Chapter 11: The Life of Christ

THE LIFE OF CHRIST WAS LONG PREDICTED BEFORE HIS BIRTH

Of course, the first scriptural account “predicting” about the Savior would have to be from premortal times. Moses 4:2

…my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning…

Also from Abraham 3:27

And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

This section mentions Nephi and his knowledge of the Savior’s birth thru vision. Another great scripture for discussion is 2 Nephi 25:1.

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

There is an important issue that could be dealt with concerning the prophecies about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ mentioned in this section. The prophecies from the Old Testament include the First Coming of Christ as well as the Second Coming. I do not have an extensive list of all prophecies, but there are many, perhaps hundreds. Some think that there are about as many which refer to the First as there are that pertain to the Second Coming. The Jews may have not known about the Second Coming and became disenchanted with Christ, since He did not fulfill all in mortality.

This may help explain the great change that occurred in the last week of Jesus’ mortal life. Matthew records that “…a very great multitude…” (Matthew 21:8) welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem on Sunday (now celebrated as Palm Sunday because of the palm leaves they laid down) for his Triumphal Entry on Sunday. The Jews thought He really was the anxiously awaited Messiah because of what He had done.

By Friday of that week, due mostly to the cries of the chief priests for Christ’s crucifixion, Matthew records that “…all the people…said, His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25) in agreement with the chief priests’ clamor for His crucifixion. It appears that the Jews had now abandoned hope that Christ was the promised Messiah

It is true that Jehovah, creator of “worlds without number” (Moses 1:33), told Enoch that, “…among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren” (Moses 7:36). And Nephi was shown in vision that:

[Christ]…should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God. (2 Nephi 10:3)

However, it may also be that the Jews were expecting the Second Coming prophesies to also be fulfilled while Jesus was on earth the first time. The Jews are still His Chosen people and will be gathered to Him in the last days.

The last sentence of this section asks the question:

“What are some ancient prophecies about Jesus Christ?”

This really is a great question to have class members discuss. A wonderful resource from which to glean some additional ideas to add to this discussion appears in an article by D. Kelly Ogden and R. Val Johnson, “All the Prophets Prophesied of Christ,” Ensign, Jan 1994, 31. These prophecies are all concerning the First Coming of Jesus Christ.

HE WAS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER

This section deals with tremendously crucial doctrine that:

Jesus is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. That is why He is called the Only Begotten Son. He inherited divine powers from His Father. From His mother He inherited mortality and was subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death. No one could take the Savior’s life from Him unless He willed it. He had power to lay it down and power to take up His body again after dying (See John 10:17-18). (p. 53)

For those who have not read Chapter 3 of this blog or for classes in which that material may have not been presented, or perhaps as a good review, I have copied as follows a section from Chapter 3 of this blog:

In our dispensation, D&C 20:21 pronounces:

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.

In New Testament times, John 3:16 proclaims:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Because of our knowledge of the nature of God as restored to the prophet Joseph Smith, we know that this verse in John speaks of two gifts. One was given by God the Father, that of His Son. The second gift was given by Jesus Christ that we might “not perish, but have everlasting life.” The “Trinity” concept robs one of these two gifts. If one accepts the “Trinity,” this scripture could be vastly shortened to”

“For God so loved the world, that he came…”

As I once pondered that idea, a second question can came. “Why DID God the Father send His Son to do something as excruciatingly difficult as was the Atonement?” If it were at all possible, any good parent would rather do something deathly dangerous him/her self rather than ask his/her own child to do it.

It seems that there are at least three reasons why God the Father could not have performed the Atonement.

ONE: The Father could not die. He was a resurrected being over whom death had no power (Romans 6:9, Alma 11:45)

TWO: The Father could not be tempted (James 1:13)

THREE: The Father could not suffer physical pain.

President Wilford Woodruff taught, “When the resurrection comes, we shall come forth clothed with immortal bodies; and the persecutions, suffering, sorrow, pain and death, incident to mortality, will be done away forever.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 81)

ALL THREE of these were crucial to the completion of the Atonement. Jesus Christ (or Son of Man as He is called 33 times in Matthew alone) could do ALL THREE of these things only because He was born the son of mortal Mary.

But the only way Jesus Christ could possibly complete the Atonement was because of what He inherited from His immortal Father in Heaven in ALL THREE of these areas.

ONE: He did not have to die, but gave his life (John 10:11).

TWO: He overcame temptation (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Nephi 17:16 or Isaiah 7:16).

THREE: He suffered every kind of physical (and every other kind of) pain (Mosiah 3:7, Alma 7:11, D&C 19:18-19).

The concept of “Trinity” cannot explain these three areas. Simply put, there could have been no Atonement without Jesus being the Son of an immortal Father and a mortal Mary. We are eternally grateful that Jesus Christ answered the call “Whom shall I send?” (p. 13).

The above should help us understand the last sentence in this section:

He [the Savior] had power to lay it down [because of His mortal mother] and power to take up His body again after dying [because of His immortal Father]. (p. 53)

Concerning the parents of Jesus Christ, Elder Erastus Snow, an apostle, taught:

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, the Scriptures tell us; and she bare record of it, and there were many witnesses of this fact, and the record teaches us that he was begotten by the power of God, and not of man, and that she had no intercourse with mortal man in the flesh until after she gave birth to the Savior, who is called the Son of God. (Journal of Discourses 19:271b)

HE LED A PERFECT LIFE

Along with Luke 2:40, which is quoted in this section, I also really like verse 52 of that same chapter.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

It may be beneficial to discuss the idea that this single verse pretty well covers all aspects of a balanced life as well as how we can emulate the Savior as we plan our days to grow in each of these areas as well.

Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:46 is quoted in this section (p. 53). It may be interesting to point out how different this scripture is in the King James Version:

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)

As Joseph Smith corrected this situation, the teaching was totally from Jesus to the doctors, not the other way around. The learned doctors had nothing to offer the Son of God. President Monson explains:

We marvel at the mature wisdom of the boy who, leaving Joseph and Mary, was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors,” (Luke 2:46) teaching them the gospel. When Mary and Joseph expressed their concern about His absence, He asked of them the penetrating question: “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). (Ensign, Nov 1997, 17)

It may be important to discuss the following scriptures which help us understand that God teaches us in the same manner:

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more… (2 Nephi 28:30)

For he [God] will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept… (D&C 98:12)

I like Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s counsel for us concerning this process:

Brothers and sisters, the scriptures are like a developmental display window through which we can see gradual growth—along with this vital lesson: it is direction first, then velocity!
Jesus “received not of the fulness at first, but received grace for grace” (D&C 93:12). (Ensign, Nov 1976, 12)

This section also discusses that Jesus did only the will of the Father. We can indeed become “even as” Christ (3 Nephi 27:27 (quoted on p. 57). And we have a wonderful gift given us to help us do that, the Gift of the Holy Ghost (Chapter 21). It may be helpful to discuss the concept that since we are connected to the Holy Ghost by a Priesthood ordination, if we pay attention to the Holy Ghost, we will become like Him, just as Jesus became like the Father by paying attention to Him.

