Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
When we read the words of a prophet, we often have different takeaways than others. For example, a millennial who would rather spend their money on something they wanted to experience rather than a possession, may focus on the experience God has in store for them. A Gen Z who is searching for truth will read the same words and focus on the truths and promises from God. In these sections, the Lord gives similar revelations to brothers and they, like us, will be reminded that the words of God can speak to us individually and differently than they do to someone else.
Benjamin Franklin in his celebrated book: An Agricultural Catechism; Or The Chemistry of Farming Made Easy (1831) spoke of the importance of “taking care of the land.” Mr. Franklin suggested such practices as planting clover to put nitrogen back in farmed soil, and recommended using plaster of Paris (gypsum) as a fertilizer.
Lucy Mack Smith: “The next morning, David took a wooden measure under his arm and went out to sow the plaster, which he had left, two days previous, in heaps near his sister’s house, but, on coming to the place, he discovered that it was gone! He then ran to his sister, and inquired of her if she knew what had become of it.
Being surprised she said, ‘Why do you ask me? was it not all sown yesterday?’
“‘Not to my knowledge,’ answered David.
“‘I am astonished at that,’ replied his sister, ‘for the children came to me in the forenoon, and begged of me to go out and see the men sow plaster in the field, saying, that they never saw anybody sow plaster so fast in their lives
I accordingly went, and saw three men at work in the field, as the children said, but, supposing that you had hired some help, on account of your hurry, I went immediately into the house, and gave the subject no further attention.’
“David made considerable inquiry in regard to the matter, both among his relatives and neighbors, but was not able to learn who had done it” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, ed. Preston Nibley [1958], 148–49).
Joseph Smith: "David, Peter, and John Whitmer were especially "zealous," Joseph said, "and being anxious to know their respective duties, and having desired with much earnestness that I should enquire of the Lord concerning them, I did so, through the means of the Urim and Thummim and obtained for them in succession the following Revelations," now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 14, 15, and 16. (Joseph Smith, The Papers of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, 2 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989-92), 1:294.)
John Whitmer – 26 years old (In 2021 would be a millennial).
“Nearly 8 in 10 Millennials would rather spend their money on something they wanted to experience rather than something they wanted to have” (https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/the-number-one-thing-millennials-value-no-its-not-starbucks.html).
Peter Whitmer – 19 years old (in 2020 would be a Gen Z).
“The search for truth is at the root of all Generation Z’s behaviors” (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies#).
What is the most worth to a millennial? (15:6)
What is the most worth to Gen Z? (section 16)
What is the most worth to You? (sections 15 &16)
Joseph Smith: "It occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris that they would have me enquire of the Lord, to know if they might obtain of him to be these special witnesses; and finally they became so solicitous, and teased me so much that at length I complied, and through the Urim and Thummim, I obtained of the Lord for them a revelation" (Revelations in Context p 27).
"Having knelt down," Joseph said, "we began to pray in much faith, to Almighty God, to bestow upon us a realization of those promises. According to previous arrangement, I commenced by vocal prayer to our Heavenly Father and was followed by each of the other three." Nothing happened. "We again observed the same order of prayer, each calling on and praying fervently to God in regular rotation, but with the same result as before."
Finally Martin Harris confessed that he was responsible for the Lord's silence. He left the others humbly, disappearing deeper into the woods. "We knelt down again," Joseph stated, "and had not been many minutes engaged in prayer when presently we beheld a light above us in the air of exceeding brightness and behold an angel stood before us." He held out the plates for them to see, turning them over one by one.
"We could see them," Joseph testified, "and discern the engravings thereon very distinctly." A heavenly voice declared, "These plates have been revealed by the power of God, the translation of them which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you now see and hear."
"I left David and Oliver," Joseph reported, "and went in pursuit of Martin Harris, whom I found at a considerable distance fervently engaged in prayer." Joseph knelt beside him and their joined faith opened heaven. Joseph saw and heard the vision again while Martin cried out, "mine eyes have beheld, mine eyes have beheld," and was overcome with joy. Joseph helped him up and they returned to the Whitmer home, rejoicing" (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times/chapter-five?lang=eng).
