THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 124
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841. HC 4: 274—286. Because of increasing persecutions and illegal procedures against them by public officers, the saints had been compelled to leave Missouri. The exterminating order issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, Governor of Missouri, dated October 27, 1838, had left them no alternative. See HC 3: 175. In 1841, when this revelation was given, the city of Nauvoo, occupying the site of the former village of Commerce, Illinois, had been built up by the saints, and here the headquarters of the Church had been established.
[ First revelation given at Nauvoo ]
1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth. [ The Savior expands on this verse in (D&C 1:17-19). How about 18 year old men and women in the mission field. ]
2 Your prayers are acceptable before me; and in answer to them I say unto you, that you are now called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, [ Joseph Smith will never be able to accomplish this in his lifetime because of the burdens that are placed upon him. Robert B. Thompson is called to help write this proclamation will also die before it is completed. He said "and of this stake(refers to Nauvoo)". ] and of this stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion, which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace.
3 This proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, [ Who was William Harrison. ] and the high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad.
4 Let it be written in the spirit of meekness and by the power of the Holy Ghost, [ Written by revelation, which requires pondering, study prayer, and then writing and rewriting many times, each time asking if it is acceptable to the Lord, until the confirmation is given. This manuscript will eventually be written by Parley P. Pratt. It was published in a 16 page phamplet that was printed in Hew York City, so it is not a small proclamation. Print in April 6, 1845 (Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/2818/ ). Also on Oct 22, 1845 Wilford Woodruff published it in Liverpool, England. Wilford Woodruff order 20,000 copies of it printed. One copy was sent to Captain Dan Jones to be published in the Welch language. Here is a summary of the contents:
The great and eternal High Priesthood of God has been restored to the earth;
Restoration of all things that are required to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ;
The children of light must be prepared in order to the things that are coming to the earth;
Jews are to gather and become one nation and rebuild the city of Jerusalem;
Persecution will not stop thus work, and it will go forward with or without your help;
Every king and leader will be forced to choose, there will be no neutral parties as this work goes forward;
Deals with the battle of Gog and Magog - specifically the pre-millennial battle;(Ezek. 38-39 pre-millennial battle, before the second coming; Post -millennial(WWW3) battle is found in D&C 88:111-115; Rev 27-9)
False churches will cease - That could be interesting
The Savior will visit the saints in Zion
The second coming is near. ] which shall be in you at the time of the writing of the same;
5 For it shall be given you by the Holy Ghost to know my will concerning those kings and authorities, even what shall befall them in a time to come.
6 For, behold, I am about to call upon them to give heed to the light and glory of Zion, for the set time has come to favor her.
7 Call ye, therefore, upon them with loud proclamation, and with your testimony, fearing them not, for they are as grass, [ Their power is like grass, blows in the wind, dies when not watered can be temperamental it fades - verses eternal power. see Isa 40: 6-8. ] and all their glory as the flower thereof which soon falleth, that they may be left also without excuse—
8 And that I may visit them in the day of visitation, when I shall unveil the face of my covering, to appoint the portion of the oppressor among hypocrites, where there is gnashing of teeth, if they reject my servants and my testimony which I have revealed unto them. [ Send a warning message to the world that the Lord is coming see D&C 29:8. ]
9 And again, I will visit and soften their hearts, many of them for your good, that ye may find grace in their eyes, that they may come to the light of truth, and the Gentiles to the exaltation or lifting up of Zion.
10 For the day of my visitation cometh speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them?
11 Awake, O kings of the earth! Come ye, O, come ye, with your gold and your silver, to the help of my people, to the house of the daughters of Zion. [ Dealing here specifically with the Nauvoo boarding house. As a house of the daughters of Zion - the women. Thus foreshadowing the necessary involvement of women in these sacred priesthood ordinances and its associated power and authority given to women. It wouldn’t be long before women would become full participants in both receiving and performing priesthood ordinances and making covenants in the temple. This background is foundational to correctly teaching the relevance of priesthood to women as revealed in section 84.
]
[ Compare with verses 26-27. ]
12 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Robert B. Thompson help you to write this proclamation, [ He died before he could write it. He was born in 1811 in England, he was a Methodist preacher and was living in Canada when he was converted in May 1836 by Parley P. Pratt. He will become a colonel in the Nauvoo legion. He dies Aug 27, 1841. Not long after this revelation he becomes the associate editor of the times and seasons. He marries Mercy Rachel Fielding the sister of Joseph Fielding, and Marry Rachel Fielding(who marries Hyrum Smith and is the mother of Joseph Fielding Smith). Later in Salt Lake City Joseph Fielding Smith will refer to Mercy Rachel as his second mother as his mother died when he was only 15, she will be the one who steps in to love and raise him and his sister. After Robert B. Thompson died he appeared to Hyrum Smith and asked Hyrum if he would marry his wife and take care of her as long as he could, which he did. (HOC Vol 4 pg 411-412) ] for I am well pleased with him, and that he should be with you;
13 Let him, therefore, hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] to your counsel, and I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings; let him be faithful and true in all things from henceforth, and he shall be great in mine eyes;
15 And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord. [ Heber J. Grant said of Hyrum "no mortal man who ever lived in this church desired more to do good than did hiram smith the patriarch I have it from the lips of my own sainted mother that of all the men she was acquainted with in her girlhood days in Nauvoo she admired harm smith most for his absolute integrity and devotion to God and his loyalty to the prophet of God and God honored that man by allowing to come from his loins the late beloved president Joseph F. Smith he so testified in General Conference October 1920 page 84. Joseph Smith testifies of his brother in the Teachings of Joseph Smith page 40 and 41. ]
16 Again, let my servant John C. Bennett [ John C. Bennett (D&C 124:16) joined the Church in 1840 and became a close associate of Joseph Smith. He was vital in securing the generous charter from the state of Illinois that helped establish the city of Nauvoo, and he served as the first mayor of the city. His relationship with the Church and its leaders quickly deteriorated when it was discovered that Bennett had abandoned a wife and several children before coming to Nauvoo. Bennett had also engaged in several illicit affairs with women in the city. Joseph Smith wrote that after being discovered in these acts Bennett “attempted to destroy himself by taking poison but, being discovered before it had taken sufficient affect, and proper antidotes administered, he again recovered.” (Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842, p. 234, JSP.) Bennett was excommunicated for adultery in May 1842 and subsequently became one of the most bitter enemies of the Church. He even published a searing anti-Mormon book, The History of the Saints, or, An Expose of Joe Smith and Mormonism. ] help you in your labor in sending my word to the kings and people of the earth, and stand by you, even you my servant Joseph Smith, in the hour of affliction; and his reward shall not fail if he receive counsel.