This section quotes Matthew 3:17 (p. 54), one of four times the Father introduced His Son in the scriptures. President Kimball explains:

It was He, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who was introduced to surprised listeners at Jordan (see Matt. 3:13-17), at the holy Mount of Transfiguration ( see Matt. 17:1-9), at the temple of the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 11-26), and in the grove at Palmyra, New York (see JS—H 1:17-25); and the introducing person was none other than his actual Father, the holy Elohim, in whose image he was and whose will he carried out. (Ensign, Nov 1977, 73)

HE TAUGHT US HOW TO LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER

This section discusses the “two great commandments” found in Matthew 22:36-39 (p. 54). Perhaps there is a parable here. Two commandments are clearly that we love God and our neighbor. But we are commanded to love our neighbor, as the manual states, “as we love ourselves” (p. 54). Thus we are thirdly commanded to love ourselves. Now there are great counterfeits to this principle in the world, such as “I’m number one” and “me first” in which Satan influences to actions which cause us and others much pain. In a conference talk, with the following quote coming under the heading “Self-esteem, Well Deserved” Elder Russell M. Nelson explains:

The next prerequisite to joy is to feel good about yourself. The second of our Lord’s two great commandments carries a double charge: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). Therefore, love of companion is governed, in part, by esteem of self, and so is joy in the morning.
Each individual should understand the nature of his or her own soul. Profound insight is provided by this revelation:
“For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;
“And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy” (D&C 93:33-34).
Therefore, spiritual and physical elements each must be nurtured if we are to earn proper self-esteem.
Spiritual self-esteem begins with the realization that each new morning is a gift from God. Even the air we breathe is a loving loan from him. He preserves us from day to day and supports us from one moment to another (see Mosiah 2:21). (Ensign, Nov 1986, 67)

Here is wonderful counsel from two prophets on how to avoid the false counterfeits from Satan concerning this true principle. First from David O. McKay:

[after quoting Mt. 22:39] Analyze that and you will find that it means that instead of centering your thoughts on self, that God becomes the center of your existence; your thought is what you are going to do for him. You will pray to him at night. You will pray to him when you have some heavy task to perform. In your school work, pray. I know, you may not hear his voice always, and you may feel that he did not answer your question in your prayer, but in youth, keep praying, holding to the assurance that God is near you to help you. (Conference Report, October 1953, pp. 87-90)

Next from Howard W. Hunter:

[after quoting Mt. 22:36-40] As man's thoughts turn to God and the things that pertain to God, man undergoes a spiritual transformation. It lifts him from the commonplace and gives to him a noble and Godlike character. If we have faith in God, we are using one of the great laws of life. The most powerful force in human nature is the spiritual power of faith. (Conference Report, April 1960, pp. 124-126)

HE ORGAINIZED THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH

A great scripture for discussion of the concept of Christ’s Church found in this section is Ephesians 2:19 - 20:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In a conference talk, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland commented on Christ’s role in the Church:

[after quoting Ephesians 2:19-20] These Brethren and the other officers of the Church would serve under the direction of the resurrected Christ. (Ensign, Nov 2004, 6)

HE REDEEMED US FROM OUR SINS AND SAVED US FROM DEATH

For this section, it would be wise to follow the counsel given in the first sentence of this section:

As you study this section, take time to ponder the events of the Atonement. (p. 55)

Be sure to focus on the “events of the Atonement” rather than the Atonement itself, leaving that for Chapter 12.

There were five times the Savior’s blood was shed during His great Atonement:

1. Gethsemane

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:44).

From The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles Institute Student Manual, Elder James E. Talmage described:

Christ’s agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause. The thought that He suffered through fear of death is untenable. Death to Him was preliminary to resurrection and triumphal return to the Father from whom He had come, and to a state of glory even beyond what He had before possessed; and, moreover, it is within His power to lay down His life voluntarily. He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other being who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible. It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing. No other man, however great his powers of physical or mental endurance, could have suffered so; for his human organism would have succumbed, and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion. In that hour of anguish Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan, ‘the prince of this world’ could inflict. The frightful struggle incident to the temptations immediately following the Lord’s baptism was surpassed and overshadowed by this supreme contest with the powers of evil.
In some manner, actual and terribly real though to man incomprehensible, the Savior took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world. (25-8)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained:

[after quoting Luke 22:44] The Savior’s spiritual suffering and the shedding of his innocent blood, so lovingly and freely given, paid the debt for what the scriptures call the “original guilt” of Adam’s transgression (Moses 6:54). Furthermore, Christ suffered for the sins and sorrows and pains of all the rest of the human family, providing remission for all of our sins as well, upon conditions of obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel he taught (see 2 Ne. 9:21-23). As the Apostle Paul wrote, we were “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). What an expensive price and what a merciful purchase! (Ensign, Nov 1995, 67)

2. Scourging

THEN Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him (John 19:1).

From The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles Institute Student Manual:

This brutal practice, a preliminary to crucifixion, consisted of stripping the victim of clothes, strapping him to a pillar or frame, and beating him with a scourge made of leather straps weighted with sharp pieces of lead and bone. It left the tortured sufferer bleeding, weak, and sometimes dead. (26-9)

3. Crown of thorns

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head… (John 19:2)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie portrayed:

Blood ran down his face as a crown of thorns pierced his trembling brow. (Ensign, May 1985, 9)

4. Nails

Again, from The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles Institute Student Manual:

The cross consisted of two parts, a strong stake or pole 8 or 9 ft. high, which was fixed in the ground, and a movable cross-piece (patibulum), which was carried by the criminal to the place of execution. Sometimes the patibulum was a single beam of wood, but more often it consisted of two parallel beams fastened together, between which the neck of the criminal was inserted. Before him went a herald bearing a tablet on which the offense was inscribed, or the criminal himself bore it suspended by a cord round his neck. At the place of execution the criminal was stripped and laid on his back, and his hands were nailed to the patibulum; The patibulum, with the criminal hanging from it, was then hoisted into position and fastened by nails or ropes to the upright pole. The victim’s body was supported not only by the nails through the hands, but by a small piece of wood projecting at right angles (sedile), on which he sat as on a saddle. Sometimes there was also a support for the feet, to which the feet were nailed. The protracted agony of crucifixion sometimes lasted for days, death being caused by pain, hunger, and thirst. (26-10)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie depicts:

With great mallets they drove spikes of iron through his feet and hands and wrists. Truly he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. (Ensign, May 1985, 9)

5. Spear

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water (John 19:34).

The Savior’s ministry to the spirit world is discussed in this section. The two references of 1 Peter 3:18-20 and D&C 138 differ and the reason is revelation to a latter-day prophet.

1 Peter 3:19 states:

,,,he [Christ] went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Whereas in D&C 138:29-30, President Joseph F. Smith was shown in vision that:

…the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.

HIS SACRIFICE SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR HIS FATHER AND FOR US

Something that may be productive if you are teaching this lesson is obtain a copy of “The Living Christ” for every member of the class (free from Distribution Center - - pick up or mail - - postage is even free). A great discussion on many of the points of this lesson could be done using this powerful document, having each student with one in hand.

When this lesson is taught/learned well, we should be able to join our testimonies to those of the Prophets and Apostles who gave us that “The Living Christ” document, wherein is included:

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— (D&C 76:22 - 23).

By the way, many of the above quotes in this blog from conference talks were found by using the “scriptures.byu.edu” website.

Chapter 10: Scriptures

THE SCRIPTURES ARE AVAILABLE TO US TODAY
Again, tremendous resources for this lesson can be found in the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:... (the old Priesthood/Relief Society manuals). Especially helpful will be the manuals for Brigham Young, Chapter 17, Wilford Woodruff, Chapter 12, Joseph F. Smith, Chapter 5, Spencer W. Kimball, Chapter 6, and Harold B. Lee, Chapter 7. Remember, these can all be found on “lds.org” by clicking on “Gospel Library” then “Lessons” then “Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.” All of the manuals are listed at the bottom of this page.

This section (after a suggested question) begins:

When the Lord’s servants speak or write under the influence of the Holy Ghost, their words become scripture (see D&C 68:4). (p. 45)

While this is how scriptures come to be, it is also true for any time a prophet speaks, in conference or any where else. However, technically, something else is required for a prophet’s words to become scripture. Here is what the Encyclopedia of Mormonism declares:

In principle and in fact, additions…are made to the standard works in the dual process of presentation through living leaders and, in accord with the law of common consent, acceptance by members of the Church. In this way, Latter-day Saints bind themselves by covenant to uphold them as scriptures. (p. 1278)

This is called “canonization” of scripture and is the process by which the Prophet proposes document(s) for the sustaining vote of the Church which then become scripture. The Bible and Book of Mormon were sustained as scripture at the organization of the Church on April 6, 1830. The Doctrine and Covenants (first known as the Book of Commandments) was sustained first in 1835 and several times later as sections were added. The Pearl of Great Price was sustained on October 10, 1880. Other canonizations, which are now in the Doctrine and Covenants, were Official Declaration—1 on October 6, 1890 and Official Declaration—2 on September 30, 1978, as well as two in the event next described.

