Insights for Latter-Day Saints

History

Year 2 - Insights for Latter-day Saints

Written by Marjohna Madsen and Jenny Phillips

About This document

The Good and the Beautiful history courses strive to emphasize examples of faith in God and the hand of God in the history of the world. The course book itself covers most of this, explaining the role that faith, religion, and God played in history. This document includes additional insights that are specific to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

How to Use this Document As you teach from the course book, check this Insights document to see if there is an additional Church insight for the lesson. If so, follow the instructions after completing the lesson in the course book.

Timeline - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Extension The following pages contain extensions of The Good & the Beautiful timeline for the history of the Church. Print out the pages in color, laminate the pages if desired, cut out each strip, and attach each strip to the bottom of the timeline pages.

Note: There is no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints timeline for page 4 of the timeline because there were no items to put on the extension for that page.

2 © Jenny Phillips 300 B.C. 200 B.C. 100 B.C. M eri d ian of Ti me 100 A.D. 200 A.D. 300 A.D.

Ancient Asia

250 B.C.-100 B.C. Silk Road Trade Route Established

221 B.C. Qin Shi Huangdi becomes the  first Emperor of China and has 105 B.C. 100-250 A.D. Book of Mormon the Great Wall of China built Paper Is invented in China Buddhism Is Introduced

2200 B.C. to 600 B.C. 587 B.C. The Jaredite Nation in The Mulekites Come to North America` North America

600 B.C. Israelite Prophet Lehi Journeys with his Family to the Americas

Page 1 - Lower

Book of Mormon

130 B.C. 0 Time of Mosiah Nephi III and Benjamin 73 B.C. Time of 6 B.C. Captain Samuel the Moroni Lamanite Prophesies of 64 B.C. Christ’s Birth Time of  Helaman 33 or 34 A.D. Christ Visits the 90 B.C. Americas Time of Page 2 - Lower Alma 400 A.D. 600A.D. 800 A.D. 900 A.D. 1000 A.D. 1100 A.D. 1200 A.D.

Dar k Ag es

Europe/Scand inavia

800 A.D.  476 A.D. 871-899 A.D. 1215 A.D.  Fall of Western Charlemagne Becomes Alfred the Great, King of  Magna Carta Is Roman Empire Holy Roman Emperor, England, Reigns Around 1000 A.D. Leif Erikson Discovers Signed in England when Goths and Eventually Unites Much North America Visigoths Invade of Western Europe from the Area of the 1066 A.D.  Black Sea Around 800 A.D. 900s A.D. William the Conqueror Is Vikings from Denmark, Feudalism Develops St. Patrick Crowned King of England Norway, and Sweden Anglo Saxon Invasion on Begin to Invade North- 1271 A.D.  England ern Europe Marco Polo Begins His Explorations King Arthur 1750 A.D. 1776A.D. 1800 A.D. 1850 A.D. 1900 A.D. 1950 A.D. 2000 A.D.

Middle East/Asia/Africa

United States/Canada 1206 A.D.  622 A.D.  1801 1903 Mongol Empire1981-1989 Started by   1754-1763 1765-1783Islam Is Founded Thomas Jeff erson Becomes The Wright Brothers Ronald ReaganGenghis Is Kahn President The French and Indian War The American Revolution the 3rd US President Invent the First Successful Airplane  1969 570 A.D.    1776 1803-1806 1908 1095 A.D. Neil Armstrong Is the First Muhammad Is Born The Lewis & Clarke Expedition The First Cars are Christians Launch First The Declaration of Independence Man to Walk on the Moon Mass Produced Crusade 1803 1860  1787 The Louisiana Purchase Abraham Lincoln Becomes 1945 to 1989 1914-1919 The Cold War The US Constitution the 16th US President US Involvement in World War I 1954-1968 Book of Mormon 1788 1861-1865 1929-1939 US Civil Rights Movement Washington Becomes US Civil War US Great Depression World Wide Apostasy the 1st US President 1841-1861 1990 333 A.D. The Oregon Trail  The World Wide Web Is Invented 1797 1939-1945 Time of US Involvement in John Adams Becomes 1849 2001 Mormon World War II the 2nd US President California Gold Rush September 11th Terrorist Attacks 385 A.D. 421 A.D. OutsideNephite of Th e United States Nation Moroni Hides the Plates  Destroyed 1845  1933-1945 1721 1989 The Great The Holocaust Peter the Great The Berlin Wall Falls Famine in Ireland Becomes Emperor 1939 of Russia, having Germany Invades Poland, Page 3 helped the country 1789-1799  Beginning World War II become a major The French Revolution 1948 world power State of Israel Created