17 And for his love he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord. I have seen the work which he hath done, which I accept if he continue, and will crown him with blessings and great glory.
18 And again, I say unto you that it is my will that my servant Lyman Wight [ Lyman White is in Liberty Jail with Joseph Smith Moses Wilson comes by one day Moses Wilson was a mobocrat. Lyman White said to Moses do you know why you're still alive and Lyman said "because Joseph Smith won't let me kill you" That is just how bold he was. He will fill the vacancy in the quorum of the 12 which occurred because of the death of David Patton, he's not ordained until in april 1841. This is so sad, he was with Joseph Smith in the June 3rd 1831 conference and Lyman White is permitted to see the Father and Son in vision and yet after all of that he leaves the church and he leaves this work. He'll be excommunicated in December 1848. He takes a group to Texas, he will not work with Brigham Young in the quorum of the 12. He goes off on his own and he will die in 1858 in Dexter Texas. ] should continue in preaching for Zion, in the spirit of meekness, confessing me before the world; and I will bear him up as on eagles’ wings; [ (Isaiah 40:31; Exodus 19:4) ] and he shall beget glory and honor to himself and unto my name.
19 That when he shall finish his work I may receive him unto myself, even as I did my servant David Patten, [ David Patton died on October 25th 1838. He was shot in the battle at Crooked River. David Patton an apostle. ] who is with me at this time, and also my servant Edward Partridge, [ Who died may 27 1840. Edward Partridge the general bishop and later held the title of presiding bishop. ] and also my aged servant Joseph Smith, Sen., [ Who died September 14 1840. Joseph Smith, Sen., patriarch to the church you might want to be aware a couple of things one all three of those men are listed as martyrs in the kingdom of god edward partridge and Joseph Smith, Sen., die as a direct result of the Missouri persecutions and forcing those men to come out in the time of winter which resulted in a breakdown of their health. ] who sitteth with Abraham at his right hand, [ All three of these men are listed as martyrs and have exaltation they will be exalted and in the celestial kingdom with our father in heaven. ] and blessed and holy is he, for he is mine.
20 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant George Miller is without guile; [ He is honest. ] he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart; and for the love which he has to my testimony I, the Lord, love him.
21 I therefore say unto you, I seal upon his head the office of a bishopric, [ He will act as a general Bishop, however he does not stay faithful and as such will not be listed as a presiding Bishop. George Miller is the one at quincy who helped our people so much he had a large farm he opened his silos full of grain he gave us grain he had a lot of sheep cattle hogs all of those he shared with our people he provided a place for Joseph Smith Senior and his family to live he just was kind and benevolent to our people he's born 1794 in Virginia. He will be listed as second bishop of the church with Newell K Whitney listed his first bishop after the death of Edward Partridge he'll be disfellowshipped in 1848. He will not comply with the quorum of the 12. He rejects the leadership of Brigham Young and he caused a lot of problems he will go down to Texas and join with Lyman White who is his good friend he got disenchanted there and comes back and joins with James Strang and the Strangnite movement and he will finally die in Illinois in 1856 out of the kingdom of god he never come back. ] like unto my servant Edward Partridge, that he may receive the consecrations of mine house, that he may administer blessings upon the heads of the poor of my people, saith the Lord. Let no man despise my servant George, for he shall honor me.
22 Let my servant George, and my servant Lyman, and my servant John Snider, [ He's converted in 1836 by Parley P Pratt. He serves as a
missionary to England in 1837 he goes with Hebrew C Kimball. He died in Salt Lake in December 1875 a faithful member of the church. ] and others, build a house unto my name, [ Verses 22-24 and 56-82 deal with the Nauvoo house. It was built in an L shape and when Emma Smith remarried she tore the one wing down and built a second story on the other part so if you go there today the Nauvoo House is a hostel owned by the community of christ in which they let a lot of their youth groups stay there and that's where Emma Smith will live and die. The Nauvoo House is really never finished and the building still stands today. ] such a one as my servant Joseph shall show unto them, upon the place which he shall show unto them also.
23 And it shall be for a house for boarding, [ We would call it a hotel today. Instruction to build a boarding house - additional instructions for the house are found in verses 56-61. ] a house that strangers [ Those who are not of our faith. ] may come from afar to lodge therein; therefore let it be a good house, worthy of all acceptation, that the weary traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord; [ A place for travelers to learn about the church. What would you assume is in very room then? The Book of Mormon. ] and the corner-stone [ The Nauvoo stake. ] I have appointed for Zion.
24 This house shall be a healthful habitation [ Designed to be beneficial to body, mind and spirit. ] if it be built unto my name, and if the governor [ Or the manager of the hotel. ] which shall be appointed unto it shall not suffer any pollution to come upon it. It shall be holy, or the Lord your God will not dwell therein.
[ 25- 48 is the building of the Nauvoo Temple. ]
25 And again, verily I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar. [ We have always been driven by gathering. The purpose of gathering the saints is to eliminate the poor and to build temples. ]
26 And send ye swift messengers, [ Isaiah 18:1-2 where in all seven verse there deal with the gathering of Israel in the last days. ] yea, chosen messengers, and say unto them: Come ye, with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities; and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come, and bring the box-tree, and the fir-tree, and the pine-tree, together with all the precious trees of the earth; [ Bring the finest things that you have for the building of the temple. This verse is derivative of the Isaiah’s references to the Gentiles rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem, and can be seen as foreshadowing that eschatological Temple, cp. Isa. 45:14, Isa. 60:1-17.]
