Joseph Smith’s Plans of the New
Jerusalem
What did the conflict between the
Saints and the old settlers come to a
head over?
(Slavery)
Doctrine and Covenants 87 was given on December 25th, 1832.
It was given 28 years, 3 months and 17 days before the Civil
War began.
Most people at that time thought the war would begin in
Kansas, not South Carolina.
South Carolina took the first step by recalling it’s
representatives in the United States Senate on November 10th,
1860.
The war ended up costing 7-8 billion dollars and ending the
lives of well over 600,000 people.
In 1860 – 7 to 8 billion dollars.
In 2008 – 75 billion dollars.
Joseph’s idea was to compensate slave owners for the price of
their slaves and then free the slaves. He proposed that it could
be done by selling public land owned by the United States.
People mocked the plan because it would cost millions of
dollars to implement.
Expulsion from Jackson County
Most of the information we have relative to the School of the
Prophets comes from Zebedee Coltrin. He kept several
journals and gave lectures to the High Priests at Spanish Fork.
There were 21 men who were in the School. We know 19 of
their names.
Fourteen of the names come from the History of the Church
and three others come from Zebedee’s journal. The other two
names are from other sources.
The School functioned for only a few months from Jan. 24th
1833 until sometime into April 1833.
The School was disbanded because of “contention,” not
persecution.
The following is a list of those who
attended the School of the
Prophets:
1.
3.
5.
7.
9.
11.
13.
15.
17.
19.
Joseph Smith Jr.
Frederick G. Williams
Hyrum Smith
Joseph Smith Sr.
John Murdock
Orson Hyde
Levi Hancock
Sylvester Smith
Reynolds Cahoon
Alexander Nieber
2.
4.
6.
8.
10.
12.
14.
16.
18.
Sidney Rigdon
Newel K. Whitney
Zebedee Coltrin
Samuel H. Smith
Lyman E. Johnson
Ezra Thayer
William Smith
Martin Harris
Solomon Humphries
Orson Hyde was the teacher of the
School of the Prophets.
Occasionally Sidney Rigdon served
as the instructor.
They studied the science of English,
Grammar and Theology.
After the School had started a few of the men
expressed a desire to see an angel and have a vision.
They knelt in prayer. The glory began to fill the room
and two of them got scared and stood up. The vision
stopped. Levi Hancock and Solomon Humphries were
the two that stood up.
Joseph then entered the room and asked what had
happened. Joseph said that an angel was no further
off than the roof of the house and would have been in
their midst had they not shown fear.
After one of the sessions had closed, Joseph told the
brethren to go home and fast and pray and to be at
the School the next morning at 4 a.m.
He asked them to come in clean linens and to wash
(meaning they did not bathe very much).
He promised the brethren that they would see visions
if they came prepared.
The next morning they came and Zebedee Coltrin
said they met together in the “True Order of Prayer.”
This was where the order was first taught and it is
now only found in the Temples of the Most High God.
Zebedee Coltrin’s Journal
Church Archives
About the time the school was first organized
some wished to see an angel and a number
joined in a circle. They prayed and the vision
came, two of the brethren shrank and called for
the vision to close or they would perish
(Brothers Hancock and Humphries).
On the 23rd January, 1833, when we were all
together, Joseph having given instructions, and
while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with
our hands uplifted each one praying in silence.
No one whispered above their breath, a
personage walked through the room from east
to west. Joseph asked if we saw Him. I saw
Him and suppose the others did. Joseph said
that it was Jesus, the Son of God, our elder
brother. Afterward Joseph told us to resume
our former position in prayer. Another person
came through the room; He was surrounded
as with a flame of fire.
Zebedee experienced a sensation that it might
destroy the tabernacle as it was of consuming
fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph
said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. I saw him…This appearance was so
grand and overwhelming that it seemed I should
melt down in His presence, and the sensation
was so powerful that it thrilled my whole system
and I felt it in the marrow of my bones. The
Prophet Joseph Smith then said, “Brethren now
you are prepared to be Apostles of Jesus Christ,
for you have seen both the Father and the Son
(Zebedee Coltrin Journal, Church Archives).
