Videos, Podcasts, & Weekly Lesson Material
Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson
I’ve mentioned previously that I’m taking classes through Israel’s Institute of Biblical Studies (IIBS), which partners with Hebrew University in Israel. One of my current classes has been particularly fascinating because it aligns closely with the topics we’ve been studying in D&C.
In our previous lesson, we discussed how the Restoration is a Resh-Torah-action, a return to the Law as it was initially given and understood. This week in my IIBS class, we explored how the Torah was lost following the Babylonian invasion. During the exile, the Jewish people were scattered across the Persian Empire, and their language, culture, knowledge, and even alphabet underwent significant changes due to Babylonian and Persian influences. This mirrors themes from our CFM lesson last week, overlapping some of the topics we addressed.
When the Jews returned to Jerusalem, most no longer spoke or understood Hebrew. The Torah, once central to their lives, had become inaccessible to them. This might be akin to modern English speakers trying to understand the poem Beowolf in its original Old English. To bridge this gap, the Targum—a translation and commentary in Aramaic—was developed to help reconnect the people to God’s word.
What is interesting about this is that Christ frequently alluded to the Targum in the New Testament. The Targum and the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Tanakh) were the texts that most first-century Jews would have been familiar with. In some cases, Jesus supported the interpretations of the Targum, even quoting direct passages. In others, he had issues with the interpretations, and he took many opportunities to clarify.
For example, during the healing of the paralytic (Matthew 9:2–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26), the Pharisees challenged Christ’s authority to forgive sins, citing Exodus 34:7 as interpreted in the Targum. Jesus responded by asserting His divine authority: ‘For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?’ His words and actions both affirmed and expanded the people's understanding of God’s power, wisdom, and forgiveness.
This perspective sheds interesting light on part of the divine purposes of the Book of Mormon. Even in Christ’s time, misinterpretations and misunderstandings of scripture caused confusion and conflict. The Book of Mormon helps to clarify some of these misunderstandings, restoring ancient truths that were lost or distorted over centuries. Remarkably, the Brass Plates, which were the foundation of the Book of Mormon, predate the canonization of the Tanakh and the development of the Targum and Septuagint. This makes the Book of Mormon not only a commentary of an early version of the Tanakh, but a unique witness of Christ and a window into the First Temple period’s spiritual, linguistic, and intellectual heritage. How amazing is that?
It is therefore important that we pay attention to subtle linguistic details in scripture, especially when we observe similarities and differences in the traditions and interpretations. We should be asking ourselves, what are these similarities/differences, why are they significant, and how can we learn from them?
In the materials that are included in this week's lesson, there were two articles that I found especially riveting, particularly as they pertain to rediscovering significant principles that have been lost. These articles are "Mormonism and the Scientific Persistence of Circles: Aristotle, Spacetime, and One Eternal Round" and "Faith, Hope, and Charity: The “Three Principal Rounds” of the Ladder of Heavenly Ascent." I only have enough time to address one of these articles, but they are both very insightful, and include heavy topics, focusing on just the first two verses we read in D&C section 3. We could easily spend months on these two verses alone, so if you want meat, this is it!
These verses were given to Joseph Smith at one of the lowest points of his life. He had just lost the manuscript pages and was terrified and devastated, fearing that he had destroyed God's work in addition to losing his soul. In this moment of deep dispair, the Lord taught him some truly remarkable and profound doctrine.
The opening verses of D&C 3 reads,
“The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught. For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.”
This passage not only provided great comfort to the young prophet, but it also connects to timeless principles of order, consistency, and the divine perfection of God and His works— these are concepts that, to a large extent, had been lost to the world. Yet, stubborn pieces of these eternal principles kept returning, again and again, in various ways, and at various times, because they resonate deeply with both spiritual truths and patterns found in history, science, philosophy, literature, and nature.