27 And with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious things of the earth; [ This is the same call that Moses gave tp the people of his day to build a tabernacle. (Exodus 25) ] and build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein.
[ This is far more literal that most of us realize. Elder Holland once said as I sat at his feet in the temple that this is his house and he comes to his house often, far more often than we realize. This tells us that the Kirtland temple is no longer acceptable as the Lords house as he is asking the saints to build a house for him to come to earth and dwell. The Temple in Kirtland at this point has been desecrated by wicked people at this point. ]
28 For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood . [ The fulness of the priesthood are obtained only through the ordinances of the temple. The Savior is going to help them better understand the process to do that. Which are outlined in verse 39. ]
29 For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead— [ Remember that baptism for the dead was introduced August 15 1840. Seymour Bronson died august 10th 1840 five days later by the way he died in joseph smith's home five days later Joseph Smith speaks at his funeral and introduces baptism for the dead. First to accomplish Baptisms for the dead, they were permitted to perform them outside of the temple earlier because of their poverty but not any longer. (See vs 30 - 36) First reference to the ordinances performed in the temple vs 29-33, 39. (See also D&C 127:5-10; D&C 128. Joseph Smith's comments are as follows: "I presume the doctrine of “baptism for the dead” has ere this reached your ears [the Twelve in England], 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?” (1 Cor. 15:29; Zach 9:11) 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, but my space will not allow me to do it. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 4, page 231)"]
30 For this ordinance [ Baptism for the dead ] belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, [ Or ot is not acceptable to perform this ordinance outside of the the temple going forward. It was however ok while the saints were poor. ] only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.
31 But I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me. [ Regarding vicarious baptisms on October 2, 1841 Joseph Smith said: 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! (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 4, page 426) Subsequent to that a baptismal font was dedicated on November 8, 124.6 1841: At five o’clock p.m., I attended the dedication of the baptismal font in the Lord’s House. President Brigham Young was spokesman. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 4, page 446) The font was then put into active use: The Twelve met in council at President Young’s, and at four o’clock, repaired to the baptismal font in the basement of the Temple. Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor baptized about forty persons for the dead; Elder Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith confirming. These were the first baptisms for the dead in the font. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 4, page 454) ]
32 But behold, at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me; and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church, [ Those who reject this command - even to the entire church will be condemned. This was not the first command to build a temple as they were instructed to build a temple in Missouri but did not. Elder Boyd K Packer said this about this verse "During a very difficult time the Lord gave the sternest warning that I know of in all scripture it had to do with the building at the Nauvoo Temple the saints knew from experience that to proceed to build a temple would bring terrible persecution so they delayed the Lord extended the time and said if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church with your dead saith the Lordyour God". (Elder Boyd K Packer Refuge From The Storm page 33) How do you suppose building a temple in Missouri might have changed things for the saints? Would it have? ] with your dead, saith the Lord your God.
33 For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house to me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, [ We were taught in our pre-existence that the plan of salvation would be extended to everyone, including a way for those to receive all of the promised blessings even if they were not on the earth or near a place where the gospel was taught. Suggesting also that we knew and understood the plan of salvation before we came to earth. ] your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me;
35 And after this time, your baptisms for the dead, by those who are scattered abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.
36 For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, [ If in Jerusalem then there will need to be a day when there is a temple of God built there. Reference is made to the temple at Jerusalem by Orson Pratt in Journal of Discourses, volume 19, pages 19–29. President Wilford Woodruff said: “… Christ will not come until these things come to pass. Jerusalem has got to be rebuilt. The temple has got to be built. “… These things have been revealed by the prophets; they will have their fulfillment.” (MS, vol. 52 [Oct. 6, 1890], p. 740.) And Joseph Smith said: “What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world? … The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house. …” (DHC, vol. 5, p. 423.) Many of the Orthodox Jewish people themselves are talking about the construction of a third temple. Concerning this subject, an important scroll was discovered in the Middle East just a few years ago. Dr. Yigael Yadin of the Hebrew University is now translating this scroll, which he calls the Temple Scroll and concerning which he has said: “The amazing thing about this scroll is that it was written as a Torah—a law—given by God to Moses. The entire text is written in the first person singular, with God as the speaker. Every other scroll from the Dead Sea is either a copy of an existent Biblical book or a Biblical commentary or a sectarian document composed by the Qumran community. Here we have for the first time a scroll that was apparently meant to be in the Biblical text but which was never part of the Biblical canon, so far as we know.” (Newsletter Number 7 of the American Schools of Oriental Research, November 13, 1967. Italics added.) With what does that text deal? Dr. Yadin says that it has the plans for the construction of a great temple and that it introduces a new feature into the temple. There are three courts instead of two, each exactly square. The middle and the outer courts of the temple are to have twelve gates, three on each side, and each gate is to be named for one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Dr. Yadin adds: “This is significant. The whole apocalyptic literature and that of Qumran were occupied with the concept of uniting the twelve tribes of Israel as ordained by God. Here, too, the emphasis is on the twelve tribes, as it is so frequently also in the New Testament.” (Ibid.) Orson Pratt has described another distinguishing feature concerning the temple that will be built in Jerusalem during the last days: “The Temple at Jerusalem will undoubtedly be built, by those who believe in the true Messiah. Its construction will be, in some respects different from the Temples now being built. It will contain the throne of the Lord, upon which he will, at times, personally sit, and will reign over the house of Israel for ever.” (JD, vol. 19, p. 20. Italics added.) ] those places which I have appointed for refuge, [ Or the temples. ] shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.
37 And again, verily I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me, except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name?
38 For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise, [ Which will eventually be Solomons Temple. ] that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.
