Section Four
1839–1842
The Prophet's Address to the Twelve
In the afternoon of Monday, July 2, 1839, the Prophet met with the Apostles and some of the
Seventies who were about to depart on their mission to Great Britain in fulfilment of the
revelation of the Lord, and instructed them. A synopsis of his remarks he placed in his journal
and this is here reproduced in full as they are given in History of the Church.
Beware of Pride
Ever keep in exercise the principles of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first
intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or
even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as
merciful unto us.
Again, let the Twelve and all Saints be willing to confess all their sins, and not keep back a part;
and let the Twelve be humble, and not be exalted, and beware of pride, and not seek to excel one
above another, but act for each other's good, and pray for one another, and honor our brother or
make honorable mention of his name, and not backbite and devour our brother. Why will not
man learn wisdom by precept at this late age of the world, when we have such a cloud of
witnesses and examples before us, and not be obliged to learn by sad experience everything we
know? Must the new ones that are chosen to fill the places of those that are fallen, of the quorum
of the Twelve, begin to exalt themselves, until they exalt themselves so high that they will soon
tumble over and have a great fall, and go wallowing through the mud and mire and darkness,
Judas–like, to the buffetings of Satan, as several of the quorum have done, or will they learn
wisdom and be wise? O God! give them wisdom, and keep them humble, I pray.
When the Twelve or any other witnesses stand before the congregations of the earth, and they
preach in the power and demonstration of the Spirit of God, and the people are astonished and
confounded at the doctrine, and say, "That man has preached a powerful discourse, a great
sermon," then let that man or those men take care that they do not ascribe the glory unto
themselves, but be careful that they are humble, and ascribe the praise and glory to God and the
Lamb; for it is by the power of the Holy Priesthood and the Holy Ghost that they have power thus
to speak. What art thou, O man, but dust? And from whom receivest thou thy power and
blessings, but from God?
Not Sent to Be Taught
Then, O ye Twelve! notice this Key, and be wise for Christ's sake, and your own soul's sake. Ye
are not sent out to be taught, but to teach. Let every word be seasoned with grace. Be vigilant; be
sober. It is a day of warning, and not of many words. Act honestly before God and man. Beware
of Gentile sophistry; such as bowing and scraping unto men in whom you have no confidence. Be
honest, open, and frank in all your intercourse with mankind.
Do Not Betray the Brethren
O ye Twelve! and all Saints! profit by this important Key—that in all your trials, troubles,
temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it, that you do not betray heaven;
that you do not betray Jesus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the
revelations of God, whether in Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants, or any other
that ever was or ever will be given and revealed unto man in this world or that which is to come.
Yea, in all your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood
be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell. All other sins are not to be compared to
sinning against the Holy Ghost, and proving a traitor to the brethren.
A Key to Mysteries
I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that
has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn other, finding fault
with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know
assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize,
as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who
seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the
pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is
an adulterous man.
The Prophet on Priesthood
The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it
from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in
Genesis 1:26, 27, 28. He had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael the
Archangel, spoken of in the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel: he stands next in authority
to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in
this day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in
heaven.
Priesthood Everlasting
The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to
eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven
whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam's authority.
Adam the Oldest Man
Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of days; he means the oldest man, our Father
Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them
for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides
over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand
council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands
before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to
Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his
standing as head of the human family.
The Spirit of Man
The spirit of man is not a created being;5 it existed from eternity, and will exist to eternity.
Anything created cannot be eternal; and earth, water, etc., had their existence in an elementary
state, from eternity. Our Savior speaks of children and says, Their angels always stand before my
Father. The Father called all spirits before Him at the creation of man, and organized them. He
(Adam) is the head, and was told to multiply. The keys were first given to him, and by him to
others. He will have to give an account of his stewardship, and they to him.
Keys Given to Peter, James and John
The Priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James and
John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is
everlasting—without beginning of days or end of years; without father, mother, etc. If there is no
change of ordinances there is no change of Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel
are administered, there is the Priesthood.
Descent of Priesthood
How have we come at the Priesthood in the last days? It came down, down, in regular succession.
Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others. Christ is the Great High
Priest; Adam next. Paul speaks of the Church coming to an innumerable company of angels—to
God the Judge of all the spirits of just men made perfect; to Jesus the Mediator of the new
covenant. (Hebrews 12:22–24.)
I saw Adam in the valley of Adam–ondi–Ahman. He called together his children and blessed them
with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all,
and foretold what should befall them to the latest generation.
This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God. They
looked for a city, etc., "whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10.) Moses sought to
bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through the power of the Priesthood, but he
could not. In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were
Eliases raised up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them; but they
prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul spoke of the dispensation of the
fullness of times, when God would gather together all things in one, etc.; and those men to whom
these keys have been given, will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.
These men are in heaven, but their children are on the earth. Their bowels yearn over us. God
sends down men for this reason. "And the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall
gather out of His kingdom all things that give offense and them that do iniquity." (Matthew
13:41.) All these authoritative characters will come down and join hand in hand in bringing about
this work.
We Cannot Be Perfect Without Our Dead
The Kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed. The mustard seed is small, but brings forth
a large tree, and the fowls lodge in the branches. The fowls are the angels. Thus angels come
down, combine together to gather their children, and gather them. We cannot be made perfect
without them, nor they without us; when these things are done, the Son of Man will descend, the
Ancient of Days sit; we may come to an innumerable company of angels, have communion with
and receive instruction from them. Paul told about Moses' proceedings; spoke of the children of
Israel being baptized. (1 Cor. 10:1–4.) He knew this, and that all the ordinances and blessings
were in the Church. Paul had these things, and we may have the fowls of heaven lodge in the
branches, etc.
The "Horn" made war with the Saints and overcame them, until the Ancient of Days came;
judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High from the Ancient of Days; the time came that
the Saints possessed the Kingdom. This not only makes us ministers here, but in eternity.
No Salvation Without Revelation
Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man
is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ
except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy. Whenever salvation has
been administered, it has been by testimony. Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell,
and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.
Signs of Second Coming Have Commenced
Men profess to prophesy. I will prophesy that the signs of the coming of the Son of man are
already commenced. One pestilence will desolate after another. We shall soon have war and
bloodshed. the moon will be turned to blood. I testify of these things, and that the coming of the
Son of Man is nigh, even at your doors. If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the
coming of the Son of Man; and after we are dead, if we are not looking forth, we shall be among
those who are calling for the rocks to fall upon them.
Hearts of Children Turn to Fathers
The hearts of the children of men will have to be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the
children, living or dead, to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. If Elijah did not
come, the whole earth would be smitten.
There will be here and there a Stake [of Zion] for the gathering of the Saints. Some may have
cried peace, but the Saints and the world will have little peace from henceforth. Let this not
hinder us from going to the Stakes; for God has told us to flee, not dallying, or we shall be
scattered, one here, and another there. There your children shall be blessed, and you in the midst
of friends where you may be blessed. The Gospel net gathers of every kind.
I prophesy, that that man who tarries after he has an opportunity of going, will be afflicted by the
devil. Wars are at hand; we must not delay; but are not required to sacrifice. We ought to have
the building up of Zion as our greatest object. When wars come, we shall have to flee to Zion.
The cry is to make haste. The last revelation says, Ye shall not have time to have gone over the
earth, until these things come. It will come as did the cholera, war, fires, and earthquakes; one
pestilence after another, until the Ancient of Days comes, then judgment will be given to the
Saints.
No Peace But in Zion
Whatever you may hear about me or Kirtland, take no notice of it; for if it be a place of refuge,
the devil will use his greatest efforts to trap the Saints. You must make yourselves acquainted
with men who like Daniel pray three times a day toward the House of the Lord. Look to the
Presidency and receive instruction. Every man who is afraid, covetous, will be taken in a snare.
The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes.
I saw men hunting the lives of their own sons, and brother murdering brother, women killing
their own daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers. I saw armies arrayed
against armies. I saw blood, desolation, fires. The Son of man has said that the mother shall be
against the daughters, and the daughter against the mother. These things are at our doors. They
will follow the Saints of God from city to city. Satan will rage, and the spirit of the devil is now
enraged. I know not how soon these things will take place; but with a view of them, shall I cry
peace? No; I will lift up my voice and testify of them. How long you will have good crops, and
the famine be kept off, I do not know; when the fig tree leaves, know then that the summer is
nigh at hand.
Try the Spirits
We may look for angels and receive their ministrations, but we are to try the spirits and prove
them, for it is often the case that men make a mistake in regard to these things. God has so
ordained that when He has communicated, no vision is to be taken but what you see by the seeing
of the eye, or what you hear by the hearing of the ear. When you see a vision, pray for the
interpretation; if you get not this, shut it up; there must be certainty in this matter. An open vision
will manifest that which is more important. Lying spirits are going forth in the earth. There will
be great manifestations of spirits, both false and true.
Angels Do Not Have Wings
Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances. An angel of God never has
wings. Some will say that they have seen a spirit; that he offered them his hand, but they did not
touch it. This is a lie. First, it is contrary to the plan of God; a spirit cannot come but in glory; an
angel has flesh and bones; we see not their glory. The devil may appear as an angel of light. Ask
God to reveal it; if it be of the devil, he will flee from you; if of God, He will manifest Himself,
or make it manifest. We may come to Jesus and ask Him; He will know all about it; if He comes
to a little child, he will adapt himself to the language and capacity of a little child.
Not every spirit, or vision, or singing, is of God. The devil is an orator; he is powerful; he took
our Savior on to a pinnacle of the Temple, and kept Him in the wilderness for forty days. The gift
of discerning spirits will be given to the Presiding Elder. Pray for him that he may have this gift.
Speak not in the gift of tongues without understanding it, or without interpretation. The devil can
speak in tongues; the adversary will come with his work; he can tempt all classes; can speak in
English or Dutch. Let no one speak in tongues unless he interpret, except by the consent of the
one who is placed to preside; then he may discern or interpret, or another may. Let us seek for the
glory of Abraham, Noah, Adam, the Apostles, who have communion with [knowledge of] these
things, and then we shall be among that number when Christ comes. (July 2, 1839.) DHC
3:383–392.
Saints Not to Escape Judgments
I explained concerning the coming of the Son of Man; also that it is a false idea that the Saints
will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer, and "the
righteous shall hardly escape;" still many of the Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith;
yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, to pestilence, etc., by reason of the
weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God. So that it is an unhallowed
principle to say that such and such have transgressed because they have been prayed upon by
disease or death, for all flesh is subject to death; and the Savior has said, "Judge not, lest ye be
judged." (September 29, 1839.) DHC 4:11.
Letter of the Prophet to Elders Hyde and Page—Palestine Mission Considered
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois
May 14th, 1840
To Orson Hyde and John E. Page:
Dear Brethren: I am happy in being informed by your letter that your mission swells "larger and
larger." It is a great and important mission, and one that is worthy those intelligences who
surround the throne of Jehovah to be engaged in. Although it appears great at present, yet you
have but just begun to realize the greatness, the extent and glory of the same. If there is anything
calculated to interest the mind of the Saints, to awaken in them the finest sensibilities, and arouse
them to enterprise and exertion, surely it is the great and precious promises made by our heavenly
Father to the children of Abraham; and those engaged in seeking the outcasts of Israel, and the
dispersed of Judah, cannot fail to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord and have the choicest blessings of
heaven rest upon them in copious effusions.
A Blessing to the Covenant People
Brethren, you are in the pathway to eternal fame, and immortal glory; and inasmuch as you feel
interested for the covenant people of the Lord, the God of their fathers shall bless you. Do not be
discouraged on account of the greatness of the work; only be humble and faithful, and then you
can say, "What art thou, O great mountain! before Zerebbabel shalt thou be brought down." He
who scattered Israel has promised to gather them; therefore inasmuch as you are to be
instrumental in this great work, He will endow you with power, wisdom, might and intelligence,
and every qualification necessary; while your minds will expand wider and wider, until you can
circumscribe the earth and the heavens, reach forth into eternity, and contemplate the mighty acts
of Jehovah in all their variety and glory.
The Publication of Books
In answer to your inquiries respecting the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon,
hymn book, history of the Church, etc., I would say that I entirely approve of the same, and give
my consent, with the exception of the hymn book, as a new edition, containing a greater variety
of hymns, will be shortly published or printed in this place, which I think will be a standard
work. As soon as it is printed, you shall have some sent to you, which you may get translated,
and printed into any language you please.
Should we not be able to send some to you, and there should be a great call for hymn books
where you may be, then I should have no objection to your publishing the present one. Were you
to publish the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or hymn book, I desire the copyright of
the same to be secured in my name.
With respect to publishing any other work, either original or those which have been published
before, you will be governed by circumstances; if you think necessary to do so, I shall have no
objection whatever. It will be well to study plainness and simplicity in whatever you publish, "for
my soul delighteth in plainness."
The Duty of Seventies
I feel much pleased with the spirit of your letter—and be assured, dear brethren, of my hearty
cooperation, and my prayers for your welfare and success. In answer to your inquiry in a former
letter, relative to the duty of the Seventies in regulating churches, etc., I say that the duties of the
Seventies are more particularly to preach the Gospel, and build up churches, rather than regulate
them, that a High Priest may take charge of them. If a High Priest should be remiss in his duty,
and should lead, or suffer the Church to be led astray, depart from the ordinances of the Lord,
then it is the duty of one of the Seventies, acting under the special direction of the Twelve, being
duly commissioned by them with their delegated authority, to go to the Church, and if agreeable
to a majority of the members of said Church, to proceed to regulate and put in order the same;
otherwise, he can have no authority to act.
JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.
DHC 4:128–129.
Trials Before High Council
Saturday, July 11, 1840.—The High Council met at my office, when I taught them principles
relating to their duty as a Council, and that they might be guided by the same in future, I ordered
it to be recorded as follows: "That the Council should try no case without both parties being
present, or having had an opportunity to be present; neither should they hear one person's
complaint before his case is brought up for trial; neither should they suffer the character of any
one to be exposed before the High Council without the person being present and ready to defend
him or herself; that the minds of the councilors be not prejudiced for or against any one whose
case they may possibly have to act upon." (July 11, 1840.) DHC 4:154.
The Prophet's Letter to William W. Phelps, Welcoming Him Back into the Church
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois
July 22, 1840
Dear Brother Phelps.—I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few
lines to you in answer to yours of the 29th ultimo; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege
granted me.