Some of you more mature in age will remember, as do Sister Bair and I, a terrifically historical time in 1976 at the end of the sustaining of Church officers when President N. Eldon Tanner proclaimed:

President Kimball has asked me to read a very important resolution for your sustaining vote. At a meeting of the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve held in the Salt Lake Temple on March 25, 1976, approval was given to add to the Pearl of Great Price the two following revelations:
First, a vision of the celestial kingdom given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, in the Kirtland Temple, on January 21, 1836, which deals with the salvation of those who die without a knowledge of the gospel; and second, a vision given to President Joseph F. Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 3, 1918, showing the visit of the Lord Jesus Christ in the spirit world and setting forth the doctrine of the redemption of the dead.
It is proposed that we sustain and approve this action and adopt these revelations as part of the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
All in favor manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign. Thank you. President Kimball, the voting seems to be unanimous in the affirmative.

These two “revelations” are now sections 137 and 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Indeed, Joseph Smith had many “revelations” which have not been canonized. That we are a Church of continuing revelation is born out by the following statement by President Harold B. Lee:

Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Council of the Twelve once told of a discussion he had with a group of stake officers. In the course of the discussion someone said to him, “Brother Widtsoe, how long has it been since the Church received a revelation?” Brother Widtsoe rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said in reply, “Oh, probably since last Thursday.” Brother Widtsoe undoubtedly referred to the meeting of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve that is held on each Thursday. (Tambuli - - the international equivalent of the Ensign which is sent to the Philippines - - Feb 1980, 38)

D&C 68:4 is used most often in conference talks, as it is in this section, in reference to prophets. To verify this, check out “scriptures.byu,edu” and click on D&C 68:4, then open the references there (the first one being (06—O,27,RDH) - - a talk in 2006, p. 27 by Elder Richard D. Hales).

However, this scripture also has a wider application. As D&C 68:2 states, it is for “…all those who were ordained unto this priesthood…”

This is how Elder Dallin H. Oaks used D&C 68:4 in a conference talk concerning worthy Priesthood holders:

It is a very sacred responsibility for a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to speak for the Lord in giving a priesthood blessing. As the Lord has told us in modern revelation, “My word … shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). If a servant of the Lord speaks as he is moved upon by the Holy Ghost, his words are “the will of the Lord, … the mind of the Lord, … the word of the Lord, … [and] the voice of the Lord” (D&C 68:4).
But if the words of a blessing only represent the priesthood holder’s own desires and opinions, uninspired by the Holy Ghost, then the blessing is conditioned on whether it represents the will of the Lord. (Ensign, May 1987, 36

This section discusses the “standard works.” Elder Russell M. Nelson explains:

We call that guide the standard works, so named because they—the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—constitute the standard by which we should live. They serve as a standard of reference, as are standards of time, weights, and measures that are kept in national bureaus of standards. (Ensign, Nov 2000, 16)

President Harold B. Lee, in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, pleads with the Saints about the Standard Works:

It is the business of those who are to teach His children to teach the principles of the gospel. We are not set apart to teach notions or guesses at truth. We are not set apart to teach philosophies or sciences of the world. We are set apart to teach the principles of the gospel as found in the four standard works—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. (p. 65)

If you are interested in wonderful information about the coming forth of any of the Standard Works, you can go the particular Institute Student Manual for whatever book you want. Just go to “institute.lds.org” then “Institute Courses and Manuals” then click on the manual you want.

BIBLE
It interesting that according to the rules of grammar, the Bible is not italicized, along with other sacred books of world religions. The same is true for chapters in those books. So it is only appropriate then, that neither do we italicize the Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price or their chapter titles.

That Brigham Young was not too worried about mistakes in the Bible is evident from his statement:

The Bible is true. It may not all have been translated aright, and many precious things may have been rejected in the compilation and translation of the Bible [see 1 Nephi 13:24-27]; but we understand, from the writings of one of the Apostles, that if all the sayings and doings of the Savior had been written, the world could not contain them [see John 21:25]. I will say that the world could not understand them. They do not understand what we have on record, nor the character of the Savior, as delineated in the Scriptures; and yet it is one of the simplest things in the world, and the Bible, when it is understood, is one of the simplest books in the world, for, as far as it is translated correctly [see Articles of Faith 1:8], it is nothing but truth, and in truth there is no mystery save to the ignorant. The revelations of the Lord to his creatures are adapted to the lowest capacity, and they bring life and salvation to all who are willing to receive them. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 121)

If you desire a truly wonderful resource on “How the Bible Came to Be” you will want to read the articles by that name from Lenet Read, who basically put the terrific research she did in her entire book into an eight part series printed in the 1982 Ensign from January to October (missed May, conference issue). January (part 1) and July (part 6) are especially good. You will never be the same if you read them. At least I am so glad I did.

Perhaps 2 Nephi 29:4-6 would be worth discussing concerning the gratitude Jehovah demands of us concerning the Bible:

But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.
Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

This section discusses the “Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible” (p. 46). Joseph began this important work in June 1830, only two months after the organization of the Church. He completed it, for the most part, three years later in July of 1833. Some great insights as to why Joseph made this translation come from not only his personal study of the Bible, but most importantly, his reception of the Lord’s inspiration. He stated:

I have an old edition of the New Testament in the Latin, Hebrew, German and Greek languages. I have been reading the German, and find it to be the most [nearly] correct translation, and to correspond nearest to the revelations which God has given to me for the last fourteen years. (Ensign, Apr 1971, 13)

And another time:

I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible. I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation in the Bible--Berosheit. I want to analyze the word. Baith--in, by, through, and everything else. Rosh--the head. Sheit--grammatical termination.
When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the Baith there. An old Jew, without any authority, added the word. He thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head!
It read first, "The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods." That is the true meaning of the words... Thus, the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council. (History of the Church, 6:307)

Joseph Smith also gave three reasons why the Bible is not “translated correctly” (Articles of Faith 1:8):

I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors. (History of the Church, 6:57)

There is a truly great resource for more information on one of the most powerful yet generally unknown histories of the Church - - that of the coming forth of the Joseph Smith Translation. It is told very well by one of the key players in the whole drama, Robert J. Matthews, in “Joseph Smith’s Inspired Translation of the Bible,” found in Ensign, Dec 1972, p. 61. He there relates that in translating the Bible, Joseph would first formulate a question. Second he would take that question to the Lord. Third he would receive an answer that later became a section of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this article he concludes:

It appears that the work was to be a revelatory experience, through which Joseph would come to an understanding of things that he had not previously known.
In a similar manner many of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received, and these revelations came forth out of a background gained from the Prophet’s translation of the Bible…
It is significant that most of the doctrinal revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received during the three years the Prophet was working with the Bible. It is possible that the greatest value of the new translation has come in this manner rather than from the corrections within the pages of the Bible.

What Joseph, by revelation, did was change over 4,000 verses in the Bible, mostly in Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Romans and 1 Corinthians. He changed almost 50% of the Gospels and 56% of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).

But perhaps the single chapter most changed by Joseph was Matthew 24, which is now Joseph Smith-Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price. Therein he increased the wording by 50%, adding only one new verse (verse 55 - - a powerful summation of the beginning and end of the millennium). But he first showed us that Jesus taught His apostles about the Second Coming (verses 1-4) and then rearranged nine verses as they appeared in Matthew 24 to nicely separate First Coming events (verses 5-19) from Second Coming events (verses 20-55). I have often said if the only thing Joseph Smith ever did was translate this chapter, it would be enough for me to know that He was a prophet of God.

BOOK OF MORMON

This section teaches that the Book of Mormon “contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ” and gives references for that from the D&C (p. 46).