David Whitmer told George Q. Cannon that he was plowing when Joseph and Oliver came to him to speak about his being one of the witnesses. “It was in June, 1829, the latter part of the month, and the eight witnesses saw them...the next day or the day after. Joseph showed them the plates himself, but the angel showed us (the Three Witnesses) the plates...Martin Harris was not with us at this time; he obtained a view of them afterwards (the same day). Joseph, Oliver, and myself were together when I saw them. We not only saw the plates of the Book of Mormon, but also the brass plates, the plates of the Book of Ether, the plates containing the records of the wickedness and secret combina-tions of the people of the world...and many other plates. The fact is, it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light. It was not the light of the sun, nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful...In the midst of this light...there appeared as it were a table with many records or plates upon it, besides the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the sword of Laban, the directors (i.e., the ball which Lehi had) and the interpreters. I saw them just as plain as I see this bed (striking the bed beside him with his hand), and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God.” (Life of Joseph F. Smith, p. 242 243; CHC., V.1, p.143; and Otten & Caldwell, Sacred Truths of D&C, Vol.1, p.39.)
Lucy Mack Smith: “When they returned to the house it was between three and four o’clock p.m. Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith [Joseph Smith Sr.] and myself, were sitting in a bedroom at the time. On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and exclaimed, ‘Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am: the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.
“They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear,
“and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.’
"Upon this, Martin Harris came in: he seemed almost overcome with joy, and testified boldly to what he had both seen and heard.” (History of Joseph Smith, p. 152).
Sarah Helen “Sallie” Conrad Bunnell: “In June of 1829, Mary Whitmer was hard at work taking care of her own family, but she also faced the added burden of taking care of Joseph and Oliver, who were translating the Book of Mormon in her home. Exhausted and overworked, Mary hired Sally to help her around the house. Eighteen-year-old Sally likely thought this would be a job like any other, but she soon noticed something unusual. She later told a friend that she saw Joseph and Oliver “come down from the translating room several times when they looked so exceedingly white and strange” that she asked Mary Whitmer what was going on.5
"Because of the sacred nature of the work and fear of persecution, the Whitmers did not tell Sally what was happening.6 But finally, after seeing this happen multiple times, Sally said she would leave if Mary did not tell her what was going on.7 Mary finally explained that Joseph and Oliver were translating a sacred record from golden plates, “and that the power of God was so great in the room that they could hardly endure it: at times angels were in the room in their glory, which nearly consumed them.”
"Mary’s explanation satisfied Sally, who not only stayed to help the Whitmers, but eventually joined the church because of her experiences. She would eventually marry in the church, come west with the Saints, and die in Provo, Utah at the age of 92." (As recorded in https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/how-can-sally-conrads-witness-of-the-book-of-mormon-strengthen-our-faith)
Mary Musselman Whitmer (granddaughter of): "I have heard my grandmother (Mary Musselman Whitmer) say on several occasions that she was shown the plates of the Book of Mormon by a holy angel, whom she always called Brother Nephi. (She undoubtedly refers to Moroni, the angel who had the plates in charge.)
"It was at the time, she said, when the translation was going on at the house of the elder Peter Whitmer, her husband. Joseph Smith with his wife and Oliver Cowdery, whom David Whitmer a short time previous had brought up from Harmony, Pennsylvania, were all boarding with the Whitmers, and my grandmother in having so many extra persons to care for, besides her own large household, was often overloaded with work to such an extent that she felt it to be quite a burden.
"One evening, when (after having done her usual day’s work in the house) she went to the barn to milk the cows, she met a stranger carrying something on his back that looked like a knapsack. At first she was a little afraid of him, but when he spoke to her in a kind, friendly tone and began to explain to her the nature of the work which was going on in her house, she was filled with unexpressible joy and satisfaction. He then untied his knapsack and showed her a bundle of plates, which in size and appearance corresponded with the description subsequently given by the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. This strange person turned the leaves of the book of plates over, leaf after leaf, and also [Page 38]showed her the engravings upon them; after which he told her to be patient and faithful in bearing her burden a little longer, promising that if she would do so, she should be blessed; and her reward would be sure, if she proved faithful to the end. The personage then suddenly vanished with the plates, and where he went, she could not tell.
"From that moment my grandmother was enabled to perform her household duties with comparative ease, and she felt no more inclination to murmur because her lot was hard. I knew my grandmother to be a good, noble and truthful woman, and I have not the least doubt of her statement in regard to seeing the plates being strictly true. She was a strong believer in the Book of Mormon until the day of her death." (John C. Whitmer’s 1878 account, as recorded by Andrew Jenson (see his Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia 1:283, Salt Lake City, Utah: 1901):
Teaching Thoughts:
Benjamin Franklin in his celebrated book: An Agricultural Catechism; Or The Chemistry of Farming Made Easy (1831) spoke of the importance of “taking care of the land.” Mr. Franklin suggested such practices as planting clover to put nitrogen back in farmed soil, and recommended using plaster of Paris (gypsum) as a fertilizer.
