5. What can you say of the fragmentary character of the New Testament "Gospels?" (Notes 1 and 2). 6. State the most probable order in which Jesus made his several appearances after the resurrection. 7. How long was Jesus with his disciples on the eastern hemisphere after his resurrection? 8. What notable commission did Jesus give to the apostles before leaving them? 9. What signs did Messiah say should follow believers? 10. Describe the last parting of Jesus from his disciples. {69} 11. What prophecy did Jesus make to his disciples at Jerusalem that they did not understand? 12. Give an account of Messiah's visit to the Nephites. 13. What did Jesus do among the Nephites? 14. What was the effect that followed the preaching of the gospel and the organization of the church? 15. What course was pursued as to the quorum of the apostles? 16. Relate the several traditions of the Mexicans respecting the visit of Messiah to this land. {70} SECTION VII. 1. Vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Filled.--The first official business which occupied the attention of the authorities of the church after the ascension of the Lord--according to our Christian annals--was filling up the quorum of the twelve. Judas by his treason had forfeited his apostleship and was dead, and hence it became necessary to ordain another to fill his place. Peter when presenting this matter before the church, appeared to lay some stress upon the necessity of choosing some one of the brethren who had been with them from the beginning--"from the baptism of John unto that same day that he (Christ) was taken up," that he might be a witness with the rest of the apostles of the things which Jesus did and also a witness of his resurrection. 2. "And they appointed [nominated] two. Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed. * * * Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen. * * * And they gave forth their lots [or, gave their votes];[84] and the lot fell upon Matthias." From that time he was numbered with the apostles. (See note 1, end of section). 3. The filling of this vacancy in the quorum of the twelve--the only instance of the kind mentioned in the New Testament--may {71} be taken as a proof that it was clearly the understanding of the apostles that the quorum of the twelve was to be perpetuated. It was so understood in the church on the western hemisphere, for the fourth Nephi informs us that as the apostles whom Jesus had chosen passed away, others were ordained in their stead;[85] and thus the quorum was kept full, but for how long cannot be ascertained.