39 Therefore, [ Here comes the lost of those things that need to be done on the temples. ] verily I say unto you, that your anointings, [ ] and your washings, [ ] and your baptisms for the dead, [ This was done in New Testament time but not in Moses time. No work for the dead was done on the earth until Christ introduced the gospel and work for the dead in the world of the spirits.(Moses 7:38) ] , and your solemn assemblies, [ Solemn assemblies are held or called for three reasons one the dedication of temples; two special instructions to priesthood leaders happen in the temples; three the sustaining of a new president of the church. (David B Haite Ensign November 1994 page 14) ] , and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, [ Memorials is records. ] , and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, [ Unrestrained talk. So in the temple we can freely discuss the things of the Temple. Here we can freely discuss the things of God's house. ] your statutes [ Thats laws. ] , and and judgments, [ The ordinances. ] for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment [ An "endowment" by definition is something that will provide a steady stream of income without ever touching the principal. A gift. ] of all her municipals, [ Her stakes. ] are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.
40 And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people; [ The Lord wants his children to have the ordinances of the fullness of the gospel and the only way he can reveal all of that to the saints is in the temple. see also vs 41. Joseph put in his words the purpose for building a temple. "What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world? ... The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose. It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles. It is for the same purpose that God gathers together His people in the last days, to build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings and anointing, etc. One of the ordinances of the house of the Lord is baptism for the dead. God decreed before the foundation of the world that that ordinance should be administered in a font prepared for that purpose in the house of the Lord. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 5, pages 423-424)". ]
41 For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, [ (HOC Vol 5 Pg 423-424) ] things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times. [ There are blessings and powers given that the saints will need in the last days if they are to overcome the world. ]
42 And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, [ Just to be clear here we are talking of the temple here. ] and the priesthood thereof, [ The patriarchal priesthood. ] and the place whereon it shall be built.
43 And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it, for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to build it.
[ That ground was owned by Daniel H Wells. He is a justice of the peace, he believes in the church, he believes in Joseph Smith; however he will not be baptized until after the death of Joseph Smith. The reason why he waited so long is because his wife wanted nothing to do with the church. She told him that if he went west with Brigham Young that he would never see her or their 8 year old son again. He knew that the church was true and so he went with Brigham Young. She was true to her word, her son became a minister and he later died at 80 years old never seeing his father again. Daniel H Wells came west with Brigham and was later called as a councilor to Brigham Young. He will later become the president of the Manti Temple, a missions president in the European mission. He will have posterity who will become general authorities of the church he also will practice plural marriage and has a huge posterity the lord more general authorities of the church he also will practice plural marriage and has a huge posterity the lord. He stayed well over a year and a half longer than when the first saints left trying to get her to accept the gospel. She would not do it she did not believe in this work. When you go and see the Nauvoo Temple today it's at that plot of ground belonged to Daniel H Wells. ]
45 And if my people will hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
46 But if they will not hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute mine holy grounds, and mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which I give unto them.
47 And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath [a solemn appeal to God, A solemn pledge made under a sense of responsibility in attestation of the truth of a statement or in verification of a statement made.] which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.
48 For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practise before me, saith the Lord.
49 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men [ Mortals. ] to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies [ Or the deseases that they might have that keep them from doing the work. As in missionaries who cannot serve proselytizing mission because of a particular handicap. ] come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, [ Those infirmities that keep them from serving free them from service. Or in other words their service is acceptable. ] behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more [ Which was to build the Temple in Independence Missouri because we were driven out the lord released that generation from doing that the other work we are called to do no more is the practice of plural marriage which was officially stopped in 1890 and finally with the second manifesto in 1904. ] at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.
50 And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God. [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] .
51 Therefore, for this cause [ The extreme amount of persecution tha the saints faced in trying to build the temple. ] have I accepted the offerings [ They were excused from building the Missouri temple because of the amount of persecution they faced in doing so. The commandment to build the temple was first given in section 84 ] of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.
52 And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.
53 And this I make an example unto you, for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression, saith the Lord your God.
54 For I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.
55 And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.
56 And now I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding house which I have commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers, let it be built unto my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph and his house have place therein, from generation to generation.
57 For this anointing have I put upon his head, that his blessing shall also be put upon the head of his posterity after him.
58 And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say unto my servant Joseph: [ Joseph Smith. ] In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of the earth be blessed. [ "Through the Prophet Joseph Smith-the latter-day descendant of Joseph and Ephraim-the Lord has made available all of the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to all who will join the Church and prove worthy of the blessings of the temple. In November 1831, the Lord referred to a significant 'blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows' (D&C 133:34). Remember that Ephraim received the birthright over the tribes of Israel. In the last days it has been the leadership responsibility of the tribe of Ephraim to take the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Thus, in compliance with the Lord's covenants and promises made to the fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and in compliance with the birthright blessing given to Ephraim to preside in Israel, the gospel and all of its covenantal powers were literally restored to a literal descendant of Ephraim, one who by right and covenant then could begin the dispersal of that gospel and its priesthood powers, ordinances, and covenants to the ends of the earth." (Robert L. Millet, "The Ancient Covenant Restored," Ensign, Mar. 1998, 45) ] [ How did Joseph Smith and his seed bless the earth? First through Joseph Smith the gospel was restored to the earth. In that restoration people throughout the world have been gathered in and taught about Jesus Christ, his divine mission and the ordinances that are required for salvation. ]
59 Therefore, let my servant Joseph and his seed after him have place in that house, from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.
60 And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House; and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner-stone thereof;
61 That he may receive also the counsel from those whom I have set to be as plants of renown, [ (Exek. 34:29 Christ is the plant of renoun; Isaiah 60:21 refers to members of the church as plants of renoun, those who get their nourishment from the true vine or plant of renoun; ) ] and as watchmen [ Isaiah 62:6 the prophets are the ones who stand as a watchmen on the tower and upon the walls, those who can see much better because of their elevated position. ] upon her walls.
62 Behold, verily I say unto you, let my servant George Miller, [ Does not stay faithful. ] and my servant Lyman Wight, [ Does not stay faithful. ] and my servant John Snider, [ Stays faithful. ] and my servant Peter Haws, [ He serves a mission in Alabama, and then later will serve as a captain of a company in the westward movement to Salt Lake. Upon reaching the Salt Lake valley he becomes critical of the leadership of the church and is excommunicate if Feb 1849. He later will die in California in 1862. He does not stay faithful either. ] organize themselves, and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum for the purpose of building that house. [ There was a great deal of responsibility among these men to see that the temple was built. ]
63 And they shall form a constitution, whereby they may receive stock for the building of that house.
64 And they shall not receive less than fifty dollars for a share of stock in that house, and they shall be permitted to receive fifteen thousand dollars from any one man for stock in that house.
