Filling in the History

The revelations are chosen for publication. A challenge to the authenticity of these revelations is answered with a challenge to produce something better than what Joseph Smith can do, which the members take. A Preface is given, an Appendix is given and with all of that plus a new Revelation Book that contains all of it, Oliver and John get ready to start printing in Independence. This is the majo...

Section 64 is interrupted in the Book of Commandments because that is far as the publishers got until the press was destroyed by a mob in 1833. This marks the end of that era. We are getting tense with these sections. Members are leaving, feelings are hurt, and people are getting their licenses revoked. However, in the midst of all of it, William McLellin has 5 unknown questions that Joseph Smith...

The early leaders made their trip to Missouri across land, accomplished what they set out to do and dedicated the land. A few found things so underwhelming that they left the Church, thinking they have been duped. The leaders decided that a river journey back was the best option until a sawyer tried to tip the group over and Joseph Smith ordered everybody back on land for the journey back. Needles...

The Saints are in Independence, MO. Things are being consecrated, dedicated, and organized. We get the first death in Zion, new missions, and new issues with people moving, people misunderstanding doctrine, and a pretty rough crowd in Missouri. This episode talks about what to do on Sundays, what the sacrament is, what fasting is, and next steps for this very new Church.

William W Phelps appears on the scene, Leman Copley kicks out members of the Church from his land, and missionary calls are being dished out left and right. In this episode we see a revelation that was never published, General Conference minutes, and lots of revelations about practical matters, caring for members, and the revelation on the location of the New Jerusalem, or the City of Zion. This i...

Leman Copley joins the Church and brings some of his beliefs from the Shakers with him. Section 49 is given to attempt to correct some of these beliefs and, potentially, convert his congregation. That revelation was not well received. At the same time some very strange things are happening in Kirtland and trying to sort out what all of it means leads to section 50. Tensions are a little high and g...

The Saints are making their collective way to Kirtland and they need some help. They are not letting visitors into their meetings, there is some misunderstanding about spiritual gifts, and many don't have a place to live. The Church also needs to keep records and Mr. Whitmer is not completely on board with that. These three revelations give some guidance, lay down the law a little bit and conf...

Section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants was originally called a prophecy. Along with the Law (section 42), it helped to start the continuing movement to Ohio, dictate the method of growth for this new Church and initiate the New Testament revision which would later include Joseph Smith-Mathew, as is currently in the Pearl of Great Price. Also with this we get a rare document, a letter written in...

The headquarters of the Church moves from New York to Ohio. There is some confusion, some challenges to authority, some unity and peace, some sacrifice that hurts, but after all of that, the promised "Law" is given and answers to questions of policy and doctrine get laid out with revelations. This is the beginning of the Ohio era.

The challenge is sent to the Saints that they are moving to the Ohio to build their New Jerusalem. James Covel comes in hot and leaves just as quickly. The Amateur Historian finds a revelation that was designated as "Do Not Print". Will he share the contents of this unprinted revelation? Yes...yes he will.

We break this down by month because we have 7 sections to cover, which is really 9 revelations to various people, minutes of a conference, letters, and many missionary calls. The beginnings of the Church's influence in Ohio are felt and many key players in the Restoration show up by the end of 1830.

The Amateur Historian departs from the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants to cover the King Follett Discourse. This sermon was given three months previous to Joseph Smith's death and it had a profound impact on the audience of the time. We discuss the circumstances, the various versions and authors, and the response to this sermon.

Leading up to a conference, section 29 was given with goodies about the age of accountability and future Temples. Many of the things shared in this section are inspired from the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. The Amateur Historian shall attempt to explain the JST, how we got it, what methods were used, and various other interesting facts.

Joseph gets some serious clarity on how to administer the Sacrament. We see Joseph pay for his first home. We find an important letter in somebody's basement in a tin box. We find Hiram Page with a seer stone of his own and the question arises about who gets to have revelations for the Church. Oliver Cowdery is called on his first mission.

There is a lot going on here. The first baptisms of the Church, the first miracle of the Church, the first time Joseph is arrested. Lots of firsts, some are good, some are stressful, and some lift you off the floor...literally.

The Articles and Covenants are part of this episode. This is a foundational section of doctrine and Church policy that is held to this day. It was also published without permission in a random newspaper in Ohio to not glowing reviews. We do get an ad about cough drops, an article about loyal dogs, and so much more.

Martin Harris mortgages his property to publish 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. We get to see letters preserved in a book we still have to this day. The big thing is a revelation that was never published. These are the kinds of things that make the Joseph Smith Papers so interesting. Enjoy!

At the close of an era of Church History, the Three Witnesses are asked to seek out 12 Apostles, which they get around to in 5 years or so. This era of missing documents and fragmented stories is a reminder that life is worth remembering, so write it down, keep a copy, and believe that your life is worth remembering.

Lots of small sections to cover. Joseph Knight, David, John, and Peter Whitmer all get answers through the Urim and Thummim. The Aaronic Priesthood is restored. The witnesses to the Book of Mormon are chosen and title pages and copyrights to the Book of Mormon are all covered in this episode.

Hyrum Smith, Samuel Smith, and a debate about getting the Book of Lehi back on the press. Enjoy.

Oliver Cowdery joins the story. He will be the main scribe for what remains of the Book of Mormon translation project, a major figure in early Church events, even before there is a Church, and become one of the Three Witnesses. We get a parchment from John the Beloved, a diving rod, and some revelations from the Urim and Thummim. If any of that sounds odd, it probably is. Enjoy!

I used translate and transcribe incorrectly and it is important to know the difference, so please accept my apologies.

116 pages are lost. Martin Harris breaks his promise. Joseph suffers enormous tragedy. Things are not going well, but people keep supporting and believing, and we get some wonderful insight into how difficult everything becomes during the early translation effort for the Book of Mormon.

Moroni appears to Joseph Smith, plates are introduced, and a few touching family stories with good fathers, good mothers, and good brothers are unearthed.

Several accounts survive from Joseph Smith's time about the First Vision. We look at all of them and let you see for yourself how the story was told.