9. The Mosaic statutes are explicit in requiring tithes:—"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's; it is holy unto the Lord.... And concerning the tithe of the herd, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord."[1264] The tenth was to be paid as it came, without search for good or bad; under some conditions, however, a man could redeem the tithe by paying its value in some other way, but in such a case he had to add a fifth of the tithe. The tenth of all the property in Israel was to be paid to the Levites, as an inheritance given in acknowledgment of their service in the labor of the tabernacle; and they in turn were to pay tithing on what they received, and this tithe of the tithe was to go to the priests.[1265] A second tithe was demanded of Israel to be used for the appointed festivals.[1266] It is evident, that while no specific penalty for neglect of the law of tithing is recorded, the proper observance of the requirement was regarded as a sacred duty. In the course of the reformation by Hezekiah, the people manifested their repentance by an immediate payment of tithes;[1267] and so liberally did they give, that a great surplus accumulated; observing which, Hezekiah enquired as to the source of such plenty:—"And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty; for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store." Nehemiah took care to regulate the tithe-paying of the people;[1268] and both Amos[1269] and Malachi[1270] chided the people for their neglect of this duty. Through the prophet last named, the Lord charged the people with having robbed Him; but promised them blessings beyond their capacity to receive if they would return to their allegiance to Him: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."[1271] In visiting the Nephites after His resurrection, the Savior told them of these sayings of Malachi, repeating the words of the Jewish prophet.[1272] The Pharisees, at the time of Christ's ministry, were particularly scrupulous in the matter of tithe paying,—even to the neglect of the "weightier matters of the law,"—and for this inconsistency they were severely rebuked by the Master.[1273]
10. In the present dispensation, the law of tithing has been given a place of great importance; and particular blessings have been promised for its faithful observance. This day has been called by the Lord, "a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned."[1274] In a revelation, given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, July 8, 1838, the Lord has explicitly set forth His requirement of the people in this matter.[1275]
11. Consecration and Stewardship.—The law of tithing, as accepted and professedly observed by the Church today, is after all but a lesser law, given by the Lord in consequence of the human weaknesses, selfishness, covetousness, and greed, which prevented the Saints from accepting the higher principles, according to which the Father would have His children live. Specific requirements regarding the payment of tithes were made through revelation in 1838; but seven years prior to that time, the voice of the Lord had been heard on the subject of consecration,[1276] or the dedication of all one's property, together with his time, talents, and natural endowments, to the service of God, to be used as occasion may require. This again is not new; to the present dispensation the law of consecration is given as a re-enactment; it was recognized and observed with profit in olden times.[1277] But even in the apostolic period, the doctrine of consecration of property and common ownership was old; thirty-four centuries before that time, the same principle had been practiced by the patriarch Enoch and his people, and with such success that "the Lord came and dwelt with his people; ... And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them."[1278] In each of the instances cited,—that of the people of Enoch, and that of the Saints in the early part of the Christian era,—we learn of the unity of purpose and consequent power acquired by the people who lived in this social order; they were "of one heart and one mind." Through the spiritual strength so attained, the apostles were able to perform many mighty works;[1279] and of Enoch and his followers we read that the Lord took them unto Himself.[1280]
12. The people of whom the Book of Mormon gives us record also attained to the blessed state of equality, and with corresponding results. The disciples, whom Christ had personally commissioned, taught with power, and "they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another."[1281] Further, we read of a general conversion by which the people came to a condition of ideal peace; "there were no contentions or disputations among them.... And they had all things common among them, therefore they were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."[1282] They were so blessed, that of them the prophet said:—"Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."[1283] But after nearly two centuries of this happy condition, the people gave way to pride; some of them yielded to a passion for costly apparel; then they refused to longer have their goods in common; and straightway many classes came into existence; dissenting sects were established; and then began a rapid course of disruption, which led to the extinction of the Nephite nation.[1284]
13. Stewardship in the Church Today.—A system of unity in temporal matters has been revealed to the Church in this day; such is currently known as the Order of Enoch,[1285] or the United Order,[1286] and is founded on the law of consecration. As already stated, in the early days of the modern Church the people demonstrated their inability to abide this law in its fulness, and, in consequence, the lesser law of tithing was given; but the Saints confidently await the day in which they will devote, not merely a tithe of their substance, but all that they have, and all that they are, to the service of their God; a day in which no man will speak of mine and thine, but all things shall be theirs and the Lord's.
