REL C 225 Final Exam – Study Guide, Revision Notes, and Practice Questions for
Exam Preparation
What are the six foundational time periods of Church history covered in this class(titles and
years)? - ✔✔- Beginnings (1820-1831)
- Two Church Centers (1831-1838)
- Nauvoo (1839-1846)
- The Church in the West (1839-1950)
- Expansion (1950-1989)
- The World-Wide Church (1990-Present)
What is "doctrine"? - ✔✔- Today it is commonly defined as "things which are eternal or
unchanging gospel truths"
- The dictionary states it is "something that is taught". This is often the way the word was used
in scripture.
What are the four types of doctrine? - ✔✔1) Core Doctrine ("eternal doctrines", unchanging
truths of salvation)
2) Supportive Doctrine (elaborative, descriptive, timely teachings expanding on core doctrine,
not necessarily 3) Policy Doctrine (timely statements related to applications of supportive or
core doctrine)
4) Esoteric Doctrine (unknown or only partially revealed tor yet to be revealed truths)
- Ex: Baptism is a core doctrine. Baptism for the dead is a supportive doctrine. How and where
proxy baptisms can be legitimate is a policy doctrine. How these baptisms will be accepted by
the deceased in the spirit world has not been fully revealed and may be considered an esoteric
doctrine.
What are four levels of evaluating an official Church teaching? - ✔✔- Harmonized Scriptures (Is
it repeatedly found in the scriptures and in the 4 standard works?)
,- The united voice of the current Brethren (Is it proclaimed by the united voice of the current
Brethren?)
- Repeated teachings from the current general authorities and officers (Is it consistently taught
by current General Authorities and general officers acting in their official capacity?)
- Current/recent publications of the Church (Is it found in recent Church publications or
statements?)
What are five factors for evaluating a historical source? - ✔✔-Is it a primary source? You were
there. You experienced it.
- Is it a contemporary account?Produced at or near to the time of the event. Earlier it is
recorded, the more accurate.
- Does it have an objective perspective? Look for judgmental words. "there is no such thing as
objective history"
- What is its relationship to other sources? Looking for a consistent story across accounts
- Are its claims supported by evidence?
What was the audience and context for each of Joseph's four primaryFirst Vision accounts? -
✔✔- 1832 - wrote in a letter book after receiving D&C 85, where the lord admonishes the lords
clerks to keep a history and a general church record of all things that transpire in zion.
- 1835 - to robert matthews, a jewish minister. Written in josephs scribe warren parrish.
emphasizes his attempt to discover which church was right, the opposition he felt as he prayed,
and the appearance of one divine personage who was followed shortly by another.
- 1838 - worked with scribes to produce an official history of the church. In this account he
detailed the negative reactions of locals who treated his telling of the vision with contempt
(joseph smith history account)
- 1842 - response to john wentworth. Wentworth requested to know more about Mormonism.
This account catered to those less familiar with the Church's beliefs
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the First Vision? - ✔✔1) There had been an
apostasy from doctrinal truth through the creeds of Christianity.
2) There had been an apostasy from the authorized ordinances and covenants of exaltation.
, How many years passed from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith until Joseph could obtain the
gold plates? - ✔✔4 years (1823-1827)
What is the definition of "Urim and Thummim"? - ✔✔Tangible device that aids in revelation
How was the Book of Mormon translated? - ✔✔By the gift and power of god
What priesthood and keys did Peter, James, and John restore? - ✔✔Melchizedek priesthood.
Keys necessary to direct the kingdom of God on the Earth. Ordained as apostles.
How, when, and where was the Church organized? - ✔✔Tuesday, April 6, 1830, at the home of
Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York
What were the original "doctrine" and "covenants" parts that created the Doctrine and
Covenant's title? - ✔✔- "Theology on the doctrine of the church" included lectures on faith
- "covenants and commandments of the Lord" included josephs revelations
What are several key principles to remember when considering Doctrine and Covenants
revelations—including why written revelations have sometimes been altered? - ✔✔-
Revelations are written in a prophet's language, Prophets can refine revelation text, Not all
prophetic revelations are canonized, The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
canonize scripture.
