REL C 225 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is "Doctrine"? - Answer -"something that is taught" or "teaching, instruction"
What are four types of doctrine - Answer -Core, eternal: Unchanging truths on salvation
Supporting: Elaborative, descriptive, expounding on Core
Policy: Timely statements related to applications of supporttive and eternal teachings
Esoteric: Unknown or partially revealed
What are four measures of evaluating an official LDS teaching? - Answer -1. The
Harmonized Scriptural Canon
2. The United Voice of the Current 1st Presidency & the 12 Apostles
3. Repeated teaching of General Authorities
4. Current Church Publications: Books, Magazines, Website
What are five measures of evaluating an LDS historical source? - Answer -1. Primary
Source
2. Contemporary Account (Recorded at time of event or much later)
3. Intent and tone (bias/agenda)
4. What's the relationship with other sources (consistent w/ other accounts)
5. Is the statement factual inference or subjective opinion?
Why are there different First Vision accounts? - Answer -Audience (context)
Purpose (context)
Memory (interpretation)
What are the respective years, context, and audiences of the 4 primary First Vision
accounts (pre-reading)? - Answer -1832: Joseph's first attempt to record his history.
D&C 85 had just been given about recording history. Only record written partly with
Joseph's hand. No real audience, just his scribe wrote with him. Uses biblical language
1835: Account to Joshua, the Jewish Minister. Joshua, also Robert Matthews, was
claiming to be God the Father reincarnated in the body of Matthias, and ancient
prophet.
1838: Currently in standard works in the Joseph Smith History. Emphasizes persecution
likely because it was written soon after Missouri and Liberty jail.
, 1842: Joseph in Nauvoo responding to Chicago Democrat editor John Wentworth's
request for the rise of the church. The letter Joseph wrote back, the Wentworth letter,
also had the articles of faith and "standard of truth has been erected".
Who (the names) wrote the five secondary accounts (pre-reading)? - Answer -1. Orson
Pratt
2. Orson Hyde
3. Levi Richards
4. David Nye White
5. Alexander Neibar
What are some of the unique contributions of each primary account? - Answer -1832:
Record says Joseph was 16 (added later, not by Joseph), focused on him searching
since 12 for the "walfare of his immortal soul", asking for forgiveness of sins and feeling
peace for days afterwards. Only says he saw "the Lord" possibly one being.
1835: Joseph mentions sermon on the mount scripture in addition to James 1:5.
Provides more detail about the advesary's attack (tongue swollen, sound behind him,
jumped up). Didn't see a dual appearance, but saw one and then the other as well as
many angels.
1838: Emphasizes religious zeal, confusion, and excitement. Also emphasizes
persecution (written soon after Missouri and Liberty jail). Most descriptive: early spring,
previously designed spot, never considered all the sects were wrong, and what
happened after the vision: woke up on his back, talked with his mother at home, was
persecuted by preacher.
1842: Also had the articles of faith and "standard of truth has been erected". Joseph
describes a Paul like transfiguration moment, says the Father and Son look exactly like
each other, and promises future truth.
What are some of the unique contributions of the secondary accounts? - Answer -1.
Orson Pratt: Joseph was wrapped by fire
2. Orson Hyde: Adversary gave Joseph doubts
3. Levi Richards: The everlasting covenant was broken
4. David Nye White: Stuck axe in stump, asked Lord what church to join
5. Alexander Neibar: Describes personages a little more
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the first vision? - Answer -1. Doctrinal
Apostasy through creeds
2. Apostasy from authorized covenants / ordinances
What is a creed? - Answer -A formal statement of faith and doctrine, from the Latin
credo meaning "I believe"
What is "Doctrine"? - Answer -"something that is taught" or "teaching, instruction"
What are four types of doctrine - Answer -Core, eternal: Unchanging truths on salvation
Supporting: Elaborative, descriptive, expounding on Core
Policy: Timely statements related to applications of supporttive and eternal teachings
Esoteric: Unknown or partially revealed
What are four measures of evaluating an official LDS teaching? - Answer -1. The
Harmonized Scriptural Canon
2. The United Voice of the Current 1st Presidency & the 12 Apostles
3. Repeated teaching of General Authorities
4. Current Church Publications: Books, Magazines, Website
What are five measures of evaluating an LDS historical source? - Answer -1. Primary
Source
2. Contemporary Account (Recorded at time of event or much later)
3. Intent and tone (bias/agenda)
4. What's the relationship with other sources (consistent w/ other accounts)
5. Is the statement factual inference or subjective opinion?
Why are there different First Vision accounts? - Answer -Audience (context)
Purpose (context)
Memory (interpretation)
What are the respective years, context, and audiences of the 4 primary First Vision
accounts (pre-reading)? - Answer -1832: Joseph's first attempt to record his history.
D&C 85 had just been given about recording history. Only record written partly with
Joseph's hand. No real audience, just his scribe wrote with him. Uses biblical language
1835: Account to Joshua, the Jewish Minister. Joshua, also Robert Matthews, was
claiming to be God the Father reincarnated in the body of Matthias, and ancient
prophet.
1838: Currently in standard works in the Joseph Smith History. Emphasizes persecution
likely because it was written soon after Missouri and Liberty jail.
, 1842: Joseph in Nauvoo responding to Chicago Democrat editor John Wentworth's
request for the rise of the church. The letter Joseph wrote back, the Wentworth letter,
also had the articles of faith and "standard of truth has been erected".
Who (the names) wrote the five secondary accounts (pre-reading)? - Answer -1. Orson
Pratt
2. Orson Hyde
3. Levi Richards
4. David Nye White
5. Alexander Neibar
What are some of the unique contributions of each primary account? - Answer -1832:
Record says Joseph was 16 (added later, not by Joseph), focused on him searching
since 12 for the "walfare of his immortal soul", asking for forgiveness of sins and feeling
peace for days afterwards. Only says he saw "the Lord" possibly one being.
1835: Joseph mentions sermon on the mount scripture in addition to James 1:5.
Provides more detail about the advesary's attack (tongue swollen, sound behind him,
jumped up). Didn't see a dual appearance, but saw one and then the other as well as
many angels.
1838: Emphasizes religious zeal, confusion, and excitement. Also emphasizes
persecution (written soon after Missouri and Liberty jail). Most descriptive: early spring,
previously designed spot, never considered all the sects were wrong, and what
happened after the vision: woke up on his back, talked with his mother at home, was
persecuted by preacher.
1842: Also had the articles of faith and "standard of truth has been erected". Joseph
describes a Paul like transfiguration moment, says the Father and Son look exactly like
each other, and promises future truth.
What are some of the unique contributions of the secondary accounts? - Answer -1.
Orson Pratt: Joseph was wrapped by fire
2. Orson Hyde: Adversary gave Joseph doubts
3. Levi Richards: The everlasting covenant was broken
4. David Nye White: Stuck axe in stump, asked Lord what church to join
5. Alexander Neibar: Describes personages a little more
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the first vision? - Answer -1. Doctrinal
Apostasy through creeds
2. Apostasy from authorized covenants / ordinances
What is a creed? - Answer -A formal statement of faith and doctrine, from the Latin
credo meaning "I believe"