Some have wondered about this quote since the Book of Mormon contains little to nothing about baptisms for the dead, temple endowments, temple marriage, sealing of families, three degrees of glory, church and priesthood organization - - doctrines seemingly essential in the Church of Jesus Christ. President Ezra Taft Benson explained this in a First Presidency Message appropriately entitled “The Keystone of Our Religion”:

That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation. The Book of Mormon offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious. (Ensign, Jan 1992, 2)

In another talk, President Benson taught:

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn of temple work, eternal families, the degrees of glory, Church organization, and many other great truths of the Restoration. (Ensign, May 1987, 83)

That President Wilford Woodruff was apparently not bothered by such questions concerning this issue is shown in this quote:

These two records [the Bible and the Book of Mormon] were also to be made use of in order to preach the fulness of the everlasting gospel to both Jew and Gentile; and they will stand in judgment against the generation living on the earth when they come forth. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 119)

In this section is also a statement made by Joseph Smith that the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth” (p. 46)

Those who oppose the Church have tried to refute this claim by pointing out that there were about 4,000 corrections made from the first edition. What I have never seen them include is the fact that Joseph was well aware of these errors, mostly spelling and grammatical, and made over 1,000 corrections himself for the second edition. He clarified this issue when he explained:

I never told you I was perfect, but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 368)

At “lds.org/newsroom” the following is released to the press explaining the nature and process of correcting these errors:

Almost 4,000 editing corrections have been made to the Book of Mormon since the first publication in 1830. For example: the word which has been changed to who 891 times; was has been changed to were 162 times; and the word that has been deleted 188 times. Other examples involve mistakes in the transcription process. While Joseph Smith and a scribe were translating in the book of Alma, for instance, the scribe misheard Joseph and wrote the word whether instead of wither. This mistake, which was included in the first edition, changed the complexion of the sentence and caused confusion among readers. Each correction that has been made has aimed at aligning the text with the original translation. (25 August 2008)

This section also has a terrific quote from President Benson about “how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.” (p. 46) From this talk which is quoted in the talk, he preceded the quote with the following explanation of a keystone:

A keystone is the central stone in an arch. (Ensign, Jan 1992, 2)

In the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith is a wonderful chapter titled “The Book of Mormon: Keystone of our Religion” (Chapter 4).

But the real bottom line, as the last section of this lesson will teach, is that by far the most important thing to do with the Book of Mormon is to read it. There are very few more powerful promises than was given by our past President Hinckley when he pleaded with us to read the Book of Mormon and proclaimed:

Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. (Ensign, Aug 2005, 2)

I bear testimony that those promises still hold.

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

Here is an interesting statement by President Ezra Taft Benson from an article entitled “The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants” (the whole article is great):

The Doctrine and Covenants is the binding link between the Book of Mormon and the continuing work of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. (Ensign, May 1987, 83)

As LDS, we believe in open canon, which means literally that revelation which will lead to sustaining of further scripture has not stopped. Elder Boyd K. Packer said:

…the Doctrine and Covenants, the book that will never be closed. (Ensign May 1990, 36)

In the great talk already mentioned by President Benson, he pleads:

God bless us all to use all the scriptures, but in particular the instrument He designed to bring us to Christ—the Book of Mormon…along with…the Doctrine and Covenants, the instrument to bring us to Christ’s kingdom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Ensign, May 1987, 83)

Further elaboration concerning the “keystone” statement in the earlier section, President Ezra Taft Benson also stated:

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. (Ensign, May 1987, 83)

The above helps us understand a little better what Joseph Smith stated about the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants:

Take away the Book of Mormon and the revelations, and where is our religion? We have none… (History of the Church, 2:52)

Important discussion/reading activities are paragraphs # 3 and # 8 of the “Explanatory Introduction” of the Doctrine and Covenants (second page - - after the title page). Paragraph # 3 is wonderful in explaining how the Doctrine and Covenants works “in concert” with the Bible and Book of Mormon. Paragraph # 8 is a powerful summary of the best themes of the Doctrine and Covenants.

President Heber J. Grant felt the same way as Paragraph # 3 details:

The Book of Mormon is in absolute harmony from start to finish with other sacred scriptures. There is not a doctrine taught in it that does not harmonize with the teachings of Jesus Christ. . . . There is not a thing in it but what is for the benefit and uplift of mankind. It is in every way a true witness for God, and it sustains the Bible and is in harmony with the Bible. (Presidents of the Church Institute Teachers Manual, Chapter 7)

If you are further intrigued, (or a glutton for details), two articles, “The Story of the Doctrine and Covenants” and “How the Revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received and Compiled” are found in Ensign Dec. (p. 32) and Jan. (p. 27). Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual is shorter (Intro).

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
The Pearl of Great Price has a most fascinating historical background. In 1851, as a newly-called apostle, Elder Franklin D. Richards was mission president of Great Britain. He decided to print a mission pamphlet since half of the church members there had been members for less than two years. He named it “Pearl of Great Price” after Matthew 13:45-46. He included most of what is now Moses, from Joseph Smith’s translation of the Genesis, which had been printed in the Evening and Morning Star newspaper in Kirtland, Ohio. Next came what is now Abraham, which had been printed in the Times and Seasons newspaper in Nauvoo. Then came what is now Joseph Smith-Matthew, which had been printed as a broadside (kind of a poster) in Kirtland. Then in between some sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, some printed in newspapers and some not yet published, came some of what is now Joseph Smith-History, also printed in the Times and Seasons newspaper in Nauvoo. Next was Articles of Faith, also printed in the Times and Seasons newspaper in Nauvoo. Last was a poem by a recent British convert John Jacques, entitled “Truth” (now the lyrics to Hymn #272, “Oh Say, What is Truth?”).

A copy of this pamphlet was sent to Brigham Young, who placed it in the Salt Lake Temple vault in 1856. An American edition (minus the D&C sections and the poem) was printed in 1877 along with what is now D&C 132, which had never been published. In 1880 President John Taylor called on the Church to sustain the new Pearl of Great Price (minus D&C 132) along with a new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (with section 132 added)

Something important about the Pearl of Great Price is that the books of Moses and Abraham are invaluable means to prepare one for going to the temple for the first time.

President Gordon B. Hinckley also stated:

The Pearl of Great Price supplies fascinating details missing from the book of Genesis in the Old Testament and from Matthew 24 in the New Testament. [Matt. 24] It also contains the remarkable and moving account of early events in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Ensign, Jan 1989, 2)

WORDS OF OUR LIVING PROPHETS

One of the very best resources for this section is Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Manual, chapter 4. You can find it online at “institute.lds.org” then “Institute Courses and Manuals.” Following are some of my favorite quotes from that chapter:

Elder Harold B. Lee:

That which a living prophet tells us will always be in harmony with the standard works, but this is not to say he is limited by them. Although a prophet speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost will never contradict principles found in the standard works, he will expand, or even go beyond them. A prophet may also give or take away principles or programs, according to the spiritual readiness of the people. (4-3)

President Ezra Taft Benson said that the “living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.”
“The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today’s instructions from God to us today. God’s revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has need of the ancient scripture plus the current scripture from the living prophet. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering which you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord’s mouthpiece. That is why it is essential that you have access to and carefully read his words in current Church publications.” (4-4)

STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES

In Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, President Smith gives us excellent reason to continue with study of the scriptures:

I have found very often in my experience in reading over passages of Scripture that the Spirit has brought to my mind new light, and has shown up to my understanding thoughts and views which seemed to be new to me, notwithstanding I had been familiar with those Scriptures and had read them over and over again. In fact, there is a peculiarity which I have found accompanies the reading of the word of God, that whenever read it is calculated to refresh the soul, to revive the spirit of man, and to draw him nearer, if possible, to the fountain of light, truth, wisdom, love and knowledge. (p. 44)

President Harold B. Lee, in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, gives wonderful counsel for this section:

Just as water was and is today essential to the physical life … , just so is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ essential to the spiritual life of God’s children. That analogy is suggested by the words of the Savior to the woman at the well in Samaria, when He said: “… whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14). (p. 59)

In Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, there is a wonderful title to the chapter on the Scriptures titled “Discovering the Scriptures for Ourselves.” Here President Kimball tells about being moved to read the Bible at age 14 when Susa Young Gates (Brigham Young’ amazing daughter) gave a “rousing talk” and asking “How many of you have read the Bible through?” It took him a year, but he did it. (p. 59)

President Kimball likewise gives wise counsel about scripture study in the same chapter:

The years have taught me that if we will energetically pursue this worthy personal goal [to study the scriptures] in a determined and conscientious manner, we shall indeed find answers to our problems and peace in our hearts. We shall experience the Holy Ghost broadening our understanding, find new insights, witness an unfolding pattern of all scripture; and the doctrines of the Lord shall come to have more meaning to us than we ever thought possible. As a consequence, we shall have greater wisdom with which to guide ourselves and our families. (p. 66)

President Kimball then requests of us:

I ask all to begin now to study the scriptures in earnest, if you have not already done so. (p. 66)

A powerful lesson about not having scripture study (because of no scriptures) is found in Omni 1:17 where Mosiah discovered the Mulekites, who had left Jerusalem about the same time as had the Nephites, somewhat over 200 years before. It may be good to discuss the two things that happened because they “brought no records [scriptures] with them”:

“…and their language had become corrupted; and they had brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their Creator…”


A NOTE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT “ADDING TO THE BIBLE” IS WRONG


The most-used “evidence that the Bible is the only “word of God” is a scripture in the book of Revelation. This is what John wrote:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written is this book.

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book Revelation 22:18).

Because these verses appear at the very end of the last book of the Bible, some have assumed this God’s warning against any future revelation. Before we examine this scripture more closely, it is important to note that a similar warning appears in the last book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament which were written by Moses) which states:

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you (Deuteronomy 4:2).

John issued the same type of a warning as Moses had earlier done. This warning must have applied only to that which he had written—not to others= writings. If not, and Moses intended what some think John intended, this would argue from the Bible that we should all be Jews, since everything written after Deuteronomy would be false. If this argument were valid, not only the rest of the Old Testament, but also the New Testament would be false.

As mentioned, the placement of the warning in Revelation allows some to consider it to be a warning about adding to the Bible. In fact, there was no Bible in John=s day. The translation and selection of the books to be included into what is now known as the Bible would occur almost three hundred years later. In addition, Bible scholars are aware that Revelation was most likely not the last bible book written. The authors of The Oxford Companion to the Bible (Oxford Press, NY, 1993, pp. 8, 341, 375, 380, 472, 587, 653) list two ranges of estimates as to when scholars think the Book of Revelation may have been written. According to the latest range of the estimates, the books of 2 Peter, Jude and John (the Gospel by the same author of Revelation) may have been written later. According to the earliest range of estimates, the above books as well as Luke, Acts, James, and 1, 2, and 3 John (also written by the same author of the book of Revelation) may have been written later. Either way, John surely would not have violated his own warning if it really meant that there were to be no additions to the Bible.

As stated, the reference in Revelation is the one most used to present the case that the Bible is the only and final end of the revealed word of God, therefore the Book of Mormon is false.

The argument of “only the Bible” was also prevalent in Joseph Smith’s day. In the Elders’ Journal, published in Kirtland, Ohio in 1838, Joseph answered some questions. In answering questions 18 and 19, Joseph stated:

Eighteenth -- "Is there anything in the Bible which licenses you to believe in revelation now-a-days?"

Is there anything that does not authorize us to believe so? If there is, we have, as yet, not been able to find it.

Nineteenth -- "Is not the canon of the Scriptures full?"

If it is, there is a great defect in the book, or else it would have said so. (History of the Church, 3:28)


The fact is—nowhere in the Bible is there found a statement that God would only reveal truths to His children exclusively in that book. In fact, Amos 3:7 states:

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Chapter 9: Prophets of God

PROPHETS ARE GOD’S REPRESENTATIVES ON THE EARTH

As with all lessons, be sure to check out the former Priesthood/Relief Society manuals, Teachings of President of the Church… including Joseph Smith (Chapter 16), Wilford Woodruff (Chapter 19), Joseph F. Smith (Chapter 24), Heber J. Grant (Chapter 8) and Spencer W. Kimball (Chapter 23).

Another terrific resource for this lesson is the Teachings of the Living Prophet Institute Student Manual. If you glance thru the index, you will see much that is relevant to this lesson. It can be found at “institute.lds.org” then “Institute Courses and Manuals.” I know what you are thinking, “Brother Bair just can’t leave those institute manuals alone.” You are right. They are simply the best the Church has ever produced.

From this manual, here is an excerpt from President John Taylor which reinforces the idea in this section of how important is revelation:

…the principle of present revelation . . . is the very foundation of our religion.” (3-1)

The relationship between God and His prophets through revelation is well stated by President Harold B. Lee:

God said, defining the relationship that he, Moses, would have to God, and that Aaron would have to Moses: ‘And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his [Aaron’s] mouth: and I will be with thy mouth . . . and will teach you what ye shall do. . . . and he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.’ (Exodus 4:15-16)
I think that is as clear a relationship as you can find anywhere—the relationship of the prophet of the Lord and the President of the Church, the prophet, seer, and revelator, to others of us to whom he may delegate authority. (Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual, 13)

This section mentions:

Many people live in darkness, unsure of God’s will. They believe that the heavens are closed and that people must face the world’s perils alone. (p. 39)

Reverend Billy Graham, perhaps one of the most listened-to ministers of the past 50 years, expressed what most Christians believe about the idea that heavens are closed when he answered a question in the Charlotte Observer:

Question: Do you believe God has prophets that can deliver new truth to us today?

Answer: God’s revelation is complete, because "in these last days he has spoken to us by his son...." (Hebrews 1:2).

Interesting that he would refer to this scripture, since it was written by Paul, who was a prophet after the death of Jesus Christ (Acts 13:1). Especially when Paul was one of those who were “the foundation” of Christ’s Church after He died? (see Ephesians 2:20)

Reverend Graham continues:Don’t be misled by those who claim God speaks to them and gives them new truth. He has given us all we need to know in the pages of the Bible. This is why the final verses of the Bible include a warning against adding or subtracting from God’s word (see Revelation 22:18).

First, a very similar warning is given in Deuteronomy 4:2: Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it…If we interpret this verse as Reverend Graham interpreted Revelation 22:18, it would seem that we then should all be Jews.

Second, the Book of Revelation was not originally “the final verses of the Bible. Of course, at the time when John wrote the Book of Revelation, there would not be a Bible for another hundreds of years. According to the Oxford Companion to the Bible, scholars are quite sure that the Book of Revelation was written before 2 Peter, Jude, and John (written by the same author of Revelation). The scholars aslo think that the Book of Revelation was possibly written before Luke, Acts, James, and 2 John and 3 John (the latter two also by the same author of Revelation). If Reverend Graham’s interpretation is correct, it would mean that John likely broke his own rule three times.

Third, check out 1 Nephi 14:20-27, where Nephi sees the same vision as did John and is commanded not to write about it because John will be the one to do so.

Concerning all of this, in conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained:

One of the arguments often used in any defense of a closed canon is the New Testament passage recorded in Revelation 22:18: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of … this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” However, there is now overwhelming consensus among virtually all biblical scholars that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation, not the whole Bible. Those scholars of our day acknowledge a number of New Testament “books” that were almost certainly written after John’s revelation on the Isle of Patmos was received. Included in this category are at least the books of Jude, the three Epistles of John, and probably the entire Gospel of John itself. Perhaps there are even more than these.
But there is a simpler answer as to why that passage in the final book of the current New Testament cannot apply to the whole Bible. That is because the whole Bible as we know it—one collection of texts bound in a single volume—did not exist when that verse was written. For centuries after John produced his writing, the individual books of the New Testament were in circulation singly or perhaps in combinations with a few other texts but almost never as a complete collection. (Ensign, May 2008, 91)

Well did Joseph Smith state the problem with the abominable idea that “the heavens are closed” when he stated:

[Question] Nineteenth—"Is not the canon of the Scriptures full?“If it is, there is a great defect in the book, or else it would have said so. (History of The Church, 3:29-30)

As demonstrated by Reverend Graham, the best scriptures they have to use fall pitifully short of the idea that the heavens will be closed. The Bible, as Joseph Smith declares, makes no such statement.