On October 12, 1883, the School of the Prophets was
held in Salt Lake City at the Endowment House.
Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor presided. All Stake
Presidents were invited to the meeting to hear
Zebedee Coltrin share his experience of that occasion.
He was asked how the Savior was dressed?
Zebedee said that he was dressed in a flannel grey
suit.
He was then asked what the Father was wearing?
Zebedee said he could not re-call because the glory
was so intense. He said he saw His face, hands and
his feet, but nothing else.
On another occasion Joseph promised the men
that they would see the Savior and Angels.
In the Kirtland High Council Minutes Book, the
prophet said that the Savior appeared in the
School as well as Angels.
Several years ago, Elder Loren C. Dunn read
the John Murdock account in General
Conference.
John Murdock’s account recorded his views of
the Savior, and that the Savior’s eyes were a
beautiful blue.
The Alexander Niebor account also stated that
the Savior had blue eyes.
It was in the School of the Prophets that Joseph
taught the brethren the “True Order of the
Sacrament.”
Anciently it was a meal of bread and wine.
Zebedee said that they would pass around
bread in large loaves and would take what they
could eat and then sip a cup of wine.
This order was followed in the Church for many
years by the General Authorities.
The Word of Wisdom
In the School of the Prophets Reynolds Cahoon was
transfigured. Joseph said that had Reynolds been
transfigured just a few more seconds he would have
been translated.
– Of the 22 or so men in the School, about 20 of them
used tobacco (mostly chewing tobacco). Some also
liked to smoke.
– The revelation was given for those men in the room
to live the revelation.
–The early leaders of the Church
were bound by it.
–David Whitmer did not live it
because he did not think it was
from God.
–The general membership of the
Church was not accountable to live
it until the presidency of Heber J.
Grant.
What is the Purpose of
the Word of Wisdom?
In consequence of evils and
designs which do and will exist
in the hearts of conspiring men
in the last days, I have warned
you (Doctrine & Covenants 89:4).
Cola Drinks
“With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never
officially taken a position on this matter, but the
leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now
specifically advise, against the use of any drink
containing harmful habit-forming drugs under
circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit.
Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the
body should be avoided (Priesthood Bulletin, Ensign,
June 1972, 46).
Do you remember what President Hinckley said to
Mike Wallace about the Word of Wisdom and
specifically caffeine?
Hot Drinks
Joel H. Johnson, with whose family the Prophet
was intimate, related that on a Sabbath day in
July (1833) following the giving of the “Word of
Wisdom,” when both Joseph and Hyrum were
on the stand, the Prophet said to the Saints, “I
understand that some of the people are
excusing themselves in using tea and coffee,
because the Lord only said, ‘hot drinks’ in the
revelation of the Word of Wisdom. Tea and
coffee are what the Lord meant when he said,
‘hot drinks’” (Joel Johnson, Voice from the
Mountains” 12).
Four things we gain from
living the Word of Wisdom:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Self Control
Strength of Body
Clearness of Mind
Spiritual Power
Doctrine & Covenants 89:19
Where do you find wisdom and great
treasures of knowledge, even hidden
treasures?
“The Temple”
The First Patriarch of the Church
Joseph Smith Sr. was called by Joseph Smith Jr. on
18th, December, 1833.
He served in that position until his death in 1840 at
Nauvoo.
Hyrum was called to that position in 1841. Hyrum
was martyred in 1844 which left the position vacant
for years. Hyrum’s son, John was only twelve at the
time.
William Smith
In May of 1845 he was ordained Patriarch by the twelve.
However, he was never sustained by the body of the Church
before he was excommunicated in October of 1845 (General
Conference).
William turned out to be a rebel. He had several problems,
one of them being a terrible temper.
On one occasion he physically hurt his brother Joseph in a
fight. Joseph made excuses about losing the fight to William.
He said, “that because of his persecutions he had become
worn down by the mobs.”
William turned out to be a thief and an adulterer.
Patriarchs
The Presiding Patriarch had no more authority than a Stake
Patriarch.
