DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

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DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

OF

                       THE CHURCH OF THE

                  L A T T E R D A Y S A I N T S:

                       CAREFULLY SELECTED

                  FROM THE REVELATIONS OF GOD,

                        AND COMPILED BY

                      JOSEPH SMITH Junior,

                         OLIVER COWDERY,

                         SIDNEY RIGDON,

                     FREDERICK G. WILLIAMS,

               [Presiding Elders of said Church.]

                          PROPRIETORS,

                         KIRTLAND, OHIO

                 PRINTED BY F.G. WILLIAMS & CO

                            FOR THE

                          PROPRIETORS

                          ...........

             COPY RIGHT SECURED ACCORDING TO LAW.

(Note: there are two Sections 66, it was an original printers error.)

                           PREFACE

To the members of the church of the Latter Day Saints—

    DEAR BRETHREN

We deem it to be unnecessary to entertain you with a lengthy preface to the following volume, but

merely to say, that it contains in short, the leading items of the religion which we have professed

to believe.

The first part of the book will be found to contain a series of Lectures as delivered before a

Theological class in this place, and in consequence of their embracing the important doctrine of

salvation, we have arranged them into the following work.

The second part contains items or principles for the regulation of the church, as taken from the

revelations which have been given since its organization, as well as from former ones.

There may be an aversion in the minds of some against receiving anything purporting to be articles

of religious faith, in consequence of there being so many now extant; but if men believe a system,

and profess that it was given by inspiration, certainly, the more intelligibly they can present it, the

better. It does not make a principle untrue to print it, neither does it make it true not to print it.

The church viewing this subject to be of importance, appointed, through their servants and

delegates the High Council, your servants to select and compile this work. Several reasons might

be adduced in favor of this move of the Council, but we only add a few words. They know that

the church was evil spoken of in many places—its faith and belief misrepresented, and the

way of truth thus subverted. By some it was represented as disbelieving the bible, by others as

being an enemy to all good order and uprightness, and by others as being injurious to the peace of

all governments civil and political.

We have, therefore, endeavored to present, though in few words, our belief, and when we say

this, humbly trust, the faith and principles of this society as a body.

We do not present this little volume with any other expectation than that we are to be called to

answer to every principle advanced, in that day when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, and

the reward of every man's labor be given him.

With sentiments of esteem and sincere respect, we subscribe ourselves your brethren in the bonds

of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH SMITH jr.

OLIVER COWDERY.

SIDNEY RIGDON.

F.G. WILLIAMS

Kirtland, Ohio, February 17, 1835.

PART SECOND

COVENANTS AND COMMANDMENTS

OF THE LORD

to his servants of the church of the

LATTER DAY SAINTS

SECTION I.

1. Harken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes

are upon all men; yea, verily I say, hearken ye people from afar, and ye that are upon the islands

of the sea, listen together; for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to

escape, and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall

not be penetrated: and the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall

be spoken upon the house-tops, and their secret acts shall be revealed; and the voice of warning

shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days, and

they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.

2. Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book

of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you O inhabitants of the earth:

wherefore fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed, in them, shall be

fulfilled. And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the

inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the

unbelieving and rebellious; yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall

be poured out upon the wicked without measure; unto the day when the Lord shall come to

recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the

measure which he has measured to his fellow man.

3. Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:

prepare ye, prepare ye

for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword

is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth; and the arm of the Lord shall

be revealed; and the day cometh, that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the

voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets, and apostles, shall be cut off

from among the people: for they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine

everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh

in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world,

and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon the great,

which shall fall.

4. Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the

earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith jr. and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him

commandments; and also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things

unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets: the weak

things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should

not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the

name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth;

that mine everlasting covenant might be established; that the fulness of my gospel might be

proclaimed by the weak and the simple, unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.

5. Behold I am God and have spoken it: these commandments are of me, and were given unto my

servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to

understanding; and inasmuch as they erred it might be made known: and inasmuch as they sought

wisdom, they might be instructed, and inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they

might repent, and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on

high, and receive knowledge from time to time: and after having received the record of the

Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith jr. might have power to translate through the mercy

of God, by the power of God, the book of Morman: and also, those to whom these

commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it

forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the

whole earth, with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively

and not individually; for I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance:

nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord, shall be forgiven, and he

that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received, for my spirit shall

not always strive with man, saith the Lord of hosts.

6. And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, I the Lord am willing to make

these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter of persons, and willeth that all men shall

know that the day speedily cometh, the hour is not yet, but is nigh at have power over his own

dominion; and also, the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and

shall come down in judgement upon Idumea, or the world.

7. Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises

which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

8. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself, and though the heavens

and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine

own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same: for behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and

the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever: Amen.

SECTION II.

1. The rise of the church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty

years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly

organized and established agreeably to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of

God in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April: which

commandments were given to Joseph Smith jr. who was called of God and ordained an apostle of

Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of

God an apostle of Jesus Christ to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand:

and this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory both

now and forever. Amen.

2. After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins he

was entangled again in the vanities of the world: but after repenting, and humbling himself,

sincerely, through faith God ministered unto him by

an holy angel whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white

above all other whiteness, and gave unto him commandments which inspired him, and gave him

power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the book of Mormon,

which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the

Gentiles, and to the Jews also, which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the

ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them, proving to the world that the holy

scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and

generation, as well as in generations of old, thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday,

to-day, and forever.—Amen.

3. Therefore, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall

hereafter come to a knowledge of this work; and those who receive it in faith and work

righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life; but those who harden their hearts in unbelief

and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation, for the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the

elders of the church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on high, to

whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

4. By these things we know that there is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, from

everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth and all

things which are in them and that he created man male and female: after his own image and in his

own likeness created he them, and gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve

him the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship.

But by the transgression of these holy laws, man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen

man.

5. Wherefore the Almighty God gave his only begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures

which have been given of him; he suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them, he was

crucified, died, and rose again the third day; and ascended into heaven to sit down on the right

hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father, that as many

as would believe and be baptized, in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end should be saved:

not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time in the flesh, but all those from

the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy

prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of

him in all things, should

have eternal life, as well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and

callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father, and of the Son, which

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.

6. And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ and worship

the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the

kingdom of God. And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ, is just and true: and we know, also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights,

minds, and strength; but there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the

living God. Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptations;

yea, and even let those who are sancified, take heed also.—And we know that these things are

true and according to the revelations of John, neither adding to, nor diminishing from the

prophecy of his book, the holy scriptures, or the revelations of God which shall come hereafter by

the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, the voice of God, or the ministering of angels: and the Lord

God has spoken it; and honor, power, and glory, be rendered to his holy name, both now and

ever.—Amen.

7. And again by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism.

All those who humble themselves before God and desire to be baptized, and come forth with

broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of

all their sins and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to

serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received the Spirit of Christ

unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

8. The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ.

An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize, and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers,

and deacons, and to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—

and to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism

of fire and the Holy Ghost, acccording to the scriptures; and to teach, expound exhort, baptize,

and watch over the church; and to confirm the church by the laying on of hands and the giving of

the Holy Ghost—and to take the lead of all meetings.

9. The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the

commandments and revelations of God.

10. The priest's duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the

sacrament, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and

attend to all family duties: and he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons—and he is

to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder present, but when there is an elder present he

is only to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and visit the house of each member,

exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret, and attend to all family duties. In all these duties the

priest is to assist the elder if occasion requires.

11. The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with, and strengthen them, and

see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other; neither lying,

backbiting, nor evil speaking; and see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the

members do their duty—and he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or

priest—and is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion

requires; but neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or

lay on hands; they are however to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto

Christ.

12. Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon, is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of

God unto him: and he is to be ordained by the power of the Holy Ghost which is in the one who

ordains him.

13. The several elders composing this church of Christ are to meet in conference once in three

months, or from time to time, as said conferences shall direct or appoint: and said conferences are

to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time.

14. The elders are to receive their licences from other elders by vote of the church to which they

belong, or from the conferences.

15. Each priest, teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest, may take a certificate from him

at the time, which certificate when presented to an elder, shall entitle him to a license, which shall

authorize him to perform the duties of his calling—or he may receive it from a conference.

16. No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized

branch of the same, without the vote of that church; but the presiding elders, travelling

bishops, high counsellors, high priests, and elders may have the privilege of ordaining, where there

is no branch of the church, that a vote may be called.

17. Every president of the high priesthood, (or presiding elder,) bishop, high counsellor, and high

priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high counsel, or general conference.

18. The duty of the members after they are received by baptism:

19. The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning the church

of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the sacrament, and being confirmed

by the laying on of the hands of the elders; so that all things may be done in order. And the

member shall manifest before the church and also before the elders, by a godly walk and

conversation, that they are worthy of it that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy

scriptures—walking in holiness before the Lord.

20. Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before

the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in

his name.

21. No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of

accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.

22. Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent: The person

who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water

with the person who has presented him or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by

name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of

the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen. Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come

forth again out of the water.

23. It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in

remembrance of the Lord Jesus: and the elder or priest shall administer it: and after this manner

shall he administer it: he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer,

saying, O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ : bless and

sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of

the body of thy Son and witness unto thee O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take

upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he

has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

24. The manner of administering the wine: He shall take the cup also, and say, O God, the eternal

Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the

souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son

which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father; that they do

always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

25. Any member of the church of Christ transgressing, or being overtaken in a fault, shall be dealt

with as the scriptures direct.

26. It shall be the duty of the several churches composing the church of Christ, to send one or

more of their teachers to attend the several conferences, held by the elders of the church, with a

list of the names of the several members uniting themselves with the church since the last

conference, or send by the hand of some priest, so that a regular list of all the names of the whole

church may be kept in a book, by one of the elders, whoever the other elders shall appoint from

time to time:—and also, if any have been expelled from the church; so that their names may be

blotted out of the general church record of names.

27. All members removing from the church where they reside, if going to a church where they are

not known, may take a letter certifying that they are regular members and in good standing; which

certificate may be signed by any elder or priest, if the member receiving the letter is personally

acquainted with the elder or priest, or it may be signed by the teachers or deacons of the church.

SECTION III.

ON PRIESTHOOD.

1. There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely: the Melchizedek, and the Aaronic,

including the Levitical priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchizedek priesthood, is because

Melchizedek was such a great high priest: before his day it was called the holy priesthood, after

the order of the Son of God; but out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being,

to avoid too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that

priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek priesthood.

2. All other authorities, or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood; but there are

two divisions, or grand heads—one is the Melchizedek priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic,

or Levitical priesthood.

3. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchizedek. The Melchizedek

priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the

church, in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.

4. The presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate

in all the offices in the church.

5. High priests, after the order of the Melchizedek priesthood, have a right to officiate in their

own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in

the office of an elder, priest, (of the Levitical order,) teacher, deacon and member.

6. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present.

7. The high priest, an elder, are to administer in spiritual, things, agreeably to the covenants and

commandments of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church

when there are no higher authorities present.

8. The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron

and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood, is because it

is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek priesthood, and has power in administering

outward ordinances. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood and holds the keys, or

authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood,

except he be a literal descendent of Aaron. But as a high priest, of the Melchizedek priesthood has

authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal

descendant of Aaron can be found; provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this

power by the hands of the presidency of the Melchizedek priesthood.

9. The power and authority of the higher or Melchizedek priesthood, is to hold the keys of all

spiritual blessings of the church—to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom

of heaven—to have the heavens opened unto them—to commune with the general assembly and

church of the first born, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus

the Mediator of the new covenant.

10. The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic priesthood, is, to hold the keys of the

ministring of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances—the letter of the gospel—the

baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeably to the covenants and commandments.

11. Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding offices growing out of, or appointed of, or

from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods. Of the

Melchizedek priesthood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained

to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the

presidency of the church. The twelve travelling counsellors are called to be the twelve apostles, or

special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world: thus differing from other officers in the

church in the duties of their calling. And they form a quorum equal in authority and power to the

three presidents, previously mentioned. The seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be

especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the

church in the duties of their calling: and they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the

twelve especial witnesses or apostles, just named. And every descision made by either of these

quorums, must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum

must be agreed to its decisions in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one

with the other. [A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be

otherwise.] Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the

decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently, who were ordained after the order of

Melchizedek, and were righteous and holy men. The decisions of these quorums, or either of them

are to be made in all righteousness; in holiness and lowliness of heart; meekness and long

suffering; and in faith and virtue and knowledge; temperance, patience, godliness brotherly

kindness and charity, because the promise is, if these things abound in them, they shall not be

unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. And in case that any decision, of these quorums, is made

in unrighteousness, it may be brought before a general assembly of the several quorums which

constitute the spiritual authorities of the church, otherwise there can be be no appeal from their

decision.

12. The twelve are a travelling, presiding high council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under

the direction of the presidency of the church, agreeably to the institution of heaven; to build up

the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles, and

secondly unto the Jews.

13. The seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the twelve, or the

travelling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the

same in all nations: first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews:—the twelve being sent out,

holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and first

unto the Gentiles and then unto the Jews.

14. The standing high councils, at the stakes of Zion, form a quorum equal in authority, in the

affairs of the church, in all their decisions, to the quorum of the presidency, or to the travelling

high council.