14. In this expectation, they indulge no vague dream of communism, encouraging individual irresponsibility, and giving the idler an excuse for hoping to live at the expense of the thrifty; but rather, a calm trust that in the promised social order which God can approve, every man will be a steward in the full enjoyment of liberty to do as he will with the talents committed to his care; but with the sure knowledge that an account of his stewardship will be required at his hands. As far as the plan of this prospective organization has been revealed, it provides that a person entering the order shall consecrate to the Lord all that he has, be it little or much, giving to the Church a deed of his property sealed with a covenant that cannot be broken.[1287] The person thus having given his all, is to be made a steward over a part of the property of the Church, according to his ability to use it. The varying grades of occupation will still exist; there will be laborers, whose qualifications fit them best for common toil; and managers who have proved their ability to lead and direct; some who can serve the cause of God best with the pen, others with the plow; there will be engineers and mechanics, artisans and artists, farmers and scholars, teachers, professors, and authors;—every one laboring as far as practicable in the sphere of his choice, but each required to work, and to work where and how he can be of the greatest service. His stewardship is to be assured him by written deed, and as long as he is faithful to his charge, no man can take it from him.[1288] Of the proceeds of his labors, every man may use as he requires for the support of himself and his family; the surplus is to be rendered to the Church for public and general works, and for the assistance of those who are worthily deficient.[1289] As further illustrative of the uses to which the surplus is to be devoted, we read:—"All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age. And after that they have claim upon the Church, or in other words, upon the Lord's storehouse, if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances. And the storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the Church, and widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor.[1290] Any faithful steward, requiring additional capital for the improvement of his work, has a claim for such upon the custodians of the general fund, they in turn being held accountable for their management, which constitutes their stewardship.[1291] Equal rights are to be secured to all. The Lord said:—'And you are to be equal, or, in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants, and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just; and all this for the benefit of the Church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church.'"[1292]
15. Freedom of agency is to be secured to every individual; if he be unfaithful he will be dealt with according to the prescribed rules of church discipline. A corresponding power of self-government will be exercised by the several stakes or other divisions of the Church, each having independent jurisdiction over its own store-houses and its affairs of administration,[1293] all being subject to the general authorities of the Church. Only the idler would suffer in such an order as is here outlined; he shall surely meet the results of his negligence. Against him the edict of the Almighty has gone forth. We read in the revelations:—"Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer."[1294] "The idler shall not have place in the church except he repents and mends his ways."[1295] "And the inhabitants of Zion, also, shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord."[1296]
16. Social Order of the Saints.—In view of the prevailing conditions of social unrest, of the loud protest against existing systems, whereby the distribution of wealth is becoming more and more unequal,—the rich growing richer from the increasing poverty of the poor, the hand of oppression resting more and more heavily upon the masses, the consequent dissatisfaction with governments, and the half-smothered fires of anarchy discernible in almost every nation,—may we not take comfort in the God-given promise of a better plan—a plan which seeks without force or violence to establish a natural equality, to take the weapons of despotism from the rich, to aid the lowly and the poor,[1297] and to give every man an opportunity to live and to labor in the sphere to which he is adapted? From the tyranny of wealth, as from every other form of oppression, the truth will make men free. To be partakers of such freedom, mankind must subdue selfishness, which is one of the most potent enemies of godliness.
17. The Church teaches the necessity of proper social organization, in harmony with the laws of the land; the sanctity of the institution and covenant of marriage as essential to the stability of society; the fulfillment of the Divine law with respect to the perpetuation of the human family; and the importance of strictest personal purity.
18. Marriage.—The teachings of the scriptures concerning the necessity of marriage are numerous and explicit. "The Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;"[1298] this comprehensive declaration was made concerning Adam, immediately after his location in Eden; Eve was given unto him, and the man recognized the necessity of a continued association of the sexes in marriage, and said:—"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh."[1299] Neither of the sexes is complete in itself as a counterpart of God. Of the creation of human kind we read:—"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."[1300] The purpose of this dual creation is set forth in the next verse of the sacred narrative:—"And God blessed them; and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth."[1301] Such a command would have been meaningless and void if addressed to either of the sexes alone; for only by the union of both is the propagation of the species possible. And without the power of perpetuating his kind, how insignificant would appear the glory and majesty of man! How little can be accomplished by the individual within the limited range of a single mortal existence!
