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1844
Section 1
Utah
Section 1
REVELATION given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, during a special conference of Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held at Hiram, Ohio, November 1, 1831.
1. Hearken, 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.
2. 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.
3. And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their
iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be
revealed.
4. And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the
mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.
5. And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the
Lord have commanded them.
6. 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.
7. Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord
have decreed in them shall be fulfilled.
8. 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;
9. Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God
shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—
10. 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.
11. Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth,
that all that will hear may hear:
12. Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord
is nigh;
13. 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.
14. 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;
15. For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken
mine everlasting covenant;
16. 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, even Babylon the great, which
shall fall.
17. Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come
upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.,
and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
18. 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—
19. 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—
20. But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord,
even the Savior of the world;
21. That faith also might increase in the earth;
22. That mine everlasting covenant might be established;
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;
26. And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;
27. And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they
might repent;
28. And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong,
and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.
29. And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea,
even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the
mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon.
30. 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—
31. For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of
allowance;
32. Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the
Lord shall be forgiven;
33. 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.
34. 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;
35. For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall
know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand,
when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over
his own dominion.
36. And also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall
reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the
world.
37. Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and
the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
38. 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.
39. 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.
1844
Section 2
Utah
Section 20
REVELATION on Church Organization and Government, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, April, 1830.
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 agreeable 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—
2. Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was
called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder
of this church;
3. 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;
4. And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen.
5. 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;
6. 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;
7. And gave unto him commandments which inspired him;
8. And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before
prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;
9. 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;
10. Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by
the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—
11. 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;
12. Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and
forever. Amen.
13. 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.
14. And those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness,
shall receive a crown of eternal life;
15. But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it,
it shall turn to their own condemnation—
16. 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.
17. 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;
18. And that he created man, male and female, after his own image
and in his own likeness, created he them;
19. 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.
20. But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual
and devilish, and became fallen man.
21. Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it
is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.
22. He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.
23. He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day;
24. 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;
25. That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy
name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved—
26. 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,
27. 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;
28. Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and
eternal, without end. Amen.
29. 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.
30. And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;
31. 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.
32. But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and
depart from the living God;
33. Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they
fall into temptation;
34. Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.
35. 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.
36. And the Lord God has spoken it; and honor, power and glory be
rendered to his holy name, both now and ever. Amen.
37. 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
of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by
baptism into his church.
38. 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;
39. And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;
40. And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and
blood of Christ—
41. 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, according to the
scriptures;
42. And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the
church;
43. And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and
the giving of the Holy Ghost;
44. And to take the lead of all meetings.
45. The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the
Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.
46. The priest's duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and
baptize, and administer the sacrament,
47. And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray
vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
48. And he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons.
49. And he is to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder
present;
50. But when there is an elder present, he is only to preach,
teach, expound, exhort, and baptize,
51. And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray
vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
52. In all these duties the priest is to assist the elder if
occasion requires.
53. The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be
with and strengthen them;
54. And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither
hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking;
55. And see that the church meet together often, and also see that
all the members do their duty.
56. And he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the
elder or priest—
57. And is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church,
by the deacons, if occasion requires.
58. But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize,
administer the sacrament, or lay on hands;
59. They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and
invite all to come unto Christ.
60. 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.
61. 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;
62. And said conferences are to do whatever church business is
necessary to be done at the time.
63. The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by
vote of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences.
64. 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.
65. 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;
66. But the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors,
high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is
no branch of the church that a vote may be called.
67. Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder),
bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of
a high council or general conference.
68. The duty of the members after they are received by
baptism.—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.
69. And the members 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.
70. 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.
71. 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.
72. Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all
those who repent—
73. 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 himself 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.
74. Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth
again out of the water.
75. It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake
of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;
76. 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:
77. O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son,
Jesus Christ, to 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.
78. The manner of administering the wine—he shall take the cup
also, and say:
79. 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.
80. Any member of the church of Christ transgressing, or being
overtaken in a fault, shall be dealt with as the scriptures direct.
81. 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,
82. 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, whomsoever the other elders shall appoint
from time to time;
83. 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.
84. 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.
1844
Section 3
Utah
Section 107
REVELATION on Priesthood, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, dated March 28, 1835.
1. There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and
Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
2. Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because
Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the
Order of the Son of God.
4. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme
Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in
ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek
Priesthood.
5. All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages
to this priesthood.
6. But there are two divisions or grand heads—one is the
Melchizedek Priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood.
7. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of
Melchizedek.
8. 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.
9. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of
Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church.
10. 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.
11. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high
priest is not present.
12. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual
things, agreeable 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.
13. The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron,
because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations.
14. 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.
15. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds
the keys or authority of the same.
16. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of
this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron.
17. 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.
18. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek
Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
19. 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 Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence
of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
20. The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood,
is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward
ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.
21. Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding officers
growing out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the
several offices in these two priesthoods.
22. 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.
23. The twelve traveling councilors 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.
24. And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the
three presidents previously mentioned.
25. 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.
26. And they form a quorum, equal in authority to that of the
Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.
27. And every decision 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—
28. A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it
impossible to be otherwise—
29. 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.
30. 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;
31. Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they
shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.
32. 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 no appeal from their decision.
33. The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to
officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the
Church, agreeable 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.
34. The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the
direction of the Twelve or the traveling 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;
35. 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.
36. 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 traveling high council.
37. The high council in Zion form 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.
38. It is the duty of the traveling high council to call upon the
Seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and
administering the gospel, instead of any others.
39. 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—
40. 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.
41. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down
by lineage in the following manner:
42. From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of
sixty-nine 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;
43. Because he (Seth) was a perfect man, and his likeness was the
express likeness of his father, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his
father in all things, and could be distinguished from him only by his age.
44. Enos was ordained at the age of one hundred and thirty-four
years and four months, by the hand of Adam.
45. 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.
46. Mahalaleel was four hundred and ninety-six years and seven
days old when he was ordained by the hand of Adam, who also blessed him.
47. Jared was two hundred years old when he was ordained under the
hand of Adam, who also blessed him.
48. Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the
hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him.
49. And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before
his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five
years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated.
50. Methuselah was one hundred years old when he was ordained
under the hand of Adam.
51. Lamech was thirty-two years old when he was ordained under the
hand of Seth.
52. Noah was ten years old when he was ordained under the hand of
Methuselah.
53. 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.
54. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed
Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
55. 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 forever.
56. 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.
57. These things were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to
be testified of in due time.
58. It is the duty of the Twelve, also, to ordain and set in order
all the other officers of the church, agreeable to the revelation which says:
59. To the church of Christ in the land of Zion, in addition to
the church laws respecting church business—
60. Verily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, there must
needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office of an
elder;
61. And also priests to preside over those who are of the office
of a priest;
62. And also teachers to preside over those who are of the office
of a teacher, in like manner, and also the deacons—
63. 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.
64. Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
65. 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;
66. Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High
Priesthood of the Church.
67. From the same comes the administering of ordinances and
blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the hands.
68. Wherefore, the office of a bishop is not equal unto it; for
the office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things;
69. Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood,
unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;
70. For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold
the keys of that priesthood.
71. 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;
72. And also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the
church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be
laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors,
whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.
73. 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.
74. 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 ministry, until the borders of Zion are
enlarged and it becomes necessary to have other bishops or judges in Zion or
elsewhere.
75. And inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall
act in the same office.
76. 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 counselors, 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.
77. And the decision of either of these councils, agreeable to the
commandment which says:
78. 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 judges, it shall be handed
over and carried up unto the council of the church, before the Presidency of
the High Priesthood.
79. And the Presidency of the council of the High Priesthood shall
have power to call other high priests, even twelve, to assist as counselors;
and thus the Presidency of the High Priesthood and its counselors shall have
power to decide upon testimony according to the laws of the church.
80. 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.
81. There is not any person belonging to the church who is exempt
from this council of the church.
82. And inasmuch 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 counselors of the High Priesthood;
83. And their decision upon his head shall be an end of
controversy concerning him.
84. Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of
God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according
to truth and righteousness.
85. And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over
the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council
with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another, as it is given
according to the covenants.
86. And also the duty of the president over the office of the
teachers is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to sit in council
with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.
87. Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is
to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach
them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants—
88. This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the
duties of this priesthood.
89. Again, the duty of the president over the office of elders is
to preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to
teach them according to the covenants.
90. This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy,
and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world.
91. And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High
Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—
92. Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a
translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon
the head of the church.
93. And it is according to the vision showing the order of the
Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen
out of the number of the seventy;
94. And the seventh president of these presidents is to preside
over the six;
95. And these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides
the first seventy to whom they belong, and are to preside over them;
96. And also other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the
labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.
97. And these seventy are to be traveling ministers, unto the
Gentiles first and also unto the Jews.
98. Whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the
Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel
among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow,
notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.
99. Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the
office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
100. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and
he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted
worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.
1844
Section 4
Utah
Section 84
REVELATION given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 22 and 23, 1832.
1. A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six
elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high.
2. Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in
the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth
of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion,
which shall be the city of New Jerusalem.
3. Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which
is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State
of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with
whom the Lord was well pleased.
4. Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New
Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this
place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this
generation.
5. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an
house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud
shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.
6. And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which
he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro;
7. And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;
8. And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;
9. And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;
10. And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;
11. And Gad under the hand of Esaias;
12. And Esaias received it under the hand of God.
13. Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of
him—
14. Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who
received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah;
15. And from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their
fathers;
16. And from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his
brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of
his father Adam, who was the first man—
17. Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all
generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.
