History through printing

Last semester I had a chance to go to the Crandall Museum with my class. These were my thoughts at the time, since I didn't have a chance to go this semester.

Being a bit of a history geek, I really enjoyed watching the development of printing. We started in Gutenburg's time. They had this MASSIVE press and showed us how to use it. They even cast a piece of type. It cooled crazy fast! They poured in burning hot printers' metal into the cast, and almost instantly it was solid.

The second room was probably my favorite. It was shown to us by Ben Franklin. He told us his history. How he became a printer, his love story with his wife, and many of his contributions. As I've said before, I love seeing the story of the people behind history. This was a great insight into who Ben Franklin, the grandfather of our country.

On top of hearing Ben Franklin’s history, we learned a bit about the physical process the Constitution and Declaration of Independence underwent. The Declaration was written, edited, reworked, ratified, and then signed. Then, it was rushed to the printer’s, late at night. By morning, several copies had been printed and were distributed throughout the colonies. The speed of the process was astounding. Plus, it was all done in secrecy. When we had been told this story, we were told to touch the type set that was in the press. It was type set molded from the same punches that formed the original letters for the first printing of the Declaration of Independence. To touch something that close to history was moving and exciting.

Our final stop on the tour was in a room the same size and shape as that in which the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed. The room contained a pres s that was an exact replica of that original press for the Book of Mormon. It was really cool. We had seen how the presses had gotten smaller and more precise, but other than that, this press was basically the same as that which Guttenburg had invented. We looked at the type for the first few pages, and saw stacks of pages, 2,000 high, just as they would have been when the original printing happened. We even got to see how the books were bound.

At the end, we got to see a linotype machine and the ink rollers that replaced the old fashioned beaters. Those were both cool. The rollers were what I usually imagined when I thought of old-fashioned presses. The linotype machine was also awesome. It was like a massive, old type writer. Except, instead of putting words on paper, it put words on metal! That was super crazy.

The entire experience was wonderful. It made me happy to know that they are going to expand, and then have all the missionaries in the MTC come through the tour. I think it’s a worthwhile experience that all students who have the chance should take. I would not hesitate if I had another chance to visit. The one drawback is that it cost a ton if you don’t go with a group. So find a group, and have fun!

Prophetic Discource to Canonized Scripture

Early in Joseph's time as prophet of the church, his main work was establishing the fullness of the gospel on earth. Because there was little to nothing to work with, most scripture was direct revelation from God, giving instruction to His children. He reestablished priesthood, baptism, and sacrament. The order of church was laid out. Joseph had very little knowledge of what he needed to do, and had to rely entirely on the Lord for direction.

As persecution increased, the church struggled to stay together. They constantly moved, and had to basically start over all the time. Having written instruction of the basics was vital in the early months of the church. The early records helped the members know what to do and where they were going.

Coming into the Nauvoo period, the saints were feeling like they finally had a home where they could stay. Nauvoo was their Zion and they didn't forsee anything making them leave. A feeling of home and settling came over their culture. Because the church was well established in Missouri, more and more missionaries were being sent out. The basic pricinciples of the gospel were established, and the temple ordinacnes were in the process of being so. Joseph better understood the fullness of the plan and how important it was that the saints understand the plan as well. To fascilitate this, he began more often to preach. Partly due to the outward growth of the church, it became important for Joseph's sermons to be recorded. His teachings were able to benefit new and seasoned members alike. The record of his preaching was carried out into the mission field and used within the church at Nauvoo.

In this time, many of the teachings that are now scripture were being created. Later, they were canonized and are now in the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants. Each piece was added for a different reason, and often times slowly, but they were all considered beneficial to the church as a whole. Many of Joseph's sermons fell into this category. His teachings on temple ordinaces especially. Now we read as scripture what was once a letter, a missionary lesson, or a discourse. Although we don't now publish prophetic council in our D&C or other standard works, we continue to take our leaders' teachings as guidence that should be followed. This follows the tradition started by Joseph's teachings in Nauvoo.

Zion's Judiciary

This semester, I am in a class on the Constitution. It is fascinating. We read several articles or amendments each week, and then discuss them in class. If nothing else, it gives me a better idea of what is in there just from reading it. I've learned a lot more about how a governmental system is formed, and the sorts of questions that must be answered by an establishing contract. We've studied elections, amendments, and judiciary licence.

At the same time, I've been studying the Pearl of Great Price. In that class, we have talked about Zion, which includes God's political kingdom on earth. The political system He has outlined is centered around family and community. Consecration will be the major economic system, and a divine King will lead the government. A judgment system, economic system, and leadership system are all planned.

