Lesson 26: "Laborers in the Vineyard"

Laborers in the Vineyard

Sections 71, 73, and 75

Section 71

From the Student Manual:

Historical Background
   "At the date of this revelation, 1 December 1831, the Saints did not yet have means of publicly defending the Church when it was under attack from critics and apostates. Those who were willing to listen needed to hear viewpoints other than those of the unbelievers.
   "Ezra Booth, a former Methodist minister who joined the Church when he witnessed a healing, turned apostate and wrote nine letters against the Church. The letters, published in the Ohio Star at Ravenna, Ohio, were highly critical, and the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote that they, “by their coloring, falsity, and vain calculations to overthrow the work of the Lord, exposed [Booth’s] weakness, wickedness and folly, and left him a monument of his own shame, for the world to wonder at” (History of the Church, 1:217). Booth was not the first to apostatize, but he was the first Church member to write anti-Mormon literature and publish it.

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83035044/

   "A Church conference was held 1 November 1831, during which it was decided to print and publish revelations given through Joseph Smith to strengthen the Saints against the attacks of critics and apostates. Once the arrangements were made for publishing the revelations, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon resumed work on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. Meanwhile, the agitation caused by Ezra Booth had grown so serious that on the first day of December the Lord called Joseph and Sidney from their work of translation to proclaim the gospel to the world. They left in haste for Kirtland, Ohio. As Smith and Sjodahl observed, “Sometimes it is wise to ignore the attacks of the wicked; at other times it is necessary to meet them, fearlessly and with ability” (Commentary, p. 423; see also History of the Church, 1:238–39)."  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-71-if-any-man-lift-his-voice-against-you?lang=eng)

In V.1, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are told that "it is necessary and expedient" for them to put off the translation they had been working on and preach the gospel.  What does necessary mean?  What does expedient mean? 

In V.1, they are told that among the preaching activities they were to engage in, they needed to include "expounding the mysteries...out of the scriptures."  What is a mystery?  How can it be expounded?  (See v.1)

From the Student Manual:

“A mystery is a truth that cannot be known except through divine revelation—a sacred secret. … In our day such great truths as those pertaining to the restoration of the priesthood, the work for the dead, and the re-establishment of the Church are ‘mysteries,’ because they could not have been discovered except by revelation.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p. 141.)  (https://www.lds.org/0manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-71-if-any-man-lift-his-voice-against-you?lang=eng)

V.2 seems to indicate that they are not only to preach among the non-members, but also to proclaim "in the church also."  Why do you feel that the Lord asked them to proclaim the gospel to persons who had already received it?

In v.7, Joseph and Sidney are promised that as long as they were faithful, the shame of their enemies would be made manifest when meeting to discuss the points of the restoration that had been attacked by the church's enemies.  Does that promise extend to us today?  How do we engage detractors to the church?

From the Student Manual:

"President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “Quite generally the Lord counsels his servants not to engage in debates and arguments, but to preach in power the fundamental principles of the Gospel. This was a condition that required some action of this kind, and the Spirit of the Lord directed these brethren to go forth and confound their enemies which they proceeded immediately to do, as their enemies were unable to substantiate their falsehoods and were surprised by this sudden challenge so boldly given. Much of the prejudice was allayed and some friends made through this action.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:269.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-71-if-any-man-lift-his-voice-against-you?lang=eng)

What do vv 8-11 promise will be the outcome of any attempt to prove the Lord's restoration wrong?

Section 73

After receiving Section 71, Joseph Smith, Jun. and Sidney Rigdon set out to labor as missionaries.

From the Student Manual:

" The Prophet Joseph Smith recorded: “From this time until the 8th or 10th of January, 1832, myself and Elder Rigdon continued to preach in Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, setting forth the truth, vindicating the cause of our Redeemer; showing that the day of vengeance was coming upon this generation like a thief in the night; that prejudice, blindness and darkness filled the minds of many, and caused them to persecute the true Church, and reject the true light; by which means we did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters then being published in the Ohio Star, at Ravenna, by the before-mentioned apostate, Ezra Booth. On the 10th of January, I received the following revelation [D&C 73] making known the will of the Lord concerning the Elders of the Church until the convening of the next conference.” (History of the Church, 1:241.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-73-revision-of-the-bible?lang=eng)

In V.3, we encounter the word "expedient" again.  What is the Lord telling them is expedient?  Does the Lord tell us things that are expedient?  If so, what are they?  How may we fulfill His commandments expeditiously?

Section 75

Vv 1-2 identify the several parties concerned with this address at this conference.  Who is speaking?  What are His titles?  (V1)  Whom is he addressing?  What have they done to qualify to be addressed?  (V2)

V.16 makes a 2-part promise to those who are faithful?  What is it?  Is being lifted up at the last day the same as overcoming all things?  Why or why not?

V.22 indicates that "heathens" (synonyms include "pagan," "idolater," "heretic," "unbeliever," etc.) will find the day of judgment more tolerable than some professed believers.  If God is just, how can heathens be given a pass?

"Elder James E. Talmage noted that “man will be accounted blameless or guilty, according to his deeds as interpreted in the light of the law under which he is required to live. It is inconsistent with our conception of a just God, to believe Him capable of inflicting condemnation upon any one for noncompliance with a requirement of which the person had no knowledge. Nevertheless, the laws of the Church will not be suspended even in the case of those who have sinned in darkness and ignorance; but it is reasonable to believe that the plan of redemption will afford such benighted ones an opportunity of learning the laws of God; and surely, as fast as they so learn, will obedience be required on pain of the penalty.” (Articles of Faith,p. 519.)  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-75-neither-be-idle-but-labor-with-your-might?lang=eng)
V.29 warns that those who idle won't have place in the Church unless they repent.  How may we be more diligent and escape this fate?

From the Student Manual:

   "Elder Franklin D. Richards taught: “President McKay has said, ‘Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that love of work is success.’
   “How true this is! Yet today as in earlier times many misguided individuals embrace the philosophy of idleness, feeling that the world owes them a living. Many have a desire to destroy the establishment that has been built upon productive effort.
   “In this dispensation the Lord has many times confirmed the eternal principle of work. We have been told that there is no place in the Church for the idler ‘except he repent and mend his ways,’ and ‘he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.’ (D&C 75:29; 42:42.)” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1969, p. 121.)"  (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-69-80/section-75-neither-be-idle-but-labor-with-your-might?lang=eng)