Book Review - At the Pulpit, 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women

At the Pulpit is a refreshing collection of women’s voices from the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The book contains 54 speeches given by women from 1831 to current day and is an impressive collection that shows the strength of women in the church. After reading the words of these eloquent women, I felt empowered and grateful for their examples of courage, compassion, and faithfulness. 

Life can be very full and busy at times.  I worried that I wouldn't be able to find time to read and review this book at first.  But during quiet minutes, I found myself drawn to it to bring me peace. I loved the stories and I felt stronger and more motivated after reading it.  Sister Jacobs had it right in the infographic below.

In the first chapter, I was impressed with the leadership of Lucy Mack Smith (aka “Mother Smith,” mother of Joseph and Hyrum Smith). In 1831, Lucy Mack Smith was part of a group that was planning to travel to Kirtland, Ohio from Fayette, New York. Two prominent males in the group refused to lead the group during the journey and deferred to Mother Smith. She rallied the troops and handled the finances, food, lodging, and spiritual guidance. At one point, the group was stuck in Buffalo, waiting for the ice to break in the harbor. Another party there encouraged Smith and her group to hide their religious identity to avoid prejudice. Smith rejected the advice and instead “boldly proclaimed her Mormon beliefs” to the townspeople.

Eliza R. Snow’s speech to the Salt Lake City 17^th Ward Relief Society really struck a chord with me in regards to how church callings should work.  She said, “Each member of the society should study to know her place, and honor herself by filling it honorably , and all move forward like machinery that is perfect in all its parts. Let no one overstep her mark or in the least crowd against another… And if this principle shall be carried out in every department, the society will move like clockwork.”  Her beautifully chosen words and appropriate similes describe how callings should be handled not only in just olden days but now as well. Each person is to learn and magnify her calling and not hinder others from fulfilling their responsibilities by enabling them or doing things that are outside their realm of stewardship.

Primary Talk - Heavenly Father Loves Us and Wants Us to Pray to Him

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to pray to Him. We can pray to Him anytime, no matter where we are. He hears and answers our prayers.

Charlotte Clark was just six years old when her family left Nauvoo, Illinois, to travel west to the Salt Lake Valley. It was a long, long way to walk. Charlotte walked so much that she wore out her only pair of shoes. Every night when Charlotte knelt to pray, she asked Heavenly Father for a pair of shoes.

One day Charlotte and her sister were picking berries when Charlotte saw a pair of shoes. She and her sister ran back to their mother and father, saying, “Heavenly Father sent me shoes, and they fit perfectly!” Charlotte’s father was concerned that the shoes belonged to someone who had lost them. He told Charlotte that if the shoes belonged to someone in their wagon train, she should return the shoes to their owner.

Charlotte’s family showed the shoes to everyone, but no one claimed them. Charlotte’s prayer was answered.

Heavenly Father answers our prayers. The answers may not always be what we expect, but He will answer in the way that is the best for us. We can pray to Him anytime, anywhere.

(from The Friend, 2006)

Law of Consecration - Primary Lesson

I am a big believer in the Law of Consecration.  My friends and family know that I believe that everything we have been given is from God - our time, talents and material blessings.  Since everything belongs to God and comes from Him, it is our obligation to handle those blessings according to His will.  We are all on earth here together to help each other and share.  (The hard part comes when some people take advantage of others but I figure that is their problem, not mine).

Here's a Primary lesson that teaches on this subject.  The Lord Reveals the Law of Consecration.

I made this worksheet to go along with the lesson.

Church Humor - Bishopric Pun

Here's a little humor for any of my LDS blog readers out there....

Since it was Mother's Day, my husband taught my Primary lesson on Sunday and I was able to just sit and listen.  It was about Edward Partridge who was called as the first bishop.

Here's the conversation:

HUBBY:  Who was the first bishop in the church?

BOY: I know, I know.  BISHOP RICK

Okay, I'll admit that I had to pretend I needed a drink of water and I went out in the hallway to let my laughter out.  Best part was that the boy was completely serious!  Get it, "Bishopric" and "Bishop Rick!"  It still makes me laugh!

Primary Lesson 16, Manual 5 - Strengthening Feelings of Unity and Love

Here's a worksheet to go with Lesson 16: The Saints Gather to Kirtland Ohio.  Click HERE to read the entire lesson.

Primary - Memory Matching Game about the Organization of the LDS Church

I created this fun memory matching game for my Primary class to go with Primary Manual 5, Lesson 11 (click HERE for complete lesson).  I printed the pages out and then attached them to 3x5 notecards.  I played it with my son and he absolutely loved it.  I know my Primary class will have fun when we play it later today.  (PS I searched and searched the internet and couldn't find a picture of Peter Whitmer Jr. on his own so I had to use a group shot)

Primary - Organization of LDS Church Summary

I made this fun little one page summary sheet for my Primary class.  It goes with THIS LESSON (Primary Manual 5, Lesson 11).  The kids will color it at the end of the lesson and hopefully it will be a reminder of the  WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, and WHEN info about the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Feel free to use it if you'd like.

Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of the Relief Society

Click HERE to read about "Daughters in My Kingdom:  The History and Work of the Relief Society."  It is a must-read for all women.  You can download a free copy to read.


Here's a part of the book that shows the importance of reading it:
"The teachings, stories, and examples in the book can guide sisters in establishing priorities and practices in their lives that will help them increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need."