18. And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his
seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and
abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
19. And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and
holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge
of God.
20. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness
is manifest.
21. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the
priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22. For without this no man can see the face of God, even the
Father, and live.
23. Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the
wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold
the face of God;
24. But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his
presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against
them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness,
which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25. Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy
Priesthood also;
26. And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the
key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27. Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and
the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in
his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of
Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from
his mother's womb.
28. For he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was
ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old unto this power,
to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord
before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in
whose hand is given all power.
29. And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary
appendages belonging unto the high priesthood.
30. And again, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary
appendages belonging to the lesser priesthood, which priesthood was confirmed
upon Aaron and his sons.
31. Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons
of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and
sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in
this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed—
32. And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the
glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house, whose sons are ye; and
also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my church.
33. For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods
of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the
Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of
Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me,
saith the Lord;
36. For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37. And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38. And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom;
therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth
to the priesthood.
40. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this
oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41. But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it,
and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this
world nor in the world to come.
42. And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which
ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by
mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and
mine angels charge concerning you.
43. And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning
yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from
the mouth of God.
45. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is
light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the
world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth
to the voice of the Spirit.
47. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit
cometh unto God, even the Father.
48. And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has
renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and
not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.
49. And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness
and under the bondage of sin.
50. And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin,
because they come not unto me.
51. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.
52. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my
voice, and is not of me.
53. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and
that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.
54. And your minds in times past have been darkened because of
unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
55. Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under
condemnation.
56. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even
all.
57. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they
repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former
commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to
that which I have written—
58. That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's
kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon
the children of Zion.
59. For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land?
Verily, I say unto you, Nay.
60. Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which
are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things;
61. For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that
you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in
bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto
you.
62. Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place
ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the
world unto every creature.
63. And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for
you are mine apostles, even God's high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath
given me; ye are my friends;
64. Therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again,
that every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the
remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost.
65. And these signs shall follow them that believe—
66. In my name they shall do many wonderful works;
67. In my name they shall cast out devils;
68. In my name they shall heal the sick;
69. In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop
the ears of the deaf;
70. And the tongue of the dumb shall speak;
71. And if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not
hurt them;
72. And the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them.
73. But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast
themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these
things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation.
74. Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your
words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their
sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come
into my Father's kingdom where my Father and I am.
75. And this revelation unto you, and commandment, is in force
from this very hour upon all the world, and the gospel is unto all who have not
received it.
76. But, verily I say unto all those to whom the kingdom has been
given—from you it must be preached unto them, that they shall repent of their
former evil works; for they are to be upbraided for their evil hearts of
unbelief, and your brethren in Zion for their rebellion against you at the time
I sent you.
77. And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I
shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment,
that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to
preach the gospel in my power;
78. For I suffered them not to have purse or scrip, neither two
coats.
79. Behold, I send you out to prove the world, and the laborer is
worthy of his hire.
80. And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the
kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in
mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his
head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry,
neither athirst.
81. Therefore, take ye no thought for the morrow, for what ye
shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed.
82. For, consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they
toil not, neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world, in all their
glory, are not arrayed like one of these.
83. For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need
of all these things.
84. Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of
itself.
85. Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but
treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given
you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.
86. Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto
all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from
this hour take purse or scrip, that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the
kingdom.
87. Behold, I send you out to reprove the world of all their
unrighteous deeds, and to teach them of a judgment which is to come.
88. And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go
before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit
shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
89. Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; and the same will feed you,
and clothe you, and give you money.
90. And he who feeds you, or clothes you, or gives you money, shall
in nowise lose his reward.
91. And he that doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this
you may know my disciples.
92. He that receiveth you not, go away from him alone by
yourselves, and cleanse your feet even with water, pure water, whether in heat
or in cold, and bear testimony of it unto your Father which is in heaven, and
return not again unto that man.
93. And in whatsoever village or city ye enter, do likewise.
94. Nevertheless, search diligently and spare not; and wo unto
that house, or that village or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your
testimony concerning me.
95. Wo, I say again, unto that house, or that village or city that
rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony of me;
96. For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to
scourge them for their wickedness.
97. And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from
the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in
righteousness—
98. Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto
the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see
eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing
this new song, saying:
99.
The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
And covenant of their fathers.
100.
The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
101.
The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And truth is established in her bowels;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people.
102.
Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
Forever and ever, Amen.
103. And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, it is expedient
that every man who goes forth to proclaim mine everlasting gospel, that
inasmuch as they have families, and receive money by gift, that they should
send it unto them or make use of it for their benefit, as the Lord shall direct
them, for thus it seemeth me good.
