Comments on: RS/MP Lesson 44: “The Restoration of All Things: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times” (Joseph Smith Manual) http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/ A blog focused on LDS scriptures and teaching Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:00:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Veronica http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-29069 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:44:03 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-29069 Saw this late in the day. But had to say as I was studying I felt like building the kingdom was definitely stated as the work to be accomplished with special emphasis on gathering every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It has been my understanding that performing sealing work in the temple is one way that the gathering will take place as we are all sealed together. We are savior’s on mount zion as we do temple work so is that how we are saving the human family? No time to research but wanted to ask.
This is a great site that I just found today. Thank you for your insight.

]]> By: Kate http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-29066 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:58:13 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-29066 I do not necessarily have any thought provoking intelligence to impart, but do want to thank you for teaching me each week as I prepare to teach my Relief Society. This type of discussion is right up my alley, and while I may not know the answers to your wonderings, it has helped me to grow spiritually and intellectually.

Thanks!

]]> By: JerryYoung http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-29010 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:05:03 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-29010 Your other blog series about Satan and the Priesthood ties to this chapter. The chapter speaks to the foreordained (on God’s side)to do His works in this dispensation. From that blog, we consider the foreordained on Satan’s side.
It is another reason to not feel smug about being in this dispensation, but another evidence that this dispensation has more trials (certainly different)and challenges than any other. A previous chapter dealt with being valiant (in the testimony of Christ)which can help us through the refining fire of these days.

]]> By: Post on Joseph Smith lesson 44: “The Restoration of All Things: The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times” « WHAT? Joe's working on http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-28963 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:17:32 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-28963 [...] offer some notes on the lesson (jumping right over the “From the Life” part of the lesson). Read the rest of this entry » at http://feastuponthewordblog.org Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)RS/MP Lesson 4, [...]

]]> By: Jim W. http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-28928 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:49:33 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-28928 I too appreciated Joe’s thoughtful analysis.

As I read this lesson, it helped me to consider these four areas as the subject of Joseph Smith’s description of what was being restored, revealed, or otherwise coming forth in the dispensation of the fullness of times:

1. Spiritual truth
2. Secular and scientific truth
3. Spiritual power (priesthood, keys, ordinances)
4. Political or temporal power

In the quote on p. 510 from D&C 128:18 (“those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world”), it seems to me that Joseph Smith was also talking about scientific discoveries, etc. (#2), not just spiritual truth (#1).

Political power (#4) is the least discussed by Joseph Smith, but I think it informed his thinking as well. For Joseph Smith, this political power could be establishing a political kingdom preparatory to the Millennium or even the actual Millennial Reign of Christ.

Finally, as I was considering this lesson I listened to a Sousa march on the radio. Here’s the connection. A Sousa march features theme A in the first part and theme B in the second part. The reprise combines themes A and B, which are heard together. (Sousa marches are usually much more sophisticated than this, but you get the point.) The reprise is the dispensation of the fullness of times when the various themes from previous dispensations are combined and heard together. Previous dispensations had some (all?) of the themes but they were not heard together as they are in this dispensation. This explains why ours is the dispensation earlier prophets “earnestly desired to see” (p. 513). Or should we say “hear”?

]]> By: JerryYoung http://feastuponthewordblog.org/2009/10/03/rsmp-lesson-44-the-restoration-of-all-things-the-dispensation-of-the-fulness-of-times-joseph-smith-manual/#comment-28903 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:52:45 +0000 http://feastuponthewordblog.org/?p=1057#comment-28903 As always, thanks Joe for your analysis and insights.
You stimulated thinking about the linking of Truth and the apostasy.
I recalled chapter 22 (Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths); these sections of that lesson:
The gospel of Jesus Christ embraces all truth; the faithful accept the truths God has revealed and put aside false traditions.(Mormonism is truth)
Gaining knowledge of eternal truths is essential to obtaining salvation.(Not saved in ignorance)
We obtain knowledge of eternal truths through diligent study and prayer. (Ponder, meditate, explore)
We gain knowledge of eternal truths a little at a time; we can learn all things as fast as we are able to bear them. (Steps of truths to truth)
Chapter 44 seems indeed to prompt us to reconsider many of the previous chapters in light of the Prophet’s emphasis on the supernal nature of truth. Again, thanks for you sharing of perspective.

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