19. Grand as may seem the achievements of a man who is truly great, the culmination of his glorious heritage lies in the possibility of his leaving offspring from his own being to continue, perchance, the triumphs of their sire. And if such be true of mortals with respect to the things of earth, how transcendently greater is the power of eternal increase, as viewed in the light of revealed truth concerning the un-ending progression of the future state! Truly the apostle was wise when he said, "Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."[1302]
20. The Latter-day Saints accept the doctrine that marriage is honorable,[1303] and apply it as a requirement to all who are not prevented by physical or other disability from assuming the sacred responsibilities of the wedded state. They consider, as part of the birthright of every worthy man, the privilege and duty to stand as the head of a household, the father of a posterity, which by the blessing of God may never become extinct; and equally strong is the right of every worthy woman to be a wife and a mother in the family of mankind. In spite of the simplicity, reasonableness, and naturalness of these teachings, false teachers have arisen among men, declaring the pernicious doctrine that the married state is but a carnal necessity, inherited by man as an incident of his degraded nature; and that celibacy is a mark of a higher state, more acceptable in the pure sight of God. Concerning such the Lord has spoken in this day:—"Whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man ... that the earth might answer the end of its creation; and that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made."[1304]
21. Celestial Marriage.—Marriage, as regarded by the Latter-day Saints, is ordained of God and designed to be an eternal relationship of the sexes. With this people it is not merely a temporal contract to be of effect on earth during the mortal existence of the parties, but a solemn agreement which is to extend beyond the grave. In the complete ceremony of marriage, as prescribed by the Church, the man and the woman are placed under covenant of mutual fidelity, not "until death do you part," but "for time and for all eternity." A contract as far reaching as this, extending not only throughout time, but into the domain of the hereafter, requires for its validation an authority superior to that of earth; and such an authority is found in the holy priesthood, which, given of God, is eternal. Any power less than this, while perchance of effect in this life, is assuredly void as to the state of the human soul beyond the grave. As the Lord has said:—"All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made, and entered into, and sealed, by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation, and commandment, through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power, ... are of no efficacy, virtue, or force, in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end, have an end when men are dead."[1305] And, as touching the application of the principle of earthly authority for things of earth, and eternal authority for things beyond the grave, to the sacred contract of marriage, the revelation continues:—"Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me, nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world, and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world; Therefore, when they are out of the world, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory; For these angels did not abide my law, therefore they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation in their saved condition, to all eternity, and from henceforth are not Gods, but are angels of God, for ever and ever."[1306]
22. This system of holy matrimony, involving covenants as to time and eternity, is known distinctively as Celestial Marriage,—the order of marriage that exists in the celestial worlds. The sacred ordinance of celestial marriage is permitted to those members of the Church only who are adjudged worthy of participation in the special blessings of the House of the Lord; for this ordinance, together with others of eternal validity, is to be performed in the temples which are reared and dedicated for such holy service.[1307] Children who are born of parents thus married are natural heirs to the priesthood; "children of the covenant" they are called; they require no ceremony of adoption or sealing to insure them place in the posterity of promise. But the Church sanctions marriages for earthly time only, and bestows upon such the seal of the priesthood, among those who are not admitted to the temples of the Lord, or who voluntarily prefer the lesser and temporal order of matrimony.
23. Unlawful Associations of the Sexes have been designated by the Lord as among the most heinous of sins; and the Church today regards individual purity in the sexual relation as an indispensable condition of membership. The teachings of the Nephite prophet, Alma, concerning the enormity of offences against virtue and chastity, are accepted by the Latter-day Saints without modification; and such are to the effect:—"That these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins, save it be the shedding of innocent blood, or denying the Holy Ghost."[1308] The command:—"Thou shalt not commit adultery,"—once written by the finger of God amid the thunders and lightnings of Sinai, has been renewed as a specific injunction in these the last days; and the penalty of excommunication has been prescribed for the offender.[1309] Moreover, the Lord regards any approach to sexual sin as inconsistent with the professions of those who have received the Holy Spirit, for He has declared that "he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith."[1310]
24. Sanctity of the Body.—The Church counsels its members that each regard his body as "the temple of God;"[1311] and that he maintain its purity and sanctity as such. He is taught that the Spirit of the Lord dwells not in unclean tabernacles; and that, therefore, he is required to live according to the laws of health, which constitute part of the law of God. For the special guidance of His Saints, the Lord has revealed a "Word of Wisdom"[1312] unto the people; in accordance with which they are counseled to eat wholesome food only; to abstain from strong drink, hot drinks, and all kinds of stimulants and narcotics; to eat flesh but sparingly, and to maintain in all respects a healthful state of the physical organism. And, on condition of their compliance with these behests, the Saints have been promised, that all "Who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow in their bones, and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel."[1313]
1. Love, the Fulfilling of the Law.—"Peter says, 'Above all things have fervent love [charity] among yourselves' [I Peter iv, 8]. Above all things. And John goes farther, 'God is love' [I John iv, 8]. And you remember the profound remark which Paul makes elsewhere, 'Love is the fulfilling of the law' [Rom. xiii, 10; Gal. v, 14]. Did you ever think what he meant by that? In those days men were working their passage to heaven by keeping the ten commandments, and the hundred and ten other commandments which they had manufactured out of them. Christ said, I will show you a more simple way. If you do one thing, you will do these hundred and ten things without ever thinking about them. If you love, you will unconsciously fulfil the whole law.... Take any of the commandments, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' If a man love God you will not require to tell him that. Love is the fulfilling of that law. 'Take not his name in vain.' Would he ever dream of taking his name in vain if he loved him? 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.' Would he not be too glad to have one day in seven to dedicate more exclusively to the object of his affection? Love would fulfil all these laws regarding God. And so if he loved man, you would never think of telling him to honor his father and mother. He could never do anything else. It would be preposterous to tell him not to kill. You could only insult him if you suggested that he should not steal,—how could he steal from those he loved? It would be superfluous to beg him not to bear false witness against his neighbor. If he loved him it would be the last thing he would do. And you would never dream of urging him not to covet what his neighbors had. He would rather they possessed it than himself. In this way 'Love is the fulfilling of the law.'"—Drummond: The Greatest Thing in the World.