104. And let all those who have not families, who receive money,
send it up unto the bishop in Zion, or unto the bishop in Ohio, that it may be
consecrated for the bringing forth of the revelations and the printing thereof,
and for establishing Zion.
105. And if any man shall give unto any of you a coat, or a suit,
take the old and cast it unto the poor, and go on your way rejoicing.
106. And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him
take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he
may become strong also.
107. Therefore, take with you those who are ordained unto the
lesser priesthood, and send them before you to make appointments, and to
prepare the way, and to fill appointments that you yourselves are not able to
fill.
108. Behold, this is the way that mine apostles, in ancient days,
built up my church unto me.
109. Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor
in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of
the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?
110. Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be
edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.
111. And behold, the high priests should travel, and also the
elders, and also the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be
appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church.
112. And the bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also should travel round
about and among all the churches, searching after the poor to administer to their
wants by humbling the rich and the proud.
113. He should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his
secular business as he shall direct.
114. Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York,
also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people
of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the
desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these
things.
115. For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment
is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate.
116. Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a
hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.
117. And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye
forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the
great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of
all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and
understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days.
118. For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their
kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall
tremble.
119. For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers
of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and
know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.
120. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Amen.
1844
Section 5
Utah
Section 102
MINUTES of the organization of the first High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 17, 1834.
1. This day a general council of twenty-four high priests assembled at the
house of Joseph Smith, Jun., by revelation, and proceeded to organize the high
council of the church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve high priests,
and one or three presidents as the case might require.
2. The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of
settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could
not be settled by the church or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of the
parties.
3. Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams
were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council; and Joseph Smith,
Sen., John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin Harris, John S. Carter,
Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson Hyde, Sylvester Smith, and
Luke Johnson, high priests, were chosen to be a standing council for the
church, by the unanimous voice of the council.
4. The above-named councilors were then asked whether they
accepted their appointments, and whether they would act in that office
according to the law of heaven, to which they all answered that they accepted
their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God
bestowed upon them.
5. The number composing the council, who voted in the name and for
the church in appointing the above-named councilors were forty-three, as
follows: nine high priests, seventeen elders, four priests, and thirteen
members.
6. Voted: that the high council cannot have power to act without
seven of the above-named councilors, or their regularly appointed successors
are present.
7. These seven shall have power to appoint other high priests,
whom they may consider worthy and capable to act in the place of absent
councilors.
8. Voted: that whenever any vacancy shall occur by the death,
removal from office for transgression, or removal from the bounds of this
church government, of any one of the above-named councilors, it shall be filled
by the nomination of the president or presidents, and sanctioned by the voice
of a general council of high priests, convened for that purpose, to act in the
name of the church.
9. The president of the church, who is also the president of the
council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged in his administration by
the voice of the church.
10. And it is according to the dignity of his office that he
should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be
assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he
himself was appointed.
11. And in case of the absence of one or both of those who are
appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an
assistant; and in case he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to
preside in his stead, both or either of them.
12. Whenever a high council of the church of Christ is regularly
organized, according to the foregoing pattern, it shall be the duty of the
twelve councilors to cast lots by numbers, and thereby ascertain who of the
twelve shall speak first, commencing with number one and so in succession to
number twelve.
13. Whenever this council convenes to act upon any case, the
twelve councilors shall consider whether it is a difficult one or not; if it is
not, two only of the councilors shall speak upon it, according to the form
above written.
14. But if it is thought to be difficult, four shall be appointed;
and if more difficult, six; but in no case shall more than six be appointed to
speak.
15. The accused, in all cases, has a right to one-half of the
council, to prevent insult or injustice.
16. And the councilors appointed to speak before the council are
to present the case, after the evidence is examined, in its true light before
the council; and every man is to speak according to equity and justice.
17. Those councilors who draw even numbers, that is, 2, 4, 6, 8,
10, and 12, are the individuals who are to stand up in behalf of the accused,
and prevent insult and injustice.
18. In all cases the accuser and the accused shall have a
privilege of speaking for themselves before the council, after the evidences
are heard and the councilors who are appointed to speak on the case have
finished their remarks.
19. After the evidences are heard, the councilors, accuser and
accused have spoken, the president shall give a decision according to the
understanding which he shall have of the case, and call upon the twelve
councilors to sanction the same by their vote.
20. But should the remaining councilors, who have not spoken, or
any one of them, after hearing the evidences and pleadings impartially,
discover an error in the decision of the president, they can manifest it, and
the case shall have a re-hearing.
21. And if, after a careful re-hearing, any additional light is
shown upon the case, the decision shall be altered accordingly.
22. But in case no additional light is given, the first decision
shall stand, the majority of the council having power to determine the same.