Restored Church of J esus Christ

1820 Joseph Smith’s First Vision 1827 Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates From Moroni 1829 2011  John the Baptist Restores the Aaronic Priesthood/ The Restored Church Peter, James and John Restore the Melchizedek Reaches 14 Million Members Priesthood 1844 1830 Joseph Smith Is Martyred The Church of Jesus Christ Is Restored/ 1847 The Book of Mormon Is Published Brigham Young Enters the Salt Page 5 Lake Valley HISTORY YEAR 2 INSIGHTS FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Lesson 1 with disdain for the foolish first man and woman of Greek mythology. Other strange ideas confused the truth that God’s children are created in His image and Ancient Greece and invented angels that have the wings of birds like the Greek Mythology Greek image of Hermes, their invented messenger of false gods. o Read to children: Lesson 7 Robert Millet explained: “The gospel has been known throughout eternity, and its principles have been preached among men and women from their Introduction to beginnings on this earth.” ("The Eternal Gospel," Ancient China Ensign, July 1996) o Read to children: Do you remember the sons of the Prophet Noah? One of them was named Japeth. The Greek people are Sometimes it seems that the history of China is about largely Japhethites. (See the Bible Dictionary entry a remote people very dissimilar to Europeans. It for Japheth.) There are some scholars who claim that might seem that the religious beliefs of the Chinese Athens was formed by Shemites (Shem was another are unrelated to Judeo-Christianity. Knowing the son of Noah). As ancient Greek culture and civilization descent of the Asians from righteous Japheth, and grew, these people departed from the gospel their the influence of Israel which has been scattered ancestors knew and taught. They became apostate throughout all the earth, reminds us that many and idolatrous. remnants of the gospel of Christ are among the Chinese. Many individuals have been, since ancient The myths of the ancient Greeks show that they times until today, prepared to be restored to the truth. believed in many false ideas. However, kernels of truth can still be recognized in these corrupted stories. There were colonies of Jewish people in China as early Church scholar Hugh Nibley has stated, “ . . . revealed as the 600s AD. They were called the Kaifeng people, religion . . . has passed through alternate phases of and their synagogue in China stood for 700 years. apostasy and restoration which have left the world During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), a Christian littered with the scattered fragments of the original missionary from Syria, Olopun, traveled the Silk Road structure, some more and some less recognizable, and presented the gospel in China in 635 A.D. It was but all badly damaged and out of proper context.” translated at the Imperial Library, and Emperor Taizong (The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian read it. The Emperor issued an imperial proclamation, Endowment [1975], xii–xiii) saying, “ . . . having examined the principles of Our study of Greek mythology will help us to see the this religion, we find them to be purely excellent remains of true gospel principles that God used to and natural . . . it is beneficial to all creatures, it bless His lost and wandering children, but also the is advantageous to mankind. Let it be published errors caused by their stubborn apostasy. throughout the empire, and let the proper authority build a Syrian church in the capital . . . which shall be For example there are amazing similarities between governed by twenty-one priests.” the true story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the Greek myth of Epimetheus and Pandora The Mongol Empire (1206 –1368), including Genghis in the "Paradise of Children" through which a dim Khan and Kublai Khan, fostered the growth of Christian remembrance of the Fall and the blessing of hope churches. Italian missionary Matteo Ricci (1552–1610) are preserved. However, the honor and reverence also gained many Chinese converts to Christianity and due our Father Adam and Mother Eve were replaced built many churches throughout China.