John Smith, Hyrum’s son was sustained to the position on the
18th of February, 1855. He gave over 22,000 blessings. He
was faithful and a great man.
There was a ten year period when a presiding Patriarch was
not sustained.
In October of 1979 Eldred G. Smith was declared Emeritus and
the office of Presiding Patriarch was dissolved.
President Ezra Taft Benson explained that their was no longer
a need for a Presiding Patriarch.
Trouble in Missouri
1. There was a heavy lawless element in Western
Missouri. Joseph said that there were people who
would cut your throat for no reason.
2.
The Mormons taught that the Lamanites or Indians
were a chosen people.
3.
Most Missourians were pro-slavery. The
Mormons had come out of the New England
States and were anti-slavery.
4.
The Latter-day Saints were filled with pride,
boasting and wickedness.
5.
The local ministers were instigating religious
persecution. Most mobs were led by ordained ministers
who were opposed to Mormon theology.
6.
The Mormons observed the Sabbath.
7.
The Mormons became a political threat because of their
large numbers and potential political power.
8.
The economic factor:
Independence was the start of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails
and all groups leaving for the west were outfitted there.
This was probably Lilburn W. Boggs biggest concern with the
Saints because he was a wealthy land owner. He did not want
to compete with the Saints or share his profits.
The troubles came to a head in July of 1833.
Edward Partridge and Charles Allen were taken
to the public square and stripped naked.
Edward Partridge objected so strongly that the
mob left his undergarments on him.
The Reverend Isaac McCoy held the tar bucket
for the mob while they smeared tar all over the
two men.
A woman who was present told the following to Emily
Partridge, who wrote it down.
She said, “The whole time they were tarring your
father, there was a beautiful heavenly light around his
head.”
When they had finished tarring him, a man took out his
bull whip to lacerate his body. Another large man
stood forth, grabbed his arm and said, “You have done
enough.”
Emily later wrote that the tar wiped off her dad like
mud. It was considered a great miracle.
It was believed by many that Lilburn W. Boggs, the Lt.
Governor of the State was a part of the mob.
The Printing Press
Sister Phelps was in the home next to the printing press when
the mob tore the building down.
Henry Phelps, William’s boy was buried in the rubble. The
family later found him alive.
Mary Elizabeth (14) and Caroline (12) Rollins saw what was
taking place and grabbed an arm load of printed copies and ran
into the corn field.
A man by the name of John Taylor (20) also stuck his hands
through the boards of the shop before it was destroyed and
grabbed a handful of the manuscripts too (This was not the
John Taylor that would later be the 3rd president of the church).
The Violence and Killings Began in
October 1833
In Jackson County there were ten different
settlements which the mobs attacked.
The Whitmer settlement was the first. The
mobs tore off the roofs of the homes and took
the men and bull whipped them.
Hyrum Page was tied to a tree and bull
whipped.
On November 4th, 1833 another battle took
place above the Blue which was known as the
“Bloody Day.” Two members of the mob were
killed and Andrew Barber, a Mormon (18 years
old) was killed.
Several of the Mormons were injured. Philo
Dibble was shot in the stomach.
The physician said that there was nothing that
could be done for him. Pieces of his shirt were
scattered in the inside of his belly and he had a
huge hole in his midsection. The Doctor said to
make him comfortable because he would be
dead in a few hours.
David Whitmer prophesied that Philo Dibble would not
die. Newel K. Whitney blessed Philo silently because
the mob was in the house. In the blessing he told
Philo Dibble that he would be healed.
A couple of hours later, Philo Dibble said that a fire
encircled his wound which made it glow brightly until it
disappeared.
He then stood up and vomited several quarts of blood.
He mounted his horse and rode 8 miles saying that he
felt fine, though he admitted he was a little weak from
the loss of so much blood.
The Saints were forced out.
To cross the river by ferry cost 50 cents which covered
the family and their belongings.
One family had no money to get across. They
decided to try and catch some fish so they could trade
the fish for the cost of the ferry ride.
This was the Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins
family. They ended up catching two catfish. When
they cleaned the fish they had caught, they found the
exact money needed to cross the river.
(Matthew 17:27)