23. In case of difficulty respecting doctrine or principle, if
there is not a sufficiency written to make the case clear to the minds of the
council, the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by
revelation.
24. The high priests, when abroad, have power to call and organize
a council after the manner of the foregoing, to settle difficulties, when the
parties or either of them shall request it.
25. And the said council of high priests shall have power to
appoint one of their own number to preside over such council for the time
being.
26. It shall be the duty of said council to transmit, immediately,
a copy of their proceedings, with a full statement of the testimony
accompanying their decision, to the high council of the seat of the First
Presidency of the Church.
27. Should the parties or either of them be dissatisfied with the
decision of said council, they may appeal to the high council of the seat of
the First Presidency of the Church, and have a re-hearing, which case shall
there be conducted, according to the former pattern written, as though no such
decision had been made.
28. This council of high priests abroad is only to be called on the
most difficult cases of church matters; and no common or ordinary case is to be
sufficient to call such council.
29. The traveling or located high priests abroad have power to say
whether it is necessary to call such a council or not.
30. There is a distinction between the high council or traveling
high priests abroad, and the traveling high council composed of the twelve
apostles, in their decisions.
31. From the decision of the former there can be an appeal; but
from the decision of the latter there cannot.
32. The latter can only be called in question by the general
authorities of the church in case of transgression.
33. Resolved: that the president or presidents of the seat of the
First Presidency of the Church shall have power to determine whether any such
case, as may be appealed, is justly entitled to a re-hearing, after examining
the appeal and the evidences and statements accompanying it.
34. The twelve councilors then proceeded to cast lots or ballot,
to ascertain who should speak first, and the following was the result, namely:
1, Oliver Cowdery; 2, Joseph Coe; 3, Samuel H. Smith; 4, Luke Johnson; 5, John
S. Carter; 6, Sylvester Smith; 7, John Johnson; 8, Orson Hyde; 9, Jared Carter;
10, Joseph Smith, Sen.; 11, John Smith; 12, Martin Harris.
After prayer the conference adjourned.
OLIVER COWDERY,
ORSON HYDE,
Clerks.
1844
Section 6
Utah
Section 86
REVELATION given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 6, 1832.
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of
the wheat and of the tares:
2. Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles
were the sowers of the seed;
3. And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the
church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink
of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he
soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church
into the wilderness.
4. But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is
beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet
tender—
5. Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the
Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the
fields;
6. But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the
blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat
also.
7. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the
harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the
tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound
in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
8. Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the
priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—
9. For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been
hid from the world with Christ in God—
10. Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must
needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things
spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.
11. Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a
light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people
Israel. The Lord hath said it. Amen.
1844
Section 7
Utah
Section 88
REVELATION given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 27, 1832.
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together
to receive his will concerning you:
2. Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice
over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of
Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them
of the celestial world.
3. Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you
my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise;
which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is
recorded in the testimony of John.
4. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal
life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;
5. Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God,
the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—
6. He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all
things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through
all things, the light of truth;
7. Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is
in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was
made.
8. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and
the power thereof by which it was made;
9. As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which
they were made;
10. And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon
which you stand.
11. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is
through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth
your understandings;
12. Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill
the immensity of space—
13. The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all
things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of
God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the
midst of all things.
14. Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which
is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead.
15. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
16. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the
soul.
17. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth
all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the
earth shall inherit it.
18. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all
unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
19. For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall
be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
20. That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it
forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and for this
intent are they sanctified.
21. And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have
given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that
of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
22. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom
cannot abide a celestial glory.
23. And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom
cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
24. And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot
abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory.
Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
25. And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of
a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and
transgresseth not the law—
26. Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it
shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it
is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.
27. For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a
spiritual body.
28. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body
which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory
shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.
29. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall
then receive of the same, even a fulness.
30. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial
glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
31. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial
glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
32. And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless,
they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are
willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they
might have received.
33. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him,
and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given
unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
34. And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by
law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
35. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh
to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether
abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor
judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
36. All kingdoms have a law given;
37. And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the
which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space,
either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
38. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law
there are certain bounds also and conditions.
39. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not
justified.
40. For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth
wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light;
mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its
course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth
upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.
41. He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him,
and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all
things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all
things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.
42. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all
things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;
43. And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens
and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets.
44. And they give light to each other in their times and in their
seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in
their months, in their years—all these are one year with God, but not with man.
45. The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light
by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their
light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power
of God.
46. Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may
understand?
47. Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any
or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
48. I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came
unto his own was not comprehended.
49. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth
it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God,
being quickened in him and by him.
50. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I
am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could
not abound.
51. Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field,
and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.
52. And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and
in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my
countenance.
53. And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in
the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.
54. And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you;
55. And unto the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth.
56. And the lord of the field went unto the first in the first
hour, and tarried with him all that hour, and he was made glad with the light
of the countenance of his lord.