5 © Jenny Phillips HISTORY YEAR 2 INSIGHTS FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote, “In October 1978, of their Savior, God’s providence was preparing them President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of our obligation for the restoration of plain and precious truths of the to take the gospel to what he called “the uttermost Gospel. parts of the earth” (see D&C 58:64). His message was “One reason the gospel has been so well accepted in electrifying. No one who was present will ever forget Taiwan and other Oriental countries is because of the the witness they felt that this was a prophet giving Church’s emphasis on genealogy work. Great honor the Lord’s message to the leaders and members of and respect are given to ancestors in these countries his restored Church. He singled out China for special where many of the people can trace their lineage praise, saying back thousands of years.” The Friend, Nov. 1975 By comparison with the widespread breakdown of morality and discipline in the western world, Lesson 12 the Chinese are a disciplined, industrious, frugal, closely knit people. Their moral standards are Ancient India very high by modern western standards. . . . Family life is strong, with old family members still o Read the following excerpts from "Hinduism" given great respect and care.” ("Getting to Know by A. Burt Horsley, Ph.D. (Ensign, February China" BYU Speeches March 12, 1991) 1971), or read the entire article on lds.org with o Optional Activity older children. With the children, read about the Church in China Out of the more than 3.57 billion people in the today on www.lds.org/mormonsandchina, an official world today, one in seven is a Hindu . . . The story website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day of Hinduism began more than fifteen hundred years Saints. before Christ was born, or just about the time Moses was leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. And although its beginning is obscure and without Lesson 10 a known founder, this Eastern-centered religion Ancient China: has continued to be one of the most enduring and Religion compelling forces for spiritual development in the world . . . Believing that they were living in this particular circumstance [the caste system] as reward o Read to children: or punishment for a previous life, they neither sought Though Christian beliefs were once well accepted in to break rank nor envied those of higher caste. They China and churches were numerous, the Christianity were taught by the Brahmans that observance of that was taught was apostate from the fullness of the rules and restrictions of caste without violation Christ’s Gospel. Some Christians, having lost the constituted the highest religious fulfillment and understanding of eternal family, persecuted the would make possible being born again into a better Chinese for their honor of ancestors. This caused life. Thus the duties and obligations of caste were doubt and strife among people who were willing stressed rather than human rights, and by this system to believe in Christ, but not give up their ancestors. the Hindu society was kept stable for over three There even came a time when the issue caused the thousand years. Chinese government to ban Christianity. As many blended their love of family with the new-found love

6 © Jenny Phillips HISTORY YEAR 2 INSIGHTS FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Lesson 14 The Vikings: Part 1

o Read the following excerpts from "Seventeen Centuries of Christianity" by De Lamar Jensen (Ensign, September 1978).

The Restoration did not come without preparation— through the efforts of many good people whose works kept gospel embers burning through the centuries from John the Revelator to Joseph the Prophet . . . For five hundred years after the death of Augustine the Western church was ravaged and desolated by the decay of the protective Roman Empire, by the ensuing invasions from the north (Goths, Vandals, Saxons, Franks, and Vikings), and by the conquests of a vigorous new religion from the Middle East—Islam. Carried throughout Arabia, Mesopotamia, Persia, Syria, Palestine, North Africa, and into Europe through the Iberian peninsula, Islam spread until, by the middle of the eighth century, half of Christendom had come under Islamic rule. Christianity survived, however, though weakened and reduced, and began the slow process of recovering its losses and conquering the conquerors. Step by step, the barbarian invaders were converted to Christianity: the Franks first, then the Anglo-Saxons, the Frisians, and the other Germans. Goths, Lombards, and Burgundians were assimilated into Latin Christendom, as were the vagrant Norsemen. By the end of the eleventh century, Christian crusaders were returning to the East to “redeem” the Holy Land.

7 © Jenny Phillips HISTORY YEAR 2 INSIGHTS FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Columbus set out to find a new path to the Far East. Lesson 18 Columbus was led by the hand of God in his journey. Christopher He said, “God gave me the faith, and afterwards the courage.” ("Preparations for the Restoration and the Columbus: Part 1 Second Coming," CR, Oct 2005)