66 And they shall not be permitted to receive under fifty dollars for a share of stock from any one man in that house.
67 And they shall not be permitted to receive any man, as a stockholder in this house, except the same shall pay his stock into their hands at the time he receives stock;
68 And in proportion to the amount of stock he pays into their hands he shall receive stock in that house; but if he pays nothing into their hands he shall not receive any stock in that house.
69 And if any pay stock into their hands it shall be for stock in that house, for himself, and for his generation after him, from generation to generation, so long as he and his heirs shall hold that stock, and do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act, if you will do my will, saith the Lord your God.
70 And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, receive any stock into their hands, in moneys, or in properties wherein they receive the real value of moneys, they shall not appropriate any portion of that stock to any other purpose, [ The money received or the stock received for the building of the temple, should be used to build the temple only. ] only in that house.
71 And if they do appropriate any portion of that stock anywhere else, only in that house, without the consent of the stockholder, and do not repay fourfold for the stock which they appropriate anywhere else, only in that house, they shall be accursed, and shall be moved out of their place, saith the Lord God; [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] ; for I, the Lord, am God, and cannot be mocked in any of these things.
72 Verily I say unto you, let my servant Joseph pay stock into their hands for the building of that house, as seemeth him good; but my servant Joseph cannot pay over fifteen thousand dollars stock in that house, nor under fifty dollars; neither can any other man, saith the Lord.
73 And there are others also who wish to know my will concerning them, for they have asked it at my hands.
74 Therefore, I say unto you concerning my servant Vinson Knight, if he will do my will let him put stock into that house for himself, and for his generation after him, from generation to generation.
75 And let him lift up his voice long and loud, in the midst of the people, to plead the cause of the poor and the needy; and let him not fail, neither let his heart faint; and I will accept of his offerings, for they shall not be unto me as the offerings of Cain, for he shall be mine, saith the Lord.
76 Let his family rejoice and turn away their hearts from affliction; for I have chosen him and anointed him, and he shall be honored in the midst of his house, for I will forgive all his sins, saith the Lord. Amen.
77 Verily I say unto you, let my servant Hyrum put stock into that house as seemeth him good, for himself and his generation after him, from generation to generation.
78 Let my servant Isaac Galland put stock into that house; for I, the Lord, love him for the work he hath done, and will forgive all his sins; therefore, let him be remembered for an interest in that house from generation to generation.
79 Let my servant Isaac Galland be appointed among you, and be ordained by my servant William Marks, and be blessed of him, to go with my servant Hyrum to accomplish the work that my servant Joseph shall point out to them, and they shall be greatly blessed.
80 Let my servant William Marks pay stock into that house, as seemeth him good, for himself and his generation, from generation to generation.
81 Let my servant Henry G. Sherwood pay stock into that house, as seemeth him good, for himself and his seed after him, from generation to generation.
82 Let my servant William Law pay stock into that house, for himself and his seed after him, from generation to generation.
83 If he will do my will let him not take his family unto the eastern lands, even unto Kirtland; nevertheless, I, the Lord, will build up Kirtland, but I, the Lord, have a scourge prepared for the inhabitants thereof.
[ Hyrum Smith said "all the saints and dwell that dwell in that land are commanded to come away for this is thus saith the lord therefore pay out no monies nor properties for houses nor lands in that country for if you do you will lose them for the time shall come that you shall not possess them in peace but shall be scourged with a sore scourge yet your children may possess them but not until many years shall pass away". (Times and Seasons Volume 3 page 589) Ezra Taft Benson spoke at the groundbreaking there for the stake center. The very stake center that arsonists burnt down. It backfired though the local christian churches and all of that area come together with money and means to help us rebuild that building that's got to be one of the first in the history of the world but they were so upset over what had been done to us a decent good people that they organized to help us rebuild the Kirtland stake center. The first one and the second one just alike and you cannot tell any difference in them.
President Ezra Taft Benson referred to this prophecy from the doctrine and covenants and he said the scourge that was placed upon Kirtland in that prophecy is being lifted today we have a new day here and a great opportunity and a great day ahead of us.
In a dedicatory prayer President Vincent asked the lord to lift the scorch that's Ensign December 19 1979 and another one while in Kirtland president benson declared the scourge that was placed upon the people in that prophecy is being lifted today he then added our prophecy said that yet your children may possess the Kirtland lands but not until many years shall pass away those many years have I feel passed away and now is the time now is the time to arise and shine look forward to great progress in this part of the lord's vineyard.]
84 And with my servant Almon Babbitt, [ Seems to be a difficult man to deal with and is never liked very much. Orson Hyde did not care for him at all, as well as others did not like him. Hebrew C Kimball said this "my house the one in Nauvoo was sold for seventeen hundred dollars intended to be used to help to gather the saints but Almon Babbitt but put it in his pocket I suppose". Almon Babbitt was in the first quorum of 70 a general authority of this church he had not an honest man and he'll be killed by the Cheyenne indians in September 1856. Guess who was blamed for his killing him because he was a government official; Brigham Young was blamed for what the Cheyenne indians did to him. ] there are many things with which I am not pleased; behold, he aspireth [ He is up to his old tricks. His chief ambition was to make money, and that he advised the Saints to leave Nauvoo, contrary to the counsel of the Church leaders. Perhaps he was interested in the sale of land elsewhere. How he discharged this duty, we may infer from the following statement of Heber C. Kimball: "My house was sold at $1,700, intended to be used to help to gather the Saints; but Almon W. Babbitt put it in his pocket, I suppose" (Jour. of Dis., Vol. VIII., p. 350). ] to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church; and he setteth up a golden calf for the worship of my people. [ Or "to set the hearts of the people upon the riches of the world". (1 Kings 12:25-30) At the death of Solomon the kingdom divided into two kingdoms the southern and the northern. Over the southern kingdom the main tribe there is Judah and will be governed Rehoboam, Solomon's son. The northern kingdom the dominant tribe there is Ephraim and that will be governed Jeroboam who is an officer under Solomon. Jeroboam is afraid that the people will go back to Jerusalem because that's where the temple is. So he made two golden calves he put one up in Dan that's the far north and he put one at Bethel ( this would have been very offensive as Bethel meant house of God. It was where Jacob saw the degrees of glory and Abraham saw the Son of God) now he's put a golden calf there he is keyed off of Exodus 32 where they built the golden calf. Jeroboam has told all of his people this is the temple this is your God. He suggested that they remember Moses and those who were not up on their history bought it right up. So he is now implying that they don't need to go to Jerusalem, you can worship God right here with these golden calves.