Throughout history, the concept of the eternal round has been understood and interpreted in many ways. Anciently, these principles were connected to religious, scientific, and philosophical ideals, including principles of astronomy. However, many of these ideas became misunderstood and even corrupted, in part due to misinterpretation and ergegeuos misunderstanding. As such, they were, to a large extent, abandoned. In the modern day, while these concepts have been largely forgotten, (dismissed and overlooked), a reawakening has begun to take shape, in various fields. While our modern understandings and applications of these principles differ from those described in the ancient records of the past, we are beginning to make valuable connections that can help us to better understand the laws of God and our natural world.
One Eternal Round: Circles and Patterns in God’s Work
The Persistence of Circles in Science and Scripture:
The phrase “one eternal round” highlights the perfect, complete, and cyclical nature of God’s works. It is used many times throughout scripture, particularly in the Book of Mormon. This principle is reflected in:
Natural Cycles: Seasons, planetary orbits, the color wheel, the Circle of Fifths, the solar cycle, the lunar cycle, the calendar, and even the structure of atoms. These patterns and phenomina all testify of God and His divine order. (Moses 6:63)
Ancient Symbolism: Circles and cycles were sacred symbols in ancient Israel, as demonstrated in the creation account, which divided the creation into into seven periods, outlining the organization of the cyclical days of the week. These sacred patterns were replicated in temple rituals and even artifacts, such as the Menorah and feast cyles. These patterns outlined principles of measurement, eternity, perfection, and God’s unchanging and consistent nature.
In modern physics, spacetime itself is often visualized in circular or spherical dimensions, underscoring the recurring patterns of creation (Can a Circle Be a Straight Line?).
Eternal Principles in Gospel Doctrine:
God’s paths are “straight,” yet His course is “one eternal round.” This paradox illustrates how linear progression (our journey back to God) is encompassed within a series of cyclical, reoccurring, and repetative patterns which are designed to teach us about and outline His eternal plan.
Ancient covenants, temple ordinances, the pride cycle, and even the Restoration itself demonstrate this principle. The Restoration is not merely a linear event; it is a return—a circle—to God’s original truths, his Alpha and Omega. This pattern is much like Joseph Conrad's concept of the "Hero's Jouney," which Elder Uchdorf likened to the Plan of Salvation (Your Great Adventure).
This pattern is demonstrated in many ancient artifacts, including the Facsimile in Abraham, and in the Magen David of the Lenningrad Codex (the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Tanakh, 1009 AD).
Christ at the Center of All Things:
Circles often symbolize Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). His Atonement harmoniously binds all creation into one eternal plan of redemption and salvation.
In D&C 3:1–3, we see the concept of the eternal round as a reassurance that no matter the errors or deviations of humanity, or even ourselves, God’s overarching purposes remain intact through the power of His infinite Atonement. These outline the principles of the Gospel that can guide us back to Him and to our eternal home. This is a lot packed into just a few verses, and this very abbreviated summary represents only a tiny fraction of the very tip of the immense proverbial iceberg. These concepts and their potentials encompass realities that are beyond our comprehension and imagination, and this significance can not be understated.
D&C 3
Chapter Outline
Overview:
Timeframe and Setting:
Date: Summer of 1828.
Location: Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Occasion: Revelation received by Joseph Smith following the loss of the 116 manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon translation, entrusted to Martin Harris.
Key Circumstances:
Loss of the Manuscript: Martin Harris had persistently requested to take the manuscript pages to show his family, seeking to validate the work and his role in it. Despite initial refusals, Joseph sought the Lord’s permission multiple times. Finally, after repeated petitions, conditional permission was granted, but Martin failed to safeguard the pages.
Joseph’s Distress: The loss deeply troubled Joseph, leading to feelings of guilt and doubt about his prophetic calling.
Purpose of the Revelation:
Rebuke and Correction: The Lord chastised Joseph for fearing man more than God and for not adhering strictly to divine counsel.
Reassurance: Despite Joseph’s error, the Lord reaffirmed His work and Joseph’s role in it, promising forgiveness upon repentance.