"The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ."
(by James E. Talmage, in Daughters in My Kingdom, page 3)

Sunday School - Doctrine & Covenants and Church History Lesson 1

D&C Lesson #1: Introduction to the Doctrine & Covenants and Church History

1. Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen, Karl R. Anderson: The study of the Doctrine and Covenants is a study of God’s love for His children, for in these pages are laid down with clarity the principles and procedures for building Zion – as both a pattern of righteous living and a place where God can dwell with His people. By far the most important edition of the Doctrine and Covenants is the “edition” that resides in the heart and soul of each sincere and willing reader as a living testament of devotion to the Lord and His covenant plan of redemption. Alma taught: “he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full” (Alma 12:10). How much of the word is found “in us,” as Alma put it (Alma 12:13), is a measure of the quality of our hearts as receptacles of truth and our willingness to seek the confirmation of the Holy Spirit. Teachings and Commentaries on the Doctrine and Covenants, preface.

2. Joseph Smith: Prophets, priests and kings have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the latter-day glory, “the dispensation of the fullness of times”. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 231.

3. Steven C. Harper: The early Saints delighted in the Prophet Joseph’s revelations. They read them over and over, committing some to memory. They copied manuscripts of the most important or personal ones and then copied the copies. They treasured these documents. The growing number of missionaries needed the revelations in their ministry, but copies could only be made by hand when the missionaries happened to be at Church headquarters or crossed paths with someone who had a hand-copied manuscript of an earlier manuscript. Access was limited, and the potential for errors great. The Saints needed to publish the revelations. Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants, p. 1.

4. Steven C. Harper: With Zion on their minds Joseph Smith gathered Church leaders at the Johnson home at Hiram, Ohio, in November 1831 to advance the plan for publishing the revelations. Oliver Cowdery asked how many copies the Lord wanted in the first edition of the Book of Commandments. The brethren voted for ten thousand, an extraordinarily large print run for such a project, and twice as many as the first printing of the Book of Mormon. They were willing to impoverish themselves to make the revelations widely available. … It may be hard for modern readers to fully appreciate their actions. A poorly educated, twenty-six year old farmer was planning to publish ten thousand copies of his revelations that called his neighbors idolatrous, commanded them to repent, and foretold calamities upon those who continued in wickedness. Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants, pp. 4-5.

5. Oliver Cowdery held up a printed but not yet bound copy of the Doctrine and Covenants and asked the Saints for their consent to publish it. William Phelps said that he had examined it carefully, that it was well arranged and calculated to govern the Church in righteousness, if followed it would bring the members to see eye to eye. And further that he had received the testimony from God, that the Revelations and commandments contained therein are true, wherefore, he knew assuredly for himself having received witness from Heaven & not from men. John Whitmer who transcribed many of the revelations for Joseph, followed with a similar expression of certainty, adding that he was present when some of the revelations contained therein were given, and was satisfied they come from God. Others followed. Levi Jackman arose and said that he had examined as many of the revelations contained in the book as were printed in Zion, & as firmly believes them as he does the Book of Mormon or the Bible and also the whole contents of the Book, he then called for the vote of the High Council from Zion, which they gave in favor of the Book and also of the committee. Newel Whitney arose and testified that he knew the revelations were true, for God had testified to him by his holy Spirit, for many of them were given under his roof & in his presence through President Joseph Smith Junr. Kirtland Minute Book, August 17, 1835.

6. Steven C. Harper: In 1844, the First Presidency announced plans to publish a second edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, adding seven revelations to the 1835 edition, including today’s sections 103, 105, 112, 119, 124, 127, and 128. … Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles edited the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. Under President Brigham Young’s direction, Elder Pratt made extensive changes that dramatically influence how we read the book today. He added several of Joseph’s revelations and one of Brigham Young’s, amounting to twenty-six new sections, including 2, 13, 77, 85, 87, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 129, 130, 131, 132, and 136. Elder Pratt rearranged the order of the sections and divided them into verses. … But in an important sense the Doctrine and Covenants remains open. As a contemporary of Joseph put it, this book of scripture shows us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake (Ralph Waldo Emerson). The future of the Doctrine and Covenants is as exciting as its past. Making Sense of the Doctrine & Covenants, pp. 8-9.

7. Ezra Taft Benson: The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth. The Book of Mormon is the “keystone” of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone. Gen. Conference, April 1987.

8. Ezra Taft Benson: The Doctrine and Covenants is the only book in the world that has a preface written by the Lord Himself. In that preface He declares to the world that His voice is unto all men, that the coming of the Lord is nigh, and that the truths found in the Doctrine and Covenants will all be fulfilled. Gen. Conference, Oct. 1986.

9. Neal A. Maxwell: If asked which book of scripture provides the most frequent chance to “listen” to the Lord talking, most individuals would at first think of the New Testament. The New Testament is a marvelous collection of the deeds and many of the doctrines of the Messiah. But in the Doctrine and Covenants we receive the voice as well as the word of the Lord. We can almost “hear” him talking. Words like these sink into one’s marrow as well as into one’s mind, for the majesty and power of the Lord are so evident …. In many ways the Doctrine and Covenants is the modern equivalent of the thundering directness of Sinai, when the finger of the Lord wrote on the two tablets of stone (Ex. 31:18) – portions of the Doctrine and Covenants with the “thou shalt nots” (D&C 42) and the “Alpha and Omegas” are given by the voice of the Lord. Indeed, the repeated interlacing of truths in the Doctrine and Covenants with those of other books of scripture shows a precision too great to have been managed by something as clumsy as a computer. Only divine direction could achieve this grand consistency. Ensign, Dec. 1978.

10. This dispensation can be divided into six historical periods:

New York Period 1820-1830
Ohio-Missouri Period 1831-1838
Nauvoo Period 1839-1846
Pioneering the West 1846-1898
Expansion of the Church 1899-1950
The Worldwide Church 1951-present

(from the manual and study guide)


Next week: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World” (no specific reading assignment)