Ryan Reeder
History 390R
Derr and Esplin
April 17, 2001
2) Dean May wrote: "History had taught me that God does not necessarily expect us to succeed in all things, that failure in some things may, in fact, lead us to concentrate on achieving success in the more important task." How did failures and successes contribute to building Mormon community between 1830 and 1890?
God is in charge of this work. And his work is done in his way-even though because of this, what may seem to be failures are often involved. Tragedy takes place. Sifting sorts the Saints. Trial and Tribulation lead to triumph-or traitors. Experiments bring Experience. Through it all, God is in charge. [very alliterative!]
This pattern can be seen repeatedly in the nineteenth century history of the Church. As the Lord has sought to build his Kingdom on the earth, he has used imperfect, fallible men to do so-to teach and exalt them. From Joseph Smith's loss of the Book of Lehi's 117 pages of manuscript through the command to renounce the practice of Polygamy in 1890 through Wilford Woodruff's Manifesto, the pan and pattern have been in force. Yet these perceived failures, as well as the successes combined to build the Kingdom of God on the Earth.
One of the first examples of this, as already mentioned, was the loss of the 117 pages. Through this experience, Joseph learned to make his cardinal rule that "When the Lord commands DO IT." This would lead to his capacity to accomplish difficult tasks, such as excommunicating his friends or implementing polygamy.
A well known account of perceived failure was Samuel H. Smith's mission. Though he didn't baptize any converts, the Books of Mormon he placed led to the conversion of several prominent leaders of the Church, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.
Though the 1830-1 Mission to the Lamanites didn't lead to a great work beginning among the Lamanites, as was intended, it did result in the conversion of Sidney Rigdon and a great number of his followers in Kirtland, as well as establishing an early presence in Jackson County, Missouri. Richard Lloyd Anderson details several characters who joined the Church in this period.
When the Saints established their twin centers in Kirtland and Independence, it became known that Missourian Saints were suffering great persecution. As a result , Joseph was told by revelation to organize a force to redeem the land. The group suffered greatly with cholera and living conditions, and ultimately failed to redeem Zion. Yet it gave valuable experience to future leaders of the Church of whom most were drawn from this company (11 of the original twelve-all but William Smith-were in Zion's Camp, for example).
Back in Kirtland, after experiencing the great sunlight on the occasion of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, shadow naturally followed as many of the 12, the Three Witnesses, and others fell away from the Church. Yet at the same time that the Lord sifted these men, he sent many of those who remained faithful to Britain where thousands were baptized and the Church came out stronger.
The Church was tried as Gold is tried in the furnace of Missouri of 1838-9. After the Saints had been removed to Clay and Caldwell counties from Jackson County, storms began arising greater than ever before as the Haun's Mill Massacre, the Liberty Jail incarceration, the Extermination Order and Forced Removal from Missouri, the Lord declared to be Zion by Revelation, took place. Yet the Church grew from this experience. Joseph acquired a new sense of urgency and mission during his time in Liberty. Brigham gained valuable experience, which he would use again in seven years, as he led the Saints to Commerce, Illinois. Many of the Saints grew stronger through their trials.
In Nauvoo, Joseph experienced trial again as some of his closest advisers, such as John Cook Bennett and William and Wilson Law turned on him. He learned valuable lessons on who he trusted.
When Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the Church came out stronger.
[(]Ron Esplin speaks of the significance of Nauvoo and the issue of a succession crisis.[)]
Was there a succession crisis? During the August 8, 1844 meeting, Brigham displayed the mantle. Though many members of the Church broke off, those that came West with the 12 helped it grow.
In Utah, Brigham employed many strategies to help build the kingdom. Some worked to one degree or another, some didn't. In 1856, when handcarts were first implemented to help the poor come to Zion, two companies started off late in the season, and suffered deaths and hardship. Yet the story of the Martin and Willie handcart companies and the ensuing rescue mission has been a source of inspiration. -William Hartley-"How Shall They Gather"
The Mountain Meadows Massacre taught valuable lessons about overhasty judgment. It also has been a key factor in coming to grips with our history. -Levi Peterson
Irrigation didn't always work, but agricultural skills were learned from it.
Economic Projects, such as the Silk Mission, the Coal and Iron Missions, the Cotton Mission, sometimes failed, but Saints were grown and work was done.
(Two minutes remaining).
United Orders-4 models-disbanded-growth
Big one-Polygamy-Many trials, detail-Jan Shipps, James Allen. Growth from Polygamy. Strength in living the Law of the Lord.
Conclusion-Summarize-The Lord is in Charge and grows this people in their best efforts as he sees fit. We've all seen how this works on an individual level-it's also done collectively.
[Part D (essay)
Organization (5) 5-4
Grasp of concepts from readings and lectures (10) 10
General examples/ creativity (5) 5
Explicit examples from readings, lectures (5) 4
Part D total (25 points) 23]
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