Lucy Mack Smith: “The next morning, David took a wooden measure under his arm and went out to sow the plaster, which he had left, two days previous, in heaps near his sister’s house, but, on coming to the place, he discovered that it was gone! He then ran to his sister, and inquired of her if she knew what had become of it.
Being surprised she said, ‘Why do you ask me? was it not all sown yesterday?’
“‘Not to my knowledge,’ answered David.
“‘I am astonished at that,’ replied his sister, ‘for the children came to me in the forenoon, and begged of me to go out and see the men sow plaster in the field, saying, that they never saw anybody sow plaster so fast in their lives
I accordingly went, and saw three men at work in the field, as the children said, but, supposing that you had hired some help, on account of your hurry, I went immediately into the house, and gave the subject no further attention.’
“David made considerable inquiry in regard to the matter, both among his relatives and neighbors, but was not able to learn who had done it” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, ed. Preston Nibley [1958], 148–49).
Joseph Smith: "David, Peter, and John Whitmer were especially "zealous," Joseph said, "and being anxious to know their respective duties, and having desired with much earnestness that I should enquire of the Lord concerning them, I did so, through the means of the Urim and Thummim and obtained for them in succession the following Revelations," now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 14, 15, and 16. (Joseph Smith, The Papers of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, 2 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989-92), 1:294.)
John Whitmer – 26 years old (In 2021 would be a millennial).
“Nearly 8 in 10 Millennials would rather spend their money on something they wanted to experience rather than something they wanted to have” (https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/the-number-one-thing-millennials-value-no-its-not-starbucks.html).
Peter Whitmer – 19 years old (in 2020 would be a Gen Z).
“The search for truth is at the root of all Generation Z’s behaviors” (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true-gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies#).
What is the most worth to a millennial? (15:6)
- Change of heart,
- and of mind,
- a turning back to God (repentance)
- Help others experience:
- Christ
- God’s rest
- Heavenly Father’s love.
What is the most worth to Gen Z? (section 16)
- God’s word has power (v. 2).
- “I will tell you that which no man knoweth” (v. 3)
- “My words which I have given you” (v. 5).
- Help others know:
- Christ
- God’s rest
- Heavenly Father’s love (v 6).
What is the most worth to You? (sections 15 &16)
- God has truth and power.
- God shares truth with us.
- We can experience God in our lives and turn back to Him
- Help others know:
- Christ
- God’s rest
- Heavenly Father’s love (v 6).
Joseph Smith: "It occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris that they would have me enquire of the Lord, to know if they might obtain of him to be these special witnesses; and finally they became so solicitous, and teased me so much that at length I complied, and through the Urim and Thummim, I obtained of the Lord for them a revelation" (Revelations in Context p 27).
"Having knelt down," Joseph said, "we began to pray in much faith, to Almighty God, to bestow upon us a realization of those promises. According to previous arrangement, I commenced by vocal prayer to our Heavenly Father and was followed by each of the other three." Nothing happened. "We again observed the same order of prayer, each calling on and praying fervently to God in regular rotation, but with the same result as before."
Finally Martin Harris confessed that he was responsible for the Lord's silence. He left the others humbly, disappearing deeper into the woods. "We knelt down again," Joseph stated, "and had not been many minutes engaged in prayer when presently we beheld a light above us in the air of exceeding brightness and behold an angel stood before us." He held out the plates for them to see, turning them over one by one.
"We could see them," Joseph testified, "and discern the engravings thereon very distinctly." A heavenly voice declared, "These plates have been revealed by the power of God, the translation of them which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you now see and hear."
"I left David and Oliver," Joseph reported, "and went in pursuit of Martin Harris, whom I found at a considerable distance fervently engaged in prayer." Joseph knelt beside him and their joined faith opened heaven. Joseph saw and heard the vision again while Martin cried out, "mine eyes have beheld, mine eyes have beheld," and was overcome with joy. Joseph helped him up and they returned to the Whitmer home, rejoicing" (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/church-history-in-the-fulness-of-times/chapter-five?lang=eng).
