1. LESSON 15
SEMINARY
Doctrine and Covenants
and Church History

2. Doctrine and Covenants 72-74.
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants

3. “The Lord calls Newel K. Whitney as
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 72:1–8
“The Lord calls Newel K. Whitney as
bishop in Ohio”

4. Doctrine and Covenants 72:1–2.
LESSON 76
Have you ever received a calling or been asked to do something difficult in the Church and felt overwhelmed or incapable of doing it? If yes, why?
Doctrine and Covenants 72:1–2.
1 Hearken, and listen to the voice of the Lord, O ye who have assembled yourselves together, who are the high priests of my church, to whom the kingdom and power have been given.
2 For verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me for a bishop to be appointed unto you, or of you, unto the church in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.
What calling needed to be made in Ohio?

5. Doctrine and Covenants 72:3–6.
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 72:3–6.
3 And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
4 For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for him of my Father.
5 Verily I say unto you, the elders of the church in this part of my vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop, who shall be appointed of me in this part of my vineyard.
6 These things shall be had on record, to be handed over unto the bishop in Zion.
Why did the Saints in Ohio need a bishop?
So they could be accountable to the bishop for their stewardships.
How is this similar to our accountability to a bishop or branch president today?

6. Doctrine and Covenants 72:7–8.
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 72:7–8.
7 And the duty of the bishop shall be made known by the commandments which have been given, and the voice of the conference.
8 And now, verily I say unto you, my servant Newel K. Whitney is the man who shall be appointed and ordained unto this power. This is the will of the Lord your God, your Redeemer. Even so. Amen
Who was called as the new bishop in Ohio?
Who selected Newel K. Whitney as the new bishop?
What doctrine can we learn from verse 8 concerning callings to serve in the Lord’s Church?
Callings to serve in Jesus Christ’s Church come from the Savior.

7. LESSON 76
“The thought of assuming this important responsibility (the office of bishop) was almost more than [Newel K. Whitney] could bear. … He … distrusted his ability, and [felt] incapable of discharging the high and holy trust. In his perplexity he appealed to the Prophet:
“‘I cannot see a Bishop in myself, Brother Joseph; but if you say it’s the Lord’s will, I'll try.’
“‘You need not take my word alone;’ answered the Prophet, kindly, ‘Go and ask Father for yourself.’
“Newel … determined to do as [the Prophet] advised. … His humble, heartfelt prayer was answered. In the silence of night and the solitude of his chamber, he heard a voice from heaven: ‘Thy strength
Elder
Whitney F. Whitney
is in me. ’The words were few and simple, but they had a world of meaning. His doubts were dispelled like dew before the dawn. He straightway sought the Prophet, told him he was satisfied, and was willing to accept the office to which he had been called” (“The Aaronic Priesthood,” Contributor, Jan. 1885,126).

8. LESSON 76
What helped Newel K. Whitney to willingly accept his call to serve as a bishop?
What can we learn from his experience that can help us if we feel overwhelmed by a calling or assignment in the Church?
How can understanding that callings to serve in the Church come from the Savior help you accept and diligently strive to fulfill your callings?

9. “The Lord explains the duties of a bishop”
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 72:9–26.
“The Lord explains the duties of a bishop”

10. LESSON 76
Bishops and branch presidents manage the temporal and spiritual affairs of the Church in their wards and branches.

11. LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 73.
“The Lord directs Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to continue the translation of the Bible”

12. Doctrine and Covenants 73:3-4.
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 73:3-4.
3 Now, verily I say unto you my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, saith the Lord, it is expedient to translate again;
4 And, inasmuch as it is practicable, to preach in the regions round about until conference; and after that it is expedient to continue the work of translation until it be finished.
What did the Lord ask Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to focus their efforts on?
What “work of translation” was the Lord referring to?
The revision of the Bible

13. “The Lord explains the meaning of
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 74.
“The Lord explains the meaning of
1 Corinthians 7:14”

14. Doctrine and Covenants 74:1.
LESSON 76
Doctrine and Covenants 74:1.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy.
1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
Doctrine and Covenants 74:2-6.
2 Now, in the days of the apostles the law of circumcision was had among all the Jews who believed not the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3 And it came to pass that there arose a great contention among the people concerning the law of circumcision, for the unbelieving husband was desirous that his children should be circumcised and become subject to the law of Moses, which law was fulfilled.
4 And it came to pass that the children, being brought up in subjection to the law of Moses, gave heed to the traditions of their fathers and believed not the gospel of Christ, wherein they became unholy.
5 Wherefore, for this cause the apostle wrote unto the church, giving unto them a commandment, not of the Lord, but of himself, that a believer should not be united to an unbeliever; except the law of Moses should be done away among them,
6 That their children might remain without circumcision; and that the tradition might be done away, which saith that little children are unholy; for it was had among the Jews;

15. Doctrine and Covenants 74:7.
LESSON 76
What difficulties were being experienced in these types of marriages?
How can different religious beliefs within a marriage affect that couple’s family?
Doctrine and Covenants 74:7.
But little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.
What did the Lord teach regarding little children?
Little children are holy, being sanctified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

16. Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-50.
LESSON 76
Moroni 8:8-12
Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-50.
8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.
9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.
11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
46 But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
47 Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;
48 For it is given unto them even as I will, according to mine own pleasure, that great things may be required at the hand of their fathers.
49 And, again, I say unto you, that whoso having knowledge, have I not commanded to repent?
50 And he that hath no understanding, it remaineth in me to do according as it is written. And now I declare no more unto you at this time. Amen.
What would you teach the married couple who felt their deceased child was not able to be in heaven?