Section 6 - Historical Background: In the winter of 1828-1829, Joseph Smith faced deep anxiety as he struggled to translate the golden plates without a scribe. With Martin Harris back in Palmyra and his wife Emma busy with household chores, Joseph awaited divine intervention. The Lord answered his prayers with the arrival of Oliver Cowdery, a young schoolteacher boarding in the Smith's home in Palmyra. After his own personal confirmation of the Lord's work, Oliver joined Joseph in Harmony Pennsylvania and began to assist as scribe. Oliver asked Joseph for a personal revelation from the Lord and received it as recorded in Section 6.

Recap: Oliver receives counsel from the Lord to be diligent, to ask God for his needs and to seek wisdom, not riches. Oliver has a gift as a communicator, like Aaron’s gift, and is to preach repentance. The Lord reminds Oliver of his personal conversion experience, which no one else knew up to this time, and to always look unto Christ.

Section 7 - Historical Background: As Joseph was translating 1 Nephi 14, he came to a vision of the latter days by Nephi but was commanded not to record it all because the Lord will command the Apostle John to record the remainder of this vision. Joseph and Oliver discussed John and his whereabouts, disagreeing on whether John tarried in the flesh or had died. Joseph petitioned the Lord on the matter and received section 7.

• Recap: The Lord reveals the conversation He will have in mortality with Apostles Peter and John, granting unto them their desires. Peter will desire to come speedily to Christ, whereas John will desire to tarry in the flesh until Christ’s second coming.

Section 8 – Historical Background: As Joseph’s physical and emotional fatigue from translation became apparent, Oliver asked if he could help by doing some of the translation. After inquiring of the Lord, the answer came in section 8.

• Recap: God explains how prayers are answered. Oliver has the gift of revelation along with the gift of Aaron (communicator). God will grant other gifts of the Spirit if asked for in faith, for without faith nothing can be done.

Section 9 – Historical Background: As Oliver attempts to translate, he finds that he cannot and becomes frustrated. The Lord provides comforting admonishment in section 9.

• Recap: Oliver is counselled to continue as a scribe for Joseph rather than attempt to translate for now; to be patient and not murmur, but be expedient in the work of translation. There are other records Oliver will be asked to translate [but due to the Church coming under condemnation -see section 84:54-58- this opportunity to translate never emerged].

Historical Background:

After the translation of 116 foolscap pages of the Gold Plates (known as the Book of Lehi), Martin Harris pleads with Joseph to allow him to take the manuscript to Palmyra to convince his family of the genuineness of this divine project. After tireless pleadings from Martin and through Joseph, the Lord finally consents, but Harris was reckless with the document and it was lost. Immediately, in July, 1828, Moroni appears and reprimands Joseph and takes the Urim and Thummim and the Gold Plates, not to be returned until Joseph is filled with repentance. In September, 1828, Moroni returns the Urim and Thummim and the Gold Plates to a very humble Joseph, who resumes the translation.

Recap:

Joseph is reprimanded for fearing man more than God, and is counselled that the works of God cannot be frustrated by men.

Joseph’s father receives a blessing through revelation outlining the marvelous work about to come forth and the need for the faithful to commit to serving the Lord.

Guilt-ridden Martin Harris also asks for a blessing through revelation, hoping he can be one of the three witnesses to the Gold Plates. He is granted his desire, predicated upon his sincere repentance.

Historical Background:

It had been 3 years since the First Vision occurred in the Sacred Grove and Joseph hadn’t received any new revelations since then. Feeling condemned for his weaknesses, Joseph retired to bed and offered prayers for forgiveness. An angel from God, named Moroni, appeared to Joseph and told him about the Gold Plates. Joseph would translate these plates and be the instrument God will use to restore His gospel. Because of this, persecution will increase and Joseph’s name would be known for good and evil among all nations. Moroni then quoted prophecies from the Old Testament declaring the monumental tasks that must be accomplished before the end of the millennium.