- Joseph does alter doctrine and covenants revelations for typos or errors of transcription, to
clarify, or add additional revelation
What are the Stewardship Principle, the Brethren Principle, and the Front Door Principle
pertaining to personal revelation? - ✔✔- The Stewardship Principle teaches that God will
reveal His will to you over the things for which you have clearly defined stewardship, but not for
things over which you do not
Exam Preparation
What are the six foundational time periods of Church history covered in this class(titles and
years)? - ✔✔- Beginnings (1820-1831)
- Two Church Centers (1831-1838)
- Nauvoo (1839-1846)
- The Church in the West (1839-1950)
- Expansion (1950-1989)
- The World-Wide Church (1990-Present)
What is "doctrine"? - ✔✔- Today it is commonly defined as "things which are eternal or
unchanging gospel truths"
- The dictionary states it is "something that is taught". This is often the way the word was used
in scripture.
What are the four types of doctrine? - ✔✔1) Core Doctrine ("eternal doctrines", unchanging
truths of salvation)
2) Supportive Doctrine (elaborative, descriptive, timely teachings expanding on core doctrine,
not necessarily 3) Policy Doctrine (timely statements related to applications of supportive or
core doctrine)
4) Esoteric Doctrine (unknown or only partially revealed tor yet to be revealed truths)
- Ex: Baptism is a core doctrine. Baptism for the dead is a supportive doctrine. How and where
proxy baptisms can be legitimate is a policy doctrine. How these baptisms will be accepted by
the deceased in the spirit world has not been fully revealed and may be considered an esoteric
doctrine.
What are four levels of evaluating an official Church teaching? - ✔✔- Harmonized Scriptures (Is
it repeatedly found in the scriptures and in the 4 standard works?)
,- The united voice of the current Brethren (Is it proclaimed by the united voice of the current
Brethren?)
- Repeated teachings from the current general authorities and officers (Is it consistently taught
by current General Authorities and general officers acting in their official capacity?)
- Current/recent publications of the Church (Is it found in recent Church publications or
statements?)
What are five factors for evaluating a historical source? - ✔✔-Is it a primary source? You were
there. You experienced it.
- Is it a contemporary account?Produced at or near to the time of the event. Earlier it is
recorded, the more accurate.
- Does it have an objective perspective? Look for judgmental words. "there is no such thing as
objective history"
- What is its relationship to other sources? Looking for a consistent story across accounts
- Are its claims supported by evidence?
What was the audience and context for each of Joseph's four primaryFirst Vision accounts? -
✔✔- 1832 - wrote in a letter book after receiving D&C 85, where the lord admonishes the lords
clerks to keep a history and a general church record of all things that transpire in zion.
- 1835 - to robert matthews, a jewish minister. Written in josephs scribe warren parrish.
emphasizes his attempt to discover which church was right, the opposition he felt as he prayed,
and the appearance of one divine personage who was followed shortly by another.
- 1838 - worked with scribes to produce an official history of the church. In this account he
detailed the negative reactions of locals who treated his telling of the vision with contempt
(joseph smith history account)
- 1842 - response to john wentworth. Wentworth requested to know more about Mormonism.
This account catered to those less familiar with the Church's beliefs
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the First Vision? - ✔✔1) There had been an
apostasy from doctrinal truth through the creeds of Christianity.
2) There had been an apostasy from the authorized ordinances and covenants of exaltation.
, How many years passed from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith until Joseph could obtain the
gold plates? - ✔✔4 years (1823-1827)
What is the definition of "Urim and Thummim"? - ✔✔Tangible device that aids in revelation
How was the Book of Mormon translated? - ✔✔By the gift and power of god
What priesthood and keys did Peter, James, and John restore? - ✔✔Melchizedek priesthood.
Keys necessary to direct the kingdom of God on the Earth. Ordained as apostles.
How, when, and where was the Church organized? - ✔✔Tuesday, April 6, 1830, at the home of
Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York
What were the original "doctrine" and "covenants" parts that created the Doctrine and
Covenant's title? - ✔✔- "Theology on the doctrine of the church" included lectures on faith
- "covenants and commandments of the Lord" included josephs revelations
What are several key principles to remember when considering Doctrine and Covenants
revelations—including why written revelations have sometimes been altered? - ✔✔-
Revelations are written in a prophet's language, Prophets can refine revelation text, Not all
prophetic revelations are canonized, The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
canonize scripture.
- Joseph does alter doctrine and covenants revelations for typos or errors of transcription, to
clarify, or add additional revelation
What are the Stewardship Principle, the Brethren Principle, and the Front Door Principle
pertaining to personal revelation? - ✔✔- The Stewardship Principle teaches that God will
reveal His will to you over the things for which you have clearly defined stewardship, but not for
things over which you do not