He floods the land with idolatry. Jeroboam not a good man, here he is comparing Almon Babbitt to him. Suggesting that Almon Babbitt is working under the same principles. The he Almon Babbitt loves power and he loves the things of the world just like Jeroboam. He doesn't want to lose his power or lose his wealth. So in effect he is putting up golden calves. Almon Babbitt calls himself in a sense to be the stake president in Kirtland. As such he then starts encouraging people not to go to Nauvoo, rather to stay there and build Kirtland up and so the Lord has this to say about him. ( History the Church volume 4 page 165-167). ]
86 If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, [ This was to be HOME for the saints. ] and shall continue their works.
87 Therefore, let my servant William [ William Law was born in Ireland in 1809. He joins the church in Canada in 1836, and then arrives in Nauvoo in 1839. He will serve as second councilor in the first presidency from 1841-1844. Then he is excommunicated in April 1845. He will later die in Wisconsin in 1892. He is a surgeon. Willard Richards and Willard A Smith were discussing one day who weighed the most. Pretty soon a group had gathered around them and it must have got to be humorous. Can't you hear the group taking wagers who is bigger? Saying oh look you can see Willard's bigger oh no George's a lot bigger. So they decided they were going to settle this. To do that they are going to the mercantile store where William Law ground the grain. Around back is where he weighed it coming in and on the fronts where he weighed the flour going out no matter how they did it using those scales they knew that they weren't that far off in their weight and they learned by those scales by two apostles having a discussion who weighed the most that William Law was a thief. What a weird way to learn that William Law had been cheating people all along. William Law also seduced a 16 year old girl in his house, so he's an adulterer. and he is also responsible for the killing of the prophet Joseph Smith. ] put his trust in me, and cease to fear concerning his family, because of the sickness of the land. If ye love me, keep my commandments; and the sickness of the land shall redound to your glory.
88 Let my servant William [ William Law. ] go and proclaim my everlasting gospel [ He is extended the privilege of preaching the gospel. ] with a loud voice, and with great joy, as he shall be moved upon by my Spirit, unto the inhabitants of Warsaw, and also unto the inhabitants of Carthage, and also unto the inhabitants of Burlington, and also unto the inhabitants of Madison, and await patiently and diligently for further instructions at my general conference, saith the Lord.
89 If he will do my will let him from henceforth hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] to the counsel of my servant Joseph, and with his interest support the cause of the poor, and publish the new translation of my holy word [ He is to help in the Joseph Smith translation. ] unto the inhabitants of the earth.
90 And if he will do this I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings, that he shall not be forsaken, nor his seed be found begging bread.
[ 91-96 Deals with Hyrum Smith. ]
91 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph, [ He is called as a first councilor in the first presidency of the church. ] in the room of my servant Hyrum, [ Hyrum is being released as a councilor in the first presidency here first. ] that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also by right; [ Following the death of his father, Joseph Smith received a revelation to call Hyrum Smith to succeed his father as the Patriarch of the church. (HOC volume 4 pg 282-286)]
92 That from henceforth he [ Hyrum Smith. ] shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people,
93 That whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [ This is not the typical work of a Patriarch. ( Conference report April 1930 page 91-94) ]
94 And from this time forth [ From here on out he is to serve as a. ] I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, [ (A Seer Mosiah 8:13-17) It is with his calling as a prophet(assistent prophet and seer), he is being called as joint president and as an assistant president he holds the same position at Oliver Cowdery held, but lost because of his excommunication. In this position one can seal and bind on earth and in heaven not as the patriarch, but as the joint president he can he do that. "OLIVER COWDERY STOOD AS ASSISTANT PRESIDENT OF CHURCH. Now let me
call your attention to this. In the Kirtland Temple in 1836, when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were behind the pulpit and received keys from heavenly messengers there was a First Presidency of the Church and the Prophet had counselors, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams. But Sidney Rigdon and Frederick Williams did not go behind the veil, or the
curtain, when it was drawn; they were not asked to kneel there behind the pulpit. It was Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Why? Because that was Oliver Cowdery's place.
Now I am going to call your attention to something that is not, I regret to say, generally known. Oliver Cowdery was called to be what? The "Second Elder" of the Church, the (Church News. Apr. 8., 1939. pp. 1-4, 6, 8.) "Second President" of the Church. We leave him out in our list of Presidents of the Church, we do not include Oliver Cowdery; but he was an Assistant President. Oliver Cowdery's standing in the beginning was as the "Second Elder" of the Church, holding the keys jointly with the Prophet Joseph Smith. He preceded the counselors in the First Presidency in authority, standing next to the Prophet Joseph Smith. December 5, 1834, Oliver Cowdery
was ordained by Joseph Smith. by the command of the Lord, an Assistant President of the High Priesthood, to hold the keys of Presidency jointly with the Prophet in the ministry. I am going to read that record to you.
NATURE OF OFFICE OF ASSISTANT PRESIDENT OF CHURCH. "The office of
Assistant President is to assist in presiding over the whole Church, and to officiate in the absence of the President, according to his rank and appointment, viz.; President Cowdery, first; President Rigdon, second; and President Williams, third, as they were severally called.
