Today s Take-aways. Kirtland Apostasy & Aftermath 6/8/17. Heber s prophecy Parley s preaching

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1 6/8/17 Today s Take-aways Kirtland Apostasy & Aftermath Scott Woodward Rel. 225 Summer 2017 What is the background to and the importance of Parley P. Pratt s mission to Toronto? What factors led some of the Apostles to struggle with their faith and/or to apostatize? How did the mission to England save the Church? What factor protected Brigham Young and from apostatizing? Why did the Saints move to Far West? What can we do to protect ourselves from personal apostasy? Heber s prophecy Parley s preaching Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p.110) Parley P. Pratt (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p.110) It was now []; I had retired to rest one evening at an early hour, and was pondering my future course, when there came a knock at the door. I arose and opened it, when Elder and others entered my house, and being filled with the spirit of prophecy, they blessed me and my wife, and prophesied as follows: Brother Parley, thy wife shall be healed from this hour, and shall bear a son, and his name shall be Parley. Thou shalt go to Upper Canada, even to the city of Toronto, the capital, and there thou shalt find a people prepared for the fulness of the gospel, and they shall receive thee, and thou shalt organize the Church among them, and it shall spread thence into the regions round about, and many shall be brought to the knowledge of the truth and shall be filled with joy; and from the things growing out of this mission, shall the fulness of the gospel spread into England, and cause a great work to be done in that land. 1

2 The Fight after the Light Historical Timeline - The washings & anointings of the temple Great spiritual outpourings (many saw angels and visions), the gift of prophecy, etc. A personal appearance of the Savior followed by the restoration of eternal priesthood keys (D&C 110) Feb. Mar. June Aug. Daniel Tyler ("Incidents of Experience," Classic Experiences and Adventures (SLC: Bookcraft, 1969), p ; see also Ensign 1979, p. 29) All felt that they had a foretaste of heaven. In fact, there were several weeks in which we were not tempted of the devil; and we wondered whether the millennium had commenced. At or near the close of the endowments, the Prophet addressed us. Daniel Tyler ("Incidents of Experience," Classic Experiences and Adventures (SLC: Bookcraft, 1969), p ; see also Ensign 1979, p. 29) Among other things he said: Brethren, for some time Satan has not had power to tempt you. Some have thought that there would be no more temptation. But the opposite will come; and unless you draw near to the Lord you will be overcome and apostatize. A few months later, four of the apostles were cut off from the Church for apostasy, and the standing of one or two others was very doubtful. Numbers from other quorums also fell away and were cut off. Crisis in Kirtland Financial Crisis Faith Crisis Kirtland Debt Problem Kirtland Temple Debt: about $13, The enormous amount of resources already spent to assist the saints in Missouri. + Many converts (mostly of the "poorer class") continue to gather to Kirtland, some hoping to be supported by the funds of the Church and the generosity of the Saints. This causes several challenges, including financial strain, for the Church. 2

3 In of Brother William Burgess arrived in Kirtland and told that he knew where a large sum of money was hidden in the cellar of a house in Salem, Massachusetts. He claimed to be the only person living who knew of the treasure and the location of the house. Persuaded by Burgess, the Prophet, with Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, left Kirtland in late for New York City. Even with the help of Burgess, the brethren searched in vain for the house with the supposed treasure. Burgess soon departed, explaining that Salem had changed so much since he was last there that he could not find the house. Historical Timeline - Joseph gone to Salem, MA Feb. June Aug. Joseph prophesies many will apostatize if they don t repent (Church History In The Fulness Of Times Student Manual, (2003), ) (Revised and Enhanced History of by His Mother, p.335) We are now nearly as happy as we can be on earth, for we have accomplished more than we had any reason to anticipate when we began. Our lovely and beautiful house is finished, and the Lord has acknowledged it by pouring out his Spirit upon us here and revealing to us much concerning his purposes in regard to the work which he is about to perform. (Revised and Enhanced History of by His Mother, p.335) Furthermore, we have plenty of everything necessary to our comfort and convenience, and judging from appearances, one would not suppose that anything could occur that would break up our friendship for each other or distress us in the least. (Revised and Enhanced History of by His Mother, p.335) But, brethren, beware, for I tell you in the name of the Lord that there is an evil in this very congregation, which, if it is not repented of, will result in making one-third of you who are here this day so much my enemies that you will have a desire to take my life; and you even would do so, if God permitted the deed. (Revised and Enhanced History of by His Mother, p.335) But, brethren, I call upon you now to repent, while there is room for repentance, and cease all your hardness and turn from these principles of dishonesty and death which you are harboring in your bosoms, before it is eternally too late, for there is yet room for repentance. 3