You may in some measure realize what my feelings, as well as Elder Rigdon's and Brother
Hyrum's were, when we read your letter—truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and
compassion when we ascertained your resolves. I can assure you I feel a disposition to act on
your case in a manner that will meet the approbation of Jehovah, (whose servant I am), and
agreeable to the principles of truth and righteousness which have been revealed; and inasmuch as
long–suffering, patience, and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our heavenly Father
towards the humble and patient, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish the same principles,
and by so doing be a savior of my fellow men.
It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already
full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us.
One with whom we had oft taken sweet counsel together, and enjoyed many refreshing seasons
from the Lord—"had it been an enemy, we could have borne it. In the day that thou stoodest on
the other side, in the day when strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered
into his gates, and cast lots upon Far West, even thou wast as one of them; but thou shouldest not
have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a stranger, neither shouldst thou
have spoken proudly in the day of distress."
However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for
which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the
mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be
brought into the liberty of God's dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the
Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and
your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to
give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.
Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday, and an expression of their feeling was taken, when
it was unanimously Resolved, That W. W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.
"Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,
For friends at first, are friends again at last."
Yours as ever,
JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.,
—DHC 4:162–164.
Remarks On Priesthood At the Conference, October, 1840
The Melchizedek Priesthood Holds All Authority
In order to investigate the subject of the Priesthood, so important to this, as well as every
succeeding generation, I shall proceed to trace the subject as far a I possible can from the Old and
New Testaments.
There are two Priesthoods spoken of in the Scriptures, viz., the Melchizedek and the Aaronic or
Levitical. Although there are two Priesthoods, yet the Melchizedek Priesthood comprehends the
Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds the highest authority which
pertains to the priesthood, and the keys of the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the
latest posterity on the earth; and is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of
salvation and every important matter is revealed from heaven.
Its institution was prior to the "foundation of this earth, or the morning stars sang together, or the
Sons of God shouted for joy," and is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the order of
the Son of God, and all other Priesthoods are only parts, ramifications, powers and blessings
belonging to the same, and are held, controlled, and directed by it. It is the channel through which
the Almighty commenced revealing His glory at the beginning of the creation of the earth, and
through which He has continued to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time, and
through which He will make known his purposes to the end of time.
Adam the First Man
Commencing with Adam, who was the first man,1 who is spoken of in Daniel as being the
"Ancient of Days," or in other words, the first and oldest of all, the great, grand progenitor of
whom it is said in another place he is Michael, because he was the first and father of all, not only
by progeny, but the first to hold the spiritual blessings, to whom was made known the plan of
ordinances for the salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ was first revealed,
and through whom Christ has been revealed from henceforth. Adam holds the keys of the
dispensation of the fullness of times; i.e., the dispensation of all the times have been and will be
revealed through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the end of the
dispensations that are to be revealed. "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will,
according to His good pleasure which He that purposed in Himself; that in the dispensation of the
fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in Him." (Ephesians 1:9–10.)
Ordinances Always the Same
Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last dispensation is that all things
pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding
dispensations.
And again, God purposed in Himself that there should not be an eternal fullness until every
dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that
should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto the same fullness and eternal
glory, should be in Christ Jesus; therefore He set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever,
and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal
them. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14.)
These angels are under the direction of Michael or Adam, who acts under the direction of the
Lord. From the above quotation we learn that Paul perfectly understood the purposes of God in
relation to His connection with man, and that glorious and perfect order which He established in
Himself, whereby he sent forth power, revelations, and glory.
Adam Received Commandments from God
God will not acknowledge that which He has not called, ordained, and chosen. In the beginning
God called Adam by His own voice. "And the Lord called unto Adam and said unto him, Where
art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and
hid myself." (See Genesis 3:9–10.) Adam received commandments and instructions from God:
this was the order from the beginning.
That he received revelations, commandments and ordinances at the beginning is beyond the
power of controversy; else how did they begin to offer sacrifices to God in an acceptable
manner? And if they offered sacrifices they must be authorized by ordination. We read Genesis
4:4, that Abel brought the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect to
Abel and to his offering. And, again, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by
it he being dead, yet speaketh." (Hebrews 11:4.) How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the
Priesthood which was conferred upon him, and dies a righteous man, and therefore has become
an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys of his dispensation;
and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him
a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness.
And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so much about Abel, and why
should he talk about his speaking after he was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must
be by being sent down out of heaven to administer.
Adam Holds the Keys of Presidency
This, then, is the nature of the Priesthood; every man holding the Presidency of his dispensation,
and one man holding the Presidency of them all, even Adam; and Adam receiving his Presidency
and authority from the Lord, but cannot receive a fullness until Christ shall present the Kingdom
to the Father, which shall be at the end of the last dispensation.
Cain Cursed for Unrighteousness
The power, glory and blessings of the Priesthood could not continue with those who received
ordination only as their righteousness continued; for Cain also being authorized to offer sacrifice,
but not offering it in righteousness, was cursed. It signifies, then, that the ordinances must be
kept in the very way God has appointed; otherwise their Priesthood will prove a cursing instead
of a blessing.
The Mission of Enoch
If Cain had fulfilled the law of righteousness as did Enoch, he could have walked with God all
the days of his life, and never failed of a blessing. "And Enoch walked with God after he begat
Methuselah 300 years, and begat sons and daughters, and all the days of Enoch were 365 years;
and Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:22–23.) Now this
Enoch God reserved unto Himself, that he should not die at that time, and appointed unto him a
ministry unto terrestrial bodies, of whom there has been but little revealed. He is reserved also
unto the presidency of a dispensation, and more shall be said of him and terrestrial bodies in
another treatise. He is a ministering angel, to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation,
and appeared unto Jude as Abel did unto Paul; therefore Jude spoke of him (14, 15 verses). And
Enoch, the seventh from Adam, revealed these sayings: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten
thousand of His Saints."
Paul was also acquainted with this character, and received instructions from him. "By faith
Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had
translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God; but without
faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that
He is a revealer to those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:5–6.)
The Doctrine of Translation
Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this Priesthood. There are many
things which belong to the powers of the Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid
from before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in
the last times.
Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken
immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but his is a mistaken idea.
Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters
He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered
into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead. "Others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." (See Hebrews 11:35.)
Now it was evident that there was a better resurrection, or else God would not have revealed it
unto Paul. Wherein then, can it be said a better resurrection. This distinction is made between the
doctrine of the actual resurrection and translation: translation obtains deliverance from the
tortures and sufferings of the body, but their existence will prolong as to the labors and toils of
the ministry, before they can enter into so great a rest and glory.
On the other hand, those who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, received and immediate
rest from their labors. "And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord, for from henceforth they do rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
(See Revelation 14:13.)
They rest from their labors for a long time, and yet their work is held in reserve for them, that
they are permitted to do the same work, after they receive a resurrection for their bodies. But we
shall leave this subject and the subject of the terrestrial bodies for another time, in order to treat
upon them more fully.
The Keys of Priesthood
The next great, grand Patriarch [after Enoch] who held the keys of the Priesthood was Lamech.
"And Lamech lived one hundred and eighty–two years and begat a son, and he called his name
Noah, saying, this same shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands because
of the ground which the Lord has cursed." (See Genesis 5:28–29.) The Priesthood continued from
Lamech to Noah: "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is before me, for the earth is
filled with violence through them and behold I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6:13.)
Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that He
talked with him [Noah] in a familiar and friendly manner, that He continued to him the keys, the
covenants, the power and the glory, with which He blessed Adam at the beginning; and the
offering of sacrifice, which also shall be continued at the last time; for all the ordinances and
duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood, under the directions and commandments of
the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation, therefore all
things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former period, shall be had again, bringing
to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets; then shall the sons of
Levi offer an acceptable offering to the Lord. "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;
and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto
the Lord." (See Malachi 3:3.)
Sacrifice to Be Part of Restoration
It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above
quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great
Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity
for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with
the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets.
The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood.
It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from
generation to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the
servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be
continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings.
The Mission of Elijah
Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last
dispensation, restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the
ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power
to bestow this blessing; but the sons of Levi were too prejudiced. "And I will send Elijah the
Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord," etc., etc. Why send Elijah? Because he
holds the keys of authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the
authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed. This
was not the case; if you read Leviticus 2:2–3, you will observe that the priests took a part as a
memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of
the priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the altar—but the blood
is sprinkled, and the fat and certain other portions are consumed.
All Ordinances Restored
These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple
of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all
their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of
the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things
spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not to be understood that the law of
Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been
spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses' day, namely, sacrifice,
will be continued.
It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In
answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what
necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended in a regular line from father to
son, through their succeeding generations. (See Book of Doctrine and Covenants.) (October 5,
1840.) DHC 4:207–212.
An Epistle of the Prophet to the Twelve
To the Traveling High Council and Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints in
Great Britain:
Beloved Brethren.—May grace, mercy, and peace rest upon you from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. Having several communications lying before me from my brethren the
Twelve, some of which ere this have merited a reply, but from the multiplicity of business which
necessarily engages my attention, I have delayed communicating with you to the present time.
Be assured, beloved brethren, that I am no disinterested observer of the things which are
transpiring on the face of the whole earth; and amidst the general movements which are in
progress, none is of more importance than the glorious work in which you are now engaged;
consequently I feel some anxiety on you account, that you may by your virtue, faith, diligence
and charity commend yourselves to one another, to the Church of Christ, and to your Father who
is in heaven; by whose grace you have been called to so holy a calling; and be enabled to perform
the great and responsible duties which rest upon you. And I can assure you, that from the
information I have received, I feel satisfied that you have not been remiss in you duty; but that
your diligence and faithfulness have been such as must secure you the smiles of that God whose
servant you are, and also the good will of the Saints throughout the world.
The Gospel in England
The spread of the Gospel throughout England is certainly pleasing; the contemplation of which
cannot but afford feelings of no ordinary kind, in the bosom of those who have borne the heat
and burden of the day; and who were its firm supporters and strenuous advocates in infancy,
while surrounded with circumstances the most unpropitious, and its destruction threatened on all
hands; like the gallant bark that has braved the storm unhurt, spreads her canvas to the breeze,
and nobly cuts her way through the yielding wave, more conscious than ever of the strength of
her timbers, and the experience and capability of her captain, pilot, and crew.
It is likewise very satisfactory to my mind, that there has been such a good understanding
between you, and that the Saints have so cheerfully hearkened to counsel, and vied with each
other in this labor of love, and in the promotion of truth and righteousness. This is as it should be
in the Church of Jesus Christ; unity is strength. "How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity!" Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this principle, and the most glorious
blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole Church—the order of the
kingdom will be maintained, its officers respected, and its requirements readily and cheerfully
obeyed.
Love a Characteristic of Deity
Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire
to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family
alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race. This has been
your feeling, and caused you to forego the pleasure of home, that you might be a blessing to
others, who are candidates for immortality, but strangers to truth; and for so doing, I pray that
heaven's choicest blessings may rest upon you.
Being requested to give my advice respecting the propriety of your returning in the spring, I will
do so willingly. I have reflected on the subject some time, and am of the opinion that it would be
wisdom in you to make preparations to leave the scene of your labors in the spring. Having
carried the testimony to that land, and numbers having received it, the leaven can now spread
without your being obliged to stay.
Another thing—there have been whisperings of the Spirit that there will be some agitations,
excitements, and trouble in the land in which you are now laboring. I would therefore say, in the
meantime be diligent: organize the churches, and let everyone stand in his proper place, so that
those who cannot come with you in the spring, may not be left as sheep without a shepherd.
A Place of Gathering
I would likewise observe, that inasmuch as this place has been appointed for the gathering of the
Saints, it is necessary that it should be attended to in the order that the Lord intends it should. To
this end I would say, that as there are great numbers of the Saints in England who are extremely
poor, and not accustomed to the farming business, who must have certain preparations made for
them before they can support themselves in this country, therefore to prevent confusion and
disappointment when they arrive here, let those men who are accustomed to make machinery,
and those who can command capital, though it be small, come here as soon as convenient, and
put up machinery, and make such other preparations as may be necessary, so that when the poor
come on, they may have employment to come to. This place has advantages for manufacturing
and commercial purposes, which but very few can boast of; and the establishing of cotton
factories, foundries, potteries, etc., would be the means of bringing in wealth, and raising it to a
very important elevation.
I need not occupy more space on this subject, as its reasonableness must be obvious to every
mind.
Printing of Books
In my former epistle I told you my mind respecting the printing of the Book of Mormon, hymn
book, etc. I have been favored by receiving a hymn book from you, and as far as I have examined
it, I highly approve of it, and think it to be a very valuable collection. I am informed that the
Book of Mormon is likewise printed, which I am glad to hear, and should be pleased to hear that
it was printed in all the different languages of the earth. You can use your own pleasure
respecting the printing of the Doctrine and Covenants. If there is a great demand for it, I have no
objections, but would rather encourage it.
I can say, that as far as I have been made acquainted with your movements, I am perfectly
satisfied that they have been in wisdom; and I have no doubt but that the Spirit of the Lord has
directed you, and this proves to my mind that you have been humble, and your desires have been
for the salvation of your fellow men, and not for your own aggrandizement, and selfish interests.
As long as the Saints manifest such a disposition, their counsels will be approved of, and their
exertions crowned with success.
There are many things of much importance, on which you ask counsel, but which I think you will
be perfectly able to decide upon, as you are move conversant with the peculiar circumstances
than I am; and I feel great confidence in your united wisdom; therefore you will excuse me for
not entering into detail. If I should see anything that is wrong, I would take the privilege of
making known my mind to you, and pointing out the evil.
If Elder Parley P. Pratt should wish to remain in England some time longer than the rest of the
Twelve, he will feel himself at liberty to do so, as his family are with him, consequently his
circumstances are somewhat different from the rest; and likewise it is necessary that someone
should remain who is conversant with the rules and regulations of the Church, and continue the
paper which is published. Consequently, taking all these things into consideration, I would not
press it upon Brother Pratt to return in the spring.
The Saints Prospering
I am happy to inform you that we are prospering in this place, and that the Saints are more
healthy than formerly; and from the decrease of sickness this season, when compared with the
last, I am led to the conclusion that this must eventually become a healthy place. There are at
present about 3,000 inhabitants in Nauvoo, and numbers are flocking in daily. Several stakes
have been set off in different parts of the country, which are in prosperous circumstances.
Provisions are much lower than when you left. Flour is about $4 per barrel. Corn and potatoes
about 25 cents per bushel; and other things in proportion. There has been a very plentiful harvest
throughout the Union.