______o Read the following points.

• Columbus had unique insight about the prevailing De Lamar Jensen: "In our day the maligning has winds and currents, and he used them to navigate increased in intensity, but our awareness of what a path in the sea whereby others could easily Columbus accomplished under God’s direction ought follow from Europe to America. In this way he to remind us of our own indebtedness and responsibil- provided an escape route for people who wanted ities as benefactors of his fortitude. His chief concern, religious freedom and who would later prepare as ours should be, was not what people would think of for and welcome the restoration of the gospel. him, but what God would think of him." ("Columbus and the Hand of God," Ensign, Oct 1999) • Orson Hyde, who was called to be one of the original Twelve Apostles by the Prophet Joseph, called Moroni the “guardian angel of America.” ______"He [Elder Hyde] said that same angel was with Christopher Columbus and gave him deep impressions and dreams and visions respecting Mark E. Petersen, "The Great Prologue," BYU the new world. He said that same angel was with Speeches, September 29, 1974 Columbus on the stormy deep. He guided his frail vessel to the desired haven, and he calmed the We know that various explorers discovered America troubled elements." (The Angel Moroni by Elder anciently, well before Christopher Columbus. The Glen L. Rudd. Brigham Young University-Idaho Norsemen came over to what they called Vinland, as Devotional, March 11, 2003) you remember, and there were others. It is interesting to read about them, but, mark you, not one of them • Wilford Woodruff personally was baptized for established permanent colonies. God would not allow Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. them here. Colonization was reserved for the people Also, Christopher Columbus was ordained a high whom the Lord himself would bring to this country. priest. Even though there were earlier discoveries of America, o Read the following quotes and scriptures: none of them counted so far as God was concerned because he had his eye upon Columbus. The Spirit of God . . . wrought upon the man I hope that when you read the Book of Mormon you [Christopher Columbus]; and he went forth upon the will read carefully the last chapter of first Nephi, which many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who refers to the day in which we are living. In this chapter were in the promised land. (1 Ne. 13:12) Nephi talked about this land and the gentiles who in latter days would be brought here . . . a great nation of ______the gentiles would be established and that from this nation of the gentiles the true restored gospel would be taken to all the house of Israel all over the world. Robert D. Hales: "Meanwhile, the inspiration of God The Savior said essentially the same thing, and I would also rested upon explorers. In 1492 Christopher like to read just one verse that he said in regard to this

8 © Jenny Phillips HISTORY YEAR 2 INSIGHTS FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS

subject. He also was talking about the gentiles who his father, quotes the discoverer as saying on one would occupy this land in these latter days: occasion, “God gave me the faith and afterward the courage so that I was quite willing to undertake For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the gentiles] the journey.” And the last will and testament of should be established in this land, and be set up as Christopher Columbus includes this expression: “In a free people by the power of the Father, that these the name of the Most Holy Trinity, who inspired me things [the gospel] might come forth from them unto a with the idea and afterward made perfectly clear to remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father me that I could navigate and go to the Indies from may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his Spain by traversing the ocean westward” (Wasserman, people, O house of Israel. (3 Nephi 21:4) Columbus, pp. 46, 61). Columbus was inspired, and How did all of this come about? Nephi gave us some Nephi looked upon him and beheld him coming to the further explanation when he told about the vision that Western Hemisphere. he was given by the Lord at that time. One of the first “And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, things that he said, as he talked about the gentiles in that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went Europe, was this: forth out of captivity, upon the many waters” (1 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles Nephi 13:13). Under the direction of the Almighty, [in Europe], who was separated from the seed of my colonization began. What kind of people did the Holy brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit Spirit influence? Why, the Pilgrims and the Puritans of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and others like them! Weren’t they worthy of the and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto direction of the Spirit of God? They and many others the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised came to America under divine guidance. Nephi said he land. (1 Nephi 13:12) saw that “they [the gentiles] did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they Now the time had come. The Lord had control of the were white, and exceeding fair and beautiful, like unto discovery and the colonization of America. Nephi my people before they were slain.” (1 Nephi 13:15) was told that there was a man among the gentiles who was “wrought upon” by the Spirit of God, and under that inspiration he came to America. Here is what Columbus himself said about his being guided from on high: "I have seen, and truly I have studied all books and cosmographies, histories, chronicles, and philosophies and other arts for which our Lord with provident hand unlocked my mind, sent me upon the seas and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed, but who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" [Jacob Wasserman, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, p. 18]

When Columbus went to King Ferdinand, he said, “I came to Your Majesty as the emissary of the Holy Ghost.” When he stood before the clergy of San Esteban, he insisted to them that he must be regarded as a man inspired.

