REL C 225- FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
What are the six foundational time periods of Church history covered in this class(titles and
years)? - ANS Beginnings (1820- 1831)
Two Church Centers (1831-1838)
Nauvoo (1839-1846)
Church in the west (1846-1950)
Expansion (1950-1989)
Worldwide Church (1990-Present)
What is "doctrine"? - ANS An authorized teaching
What are the four types of doctrine? - ANS Esoteric- unknown or only partially revealed
or yet to be revealed truths
policy- timely statements related to applications of supportive or core doctrine
Supportive- elaborate, descriptive, timely teaching expanding on core doctrine
Core- unchanging truths of salvation
What are four levels of evaluating an official Church teaching? - ANS Church publications-
teachings found in current books, manuals, magazines, and websites published by the church
1
,Repeated teachings of GAs- what is taught collectively and consistently by current General
Authorities
United voice of the First Presidency and 12 Apostles- united statements under the approval of
the First Presidency and 12 Apostles
Harmonized scriptures- teachings that are found consistently in the canonized scriptures
What are five factors for evaluating a historical source? - ANS 1. Primary Source- account
was written or produced by a participant or an observer of the event
2. Contemporary Account- account was recorded at (or relatively near) the time of event
3. Objective Perspective-Personal agenda that may bias content is mitigated. Tone is fair,
balanced, open, and objective
4.Relationship to other sources- dates, facts, claims, are consistent with other sources that deal
with the same events
5.Ssupporting evidence- statements are based upon solid evidence and supporting data and
avoid subjective opinion
What was the audience and context for each of Joseph's four primaryFirst Vision accounts? -
ANS 1832: Joseph wrote this account shortly after receiving D&C 85 as part of a short
unpublished autobiography
1835: Joseph shared this account with Robert Matthews, a visitor to Kirtland, and recounted his
experience to his scribe William Parrish
1838: Published in the church's newspaper to serve as a history of the church
1842: written in response to an inquiry about the church, this account is catered toward
individuals not familiar with the LDS faith
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the First Vision? - ANS There has been an
apostasy
There was a loss of priesthood and ordinances
2
, How many years passed from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith until Joseph could obtain the
gold plates? - ANS Four years
What is the definition of "Urim and Thummim"? - ANS A tangible device that aids in
revelation
How was the Book of Mormon translated? - ANS By means of urim and Thummim,
spectacles, brown stone, white stone, often place them in a hat to see the words more clearly
What priesthood and keys did Peter, James, and John restore? - ANS The keys of the
gospel dispensation of the fullness of times, the keys of the kingdom and the keys of apostleship
How, when, and where was the Church organized? - ANS April 6, 1830, in the home of
Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York
What were the original "doctrine" and "covenants" parts that created the Doctrine and
Covenant's title? - ANS The lectures on faith, josephs revelations
What are several key principles to remember when considering Doctrine and Covenants
revelations—including why written revelations have sometimes been altered? -
ANS Joseph alters because of typos, errors in transcription, sometimes joseph needed to
clarify, received additional revelation
What are the Stewardship Principle, the Brethren Principle, and the Front Door Principle
pertaining to personal revelation? - ANS Stewardship-You won't get revelation to
command someone else
Brethren- you won't get revelation to disobey
Front Door- you will receive revelation through the front door, not the side doors
3
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
What are the six foundational time periods of Church history covered in this class(titles and
years)? - ANS Beginnings (1820- 1831)
Two Church Centers (1831-1838)
Nauvoo (1839-1846)
Church in the west (1846-1950)
Expansion (1950-1989)
Worldwide Church (1990-Present)
What is "doctrine"? - ANS An authorized teaching
What are the four types of doctrine? - ANS Esoteric- unknown or only partially revealed
or yet to be revealed truths
policy- timely statements related to applications of supportive or core doctrine
Supportive- elaborate, descriptive, timely teaching expanding on core doctrine
Core- unchanging truths of salvation
What are four levels of evaluating an official Church teaching? - ANS Church publications-
teachings found in current books, manuals, magazines, and websites published by the church
1
,Repeated teachings of GAs- what is taught collectively and consistently by current General
Authorities
United voice of the First Presidency and 12 Apostles- united statements under the approval of
the First Presidency and 12 Apostles
Harmonized scriptures- teachings that are found consistently in the canonized scriptures
What are five factors for evaluating a historical source? - ANS 1. Primary Source- account
was written or produced by a participant or an observer of the event
2. Contemporary Account- account was recorded at (or relatively near) the time of event
3. Objective Perspective-Personal agenda that may bias content is mitigated. Tone is fair,
balanced, open, and objective
4.Relationship to other sources- dates, facts, claims, are consistent with other sources that deal
with the same events
5.Ssupporting evidence- statements are based upon solid evidence and supporting data and
avoid subjective opinion
What was the audience and context for each of Joseph's four primaryFirst Vision accounts? -
ANS 1832: Joseph wrote this account shortly after receiving D&C 85 as part of a short
unpublished autobiography
1835: Joseph shared this account with Robert Matthews, a visitor to Kirtland, and recounted his
experience to his scribe William Parrish
1838: Published in the church's newspaper to serve as a history of the church
1842: written in response to an inquiry about the church, this account is catered toward
individuals not familiar with the LDS faith
What are two primary doctrinal messages from the First Vision? - ANS There has been an
apostasy
There was a loss of priesthood and ordinances
2
, How many years passed from Moroni's first visit to Joseph Smith until Joseph could obtain the
gold plates? - ANS Four years
What is the definition of "Urim and Thummim"? - ANS A tangible device that aids in
revelation
How was the Book of Mormon translated? - ANS By means of urim and Thummim,
spectacles, brown stone, white stone, often place them in a hat to see the words more clearly
What priesthood and keys did Peter, James, and John restore? - ANS The keys of the
gospel dispensation of the fullness of times, the keys of the kingdom and the keys of apostleship
How, when, and where was the Church organized? - ANS April 6, 1830, in the home of
Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York
What were the original "doctrine" and "covenants" parts that created the Doctrine and
Covenant's title? - ANS The lectures on faith, josephs revelations
What are several key principles to remember when considering Doctrine and Covenants
revelations—including why written revelations have sometimes been altered? -
ANS Joseph alters because of typos, errors in transcription, sometimes joseph needed to
clarify, received additional revelation
What are the Stewardship Principle, the Brethren Principle, and the Front Door Principle
pertaining to personal revelation? - ANS Stewardship-You won't get revelation to
command someone else
Brethren- you won't get revelation to disobey
Front Door- you will receive revelation through the front door, not the side doors
3