The Temple
You will observe, by the Times and Seasons, that we are about building a temple for the worship
of our God in this place. Preparations are now making; every tenth day is devoted by the brethren
for quarrying rock, etc. We have secured one of the most lovely situations for it in this region of
country. It is expected to be considerably larger than the one in Kirtland, and on a more
magnificent scale, and which will undoubtedly attract the attention of the great men of the earth.
We have a bill before the legislature for the incorporation of the city of Nauvoo, and for the
establishment of a seminary of learning, and other purposes, which I expect will pass in a short
time.
Death of Patriarch Joseph Smith
You will also receive intelligence of the death of my father; which event, although painful to the
family and to the Church generally, yet the sealing testimony of the truth of the work of the Lord
was indeed satisfactory. Brother Hyrum succeeds him as Patriarch of the Church, according to
his last directions and benedictions.
Several persons of eminence and distinction in society have joined the Church and become
obedient to the faith; and I am happy to inform you that the work is spreading very fast upon this
continent. Some of the brethren are now in New Orleans, and we expect a large gathering from
the south. I have had the pleasure of welcoming about one hundred brethren who came with
Brother Turley; the remainder I am informed stayed in Kirtland, not having means to get any
further. I think that those who came here this fall, did not take the best possible route, or the least
expensive. Most of the brethren have obtained employment of one kind or another, and appear
tolerably well contented, and seem disposed to hearken to counsel.
Spread of the Gospel
Brothers Robinson and Smith lately had a letter from Elders Kimball, Smith and Woodruff,
which gave us information of the commencement of the work of the lord in the city of London,
which I was glad to hear. I am likewise informed that elders have gone to Australia and to the
East Indies. I feel desirous that every providential opening of the kind should be filled, and that
you should, prior to your leaving England, send the Gospel into as many parts as you possibly
can.
Beloved brethren, you must be aware in some measure of my feelings, when I contemplate the
great work which is now rolling on, and the relationship which I sustain to it, while it is
extending to distant lands, and thousands are embracing it. I realize in some measure my
responsibility, and the need I have of support from above, and wisdom from on high, that I may
be able to teach this people, which have now become a great people, the principles of
righteousness, and lead them agreeably to the will of Heaven; so that they may be perfected, and
prepared to meet the Lord Jesus Christ when He shall appear in great glory. Can I rely on your
prayers to our heavenly Father on my behalf, and on all the prayers of all my brethren and sisters
in England, (whom having not seen, yet I love), that I may be enabled to escape every stratagem
of Satan, surmount every difficulty, and bring this people to the enjoyment of those blessings
which are reserved for the righteous? I ask this at your hands in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their individual exertion, and that they are
called to be co–workers with us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last
days; and in consideration of the extent, the blessings and glories of the same, let every selfish
feeling be not only buried, but annihilated; and let love to God and man predominate, and reign
triumphant in every mind, that their hearts may become like unto Enoch's of old, and
comprehend all things, present, past and future, and come behind in no gift, waiting for the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Saints to Live unto God
The work in which we are unitedly engaged is one of no ordinary kind. The enemies we have to
contend against are subtle and well skilled in maneuvering; it behooves us to be on the alert to
concentrate our energies, and that the best feelings should exist in our midst; and then, by the
help of the Almighty, we shall go on from victory to victory, and from conquest to conquest; our
evil passions will be subdued, our prejudices depart; we shall find no room in our bosoms for
hatred; vice will hide its deformed head, and we shall stand approved in the sight of heaven, and
be acknowledged the sons of God.
Let us realize that we are not to live to ourselves, but to God; by so doing the greatest blessings
will rest upon us both in time and in eternity.
Baptism for the Dead
I presume the doctrine of "baptism for the dead" has ere this reached your ears, and may have
raised some inquiries in your minds respecting the same. I cannot in this letter give you all the
information you may desire on the subject; but aside from knowledge independent of the Bible, I
would say that it was certainly practiced by the ancient churches; and St. Paul endeavors to prove
the doctrine of the resurrection from the same, and says, "Else what shall they do which are
baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
I first mentioned the doctrine in public when preaching the funeral sermon of Brother Seymour
Brunson: and have since then given general instructions in the Church on the subject. The Saints
have the privilege of being baptized for those of their relatives who are dead, whom they believe
would have embraced the Gospel, if they had been privileged with hearing it, and who have
received the Gospel in the spirit, through the instrumentality of those who have been
commissioned to preach to them while in prison.
Without enlarging on the subject, you will undoubtedly see its consistency and reasonableness;
and it presents the Gospel of Christ in probably a more enlarged scale than some have imagined
it. But as the performance of this rite is more particularly confined to this place, it will not be
necessary to enter into particulars; at the same time I always feel glad to give all the information
in my power, buy my space will not allow me to do it.
We had a letter from Elder Hyde, a few days ago, who is in New Jersey, and is expecting to leave
for England as soon as Elder Page reaches him. He requested to know if converted Jews are to go
to Jerusalem or to come to Zion. I therefore wish you to inform him that converted Jews must
come here.
Give my kind love to all the brethren and sisters, and tell them I should have been pleased to
come over to England to see them, but I am afraid that I shall be under the necessity of remaining
here for some time; therefore I give them a pressing invitation to come and see me.
I remain, dear brethren, your affectionately,
JOSEPH SMITH.
(Oct. 19, 1840.) DHC 4:226–232.
Description of Paul
Given by the Prophet Joseph, January 5, 1841, at the organization of a school of instruction: "He
is about five feet high; very dark hair, dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face;
small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when
elevated, and then it almost resembled the roaring of a lion. He was a good orator, active and
diligent, always employing himself in doing good to his fellow man."
Different Degrees of the Priesthood of Melchizedek
"Answer to the question, Was the Priesthood of Melchizedek taken away when Moses died? All
Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which
brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the
ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained
by God himself."
Elements Are Eternal
The elements are eternal. That which has a beginning will surely have an end; take a ring, it is
without beginning or end—cut it for a beginning place and at the same time you have an ending
place.
A key: Every principle proceeding from God is eternal and any principle which is not eternal is
of the devil. The sun has no beginning or end; the rays which proceed from himself have no
bounds, consequently are eternal.
So it is with God. If the soul of man had a beginning it will surely have an end. In the translation
"without form and void" it should be read, empty and desolate. The word created should be
formed, or organized.
Observation on the Sectarian God
"That which is without body, parts and passions is nothing. There is no other God in heaven but
that God who has flesh and bones. John 5:26. As the Father hath life in himself, even so hath he
given to the Son to have life in himself. God the Father took life unto himself precisely as Jesus
did."
"The first step in salvation of man is the laws of eternal and self–existent principles. Spirits are
eternal. At the first organization in heaven we were all present, and saw the Savior chosen and
appointed and the plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it.
"We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial
kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body. The devil has no body, and
herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when cast
out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd of swine, showing that he would prefer a swine's
body to having none.
"All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over
us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil
takes power. This earth will be rolled back into the presence of God, and crowned with celestial
glory."
Excerpts from a Proclamation of the First Presidency to the Saints Scattered Abroad
* * *
Nauvoo
The name of our City (Nauvoo) is of Hebrew origin, and signifies a beautiful situation, or place,
carrying with it, also, the idea of rest; and is truly descriptive of the most delightful location. It is
situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River, at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, in
Hancock county, bounded on the east by an extensive prairie of surpassing beauty, and on the
north, west and south, by the Mississippi. This place has been objected to by some on account of
the sickness which has prevailed in summer months, but * * * all the eastern and southern
portions of the City of Nauvoo, are as healthful as any other portions of the western country, to
acclimatized citizens. * * *
The population of the city is increasing with unparalleled rapidity, numbering more than 3,000
inhabitants. Every facility is afforded, in the city and adjacent country, in Hancock County, for
the successful prosecution of the mechanical arts and the pleasing pursuits of agriculture. The
waters of the Mississippi can be successfully used for manufacturing purposes to almost an
unlimited extent.—DHC 4:268.
* * *
The Temple
The Temple of the Lord is in process of erection here, where the Saints will come to worship the
God of their fathers, according to the order of His house and the powers of the Holy Priesthood,
and will be so constructed as to enable all the functions of the Priesthood to be duly exercised,
and where instructions from the Most high will be received, and from this place go forth to
distant lands. Let us then concentrate all our powers, under the provisions of our magna charta
granted by the Illinois legislature, at the "City of Nauvoo" and surrounding country, and strive to
emulate the action of the ancient covenant fathers and patriarchs, in those things which are of
such vast importance to this and every succeeding generation.—DHC 4:269.
* * *
The Gathering of Saints
The greatest temporal and spiritual blessings which always come from faithfulness and concerted
effort, never attended individual exertion or enterprise. The history of all past ages abundantly
attests this fact. In addition to all temporal blessings, there is no other way for the Saints to be
saved in these last days, [than by the gathering] as the concurrent testimony of all the holy
prophets clearly proves, for it is written—"They shall come from the east, and be gathered from
the west; the north shall give up, and the south shall keep not back." "The sons of God shall be
gathered from afar, and his daughters from the ends of the earth."
It is also the concurrent testimony of all the prophets, that this gathering together of all the Saints,
must take place before the Lord comes to "take vengeance upon the ungodly," and "to be
glorified and admired by all those who obey the Gospel." The fiftieth Psalm, from the first to the
fifth verse inclusive, describes the glory and majesty of that event. (Jan. 8, 1841.) DHC 4:272.
Order of the Priesthood in Temple Building
The following instruction was given at the time of the laying of the corner stones of the Nauvoo
Temple, April 6, 1841.
If the strict order of the Priesthood were carried out in the building of Temples, the first stone
would be laid at the south–east corner, by the First Presidency of the Church. The south–west
corner should be laid next. The third, or north–west corner next; and the fourth, or north–east
corner last. The First Presidency should lay the south–east corner stone and dictate who are the
proper persons to lay the other corner stones.
If a Temple is built at a distance, and the First Presidency are not present, then the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles are the persons to dictate the order for that Temple; and in the absence of the
Twelve Apostles, then the Presidency of the Stake will lay the south–east corner stone; the
Melchizedek Priesthood laying the corner stones on the east side of the Temple, and the Lesser
Priesthood those on the west side.—DHC 4:331.
Report of the First Presidency at the April Conference, 1841
The Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, feel great pleasure in
assembling with the Saints at another general conference, under circumstances so auspicious and
cheering; and with grateful hearts to Almighty God for His providential regard, they cordially
unite with the Saints, on this occasion, in ascribing honor, glory, and blessing to His Holy name.
It is with unfeigned pleasure that they have to make known the steady and rapid increase of the
Church in this state, the United States, and Europe. The anxiety to become acquainted with the
principles of the Gospel, on every hand is intense, and the cry of "come over and help us," is
reaching the Elders on the wings of every wind; while thousands who have heard the Gospel
have become obedient thereto, and are rejoicing in its gifts and blessings. Prejudice, with its
attendant train of evil, is giving way before the force of truth, whose benign rays are penetrating
the nations afar off.
Missionary Reports Satisfactory
The reports from the Twelve Apostles in Europe are very satisfactory, and state that the work
continues to progress with unparalleled rapidity, and that the harvest is truly great. In the Eastern
States the faithful laborers are successful, and many are flocking to the standard of truth. Nor is
the South keeping back. Churches have been raised up in the Southern and Western States, and a
very pressing invitation has been received from New Orleans, for some of the Elders to visit that
city; which has been complied with. In our own state and immediate neighborhood, many are
avowing their attachment to the principles of our holy religion, and have become obedient to the
faith.
Peace and prosperity attend us; and we have favor in the sight of God and virtuous men. The time
was, when we were looked upon as deceivers, and that "Mormonism" would soon pass away,
come to nought, and be forgotten. But the time has gone by when it is looked upon as a transient
matter, or a bubble on the wave, and it is now taking a deep hold in the hearts and affections of
all those, who are noble–minded enough to lay aside the prejudice of education, and investigate
the subject with candor and honesty. The truth, like the sturdy oak, has stood unhurt amid the
contending elements, which have beat upon it with tremendous force. The floods have rolled,
wave after wave, in quick succession, and have not swallowed it up. "They have lifted up their
voice; but the Lord of Hosts is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea"; nor have the flames of
persecution, with all the influence of mobs, been able to destroy it; but like Moses' bush, it has
stood unconsumed, and now at this moment presents an important spectacle both to men and
angels. Where can we turn our eyes to behold such another? We contemplate a people who have
embraced a system of religion, unpopular, and the adherence to which has brought upon them
repeated persecutions. A people who, for their love for God, and attachment to His cause, have
suffered hunger, nakedness, perils, and almost every privation. A people who, for the sake of
their religion, have had to mourn the premature death of parents, husbands, wives, and children.
A people, who have preferred death to slavery and hypocrisy, and have honorably maintained
their characters, and stood firm and immovable, in times that have tried men's souls. Stand fast,
ye Saints of God, hold on a little while longer, and the storm of life will be past, and you will be
rewarded by that God whose servants you are, and who will duly appreciate all your toils and
afflictions for Christ's sake and the Gospel's. Your names will be handed down to posterity as
Saints of God and virtuous men.
A Prayer for Continued Peace
But we hope that those scenes of blood will never more occur, but that many, very many, such
scenes as the present will be witnessed by the Saints, and that in the Temple, the foundation of
which has been so happily laid, will the Saints of the Most High continue to congregate from
year to year in peace and safety.
From the kind and generous feelings, manifested by the citizens of this state, since our sojourn
among them, we may continue to expect the enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious
liberty, guaranteed by the Constitution. The citizens of Illinois have done themselves honor, in
throwing the mantle of the Constitution over a persecuted and afflicted people: and have given
evident proof that they are not only in the enjoyment of the privileges of freemen themselves, but
also that they willingly and cheerfully extend that invaluable blessing to others, and that they
freely award to faithfulness and virtue their due.
The proceedings of the legislature, in regard to the citizens of this place, have been marked with
philanthropy and benevolence; and they have laid us under great and lasting obligations, in
granting us the several liberal charters we now enjoy, and by which we hope to prosper until our
city becomes the most splendid, our University the most learned, and our Legion the most
effective of any in the Union.
Impoverished Saints
In consequence of the impoverished condition of the Saints, the buildings which are in course of
erection do not progress as fast as could be desired; but from the interest which is generally
manifested by the Saints at large, we hope to accomplish much by a combination of effort, and a
concentration of action, and erect the Temple and other public buildings, which we so much need
for our mutual instruction and the education of our children.
From the reports which have been received, we may expect a large emigration this season. The
proclamation which was sent, some time ago, to the churches abroad, has been responded to, and
great numbers are making preparations to come and locate themselves in this city and vicinity.
