Student Choice Assignment #6: Gather to Ohio

Student Choice #3 Section 37-38

Section 37: This revelation was given eight months after the Church was officially organized. Since 6 April 1830, the Church had grown to about 200 Saints in the state of New York; missionary efforts had been extended westward to Kirtland, Ohio, and to the Lamanites primarily living on the borders of Missouri. Missionaries had been particularly successful in the Kirtland area, where they baptized about 127 people during the two or three weeks they spent there on their way to Missouri (HC 1:231). The Church continued to grow rapidly in that area after they departed. 

 

What teachings does God give in section 38 that would comfort, inspire, or challenge a Saint living in New York who is being commanded by the Lord to gather to Ohio? Please give at least four specific references and explanations.

1. D&C 38:2,7   “The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes…mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me.”
This would have been a very comforting statement to the Saints to know that God is among them and knoweth all things. He only wants what is best for them and will never leave them alone.

2. D&C 38:15-16 “Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours. And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.”
This would have been a challenge to the Saints to hear that they needed to be strong from now on no matter what the trial. I also believe it would have been a challenge and a comfort to know that if they were strong then they would be able to obtain the kingdom.

3. D&C 38:20 “And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away.”
I this was a comfort to know that if they were faithful and did as the Lord asked them to do them they would not only allow their children to be blessed but they would be blessed in the eternities. I think it also was a challenge for the saints to obey the laws and commandments God had given them to obey.

4. D&C 38:41 “And let your preaching be the warning voice, very man to his neighbor, in mildness and meekness.”
This would have been a call to inspire and of challenge because missionary work is a challenge especially when many of the early saints had not done a lot of missionary work. It was inspiriting though to know that they could share the gospel with those around them.

What questions could a Saint still have after receiving these two revelations (section 37–38)?

1. Why do we need to go to Ohio and why can’t we go somewhere else?
2. Why do we have to be persecuted so much?
3. What is going to happen once we move to Ohio?
4. How will we survive in Ohio when we will not know anyone?
5. What people should we share the gospel with?