Reminders Topical Guide Paper: Due today to Reading: Please report it! Final Exam: Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in the classroom Matching: Sections, names, dates Short answer Details about a section of your choice It should take about one hour Study the reviews

Class 28 – Section 136 Exodus and Renewal

Who Should Lead the Church? Those with claims: Sidney Rigdon – 1 st Counselor in the First Presidency. Twelve – Authority Equal to that of the First Presidency. Joseph Smith’s family – D&C 124:57

Who Should Lead the Church? The Twelve were mostly away from Nauvoo, campaigning for Joseph’s presidential bid. Sidney Rigdon returned August 4 and told the Saints he had a vision that he should be the guardian of the church.

Who Should Lead the Church? The remaining members of the Twelve returned on August 6. Two days later, there was a meeting in the grove where Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young both spoke to the Saints.

Who Should Lead the Church? To many, Brigham Young sounded like and looked like Joseph Smith. Later in the afternoon, the Saints met formally and unanimously voted to sustain the Twelve as the presiding officers of the church.

Who Should Lead the Church? Later, William Smith (a member of the Twelve) said that he should be guardian of the Church until Joseph III was of age to lead the church. He was excommunicated in 1845.

Who Should Lead the Church? Brigham Young was not sustained as President of the Church until 1847.

Who Should Lead the Church? Other groups sprang up: Strangites, Hedrekites, etc. Most of these maintained that Joseph was a fallen prophet. If Joseph Smith had fallen, what would the Lord have done?

Who Should Lead the Church? Brigham Young was not sustained as President of the Church until How does succession work today?

Section 136 After the martyrdom, the people of Illinois gave the Mormons a respite in hopes the church would fall apart on its own. Later, sentiment to force the Mormons out became stronger.

Section 136 The exodus from Nauvoo began in February Temporary camps were established in Iowa. Section 136 was given to Brigham Young in January 1847 as the Saints were preparing to move west.

Section 136 v.4. Covenant to walk in the ordinances of the Lord. v.8. The Saints will provide for the poor, fatherless, etc. v.18. Zion shall be redeemed in my own due time. v. 39. It was necessary for the Prophet to die.

Section 136 v.37. Ye are not yet pure; ye can not yet bear my glory; but ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my words that I have given you, from the days of Adam to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from Moses to Jesus and his apostles, and from Jesus and his apostles to Joseph Smith, whom I did call upon by mine angels, my ministering servants, and by mine own voice out of the heavens, to bring forth my work.

Section 136 v.28. If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.

Some Counsel v Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another. Cease drunkenness; and let your words tend to edifying one another. If thou borrowest of thy neighbor, thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee.

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. D&C 128:22