From what we now witness, we are led to look forward with pleasing anticipation to the future,
and soon expect to see the thousands of Israel flocking to this region in obedience to the heavenly
command; numerous inhabitants—Saints—thickly studding the flowery and wide–spread prairies
of Illinois; temples for the worship of our God erecting in various parts, and great peace resting
upon Israel.
We would call the attention of the Saints more particularly to the building of the Temple, for on
its speedy erection great blessings depend. The zeal which is manifested by the Saints in this city
is, indeed, praiseworthy, and, we hope will be imitated by the Saints in the various stakes and
branches of the Church, and that those who cannot contribute labor will bring their gold and their
silver, their brass and their iron, with the pine tree, and box tree, to beautify the same.
We are glad to hear of the organization of the different quorums in this city, and hope that their
organization will be attended to in every stake and branch of the Church, for the Almighty is a
lover of order and good government.
From the faith and enterprise of the Saints generally, we feel greatly encouraged and cheerfully
attend to the important duties devolving upon us, knowing that we not only have the approval of
heaven, but also that our efforts for the establishment of Zion and the spread of truth, are
cheerfully seconded by the thousands of Israel.
In conclusion we would say, brethren, be faithful, let your love and moderation be known unto all
men; be patient, be mindful to observe all the commandments of your Heavenly Father, and the
God of all grace shall bless you. Even so. Amen.—DHC 4:336–339.
JOSEPH SMITH, President
ROBERT B. THOMPSON, Clerk.
* * *
The Prophet's Discourse on Gospel Principles
At 10 o'clock a.m. [May 16, 1841], a large concourse of the Saints assembled on the meeting
ground, and were addressed by President Joseph Smith, who spoke at considerable length.
The Doctrine of Agency
He commenced his observations by remarking that the kindness of our Heavenly Father called
for our heartfelt gratitude. He then observed that Satan was generally blamed for the evils which
we did, but if he was the cause of all our wickedness, men could not be condemned. The devil
could not compel mankind to do evil; all was voluntary. Those who resisted the Spirit of God,
would be liable to be led into temptation, and then the association of heaven would be withdrawn
from those who refused to be made partakers of such great glory. God would not exert any
compulsory means, and the devil could not; and such ideas as were entertained [on these
subjects] by many were absurd. The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but Christ
subjected the same in hope—all are subjected to vanity while they travel through the crooked
paths and difficulties which surrounded them. Where is the man that is free from vanity? None
ever were perfect but Jesus: and why was He perfect? Because He was the Son of God, and had
the fullness of the Spirit, and greater power than any man. But notwithstanding their vanity, men
look forward with hope (because they are "subjected in hope") to the time of their deliverance.
The First Principles
The speaker then made some observations on the first principles of the Gospel, observing, that
many of the Saints who had come from different states and nations had only a very superficial
knowledge of these principles, not having heard them fully investigated.
He then briefly stated the principles of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins,
these were believed by some of the righteous societies of the day, but the doctrine of laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost was discarded by them. The speaker then referred to the 6th
chapter of Hebrews, 1st and 2nd verses, "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works," &c., but of the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection, and
eternal judgment, &c. That the doctrine of eternal judgment was perfectly understood by the
Apostles, is evident from several passages of Scripture. Peter preached repentance and baptism
for the remission of sins to the Jews who had been led to acts of violence and blood by their
leaders; but to the rulers he said, "I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers"
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing (redemption) shall come from the presence of the Lord, and He shall send Jesus
Christ, which before was preached unto you," &c. The time of redemption here had reference to
the time when Christ should come; then, and not till then, would their sins be blotted out. For
Peter, speaking of him says, "David hath not yet ascended into heaven, for his sepulchre is with
us to this day." His remains were then in the tomb. Now, we read that many bodies of the Saints
arose at Christ's resurrection, probably all the Saints, but it seems that David did not. Why?
Because he had been a murderer. If the ministers of religion had a proper understanding of the
doctrine of eternal judgment, they would not be found attending the man who forfeited his life to
the injured laws of his country, by shedding innocent blood; for such characters cannot be
forgiven, until they have paid the last farthing. The prayers of all the ministers in the world can
never close the gates of hell against a murderer.
The Doctrine of Election
He then spoke on the subject of election, and read the 9th chapter of Romans, from which it was
evident that the election there spoken of was pertaining to the flesh, and had reference to the seed
of Abraham, according to the promise God made to Abraham, saying, "In thee, and in thy seed,
all the families of the earth shall be blessed." To them belonged the adoption and the covenants,
&c. Paul said, when he saw their unbelief, "I wish myself accursed"—according to the flesh—not
according to the spirit. Why did God say to Pharaoh, "For this cause have I raised thee up"?
Because Pharaoh was a fit instrument—a wicked man, and had committed acts of cruelty of the
most atrocious nature. The election of the promised seed still continues, and in the last day, they
shall have the Priesthood restored unto them, and they shall be the "saviors on Mount Zion," the
ministers of our God; if it were not for the remnant which was left, then might men now be as
Sodom and Gomorrah. The whole of the chapter had reference to the Priesthood and the house of
Israel; and unconditional election of individuals to eternal life was not taught by the Apostles.
God did elect or predestinate, that all those who would be saved, should be saved in Christ Jesus,
and through obedience to the Gospel; but He passes over no man's sins, but visits them with
correction, and if His children will not repent of their sins He will discard them.
This is an imperfect sketch of a very interesting discourse, which occupied more than two hours
in delivery, and was listened to with marked attention, by the vast assembly present. (May 16,
1841.) DHC 4:358–360.
Three Independent Principles
May 16, 1841. There are three independent principles; the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, and
the spirit of the devil. All men have power to resist the devil.
They who have tabernacles, have power over those who have not. The doctrine of eternal
judgment; Acts 2:41. Peter preached, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
remission of sins, &c.; but in Acts 3:19 he says, Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out when the times of redemption shall come, and he shall send Jesus, &c.
The Three Personages
Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth,
and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth; these personages, according to
Abraham's record, are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God
the third, the witness or Testator.—MSS
The Twelve Next to the First Presidency
President Joseph Smith now arriving, proceeded to state to the conference at considerable length,
the object of their present meeting, and, in addition to what President Young had stated in the
morning, said that the time had come when the Twelve should be called upon to stand in their
place next to the First Presidency, and attend to the settling of immigrants and the business of the
Church at the stakes, and assist to bear off the kingdom victoriously to the nations, and as they
had been faithful, and had borne the burden in the heat of the day, that it was right that they
should have an opportunity of providing something for themselves and families, and at the same
time relieve him, so that he might attend to the business of translating.
Moved, seconded and carried, that the conference approve of the instructions of President Smith
in relation to the Twelve, and that they proceed accordingly to attend to the duties of their office.
(Aug. 16, 1841.) DHC 4:403.
Trust in God When Sick
Sunday, Sept. 5, 1841. I preached to a large congregation at the stand, on the science and practice
of medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in an arm of flesh,
and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison; and when they were sick, and had called for the
Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food.—DHC 4:413.
Items of Instruction
Baptism for the Dead
President Joseph Smith, by request of the Twelve Apostles, gave instructions on the doctrine of
baptism for the dead, which were listened to with intense interest by the large assembly. He
presented baptism for the dead as the only way that men can appear as saviors on Mount Zion.
The proclamation of the first principles of the gospel was a means of salvation to men
individually; and it was the truth, not men, that saved them; but men, by actively engaging in
rites of salvation substitutionally became instrumental in bringing multitudes of their kindred into
the kingdom of God.
Angels and Ministering Spirits
He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or
translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other a disembodied spirit,
visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while
His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His
mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His
resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples.
Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death.
Translated bodies are designed for future missions.
The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body [i.e.,
personage]. Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies.
There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the present time.
The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer,
and obtain divine teaching. It is no more incredible that God should save the dead, than that he
should raise the dead.
Pardoning Mercy an Eternal Principle
There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. All are within the reach of
pardoning mercy, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness,
neither in this world, nor in the world to come. There is a way to release the spirits of the dead;
that is by the power and authority of the Priesthood—by binding and loosing on earth. This
doctrine appears glorious, inasmuch as it exhibits the greatness of divine compassion and
benevolence in the extent of the plan of human salvation.
This glorious truth is well calculated to enlarge the understanding, and to sustain the soul under
troubles, difficulties and distresses. For illustration, suppose the case of two men, brothers,
equally intelligent, learned, virtuous and lovely, walking in uprightness and in all good
conscience, so far as they have been able to discern duty from the muddy stream of tradition, or
from the blotted page of the book of nature.
One dies and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to the other the message
of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one
become the partaker of glory and the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance
for his escape? Sectarianism answers "none." Such an idea is worse than atheism. The truth shall
break down and dash in pieces all such bigoted Pharisaism; the sects shall be sifted, the honest in
heart brought out, and their priests left in the midst of their corruption.
Sectarian Baptism
Many objections are urged against the Latter–day Saints for not admitting the validity of sectarian
baptism, and for withholding fellowship from sectarian churches. Yet to do otherwise would be
like putting new wine into old bottles, and putting old wine into new bottles. What! new
revelations in the old churches? New revelations would knock out the bottom of their bottomless
pit. New wine into old bottles! The bottles burst and the wine runs out! What! Sadducees in the
new church! Old wine in new leathern bottles will leak through the pores and escape. So the
Sadducee saints mock at authority, kick out of the traces, and run to the mountains of perdition,
leaving the long echo of their braying behind them.
He then referred to the [lack of] charity of the sects, in denouncing all who disagree with them in
opinion, and in joining in persecuting the Saints, who believe that even such may be saved, in
this world and in the world to come (murderers and apostates excepted).
Salvation for the Dead
This doctrine presents in a clear light the wisdom and mercy of God in preparing an ordinance
for the salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven and they
judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the scriptures.
Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own
salvation. The dispensation of the fullness of times will bring to light the things that have been
revealed in all former dispensations; also other things that have not been before revealed. He
shall send Elijah, the Prophet, &c., and restore all things in Christ.
President Joseph Smith then announced: "There shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the
ordinance can be attended to in the Lord's House; and the Church shall not hold another General
Conference, until they can meet in said house. For thus saith the Lord!"2 (Oct. 3, 1841.) DHC
4:424–426.
Do Not Accuse the Brethren
I charged the Saints not to follow the example of the adversary in accusing the brethren, and said,
"If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter
heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me,
I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If
you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours—for charity covereth a
multitude of sins. What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down
superstition, and I will break it down"; I referred to the curse of Ham for laughing at Noah, while
in his wine, but doing no harm. Noah was righteous man, and yet he drank wine and became
intoxicated; the Lord did not forsake him in consequence thereof, for he retained all the power of
his Priesthood, and when he was accused by Canaan, he cursed him by the Priesthood which he
held, and the Lord had respect to his word, and the Priesthood which he held, notwithstanding he
was drunk, and the curse remains upon the posterity of Canaan until the present day. (November
7, 1841.) DHC 4:445–446.
Perfection of the Book of Mormon
Sunday, 28.—I spent the day in the council with the Twelve Apostles at the house of President
Young, conversing with them upon a variety of subjects. Brother Joseph Fielding was present,
having been absent four years on a mission to England. I told the brethren that the Book of
Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man
would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. (November 28,
1841.) DHC 4:461.
Important Instructions
Value of Chastisement
President Joseph arose and said: "Brother Kimball has given you a true explanation of the
parable," and then read the parable of the vine and its branches, and explained it, and said, "If we
keep the commandments of God, we should bring forth fruit and be the friends of God, and know
what our Lord did.
"Some people say I am a fallen Prophet, because I do not bring forth more of the word of the
Lord, Why do I not do it? Are we able to receive it? No! Not one in this room. He then chastened
the congregation for their wickedness and unbelief, 'for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son and daughter whom he receiveth,' and if we do not receive chastisements
then we are bastards and not sons."
On the subject of revelation, he said, a man would command his sons to dig potatoes and saddle
his horse, but before he had done either he would tell him to do something else. This is all
considered right; but as soon as the Lord gives a commandment and revokes that decree and
commands something else, then the Prophet is considered fallen. Because we will not receive
chastisement at the hands of the Prophets and Apostles, the Lord chastiseth us with sickness and
death. Let not any man publish his own righteousness, for others can see that for him; sooner let
him confess his sins, and then he will be forgiven, and he will bring forth more fruit. When a
corrupt man is chastised he gets angry and will not endure it. The reason we do not have the
secrets of the Lord revealed unto us, is because we do not keep them but reveal them; we do not
keep our own secrets, but reveal our difficulties to the world, even to our enemies, then how
would we keep the secrets of the Lord? I can keep a secret till Doomsday. What greater love hath
any man than that he lay down his life for his friend; then why not fight for our friend until we
die? (December 19, 1841.) DHC 4:478–479.
The Gift of Tongues
Sunday, December 26, 1841.—The public meeting of the Saints was at my house this evening,
and after Patriarch Hyrum Smith and Elder Brigham Young had spoken on the principles of faith,
and the gifts of the Spirit, I read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, also a part of the 14th
chapter, and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church; but that if Satan
could not speak in tongues, he could not tempt a dutchman, or any other nation, but the English
for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me, and I am an Englishman; but the gift of
tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church, is for the benefit of the servants of God to
preach to unbelievers, as on the day of Pentecost. When devout men from every nation shall
assemble to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own mother tongue,
whether it is German, French, Spanish or Irish, or any other, and let those interpret who
understand the language spoken, in their own mother tongue, and this is what the Apostle meant
in First Corinthians 14:27. (December 26, 1841.) DHC 4:485–486.
Announcement Respecting Work on the Temple
To the Brethren in Nauvoo City: Greeting.—It is highly important for the forwarding of the
Temple, that an equal distribution of labor should be made in relation to time; as a
superabundance of hands one week, and none the next, tends to retard the progress of the work;
therefore every brother is requested to be particular to labor on the day set apart for the same, in
his ward; and to remember that he that sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly, so that if the
brethren want a plentiful harvest, they will do well to be at the place of labor in good season in
the morning, bringing all necessary tools, according to their occupation, and those who have
teams bring them also, unless otherwise advised by the Temple Committee. Should any one be
detained from his labor by unavoidable circumstances on the day appointed, let him labor the
next day, or the first day possible.
N. B.—The captains of the respective wards are particularly requested to be at the place of labor
on their respective days, and keep an accurate account of each man's work, and be ready to
exhibit a list of the same when called for.
The heart of the Trustee is daily made to rejoice in the good feelings of the brethren, made
manifest in their exertion to carry forward the work of the Lord, and rear His Temple; and it is
hoped that neither planting, sowing, or reaping will hereafter be made to interfere with the
regulations hinted at above.