2. Charity and Love.—"According to the etymology and original usage, beneficence is the doing well, benevolence the wishing or willing well to others; but benevolence has come to include beneficence and to displace it.... Charity, which originally meant the purest love for God and man (as in I Cor. xiii), is now almost universally applied to some form of alms-giving and is much more limited in meaning than benevolence."—Standard Dictionary.
Charity means "properly, love, and hence acts of kindness. The word never occurs in the Old Testament; in the New Testament it is always, with one exception, synonymous with love, and in every case the love of man toward his fellow man, and to that which is good (see especially I Cor. xiii). The 'feasts of charity' in Jude 12, are commonly understood to be the agapæ, or 'love-feasts,' which were prevalent in the early church, and which consisted in a simple fraternal meeting for worship, and an equally simple social repast."—Bible Dictionary, Cassell.
"Charity is only a little bit of love; one of the innumerable avenues of love, and there may even be, and there is a great deal of charity without love. It is a very easy thing to toss a copper to a beggar on the street; it is generally an easier thing than not to do it.... We purchase relief from the sympathetic feelings roused by the spectacle of misery, at the copper's cost. It is too cheap—too cheap for us, and often too dear for the beggar. If we really loved him, we would either do more for him or less."—Drummond: The Greatest Thing in the World.
3. Man's Relationship to God.—"'Mormonism' claims an actual and literal relationship of parent and child between the Creator and man—not in the figurative sense in which the engine may be called the child of its builder; not the relationship of a thing mechanically made to the maker thereof; but the connection between father and offspring. In short it is bold enough to declare that man's spirit being the offspring of Deity, and man's body though of earthy components yet being in the very image and likeness of God, man even in his present degraded—aye, fallen condition—still possesses, if only in a latent state, inherited traits, tendencies and powers that tell of his more than royal descent; and that these may be developed so as to make him, even while mortal, in a measure Godlike.
"But 'Mormonism' is bolder yet. It asserts that in accordance with the inviolable law of organic nature—that like shall beget like, and that multiplication of numbers and perpetuation of species shall be in compliance with the condition 'each after his kind,' the child may achieve the former status of the parent, and that in his mortal condition man is a God in embryo. However far in the future it may be, what ages may elapse, what eternities may pass before any individual now a mortal being may attain the rank and sanctity of godship, nevertheless man carries in his soul the possibilities of such achievement; even as the crawling caterpillar or the corpse-like chrysalis holds the latent possibility, nay, barring destruction in an earlier stage, the certainty indeed, of the winged imago in all the glory of maturity.
"'Mormonism' claims that all nature, both on earth and in heaven, operates on a plan of advancement; that the very Eternal Father is a progressive Being; that his perfection, while so complete as to be incomprehensible by man, possesses this essential quality of true perfection—the capacity of eternal increase. That therefore, in the far future, beyond the horizon of eternities perchance, man may attain the status of a God. Yet this does not mean that he shall be then the equal of the Deity we worship, nor that he shall ever overtake those intelligences that are already beyond him in advancement; for to assert such would be to argue that there is no progression beyond a certain stage of attainment, and that advancement is a characteristic of low organization and inferior purpose alone. We believe that there was more than the sounding of brass or the tinkling of wordy cymbals in the fervent admonition of the Christ to his followers—'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.'"—The Philosophy of Mormonism: The Author, in Improvement Era, vol. iv, pp. 464-465.
Note.—In view of the expressed wish of the Church authorities, by whose direction this work is published, that the Lectures on the "Articles of Faith" be used as a text-book and work of reference in the various theological organizations of the Church, a series of questions and suggestive exercises, for the work of class review, is herewith presented.
1. What is Theology? (State, 1, derivation of the word; 2, extent of the science.)
2. Compare Theology and Religion.
3. Define the "Articles of Faith." (Give:—1, circumstance of their origin, see note, p. 24; 2, their readoption by the Church; 3, their necessary incompleteness as an expression of our belief.)
4. Name the standard works of the Church.
5. State the principal incidents connected with the parentage, birth, and youth of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
6. Give the circumstances of Joseph Smith's prayerful search for truth.
7. Describe his first vision.
8. What prominent feature of modern sectarian teaching, regarding the personality of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, was disproved by this vision?
9. How was Joseph's statement of his vision received by sectarian teachers of that time?
10. Describe the visitations of Moroni to Joseph Smith. (Give:—1, dates; 2, most important messages delivered by the angel.)
11. Describe the re-establishment of the Church through the ministry of Joseph Smith in the present dispensation.
12. Relate the circumstances of the martyrdom of Joseph and his brother Hyrum.—(Doc. and Cov. cxxxv.)
13. Show the importance of the Divine authenticity of Joseph Smith's calling, in respect to the claims made for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
14. Summarize the evidence of Divine authority in the work accomplished by Joseph Smith.
15. Give instances of the fulfillment of ancient prophecy in his work.
16. Show the Divine source of Joseph Smith's authority in the priesthood.
17. Show the validity of the claim made, that he was a true prophet. (Give:—1, the Lord's test of a true prophet; 2, give instances of important prophecies uttered by Joseph Smith and already fulfilled.)