Divine Plan Preserved: The revelation assured that God’s purposes would not be thwarted and that the work of translation would continue.
Significance:
A Learning Moment: This revelation was a pivotal teaching moment for Joseph, demonstrating the fallibility of even the Lord's elect. This emphasizes the necessity of obedience, humility, and trust in God and that we are all susceptible to error.
Foundation for the Restoration: The section reinforces the eternal nature of God’s plan and establishes principles of accountability and stewardship, which were critical lessons for Joseph to learn in his prophetic ministry.
Major Topics & Themes | Resources & Commentary |
Doctrine and Covenants 3: The Rebuke and Promises | |
Verses 1–3: God’s Work Cannot Be Frustrated | |
Theme: God's way, course, and purposes are eternal, unchangeable, and will come to pass (see Isaiah 14:27; Heb 13:8).
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Verses 4–8: Human Weakness and Divine Expectation | |
Theme: Trust in God over man (Proverbs 3:5–6).
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Verses 9–15: Mercy through Repentance | |
Theme: God’s mercy is extended to the repentant (Ezekiel 18:21–23; Luke 15:7).
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Verses 16–20: Mercy and Movement Forward with God's Plan of Salvation and His Preservation of the Records | |
| Videos:
Articles |
D&C 4
Chapter Outline
Overview:
Timeframe and Setting:
Date: February 1829.
Location: Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Occasion: Revelation given in response to Joseph Smith Sr.'s inquiry about his role in the unfolding Restoration.
Key Circumstances:
Joseph Smith Sr.’s Faith: As Joseph Smith Jr.’s father, Joseph Smith Sr. had a history of deep spiritual yearnings but struggled with formal religion. Upon hearing of the Restoration, he sought to know how he could contribute to God’s work.
Early Preparations for Missionary Service: The revelation anticipated the growing need for laborers to spread the gospel, even before the Church’s formal organization.
Purpose of the Revelation:
Encouragement and Invitation: This section served as a call to action, inviting Joseph Smith Sr. and all disciples to participate in the Lord’s “marvelous work.”
Qualifications for Service: The revelation outlined the attributes required to serve God, including faith, hope, charity, and love.
Significance:
Timeless Call to Service: Though given to Joseph Smith Sr., the message applies universally to all who desire to serve God, reinforcing themes from Christ’s early Church, such as dedication to spreading the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20).
Personal Revelation: It exemplifies the principle that anyone can receive divine guidance for their individual calling and contribution to God’s kingdom.
Major Topics & Themes | Resources & Commentary |
Doctrine and Covenants 4: The Call to Serve | |
Verse 1: A Marvelous Work
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Verses 2–5: Qualifications for the Work | |
Theme: Attributes of a profitable servant of God (1 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:22–23; Job 22:2; Profitable (סָכַן., εὔχρηστος) Servant (δοῦλος, עֶבֶד)
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Verses 6–8: Promises for the Faithful | |
Theme: God blesses those who serve Him faithfully (1 Corinthians 15:58).
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D&C 5
Chapter Outline
Overview:
Timeframe and Setting:
Date: March 1829.
Location: Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Occasion: Revelation was given to Joseph Smith at Martin Harris’s request for a greater witness of the plates’ authenticity.
Key Circumstances:
Martin Harris’s Desire for Proof: Martin, having financially supported the work and witnessed challenges surrounding the translation process, sought additional evidence of the plates’ truthfulness to strengthen his faith and defend his involvement.
Joseph’s Role as a Prophet: The revelation reaffirmed Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling and his responsibility in the Restoration.
Purpose of the Revelation:
Witnesses of the Plates: The Lord declared that three chosen witnesses would be permitted to see the plates and bear testimony of them, establishing their truth for the world.
Call to Repentance: Martin Harris and others were admonished to repent and exercise faith rather than rely solely on physical evidence.
Reaffirmation of God’s Work: The revelation reiterated that the Book of Mormon was a divine work, and its translation and purpose were under God’s direction.