57. And then he withdrew from the first that he might visit the
second also, and the third, and the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth.
58. And thus they all received the light of the countenance of
their lord, every man in his hour, and in his time, and in his season—
59. Beginning at the first, and so on unto the last, and from the
last unto the first, and from the first unto the last;
60. Every man in his own order, until his hour was finished, even
according as his lord had commanded him, that his lord might be glorified in
him, and he in his lord, that they all might be glorified.
61. Therefore, unto this parable I will liken all these kingdoms,
and the inhabitants thereof—every kingdom in its hour, and in its time, and in
its season, even according to the decree which God hath made.
62. And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these
sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give
unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near—
63. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently
and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you.
64. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto
you, that is expedient for you;
65. And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall
turn unto your condemnation.
66. Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in
the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because
my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if
it be in you it shall abound.
67. And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall
be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body
which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single
to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his
face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and
according to his own will.
69. Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto
you; cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you.
70. Tarry ye, tarry ye in this place, and call a solemn assembly,
even of those who are the first laborers in this last kingdom.
71. And let those whom they have warned in their traveling call on
the Lord, and ponder the warning in their hearts which they have received, for
a little season.
72. Behold, and lo, I will take care of your flocks, and will
raise up elders and send unto them.
73. Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.
74. And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last
kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize
yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your
hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you
clean;
75. That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God,
that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil
this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I
will.
76. Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in
prayer and fasting from this time forth.
77. And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one
another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you
may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the
law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are
expedient for you to understand;
79. Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the
earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come
to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities
of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also
of countries and of kingdoms—
80. That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you
again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with
which I have commissioned you.
81. Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it
becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
82. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are
upon their own heads.
83. He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be
forsaken.
84. Therefore, tarry ye, and labor diligently, that you may be
perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as
many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the
testimony, and to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come;
85. That their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation
of abomination which awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the world to
come. Verily, I say unto you, let those who are not the first elders continue
in the vineyard until the mouth of the Lord shall call them, for their time is
not yet come; their garments are not clean from the blood of this generation.
86. Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle
not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.
87. For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel
to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse
to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall
become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth
from off a fig-tree.
88. And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the
people.
89. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes,
that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the
ground and shall not be able to stand.
90. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and
the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves
of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts
shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.
92. And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with
a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O
inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold, and lo,
the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
93. And immediately there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and
all people shall see it together.
94. And another angel shall sound his trump, saying: That great
church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of
the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the saints of God, that shed
their blood—she who sitteth upon many waters, and upon the islands of the
sea—behold, she is the tares of the earth; she is bound in bundles; her bands are
made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And
he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall hear it.
95. And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an
hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a
scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be
unveiled;
96. And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall
be quickened and be caught up to meet him.
97. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for
their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in
the midst of the pillar of heaven—
98. They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend
with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are
first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the
trump of the angel of God.
99. And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second
trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming;
who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that
they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.
100. And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third
trump; and then come the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found
under condemnation;
101. And these are the rest of the dead; and they live not again
until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth.
102. And another trump shall sound, which is the fourth trump,
saying: There are found among those who are to remain until that great and last
day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still.
103. And another trump shall sound, which is the fifth trump,
which is the fifth angel who committeth the everlasting gospel—flying through
the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people;
104. And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all
people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear
shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while
they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who
sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is
come.
105. And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the
sixth angel, saying: She is fallen who made all nations drink of the wine of
the wrath of her fornication; she is fallen, is fallen!
106. And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the
seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath
overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the
fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.
107. And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his
might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their
inheritance and be made equal with him.
108. And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the
ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of
God in the first thousand years.
109. And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal
the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the
mighty works of God in the second thousand years—
110. And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and
he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of
him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan
shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be
loosed for the space of a thousand years.
111. And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he may
gather together his armies.
112. And Michael, the seventh angel, even the archangel, shall
gather together his armies, even the hosts of heaven.
113. And the devil shall gather together his armies; even the
hosts of hell, and shall come up to battle against Michael and his armies.
114. And then cometh the battle of the great God; and the devil
and his armies shall be cast away into their own place, that they shall not
have power over the saints any more at all.
115. For Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him
who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the Lamb.
116. This is the glory of God, and the sanctified; and they shall
not any more see death.
117. Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your
solemn assembly, as I have commanded you.
118. And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one
another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom;
seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
119. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and
establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of
faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
120. That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your
outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in
the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.
121. Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all
laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and
light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.
122. Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be
spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his
sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that
every man may have an equal privilege.
123. See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to
impart one to another as the gospel requires.
124. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault
one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed
early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds
may be invigorated.
125. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of
charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.
126. Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and
lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
127. And again, the order of the house prepared for the presidency
of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things
that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the church, or in
other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at
the high priests, even down to the deacons—
128. And this shall be the order of the house of the presidency of
the school: He that is appointed to be president, or teacher, shall be found
standing in his place, in the house which shall be prepared for him.
129. Therefore, he shall be first in the house of God, in a place
that the congregation in the house may hear his words carefully and distinctly,
not with loud speech.
130. And when he cometh into the house of God, for he should be
first in the house—behold, this is beautiful, that he may be an example—
131. Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in
token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant.
132. And when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise,
and, with uplifted hands to heaven, yea, even directly, salute his brother or
brethren with these words:
133. Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in
which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed,
immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of
God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in
thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen.
134. And he that is found unworthy of this salutation shall not
have place among you; for ye shall not suffer that mine house shall be polluted
by him.
135. And he that cometh in and is faithful before me, and is a
brother, or if they be brethren, they shall salute the president or teacher
with uplifted hands to heaven, with this same prayer and covenant, or by saying
Amen, in token of the same.
136. Behold, verily, I say unto you, this is an ensample unto you
for a salutation to one another in the house of God, in the school of the
prophets.
137. And ye are called to do this by prayer and thanksgiving, as
the Spirit shall give utterance in all your doings in the house of the Lord, in
the school of the prophets, that it may become a sanctuary, a tabernacle of the
Holy Spirit to your edification.
138. And ye shall not receive any among you into this school save
he is clean from the blood of this generation;
139. And he shall be received by the ordinance of the washing of
feet, for unto this end was the ordinance of the washing of feet instituted.
140. And again, the ordinance of washing feet is to be
administered by the president, or presiding elder of the church.
141. It is to be commenced with prayer; and after partaking of
bread and wine, he is to gird himself according to the pattern given in the
thirteenth chapter of John's testimony concerning me. Amen.
1844
Section 8
Utah
Section 6
REVELATION given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, April, 1829.
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and
powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both
joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words.
3. Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso
desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while
the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in
the kingdom of God.
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is
called of God.
5. Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will
knock it shall be opened unto you.
6. Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my
commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion;
7. Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries
of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he
that hath eternal life is rich.
8. Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it
shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good
in this generation.
9. Say nothing but repentance unto this generation; keep my
commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my commandments,
and you shall be blessed.
10. Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy
gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above—
11. And if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are
great and marvelous; therefore thou shalt exercise thy gift, that thou mayest
find out mysteries, that thou mayest bring many to the knowledge of the truth,
yea, convince them of the error of their ways.
12. Make not thy gift known unto any save it be those who are of
thy faith. Trifle not with sacred things.
13. If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end,
thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the
gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
14. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou
hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast
inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so,
thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.
15. Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did
enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that
thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth;
16. Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none
else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.
17. I tell thee these things as a witness unto thee—that the words
or the work which thou hast been writing are true.
18. Therefore be diligent; stand by my servant Joseph, faithfully,
in whatsoever difficult circumstances he may be for the word's sake.
19. Admonish him in his faults, and also receive admonition of
him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and
charity.
20. Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because
of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and
diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the
arms of my love.
21. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that
came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth
in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
22. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further
witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart,
that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
23. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What
greater witness can you have than from God?
24. And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have
told you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
25. And, behold, I grant unto you a gift, if you desire of me, to
translate, even as my servant Joseph.
26. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that there are records which
contain much of my gospel, which have been kept back because of the wickedness
of the people;
27. And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire
to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing to
light, with your gift, those parts of my scriptures which have been hidden
because of iniquity.
28. And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant
Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in
the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
29. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and
this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more
unto you than unto me.
30. And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me,
blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31. But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by
the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have
joy in the fruit of your labors.
32. Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples,
where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing,
behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33. Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that
shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your
reward.
34. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell
combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more;
perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints
of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye
shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
1844
Section 9
Utah
Section 24
REVELATION given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July, 1830.
1. Behold, thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my
ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have
counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou
hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness!
2. Nevertheless, thou art not excusable in thy transgressions;
nevertheless, go thy way and sin no more.
3. Magnify thine office; and after thou hast sowed thy fields and
secured them, go speedily unto the church which is in Colesville, Fayette, and
Manchester, and they shall support thee; and I will bless them both spiritually
and temporally;
4. But if they receive thee not, I will send upon them a cursing
instead of a blessing.
5. And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and
writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding
all scriptures unto the church.
6. And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt
speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing
instead of a blessing.
7. For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou
shalt have strength.
8. Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure
them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.
9. And in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this
is not thy calling. Attend to thy calling and thou shalt have wherewith to
magnify thine office, and to expound all scriptures, and continue in laying on
of the hands and confirming the churches.