The office of this priesthood is also to act as spokesman, taking Aaron for an example. The virtue of the above priesthood is to hold the keys of the kingdom of heaven or of the Church militant." That is copied from the history of the Church.
So Oliver Cowdery, through that place as the "Second President," preceded the counselors in the Presidency -- naturally so. Why shouldn't he? He had the same authority, had received the same keys with the Prophet Joseph Smith every time the heavens were opened, and he was an Assistant President of the Church and the second witness of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which is the greatest of all dispensations, for it was necessary that there be two Presidents, two witnesses standing at the head of this dispensation.
PROPHET ORDAINS OLIVER COWDERY AS ASSISTANT PRESIDENT. In harmony with this law the Lord called Oliver Cowdery as the second witness to stand at the head of this dispensation assisting the Prophet in holding the keys. The records inform us that every time the Prophet received authority and the keys of the priesthood from the heavens, Oliver Cowdery shared in the conferring of those powers with the Prophet. Had Oliver Cowdery
remained faithful and had he survived the Prophet under those conditions, he would have succeeded as President of the Church by virtue of this divine calling.
This blessing was also confirmed upon the head of Oliver Cowdery by the Prophet, December 5, 1834, in the following words: "I laid my hands upon Brother Oliver Cowdery, and ordained him an Assistant President, saying these words: 'In the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands upon thee and ordain thee an Assistant President of the high and holy priesthood, in the Church of the Latter-day Saints.' (Era. vol. 45, p. 737; D.H.C., vol. 2, p. 176.)" (Doctrines of Salvation Volume 1 130-131) ] as well as my servant Joseph;
95 That he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph; and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, [ He is to be taught how to cross the veil. ] and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery;
[ Or all that Oliver once saw Hyrum now gets to see. HYRUM ALSO GIVEN KEYS OF KINGDOM. The Lord conferred upon Hyrum Smith, however, another important and special honor, in making him as well as Joseph Smith a holder of the keys of authority in this dispensation of the fulness of times. These are the words of that appointment: "And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph." (D. & C. 124:94)
This was a special blessing given to Hyrum Smith, and in accepting it he took the place of Oliver Cowdery, upon whom these keys had previously been bestowed. It should be remembered that whenever the Lord revealed priesthood and the keys of priesthood from the heavens, Oliver Cowdery stood with Joseph Smith in the presence of the heavenly messengers, and was a recipient, as well as Joseph Smith, of all this authority. They held it conjointly, Joseph Smith as the first and Oliver Cowdery as the second elder of the Church. HYRUM SMITH: WITNESS OF RESTORATION. Thus the law pertaining to witnesses
was fully established, for there were two witnesses standing with authority, keys, and presidency, at the head of this the greatest of all dispensations.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, chap. 13.) When through transgression Oliver Cowdery lost this wonderful and exalted blessing, Hyrum Smith was chosen by revelation of the Lord to take his place -- the Lord calling him in these words: "That he [Hyrum Smith] may act in concert also with my servant Joseph; and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery; That my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever." (Gen. & Hist. Mag., vol. 23. pp. 50-53.)
And thus, according to promise, the Lord opened the vision of Hyrum Smith and showed to him those things which were necessary to qualify him for this exalted position, and upon him were conferred by Joseph Smith all the keys and authorities by which he, Hyrum Smith, was able to act in concert with his younger brother as a prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of the Church, "as well as my servant Joseph. (Doctrines Of Salvation Vol 3 pg 552-553) ]
96 That my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever.
[ 97-101 are promises to William Law. ]
97 Let my servant William Law also receive the keys by which he may ask and receive blessings; let him be humble before me, and be without guile, and he shall receive of my Spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.
98 And these signs shall follow him—he shall heal the sick, he shall cast out devils, and shall be delivered from those who would administer unto him deadly poison;
99 And he shall be led in paths where the poisonous serpent cannot lay hold upon his heel, and he shall mount up in the imagination of his thoughts as upon eagles’ wings.
101 Therefore, let my servant William cry aloud and spare not, with joy and rejoicing, and with hosannas to him that sitteth upon the throne forever and ever, saith the Lord your God.
102 Behold, I say unto you, I have a mission in store for my servant William, and my servant Hyrum, and for them alone; and let my servant Joseph tarry at home, for he is needed. The remainder I will show unto you hereafter. Even so. Amen.
[ 103-110 deals with Sidney Rigdon where th Savior tells him not to leave Nauvoo. Sydney does not listen and moves to Pittsburg, where he is living when Joseph Smith is killed. Then he returns to become a gardian if the church, but has lost the spirit of God in the process - we can assume that is because of disobedience to the council that God had given him. ]
103 And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant Sidney will serve me and be counselor unto my servant Joseph, let him arise and come up and stand in the office of his calling, and humble himself before me.
104 And if he will offer unto me an acceptable offering, and acknowledgments, and remain with my people, behold, I, the Lord your God, will heal him that he shall be healed; and he shall lift up his voice again on the mountains, and be a spokesman before my face.
106 And in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice as with the sound of a trump, and warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath to come.
107 Let him assist my servant Joseph, and also let my servant William Law assist my servant Joseph, in making a solemn proclamation unto the kings of the earth, even as I have before said unto you.
108 If my servant Sidney will do my will, let him not remove his family unto the eastern lands, but let him change their habitation, even as I have said.
109 Behold, it is not my will that he [ Sidney Rigdon did not feel secure in Nauvoo. ] shall seek to find safety and refuge out of the city which I have appointed unto you, even the city of Nauvoo.
110 Verily I say unto you, even now, if he will hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] unto my voice, it shall be well with him. Even so. Amen.
[ 111-113 deal with Amos Davies he is the postmaster in Nauvoo. He becomes abusive to Joseph Smith and he will leave the church as well. ]
111 And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Amos Davies pay stock into the hands of those whom I have appointed to build a house for boarding, even the Nauvoo House.
112 This let him do if he will have an interest; and let him hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] unto the counsel of my servant Joseph, and labor with his own hands that he may obtain the confidence of men.
