2 Nephi 3—Four Josephs
Here’s a brief PowerPoint slideshow and lesson plan that helps answer, “Who are the four people Lehi talks about in 2 Ne. 3 who are all named Joseph?” I’ve also made a timeline where you can try to figure out what order the Josephs were born in (i.e., who came first on a timeline of world history). Also included are helpful application questions for why this matters today.
Chronological reading checklist for the Doctrine and Covenants
Track your reading of the D&C in conjunction with Joseph Smith—History and the Articles of Faith where three levels of headings help you see the geographical and thematic elements. There are two versions of this chart: one in numerical order (i.e., the same order the sections are printed in your bound copy of the scriptures) and the other in chronological order. The dates are based on the new 2013 edition of the D&C, with a few possible exceptions based on the Church’s Joseph Smith Papers project, including research by Robert Woodford and Steven Harper.
Some handouts for a Doctrine and Covenants overview
Four Doctrine and Covenants Overview Handouts: 1. Helpful titles for sections, 2. a timeline of when the sections were given, 3. a diagram to help you read the it in chronological order, and 4. a chronological checklist to help you keep your personal scripture study goals as you read the D&C in chronological order. Especially useful for seminary or the Sunday school curriculum to help you understand the basic structure of the Doctrine and Covenants.
The book of Abraham facsimiles in high resolution
A few years ago I tried to track down a high-resolution version of the facsimiles from the book of Abraham. It turns out they were impossible to find. The Church website has them, but they are only 400 pixels wide. Here are high-resolution images of the three facsimiles from the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price.
Joseph Spencer on Isaiah, baptism, and the Godhead in the Book of Mormon
I recently read an article that pointed out some interesting patterns. In 1 and 2 Nephi, Isaiah and several themes related to his teachings are used extensively. Then, suddenly, Isaiah goes completely unused in Enos through Helaman (and the first part of 3 Nephi). Then, Isaiah is reintroduced “with a vengeance” in 3 Nephi by the Savior, almost as soon as He appears to the Nephites. Joe Spencer drew some interesting conclusions as to why that might be.