1. Show that the exercise of faith in God is dependent upon a knowledge of His existence.
2. State what you know of the general belief of mankind as to the existence of God.
3. Summarize the evidence on which our belief in the existence of God is founded.
4. Give evidence drawn from human history and tradition.
5. Show how the exercise of reason affords evidence of the same.
6. Give the evidence of revelation (1, instances recorded in the Bible; 2, Book of Mormon instances; 3, examples from modern revelation).
7. Show that the Godhead is a Trinity.
8. What do you understand by the scriptural declarations concerning the unity of the Godhead?
9. Give evidence of the personality of each member of the Godhead (with scriptural references).
10. Summarize the most important of the Divine attributes as attested by scripture.
11. Define:—1, Idolatry; 2, Atheism; 3, Theism, with its varied modifications.
12. Show that atheism is of comparatively modern development.
13. Show that a belief in God is natural and necessary amongst human-kind. (See pp. 49, 53.)
14. In what way does the idolatry of heathen nations support a belief in the existence of God?
15. Show the close relationship between atheism and immaterialism.
1. Give the principal scriptural proofs of man's free agency (quote evidence from each of the standard works of the Church).
2. Show that man's accountability for his acts is just, in view of his rights of free agency.
3. What is sin? (1, Compare wilful sins with those committed in ignorance; 2, give scriptural evidence of the Lord's plan of dealing in the two cases.)
4. Show that punishment for sin is ordained of God.
5. Give a statement of scriptural teachings regarding the duration of punishment in the hereafter. (State the Lord's definition of endless and eternal punishment.)
6. Give scriptural proofs of the personality of Satan (1, his former position in heaven; 2, his title before his fall; 3, his expulsion from heaven; 4, his present opposition to the purposes of God; 5, his predicted fate).
7. Describe the condition of our first parents in Eden.
8. What important commands were given them by the Lord?
9. Give the scriptural statements concerning Satan tempting Eve.
10. Show that Adam understood the nature of his act in partaking of the forbidden fruit.
11. What is known of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden?
12. Show that the expulsion of our first parents from Eden was a necessity after their transgression.
13. What were the immediate results of the Fall?
14. Give scriptural proof that the Fall was necessary and fore-ordained.
15. Show that mortality is a blessed heritage to mankind.
16. State the doctrine of the Atonement as declared to Adam after the Fall.
17. Describe the joy of Adam and Eve when they learned of the effect of the Fall and the Atonement provided.
1. Define "atonement" in its scriptural usage. (Compare its meaning with that of "reconciliation," as the latter term occurs in the New Testament.)
2. State what you know of the nature of the Atonement.
3. Show that the Atonement is a necessary sequence of the Fall.
4. What is meant by a vicarious sacrifice? (Give scriptural instances of such as recorded in the Old Testament.)
5. Show that Christ's sacrifice was, 1, vicarious; 2, voluntary on His part; 3, love inspired.
6. Give scriptural proofs (from each of the standard works) that the Atonement was fore-ordained and fore-told.
7. Show:—1, the general, and 2, the individual effect of the Atonement amongst mankind.
8. Define:—1, "salvation;" 2, "exaltation."
9. Name the "Degrees of Glory" in their order, as revealed of God.
10. Give a summary of the scriptural descriptions of:—1, the Celestial kingdom of glory; 2, the Terrestrial; 3, the Telestial.
1. State the nature of faith.
2. Define the terms "faith," "belief," and "knowledge," in their relation to one another.
3. Give scriptural instances of belief in Christ, which had no saving power.
4. What do you regard as the essential foundation of faith in God?
5. Give Joseph Smith's summary of facts respecting the character and attributes of God.
6. Show how misplaced faith may result from false evidence.
7. What is meant by the statement that faith is a principle of power? (Give scriptural instances.)
8. Prove that faith is essential to salvation.
9. Show from the scriptures that faith is a gift from God.
10. Show that faith, to be effective, must be accompanied by good works.
11. What is meant by true repentance?
12. State the conditions under which forgiveness of sins is promised.
13. Prove that repentance is essential to salvation.
14. Show that repentance is a gift from God.
15. How may this gift be lost or forfeited?
16. What evidence have we that repentance is possible in the hereafter?
17. Give a summary of the teachings of Amulek regarding the danger of procrastination in the matter of repentance.
1. State what you know of the earliest revelation from God regarding baptism.
2. What is the special purpose of baptism? (Give proofs, 1, from the Bible; 2, from the Book of Mormon; 3, from modern revelation.)
3. Who are fit subjects for Baptism?
4. Show that infant baptism is unscriptural (1, that it is unsustained by the Bible; 2, that it is forbidden in the Book of Mormon, and by modern revelation).
5. Give a brief account of the history of infant baptism.
6. Define:—"Pedobaptists;" "Anabaptists." (Give derivation of the terms and their present meanings.)
7. Prove by scriptural evidence that baptism is essential to salvation (1, from the Bible; 2, from the Book of Mormon; 3, from the Doctrine and Covenants).
8. Why was Christ's baptism a necessity?
9. Give a summary of the reasons upon which the Latter-day Saints base their belief that immersion is the only true mode of baptism.