JOSEPH SMITH,
Trustee in Trust.
(February 21, 1842.) DHC 4:517.
The Prophet's Sermon on Life and Death; the Resurrection and the Salvation of Children
President Smith read the 14th chapter of Revelation, and said—We have again the warning voice
sounded in our midst, which shows the uncertainty of human life; and in my leisure moments I
have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children,
are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. The
strongest reasons that present themselves to my mind are these: This world is a very wicked
world; and it is a proverb that the "world grows weaker and wiser"; if that is the case, the world
grows more wicked and corrupt. In the earlier ages of the world a righteous man, and a man of
God and of intelligence, had a better chance to do good, to be believed and received than at the
present day; but in these days such a man is much opposed and persecuted by most of the
inhabitants of the earth, and he has much sorrow to pass through here. The Lord takes many away
even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present
world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of
mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them
again.
Do Not Procrastinate Repentance
What chance is there for infidelity when we are parting with our friends almost daily? None at
all. The infidel will grasp at every straw for help until death stares him in the face, and then his
infidelity takes its flight, for the realities of the eternal world are resting upon him in mighty
power; and when every earthly support and prop fails him, he then sensibly feels the eternal
truths of the immortality of the soul. We should take warning and not wait for the death–bed to
repent, as we see the infant taken away by death, so may the youth and middle–aged, as well as
the infant be suddenly called into eternity. Let this, then, prove as a warning to all not to
procrastinate repentance, or wait till a death–bed, for it is the will of God that man should repent
and serve Him in health, and in the strength and power of his mind, in order to secure his
blessing, and not wait until he is called to die.
Redemption of Little Children
The doctrine of baptizing children, or sprinkling them, or they must welter in hell, is a doctrine
not true, not supported in Holy Writ, and is not consistent with the character of God. All children
are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they
are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only difference between the old and young dying is, one
lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from
this miserable wicked world. Notwithstanding all this glory, we for a moment lose sight of it, and
mourn the loss, but we do not mourn as those without hope.
Decrees Fixed and Immovable
My intention was to have spoken on the subject of baptism, but having a case of death before us,
I thought proper to refer to that subject. I will now, however, say a few words upon baptism, as I
intended.
God has made certain decrees which are fixed and immovable; for instance, God set the sun, the
moon, and the stars in the heavens, and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they
cannot pass, except by His commandments; they all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and
order, and are as lights, wonders and signs unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot
pass. God has set many signs on the earth, as well as in the heavens for instance, the oak of the
forest, the fruit of the tree, the herb of the field, all bear a sign that seed hath been planted there;
for it is a decree of the Lord that every tree, plant, and herb bearing seed should bring forth of its
kind, and cannot come forth after any other law or principle.3 Upon the same principle do I
contend that baptism is a sign ordained of God, for the believer in Christ to take upon himself in
order to enter into the kingdom of God, "for except ye are born of water and of the Spirit ye
cannot enter into the Kingdom of God," said the Savior. It is a sign and a commandment which
God has set for man to enter into His kingdom. Those who seek to enter in any other way will
seek in vain; for God will not receive them, neither will the angels acknowledge their works as
accepted, for they have not obeyed the ordinances, nor attended to the signs which God ordained
for the salvation of man, to prepare him for, and give him a title to, a celestial glory; and God had
decreed that all who will not obey His voice shall not escape the damnation of hell. What is the
damnation of hell? To go with that society who have not obeyed His commands.
Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that we do the will of God, and there is no
other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved,
and enter into the Kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for the
remission of sins, and any other course is in vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
What is the sign of the healing of the sick? The laying on of hands is the sign or way marked out
by James, and the custom of the ancient Saints as ordered by the Lord, and we cannot obtain the
blessings by pursuing any other course except the way marked out by the Lord. What if we
should attempt to get the gift of the Holy Ghost through any other means except the signs of way
which God hath appointed—would we obtain it? Certainly not; all other means would fail. The
Lord says do so and so, and I will bless you.
Key Words of the Priesthood
There are certain key words and signs belonging to the Priesthood which must be observed in
order to obtain the blessing. The sign of Peter was to repent and be baptized for the remission of
sins, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost obtained.
Difference Between the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received
the Holy Ghost before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the
truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was
baptized. Had he not taken this sign or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced
him of the truth of God, would have left him. Until he obeyed these ordinances and received the
gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands, according to the order of God, he could not
have healed the sick or commanded an evil spirit to come out of a man, and it obey him; for the
spirits might say unto him, as they did to the sons of Sceva: "Paul we know and Jesus we know,
but who are ye?" It mattereth not whether we live long or short on the earth after we come to a
knowledge of these principles and obey them unto the end. I know that all men will be damned if
they do not come in the way which He hath opened, and this is the way marked out by the word
of the Lord.
The Universal Resurrection
As concerning the resurrection, I will merely say that all men will come from the grave as they lie
down, whether old or young; there will not be "added unto their stature one cubit," neither taken
from it; all will be raised by the power of God, having spirit in their bodies, and not blood.
Children will be enthroned in the presence of God and the Lamb with bodies of the same stature4
that they had on earth, having been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; they will there enjoy the
fullness of that light, glory and intelligence, which is prepared in the celestial kingdom. "Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
The speaker, before closing, called upon the assembly before him to humble themselves in faith
before God, and in mighty prayer and fasting to call upon the name of the Lord, until the
elements were purified over our heads, and the earth sanctified under our feet, that the inhabitants
of this city may escape the power of disease and pestilence, and the destroyer that rideth upon the
face of the earth, and that the Holy Spirit of God may rest upon this vast multitude.
Baptisms Performed
At the close of the meeting, President Smith said he should attend to the ordinance of Baptism in
the river, near his house, at two o'clock, and at the appointed hour, the bank of the Mississippi
was lined with a multitude of people, and President Joseph Smith went into the river and
baptized eighty persons for the remission of their sins, and what added joy to the scene was the
person baptized was M. L. D. Wasson, a nephew of Mrs. Emma Smith—the first of her kindred
that has embraced the fullness of the Gospel.
At the close of this interesting scene, the administrator lifted up his hands towards heaven, and
implored the blessing of God to rest upon the people; and truly the Spirit of God did rest upon
the multitude, to the joy and consolation of our hearts.
After baptism, the congregation again repaired to the grove, near the Temple, to attend to the
ordinance of confirmation, and, notwithstanding President Smith had spoken in the open air to
the people, about fifty of those baptized received their confirmation under his hands in the after
part of the day. While this was progressing, great numbers were being baptized in the font for the
dead. (March 20, 1842.) DHC 4:553–557.
Synopsis of the Prophet's Sermon on Baptism for the Dead
This was an interesting day. A large assembly met in the grove near the Temple. Brother Amasa
Lyman addressed the people in a very interesting manner. He was followed by Joseph, the Seer,
who made some highly edifying and instructive remarks concerning baptism for the dead, if the
dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?" If there is one word of the Lord that
supports the doctrine of baptism for the dead, it is enough to establish it as a true doctrine. Again;
if we can, by the authority of the Priesthood of the Son of God, baptize a man in the name of the
Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, for the remission of sins, it is just as much our
privilege to act as an agent, and be baptized for the remission of sins for and in behalf of our dead
kindred, who have not heard the Gospel, or the fullness of it. (March 27, 1842.) DHC 4:568–569.
Synopsis of the Prophet's Remarks to the Female Relief Society
President Joseph Smith arose. Spoke of the organization of the Female Relief Society; said he
was deeply interested, that it might be built up to the Most High in an acceptable manner; that its
rules must be observed; that none should be received into it but those who were worthy;
proposed a close examination of every candidate; that the society was growing too fast. It should
grow up by degrees, should commence with a few individuals, thus have a select society of the
virtuous, and those who would walk circumspectly; commended them for their zeal, but said
sometimes their zeal was not according to knowledge. One principle object of the institution was
to purge out iniquity; said they must be extremely careful in all their examinations, or the
consequences would be serious.
All difficulties which might and would cross our way must be surmounted. Though the soul be
tried, the heart faint, and the hands hang down, we must not retrace out steps; there must be
decision of character, aside from sympathy. When instructed, we must obey that voice, observe
the laws of the Kingdom of God, that the blessings of heaven may rest down upon us. All must
act in concert, or nothing can be done, and should move according to the ancient Priesthood;
hence the Saints should be a select people, separate from all the evils of the world—choice,
virtuous, and holy. The Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of
Priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch's day, having all the gifts as illustrated to
the Church in Paul's epistles and teachings to the churches in his day—that it is the privilege of
each member to live long and enjoy health. He then blessed the Saints. (March 30, 1842.) DHC
4:570.
"Try the Spirits"
The Prophet's Editorial in the Times and Seasons
Recent occurrences that have transpired amongst us render it an imperative duty devolving upon
me to say something in relation to the spirits by which men are actuated.
It is evident from the Apostles' writings, that many false spirits existed in their day, and had
"gone forth into the world," and that it needed intelligence which God alone could impart to
detect false spirits, and to prove what spirits were of God. The world in general have been
grossly ignorant in regard to this one thing, and why should they be otherwise—for "the things of
God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
The Egyptians were not able to discover the difference between the miracles of Moses and those
of the magicians until they came to be tested together; and if Moses had not appeared in their
midst, they would unquestionably have thought that the miracles of the magicians were
performed through the mighty power of God, for they were great miracles that were performed by
them—a supernatural agency was developed, and great power manifested.
* * *
It would have been equally as difficult for us to tell by what spirit the Apostles prophesied, or by
what power the Apostles spoke and worked miracles. Who could have told whether the power of
Simon, the sorcerer, was of God or of the devil?
There always did, in every age, seem to be a lack of intelligence pertaining to this subject. Spirits
of all kinds have been manifested, in every age, and almost among all people.
If we go among the pagans, they have their spirits; the Mohammedans, the Jews, the Christians,
the Indians—all have their spirits, all have a supernatural agency, and all contend that their spirits
are of God. Who shall solve the mystery? "Try the spirits," says John, but who is to do it? The
learned, the eloquent, the philosopher, the sage, the divine—all are ignorant. The heathens will
boast of their gods, and of the great things that have been unfolded by their oracles. The
Mussulman will boast of his Koran, and of the divine communications that his progenitors have
received. The Jews have had numerous instances, both ancient and modern, among them of men
who have professed to be inspired, and sent to bring about great events, and the Christian world
has not been slow in making up the number.
Ignorance of the Nature of Spirits
"Try the spirits," but what by? Are we to try them by the creeds of men? What preposterous
folly—what sheer ignorance—what madness! Try the motions and actions of an eternal being
(for I contend that all spirits are such) by a thing that was conceived in ignorance, and brought
forth in folly—a cobweb of yesterday! Angels would hide their faces, and devils would be
ashamed and insulted, and would say, "Paul we know, and Jesus we know, but who are ye?" Let
each man of society make a creed and try evil spirits by it, and the devil would shake his sides; it
is all that he would ask—all that he would desire. Yet many of them do this, and hence "many
spirits are abroad in the world."
One great evil is, that men are ignorant of the nature of spirits; their power, laws, government,
intelligence, etc., and imagine that when there is anything like power, revelation, or vision
manifested, that it must be of God. Hence the Methodists, Presbyterians, and others frequently
possess a spirit that will cause them to lie down, and during its operation, animation is frequently
entirely suspended; they consider it to be the power of God, and a glorious manifestation from
God—a manifestation of what? Is there any intelligence communicated? Are the curtains of
heaven withdrawn, or the purposes of God developed? Have they seen and conversed with an
angel—or have the glories of futurity burst upon their view? No! but their body has been
inanimate, the operation of their spirit suspended, and all the intelligence that can be obtained
from them when they arise, is a shout of "glory," or "hallelujah," or some incoherent expression;
but they have had "the power."
The Shaker will whirl around on his heel, impelled by a supernatural agency or spirit, and think
that he is governed by the Spirit of God; and the Jumper will jump and enter into all kinds of
extravagances. A Primitive Methodist will shout under the influence of that spirit, until he will
rend the heavens with his cries; while the Quakers (or Friends) moved as they think, by the Spirit
of God, will sit still and say nothing. Is God the author of all this? If not all of it, which does He
recognize? Surely, such a heterogeneous mass of confusion never can enter into the kingdom of
heaven.
Discerning of Spirits by Power of Priesthood
Every one of these professes to be competent to try his neighbor's spirit, but no one can try his
own, and what is the reason? Because they have not a key to unlock, no rule wherewith to
measure, and no criterion whereby they can test it. Could any one tell the length, breadth or
height of a building without a rule? Test the quality of metals without a criterion, or point out the
movements of the planetary systems, without a knowledge of astronomy? Certainly not; and if
such ignorance as this is manifested about a spirit of this kind, who can describe an angel of
light? If Satan should appear as one in glory, who can tell his color, his signs, his appearance, his
glory, or what is the manner of his manifestation? Who can detect the spirit of the French
prophets with their revelations and their visions, and power of manifestations? Or who can point
out the spirit of the Irvingites, with their apostles and prophets, and visions and tongues, and
interpretations, etc. Or who can drag into daylight and develop the hidden mysteries of the false
spirits that so frequently are made manifest among the Latter–day Saints? We answer that no man
can do this without the Priesthood, and having a knowledge of the laws by which spirits are
governed; for as no man knows the things of God, but by the Spirit of God, so no man knows the
spirit of the devil, and his power and influence, but by possessing intelligence which is more than
human, and having unfolded through the medium of the Priesthood the mysteries operations of
his devices; without knowing the angelic form, the sanctified look and gesture, and the zeal that
is frequently manifested by him for the glory of God, together with the prophetic spirit, the
gracious influence, the godly appearance, and the holy garb, which are so characteristic of his
proceedings and his mysterious windings.
A man must have the discerning of spirits before he can drag into daylight this hellish influence
and unfold it unto the world in all its soul–destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for nothing is
a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they
think they have the Spirit of God. Thousands have felt the influence of its terrible power and
baneful effects. Long pilgrimages have been undertaken, penances endured, and pain, misery and
ruin have followed in their train; nations have been convulsed, kingdoms overthrown, provinces
laid waste, and blood, carnage and desolation are habiliments in which it has been clothed.