Significance:
Role of Witnesses: The concept of multiple witnesses ties to Biblical law, where two or three witnesses establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1). This principle was foundational to validating the Restoration.
Accountability in Sacred Work: The Lord emphasized the weight of sacred responsibilities, holding Martin Harris accountable for his faith and actions.
Joseph’s Prophetic Mission: The Lord reaffirmed Joseph’s role as the prophet of the Restoration, establishing him as a key instrument in fulfilling God’s purposes.
This revelation provided direction and comfort to both Joseph Smith and Martin Harris, emphasizing the need for faith, repentance, and obedience in the unfolding of the Restoration. It also highlighted the critical role of witnesses in God’s work.
Major Topics & Themes | Resources & Commentary |
Doctrine and Covenants 5: A Witness to the World | |
Verses 1–5: Warning to Joseph and Martin Harris | |
Theme: Accountability in sacred trust. Martin and Joseph called as witnesses; the Lord reaffirmed his instructions to protect the plates, allowing only those the Lord commands to view them. Joseph is to focus solely on the translation process until it is completed.
| Videos
Articles |
Verses 6–15: The Role of Witnesses | |
Theme: Testimony establishes truth (2 Corinthians 13:1; John 8:17).
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Verses 16–20: Call to Repentance | |
Theme: God’s mercy for the penitent. He wants to protect and help his people heal, prepare, and grow (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Chronicles 7:14).
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Verses 21–22: Joseph’s Role as a Prophet | |
Theme: God calls prophets to guide His people (Amos 3:7; Hebrews 5:4). Prophets are called as special witnesses (martyrs); an inherent part of their calling includes their willingness to lay down their lives for Christ, to take up His cross, to live and/or die for Him. Once they accept that mantle, their lives no longer belong to them.
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Verses 23-29 God Prepares other Witnesses to behold the Plates | |
Theme: Martin Harris instructed to humbly prepare himself through prayer and sincerity of heart through covenant.
Restoration Connection: Highlights faith, humility, and keeping covenants as fundamental building blocks for developing a sincere and enduring relationship with Christ. | |
Verses 30–35: God’s Rebuke, Warning & Promises to Joseph | |
Theme: Joseph is instructed to cease translation for a period, being warned that a trap is being set before him. God will fulfill His promises (Joshua 23:14).
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Additional Resources:
Maps:
Historical Timeline
Between Crucifixion and Restoration,
a continuation from last week's lesson.
compiled from various sources incluuding Oxford's Timeline Reference and the Church's Chronological References
1800–1820: Prelude to the Restoration
1801: Cane Ridge Revival.
A massive camp meeting in Kentucky highlights the fervor of the Second Great Awakening.
1803: Louisiana Purchase and Westward Expansion.
1803–1815: Napoleonic Wars:
Napoleon’s campaigns spread revolutionary ideals across Europe but provoked resistance, particularly from England. Napoleon defeated much of Europe, including all or parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland, Prussia, Spain, and Russia.
Major defeats, such as the Battle of Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815), ended his dominance and reshaped Europe politically, leading to the redrawing of borders at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
1804: Napoleon Becomes Emperor:
Crowns himself Emperor of the French, centralizing power and initiating reforms.
1804: Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded in a duel with a political adversary Aaron Burr.
1805: Joseph Smith Jr. was born.
Born on December 23 in Sharon, Vermont, into a deeply religious environment.
1806: Francis II formally brings to an end the 1000-year-old Holy Roman Empire to keep it from the clutches of Napoleon
1807: Legislation abolishing the slave trade is passed in both Britain and America
1808: Beethoven's Sixth Symphony debuts in Vienna.
1809: Napoleon is excommunicated by the Pope, Pius VII. Pius is arrested and kept in captivity.
1810: King George III, suffering from porphyria, is deemed unfit to govern; his oldest son becomes Prince Regent.
English author Jane Austen publishes her first work in print, Sense and Sensibility, at her own expense.
