LDS Church History - The Earliest Years Quiz

Answer: Palmyra, New York

The Smith family lived on a farm near Palmyra, New York. While living there, Joseph was confused about which religion to join, so he went into the woods near his home to pray. While praying, Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to him and told him, among other things, that he should not join any of the churches in the area. Joseph was ridiculed for his story, but he never wavered in his testimony and became the first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Answer: Hiram Page

Hiram Page was actually one of the Eight Witnesses. He did see the gold plates, but did not see Angel Moroni, as the Three Witnesses did. A testimony by the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses and Joseph Smith appear at the beginning of the Book of Mormon.

Answer: all of these

Emma and Martin both helped Joseph with the translation in Palmyra, New York and Harmony, Pennsylvania. Then Oliver Cowdery heard the story of Joseph Smith's vision and traveled to Pennsylvania to meet the man. He was baptized and called to serve as Joseph's scribe. He continued to help as the Smiths moved to Fayette, New York.

Answer: Mary Whitmer

Mary Whitmer (aka Mother Whitmer) was a faithful sister who, in addition to her own large family, provided a home for Joseph, Emma and Oliver as the Book of Mormon was being translated. She had a lot of additional work. One day, as she headed to the barn, a man appeared to her and showed her the gold plates, as compensation for her burden. Later, Joseph told her that the man was Moroni. Emma was disappointed when she heard this, but she was given a special revelation, which is now section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

She was also allowed to feel the plates beneath a cloth.

Answer: Martin Harris

The printer, Grandin, was not sure he wanted to print the book when the rumor was no one would buy one. Martin Harris mortgaged his farm and put up the money to reassure Grandin. 3000 copies were printed and put up for sale March 26, 1830.

Answer: 6

Only people who had been previously baptized were official members when the church was formed. They were Joseph Smith, Jr, Hyrum Smith, Samuel Smith, Peter Whitmer, David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery. Later that day, the Church tripled in size with baptisms.

Answer: false

Joseph received a revelation telling the Saints to move to Ohio. While tensions were high and many in the Palmyra and Harmony areas were against the Saints, they left of their own free will. The Saints would later be forced from Independence, Missouri; Kirtland, Ohio; Far West, Missouri and Nauvoo, Illinois.

Answer: Independence, Missouri

Independence, the heart of Jackson County, Missouri, is believed by the LDS Church to be the location of Zion, the New Jerusalem. The Saints were forcefully driven from the county in November 1833 by the other settlers.

Answer: to reinstate the Saints in Jackson County

100 men from Kirtland set off for Missouri in May 1833 to reinstate the Saints to their homes in Jackson County. But the men were not faithful, and they were denied the privilege of returning to Jackson County. The men never had to fight a battle. One night, when the enemy was almost upon them, there was a terrific storm that scattered the enemy. Zion's Camp was later struck with a cholera epidemic that killed several men and women because they were unfaithful.

Answer: Newel Whitney

A Bishop is a man specifically called to preside over an area of the Church and look out for the poor and widows. He takes care of the Bishop's Storehouse, distributing goods to those in need. Newel K Whitney was the first man called as Bishop in Kirtland.

In the LDS Church today, there are thousands of Bishops all over the world, each responsible for a ward, or group of about 100-300 people.