* * *
The Spirit of God the Spirit of Knowledge
As we have noticed before, the great difficulty lies in the ignorance of the nature of spirits, of the
laws by which they are governed, and the signs by which they may be known; if it requires the
Spirit of God to know the things of God; and the spirit of the devil can only be unmasked
through that medium, then it follows as a natural consequence that unless some person or persons
have a communication, or revelation from God, unfolding to them the operation of the spirit, they
must eternally remain ignorant of these principles; for I contend that if one man cannot
understand these things but by the Spirit of God, ten thousand men cannot; it is alike out of the
reach of the wisdom of the learned, the tongue of the eloquent, the power of the mighty. And we
shall at last have to come to this conclusion, whatever we may think of revelation, that without it
we can neither know nor understand anything of God, or the devil; and however unwilling the
world may be to acknowledge this principle, it is evident from the multifarious creeds and
notions concerning this matter that they understand nothing of this principle, and it is equally as
plain that without a divine communication they must remain in ignorance. The world always
mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false
prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had
to hide themselves "in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth," and though the most honorable
men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished,
honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men.
The Gift of Discernment of Spirits
A man must have the discerning of spirits, as we before stated, to understand these things, and
how is he to obtain this gift if there are no gifts of the Spirit? And how can these gifts be
obtained without revelation? "Christ ascended into heaven, and gave gifts to men; and he gave
some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers." And
how were Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists chosen? By prophecy
(revelation) and by laying on of hands—by a divine communication, and a divinely appointed
ordinance—through the medium of the Priesthood, organized according to the order of God, by
divine appointment. The Apostles in ancient times held the keys of this Priesthood—of the
mysteries of the Kingdom of God, and consequently were enabled to unlock and unravel all
things pertaining to the government of the Church, the welfare of society, the future destiny of
men, and the agency, power and influence of spirits; for they could control them at pleasure, bid
them depart in the name of Jesus, and detect their mischievous and mysterious operations when
trying to palm themselves upon the Church in a religious garb, and militate against the interest of
the Church and spread truth. We read that they "cast out devils in the name of Jesus," and when a
woman possessing the spirit of divination, cried before Paul and Silas, "these are the servants of
the Most High God that show unto us the way of salvation," they detected the spirit. And
although she spake favorably of them, Paul commanded the spirit come out of her, and saved
themselves from the opprobrium that might have been heaped upon their heads, through an
alliance with her, in the development of her wicked principles, which they certainly would have
been charged with, if they had not rebuked the evil spirit.
The Gift Held by the Prophets
A power similar to this existed through the medium of the Priesthood in different ages. Moses
could detect the magician's power, and show that he [himself] was God's servant—he knew when
he was upon the mountain (through revelation) that Israel was engaged in idolatry; he could
develop the sin of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, detect witches and wizards in their proceedings,
and point out the true prophets of the Lord. Joshua knew how to detect the man who had stolen
the wedge of gold and the Babylonish garment. Michaiah could point out the false spirit by which
the four hundred prophets were governed; and if his advice had been taken, many lives would
have been spared, (2 Chronicles 18) Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and many other
prophets possessed this power. Our Savior, the Apostles, and even the members of the Church
were endowed with this gift, for, says Paul, (1 Corinthians 12), "To one is given the gift of
tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues, to another the working of miracles, to another
prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits." All these proceeded from the same Spirit of God,
and were the gifts of God. The Ephesian church were enabled by this principle, "to try those that
said they were apostles, and were not, and found them liars." (Revelation 2:2.)
Difference Between Body and Spirit
In tracing the thing to the foundation, and looking at it philosophically, we shall find a very
material difference between the body and the spirit; the body is supposed to be organized matter,
and the spirit, by many, is thought to be immaterial, without substance. With this latter statement
we should beg leave to differ, and state the spirit is a substance; that it is material, but that it is
more pure, elastic and refined matter than the body; that it existed before the body, can exist in
the body; and will exist separate from the body, when the body will be mouldering in the dust;
and will in the resurrection be again united with it.
Spirits Eternal
Without attempting to describe this mysterious connection, and the laws that govern the body and
the spirit of man, their relationship to each other, and the design of God in relation to the human
body and spirit, I would just remark, that the spirits of men are eternal, that they are governed by
the same Priesthood that Abraham, Melchizedek, and the Apostles were: that they are organized
according to that Priesthood which is everlasting, "without beginning of days or end of
years,"—that they all move in their respective spheres, and are governed by the law of God; that
when they appear upon the earth they are in a probationary state, and are preparing, if righteous,
for a future and greater glory; that the spirits of good men cannot interfere with the wicked
beyond their prescribed bounds, for Michael, the Archangel, dared not bring a railing accusation
against the devil, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan."
Wicked Spirits Restricted in Power
It would seem also, that wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are
governed or controlled, and know their future destiny; hence, those that were in the maniac said
to our Savior, "Art thou come to torment us before the time?" and when Satan presented himself
before the Lord, among the sons of God, he said that he came "from going to and fro in the earth,
and from wandering up and down in it;" and he is emphatically called the prince of the power of
the air; and, it is very evident that they possess a power that none but those who have the
Priesthood can control, as we have before adverted to, in the case of the sons of Sceva.
Having said so much upon the general principles, without referring to the peculiar situation,
power, and influence of the magicians of Egypt, the wizards and witches of the Jews, the oracles
of the heathen, their necromancers, soothsayers, and astrologers, the maniacs or those possessed
of devils in the Apostles' days, we will notice, and try to detect (so far as we have the Scriptures
for our aid) some few instances of the development of false spirits in more modern times, and in
this our day.
False Prophets
The "French Prophets" were possessed of a spirit that deceived; they existed in Vivaris and
Dauphany, in great numbers in the year 1688; there were many boys and girls from seven to
twenty–five; they had strange fits, as in tremblings and faintings, which made them stretch out
their legs and arms, as in a swoon; they remained awhile in trances, and coming out of them,
uttered all that came in their mouths. [see Buck's Theological Dictionary]
Now God never had any prophets that acted in this way; there was nothing indecorous in the
proceeding of the Lord's prophets in any age; neither had the apostles nor prophets in the
apostles' day anything of this kind. Paul says, "Ye may all prophesy, one by one; and if anything
be revealed to another let the first hold his peace, for the spirit of the prophets is subject to the
prophets;" but here we find that the prophets are subject to the spirit, and falling down, have
twitchings, tumblings, and faintings through the influence of that spirit, being entirely under its
control. Paul says, "Let everything be done decently and in order," but here we find the greatest
disorder and indecency in the conduct of both men and women, as above described. The same
rule would apply to the fallings, twitchings, swoonings, shaking, and trances of many of our
modern revivalists.
Johanna Southcott professed to be a prophetess, and wrote a book of prophecies in 1804, she
became the founder of a people that are still extant. She was to bring forth, in a place appointed,
a son, that was to be the Messiah, which thing has failed. Independent of this, however, where do
we read of a woman that was the founder of a church, in the word of God? Paul told the women
in his day, "To keep silence in the church, and that if they wished to know anything to ask their
husbands at home;" he would not suffer a woman "to rule, or to usurp authority in the church;"
but here we find a woman the founder of a church, the revelator and guide, the Alpha and
Omega, contrary to all acknowledged rule, principle, and order.
Jemimah Wilkinson was another prophetess that figured largely in America, in the last century.
She stated that she was taken sick and died, and that her soul went to heaven, where it still
continues. Soon after, her body was reanimated with the spirit and power of Christ, upon which
she set up as a public teacher, and declared that she had an immediate revelation. Now the
Scriptures positively assert that "Christ is the first fruit, afterwards those that are Christ's at His
coming, then cometh the end." But Jemimah, according to her testimony, died, and rose again
before the time mentioned in the Scriptures. The idea of her soul being in heaven while her body
was [living] on earth, is also preposterous. When God breathed into man's nostrils, he became a
living soul, before that he did not live, and when that was taken away his body died; and so did
our Savior when the spirit left the body, nor did His body live until His spirit returned in the
power of His resurrection. But Mrs. Wilkinson's soul [life] was in heaven, and her body without
the soul [or life] on earth, living [without the soul, or] without life!
Irvingites
The Irvingites are a people that have counterfeited the truth, perhaps the nearest of any of our
modern sectarians. They commenced about ten years ago in the city of London, in England; they
have churches formed in various parts of England and Scotland, and some few in Upper Canada.
Mr. Irving, their founder, was a learned and talented minister of the Church of Scotland, he was a
great logician, and a powerful orator, but withal wild and enthusiastic in his views. Moving in the
higher circles, and possessing talent and zeal, placed him in a situation to become a conspicuous
character, and to raise up a society similar to that which is called after his name.
The Irvingites have apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and angels. They profess to
have the gift of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, and, in some few instances, to have the
gift of healing.
The first prophetic spirit that was manifested was in some Misses Campbell that Mr. Irving met
with, while on a journey in Scotland; they had [what is termed among their sect] "utterances,"
which were evidently of a supernatural agency. Mr. Irving, falling into the common error of
considering all supernatural manifestations to be of God, took them to London with him, and
introduced them into his church.
They were there honored as the prophetesses of God, and when they spoke, Mr. Irving or any of
his ministers had to keep silence. They were peculiarly wrought upon before the congregation,
and had strange utterances, uttered with an unnatural, shrill voice, and with thrilling intonations
they frequently made use of a few broken, unconnected sentences, that were ambiguous,
incoherent, and incomprehensible; at other times they were more clearly understood. They would
frequently cry out, "There is iniquity! There is iniquity!" And Mr. Irving has been led, under the
influence of this charge, to fall down upon his knees before the public congregation, and to
confess his sin, not knowing whether he had sinned, nor wherein, nor whether the thing referred
to him or somebody else. During these operations, the bodies of the persons speaking were
powerfully wrought upon, their countenances were distorted, they had frequent twitchings in
their hands, and the whole system was powerfully convulsed at intervals: they sometimes,
however, (it is supposed) spoke in correct tongues, and had true interpretations.
Under the influence of this spirit the church was organized by these women; apostles, prophets,
etc., were soon called, and a systematic order of things introduced, as above mentioned. A Mr.
Baxter (afterwards one of their principal prophets) upon going into one of their meetings, says, "I
saw a power manifested, and thought that was the power of God, and asked that it might fall
upon me, and it did so, and I began to prophesy." Eight or nine years ago they had about sixty
preachers going through the streets of London, testifying that London was to be the place where
the "two witnesses" spoken of by John, were to prophesy; that (they the church and the spirit
were the witnesses, and that at the end of three years and a half there was to be an earthquake and
great destruction, and our Savior was to come. Their apostles were collected together at the
appointed time watching the event, but Jesus did not come, and the prophecy was then
ambiguously explained away. They frequently had signs given them by the spirit to prove to them
that what was manifested to them should take place. Mr. Baxter related an impression that he had
concerning a child. It was manifested to him that he should visit the child, and lay hands upon it,
and that it should be healed; and to prove to him that this was of God, he should meet his brother
in a certain place, who should speak unto him certain words. His brother addressed him precisely
in the way and manner that the manifestation designated. The sign took place, but when he laid
his hands upon the child it did not recover. I cannot vouch for the authority of the last statement,
as Mr. Baxter at that time had left the Irvingites, but it is in accordance with many of their
proceedings, and the thing never has been attempted to be denied.
All This Is Wrong
It may be asked, where is there anything in all this that is wrong?
First. The church was organized by women, and God placed in the Church (first apostles,
secondarily prophets,) and not first women; but Mr. Irving placed in his church first women
(secondarily apostles,) and the church was founded and organized by them. A woman has no
right to found or organize a church—God never sent them to do it.
Second. Those women would speak in the midst of a meeting, and rebuke Mr. Irving or any of
the church. Now the Scripture positively says, "Thou shalt not rebuke an Elder, but entreat him as
a father;" not only this, but they frequently accused the brethren, thus placing themselves in the
seat of Satan, who is emphatically called "the accuser of the brethren."
Third. Mr. Baxter received the spirit on asking for it, without attending to the ordinances, and
began to prophesy, whereas the scriptural way of attaining the gift of the Holy Ghost is by
baptism, and by laying on of hands.
Fourth. As we have stated in regard to others, the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets;
but those prophets were subject to the spirits, the spirits controlling their bodies at pleasure.
But it may be asked how Mr. Baxter could get a sign from a second person? To this we would
answer, that Mr. Baxter's brother was under the influence of the same spirit as himself, and being
subject to that spirit he could be easily made to speak to Mr. Baxter whatever the spirit should
dictate; but there was not power in the spirit to heal the child.
Satan May Give Manifestations in Tongues
Again it may be asked, how it was that they could speak in tongues if they were of the devil. We
would answer that they could be made to speak in another tongue, as well as their own, as they
were under the control of that spirit, and the devil can tempt the Hottentot, the Turk, the Jew, or
any other nation; and if these men were under the influence of his spirit, they of course speak
Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Italian, Dutch, or any other language that the devil knew.
Some will say, "try the spirits" by the word. "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the
flesh is not of God." 1 John 4:2, 3. One of the Irvingites once quoted this passage whilst under
the influence of a spirit, and then said, "I confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh." And yet
these prophecies failed, their Messiah did not come; and the great things spoken of by them have
fallen to the ground. What is the matter here? Did not the Apostle speak the truth? Certainly he
did—but he spoke to a people who were under the penalty of death, the moment they embraced
Christianity; and no one without a knowledge of the fact would confess it, and expose themselves
to death, and this was consequently given as a criterion to the church or churches to which John
wrote. But the devil on a certain occasion cried out, "I know thee, who thou art, the Holy One of
God!" Here was a frank acknowledgment under other circumstances that "Jesus had come in the
flesh." On another occasion the devil said, "Paul we know, and Jesus we know"—of course,
"come in the flesh." No man nor sect of men without the regular constituted authorities, the
Priesthood and discerning of spirits, can tell true from false spirits. This power they possessed in
the Apostles' day, but it has departed from the world for ages.
False Spirits in the Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints has also had its false spirits; and as it is made up
of all those different sects professing every variety of opinion, and having been under the
influence of so many kinds of spirits, it is not to be wondered at if there should be found among
us false spirits.
Soon after the Gospel was established in Kirtland, and during the absence of the authorities of
the Church, many false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were seen, and wild,
enthusiastic notions were entertained; men ran out of doors under the influence of this spirit, and
some of them got upon the stumps of trees and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were
entered into by them; one man pursued a ball that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came
to a precipice, when he jumped into the top of a tree, which saved his life; and many ridiculous
things were entered into, calculated to bring disgrace upon the Church of God, to cause the Spirit
of God to be withdrawn, and to uproot and destroy those glorious principles which had been
developed for the salvation of the human family. But when the authorities returned, the spirit was
made manifest, those members that were exercised with it were tried for their fellowship, and
those that would not repent and forsake it were cut off.
