The Mission of the Twelve

D&C 112, 114,118 D&C 112, 114,118

March 27, 1836 Dedication of the Kirtland Temple (D&C 109).April 3, 1836 Christ appears in the temple; keys restored by Moses, Elias and Elijah (D&C 110).July-Aug, 1836 Joseph and others on mission to New York City and Salem, MA

in search of funds (Aug 6, 1836: D&C 111)Nov. 2, 1836 Church leaders draw up articles for Kirtland Bank.Jan. 2, 1837 Kirtland Safety Society opens for business.Feb. 1837 Meeting in Kirtland Temple for all who considered Joseph a

fallen prophet. They intend to appoint David Whitmer to head the Church.

May 1837 Panic of 1837 hits Ohio. Joseph is unable to pay creditors on goods purchased for store.

June 4, 1837 Heber C. Kimball called on mission to England.July 23, 1837 (D&C 112)Aug. 1837 Apostates break up a meeting in the Kirtland Temple.Nov. 1837 Kirtland Safety Society closes its doors.Jan. 12, 1838 The Prophet Joseph Smith flees Kirtland to escape enemies.March 14, 1838 Joseph Smith arrives in Far West, Missouri (D&C 113).

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

The Kirtland Temple was dedicated March 27, 1836.

The Church is at the apex of spiritual growthConsecration is alive; the Saints’ sacrifices have called down the blessings of heaven.

However, by July 23, 1837, the Lord is now cautioning the Saints regarding Apostasy!

From Spiritual Apex to ApostasyFrom Spiritual Apex to Apostasy

Between November 1837 and June of 1838 -- 300 members of the Church were excommunicated

That means 10% of the Church that was excommunicated in 7 months

Today that would equate to more than 1,000,000 members excommunicated!

ExcommunicationsExcommunications

The three witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris

4 members of the Quorum of the Twelve: John Boynton, Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, William McClellin

1 member of the First Presidency – Frederick G. Williams

Eventually 6 members of the Twelve would be excommunicated and both counselors in the First Presidency. 3 more disfellowshipped.

ExcommunicatedExcommunicated

How could the Saints fall so far so fast?After all the spiritual manifestations

that the Saints were blessed with, how could they now be in a state of apostasy?

How can one maintain a testimony in times of personal trauma, challenge, distress, difficulty, trial and tribulation?

The Effect of Trials and Tribulationon the Saints’ Testimony

The Effect of Trials and Tribulationon the Saints’ Testimony

As a result of sin. D&C 101:1-2, 6-8; D&C 104:2-6; D&C 105:2-6

Because of others’ agency (i.e. the Missouri Mob)

Because of accidental causes; being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

As a test for a special call – Zion’s Camp To prepare us for a special aspect of life In order for the righteous to grow and

become more godlike

Why Do We Suffer?Why Trials and Tribulation?

Why Do We Suffer?Why Trials and Tribulation?

D&C 54:10D&C 58:2-4D&C 138:12 –

13Matthew 26:39

“Of him to whom much is given, much is required.” D&C 82:3

What is the Lord’s CounselRegarding Suffering?

What is the Lord’s CounselRegarding Suffering?

How we choose to respond to sufferingwill help determine our eternal destiny

Sidney RigdonJoseph SmithThomas B. Marsh

My Response to Suffering . . .?My Response to Suffering . . .?

THOMAS B. MARSHTHE LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO A

QUORUM PRESIDENT

THOMAS B. MARSHTHE LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO A

QUORUM PRESIDENT

D&C 112

Thomas B. Marsh's BrethrenThomas B. Marsh's Brethren D&C 112:1 On 14 February 1835, the first

Quorum of the Twelve in this dispensation was organized, its members chosen to be special witnesses of the Savior throughout the world. Because there were no precedents to act upon, the Twelve were arranged in seniority according to age. Elder Thomas B. Marsh, being the oldest, became President of the Quorum and thus responsible for the other eleven. Since that time, seniority in the Quorum has been determined by date of ordination.

23 July 1837 Kirtland, Ohio23 July 1837 Kirtland, Ohio British Missionaries preached the first sermons in England;

the same day that the Lord gave a revelation directed to Thomas B. Marsh as President of the Council of the Twelve.

Elder Marsh is instructed to teach the brethren in his council and point out their duty and responsibilities in proclaiming the Gospel. Some of the apostles had forsaken their responsibility and had turned their attention to schemes of speculation. . . .

