2] that
your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of
the things which are to come;
[ How
did the Lord prepare the hearts of the saints in Missouri? Through
the trials at the hands of the Missouri mobs and the sacrifice the
saints made and the trials they endured they either had to commit themslves
to the kingdom or leave the mobs gave many saints the opportunity to totsly
quit the church and they would be left alone as individuals or they could
continue with the church and be driven from their homes, geated, tarred and
feathered, or killed. In addition; some things were revealed to the saints
in Missouri that only yhose who were there witnessed. ]
7 And
[3] also
that you might be honored in laying the foundation, [ What
foundations did they lay here in Jackson County? Foundation
of the Temple, Interesting that they are not promised to build the
entire city here, foundation was layed of committment to God and his work
- both the parents and the children.] and [4] in
bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of
God shall stand;
[ What
foundation of the gospel was layed in Missouri? ]
8 And also
[5] that
a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor;
[
What does it mean a feast of fat
things for the poor? the
fifth reason is to save the world from poverty and destitution. so
from a temporal sense - One of the primary purposes of the church
is to build a social order that provides for all of those in need
- a place where all would feast on the fat things - or the good things. How
does the church do that today? Secondly from
a spiritual sense Zion is to be a great supper hall to which all
nations are invited to feast upon his words (vs 9)- even "the supper
of the house of the Lord" the great marriage feast of the Lord when
Christ will reign again on the earth.] yea, a feast of fat things,
of wine on the
lees [
the sediment from fermentation of an alcoholic beverage ] well
refined,
[filtered, sifted and made pure,clean] that
the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
[
In other words a place for his people to gather, to feast upon his
word and be fattened spiritually. A place where the words of the
prophets shal not fall on deaf ears. cp. Isa.24:9-11, Isa. 25:6,
Matt. 22:2-14 (Luke 14:16-24), also cp. D&C
56:18-20]
someone READ D&C 58:21-22
21 Let no man break the laws of
the land, [ Ever?
So are we ever justified in breaking the Laws of the
land? see D&C 134:11] for
he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of
the land.
22 Wherefore,
be subject to
the powers that be,
[ As
good members of the church why is it important to be subject to the lands
of the land? How did this council begin to prepare the saints for later
conflicts with the Missouri mobs? ] until he
reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
D&C 134:11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law
for redress of all wrongs and
grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property
or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same;
but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, [1] their
friends, and [2] property,
and [3] the government, [4] from
the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons [5
with this cavaet ] in times of exigency, [
a state of affairs that makes urgent demands; a case or situation that
demands prompt action or remedy; emergency: ] where immediate appeal
cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
someone READ D&C 58:26-29
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should
command in all things; for he that is compelled in
all things, the same is a slothful and
not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27
Verily
I say, men should be anxiously engaged
in a good cause,
[ How
strong would the church be if we just followed this one piece of
council? There
is so much that needs doing - look for opportunities to serve don't
wait to be commanded to do something that needs doing! Does
this mean more than just doing our church callings? How can we become
“anxiously engaged” in good causes in the community? ] and
do
many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; [
Explain that in 1952, while serving in the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ezra Taft Benson was asked by Dwight D. Eisenhower, President
of the United States, to serve as the nation’s Secretary of Agriculture.
With the encouragement of Church President David O. McKay, Elder
Benson accepted the assignment and served well. In his first general
conference address after becoming Secretary of Agriculture, he said:
“I have been happy in the privilege to serve, in a small
way at least, this great country and the government under which
we live. I am grateful to the First Presidency and my brethren
that they have been willing, not only to give consent, but also
to give me their blessing as I responded to the call of the chief
executive” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1953, 40).
Why do you think Elder Benson was encouraged
to accept such a responsibility? If a member of the Quorm of the Twelve
can take that responsibility - what message does that send to us as
to our responsibilities? participating
in government or political processes, obeying the law, and serving
in our communities]
28 For
the
power is in them,
[ What
power is he addressing here? Agency Have
you ever though that your reward might be greater for those things
which you did without being commanded than those that you did by
commandment? ] wherein
they are agents unto themselves.
And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But
he
that doeth not anything
until he is commanded, and
receiveth a commandment
with doubtful heart,
[ How
do we receive a commandment with a doubtful heart? ] and
keepeth
it with slothfulness,
[ Don't
perform our duty to the best of our ability ] the
same is damned.
[ What does this verse
mean to you? Notice that all three types will be damned. ]
Now what can you tell me about the 134 Section of the Doctrine and Covenants
- what makes it unique?