Columbus’s own son, Fernando, in a biography of

“But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be Lesson 28 driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they Jamestown, John have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant Smith & Pocahontas which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel. And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for o Optional: Read the following articles: them.” (Mormon 5:17–21)

https://www.lds.org/manual/church-history-in-the- N. Eldon Tanner said: "Nephi saw in vision also fulness-of-times/chapter-one?lang=eng the coming of the Pilgrims, who came to escape https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ezra-taft-benson_ religious persecution. He foresaw the coming to gods-hand-nations-history/ America of peoples from many nations, their wars and contentions. As Nephi said, they did humble themselves before the Lord and the power of God o Optional: Read the following with older children. was with them, and also that the wrath of God was For younger children (Grades 1-4), read the upon all those that were gathered together against information and summarize it, using a few of the them to battle. Thus the American colonies attained Book of Mormon scriptures listed. their independence and set up the government of the United States, all under the divine intervention of God in preparing this land for its divine destiny." ("If They The Native Civilizations of the Americas Will But Serve the God of the Land," April 1976) It is unknown to us today which of the Native American tribes descended from the Book of Mormon The first Europeans to come to the Americas noted people. It is possible that Lamanites intermingled and both the corrupted state of the natives and their have influence throughout the Americas. intrinsic worth. Columbus repeatedly expressed his desire to proselytize among the people he discovered. It is certain that the ancient American prophets John Smith called those whom he knew Salvages— foresaw the coming of people across the sea to people needing to be found, and recovered. (Letter to colonize the Americas during the time of apostasy Queen Ann of Britain 1616) John Rolfe and Pocahontas and that those who had not possessed the Promised exhibited a true love toward one another. There were Land in righteousness nor served the God of the Land, many admirable individuals who acted with virtue and would be swept aside. We also know that several wisdom in trying times and amidst social and cultural prophets recorded with gratitude that at some point, upheaval. their descendants would again have the opportunity to hear and embrace the gospel of Christ through the Shortly after Wilford Woodruff performed the temple coming of the new inhabitants. work for the eminent men and women of European and United States history, he performed work for “Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who many leaders and eminent members of the Algonquin, have gone before me, who have possessed this land, Mohegan, Powhatan, Wampanoag, Narragansett, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto Onondaga, Seneca, Oneida, Cayuga, and Six Nations the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember tribes. (Saint George Temple Roles of August, 1877 the covenant which he hath made with them. And pgs. 196-201) The covenants made with the ancient he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of American prophets have been and continue to their brethren.” (Mormon 8:22–24) be fulfilled as missionary work meets with great conversions among these precious peoples.

The history of America is rife with grief that comes the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my from people who are faulty and weak, but the brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles providence of God is perfect. The term providence and were smitten. And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, comes from the base word provide. If we have faith that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper that history is meant to provide us with indispensable and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld lessons and experiences, we will overcome the grief that they were white, exceedingly fair and beautiful, and difficulties that attend them with greater wisdom like unto my people before they were slain. And it and strength. There is no race of people who has not came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles suffered invasion and conquest at some time in their who had gone forth out of captivity did humble histories. There are things that people value that themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord are destroyed during such times. It is important to was with them.” (1 Nephi 13:13–16) remember that God preserves what He values. “…it was [Columbus] who in faith lighted a lamp Here are some of the major prophesies concerning the to look for a new way to China and who in the providence of God and the peoples, both ancient and process discovered America. His was an awesome modern, of the American continents. under-taking—to sail west across the unknown seas farther than any before him of his generation. He it "And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall was who, in spite of the terror of the unknown and dwindle in unbelief. And it came to pass that I beheld, the complaints and near mutiny of his crew, sailed on after they had dwindled in unbelief they became with frequent prayers to the Almighty for guidance. a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of In his reports to the sovereigns of Spain, Columbus idleness and all manner of abominations.” (1 Nephi repeatedly asserted that his voyage was for the glory 12:23) of God and the spread of the Christian faith. Properly “They were once a delightsome people, and they had do we honor him for his unyielding strength in the Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by face of uncertainty and danger.” (President Gordon B. God the Father. But now, behold, they are led about by Hinckley, "Building Your Tabernacle," Ensign, 1992) Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a “And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or spake unto me, saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; God, after I have visited the remnant of the house and even as she is, so are they. And behold, the Lord of Israel—and this remnant of whom I speak is the hath reserved their blessings, which they might have seed of thy father—wherefore, after I have visited received in the land, for the Gentiles who shall possess them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand the land. But behold, it shall come to pass that they of the Gentiles, and after the Gentiles do stumble shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant back by that abominable church, which is the mother which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of harlots, saith the Lamb—I will be merciful unto the of Israel. And also the Lord will remember the prayers Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, them.” (Mormon 5:17–21) which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.

