Lesson 30 -- "The rest of the story"

Today was a fantastic discussion and the Spirit was quite strong. Of course we can all thank David and Michelle Hooper for inviting the Spirit during Sacrament Meeting. After the block I met just briefly with President Jensen and I believe his words summed it up best. The Hoopers "gave us a gift today." Their willingness to share enriched our lives and truly set the tone for an environment of sharing. Thank you David and Michelle! Your words of wisdom touched each of us and made us realize that the night is only darkest just before the dawn.

Our discussion today included the historical background to Sections 127 and 128. We looked at the recent deaths in the Smith Family which included the Prophet's father Joseph Senior (Sept. 1840), his youngest brother Don Carlos (Aug. 1841) and Emma and Joseph's one-year-old son Don Carlos (who died on Sept. 15, 1841). But it was the death of Joseph's older brother Alvin (in 1823) which weighed most heavily on his mind as he pondered the question of the salvation of the soul and life beyond this life. Alvin had been a model eldest son and a great older brother to young Joseph. Knowing he was dying, Alvin called his brothers and sisters to him and spoke to each of them. To Joseph, who was almost 18 years old and had not yet received the gold plates, Alvin said, “I want you to be a good boy and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the records. Be faithful in receiving instruction and keeping every commandment that is given you. Your brother Alvin must now leave you, but remember the example which he has set for you, and set a good example for the children that are younger than you.” When Alvin died, the family asked a Presbyterian minister in Palmyra, New York, to officiate at his funeral. As Alvin had not been a member of the minister’s congregation, the clergyman asserted in his sermon that Alvin could not be saved. William Smith, Joseph’s younger brother, recalled: “[The minister] … intimated very strongly that [Alvin] had gone to hell, for Alvin was not a church member, but he was a good boy and my father did not like it” [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 401].

"On August 15, 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith preached at the funeral of Seymour Brunson in Nauvoo and, for the first time in public, taught the doctrine of salvation for the dead. According to Simon Baker, who was present, the Prophet began by testifying that the "gospel of Jesus Christ brought glad tidings of great joy." He read most of 1 Corinthians 15 and explained that “the Apostle was talking to a people who understood baptism for the dead, for it was practiced among them.” He then declared that 'people could now act for their friends who had departed this life, and that the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God.'"

"One month after the funeral address, the Prophet visited his father, who was very ill and near death. The Prophet discussed with his father the doctrine of baptism for the dead, and Father Smith’s thoughts turned to his beloved son Alvin. Father Smith asked that the work be done for Alvin “immediately.” Just minutes before he died, he declared that he saw Alvin. In the latter part of 1840, the Smith family rejoiced as Hyrum received the ordinance of baptism for his brother Alvin" [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 403]. In January 1841, Joseph Smith received Section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants which commanded the Saints at Nauvoo to build a temple. The temple would be similar in design to the Kirtland Temple, only this time the temple would include a baptismal font for performing baptisms for the dead. For a short time, the Lord permitted the Saints to continue performing baptisms for the dead in the Mississippi River (D&C 124:31–32; History of the Church, 4: viii). But on October 3, 1841, the Prophet Joseph announced that “there shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the Lord’s House” (History of the Church, 4:426). On November 8, 1841, Brigham Young dedicated a temporary but carefully crafted wooden baptismal font in the basement of the unfinished temple (History of the Church, 4:446–47).

Sections 127 and 128 of the Doctrine and Covenants are letters written by Joseph Smith while hiding from authorities. Charges had been brought against the Prophet and Orin Porter Rockwell by the Missouri state police for the attempted murder of former governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Joseph wrote two letters or epistles to the members of the Church concerning the need for eyewitnesses and recorders of the baptisms for the dead that the Saints were then performing in the Mississippi River.

And now... "the rest of the story:"
Most of the lesson material was covered in class today. However, I have to apologize that we did run out of time before I could call on any of my assigned readers today. I will pass on their quotes now:

• President Gordon B. Hinckley commented on the high priority that the Lord gave to work for the dead:
  “It is tremendously significant to me that … this repetition of the wondrous words of Malachi concerning the work for the dead, was given to the boy Joseph four years before he was allowed to take the plates from the hill. It was given before he received either the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood, before he was baptized, and well before the Church was organized. It says much concerning the priority of this work in the plan of the Lord” [“A Century of Family History Service,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 61].
• President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “That which goes on in the House of the Lord … comes nearer to the spirit of sacrifice of the Lord than any other activity of which I know. Why? Because it is done by those who give freely of time and substance, without any expectation of thanks or reward, to do for others that which they cannot do for themselves” [Ensign, Mar. 1995, 62–63].
• Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “In our preexistent state, in the day of the great council, we made a certain agreement with the Almighty. The Lord proposed a plan, conceived by him. We accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men, we become parties to the salvation of every person under that plan. We agreed, right then and there, to be not only saviors for ourselves, but … saviors for the whole human family. We went into a partnership with the Lord. The working out of the plan became then not merely the Father’s work, and the Savior’s work, but also our work. The least of us, the humblest, is in partnership with the Almighty in achieving the purpose of the eternal plan of salvation” [“The Worth of Souls,” Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Oct. 1934, 189].

For further reading on the topic visit http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=ae2720596a845110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=05425f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD and read the online or hard copy version of Chapter 35 of Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, pp. 401-411; also Boyd K. Packer The Holy Temple, Part IV, pp. 187-268. Have a great week brothers and sisters. Remember who you are!

Next week, August 30th, no class -- Stake Conference. September 6th: Lesson 31 "Sealed … for Time and for All Eternity;" Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4; 132:4–33