As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland declared in the same conference talk as above:

One Protestant scholar has inquired tellingly into the erroneous doctrine of a closed canon. He writes: “On what biblical or historical grounds has the inspiration of God been limited to the written documents that the church now calls its Bible? … If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today in the church about matters that are of significant concern?” We humbly ask those same questions. (Ensign, May 2008, 91)
This section mentions the various professions of Presidents of the latter days. It might be fun for class members to tell what they know about what professions each president had. A good resource for this is Presidents of the Church Institute Student Manual at “institute.lds.org” website.


THROUGH THE AGES GOD HAS CALLED PROPHETS TO LEAD MANKIND

Again, from the Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual Mark E. Petersen taught:

God simply does not work except through prophets. There has never been a period in the history of the Church from Adam down through all the dispensations when he has labored with the people that he did not so labor through prophets. That is one of the fundamental principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: God will work only through prophets. (3-1)


WE HAVE A LIVING PROPHET ON THE EARTH TODAY

This section mentions “keys of the kingdom” and references Matthew 16:19. In Matthew 16:18 we read;

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Catholic Church interprets the “rock” as Peter. Joseph Smith had this to say about that:

Jesus in His teachings says, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ [Matthew 16:18] What rock? Revelation. (Teachings of President of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 195)

This concept of revelation is closely tied to the “keys” next given to Peter in verse 19:

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Next, Jesus gave all of the apostles (see Matthew 18:1) keys in Matthew 18:18

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Finally, as the manual quotes:

“There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred” (D&C 132:7).

In Encyclopedia of Mormonism (a great resource for this lesson which can be found at “lib.byu.edu/macmillan”) under the article “Keys of the Priesthood” is found the following summation:

The keys of the kingdom of God on earth are held by the apostles. The President of the Church, who is the senior apostle, holds all the keys presently on earth and presides over all the organizational and ordinance work of the Church (D&C 107:8-9, 91-92). He delegates authority by giving the keys of specific offices to others (D&C 124:123). (p. 780)

Seventies, who now do a great deal of the work in the kingdom, including selecting and ordaining new stake presidents, have no keys, but are delegated the keys to do their work each weekend that they travel on assignment.

Elder M. Russell Ballard explained:

…President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He, and only he, holds and exercises in their fulness all of the keys of God’s kingdom on earth. (Ensign, Nov 1999, 62)

So all of the apostles (15 today) hold the keys of the kingdom jointly, but only the President “exercises them in their fullness.”

Early in the history of Church this doctrine was developed;

One of the most pointed and poignant of Joseph Smith’s martyrdom prophecies was made to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the spring of 1844. Orson Hyde remembered the account:

“We were in council with Brother Joseph almost every day for weeks. Says Brother Joseph in one of those councils, there is something going to happen; I don’t know what it is, but the Lord bids me to hasten and give you your endowment before the temple is finished. He conducted us through every ordinance of the holy priesthood, and when he had gone through with all the ordinances he rejoiced very much, and said, now if they kill me you have got all the keys and all the ordinances and you can confer them upon others, and the hosts of Satan will not be able to tear down the kingdom as fast as you will be able to build it up.” (Church History and the Fulness of Times, 273-4)

The following details how Brigham Young came to grasp the doctrine:

In Boston rumors of Joseph Smith’s death began on 9 July.10 During the week before confirmation came from family letters and more complete newspaper accounts, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, and Orson Pratt struggled within themselves about what the terrible news meant. Brigham recorded in his journal, “The first thing which I thought of was, whether Joseph had taken the keys of the kingdom with him from the earth; brother Orson Pratt sat on my left; we were both leaning back on our chairs. Bringing my hand down on my knee, I said the keys of the kingdom are right here with the Church.” (Church History and the Fulness of Times, 289)

Church History and the Fulness of Times is one of those on the “institute.lds.org” website.

Wilford Woodruff taught:

[Joseph Smith] lived until he received every key, ordinance and law ever given to any man on the earth, from Father Adam down, touching this dispensation. (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, 68)

From Church History and the Fulness of Times, also comes the following explanation of how these keys are passed on at the death of a President of the Church:

Elder Spencer W. Kimball, in a general conference address in 1970, explained the process: “The moment life passes from a President of the Church, a body of men become the composite leader—these men already seasoned with experience and training. The appointments have long been made, the authority given, the keys delivered. . . . the kingdom moves forward under this already authorized council. No ‘running’ for position, no electioneering, no stump speeches. What a divine plan! How wise our Lord, to organize so perfectly beyond the weakness of frail, grasping humans.” (p. 295-6)

In Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual, how the Lord controls this is detailed by President Spencer W. Kimball, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve:

Full provision has been made by our Lord for changes. Today there are fourteen apostles holding the keys in suspension, the twelve and the two counselors to the President, to be brought into use if and when circumstances allow, all ordained to leadership in their turn as they move forward in seniority.
There have been some eighty apostles so endowed since Joseph Smith, though only eleven have occupied the place of the President of the Church, death having intervened; and since the death of his servants is in the power and control of the Lord, he permits to come to the first place only the one who is destined to take that leadership. Death and life become the controlling factors. Each new apostle in turn is chosen by the Lord and revealed to the then living prophet who ordains him.
The matter of seniority is basic in the first quorums of the Church. All the apostles understand this perfectly, and all well-trained members of the Church are conversant with this perfect succession program. (7-1)


So God is solely responsible for His own prophets, as explained by President Heber J. Grant:

You need have no fear, my dear brothers and sisters, that any man will ever stand at the head of the Church of Jesus Christ unless our Heavenly Father wants him to be there. (Teachings of President of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 74)

The next-to-last sentence of the next section states:

The Lord will never allow the President of the Church to lead us astray. (p. 42)

This makes sense from the above and is verified by this quote from President Wilford Woodruff:

The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place. (Teachings of President of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 199)

The above statement is also found under “Excerpts from three addresses by President Wilford Woodruff regarding the Manifesto” after “Official Declaration—1” at the end of the Doctrine and Covenants.


WE SHOULD SUSTAIN THE LORD’S PROPHETS

Sustaining and praying for our prophet is discussed in this section. President Heber J. Grant pleaded:

Pray for the authorities of the Church, and then sustain them in every labor and in all that they undertake to do. (Teachings of President of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 74)

What is the alternative? President Kimball declared:

When the world has followed prophets, it has moved forward; when it has ignored them, the results have been stagnation, servitude, death. (Teachings of President of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 255)

President Joseph F. Smith warned:

It is a serious wrong in the presence of the Almighty for one to vote to sustain the authorities of the Church and then to go away and oppose them and trample under foot the counsels that they give; and we will be judged of the Lord for it. (Teachings of President of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 211)

The following is from Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual:

Elder Harold B. Lee related the following incident from Church history which makes clear the consequences of opposing the prophet:

“The story is told in the early days of the Church—particularly, I think, at Kirtland—where some of the leading brethren in the presiding councils of the Church met secretly and tried to scheme as to how they could get rid of the Prophet Joseph’s leadership. They made the mistake of inviting Brigham Young to one of these secret meetings. He rebuked them, after he had heard the purpose of their meeting. This is part of what he said: ‘You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God and sink yourselves to hell.” (11-3)

A great way to illustrate the idea of going against a prophet of God is found in the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Video found in most ward libraries (#17. “If They Harden Not Their Hearts”). The above event is excellently dramatized. A good discussion could be generated by asking, “What controversies in recent times have found members of the Church taking issue against the Prophet or the Church?”