“And it came to past that I beheld the Spirit of God, "For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which forth out of captivity, upon the many waters. And I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and the Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren,

behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth as wise men due to the record we have from reliable unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. and inspired sources. We may rightly reject any other accounts that seek to denigrate their work, their "And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the accomplishment in the founding of our nation, their Lamb, and my rock and my salvation.” (1 Nephi characters and their honored place in our memory. 13:34-36) President Wilford Woodruff, seventy-eight years ago, reported that a group of those “wise men,” those who had also signed the Declaration of Independence, Lesson 29 appeared in the St. George Temple with George Washington at their head, and “demanded” temple The Pilgrims: Part 1 ordinances. (CR, April 1898) Ezra Taft Benson wrote

o If desired, have the children listen to the After he became President of the Church, following 35 minute BYU speech: President Wilford Woodruff declared that “those https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/nathaniel-phil- men who laid the foundation of this American brick_mayflower-story-courage-community-war/ government were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits [and] were inspired of the Lord.” Lesson 40 The temple work for the fifty-six signers of the The Coming Forth of Declaration of Independence and other Founding the Constitution Fathers has been done. All these appeared to Wilford Woodruff when he was president of the St. George Temple. President George Washington o Read to children: was ordained a high priest at that time. You Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day will also be interested to know that, according Saints know that wise men were providentially raised to Wilford Woodruff’s journal, John Wesley, up to create the United States of America and form its Benjamin Franklin, and Christopher Columbus Constitutional Republic. were also ordained high priests at that time. When one casts doubt about the character of D&C 101:80 says, “And for this purpose have I these noble sons of God, I believe he or she established the Constitution of this land, by the hands will have to answer to the God of heaven for of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, it. Yes, with Lincoln I say: “To add brightness to and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” the sun or glory to the name of Washington is . . . impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn We know from the teachings of latter-day prophets awe pronounce the name and in its deathless that the Constitution of the United States is a form of splendor, leave it shining on.” (Teachings of Ezra government that is righteous and exemplary. Taft Benson, pgs 602 – 604) President George Albert Smith added: “I am saying to you that to me the Constitution of the United States of America is just as much from my Heavenly Father as the Ten Commandments.” (CR, April 1948)

We may honor and respect the Founders of our nation

spirits, then naturally, almost automatically, the Lesson 45 needs of our natural bodies will be met . . . Do Education in Early not allow secular knowledge to occupy most of America: A Foundation your time throughout your life." (BYU Speeches, on Christ May 17, 1983) • "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his o Read the section on education inFor the righteousness; and all these things shall be added Strength of Youth. unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

o Read Chapter 10 ("The Value of Education") in • " . . . seek ye out of the best books words of Teachings: John Taylor. wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118) o Read the following quotes and scriptures:

• Brigham Young: "Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be." (Journal of Discourses Vol. 10, pg 364)

• David O. Mckay: “True education seeks, then, to make men and women not only good mathema- ticians, proficient linguists, profound scientists, or brilliant literary lights, but also honest men, combined with virtue, temperance, and brotherly love—men and women who prize truth, justice, wisdom, benevolence, and self-control as the choicest acquisitions of a successful life. It is regrettable, not to say deplorable, that modern education so little emphasizes these fundamental elements of true character. The principal aim of many of our schools and colleges seems to be to give the students purely intellectual attainments and to give but passing regard to the nobler and more necessary development along moral lines.” (Gospel Ideals, pg 441)

• George P. Lee: "The Lord wants us to be primarily concerned with feeding our spiritual selves while here in mortality. It seems that he desires us to emphasize or concentrate on seeking spiritual knowledge . . . the Lord wants us to be most interested in the life of the soul, or the life of our spirit body, which part is eternal. If we are really going to know and appreciate eternal life, or his way of life, in this life we ought to emphasize gaining spiritual knowledge, or feeding our eternal spirit selves. As we take care of the needs of our