15. The high council in Zion, forms a quorum equal in authority, in the affairs of the church, in all

their decisions, to the councils of the twelve at the stakes of Zion.

16. It is the duty of the treaelling high council to call upon the seventy, when they need

assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and adminstering the gospel, in stead of any

others.

17. It is the duty of the twelve in all large branches of the church, to ordain evangelical ministers,

as they shall be designated unto them by revelation.

18. The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and

rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made.

This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner:

19. From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of 69 years, and was blessed by

him three years previous to his (Adam's) death, and received the promise of God by his father,

that his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should be preserved unto the end

of the earth, because he [Seth] was a perfect man, and his likeness was the express likeness of his

father's, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things; and could be

distinguished from him only by his age.

20. Enos was ordained at the age of 134 years, and four months, by the hand of Adam.

21. God called upon Cainan in the wilderness, in the fortieth year of his age, and he met Adam in

journeying to the place Shedolamak: he was eighty seven years old when he received his

ordination.

22. Mahalaleel was 496 years and seven day old when he was ordained by the hand of Adam,

who also blessed him.

23. Jared was 200 years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, who also blessed

him.

24. Enoch was 25 years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam, and he was 65 when

Adam blessed him—and he saw the Lord: and he walked with him, and was before his face

continually: and he walked with God 365 years: making him 430 years old when he was

translated.

25. Methuselah was 100 years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam.

26. Lamech was 32 years old when he was ordained under the hand of Seth.

27. Noah was 10 years old when he was ordained under the hand of Methuselah.

28. Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared,

Enoch and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity, who were

righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.

And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael,

the Prince, the Arch angel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him, I

have set thee to be at the head: a multitude of nations shall come of thee; and thou art a prince

over them for ever.

29. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation and notwithstanding he was bowed

down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto

the latest generation. These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of

in due time.

30. It is the duty of the twelve, also, to ordain and set in order all the other officers of the church,

agreeably to the revelation which says:

31. To the church of Christ in the land of Zion, in addition to the church laws, respecting church

business: Verily, I say unto you says the Lord of hosts, There must needs be presiding elders, to

preside over those who are of the office of an elder; and also priests, to preside over those who

are of the office of a priest; and also teachers to preside over those who are of the office of a

teacher, in like manner; and also the deacons: wherefore, from deacon to teacher, and from

teacher to priest, and from priest to elder, severally as they are appointed, according to the

covenants and commandments of the church; then comes the high priesthood, which is the

greatest of all. Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed, of the high priesthood, to

preside over the priesthood; and he shall be called president of the high priesthood of the church,

or in other words, the presiding high priest over the high priesthood of the church. From the same

comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the

hands.

32. Wherefore the office of a bishop is not equal unto it; for the office of a bishop is in

administering all temporal things: nevertheless, a bishop must be chosen from the high priest-hood,

unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron; for unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot

hold the keys of that priesthood. Nevertheless, a high priest, that is after the order of

Melchizedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of

them by the Spirit of truth, and also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church to sit

in judgement upon transgressors, upon testimony, as it shall be laid before him, according to the

laws, by the assistance of his counsellors, whom he has chosen, or will chose among the elders of

the church. This is the duty of a bishop who is not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been

ordained to the high priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

33. Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion, or in a stake

of Zion, or in any branch of the church where he shall be set apart unto this ministery, until the

borders of Zion are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to have other bishops, or judges in Zion,

or elsewhere: and inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall act in the same office.

34. But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the presidency of this priesthood, to the

keys of this ministry, to act in the office of bishop independently, without counsellors, except in a

case where a president of the high priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, is tried; to sit as a

judge in Israel.—And the decision of either of these councils, agreeably to the commandment

which says;

35. Again, verily, I say unto you: The most important business of the church, and the most

difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as there is not satisfaction upon the decision of the bishop,

or the judges, it shall be handed over and carried up unto the council of the church, before the

presidency of the high priesthood; and the presidency of the council of the high priesthood shall

have power to call other high priests, even twelve, to assist as counsellors; and thus the

presidency of the high priesthood, and its counsellors shall have power to decide upon testimony

according to the laws of the church. And after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no

more before the Lord; for this is the highest council of the church of God, and a final decision

upon controversies, in spiritual matters.

36. There is not any person belonging to the church, who is exempt from this council of the

church.

37. And in as much as a president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in

remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve

counsellors of the high priesthood; and their decision upon his head shall be and end of

controversy concerning him. Thus, none shall be exempted from the j