Recap: Elijah will be revealed to restore the Sealing Keys of the priesthood allowing the living to perform essential saving ordinances for themselves and for those who have died.

Revelation given on 11/01/1831 at a Church Conference, held in Hiram, Ohio

Historical Background: By the fall of 1831, Joseph and Emma were staying with the Johnson family in Hyrum, Ohio. Many revelations had already been received from the Lord through the prophet Joseph Smith yet time had not allowed for their copying and distribution. Missionaries urgently needed copies of these revelations to take on their missions. The Lord instructed the saints to procure a printing press for this purpose and required Joseph to do 2 things:

- First, he was directed to receive a revelation dictated by the Lord as a Preface to this compilation of revelations;

- Secondly, he was directed to gather an assembly of the saints to review and approve the compilation as a book of scripture, to be used to direct and govern the Lord's church.

At this conference of November 1, 1831, the Lord dictated Section 1 of this compilation, called the Book of Commandments and later changed to the Doctrine and Covenants.

Recap of D & C 1:

These revelations are a voice of warning from the Lord and will go out to all people to repent and prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. These proclamations will go to the ends of the earth by the weak and simple to kings and rulers. The Lord's only true and living church upon the face of the earth is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Therefore, search these revelations for whether spoken by the Lord or by His servants the prophets, it is the same. These prophecies and promises are declared by the Lord to be true and they will all be fulfilled.

In this classic, favorite speech by W. Cleon Skousen, the listening audience delves into the purpose of prophecy as a tool for change. Brother Skousen explores profound insights from ancient prophecies and their implications for America and the modern world, looking back at Nephi and John, and how the teachings of Isaiah guide us through understanding the divine purpose of warnings. We traverse the significant roles America and Israel play on the global prophetic stage, examining the literal fulfillment of prophecies and their impact on the Western Hemisphere.

Listeners are introduced to the significance of messianic prophecies, including the divine mission of Messiah Ben Joseph, known to us as Joseph Smith Jr, and the anticipation of the new temple in Jerusalem. We follow the journey of Orson Hyde's dedication of the land for the Jews' return, delve into scriptural teachings on the transformation of the Earth, and contemplate individual roles in aligning with divine instruction.

Prepare to take notes, as this episode is packed with references to sacred texts, offering listeners a detailed journey through the intersection of prophecy, history, and individual faith.

The Christmas Story as only W. Cleon Skousen can tell so beautifully and personally to a crowd gathered in December of 2000.

Moroni delivers a heartfelt farewell, urging the reader of this sacred text to exercise faith and ask God with a sincere heart if these words are true. He promises that those who do this with real intent will receive an answer from God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that it is true.

As he seals up the sacred records in 421 A.D., Moroni exhorts us not to deny the gifts of God, for every good gift comes from God, reminding us that these spiritual gifts are never withdrawn unless faith in Christ wanes.

As Moroni bids his final farewell, he boldly declares the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and exhorts all to come unto Christ. As if speaking from the dust, he pleads with us to awake, deny all ungodliness and prepare to meet him at the pleasing bar of God where His mercy and grace await the righteous.

Moroni shares a significant sermon by his father, Mormon, focusing on the essential gospel themes of faith, hope, and charity and how these virtues are essential for spiritual growth and salvation. He highlights the enduring nature of charity, the pure love of Christ, as the greatest virtue one can possess.

In another epistle by Mormon, this one written directly to Moroni, he discusses the erroneous practice of infant baptism. Mormon clarifies that little children are innocent and saved through Christ's atonement, which negates the need for baptism before accountability.

Mormon writes again to Moroni, and focuses on the dire circumstances of the Nephite people, highlighting their moral decay, loss of love towards all and their thirst for blood and revenge. He talks of the imminent destruction of the people. Mormon encourages Moroni, despite these grievous times, to remain steadfast and faithful in Christ. Mormon pleads that the grace of God abide with his son, Moroni, forever.