[Excerpt from History of the Church
A general assembly of the Church of Latter-day Saints was held at
Kirtland on the 17th of August, 1835, to take into consideration the
labors of a committee appointed by a general assembly of the Church
on the 24th of September, 1834, for the purpose of arranging the items
of the doctrine of Jesus Christ for the government of the Church.
The names of the committee were: Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon,
Oliver Cowdery, and Frederick G. Williams, who, having finished said
book according to the instructions given them, deem it necessary to
call a general assembly of the Church to see whether the book be approved
or not by the authorities of the Church: that it may, if approved,
become a law and a rule of faith and practice to the Church....
“President Oliver Cowdery then read the following article on ‘Governments
and Laws in General,’ which was accepted and adopted and ordered to
be printed in said book, by a unanimous vote: [Beginning of article.]
‘That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general
may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper
to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the
same.’
[text of D&C 134 quoted]
(Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 2, pages 243-247) Excerpt
from Doctrine and Covenants Commentary It should be noted that in the
minutes, and also in the introduction to this article on government,
the brethren were careful to state that this declaration was accepted
as the belief, or “opinion” of the officers of the Church, and not as
a revelation, and therefore does not hold the same place in the doctrines
of the Church as do the revelations. In fact the first sentence could
be improved by a slight change. The Lord in the very beginning revealed
to Adam a perfect form of government, and this was “instituted of God
for the benefit of man;” but we do not hold that all governments, or
any man-made government, was instituted of God although the Lord holds
a controlling hand over them. It was not long after the Lord established
His government with Adam, and had commanded him to teach correct principles
to his children, that men began to rebel and turn away. (Hyrum M. Smith
and Janne M. Sjodahl,
]
1—4, Governments should preserve
freedom of conscience and worship; 5—8,
All men should uphold their governments, and owe respect and deference to
the law; 9—10, Religious societies
should not exercise civil powers; 11—12,
Men are justified in defending themselves and their property.
1
WE believe
that governments were
instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for
their acts in relation to them,
[ Why
does God want his children on earth to be subject to earthly governments?
What is the purpose of governments? Who established the first government
under the direction of God? Adam What
kind of government was it? Patriarichal What
is semblemce between verse 1 and verse 6? God
instituted governments and men are accountable to the laws of such
governments. Compare to verse 6 where God also instituted his laws
to which man are also subject. How
does the Lord allow the governments of men to bring about his purpose? He
has the king of Assyria sack the
Northern Ten Tribes, He has the king of Babylon exile Judah,
He has Cyrus free Judah from Babylon, He pits the Lamanites
against the Nephites and so on. He creates these nations
and holds their rulers responsible for their actions, even
if they are not directly covenanting with Him or even aware
of their role in history.] both in making laws and
administering them,
for the good and
safety of society.
[ How
do laws provide safety for society? with
them uncivilized, lawless un ruled society do what you
want without limit]
2 We believe
that no government can exist in peace,
except such laws are framed and held inviolate
as will secure to each individual the free exercise
of conscience, [protect
the agency of man Why is agency so important
to the Lord? SEE 101:77-78 ] the
right and control of property, [ Why
is it important to have right and control of property? We
cannot be stewards unless we have power and control over property.] and
the protection of life.
D&C 101:77-78 77 According
to the laws and constitution of
the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be
maintained for the rights and
protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78
That [
Why the Lord has put in place the constitution that guarentees
just and holy principles] every man
may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according
to the moral agency which
I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for
his own sins in the day of judgment. [ Why
is this principle so important to the Lord? Unless
there is the element of agency we are not accountable - just as
Satans plan was to take away the agency of man - So it is with
governement. How important
then is agency? How important is it to foster this principle of
agency in governing own homes? ]
3 We believe
that all governments necessarily require civil officers and
magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will
administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld
by
the voice of the people [ Why
the voice of the people? see Mosiah 29:25,
26 - 26
"Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth
anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for
the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right;
therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your
business by the voice of the people." What
happens when the voice of the people choose iniquity? see
Mosiah 29:27] if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.
4
We
believe that religion is instituted of God;
[
Note that this verse starts the same as verse 1 - both government
and religion are instituted of God. ] and that men are amenable
to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it,
unless
their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights
and liberties of others;
[ Religious
rights end when they infringe on the rights of others.] but
we do not believe that
human law [the
governments of men] has a right to interfere in prescribing
rules of worship to
bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private
devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never
control conscience; should punish guilt,
but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
5
We
believe that all men are bound to sustain and
uphold the respective governments in
which they reside,
[ How
has this principle been a blessing to Latter Day Saints throught
out the world? Opens
doors to missionary efforts because they know we are good citizens,
] while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights
by the laws of such governments; and that
sedition
and rebellion are unbecoming
every citizen thus protected,
[ What
happens when this sort attitude prevails among the people? Aniarchy
- secret societies - law unto themselves. Why
was this an important principle for Latter Day Saints to understand
in MIssouri? Just
a men in Missouri formed mobs and instituted their own form of governement
it did not give the saints the right to do the same or it would evolve
in to constant civil war How was this
point brought home in Missouri? The
mobs took to themselves their own version of the law not constitutional
- and used that justification to kick the saints from their homes.