An interesting comment on obeying prophets is made by President Marion G. Romney:

I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President [Heber J.] Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting, I drove him home. . . . When we got to his home I got out of the car and went up on the porch with him. Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.’ Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, ‘But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray. (Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual, 15)


GREAT BLESSINGS FOLLOW OBEDIENCE TO THE PROPHET

From the manual:

We should follow his inspired teachings completely. We should not choose to follow part of his inspired counsel and discard that which is unpleasant or difficult. (p. 42)

Harold B. Lee recounted a great example of what we can do about this, as found in the Doctrines of the Gospel Institute Student Manual:

In the political field where so much pressure is exerted on men to compromise ideals and principles for expediency, party workers early learned to admire Marion G. Romney’s intense loyalty to his own conscience as well as to the advice of his Church leaders whose pronouncements on vital issues affecting the welfare of the nation he accepted as divinely inspired even though it frequently brought him into sharp conflict with leaders of his own political party. On one such occasion when church leaders in a tersely-worded editorial had denounced the trends of the political administration then in power, he confided in me something which it might be well if all loyal Church members in public life could emulate: ‘When I read that editorial,’ he told me, “I knew what I should do—but that wasn’t enough. I knew that I must feel right about following the counsel of the Church leaders and know that they were right. That took a whole night on my knees to accomplish.” I submit in that statement the difference between “intelligent” and “blind” obedience. Marion G. Romney, while never disloyal to authority over him, could never be rightfully accused of being “blindly obedient.” (p. 47)

The problem of believing in “past” prophets and not “living” ones is as old as the days of Adam and Eve. It is dangerous to us today. President Kimball explained:

Even in the Church many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday’s prophets and mentally stone the living ones [see Matthew 23:29-30, 34]. (Teachings of President of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 255)

Speaking of “conference addresses” mentioned in this section (p. 42), President Spencer W. Kimball proclaimed:

I can imagine that if the Lord himself were standing on the Mount of Olives and if he were instructing the people, he would say much the same things that have been said and will be said [in our conferences]. I can imagine that if he were standing on the Sea of Galilee with the boats in the water and the people standing around him, that he would say very much the same things… (Teachings of President of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 253)

From Teachings of the Living Prophets Institute Student Manual, Spencer W. Kimball stated:

“In the seven two-hour sessions [of general conference] and in the several satellite meetings, truths were taught, doctrines expounded, exhortations given, enough to save the whole world from all its ills—and I mean from ALL its ills.” (1-2)

If we do “Sustain the Lord’s Prophet” as the title of this section proposes, we will be blessed as President Kimball stated:

The membership of the Church will always be safe if they follow closely the instructions and admonitions and the leadership of the authorities of the Church. (Teachings of President of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 255)

Chapter 8: Praying to our Heavenly Father

WHAT IS PRAYER?

When I think of this question, I think of the story the President of the Ogden Utah Mission told in a Saturday session of the Ben Lomond Stake Conference in 2009. He told about asking one of his Elders how he was doing in an interview. The Elder said, “Sometimes I get homesick.” He was about to begin his long-practiced spiel about “How to prevent/overcome…” when the Elder finished, “Now don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I just feel so close to the Lord in this work, I just miss being with Him all the time.”

In my opinion, that is what prayer should be. It can be a reconnection to Our Father who sent us to “do our work” on this mortal earth to prepare to return to be “with Him all the time.”

Every one of the old Priesthood/Relief Society manuals has wonderful material on prayer. Here where to look. Joseph Smith (Chapter 10), Brigham Young (pp. 44-46), John Taylor, (pp. 147-149), Wilford Woodruff, (Chapter 11), Joseph F. Smith (Chapter 3), Heber J. Grant (Chapter 19), David O. McKay (Chapter 8), Spencer W. Kimball, (Chapter 5), Harold B. Lee (pp. 52-57). All of these (found in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:… series) can be found at “lds.org” then “Gospel Library” then “Lessons” then “Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.”

That prayers should be “sincere” and “heartfelt” is an important point made in this section. President Heber J. Grant proposed:

Earnest, honest, and sincere prayer to God is worth more to you than all I can say or write. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 177)

President Monson observed;

We learn to pray by praying. One can devote countless hours to examining the experiences of others, but nothing penetrates the human heart as does a personal, fervent prayer and its heaven-sent response. (Ensign, Nov. 1997, 17)

The concept of “daily” prayer can be emphasized with the old modern proverb:

“Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”

President Monson recently counseled:

When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. (Ensign, Jan 2006, 2)

It is important to note that for most of the quotes in this blog, the rest of the talk also has lots of good stuff for this lesson.

WHY DO WE PRAY?

A simple answer to this question is the standard (as taught in the first paragraph), “God said to - - it is a commandment.” Elder Boyd K. Packer taught:

You have your agency, and inspiration does not—perhaps cannot—flow unless you ask for it, or someone asks for you.
No message in scripture is repeated more often than the invitation, even the command, to pray—to ask.
Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. (New Era, Jan 1995, 4)

In addition to Moses 5:8 (from the manual), in Moses 1:11-22 (especially 17 & 18) are some wonderful ideas to discuss.

One answer to the question posed in the heading for this section is “to help us draw closer to God.” President Heber J. Grant, who spent a lot of time in the home of President Brigham Young, reflected:

“Upon more than one occasion, because of the inspiration of the Lord to Brigham Young while he was supplicating God for guidance, I have lifted my head, turned and looked at the place where Brigham Young was praying, to see if the Lord was not there. It seemed to me that he talked to the Lord as one man would talk to another.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 173)

That seems to capture what we would want in our prayers.

Another answer comes from that terrific resource, Doctrines of the Gospel Institute Student Manual. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

This course [prayer] is essential if men are to be saved; there is no salvation without prayer. How could a man set his heart on righteousness, so as to work out his salvation, without communing by prayer with him who is the author of righteousness?” (p. 33)

WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?

It may seem strange to some, but sometimes we forget to pray. Brigham Young had a simple solution to that problem. Elder W. Eugene Hansen explained:

Years ago I read about Brigham Young following a practice of never taking any food or drink in the morning before he had his personal prayer…I commend that practice to you and I guarantee you won’t forget your prayers. (BYU Speeches of the Year, 30 June 1998)

From 2 Nephi 32:8 (listed in this section) we read:

For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray…

We found it interesting that before we left our mission in Charlotte, North Carolina, members and missionaries told us that ministers had started warning their congregations, “What ever you do, do not pray with Mormon missionaries!”

An important concept of missionary work is:

“We don’t ask you to believe us. We only ask that you ask.”

In a recent seminal talk given at Harvard, Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a wonderful answer dealing with this idea:

Ben DeVan, a student at the Harvard Divinity School, asked Elder Oaks what made Mormon revelation different from revelation received by Muslim founder Muhammad and Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science movement.
"Why should we believe that what Joseph Smith said is true as opposed to these others?" said DeVan, a Christian from Atlanta.
"If you want to know, go to the ultimate source," Oaks replied. "The answer to that question can only come from God himself. That's what I encourage anyone who asks me about it. ... I can't promise when it will happen with anyone, but I can promise it will happen." (Deseret News, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010)

Some have wondered about Joseph Smith’s declaration that the First Vision was his first vocal prayer. He said of that occasion:

It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. (Joseph Smith-History 1:14)

The training he received from his family, however, did include prayer:

My father’s religious habits were strictly pious and moral. … I was called upon to listen to prayers both night and morning. … My parents, father and mother, poured out their souls to God, the donor of all blessings, to keep and guard their children and keep them from sin and from all evil works. Such was the strict piety of my parents.”1 William also said: “We always had family prayers since I can remember. I well remember father used to carry his spectacles in his vest pocket, … and when us boys saw him feel for his specs, we knew that was a signal to get ready for prayer, and if we did not notice it mother would say, ‘William,’ or whoever was the negligent one, ‘get ready for prayer.’ (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 37)

As Joseph said, he was “called upon to listen to prayers.” Perhaps only parents were expected to pray.

HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?

The first line in this section, which contains the phrase, “whether we stand or kneel” reminded me of the following poem by Sam Walter Foss:

"The proper way for a man to pray," Said Deacon Lemuel Keys,"And the only proper attitude Is down upon his knees.""No, I should say the way to pray," Said Reverend Doctor Wise,"Is standing straight with outstretched arms And rapt and upturned eyes.""Oh, no, no, no!" said Elder Slow, "Such posture is too proud.A man should pray with eyes fast closed And head contritely bowed.""It seems to me his hands should be Austerely clasped in frontWith both thumbs pointing toward the ground," Said Reverend Doctor Blunt."Last year I fell in Hidgkin's well Head first," said Cyrus Brown,"With both my heels a-stickin' up And my head a-pointin' down.And I made a prayer right then and there, The best prayer I ever said,The prayingest prayer I ever prayed A-standin' on my head!"

Much of what is taught in this section can be wonderfully supplemented and clarified in the Bible Dictionary under “Prayer” (p. 752-3), especially the last third.

Two of my favorite quotes on the idea from the Bible Dictionary of making sure “the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other” are as follows. First, from Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

Moreover, our prayers should allow for three more special words: “And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” (3 Ne. 18:20; italics added)
It is only by yielding to God that we can begin to realize His will for us. And if we truly trust God, why not yield to His loving omniscience? After all, He knows us and our possibilities much better than do we. (Ensign, May 1985, 70)

The second is from Marion G. Romney:

This principle we learned in our home through a rather impressive experience. During the early years of our married life, my wife and I intensely desired what we considered to be a particular blessing. We set about through fasting and prayer to obtain it. We considered many of the scriptures which seemed to make a blanket promise that ". . . Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matt. 21:22). We asked, we believed, we thought we had faith, but though we fasted often and prayed fervently, the years rolled by without bringing us the desired answer to our prayers. Finally we concluded that we had not fully understood; that we were not giving proper consideration to the will of the Lord. Rather were we concentrating our faith and prayers upon receiving the particular thing which by predetermination we had set our hearts upon. We had to reconsider the conditions of the promise. We found that Jesus had stated them in full to the Nephites as follows: ". . . Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you" (3 Ne. 18:20), and to this generation thus, "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you" (D&C 88:64). We had to learn to be as earnest in praying, "If it be thy will" as we were when presenting our personal appeals. (Conference Report, October 1944, 53)

Concerning this principle, in conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained:

Similarly, the Savior taught the Nephites that they must always pray to the Father in his name, adding: “And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Ne. 18:20).
Here the Savior reminds us that faith, no matter how strong it is, cannot produce a result contrary to the will of him whose power it is. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. That is why we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security in our lives. (Ensign, May 1994, 98)

Most of us know that closing our eyes when we pray helps us to shut out the world and focus on praying. However, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone talked about a possible exception:

A ward mutual was having a swimming party. The bishopric attended, dressed in suits. Many of the youth had already been in swimming. Everything stopped while a great old high priest gave an opening prayer. During the prayer there was a splashing in the pool. The counselor in the bishopric said: “I think I have always been practical enough, so I opened one eye to see who it was that was so irreverent as to swim during the prayer. A twelve-year-old Spanish boy, who could not swim, had somehow gotten into the deep end of the pool and was drowning. His eyes reflected fear and terror. I took two steps, dove into the pool, suit, shoes and all, pulled the young man to the side and helped him out. He sat on the edge of the pool and I waited in the pool. The good old high priest prayed on and on.”
The counselor continued, “I think the young man would have drowned if we had waited for the prayer to end to save him.” Then he concluded by saying, “I think we have to keep an eye open and be ready to do whatever is necessary to save our youth. And by the way, the bishop never did open his eyes, even when I dove in.” (Ensign, Nov 1983, 36)

This may also lead to an effective discussion about always being alert to receiving answers to our prayers.

Finally, a suggestion from Elder Russell M. Nelson:

In our prayers we use the respectful pronouns Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine instead of You, Your, and Yours. Doing so helps us to be humble. That can also enhance our prayers. (Ensign, May 2009, 46)

Someone, not LDS, once challenged the idea that in our Church we had public prayers and quoted the following from Matthew 6:5-6 to document his stand;

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

He did not notice that the caution in this scripture was concerning hypocrites, not where they preyed. However, thru modern temples and sacred prayers in our temples we learn at least three things are important in prayer:

1. Group prayers out loud are important.
2. We should be grateful for our Prophet.
3. We need to pray for others.

HOW ARE PRAYERS ANSWERED?

The first principle taught in this section is that “sincere prayers are always answered” but “sometimes the answer is no.” Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained why:

God cannot, brothers and sisters, respond affirmatively to all of our petitions with an unbroken chain of “yeses.” This would assume that all of our petitions are for that “which is right” and are spiritually “expedient.” (3 Ne. 18:20; D&C 18:18; D&C 88:64-65). No petitioner is so wise! (Ensign, May 1991, 88)

President Hinckley said some interesting things on a TV interview with Larry King:

KING: When you pray, what is that? What's occurring? Are you talking to God? You're a prophet, so God talks to you.
HINCKLEY: I'm talking to God, yes. I do pray. Of course I do.
KING: What do you do when they're not answered?
HINCKLEY: Well, they are answered, but not always just the way you'd want them.
KING: Sometimes it's no.
HINCKLEY: Sometimes it's no.
KING: And when it's no, how do you explain that to yourself?
HINCKLEY: You accept it and go forward with faith.
KING: Isn't that hard?
HINCKLEY: Oh, it may be. But after all, that's the challenge of life.Sure. (CNN, Larry King Live, aired December 26, 2004)

This section states that “Sometimes the answer is to “wait a while.” Brigham Young

All I have to do is keep my spirit, feelings and conscience like a sheet of blank paper, and let the Spirit and power of God write upon it what He pleases. When He writes, I will read; but if I read before He writes, I am very likely to be wrong. (Deseret News, Apr. 19, 1871, 125)

I was surprised to find that this quote comes from “lds.org” then “About the Church” (Church History) then “History of the Church” then “Presidents of the Church” then “Brigham Young” then “Quotes.” Amazing what I still don’t know about the Church website!

Richard G. Scott (in another great conference talk on prayer) stated:

When we seek inspiration to help make decisions, the Lord gives gentle promptings. These require us to think, to exercise faith, to work, to struggle at times, and to act. Seldom does the whole answer to a decisively important matter or complex problem come all at once. More often, it comes a piece at a time, without the end in sight. (Ensign, Nov 1989, 30)

Boyd K. Packer also explained a little bit more about this process:

When you have a problem, work it out in your own mind first. Ponder on it and analyze it and meditate on it. Read the scriptures. Pray about it. I’ve come to learn that major decisions can’t be forced. (Ensign, Aug 1975, 85)

Concerning the idea in this section that “Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people” is explained by President Spencer W. Kimball:

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another mortal that he meets our needs. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 252)

There are many great talks about prayer to draw on for resource, but in my opinion, there are few better than “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” given by Elder Richard G. Scott in April Conference, 2007. I wanted to put twelve quotes from this talk into this blog, but refrained. Here is the one I could not resist:

Some misunderstandings about prayer can be clarified by realizing that the scriptures define principles for effective prayer, but they do not assure when a response will be given. Actually, He will reply in one of three ways. First, you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right. Or second, you can sense that unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong. Or third—and this is the difficult one—you can feel no response.
What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. (Ensign, May 2007, 8–11)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell made a good summary statement about praying;

Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith; a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is, in God’s judgment—not ours—right for us. Sometimes we pound on the vault door for something we want very much and wonder why the door does not open. We would be very spoiled children if that vault door opened any more easily than it does. I can tell, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me. Our rejected petitions tell us much about ourselves but also much about our flawless Father. (New Era, Apr. 1978, 6)

This was in a great article with other quotes about prayer in “Prayer: The Soul’s Sincere Desire” found in Ensign, Aug 2002, 52–59.