War of 1812: Conflict between the United States and Great Britain driven by unresolved tensions from the American Revolution, maritime disputes, and territorial ambitions. It is sometimes called the "Second War of Independence" because it solidified America's sovereignty and economic independence. Following this war, the period was marked by a sense of national unity and political harmony. However, tensions over slavery and economic policies were beginning to emerge.
1812: French scientist Georges Cuvier introduces scientific paleontology with his Research on the Fossil Bones of Quadrupeds
~1812: Joseph Smith contracted typhoid fever. Complications required surgery to remove infected pieces of bone from his leg.
1814: US lawyer Francis Scott Key writes The Star-Spangled Banner after seeing the British bombard Fort McHenry
1815: Following Napoleon's defeat, the crowned heads of Europe and their representatives gather in Vienna to tidy up the post-Napoleonic continent. Pius VII restores the Jesuit Order on his return to Rome, and the rulers of Russia, Prussia and Austria form a Holy Alliance to preserve their concept of a Christian Europe.
1816: René Laënnec, develops the stethoscope.
1816: Rossini's opera The Barber of Seville has its premiere in Rome.
1816: The Year Without a Summer.
Caused by a volcanic eruption, crop failures led the Smith family to relocate to Palmyra, New York.
1817: JAMES MONROE was elected President, following THOMAS JEFFERSON | 1801-1809 & JAMES MADISON | 1809-1817.
1817: An informal financial market on Wall Street is transformed into the New York Stock and Exchange Board.
1817: On the death of Princess Charlotte, not one of the seven princes had an heir to succeed to the British throne in the next generation.
1818: The first Reform congregation within Judaism is established in Germany, in the Hamburg Temple. This was the first time an organ was present in a Jewish synogogue. Before this, musical instruments were forbidden in the sanctuaries. Traditionally, as a sign of mourning, the Jews pledged to wait until the return of the Temple to reintroduce musical instruments into the synagogue. (Synagogue & Religious Music)
1818: Mary Shelley publishes Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, a Gothic tale about giving life to an artificial man.
1819: Revival in the "Burned-over District."
Western New York becomes a center of intense religious revivalism, influencing young Joseph Smith.
The Burned Over District is described in detail in Lynne Hilton Wilson's vlog, which has several excellent references.
1820: The British King George III dies after 59 years on the throne – a longer reign than any of his predecessors. The Prince Regent succeeds to the British throne as George IV
The Restoration and Beyond
Spring 1820: Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
Joseph seeks guidance in prayer and reports a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, marking the beginning of the Restoration.
1820: The Missouri Compromise, admitting Maine and Missouri to the union, keeps the balance between 'free' and 'slave' states in the US Senate.
March 25, 1821: An uprising in Greece against Ottoman Turkish rule begins a Greek Revolution, ultimately resulting in Greece's Independence. This date coincides with the Greek religious observance of Annunciation, which memorializes the day the angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus. Greeks recognize this event as a type of religious restoration, where they could once again, for the first time since the fall of Constantinople, openly practice their Christian faith, free from the dominance of the Ottoman and Islamic Empire.
21-22 September 1823 The angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith. He told Joseph of an ancient record hidden in a nearby hill containing the fullness of the gospel. Joseph was commanded to return annually to the hill until he could be entrusted with the record. Portions of D&C 2: recorded.
1821: English Poet John Keats passes away.
1821: The spoken language of the Cherokee Indians is captured in written form with the Cherokee Syllabary – an achievement traditionally attributed to Sequoyah.
1822: Egyptian hieroglyphs are deciphered by French Egyptologist Jean François Champollion using the Rosetta stone
1822: Austrian composer Franz Schubert begins, but never completes, the great work now known as his 'Unfinished' symphony (no 8. in B minor)
19 Nov. 1823: Joseph Smith’s older brother Alvin died.
1823: Lord Byron arrives in Greece to support the cause of Greek independence
1823: 12-year-old Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt wins a reputation as a virtuoso performer
1823: With the help of an army from France, the Spanish king Ferdinand VII is freed from confinement and restored to his throne.