How is this an important principle in our lives today? ] and
should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right
to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated
to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding
sacred the freedom of conscience.
6 We believe that every man should be honored in
his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the
protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and
that to the laws all
men show respect and
deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted
by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express
purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between
man and man; and divine laws given of heaven,
prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both
to be answered by man to his Maker.
[verse 7-10 establish division between church and state]
7 We believe
that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to
enact laws for the protection of all citizens in
the free exercise of their religious belief;
but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive
citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so
long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious
opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
8 We believe
that the commission of crime should be punished according
to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft,
and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished
according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men,
by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and
for the public peace and
tranquility
all men should step forward and use
their ability in bringing offenders against
good laws to punishment.
[ Why
is associated punishment important in good government? The
founder knew that there was really no social contract unless there
is accountability for individual or private action.]
9 We do not
believe it just to mingle religious
influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered
and another proscribed
in its spiritual privileges,
and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. [
Spiritual rights are God given not legislated. All groups should have
equal access to their respective spiritual relationship with their
God. No groups spirituality foster over anothers through laws. How
does the churchs influence with Prop 8 in California? ]
10 We
believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their
members for disorderly conduct, according to
the rules and regulations of such societies; [Religious
matters should be dealt with by religious leaders and no one else.
CP Matt 18:15-17; D&C 42:28, 74-93] provided that such
dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we
do not believe that any religious society has authority to
try men on the right of property or life, [ Examples
of how and where this hapened? Salem
witch trials etc these are left to the laws of the land. ] to
take from them this world’s goods, or to put them in jeopardy
of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon
them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw
from them their fellowship.
skip vs 11 read earlier
11 We believe
that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and
grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property
or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same;
but we believe that all men are
justified in defending themselves,
[ When
are men justified in defending themselves? ] [1] their
friends, and
[2] property,
and
[3] the government,
[4] from
the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons
[5
with this cavaet ] in times of exigency,
[
a state of affairs that makes urgent demands; a case or situation that
demands prompt action or remedy; emergency: ] where immediate
appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
12
We
believe it just to preach the
gospel to the nations of the earth,
[
We will preach the gospel to the nations of the world - and will
not preach the gospel in those country's where it is against the
law. How has that been beneficial to
the church in the long run? Temple in
Germany...] and warn the righteous to save themselves from
the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere
with bond-servants,
[
slaves. At this point in time MIssouri was a slave state. If the
Mormons would have made a bold declaration otherwise it would have
added additional fuel to the fire and made matters worse than they
already were. ] neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize
them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle
with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied
with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives
of men; such interference
we believe to be unlawful
and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing
human beings to be held in servitude. [
Church was against slavery ]
Now to our present day
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1904146-4,00.html
Last November, Jay Pimentel began hearing that people in his neighborhood
were receiving letters about him. Pimentel lives in Alameda, Calif.,
a small, liberal-leaning community hanging off Oakland into the San Francisco
Bay. Pimentel, who is a Mormon, had supported Proposition 8, the ballot
initiative banning same-sex marriage. And that made him a target. "Dear
Neighbor," the letter began, "Our neighbors, Colleen and Jay
Pimentel" — and it gave their address — "contributed $1,500.00
to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. NEIGHBORS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEIR
NEIGHBORS' CHOICES." The note accused the Pimentels of "obsessing
about same-sex marriage." It listed a variety of local causes that
recipients should support — "unlike the Pimentels."
Pimentel, a lawyer and a lay leader in the small Mormon congregation
in Alameda, is markedly even-keeled. Yet the poison-pen note still
steams him, even though in May the California Supreme Court validated
Prop 8 as constitutional. He is bothered less by the revelation of his
monetary contribution, which he stands by, than the fact that the letter's
author didn't bother to find out that every other Saturday for 15 years,
he or someone else from Alameda's 184-member Mormon ward has delivered
a truckload of hot meals to the Midway Shelter for Abused and Homeless
Women and Children — one of the organizations the Pimentels allegedly
wouldn't support. "The
church does a lot of things in the community we don't issue press releases
about," he says. "And when people criticize us, we often just
take it on the chin. I guess you could say I'm not satisfied with the
way we're seen."