1. LESSON 15
SEMINARY
Doctrine and Covenants
and Church History

2. Doctrine and Covenants 49.
LESSON 56
Doctrine and Covenants 49.

3. LESSON 56
Doctrine and Covenants 49:1-4.
“The Lord calls Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley to preach to the Shakers”

4. Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 49
LESSON 56
Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 49
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 7, Leman Copley had embraced the gospel but still held to some of the teachings of the Shakers (United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing), to which he had formerly belonged. Some of the beliefs of the Shakers were that Christ’s Second Coming had already occurred and that He had appeared in the form of a woman, Ann Lee. They did not consider baptism by water essential. They rejected marriage and believed in a life of total celibacy. Some Shakers also forbade the eating of meat. In prefacing this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states, “In order to have [a] more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.” The revelation refutes some of the basic concepts of the Shaker group. The aforementioned brethren took a copy of the revelation to the Shaker community (near Cleveland, Ohio) and read it to them in its entirety, but it was rejected.

5. 1. Christ’s Second Coming had already occurred. D&C 49:5–8
LESSON 56
Shakers’ Beliefs
The Lord’s Doctrine
1. Christ’s Second Coming had already occurred.
D&C 49:5–8
2. Christ had appeared in the form of a woman named Ann Lee.
D&C 49:22–25
3. Baptism by water was not considered essential.
D&C 49:11–14
4. They rejected marriage and believed in living a life of total celibacy (abstaining from marriage and sexual relations).
D&C 49:15–17
5. Some Shakers forbade the eating of meat.
D&C 49:18–21

6. Doctrine and Covenants 49:1-4.
LESSON 56
Doctrine and Covenants 49:1-4.
1 Hearken unto my word, my servants Sidney, and Parley, and Leman; for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment that you shall go and preach my gospel which ye have received, even as ye have received it, unto the Shakers.
2 Behold, I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me and must needs repent.
3 Wherefore, I send you, my servants Sidney and Parley, to preach the gospel unto them.
4 And my servant Leman shall be ordained unto this work, that he may reason with them, not according to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall be taught him by you my servants; and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise he shall not prosper.
How did the Lord describe the Shakers?
What do you think it means to “desire to know the truth in part, but not all”?
They accepted some of God’s teachings but ignored or rejected others.
In what ways might members of the Church have similar attitudes today?

7. Being right before the Lord includes
LESSON 56
Being right before the Lord includes
desiring to receive all the truth He has revealed.
Why did Leman Copley need the counsel inverse 2? How might this principle be helpful to us?
What blessings might a person miss out on by choosing to accept only part of the truth?
What are some consequences of holding on to such actions and attitudes? How is this like a trap?

8. LESSON 56
Doctrine and Covenants 49:5-28.
“The Lord corrects the false doctrine of the Shakers and commands His servants to invite them to repent and be baptized”

9. No one except God knows when the Second Coming will occur.
LESSON 56
In D&C 49:7.
No one except God knows when the Second Coming will occur.
In D&C 49:22:25.
If we know the signs of the Second Coming, we will not be deceived by false claims.
What are some of the signs mentioned in verses 23–25?
In what ways have you seen these signs in our day?
In D&C 49:11-14.
Jesus Christ has commanded His servants to call upon people to believe in Him, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In D&C 49:15-17.
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and husbands and wives are commanded to be one and to have children.
What purposes does marriage between a man and a woman fulfill in Heavenly Father’s plan?
How is “forbidd[ing] to marry” counter to Heavenly Father’s plan?

10. The Lord has provided the animals of the earth for our use.
LESSON 56
What can young men and young women do now to prepare for celestial marriage?
In D&C 49:18-21.
The Lord has provided the animals of the earth for our use.
What warning is found inverse21? Why do you think the Lord is not pleased with those who kill animals needlessly?
Doctrine and Covenants 49:26-28.
26 Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
27 Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded.
28 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so. Amen.