Dec 2, 1823: US President James Monroe warns European nations against interfering in America, in the policy which becomes known as the Monroe Doctrine.
1824: The Republican party in the USA splits into National Republicans and Democratic Republicans. John Quincy Adams was elected President of the US.
18 Jan. 1827: Joseph Smith married Emma Hale at South Bainbridge, New York. They later moved to Manchester Township, New York.
Joseph Receives the Golden Plates
22 Sept.1827: Joseph Smith received the golden plates. Same day as Jews celebrated Yom Teruach, or the Feast of Trumpets.
Dec. 1827: Joseph and Emma Smith moved 130 miles from Manchester Township, New York, to Harmony Township, Pennsylvania.
Feb. 1828: Martin Harris took a transcript of characters copied from the plates to show scholars in New York City and Albany, New York.
Apr.–June 1828: Joseph Smith, with Martin Harris as scribe, translated the part of the record known as the Book of Lehi.
ca. 14 June 1828: Martin Harris persuaded Joseph Smith to let him take manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon translation to Palmyra, New York, to show family members. Joseph Smith learned that Martin had lost the pages in early July,1828.
July 1828: D&C 3 recorded: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet at Harmony, Pennsylvania, relating to the loss of 116 pages of manuscript translated from the first part of the Book of Mormon. The plates were temporarily taken from Joseph Smith at this time.
22 Sept. 1828: The plates and the power to translate were restored to Joseph Smith.
1828: Connecticut lexicographer Noah Webster publishes the definitive 2-volume scholarly edition of his American Dictionary of the English Language
1828: Adult white males now have the right to vote in almost all the states of the USA
1828: General Andrew Jackson, elected president of the USA, introduces the era known as Jacksonian democracy
Joseph Smith expressed mixed views on Andrew Jackson, reflecting both admiration and critique of his policies and administration. Below is a summary of Joseph Smith's perspective on Jackson's leadership, policies, and legacy:
Admiration for Jackson’s Administration
National Prosperity: Joseph Smith praised Andrew Jackson’s presidency as a high point in American glory, liberty, and prosperity. He highlighted Jackson's achievement of paying off the national debt and his efforts to distribute surplus revenue among the states.
Patriotism: Jackson’s belief in a patriotic militia and a government governed by the will of the people resonated with Joseph Smith's views on civic duty and governance.
Criticism of Jackson’s Indian Removal Policies
Indian Relocation: Joseph Smith took note of Jackson's Indian policies, particularly the forced removal of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi, known as the Indian Removal Act (1830). Jackson defended this policy as a necessary measure for the survival and improvement of Native American tribes.
Religious Hope for the Indians: While Joseph Smith acknowledged the government’s efforts to establish reservations and provide resources, he viewed the Native Americans’ plight as an opportunity for their eventual gathering and spiritual restoration through the gospel, as foretold in the Book of Mormon.
Humanitarian Concerns: Smith’s writings suggest a hope that Native Americans would one day be gathered in peace and unity, implying a critique of the harsh realities of Jackson’s policies, including the suffering caused by the Trail of Tears.
1829: The Underground Network begins to coalesce, as a network of undercover abolitionists in the southern states of America help slaves escape to freedom in the north
1829: The state government of Georgia declares that it is illegal for the Cherokees to hold political assemblies
Feb. 1829: D&C 4: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his father, Joseph Smith Sr., at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Mar. 1829: D&C 5: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, at the request of Martin Harris.
7 Apr. 1829: Joseph Smith resumed translating the Book of Mormon in earnest with the book of Mosiah. Oliver Cowdery, who arrived at Joseph Smith’s home in Harmony, Pennsylvania, on 5 April, served as scribe.
Apr. 1829: D&C 6: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
ca. Apr. 1829: D&C 10: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, likely around April 1829, though portions may have been received as early as the summer of 1828.