10. Show what evidence is furnished by the derivation of the word "baptize," and its early usage.
11. Show how the symbolism of the baptismal rite is best preserved by immersion.
12. Give scriptural and other historical evidence that immersion is the only form sanctioned by the Lord.
13. Give the revealed formula for baptism (1, among the Nephites; 2, in the present dispensation).
14. Under what conditions may baptism be repeated on the same person?
15. Give instances of "re-baptism" mentioned in scripture, and allowed in the present dispensation, showing the special or exceptional nature of such repetitions of the ordinance.
16. Show the impropriety of repeated baptisms of the same person.
17. Demonstrate the necessity of baptism for the dead.
18. What evidence have we that the gospel is preached to the dead?
19. Cite scriptural predictions of Christ's ministry amongst the dead.
20. Prove that the vicarious work of the living for the dead in the last dispensation was fore-told.
21. Show that the authority for this labor has been already given to the Church.
22. Explain the two-fold nature of this vicarious labor for the dead.
23. What is a temple?
24. Give a brief account of ancient temples accepted by the Lord.
25. Describe the work of temple-building already accomplished by the Church in the present dispensation.
1. Cite biblical promises concerning the advent of the Holy Ghost.
2. Give other scriptural proof (1, from the Book of Mormon; 2, from the record of modern revelation), that the Holy Ghost is to minister unto all who have been properly baptized.
3. Give the principal names and titles by which the Holy Ghost is described in scripture.
4. What is the special office of the Holy Ghost as a member of the Godhead?
5. Give scriptural proofs of the Holy Ghost's personality.
6. Describe the office of the Holy Ghost in His ministrations among men.
7. To whom is the Holy Ghost promised?
8. Give instances of the Holy Ghost's ministrations unto sincere believers who had not been baptized; explain such exceptional instances.
9. Describe the ordinance of conferring the Holy Ghost in the case of those who have been baptized.
10. Show that the authoritative laying-on of hands was a feature of the ordinance in former days (1, among the Jews; 2, among the Nephites).
11. To which order of priesthood does the authority to confer the Holy Ghost belong? (Give scriptural proofs.)
12. Show that the imposition of hands by those in authority is characteristic of other ordinances in the Church.
13. What is meant by "Gifts of the Spirit"?
1. Define the term "sacrament" in its general and specific uses.
2. Describe the institution of the Sacrament by the Savior (1, among the Jews; 2, among the Nephites).
3. Who are fit partakers of the Sacrament?
4. Cite scriptural caution: 1, against partaking of the Sacrament unworthily; 2, against knowingly administering it to the unfit.
5. What is the purpose of the Sacrament?
6. What did Christ administer as the emblems of His body and blood?
7. What justification has the Church for using water instead of wine under certain conditions?
8. Give the prescribed prayers of consecration: 1, for the bread; 2, for the wine or water.
9. What grade of authority in the priesthood is requisite in consecrating the sacramental emblems?
10. What relationship exists between the Sacrament and the Jewish Passover?
1. Give scriptural examples of men who were called of God by special revelation or by personal ministration: 1. before the "Meridian of Time"; 2, in the days of Christ; 3, in the apostolic period; 4, in the "Dispensation of the Fulness of Times."
2. In what manner is the priesthood conferred?
3. Name the principal holders of the priesthood from Adam to Moses.
4. Cite instances of God's disapproval of unauthorized ministrations. (Give the circumstances in the following cases: 1, Korah and his associates; 2, Miriam and Aaron; 3, Uzza; 4, Saul; 5, Uzziah; 6, sons of Sceva.)
5. Give scriptural predictions concerning false teachers who would arise.
6. Prove the existence of the priesthood in the Church today.
7. Give an account of the restoration of: 1, the Aaronic, and, 2, the Melchizedek priesthood, in the present dispensation.
8. How was the fact of fore-ordination made known to Abraham?
9. Give scriptural proofs of Christ's fore-ordination as the Redeemer of mankind.
10. Cite other scriptures supporting the doctrine of fore-ordination (1, New Testament; 2, Book of Mormon).
11. Show that fore-ordination does not infringe upon free agency.
12. Give scriptural proofs of the pre-existence of spirits.
1. What is the Church? (Sustain your definition by scriptural records.)
2. What is meant by the Primitive Church?
3. What evidence have you that a general apostasy from the Primitive Church occurred?
4. Show by the scriptures that this apostasy was fore-told. (Give evidence: 1, from the Old Testament; 2, from the New Testament; 3, from the Book of Mormon.)
5. Show that the restoration of the Church to earth was fore-told.
6. Define "priesthood."
7. Name the principal orders of priesthood as revealed.
8. What relationship exists between the Aaronic and the Levitical priesthood?
9. Name the special offices in the Aaronic priesthood, in order, with a statement of the specific duties and authority of each.
10. Name the special offices in the Melchizedek priesthood, in order, describing the authority and duties of each.
11. Describe the constitution and authority of each of the following presiding "quorums" in the priesthood:—1, The First Presidency; 2, The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; 3. The Presiding Quorum of Seventy; 4, The Presiding Bishopric.
