The Temple Is “a Place of Instruction”Įlder John A. Somewhat inappropriately the term part-tithepayer is used with reference to those making such contributions.” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 798–99.) D&C 97:13–14. Tithing is a tenth, and unless a person contributes the tenth, he has only made a contribution to the tithing funds of the Church. “Strictly speaking there is no such thing as a part tithing. Today tithing is a tenth of one’s annual increase, or income. The Lord later defined tithing for the Saints as “one-tenth of all their interest annually” ( D&C 119:4). In section 97 the word tithing is equated with sacrifice, specifically the sacrifice necessary to build a temple in Zion. The dictionary defines tithing as a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution. See Notes and Commentary on Doctrine and Covenants 58:2–4. What Is the Principle of Sacrifice and How Is It Fulfilled? Even as this revelation was given, the mobs were gathering for their initial blow in Jackson County. Figuratively speaking, a tree that saw an ax laid at its root might be motivated to change its ways and bring forth good fruit so as not to be hewn down. Generally, one touches the ax to the spot chosen for the first blow before delivering the blow. The phrase “the ax is laid at the root of the trees” ( v. 7) evokes a vivid image. The Lord will cut down “every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit” ( D&C 97:7). Good trees bear good fruit and evil trees bear evil fruit. People are like trees in that they are known by their fruits, or their works (see Matthew 7:16–20). In Doctrine and Covenants 97:7 the Lord says that His people, Zion, are like fruit trees (see also Matthew 3:10). This I did once a week, besides visiting and preaching in five or six branches a week.” ( Autobiography of Parley P. To attend this school I had to travel on foot, and sometimes with bare feet at that, about six miles.

I was also much edified and strengthened. The Lord gave me great wisdom, and enabled me to teach and edify the Elders, and comfort and encourage them in their preparations for the great work which lay before us. Here great blessings were poured out, and many great and marvelous things were manifested and taught. The place of meeting was in the open air, under some tall trees, in a retired place in the wilderness, where we prayed, preached and prophesied, and exercised ourselves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This class, to the number of about sixty, met for instruction once a week. A school of Elders was also organized, over which I was called to preside. Elder Pratt wrote that “in the latter part of summer and in the autumn, I devoted almost my entire time in ministering among the churches holding meetings visiting the sick comforting the afflicted, and giving counsel. Its main purpose was to prepare the brethren living there to go forth as missionaries during the coming winter. In the summer of 1833, a “school of Elders” began in Zion with Parley P. What Was the “School in Zion” and under What Conditions Did It Meet?

Sometimes the wickedness of some individuals brings suffering to all, even those who are righteous. Even though many of the Saints did not live as required and were eventually driven out, the Lord indicated here that some truly were worthy. In these verses the Lord commended those in Zion who “are truly humble and are seeking diligently to learn wisdom and to find truth” ( D&C 97:1) and promised that they would be blessed. The promised devastation followed early in November 1833. As it turned out, the Saints did not fully heed this warning. The letter contained Doctrine and Covenants 97, given 2 August 1833, and Doctrine and Covenants 98, in which the Lord warned the inhabitants in Zion to observe His commandments or they would be visited “with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire” ( D&C 97:26). The Prophet, unaware of the problems, sent a letter to the leaders of the Church in Missouri on 6 August 1833 in response to questions concerning the School of Zion. Phelps was destroyed, many of the Saints were turned out of their homes, and Edward Partridge and Charles Allen were tarred and feathered on the public square in Independence, Missouri. On 20 July 1833 the first open violence against the Saints in Jackson County broke out.

Clean hands and a pure heart lds