At a subsequent period a Shaker spirit was on the point of being introduced, and at another time
the Methodist and Presbyterian falling down power, but the spirit was rebuked and put down, and
those who would not submit to rule and good order were disfellowshiped. We have also had
brethren and sisters who have had the gift of tongues falsely; they would speak in a muttering,
unnatural voice, and their bodies be distorted like the Irvingites before alluded to; whereas, there
is nothing unnatural in the Spirit of God. A circumstance of this kind took place in Upper
Canada, but was rebuked by the presiding Elder; another, a woman near the same place,
professed to have the discerning spirits, and began to accuse another sister of things that she was
not guilty of, which she said she knew was so by the spirit, but was afterwards proven to be false;
she placed herself in the capacity of the "accuser of the brethren," and no person through the
discerning of spirits can bring a charge against another, they must be proven guilty by positive
evidence, or they stand clear.
There have also been ministering angels in the Church which were of Satan appearing as an angel
of light. A sister in the state of New York had a vision, who said it was told her that if she would
go to a certain place in the woods, and angel would appear to her. She went at the appointed
time, and saw a glorious personage descending, arrayed in white, with sandy colored hair; he
commenced and told her to fear God, and said that her husband was called to do great things, but
that he must not go more than one hundred miles from home, or he would not return; whereas
God had called him to go to the ends of the earth, and he has since been more than one thousand
miles from home, and is yet alive. Many true things were spoken by this personage, and many
things that were false. How, it may be asked, was this known to be a bad angel? By the color of
his hair; that is one of the signs that he can be known by, and by his contradicting a former
revelation.
We have also had brethren and sisters who have written revelations, and who have started
forward to lead this Church. Such was a young boy in Kirtland, Isaac Russell, of Missouri, and
Gladden Bishop, and Oliver Olney of Nauvoo. The boy is now living with his parents who have
submitted to the laws of the Church. Mr. Russell stayed in Far West, from whence he was to go
to the Rocky Mountains, led by three Nephites; but the Nephites never came, and his friends
forsook him, all but some of the blood relations, who have since been nearly destroyed by the
mob. Mr. Bishop was tried by the High Council, his papers examined, condemned and burned,
and he cut off the Church. He acknowledged the justice of the decision, and said "that he now
saw his error, for if the had been governed by the revelations given before, he might have known
that no man was to write revelations for the Church, but Joseph Smith," and begged to be prayed
for, and forgiven by the brethren. Mr. Olney has also been tried by the High Council and
disfellowshiped, because he would not have his writings tested by the word of God; evidently
proving that he loves darkness rather than light, because his deeds are evil.
Remarks of the Prophet at the Funeral of Ephraim Marks
The Saints in Nauvoo assembled at the house of President Marks, at an early hour in the
morning, to pay their last respects to the body of Ephraim Marks, son of President William
Marks, who died on the evening of the 7th. A large procession formed and walked to the Grove,
where a numerous congregation had assembled. President Joseph Smith spoke upon the occasion
with much feeling and interest. Among his remarks he said, "It is a very solemn and awful time. I
never felt more solemn; it calls to mind the death of my oldest brother, Alvin, who died in New
York, and my youngest brother, Don Carlos Smith, who died in Nauvoo. It has been hard for me
to live on earth and see these young men upon whom we have leaned for support and comfort
taken from us in the midst of their youth. Yes, it has been hard to be reconciled to these things. I
have sometimes thought that I should have felt more reconciled to have been called away myself
if it had been the will of God; yet I know we ought to be still and know it is of God, and be
reconciled to His will; all is right. It will be but a short time before we shall all in like manner be
called: it may be the case with me as well as you. Some have supposed that Brother Joseph could
not die; but this is a mistake; it is true there have been times when I have had the promise of my
life to accomplish such and such things, but, having now accomplished those things, I have not at
present any lease of my life, I am as liable to die as other men.
I can say in my heart, that I have not done anything against Ephraim Marks that I am sorry for,
and I would ask any of his companions if they have anything against him that they are sorry for,
or that they would not like to meet and answer for at the bar of God, if so, let it prove as a
warning to all to deal justly before God, and with all mankind, then we shall be clear in the day
of judgment.
When we lose a near and dear friend, upon whom we have set our hearts, it should be a caution
unto us not to set our affections too firmly upon others, knowing that they in like manner be
taken from us. Our affections should be placed upon God and His work, more intensely than
upon our fellow beings. (April 9, 1842.) DHC 4:587.
Synopsis of Remarks of the Prophet—Reproof of all Wickedness
Joseph the Seer arose in the power of God; reproved and rebuked wickedness before the people,
in the name of the Lord God. He wished to say a few words to suit the condition of the general
mass, and then said: I shall speak with authority of the Priesthood in the name of the Lord God,
which shall prove a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. Notwithstanding this
congregation profess to be Saints, yet I stand in the midst of all [kinds of] characters and classes
of men. If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which
God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principles, we are going from Him and
drawing towards the devil.
Yes, I am standing in the midst of all kinds of people.
Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my
sins.
Men are Saved Through Obedience to Knowledge
We have thieves among us, adulterers, liars, hypocrites. If God should speak from heaven, he
would command you not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to covet, nor deceive, but be
faithful over a few things. As far as we degenerate from god, we descend to the devil and lose
knowledge, and without knowledge we cannot be saved, and while our hearts are filled with evil,
we are studying evil, there is no room in our hearts for good, or studying good. Is not God good?
Then you be good; if He is faithful, then you be faithful. Add to your faith virtue, to virtue
knowledge, and seek for every good thing.
The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all iniquity. A man is saved no faster than
he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some
evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more
power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us
knowledge of the things of God.
What is the reason that the Priests of the day do not get revelation? They ask only to consume it
upon their lusts. Their hearts are corrupt, and they cloak their iniquity by saying there are no
more revelations. But if any revelations are given of God, they are universally opposed by the
priests and Christendom at large; for they reveal their wickedness and abominations. (April 10,
1842.) DHC 4:588.
Baptism for the Dead
The great designs of God in relation to the salvation of the human family, are very little
understood by the professedly wise and intelligent generation in which we live. Various and
conflicting are the opinions of men concerning the plan of salvation, the requisitions of the
Almighty, the necessary preparations for heaven, the state and condition of departed spirits, and
the happiness or misery that is consequent upon the practice of righteousness and iniquity
according to their several notions of virtue and vice.
The Mussulman condemns the heathen, the Jew, and the Christian, and the whole world of
mankind that reject his Koran, as infidels, and consigns the whole of them to perdition.
The Jew believes that the whole world that rejects his faith and are not circumcised, are Gentile
dogs, and will be damned. The heathen is equally as tenacious about his principles, and the
Christian consigns all to perdition who cannot bow to his creed, and submit to his ipse dixit.
Justice of the Great Lawgiver
But while one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the
Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole human family with a fatherly care and paternal
regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that
influence the children of men, causes "His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth
rain on the just and on the unjust." He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise
Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but,
"according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil," or whether these deeds
were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India. He will judge them, "not according to
what they have not, but according to what they have," those who have lived without law, will be
judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law. We need not doubt the
wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations
according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they
are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable
designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest,
and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the
Judge of all the earth has done right.
Christ Preached to Spirits in Prison
The situation of the Christian nations after death, is a subject that has called forth all the wisdom
and talent of the philosopher and the divine, and it is an opinion which is generally received, that
the destiny of man is irretrievably fixed at his death, and that he is made either eternally happy, or
eternally miserable; that if a man dies without a knowledge of God, he must be eternally damned,
without any mitigation of his punishment, alleviation of his pain, or the most latent hope of a
deliverance while endless ages shall roll along. However orthodox this principle may be, we shall
find that it is at variance with the testimony of Holy Writ, for our Savior says, that all manner of
sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men wherewith they shall blaspheme; but the blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come,
evidently showing that there are sins which may be forgiven in the world to come, although the
sin of blasphemy [against the Holy Ghost] cannot be forgiven. Peter, also, in speaking concerning
our Savior, says, that "He went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were
disobedient, when once the long–suffering of God waited in the days of Noah" (1 Peter 3:19, 20).
Here then we have an account of our Savior preaching to the spirits in prison, to spirits that had
been imprisoned from the days of Noah; and what did He preach to them? That they were to stay
there? Certainly not! Let His own declaration testify. "He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight of the blind, to set at liberty them
that are bruised." (Luke 4:18.) Isaiah has it—"To bring out the prisoners from the prison, and
them that sit in darkness from the prison house." (Isaiah 13:7.) It is very evident from this that he
not only went to preach to them, but to deliver, or bring them out of the prison house. Isaiah, in
testifying concerning the calamities that will overtake the inhabitants of the earth, says, "The
earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the
transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and not rise again. And it shall come
to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the
kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in
the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited." Thus we
find that God will deal with all the human family equally, and that as the antediluvians had their
day of visitation, so will those characters referred to by Isaiah, have their time of visitation and
deliverance; after having been many days in prison.
Plan of Salvation Before the World Was
The great Jehovah contemplated the whole of the events connected with the earth, pertaining to
the plan of salvation, before it rolled into existence, or ever "the morning stars sang together" for
joy; the past, the present, and the future were and are, with Him, one eternal "now;" He knew of
the fall of Adam, the iniquities of the antediluvians, of the depth of iniquity that would be
connected with the human family, their weakness and strength, their power and glory, apostasies,
their crimes, their righteousness and iniquity; He comprehended the fall of man, and his
redemption; He knew the plan of salvation and pointed it out; He was acquainted with the
situation of all nations and with their destiny; He ordered all things according to the council of
His own will; He knows the situation of both the living and the dead, and has made ample
provision for their redemption, according to their several circumstances, and the laws of the
kingdom of God, whether in this world, or in the world to come.
False Doctrines in the World
The idea that some men form of the justice, judgment, and mercy of God, is too foolish for an
intelligent man to think of: for instance, it is common for many of our orthodox preachers to
suppose that if a man is not what they call converted, if he dies in that state he must remain
eternally in hell without any hope. Infinite years in torment must he spend, and never, never,
never have an end; and yet this eternal misery is made frequently to rest upon the merest casualty.
The breaking of a shoe–string, the tearing of a coat of those officiating, or the peculiar location in
which a person lives, may be the means, indirectly of his damnation, or the cause of his not being
saved. I will suppose a case which is not extraordinary: Two men, who have been equally
wicked, who have neglected religion, are both of them taken sick at the same time; one of them
has the good fortune to be visited by a praying man, and he gets converted a few minutes before
he dies; the other sends for three different praying men, a tailor, a shoemaker, and a tinman; the
tinman has a handle to solder to a can, the tailor has a buttonhole to work on some coat that he
needed in a hurry, and the shoemaker has a patch to put on somebody's boot; they none of them
can go in time, the man dies, and goes to hell: one of these is exalted to Abraham's bosom, he sits
down in the presence of God and enjoys eternal, uninterrupted happiness, while the other, equally
as good as he, sinks to eternal damnation, irretrievable misery and hopeless despair, because a
man had a boot mend, the button–hole of a coat to work, or a handle to solder on to a saucepan.
Plans of Jehovah Just
The plans of Jehovah are not so unjust, the statements of holy writ so visionary, nor the plan of
salvation for the human family so incompatible with common sense; at such proceedings God
would frown with indignance, angels would hide their heads in shame, and every virtuous,
intelligent man would recoil.
If human laws award to each man his deserts, and punish all delinquents according to their
several crimes, surely the Lord will not be more cruel than man, for He is a wise legislator, and
His laws are more equitable, His enactment more just, and His decisions more perfect than those
of man; and as man judges his fellow man by law, and punishes him according to the penalty of
the law, so does God of heaven judge "according to the deed done in the body." To say that the
heathens would be damned because they did not believe the gospel would be preposterous, and to
say that the Jews would all be damned that do not believe in Jesus would be equally absurd; for
"how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard, and how can they hear without a
preacher, and how can he preach except he be sent;" consequently neither Jew nor heathen can be
culpable for rejecting the conflicting opinions of sectarianism, nor for rejecting any testimony but
that which is sent of God, for as the preacher cannot preach except he be sent, so the hearer
cannot believe without he hear a "sent" preacher, and cannot be condemned for what he has not
heard, and being without law, will have to be judged without law.
What of the Fathers?
When speaking about the blessings pertaining to the Gospel, and the consequences connected
with disobedience to the requirements, we are frequently asked the question, what has become of
our fathers? Will they all be damned for not obeying the Gospel, when they never heard it?
Certainly not. But they will possess the same privilege that we here enjoy, through the medium of
the everlasting Priesthood, which not only administers on earth, but also in heaven, and the wise
dispensations of the great Jehovah; hence those characters referred to by Isaiah will be visited by
the Priesthood, and come out of their prison upon the same principle as those who were
disobedient in the days of Noah were visited by our Savior [who possessed the everlasting
Melchizedek Priesthood] and had the Gospel preached to them by Him in prison; and in order
that they might fulfill all the requisitions of God, living friends were baptized for their dead
friends, and thus fulfilled the requirement of God, which says, "Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God," they were baptized of course, not for
themselves, but for their dead.
Chrysostum says that the Marchionites practiced baptism for their dead. "After a catechumen was
dead, they had a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man, they
asked him whether he would receive baptism, and he making no answer, the other answered for
him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the
dead." The church of course at that time was degenerate, and the particular form might be
incorrect, but the thing is sufficiently plain in the Scriptures, hence Paul, in speaking of the
doctrine, says, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at
all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor. 15:29.)
Responsibility of the Jews
Hence it was that so great a responsibility rested upon the generation in which our Savior lived,
for, says he, "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the
blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between
the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation."
(Matthew 23:35, 36.) Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not
only pertaining to themselves, but to their dead, their sin was greater, as they not only neglected
their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their
hands:
Saviors on Mount Zion
And now as the great purposes of God are hastening to their accomplishment, and the things
spoken of in the Prophets are fulfilling, as the kingdom of God is established on the earth, and
the ancient order of things restored, the Lord has manifest to us this day and privilege, and we are
commanded to be baptized for our dead, thus fulfilling the words of Obadiah, when speaking of
the glory of the latter–day: "And saviors shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the remnant of
Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's." A view of these things reconciles the Scriptures of
truth, justifies the ways of God to man, places the human family upon an equal footing, and
harmonizes with every principle of righteousness, justice and truth. We will conclude with the
words of Peter: "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles." "For, for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they
might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit." (April 15,
1842.) DHC 4:595–599.
Remarks of the Prophet To the Relief Society
All Offices in Church Honorable
President Smith arose and called the attention of the meeting to the 12th chapter of
Corinthians—"Now concerning spiritual gifts, I would not have you ignorant." Said that the
passage in the third verse, which reads, "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost," should be translated "no man can know that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."
