The purpose of this study is to determine and present as completely and as clearly as possible what the Book of Mormon teaches concerning prayer in order that one may gain a greater understanding of prayer and become more conscious of the need to make prayer a part of his life. It is also the purpose of this study to show how the Book of Mormon can aid the teacher by pointing out the many scriptural passages that could be used in teaching prayer. These teachings on prayer have been classified under the following chapter headings: Some Basic Essentials of Prayer, Why People Pray and for What, Words that Express a Prayer Was Offered, How Answers to Prayer Were Given, Why God May Not Answer Our Prayers as Desired, The Relationship of Prayer to Gospel Principles, Why People Do Not Pray, and Jesus Christ Prays.In the various chapters will be found lists of references. The place where the verse or portions of verses are located will be cited first; then the name of who is speaking or writing, or who the reference is about; and finally the verses or portions of verses are quoted.

The significance of Lehi's life tree is that it gives life. Lehi's tree expresses the nonverbal, renews Lehi, effectually creates a culture, and keys the structure of a literary, viable, and contemporary scripture. My thesis chapters grow out of my reading of myth, tree mythology, and Lehi's dream. I see Lehi 1) traveling a polemic course toward the tree, 2) confronting the tree's death, and 3) by suffering, opening the symbol to his inner vision.Lehi's first dream images, a dark and dreary wilderness vs. a man in white, suggest the birth of mythic creation. By traveling through and reconciling opposites, Lehi eventually achieves mythic fulfillment and eats the fruit of immortal joy.Lehi's tree represents a highly visible life meaning yet conceals its death meaning. Only after Lehi overcomes a mythical death can he understand and gain the tree's life power.Lehi's death confrontation suggests that he, in isolation, suffers a limitless sphere. The requisite suffering eventually yields a complex desire that is not only filled, but also increases.

This thesis traces the history of the restoration and development of the Aaronic Priesthood and its offices of priest, teacher, and deacon, from 1829 to the middle 1840s in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The major areas of emphasis include the organizational structure of the Aaronic Priesthood, the responsibilities assigned to priests, teachers, and deacons, and the relationship of the functions of the Aaronic Priesthood which are first given in Section 13 of the Doctrine and Covenants, namely the ministering of angels, the preparatory gospel, and the offering of the sons of Levi. Also included is the role of the Aaronic Priesthood in the temples during the formative period of the Church.Interesting finding of the study includes 1) the functioning of priests as presidents of priests quorums instead of bishops, 2) the guardianship or watchman role of teachers and priests and the quasi-legal position therein entailed, and 3) the ordinances of the Kirtland temple participated in by priests, teachers, and deacons in the temple.

George Albert Smith, Eighth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a General Authority during some of the most traumatic years in world history. His teachings and doctrines were practical, rather than philosophical or theoretical, and were applicable to a time when the world needed a message of hope and love. The two key ideas of his teachings were based on the two great commandments of Christ: love of God and love of neighbor. In addition, he also gave vital messages on the importance of obedience to God's laws, the character and attributes of God, the divine nature of man, the Standard Works and the living prophets, the home as the basis of the righteous life, the importance of missionary work, the Constitution of the United States, and the Christian path to peace in these latter days. All of these teachings were centered in the theme that we are all "Our Father's Children."

This study is concerned with the origin and original meaning of sacrificial blood offerings as practiced by the ancient Israelite people and their progenitors. "Modern" scriptural sources including the Pearl of Great Price, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants are used along with the Bible as the basic reference material.The lack of explicit information in the Bible as to the inception and meaning of sacrifice has resulted in the development of many theories which suggest that this rite had a human beginning. These theories imply that by natural expression man began to seek favor from his god by offering sacrifice. Through the use of these additional scriptural sources, the ordinance is seen to have had a divine origin. As part of a preconceived plan which was designed to provide a means of salvation for man, God commanded Adam to offer the firstlings of his flock to the Lord.

This study involves an analysis and evaluation of criticisms made of some of the work of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, and a reevaluation of his work and character in the light of the findings of the study. The criticisms were concerned in particular with the method used in translating into English certain material from the language of the original source found on papyrus in an Egyptian tomb. This material is part of a book known as "The Book of Abraham." In general the criticisms dealt with the life's work and character of Joseph.

John Nock Hinton, an Englishman, was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England in 1856. The motivating factor in his life, thereafter, was his strong conviction that the Church was the literal kingdom of God on the earth, and its leaders were God's prophets, and its mission was to usher in the last dispensation on the earth, the Millennium, and the second coming of the Savior. His duty, as he saw it, was to labor unceasingly to help accomplish that mission, to work out his own salvation, and to teach his children the doctrines of the faith. This thesis is the reconstruction of the life of John Nock Hinton, a common, ordinary, lay member of the Church, who did not leave any personal writings. This was accomplished through a community history study and through the preserved records of persons whose lives touched his. The results have shown that a creditable biography can be written about such an individual.

The Book of Mormon was published over one hundred years ago. In the meantime, many articles have been written and many discourses have been published, both for and against this volume. In reflecting upon this matter the following questions arose in the mind of the author: Have the writers and speakers been concerned about the same materials, have they treated the same themes, as the years have passed? To ascertain whether or not there has been a shift in emphasis, the following investigation was undertaken.

Standards of dress and conduct of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are presented to the youth in a variety of ways. Although these standards are all important, the seminary youth do not consider them to have equal relevance in their own personal lives; for they are concerned with particular standards, in particular ways, and at particular times. While some attempts have been made to solicit their views pertaining to such standards, most studies to date have not dealt with material which has been published and made available to all of the youth of the Church. Since teachers are under the necessity of knowing the desires, problems, needs, and concerns of those in their charge, the writer was prompted to make this study. The purposes of the study were: (1) to discover what the attitude of the students are concerning these standards, (2) to find if differing attitudes exist between the four high schol grade levels and boys and girls toward the standards, (3) to determine the value of the standards as viewed by the students, and (4) to compare the students' notions about general church standards to their attitude toward particular church standards.

An observation of literature extant regarding the revelations accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as being divinely given through Joseph Smith, discloses that the field has not been probed very thoroughly. Many are the sermons and discourses preached from the pulpit by exegetes of Mormonism vindicating the book of Doctrine and Covenants as being authentic. Few, however, have made a study of the history, origin, and development of this book. From outside of the church criticisms have arisen concerning certain changes, additions, and omissions made in the revelations as first written by Joseph Smith. When confronted with these criticisms, attempts have been made to give an adequate answer to them. Without having access to source material wherein these criticisms have been discussed, many of those within the church have been at a loss as to how they might answer their antagonists. The author felt that a study of the revelations from their earliest publication to the currently used publication would disclose much helpful information for those interested in a study of the commandments and their development; hence the problem: "To determine the nature of and the significance of the changes made in the revelations as found in a comparison of the Book of Commandments and subsequent editions of the Doctrine and Covenants."