The manuscript that later became section 102 in the D&C is like a constitutional statement on the judiciary system of God's kingdom. The mortal presidencies and high councils that the church needs are arranged and their appointment is laid out. Officers will be selected by revelation and the vote of the council. Within the presidency, the authority to lead is given first to the President and then to the other two presidents who preside with him, should circumstances not allow him to do so.

After establishing the top leadership, this revelation lays out how trials are to be run. The council of twelve is to present the two sides to the presidency for judgment. Each is previously assigned to the order in which they will speak so that there is an established routine. Also, to protect the accused against "insult or injustice,"half of the council will defend the accused. This half is determined by the order in which they speak. Those who draw an even number are given to the accused for their defense.

There is a lot more protocol about how the council can call a council meeting. I didn't understand how this worked. But I did gather that a council can be called wherever it is needed, so long as the high priests shall perceive the necessity of the council.

This judiciary system still functions within the church, and will, in some form, exist in God's Zion. Eventually Christ shall be the presiding president over the council. He will reign as King of the earth, and His Father will be the ultimate judge. It makes me wonder how similarly the eternal councils will function.

New Perspectives

Having attended the MoA tour last fall, I took this chance to explore more on my own. There had been several paintings I wanted more time with, so I skipped straight to those. As I tuned out the sound of other visitors, I felt a stronger connection to each image.

First I stopped by the image of the praying woman and the glass of water. I saw for the first time how much they were part of the same image. Much discussion had focused on the flatness of the woman as opposed to the realism of the glass. However, I saw several connecting elements. The proportions were perfect. The woman could easily pick up and hold the tall glass, but instead she just looked. Her dress was intricate, but not gaudy. It seemed subdued, and created the perfect background for the simple glass. I really got the sense that this woman deserved and was capable of having the water. If she simply made the effort to step out of her flat and one-way life, she could have the fullness the living water offered her. Her face showed her desire, she simply needed to take action.

Next I sat in front of my personal favorite, The Prodigal Son. Last time I visited, I was entranced by the idea that should you remove the middle, squalid panel, the two ends would fit nicely together. The son did not need to go through his time of struggle in order to have a full life. This visit, I noticed more details. Although his life would have been happier, and just as full, there were experiences that forever changed him. In the first panel, there were beautiful, perfect apples, and the blue cloth cover. But down in the bottom were a couple of darker, moldy-looking apples. Something was festering. There was unhappiness and discontent with the way life was. Life was good, full, and happy, but there was a desire for something else. In the middle panel, richness was everywhere: lots of wine, apples, grapes, pigs. But despite the seeming glory of this compared to simple apples, it was all moldy, grey, and miserable. Only sorrow really came through. The signs of splendor were nothing more than empty promised. However, in the final panel, the beauty and cleanness of the first panel is restored and improved. Here, there is no festering longing for something else. Life has changed, and now there is wine and grapes along with beautiful apples, but it is all in the light. Definite changes happened, and the story may even have improved because of the trials and mistakes of the center. To me, this really shows how every experience in life changes me. I can improve and better myself, even when I make mistakes. The key is getting back into the light and returning to where I need to be. Bringing lessons along with me, I will continue to grow, and even push farther forward, despite mistakes I will inevitably make in my journey. 

The Olive Leaf

Reading the original transcript of D&C 88 made me notice different things. Without much punctuation, I got more of the idea than the specifics. I noticed several different things, and have explained my thoughts on each below.

The Holy Spirit of God is through all time and space, even while God is a single entity in a single place and time. Because the Spirit is part of God, He is able to see all things. He knows and understands everything in existence. And more than that, He is in and through all things. His power is the quickening and life-giving power of the universe. All things are dependent on His power and presence for their organization and existence. Thus, His power is restricted only by "wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment."

Before the last days, the responsibility of the Saints will be to declare the prophesies and commands of the Lord. I must take up this responsibility, as it is mine. I'm not one of the revolutionary students who helped change roll across Europe. I'm not someone who can march with Civil Rights activists. Those days are over. It's not the same anymore. But I can't sit quietly and watch the world be "made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Rev. 17:2) Today my voice can make a difference. If one person speaks out, that is one less person supporting Babylon. And maybe someone will listen. But as long as I don't back down from my stand, I can be a rebel for righteousness. 

One day, God's full will will unroll across the face of the earth. It won't be calm and quiet. Testimony of the Lord will be born in the rumblings of earthquakes and thunder, in the flash of lightning, and in the sound of rushing floods. The entirety of our world will be thrown into turmoil and "reel as a drunken man" in the sky. This will be a terrifying day. No matter how righteous I am, if I am alive at that point, I will experience terror. Although my safety may be assured in Zion, many loved ones will probably be in the main line of destruction. But fear cannot exist where there is faith. I shall strive to have full faith to help accomplish God's will, no matter the temporal difficulty it may place me in.