This revelation to Thomas B. Marsh was a warning and a call to him to bring his brethren back into the line of their duty as apostles of Jesus Christ. . . . (CHMR, Vol. 3, p. 101)

The Lord’s Counsel To His ApostlesThe Lord’s Counsel To His Apostles

The Lord Instructs a Quorum President

Vs. 11-12

1. Be impartial towards the quorum members.

2. Love the quorum members as self.

3. Pray for the quorum members.

4. Admonish the quorum members for all their sins.

Read v. 13 on why we get trials

The Lord Instructs the Quorum of the Twelve1. Arise, gird up your loins, take up your cross, feed my sheep v.142. Exalt not yourselves: rebel not against Joseph v.153. Share with the first presidency dispensational keys of the priesthood vs.30-324. Cleanse your hearts and your garments v.335. Be faithful v.34

For a Pint of Strippings?For a Pint of Strippings? Elizabeth Marsh and her neighbor Lucinda Harris wanted to

make cheese “Neither of them possessing the requisite number of cows, they

agreed to exchange milk. . . . It was agreed that they should not save the strippings, but that the milk and strippings should all go together. . . . Mrs. Marsh, wishing to make some extra good cheese, saved a pint of strippings from each cow and sent Mrs. Harris the milk without the strippings”

George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, 3:283

Even If He Had to Go to HellEven If He Had to Go to Hell Mrs. Harris complained to Bishop Partridge, who sympathized

with her Marsh appealed to the High Council, who found in favor of Harris He appealed then to the First Presidency, who upheld the High

Council ruling “Thomas B. Marsh then declared that he would sustain the

character of his wife, even if he had to go to hell for it”George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, 3:284

He DidHe Did In October 1838 Marsh swore an affidavit against Joseph Smith,

asserting treason:“Now he has fallen, lied and sworn falsely, and is ready to take the lives of his best friends” (HC 3:167)

Based on this and similar assertions, Governor Boggs issued his infamous extermination order

A massacre of saints followed at Haun’s Mill, Far West was laid under siege, Joseph Smith and others were imprisoned

“God told him what to do, and that was to sustain br. Joseph [D&C 112:15] But no, he took a course to sustain his wife and oppose the prophet of God, and she led him away” (Journal History, July 12, 1857)

For 18 years Thomas B. Marsh endured his condition

Compelled to be Humble (Alma 32:12-17)

Compelled to be Humble (Alma 32:12-17)

“If you want to see the fruits of apostasy, look on me”Journal History, August 9, 1857

“I want to die in the Church. Oh, if I could see Joseph, and talk with him and acknowledge my faults to him, and get his forgiveness from him . . . then I would die happy”

Quoted in Journal of Wandle Mace, LDS Church Archives Speaking to Saints on Temple Square September 6, 1857, Marsh said: “My voice

never was very strong, but it has been very much weakened of late years by the afflicting rod of Jehovah. He loved me too much to let me go without whipping. . . . For if he had not cared anything about me, he would not have taken me by the arm and given me such a shaking . . . . I was a very stiffnecked man. . . . I have learned to understand what David said when he exclaimed, ‘I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.’”

Journal of Discourses 5:206-07 Rebaptized July 16, 1857; died in Ogden, Utah in 1866

DAVID W. PATTEN – MAN OF FAITHDAVID W. PATTEN – MAN OF FAITH

Section 114

The Lord Gives Counsel to His Leaders

The Lord Gives Counsel to His Leaders

D&C 114:1. What Mission was Assigned to the Twelve?The Twelve were to leave Far West on 26 April 1839 for England. Before that time, however, Elder David W. Patten was killed in the battle of Crooked River on 25 October 1838 (see D&C 118; History of the Church, 3:170-71, 336-39).

D&C 114:2. Several Deny the Work of the Lord 5th day of February, at which David Whitmer, John Whitmer and William W. Phelps were rejected as the local presidency12th of April, 1838, Oliver Cowdery was found guilty of serious wrong-doing for which he had not made repentance, and he was excommunicated by the high council at Far WestLuke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton were excommunicated about the same time, and less than a month later a similar fate befell William E. McLellin [all members of the Quorum of the Twelve].

17 April 138, Far West, Missouri

17 April 138, Far West, Missouri

The Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation on 17 April 1838 in behalf of David W. Patten at Far West, Missouri (see History of the Church, 3:23). Elder Patten was one of the original Apostles and "had for some time been located in Missouri and with Elder Thomas B. Marsh was maintaining a steady influence amidst the opposition of disaffected brethren, including the three who had been appointed to preside, David Whitmer, William W. Phelps and John Whitmer.

The Lord called upon Elder Patten to settle up his business as soon as possible, make a disposition of his merchandise, and prepare to take a mission the following spring, in company with others to preach the Gospel to all the world

DAVID W. PATTENDAVID W. PATTENDavid W. Patten is instructed to settle up his affairs and be prepared to take a mission. He was born in the State of New York, about the year 1800, and was baptized June 15th, 1832, by his brother, John Patten. He performed several missions and gradually rose to prominence. On February 15th, 1835, he was ordained an Apostle. He was absolutely fearless. His testimony was powerful and through him God performed many mighty works. In 1838, the mobbings in Missouri commenced anew, and Patten was foremost in the defense of the Saints. (DCC, p. 739)

DAVID W. PATTEN – FIRST MARTYRDAVID W. PATTEN – FIRST MARTYR

David W. Patten was the first apostolic martyr for the Savior in this final dispensation. This was his desire. According to Wilford Woodruff, Elder Patten had requested such a privilege from the Lord:

David made known to the Prophet that he had asked the Lord to let him die the death of a martyr, at which the Prophet, greatly moved, expressed extreme sorrow, "For," said he to David "when a man of your faith asks the Lord for anything, he generally gets it."