12. Define "branch," "ward," and "stake," as used to designate divisions of the Church.
13. Explain the constitution, authority, and special duties of:—1, Stake Presidency; 2, Standing High Council; 3, Ward Bishopric.
14. What ordination in the priesthood is requisite in the case of members of the presiding organizations last named?
15. Define "quorum" in its special sense as used by the Latter-day Saints.
16. What is a Patriarch? (1. Define in this connection the term "evangelist"; 2. show in what respect succession to the presiding patriarchal office differs from that in other offices and callings in the priesthood.)
17. Name the auxiliary organizations which operate as "helps in government" within the Church.
18. Give the special duties of each of these. (Named on p. 216.)
19. Show how the principle of common consent is observed in appointments to office within the Church.
1. Show that the existence of spiritual gifts has ever been characteristic of the priesthood.
2. Give scriptural proof that such gifts will always be found in the Church.
3. What is a miracle?
4. Why are miracles called, by some, supernatural occurrences?
5. For what purpose are spiritual gifts manifested in the Church?
6. Show that miraculous manifestations are not an infallible indication of the operation of the priesthood.
7. Name the spiritual gifts specifically mentioned in the scriptures.
8. Describe the usual manifestation characterizing each of the following gifts, with scriptural illustrations of each:—1, The gift of tongues and interpretation; 2, of healing, and the gift of faith to be healed; 3, of visions; 4, of dreams; 5, of prophecy; 6, of revelation.
9. Cite scriptural promises that certain sign-gifts of the Spirit shall follow the believer.
10. Give instances of miracles wrought by evil powers.
11. Cite the predictions of John the Revelator regarding such imitations of the gifts of the Spirit, which are to characterize the work of God in the last days.
12. What did Christ say about signs and wonders that would be wrought by wicked men?
13. What evidence have you of the existence of spiritual gifts in the Church today?
1. What position does the Bible occupy among the standard works of the Church?
2. What reservation does the Church make in accepting the modern versions of the Bible as the unchanged word of God?
3. Define "Bible." (1, Give the derivation of the word; and, 2, its modern usage.)
4. Show that the division into Old and New Testaments is natural and self-suggestive.
5. Explain the term "canon of scripture" as applied to the Bible.
6. Explain, with scriptural references, the growth of the Old Testament from the time of Moses to that of Malachi.
7. State what you know of the language in which the books of the Old Testament were originally written.
8. What is the Septuagint? (1, Give the meaning of the term; 2, describe the origin of the book.)
9. Classify the books of the Old Testament as at present compiled.
10. What classification of Old Testament writings was recognized in the days of the Savior's ministry?
11. What is the Pentateuch? (1, Define the term; 2, enumerate the books comprised; 3, state what you know of their authorship; 4, give an account of the copies or versions possessed by the Jews and the Samaritans anciently.)
12. Name the Historical books in order.
13. Name the Poetical books. (In this connection, define the term "Hagiographa.")
14. Name the Prophetical books. (1, In their order as at present compiled; 2, in the probable order of their production.)
15. What is meant by the Apocrypha?
16. What is the New Testament?
17. Give the principal historical evidence of investigation regarding the authenticity of the New Testament books.
18. Name and classify the books of the New Testament.
19. What is the Vulgate?
20. Specify the principal modern versions of the Bible.
21. Give evidence supporting belief in the genuineness and authenticity of the Bible.
22. State the principal items of evidence from the book of Mormon, corroborating the authenticity of the Bible.
23. Give the important conclusions of biblical scholars regarding the genuineness of the New Testament or of parts thereof.
24. Give the principal biblical references to scriptures not contained in the Bible.
1. What is the Book of Mormon?
2. How was the ancient record brought to modern notice?
3. What do we learn from the title-page of the Book of Mormon as to the nations or peoples whose history is dealt with in the volume?
4. Which was the earliest of the nations, mentioned in the Book of Mormon, which established itself on the American continent?
5. Give an account of the journey of Lehi and his colony from Jerusalem to America. (State: 1, the Divine instructions directing Lehi to leave; 2, time of this occurrence; 3, the course of their overland journey; 4, journey across the ocean; 5, place of landing in America.)
6. Describe the origin of Nephites and Lamanites respectively.
7. Who were the Jaredites? (1, Why so named; 2, time and manner of their migration to this continent; 3, brief statement of their history.)
8. How came the record of the Jaredites to be incorporated with the Nephite writings?
9. What is known of Mulek and his people?
10. Name the classes of plates referred to in the Book of Mormon (1, on the title page; 2, elsewhere in the volume).
11. State what is known of the plates of Nephi (1, their origin; 2, the "larger" as distinguished from the "smaller" plates; 3, method by which the record grew).
12. What is Mormon's abridgment of the plates of Nephi?
13. Which of the plates of Nephi did Mormon include with his own abridgment?
14. What great purpose of the Lord was subserved by this duplication of part of the ancient record?
15. Describe the circumstances resulting in the plates coming into the custody of Joseph Smith (1, his first information regarding their existence; 2, his first view of the plates; 3, his four years of probation; 4, his possession of the plates).