15 May 1829: John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood, conferring it upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
D&C 13: An extract from Joseph Smith’s history recounting the ordination of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood near Harmony, Pennsylvania. After receiving the priesthood, and following John the Baptist’s instructions, Joseph and Oliver baptized each other.
May 1829: D&C 11: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his brother Hyrum Smith at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
May 1829: D&C 12: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Joseph Knight Sr., at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
ca. 1 June 1829: David Whitmer met Joseph Smith and helped him move, along with Oliver Cowdery, to the Whitmer farm in Fayette Township, New York. Emma Smith followed sometime later.
June 1829: D&C 14: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York.
June 1829: D&C 15: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York.
June 1829: D&C 16: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Peter Whitmer Jr., at Fayette, New York.
June 1829: D&C 18: Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York.
June 1829: D&C 17: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, before they were shown the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record.
Late June of1829: An angel of God showed the plates to the Three Witnesses. Joseph Smith showed the plates to the Eight Witnesses.
ca. Summer 1829: D&C 19: Revelation given through Joseph Smith, at Manchester, New York, likely in the summer of 1829.
ca. 1 July 1829: The translation of the Book of Mormon was completed, Fayette Township, New York.
July Insurrection in France: Louis-Philippe, the Citizen King, replaces Charles X.
25 Aug. 1829: Martin Harris pledged his farm to assure payment to E. B. Grandin for printing 5,000 copies of Book of Mormon in Palmyra, New York.
Early 1830: D&C 74: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Wayne County, New York.
Publication of the Book of Mormon & Formal Organization of the Church
26 Mar. 1830: The first copies of the Book of Mormon became available for purchase, Palmyra, New York.
6 Apr. 1830: The Church of Christ was formally organized in the home of Peter Sr. and Mary Whitmer in Fayette, New York.
D&C 20: Revelation on Church organization and government, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of this revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829.
D&C 21: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Fayette, New York. This revelation was given at the organization of the Church in the home of Peter Sr. and Mary Whitmer.
16 Apr. 1830: D&C 22: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York.
Apr. 1830: D&C 23: A series of five revelations given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Manchester, New York, to Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph Knight Sr.
June 1830: A branch of the Church was established in Colesville, New York.
9 June 1830: The first conference of the Church, held at Fayette, New York. Conference participants unanimously sustained the “Articles and Covenants” of the Church (D&C 20).
30 June 1830: Samuel Smith departed as one of the first missionaries of the Church of Christ, traveling to such communities as Mendon and Lovinia, New York.
June–July 1830: Joseph Smith dictated the “Visions of Moses,” later canonized in the Pearl of Great Price and part of a larger effort to make an inspired revision of the Bible.
July 1830: D&C 24: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
July 1830: D&C 25: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania. This revelation manifests the will of the Lord to Emma Smith, the Prophet’s wife.
July 1830: D&C 26: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer, at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Aug. 1830: D&C 27: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Sept. 1830: D&C 28: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, at Fayette, New York.
D&C 29: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the presence of six elders, at Fayette, New York, some days prior to the conference held there.
26 Sept. 1830: The second conference of the Church was held at Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith was appointed to receive and write revelations for the Church.
Sept. 1830: D&C 30: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., and John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, following the three-day conference held there.
Sept. 1830: D&C 31: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Thomas B. Marsh at Fayette, New York, immediately following the September 1830 conference.
1831 Kirtland, Ohio, becames a gathering place for the Saints.
Early Oct. 1830: D&C 32: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson, in Manchester, New York.
Oct. 1830: D&C 33: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet, at Fayette, New York.
29 Oct. 1830: Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, Parley P. Pratt, and Peter Whitmer Jr. arrived in Geauga County, Ohio, en route to their mission to the unorganized territory west of Missouri. They remained in Ohio for several weeks, where they preached and baptized more than 100 individuals, including Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams.
