Lesson 3: “I Had Seen a Vision”, Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide, 4
Reading assignment: Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26; Our Heritage,pages 1–4.
After Jesus Christ was crucified, His Apostles presided over the Church. But soon persecution, divisions, and apostasy increased. Within a few decades, there was a falling away from the Church, as the Apostles had prophesied (Acts 20:28–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 4:3–4). This falling away is known as the Great Apostasy.
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• What were some of the consequences of the Great Apostasy? (See D&C 1:15–16; Joseph Smith—History 1:8–9, 19, 21; Mormon 1:13–14.)
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• Why was Joseph confused about which church he should join? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:5–10.) How was Joseph’s situation like that of people today who are searching to know the truth?
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• What are some of the truths we can learn from the First Vision?
Scripture Chain: The Apostasy and the Restoration
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3 comments:
I'm glad there's a link to Our Heritage because I don't have that book! Okay, I probably have it, but it's packed somewhere in a box with my missionary stuff.
Okay, I know I'll get some eye rolls here, but I think we see a lot of verse 6 in politics nowadays. We can learn something here, don't you think? We can't just pretend to respect one another (in politics or religion or parenting or whatever) then break off in our little groups to deride and mock those who don't agree with us. To really experience progress, we have to listen, respect, and consider each view, then decide for ourselves which is best and offer the same opportunity to everyone else around us. I wonder what would have happened had this been the case in Palmyra when Joseph was a teen. Would more people have believed him and listened to the remarkable things he had to say? What am I missing out on when I choose not to really consider others' ideas and views?
Julie, no eyerolls from my corner. That is a great point. I think we miss out on a lot of opportunities for growth when we quickly dismiss anothers' views as too different from our own. I think that is one trait of a willing learner, like a child, they are willing (most of the time) to hear the entire story before making a judgment call.
I've often thought about the first vision and the naysayers that mocked Joseph for telling his story. Would I have been open to hearing him out? Would I have been living close enough to the spirit to hear it bear witness? I believe I would.
Another thing that jumped out at me (be it circumstance or state of my mind) was the approval. Joseph did not have overwhelming approval when it came to the hearts and minds of man. But he was speaking God's words and his approval was greatest of them all. How often am I afraid to say something or do something because of the fear of man? Where would we be if Joseph too had given into the fear/approval of all men?
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