16. What other sacred articles were buried with the plates?
17. What is meant by the Urim and Thummim?
18. What purpose did these instruments serve in the work translation?
19. Give an outline of the circumstances attending the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon (1, difficulties attending the work; 2, date of first publication).
20. What is the testimony of the learned regarding the characters of parts of the original record?
21. Summarize the evidence of the genuineness of the Book of Mormon. (Show the distinction between genuineness and authenticity.)
22. Who were the three witnesses to the genuineness of the book? Give an outline of their testimony.
23. Name the eight witnesses. To what did they testify?
24. What is the so-called "Spaulding Story" of the origin of the Book of Mormon? Show its absurdity.
25. Explain the arrangement of the several parts of the Book of Mormon.
1. Summarize the proofs of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.
2. Show that the Book of Mormon and the Bible corroborate each other in matters on which they treat in common.
3. Demonstrate the fulfillment of ancient prophecy in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon (1, of prophecies contained in the Pearl of Great Price; 2, of Old Testament prophecies, specifically those of Isaiah and Ezekiel).
4. State what you know of the consistency of the Book of Mormon in style and matter.
5. Give examples of Book of Mormon prophecies, the fulfillment of which is recorded therein.
6. Give examples of Book of Mormon prophecies, the fulfillment of which has taken place since the closing of the record.
7. State what you know of Book of Mormon prophecy yet awaiting fulfillment.
8. Summarize the general results of modern investigation and research with which the Book of Mormon is in striking accord.
9. Give evidence that America was inhabited at a very ancient period (1, cite the conclusions of investigators; and 2, compare with the Book of Mormon account).
10. Give the principal evidence of the successive occupation of the American continent by different peoples in ancient times, confirm by the Book of Mormon account.
11. Give the principal conclusions of investigators concerning the Asiatic origin of the first colonies who came to America.
12. Summarize the evidence indicating their Israelitish origin.
13. State in a general way the traditions of America's native people concerning:—1, The Deluge; 2, the Divinity of Christ, and His crucifixion.
14. Show the resemblance of certain religious ceremonies as practiced by the Jews, and by some of the native American peoples.
15. What evidence is there, external to the Book of Mormon, indicating the common origin of all the American "races"?
16. Confirm the foregoing conclusions (11 to 15) by the Book of Mormon record.
17. What is known of the written languages current among the Nephites? In what language were the plates of Nephi and those of Mormon inscribed?
18. What external evidence is there of the Egyptian language having been known among the American peoples?
19. Give evidence of the survival of the Hebrew language among the native tribes.
20. What test of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is given by the last of the writers?
1. What is revelation? Compare with inspiration.
2. Show that revelation is God's chosen method of communication through the priesthood.
3. What is known of God's revelations to:—1, Adam; 2, Enoch; 3, Noah; 4, Abraham; 5, Isaac; 6, Jacob; 7, Moses?
4. Give examples of Divine revelation through other Old Testament prophets.
5. Show that Christ was a revelator, while He dwelt among men.
6. Give scriptural evidence of revelation having been given through the apostles of old.
7. Show that the doctrine of continual revelation is reasonable.
8. Show that it is scriptural.
9. Show that continual revelation has ever been characteristic of the operations of the priesthood.
10. Cite the principal objections to this doctrine, professedly founded on scripture. Show their unscriptural foundation.
11. Give specific scriptures predicting that revelation is to characterize the Church in the last dispensation (1, from the Bible; 2, from the Book of Mormon).
12. Give instances of modern revelation. Cite promises of the Lord in this dispensation assuring the continuation of revelation in the Church.
13. Show the reasonableness of expecting yet further revelation.
14. Show that the doctrine of no further revelation is comparatively modern, and unscriptural.
15. Show that inspiration does not deprive man of his freedom or individuality.
1. Explain the term "Israel" (1, derivation of the word; 2, bestowal of the title on Jacob; 3, its use as the name of Jacob's posterity; 4, as a name of one of the kingdoms after the division of the nation; 5, as a title of the chosen people of God in a collective sense).
2. Give a general outline of the Israelites' history from the time of Jacob receiving the name Israel, to the time of the first king.
3. Outline the history of Israel as a united nation under the kings.
4. State the circumstances attending the division of the nation.
5. Outline the history of the kingdom of Judah after the division.
6. The same of the kingdom of Israel. By what other name is this division of the people sometimes known?
7. Define the terms "Hebrew" and "Jew."
8. Show that the dispersion of Israel was fore-told by their prophets from very early times.
9. On what conditions was this dispersion predicated?
10. Cite Book of Mormon predictions concerning the dispersion. State specifically the prophecies of Zenos. Who was he?
11. Give historical evidences of the fulfillment of these prophecies of dispersion in the case of the kingdom of Judah. What part did Nebuchadnezzar take in the work of dispersion? At what time? Give an account of the Babylonian captivity. How did Titus contribute to the work of dispersion?