David Whitmer told George Q. Cannon that he was plowing when Joseph and Oliver came to him to speak about his being one of the witnesses. “It was in June, 1829, the latter part of the month, and the eight witnesses saw them...the next day or the day after. Joseph showed them the plates himself, but the angel showed us (the Three Witnesses) the plates...Martin Harris was not with us at this time; he obtained a view of them afterwards (the same day). Joseph, Oliver, and myself were together when I saw them. We not only saw the plates of the Book of Mormon, but also the brass plates, the plates of the Book of Ether, the plates containing the records of the wickedness and secret combina-tions of the people of the world...and many other plates. The fact is, it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light. It was not the light of the sun, nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful...In the midst of this light...there appeared as it were a table with many records or plates upon it, besides the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the sword of Laban, the directors (i.e., the ball which Lehi had) and the interpreters. I saw them just as plain as I see this bed (striking the bed beside him with his hand), and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God.” (Life of Joseph F. Smith, p. 242 243; CHC., V.1, p.143; and Otten & Caldwell, Sacred Truths of D&C, Vol.1, p.39.)
Lucy Mack Smith: “When they returned to the house it was between three and four o’clock p.m. Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith [Joseph Smith Sr.] and myself, were sitting in a bedroom at the time. On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and exclaimed, ‘Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am: the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.
“They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear,
“and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.’
"Upon this, Martin Harris came in: he seemed almost overcome with joy, and testified boldly to what he had both seen and heard.” (History of Joseph Smith, p. 152).
Sarah Helen “Sallie” Conrad Bunnell: “In June of 1829, Mary Whitmer was hard at work taking care of her own family, but she also faced the added burden of taking care of Joseph and Oliver, who were translating the Book of Mormon in her home. Exhausted and overworked, Mary hired Sally to help her around the house. Eighteen-year-old Sally likely thought this would be a job like any other, but she soon noticed something unusual. She later told a friend that she saw Joseph and Oliver “come down from the translating room several times when they looked so exceedingly white and strange” that she asked Mary Whitmer what was going on.5
"Because of the sacred nature of the work and fear of persecution, the Whitmers did not tell Sally what was happening.6 But finally, after seeing this happen multiple times, Sally said she would leave if Mary did not tell her what was going on.7 Mary finally explained that Joseph and Oliver were translating a sacred record from golden plates, “and that the power of God was so great in the room that they could hardly endure it: at times angels were in the room in their glory, which nearly consumed them.”
"Mary’s explanation satisfied Sally, who not only stayed to help the Whitmers, but eventually joined the church because of her experiences. She would eventually marry in the church, come west with the Saints, and die in Provo, Utah at the age of 92." (As recorded in https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/how-can-sally-conrads-witness-of-the-book-of-mormon-strengthen-our-faith)
Mary Musselman Whitmer (granddaughter of): "I have heard my grandmother (Mary Musselman Whitmer) say on several occasions that she was shown the plates of the Book of Mormon by a holy angel, whom she always called Brother Nephi. (She undoubtedly refers to Moroni, the angel who had the plates in charge.)
"It was at the time, she said, when the translation was going on at the house of the elder Peter Whitmer, her husband. Joseph Smith with his wife and Oliver Cowdery, whom David Whitmer a short time previous had brought up from Harmony, Pennsylvania, were all boarding with the Whitmers, and my grandmother in having so many extra persons to care for, besides her own large household, was often overloaded with work to such an extent that she felt it to be quite a burden.
"One evening, when (after having done her usual day’s work in the house) she went to the barn to milk the cows, she met a stranger carrying something on his back that looked like a knapsack. At first she was a little afraid of him, but when he spoke to her in a kind, friendly tone and began to explain to her the nature of the work which was going on in her house, she was filled with unexpressible joy and satisfaction. He then untied his knapsack and showed her a bundle of plates, which in size and appearance corresponded with the description subsequently given by the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. This strange person turned the leaves of the book of plates over, leaf after leaf, and also [Page 38]showed her the engravings upon them; after which he told her to be patient and faithful in bearing her burden a little longer, promising that if she would do so, she should be blessed; and her reward would be sure, if she proved faithful to the end. The personage then suddenly vanished with the plates, and where he went, she could not tell.
"From that moment my grandmother was enabled to perform her household duties with comparative ease, and she felt no more inclination to murmur because her lot was hard. I knew my grandmother to be a good, noble and truthful woman, and I have not the least doubt of her statement in regard to seeing the plates being strictly true. She was a strong believer in the Book of Mormon until the day of her death." (John C. Whitmer’s 1878 account, as recorded by Andrew Jenson (see his Latter-Day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia 1:283, Salt Lake City, Utah: 1901):
Teaching Thoughts:
- We have heavenly help as we assist in God’s work.
- God inspires prophets (and others) to speak, and we may get something different from the message that is tailored to our circumstances.
- Writing your witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.