4 Nov. 1830: D&C 34: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Orson Pratt, at Fayette, New York.
7 Dec. 1830: D&C 35: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at or near Fayette, New York.
9 Dec. 1830: D&C 36: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Edward Partridge, near Fayette, New York.
Dec. 1830: D&C 37: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, near Fayette, New York, commanding the Saints to gather in Ohio.
1831
2 Jan. 1831: The third conference of the Church was held at Fayette, New York.
D&C 38: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Fayette, New York. The occasion was a conference of the Church.
5 Jan. 1831: D&C 39: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to James Covel, at Fayette, New York.
6 Jan. 1831: D&C 40: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Fayette, New York.
4 Feb. 1831: Joseph and Emma Smith moved to Kirtland, Ohio.
4 Feb. 1831: D&C 41: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, directing arrangements there and calling Edward Partridge to be the Church’s first bishop.
9 Feb. 1831; 23 Feb. 1831: D&C 42: Revelation given in two parts through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
Feb. 1831: D&C 43: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
Late Feb. 1831: D&C 44: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Kirtland, Ohio.
Mar. 1831: Parley P. Pratt returned to Kirtland, Ohio, from his mission to the unorganized territory.
7 Mar. 1831: D&C 45: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio.
8 Mar. 1831: D&C 46: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio.
8 Mar. 1831: D&C 47: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
10 Mar. 1831: D&C 48: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
March 16, 1831: Victor Hugo publishes his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame
9 Apr. 1831: John Whitmer was appointed to keep the Church record and history at a special meeting of the elders of the Church, held at Kirtland, Ohio.
May 1831: Saints from the Colesville, New York, branch arrived in Thompson, Ohio.
9 May 1831: D&C 50: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
20 May 1831: D&C 51: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio.
3–6 June 1831: A conference of the Church was held at Kirtland, Ohio, in which the first ordinations to the office of high priest were made.
6 June 1831: D&C 52: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio.
8 June 1831: D&C 53: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, at Kirtland, Ohio.
10 June 1831: D&C 54: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Newel Knight, at Kirtland, Ohio, directing members in Thompson, Ohio, to leave Leman Copley’s farm and journey to Missouri.
14 June 1831: D&C 55: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to William W. Phelps, at Kirtland, Ohio.
15 June 1831: D&C 56: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
19 June 1831: Joseph Smith and others traveled to Independence, Missouri, to designate the location of Zion. They arrived on 14 July 1831.
20 July 1831: D&C 57: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri.
1 Aug. 1831: D& C 58: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri.
3 Aug. 1831: Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and others dedicated the city of Zion and the temple site at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
4 Aug. 1831: Joseph Smith presided at the first conference of the Church in Missouri, held at Kaw Township, Jackson County.
7 Aug. 1831: D&C 59: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri.
8 Aug. 1831: D&C 60: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
9 Aug. 1831: Joseph Smith departed Independence, Missouri. He arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, on 27 Aug. 1831.
12 Aug. 1831: D&C 61: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River at McIlwaine’s Bend.
13 Aug. 1831: D&C 62: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River at Chariton, Missouri.
30 Aug. 1831: D&C 63: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio.
11 Sept. 1831: D&C 64: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio.
12 Sept. 1831: Joseph and Emma Smith moved to John and Alice (Elsa) Johnson’s farm in Hiram Township, Ohio.
13 Oct. 1831: The Ohio Star published the first of nine letters critical of the Church and the Prophet by former Latter-day Saint Ezra Booth in Ravenna, Ohio.
25–26 Oct. 1831: Joseph Smith presided over a conference in Orange Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, at which fifteen elders were ordained high priests.
29 Oct. 1831: D&C 66: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio.
30 Oct. 1831: D&C 65: Revelation on prayer given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio.
1 Nov. 1831: A conference held at Hiram, Ohio, approved the publication of Joseph Smith’s revelations as the Book of Commandments.
D&C 1: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet during the conference of elders as the Lord’s preface to the revelations.
Early Nov. 1831: D&C 67: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio. The occasion was that of a special conference regarding the publication of the revelations.
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