10. And thy brother Oliver shall continue in bearing my name
before the world, and also to the church. And he shall not suppose that he can
say enough in my cause; and lo, I am with him to the end.
11. In me he shall have glory, and not of himself, whether in
weakness or in strength, whether in bonds or free;
12. And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth
and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I
will give unto him strength such as is not known among men.
13. Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except
casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and
against deadly poisons;
14. And these things ye shall not do, except it be required of you
by them who desire it, that the scriptures might be fulfilled; for ye shall do
according to that which is written.
15. And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you
not in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off
the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by
the wayside.
16. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall lay their hands
upon you by violence, ye shall command to be smitten in my name; and, behold, I
will smite them according to your words, in mine own due time.
17. And whosoever shall go to law with thee shall be cursed by the
law.
18. And thou shalt take no purse nor scrip, neither staves,
neither two coats, for the church shall give unto thee in the very hour what
thou needest for food and for raiment, and for shoes and for money, and for
scrip.
19. For thou art called to prune my vineyard with a mighty
pruning, yea, even for the last time; yea, and also all those whom thou hast
ordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen.
1844
Section 10
Utah
Section 29
REVELATION given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the presence of six Elders, at Fayette, New York, September, 1830.
1. Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, whose
arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
2. Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves
before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.
3. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that at this time your
sins are forgiven you, therefore ye receive these things; but remember to sin
no more, lest perils shall come upon you.
4. Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to
declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.
5. Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am
your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.
6. And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being
united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.
7. And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect;
for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;
8. Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they
shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare
their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and
desolation are sent forth upon the wicked.
9. For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is
ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I
will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that wickedness shall not be upon
the earth;
10. For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine
apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to pass;
11. For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great
glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth
a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.
12. And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, and it hath gone
forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine apostles, the
Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall stand at my right
hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being clothed with robes of
righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory even as I am, to judge
the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me and kept my
commandments, and none else.
13. For a trump shall sound both long and loud, even as upon Mount
Sinai, and all the earth shall quake, and they shall come forth—yea, even the
dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness, and to be clothed
upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one.
14. But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall
come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and
the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven
above and in the earth beneath;
15. And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men;
16. And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the
crops of the earth.
17. And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the
world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent;
for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse
them if they hear me not.
18. Wherefore, I the Lord God will send forth flies upon the face
of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat
their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them;
19. And their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter
against me; and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes
from their sockets;
20. And it shall come to pass that the beasts of the forest and
the fowls of the air shall devour them up.
21. And the great and abominable church, which is the whore of all
the earth, shall be cast down by devouring fire, according as it is spoken by
the mouth of Ezekiel the prophet, who spoke of these things, which have not
come to pass but surely must, as I live, for abominations shall not reign.
22. And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the
thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God, then will I
spare the earth but for a little season;
23. And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be
consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
24. For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall
become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both
men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea;
25. And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the
workmanship of mine hand.
26. But, behold, verily I say unto you, before the earth shall
pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his trump, and then shall all
the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come
forth—yea, even all.
27. And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto
eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before
the Father;
28. Wherefore I will say unto them—Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
29. And now, behold, I say unto you, never at any time have I
declared from mine own mouth that they should return, for where I am they
cannot come, for they have no power.
30. But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men; and
as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled,
that the first shall be last, and that the last shall be first in all things
whatsoever I have created by the word of my power, which is the power of my
Spirit.
31. For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things
both spiritual and temporal—
32. First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of
my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last
of my work—
33. Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto
myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that
ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed.
34. Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are
spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal;
neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I
created.
35. Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto
himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I
unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal,
neither carnal nor sensual.
36. And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil—for,
behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me
thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven
turned he away from me because of their agency;
37. And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his
angels;
38. And, behold, there is a place prepared for them from the
beginning, which place is hell.
39. And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children
of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should
have bitter they could not know the sweet—
40. Wherefore, it came to pass that the devil tempted Adam, and he
partook of the forbidden fruit and transgressed the commandment, wherein he
became subject to the will of the devil, because he yielded unto temptation.
41. Wherefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out
from the Garden of Eden, from my presence, because of his transgression,
wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same
death which is the last death, which is spiritual, which shall be pronounced
upon the wicked when I shall say: Depart, ye cursed.
42. But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto
Adam and unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death,
until I, the Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance
and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son.
43. And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his
probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto
eternal life, even as many as would believe;
44. And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they
cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not;
45. For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are
evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey.
46. But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed
from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
47. Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan
to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;
48. For it is given unto them even as I will, according to mine
own pleasure, that great things may be required at the hand of their fathers.
49. And, again, I say unto you, that whoso having knowledge, have
I not commanded to repent?
50. And he that hath no understanding, it remaineth in me to do
according as it is written. And now I declare no more unto you at this time.
Amen.