– (Life of David W. Patten, 53, see also Wilford Woodruff, History of His Life and Labors, 352)

12 APOSTLES FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

12 APOSTLES FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

Section 118

8 July 1838 Far West, MO8 July 1838 Far West, MO In answer to the supplication: "Show

us thy will, O Lord, concerning the twelve," the Lord commanded that a conference be held immediately to fill the places vacated by those who had fallen . . . Men were selected to fill the vacancies caused by the excommunication of William E. M'Lellin, Luke S. Johnson, John F. Boynton, and Lyman E. Johnson. (CHMR, Vol. 3, p. 126)

D&C 118:2. What Was Thomas B. Marsh to Publish?

D&C 118:2. What Was Thomas B. Marsh to Publish?

While the rest of the Twelve were to go forth and preach the gospel (see D&C 118:3), President Thomas B. Marsh was to continue publishing the Elders' Journal, a responsibility he had while in Kirtland, Ohio. The Elders' Journal was short-lived, running from October 1837 to August 1838. (See Notes and Commentary for D&C 112:6.)

Verse 6: The New Quorum of the Twelve Verse 6: The New Quorum of the Twelve

Elders William E. Mc'Lellin, Luke S. Johnson, John F. Boynton, and Lyman E. Johnson had at this point fallen into disharmony with the Church and had been excommunicated. (see History of the Church, 2:509; 3:31-32).

One of the replacements, John E. Page, also eventually apostatized, but the other three remained faithful and loyal (see D&C 118:6).

Two of the replacements, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, later became Presidents of the Church. John Taylor was ordained an Apostle at Far West on 19 December 1838.

Wilford Woodruff and George A Smith were ordained Apostles during the early morning meeting at Far West on 26 April 1839.

1841 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

WILFORD WOODRUFF’S CALL TO THE TWELVE APOSTLES

WILFORD WOODRUFF’S CALL TO THE TWELVE APOSTLES

In the time of the great apostasy in Kirtland the Spirit of the Lord said to me, "Get you a partner and go to Fox Islands." I knew no more what was in Fox Islands than what was in Kolob. I went there, however, baptized a hundred and brought them up to Zion with me. It was upon that island where I received a letter from Joseph Smith, telling me that I was called by revelation to fill the place of one of the twelve who had fallen. You will see it in the Doctrine and Covenants. That thing was revealed to me before I received the letter from Joseph Smith, but I did not feel disposed to tell it to any mortal man, for I knew it was my duty to keep such things to myself. Through all my life and labors, whenever I have been told to do anything by the Spirit of the Lord, I have always found it good to do it. I have been preserved by that power. (CR, April 1898, p. 31)

CALLED TO SERVE A MISSION CALLED TO SERVE A MISSION

April 26, 1839: “When that revelation was given this Church was in peace in Missouri. The Lord called the Twelve Apostles, while in this state of prosperity . . . to go to Far West to lay the corner stone of the Temple; and from there to take their departure to England to preach the Gospel. Previous to the arrival of that period the whole Church was driven out of the State of Missouri, and it was as much as a man's life was worth to be found in the State if it was known that he was a Latter-day Saint; and especially was this the case with the Twelve.” (Wilford Woodruff)

TWELVE APOSTLES FULFULL THE PROPHECY

TWELVE APOSTLES FULFULL THE PROPHECY

On the morning of the 26th of April, 1839, notwithstanding the threats of our enemies that the revelation which was to be fulfilled this day should not be fulfilled; notwithstanding ten thousand of the Saints had been driven out of the state by the edict of the governor; and notwithstanding the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith, with other leading men, were in the hands of our enemies in chains and in prison, we moved on to the Temple grounds in the city of Far West, held a council, and fulfilled the revelation and commandment given to us.

We also excommunicated from the Church thirty-one persons who had apostatized and become its enemies. The 'Mission of the Twelve' was sung, and we repaired to the southeast corner of the Temple ground, where, with the assistance of Elder Alpheus Cutler, the master workman of the building committee, we laid the southeast chief cornerstone of the Temple, according to revelation. [See D&C 115:8-11] There were present of the Twelve Apostles: Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, and John Taylor; they proceeded to ordain Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith to the apostleship.

Cornerstone at Far West, MO

Cornerstone at Far West, MO

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF THE TWELVE?WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF THE TWELVE? 1. The Apostles' Faith and Obedience

We are reminded of the spirit and faith that prevailed with these brethren as we remember the words of President Wilford Woodruff:

– The Lord has spoken and it is for us to obey. We felt that the Lord had given the commandment and we had faith to go forward and accomplish it, feeling that it was his business whether we lived or died in its accomplishment. (JD, Vol. 13, p. 159)

2. God's Commandments. . . I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (B of M, 1 Nephi 3:7)

Discussion: What similar situations are we placed in that are similar to that of the Apostles obedience to go on their mission?

SUMMARYSUMMARY No one in the kingdom of God is indispensable,

and no one is forced to keep covenants in the kingdom. Those not willing to keep their covenants will be replaced. The Lord's work will go forward under His direction through His living prophet.

Those who choose to remain faithful must exercise their faith unto obedience. Obedience is a sign of true discipleship.