4 6/8/17 Historical Timeline - (By the way, the five year prophecy is up) On September 11, 1831, the Lord said, Kirtland SS AntiBank Organized I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years. (D&C 64:21) JS in Michigan Joseph gone to Salem, MA Joseph prophesies many will apostatize if they don t repent Feb. Mar. June Aug. Apostates hold secret mtg in K. Temple to appoint David Whitmer Church Three of the Twelve Apostles were in on this!!! Luke S. Johnson Historical Timeline - JS in Michigan Joseph gone to Salem, MA Joseph prophesies many will apostatize if they don t repent Feb. Out of eight hundred and fifty banks in the United States, three hundred and forty-three closed entirely, sixty-two failed partially, and the system of State banks received a shock from which it never fully recovered. Major Apostasy (Greed & Pride Abound) Mar. Apostates hold secret mtg in K. Temple to appoint David Whitmer Church June Lyman E. Johnson The Panic of Kirtland SS AntiBank Organized John F. Boynton Aug. Kirtland SS AntiBank Fails 4

5 Historical Timeline - Kirtland SS Anti- Bank Organized Major Apostasy Joseph gone to JS in (Greed & Pride Salem, MA Michigan Abound) In this state of things, God revealed to me that something new must be done for the salvation of His Church. Feb. Mar. June Aug. Joseph prophesies Apostates hold Kirtland SS Anti- Heber C. many will apostatize secret mtg in K. Bank Fails Kimball Called if they don t repent Temple to appoint on a Mission David Whitmer Church (History of the Church, 2: ) (Life of Heber C. Kimball, p ) On Sunday, the 4th day of June,, the Prophet Joseph came to me, while I was seated in front of the stand, above the sacrament table, on the Melchizedek side of the Temple, in Kirtland, and whispering to me, said, Brother Heber, the Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me: Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation. (Life of Heber C. Kimball, p ) Feeling my weakness to go upon such an errand, I asked the Prophet if Brother Brigham might go with me. He replied that he wanted Brother Brigham to stay with him, for he had something else for him to do. The idea of such a mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I was almost ready to sink under the burden which was placed upon me. (Life of Heber C. Kimball, p ) However, all these considerations did not deter me from the path of duty; the moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed; and although my family was dear to me, and I should have to leave them almost destitute, I felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, outweighed every other consideration. 5

6 6/8/17 Year # Who Immigrated to Nauvoo Total 240 1, 135 1, ,733 Meanwhile, back in Kirtland During the next decade, over 10,000 British Saints sailed to America. By 1870 there were 28,000 more, and the majority of the adult Saints in Utah were former natives of the British Isles. Sidney Rigdon Frederick G. Williams Sidney Rigdon Frederick G. Williams is dropped from the 1st Presidency Frederick G. Williams is dropped from the 1st Presidency (7 November ) (7 November ) A Quorum in Trouble. Apostatizes from the Church because, he said, I could not uphold the No Picture Available Thomas B. Marsh (34 years old) David W. Patten (*35 years old) Brigham Young (33 years old) (33 years old) Orson Hyde (30 years old) William E. McLellin (29 years old) William E. McLellin Apr Parley P. Pratt (27 years old) Hyrum Smith Luke S. Johnson (27 years old) William Smith (23 years old) Orson Pratt (23 years old) John F. Boynton (23 years old) Presidency as men of God. 11 May. Confesses to a Bishop s court that he had quit praying and keeping the commandments for a time and that he had indulged in sinful lusts.. Excommunicated. Lyman E. Johnson (23 years old) 6