He continued to read the chapter, and give instructions respecting the different offices, and the
necessity of every individual acting in the sphere allotted him or her, and filling the several
offices to which they are appointed. He spoke of the disposition of many men to consider the
lower offices in the Church dishonorable, and to look with jealous eyes upon the standing of
others who are called to preside over them; that it was the folly and nonsense of the human heart
for a person to be aspiring to other stations than those to which they are appointed of God for
them to occupy; that it was better for individuals to magnify their respective calling, and wait
patiently till God shall say to them, "come up higher."
He said the reason of these remarks being made was, that some little foolish things were
circulating in the society, against some sisters not doing right in laying hands on the sick. Said
that if the people had common sympathies they would rejoice that the sick could be healed; that
the time had not been before that these things could be in their proper order; that the Church is
not fully organized, in its proper order, and cannot be, until the Temple is completed, where
places will be provided for the administration of the ordinances of the Priesthood.
Gifts of the Gospel
President Smith continued the subject, by quoting the commission given to the ancient Apostles
in Mark, 16th chapter, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th verses, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting our devils, etc., should
follow all that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this
sweeping promise, that wherein they are ordained, if it is the privilege of those set apart to
administer in that authority, which is conferred on them; and if the sisters should have faith to
heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on.
He said, if God has appointed him, and chosen him as an instrument to lead the Church, why not
let him lead it through? Why stand in the way when he is appointed to do a thing? Who knows
the mind of God? Does He not reveal things differently from what we expect? He remarked that
he was continually rising, although he had everything bearing him down, standing in his way, and
opposing; notwithstanding all this opposition, he always comes out right in the end.
Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick he further remarked, there could be
no evil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female
laying hands on and praying for the sick, than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for
anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administration.
He proved those that were disposed to find fault with the management of the concerns of the
Church, saying God had called him to lead the Church, and he would lead it right; those that
undertake to interfere will be ashamed when their own folly is made manifest; that he calculates
to organize the Church in its proper order as soon as the Temple is completed.
Aspiring Men
President Smith continued by speaking of the difficulties he had to surmount ever since the
commencement of the work, in consequence of aspiring men. "Great big Elders," as he called
them, who caused him much trouble; to whom he had taught the things of the kingdom in private
councils, they would then go forth into the world and proclaim the things he had taught them, as
their own revelations; said the same aspiring disposition will be in this Society, and must be
guarded against; that every person should stand, and act in the place appointed, and thus sanctify
the Society and get it pure. He said he had been trampled under foot by aspiring Elders, for all
were infected with that spirit; for instance, John E. Page and others had been aspiring; they could
not be exalted, but must run away as though the care and authority of the Church were vested
with them. He said he had a subtle devil to deal with, and could only curb him by being humble.
The Prophet's Intimation of His Death
As he had this opportunity, he was going to instruct the ladies of this Society, and point out the
way for them to conduct themselves, that they might act according to the will of God; that he did
not know that he should have many opportunities of teaching them, as they were going to be left
to themselves; they would not long have him to instruct them; that the Church would not have his
instructions long, and the world would not be troubled with him a great while, and would not
have his teachings [in person].
He spoke of delivering the keys of the Priesthood to the Church, and said that the faithful
members of the Relief Society should receive them with their husbands, that the Saints whose
integrity has been tried and proved faithful, might know how to ask the Lord and receive an
answer; for according to his prayers, God had appointed him elsewhere.
He exhorted the sisters always to concentrate their faith and prayers for, and place confidence in
their husbands, whom God has appointed for them to honor, and in those faithful men whom
God has placed at the head of the Church to lead His people; that we should arm and sustain
them with our prayers; for the keys of the kingdom are about to be given to them, that they may
be able to detect everything false; as well as to all the Elders who shall prove their integrity in
due season.
Corruption Not to Be Condoned
He said if one member becomes corrupt, and you know it, you must immediately put it away, or
it will either injure or destroy the whole body. The sympathies of the heads of the Church have
induced them to bear a long time with those who were corrupt until they are obliged to cut them
off, lest all become contaminated; you must put down iniquity, and by your good examples,
stimulate the Elders to good works; if you do right, there is no danger of your going too fast.
He said he did not care how fast we run in the path of virtue; resist evil, and there is no danger;
God, men, and angels will not condemn those that resist everything that is evil, and devils
cannot; as well might the devil seek to dethrone Jehovah, as overthrow an innocent soul that
resists everything which is evil.
This is a charitable Society, and according to your natures; it is natural for females to have
feelings of charity and benevolence. You are now placed in a situation in which you can act
according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms.
To Dwell with God, the Soul Must Be Pure
If you live up to these principles, how great and glorious will be your reward in the celestial
kingdom! If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your
associates. Females, if they are pure and innocent, can come in the presence of God; for what is
more pleasing to God than innocence; you must be innocent, or you cannot come up before God;
if we would come before God, we must keep ourselves pure, as He is pure.
The Devil's Power to Deceive
The devil has great power to deceive; he will so transform things as to make one gape at those
who are doing the will of God. You need not be teasing your husbands because of their deeds,
but let the weight of your innocence, kindness and affection be felt, which is more mighty than a
millstone hung about the neck; not war, not jangle, not contradiction, or dispute, but meekness,
love, purity—these are the things that should magnify you in the eyes of all good men. Achan
[see Joshua 7] must be brought to light, iniquity must be purged out from the midst of the Saints;
then the veil will be rent, and the blessings of heaven will flow down—they will roll down like
the Mississippi river.
If this Society listen to the counsel of the Almighty, through the heads of the Church, they shall
have power to command queens in their midst.
I now deliver it as a prophecy, if the inhabitants of this state, with the people of the surrounding
country, will turn unto the Lord with all their hearts, ten years will not roll around before the
kings and queens of the earth will come unto Zion, and pay their respects to the leaders of this
people; they shall come with their millions, and shall contribute of their abundance for the relief
of the poor, and the building up and beautifying of Zion.
After this instruction, you will be responsible for your own sins; it is a desirable honor that you
should so walk before our heavenly Father as to save yourselves; we are all responsible to God
for the manner we improve the light and wisdom given by our Lord to enable us to save
ourselves.
Beware of Self–Righteousness
President Smith continued reading from the above–mentioned chapter, and to give instructions
respecting the order of God, as established in the Church, saying everyone should aspire only to
magnify his own office and calling.
He then commenced reading the 13th chapter—"Though I speak with the tongues of men and
angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal;" and said,
don't be limited in your views with regard to your neighbor's virtue, but beware of
self–righteousness, and be limited in the estimate of your own virtues, and not think yourselves
more righteous than others; you must enlarge your souls towards each other, if you would do like
Jesus, and carry your fellow–creatures to Abraham's bosom. He said he had manifested
long–suffering, forbearance and patience towards the Church, and also to his enemies; and we
must bear with each other's failings, as an indulgent parent bears with the foibles of his children.
President Smith the read the 2nd verse—"Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and
have not charity, I am nothing." He then said, though a man should become mighty, do great
things, overturn mountains, perform mighty works, and should then turn from his high station to
do evil, to eat and drink with the drunken, all his former deeds would not save him, but he would
go to destruction! As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your
hearts expand, let them be enlarged towards others; you must be long–suffering, and bear with the
faults and errors of mankind.
How precious are the souls of men! The female part of the community are apt to be contracted in
their views. You must not be contracted, but you must be liberal in your feelings. Let this Society
teach women how to behave towards their husbands, to treat them with mildness and affection.
When a man is borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed with care and difficulty, if he can
meet a smile instead of an argument or a murmur—if he can meet with mildness, it will calm
down his soul and soothe his feelings; when the mind is going to despair, it needs a solace of
affection and kindness.
Instruction Through the Priesthood
You will receive instructions through the order of the Priesthood which God has established,
through the medium of those appointed to lead, guide and direct the affairs of the Church in this
last dispensation; and I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society
shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth; this is
the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth
blessings on your heads.
When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity
and love crown your works henceforward; don't envy the finery and fleeting show of sinners, for
they are in a miserable situation; but as far as you can, have mercy on them, for in a short time
God will destroy them, if they will not repent and turn unto him.
Let your labors be mostly confined to those around you, in the circle of your own acquaintance,
as far as knowledge is concerned, it may extend to all the world; but your administering should
be confined to the circle of your immediate acquaintance, and more especially to the members of
the Relief Society. Those ordained to preside over and lead you, are authorized to appoint the
different officers, as the circumstances shall require.
The Gift of Tongues
If you have a matter to reveal, let it be in your own tongue; do not indulge too much in the
exercise of the gift of tongues, or the devil will take advantage of the innocent and unwary. You
may speak in tongues for your own comfort, but I lay this down for a rule, that if anything is
taught by the gift of tongues, it is not to be received for doctrine.
President Smith then gave instruction respecting the propriety of females administering to the
sick by the prayer of faith, the laying on of hands, or the anointing with oil; and said it was
according to revelation that the sick should be nursed with herbs and mild food, and not by the
hand of an enemy. Who are better qualified to administer than our faithful and zealous sisters,
whose hearts are full of faith, tenderness, sympathy and compassion. No one. Said he was never
placed in similar circumstances before, and never had given the same instruction; and closed his
instructions by expressing his heartfelt satisfaction in improving this opportunity.
The Spirit of the Lord was poured out in a very powerful manner, never to be forgotten by those
present on this interesting occasion. (April 28, 1842.) DHC 4:602–607.
The Temple
Diligence of the Saints in Building the Temple
This noble edifice is progressing with great rapidity; strenuous exertions are being made on every
hand to facilitate its erection, and materials of all kinds are in a great state of forwardness, and by
next fall we expect to see the building enclosed; if not the top stone raised with "shouting of
grace—grace unto it." There have been frequently, during the winter, as many as one hundred
hands quarrying rock, while at the same time multitudes of others have been engaged in hauling,
and in other kinds of labor.
A company was formed last fall to go up to the pine country to purchase mills, and prepared and
saw lumber for the Temple and the Nauvoo House, and the reports from them are very favorable:
another company has started, this last week, to take their place and to relieve those that are
already there: on their return they are to bring a very large raft of lumber, for the use of the
above–named houses.
While the busy multitudes have thus been engaged in their several vocations performing their
labor, and working one–tenth of their time, others have not been less forward in bringing in their
tithings and consecrations for the same great object. Never since the foundation of this Church
was laid, have we seen manifested a greater willingness to comply with the requisitions of
Jehovah, a more ardent desire to do the will of God, more strenuous exertions used, or greater
sacrifices made than there have been since the Lord said, "Let the Temple be built by the tithing
of my people." It seemed as though the spirit of enterprise, philanthropy and obedience rested
simultaneously upon old and young, and brethren and sisters, boys and girls, and even strangers,
who were not in the Church, united with an unprecedented liberality in the accomplishment of
this great work; nor could the widow, in many instances, be prevented, out of her scanty pittance
from throwing in her two mites.
We feel at this time to tender to all, old and young, both in the Church and out of it, our
unfeigned thanks for their unprecedented liberality, kindness, diligence, and obedience which
they have so opportunely manifested on the present occasion. Not that we are personally or
individually benefitted in a pecuniary point of view, but when the brethren, as in this instance,
show a unity of purpose and design, and all put their shoulder to the wheel, our care, labor, toil
and anxiety is materially diminished, our yoke is made easy and our burden is light.
The Cause of God a Common Cause
The cause of God is one common cause, in which the Saints are alike all interested; we are all
members of the one common body, and all partake of the same spirit, and are baptized into one
baptism and possess alike the same glorious hope. The advancement of the cause of God and the
building up of Zion is as much one man's business as another's. The only difference is, that one is
called to fulfill one duty, and another another duty; "but if one member suffers, all the members
suffer with it, and if one member in honored all the rest rejoice with it, and the eye cannot say to
the ear, I have no need of thee, nor the head to the foot, I have no need of thee;" party feelings,
separate interests, exclusive designs should be lost sight of in the one common cause, in the
interest of the whole.
All Things to Be Gathered in One
The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a
theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked
forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful
anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the
sight; we are the favored people that God has made choice of to bring about the Latter–day glory;
it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter–day glory, "the
dispensation of the fulness of times, when God will gather together all things that are in heaven,
and all things that are upon the earth," "even in one," when the Saints of God will be gathered in
one from every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue, when the Jews will be gathered
together into one, the wicked will also be gathered together to be destroyed, as spoken of by the
prophets; the Spirit of God will also dwell with His people, and be withdrawn from the rest of the
nations, and all things whether in heaven or on earth will be in one, even in Christ. The heavenly
Priesthood will unite with the earthly, to bring about those great purposes; and whilst we are thus
united in one common cause, to roll forth the kingdom of God, the heavenly Priesthood are not
idle spectators, the Spirit of God will be showered down from above, and it will dwell in our
midst. The blessings of the Most High will rest upon our tabernacles, and our name will be
handed down to future ages; our children will rise up and call us blessed; and generations yet
unborn will dwell with peculiar delight upon the scenes that we have passed through, the
privations that we have endured; the untiring zeal that we have manifested; the all but
insurmountable difficulties that we have overcome in laying the foundation of a work that
brought about the glory and blessing which they will realize; a work that God and angels have
contemplated with delight for generations past; that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and
prophets; a work that is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the
renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family. (May 2, 1842.)
DHC 4:608–610.
A Catacomb of Mummies found in Kentucky
Had Mr. Ash in his researches consulted the Book of Mormon his problem would have been
solved, and he would have found no difficulty in accounting for the mummies being found in the
above mentioned case. The Book of Mormon gives an account of a number of the descendants of
Israel coming to this continent; and it is well known that the art of embalming was known among
the Hebrews, as well as among the Egyptians, although, perhaps, not so generally among the
former, as among the latter people; and their method of embalming also might be different from
that of the Egyptians. Jacob and Joseph were no doubt embalmed in the manner of the Egyptians,
as they died in that country. (Gen. 50:2, 3, 26.) When our Savior was crucified his hasty burial
obliged them only to wrap his body in linen with a hundred pounds of myrrh, aloes, and similar
spices, (part of the ingredients of embalming) given by Nicodemus for the purpose; but Mary and
other holy women had prepared ointment and spices for embalming it. (Matt. 27:59; Luke 23:56;
John 19:39, 40.)
This art was no doubt transmitted from Jerusalem to this continent, by the before mentioned
emigrants, which accounts for this finding of the mummies, and at the same time in another
strong evidence of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. (May 2, 1842.) T&S 3:781–782.