The Seventy's Course in Theology
SECOND YEAR
Outline History of the Dispensations of the Gospel
Compiled and Edited by
B. H. ROBERTS
Of the First Council of the Seventy
"The things of God are of deep import; and time and experience, andcareful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find themout."—Joseph Smith.
Salt Lake City
1908
SEVENTY'S YEAR BOOK NO. II
INTRODUCTION.
The Seventy's Year Book No. II is a series of forty-four lessons on"The Outline History of the Dispensations of the Gospel." As ourYear Book No. I was a rapid survey of the whole body of scripturesrecognized by the Church, so the present Year Book is a like rapid,general survey of the principle dispensations of the Gospel given tomen upon this earth. As the survey of the scripture books was made forthe purpose of forming a general idea of the books as a body of sacredliterature, and that some idea might be learned of their essentialunity; so this present outline survey of the chief dispensations ofthe Gospel is intended to give some general views of the Gospel nototherwise obtainable, and to fix in the mind of the student the idea ofessential unity in the Gospel in all dispensations: Establishing theidea that there is but one Gospel; and that, the "everlasting gospel;"the same through all ages. That it was the plan devised in heavenbefore the foundations of the earth were laid, and will endure as ameans of salvation so long as there are men to be saved.
The Treatment of the Theme: The treatment of the theme issubstantially the same as in Year Book No. I. That is to say, ananalysis of the subject of the lesson is given, in which the lessonis subdivided under those heads into which the subject naturallyfalls. For the information, of the student texts and books are citedaccompanying usually each subdivision of the subject and thesereferences in every case should be carefully read so far as the bookscited can be obtained by the student; and as the books to whichcitations in the main are made, the four books recognized by the Churchas Holy Scripture, each Seventy student should have these. Accompanyingeach lesson are a series of notes, sometimes detached, but often, inthis Year Book, they constitute a brief continuous treatise upon thesubject in hand, which should be amplified by wide reading and deepstudy on the part of the student. In all cases where no citation ofauthorities is given at the close or in the body of the note, they arewritten by the compiler and editor or are taken from his works.
In this connection I would say a word in relation to the severalles, sons which I have called "A Prelude to the History of theDispensations." It may be thought that these lessons are difficult,and deal with matters not necessary to the main subject. Of course theauthor of this Year Book holds a different view or the lessons wouldnot be presented. To him the principles there developed are fundamentaland essential to a right understanding of the Dispensations of theGospel; and should not be omitted because they invite attention tolines of thought somewhat unusual to us in the study of the Gospel.It is the existence of these principles in our Theology that makes"Mormonism" a religion and not a mere sect. They constitute anessential part of the message we have for the world; and the ministryof the Church should master these subjects, though thinking upon themis unusual and the mastery of such themes is slowly acquired. Let itbe remembered that "The things of God are of deep import; and time andexperience, an