7 William E. McLellin Apr While was in jail at Richmond, McLellin, went to the sheriff and asked for the privilege of flogging the Prophet. Permission was granted on condition that Joseph would fight. The sheriff made known to Joseph McLellin's earnest request, to which Joseph consented, if his irons were taken off. McLellin then refused to fight unless he could have a club, to which Joseph was perfectly willing; but the sheriff would not allow them to fight on such unequal terms. D&C 112 Thomas B. Marsh Counsel to Thomas B. Marsh Personal Counsel: D&C 112:2-3, 10 The Lord s Counsel to Thomas? On Leading the Twelve: D&C 112:12-13 D&C 112:14-15 D&C 112:23-26 D&C 112:33-34 Warnings to the Twelve The aftermath? Thomas B. Marsh Sunday, 6, 1857 (Journal of Discourses, 5:210) I became jealous of the Prophet, and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath. I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful. I got mad, and I wanted everybody else to be mad. 7

8 Joseph gone to Salem, MA Historical Timeline - Kirtland SS Anti- Bank Organized Joseph prophesies many will apostatize if they don t repent JS in Michigan Feb. Mar. Apostates hold secret mtg in K. Temple to appoint David Whitmer Church Major Apostasy (Greed & Pride Abound) Season of Kirtland Apostasy June Aug. Kirtland SS Anti- Heber C. Bank Fails Kimball Called on a Mission JS, SR, & TBM visit Canadian saints & preach Apostates attempt armed take-over of K. Temple JS, SR, & WS find gathering places in Far West, MO Joseph & Sidney flee Kirtland Brigham Young flees Kirtland due to death threats Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 2:18) On the morning of December 22 [], I left Kirtland in consequence of the apostates, who had threatened to destroy me because I would proclaim, publicly and privately, that I knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that was a Prophet of the Most High God. Kirtland Apostasy Stats Only 10-15% of general membership But 33% General Authorities, leave the Church or are Excommunicated (Revised and Enhanced History of by His Mother, p.335) But, brethren, beware, for I tell you in the name of the Lord that there is an evil in this very congregation, which, if it is not repented of, will result in making one-third of you who are here this day so much my enemies that you will have a desire to take my life; and you even would do so, if God permitted the deed. Elizabeth Barlow reflected, We all felt more sorrowful at seeing Apostles leave the Church than we did over our trials and persecutions. (Our Pioneer Heritage, 19:321) Apostasy Today 8

9 Marlin K. Jensen Quorum of the Seventy (Utah State Fireside, November 2011; see online transcript) I m speaking of the fifteen men that are above me in the hierarchy of the Church. They really care. And they realize that, maybe, since Kirtland we ve never had a period of I ll call it apostasy like we re having right now, largely over [church history] issues [found on the internet]. What Kept the Faithful Safe? (History of the Church, 5:412) Of the Twelve Apostles chosen in Kirtland there have been but two but what have lifted their heel against me namely Brigham Young and. (Life of Heber C. Kimball, p. 101) This order of things increased during the winter to such an extent that a man s life was in danger the moment he spoke in defense of the Prophet of God. The only consolation I had, was in bending my knees continually before my Father in Heaven, and asking Him to sustain me and preserve me from falling into snares, and from betraying my brethren as others had done. Brigham Young (Millennial Star, 25:487; Wilford Woodruff Journal, 5:63) During this siege of darkness I stood close by Joseph, and, with all the wisdom and power God bestowed upon me, put forth my utmost energies to sustain the servant of God. I could not sleep those days. I spent many a night all night without sleeping at all. I prayed a good deal. Wilford Woodruff (Collected Discourses, 1:326; ) In Kirtland, a number of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles apostatized. Why did they apostatize? Because they forsook the Lord, they stopped praying, they wanted to get rich, they sought for the honors of men and for the riches of the world; and notwithstanding they were Apostles, their power fell from them. If a man wishes to keep faithful, he has got to live near unto the Lord, remember his prayers, and realize that he is at work for the Lord and for His Kingdom. 9

10 6/8/17 Historical Timeline D&C 118 The Missouri/ Mormon War Joseph & Sidney flee Kirtland Oliver Cowdery Election Day battle Battle at Crooked River JS in MO Excommunicated at Gallatin prisons Aug. March Joseph arrives in Far West, MO Cornerstones laid for the Far West Temple Nov. Joseph in Liberty Jail JS negotiates land purchase in Commerce, IL Apr Dewitt, a Mormon Extermination Order settlement, sieged by Missourians May 1839 JS sends letter to all saints to gather to Commerce area 4 New Apostles Called The Twelve Called to Preach in Europe 1839 JS & Family move to Commerce those who have fallen Outline of the Kirtland Apostasy kirtland_apostasy_outline.html End 10