113 And when he shall prove himself faithful in all things that shall be entrusted unto his care, yea, even a few things, he shall be made ruler over many;
114 Let him [ Amos Davies was given a chance to pay stock and abase himself in order to be exalted. ] therefore abase himself that he may be exalted. Even so. Amen.
[ Deals with Robert D. Foster. "after the killing of Joseph Smith Abraham C Hodge stated that he had some conversation with Robert D. Foster who told him his feelings on the subject of mormonism he said Hodge you're going to the west I wish I was going among you but it can't be so I am the most miserable wretch that the sun shines upon if I could recall 18 months of my life I would be willing to sacrifice everything I have upon earth my wife and child not accepted I did love joseph smith more than any man that ever lived if I'd been present I would have stood between him and death hodge inquired why did you do as you have done you are accessory to his murder he replied I know that and I have not seen one moment's peace since that time I know that mormonism is true and the thought of meeting Joseph and Hyrum at the bar of God is more awful to me than anything else". (HOC vol 7 page 513) That is a testimony from a wicked man who was involved in the killing of Joseph Smith. ]
115 And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant Robert D. Foster will obey my voice, let him build a house for my servant Joseph, according to the contract which he has made with him, as the door shall be open to him from time to time.
116 And let him repent of all his folly, and clothe himself with charity; [ True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity what God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] and cease to do evil, and lay aside all his hard speeches;
[ The prophet was dealing with some pretty tough customers. ]
117 And pay stock also into the hands of the quorum of the Nauvoo House, for himself and for his generation after him, from generation to generation;
118 And hearken [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] unto the counsel of my servants Joseph, and Hyrum, and William Law, and unto the authorities which I have called to lay the foundation of Zion; and it shall be well with him forever and ever. Even so. Amen.
119 And again, verily I say unto you, let no man pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House unless he shall be a believer in the Book of Mormon, and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God;
120 For that which is more or less than this cometh of evil, [ As members of the LDS church we are set up to walk a narrower line, there are certain things that must be taken seriously. ] and shall be attended with cursings and not blessings, saith the Lord your God. Even so. Amen.
121 And again, verily I say unto you, let the quorum of the Nauvoo House have a just recompense of wages for all their labors which they do in building the Nauvoo House; and let their wages be as shall be agreed among themselves, as pertaining to the price thereof.
122 And let every man who pays stock bear his proportion of their wages, if it must needs be, for their support, saith the Lord; otherwise, their labors shall be accounted unto them for stock in that house. Even so. Amen.
123 Verily I say unto you, I now give unto you the officers belonging to my Priesthood, that ye may hold the keys thereof, even the Priesthood which is after the order of Melchizedek , [ King Melchizedek is a well-known ancient figure, all while very little is actually known about him. And indeed in this case, it’s actually his name and what he represents that is important to the symbol. “Melchizedek” comes from the Hebrew Malki Tzedik which means “My King (is) Righteous(ness).” Melchizedek also known as “Prince of Salem,” again from Hebrew meaning Prince of Peace. The name Melchizedek is therefore a foreshadowing or Christ. Likely, this Hebrew tradition was to avoid the too-frequent mention of the Lord’s name—a function that carries through to modern times as well. Therefore, in text, Hebrew and Christian tradition use of the name Melchizedek almost always indicates Christ, not the man Melchizedek. For example, the Melchizedek Priesthood is not the priesthood of the ancient king, but is actually the Priesthood of Christ. Therefore the Seal of Melchizedek can be interpreted as the Seal of Christ. ] which is after the order of mine Only Begotten son.
124 First, I give unto you Hyrum Smith to be a patriarch unto you, to hold the sealing blessings of my church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye [ Hyrum Smith. ] are sealed up unto the day of redemption, [ Calling and election was made sure. ] that ye may not fall notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you.
125 I give unto you my servant Joseph to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, [ Is there any significance to the fact that this is mentioned first? ] a revelator, [ A revelator of new truth. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson pg 141). Prophecy is not a office but is a gift. ] a seer, [ (Mosiah 8:13-17). ] and prophet. [ Do we substitute or evade our personal duty here as we put all of the reve;lation on the shoulders of ONE man, and relieve ourselves and the rest of the saints from that burden and responsibility? Yes there is a prophet for the church but what about us being prophets for our own family? For those whom we minister too? For those areas where we hold stewardship? ]
126 I give unto him for counselors my servant Sidney Rigdon and my servant William Law, [ There were better men in the church at the time, but this is whom the lord chose. ] that these may constitute a quorum and First Presidency, to receive the oracles for the whole church.
127 I give unto you my servant Brigham Young to be a president over the Twelve traveling council;
[ Brigham Young is called to be the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. ]
128 Which Twelve hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature.
[ The Quorum of the twelve are responsible to designate where the missionaries are to go. It is part of their responsibility, and that is done today on a weekly basis as a member of the twelve will be the one who gives each missionary their individual assignment each week. ]
129 They are Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, William Smith, John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, George A. Smith;
130 David Patten I have taken unto myself; behold, his priesthood no man taketh from him; but, verily I say unto you, another may be appointed unto the same calling.
[ This was given after the death of David Patton the first Apostle in our dispensation was killed and died at the Battle of Crooked River on October 25th 1838 wounded in the stomach suffered excruciating pain and finally died as they took him back towards Far West. Lyman White will eventually be appointed to that calling. ]
131 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a high council, for the corner-stone of Zion— [ A listing of the Nauvoo Stake high council. ]
132 Namely, Samuel Bent, [ Interesting story from his life. He's is living up in the Detroit area where Hyrum Smith will go up there with his mother Lucy. They went up there to vist some of Lucy's family up there. While there she runs into a presbyterian minister when he found out she was the mother of Hyrum and Joseph he starts to make fun of her sons. Lucy is not put back at all by it and she looked at him and she said to him reverend the day will come when we'll take away one-third of your congregation and the deacon also. She made that statement in 1833. Joseph later learned of his mother's prophecy and so he sent Jared Carter up to fulfill it Jared Carter baptized one-third of his congregation and the deacon also who just happened to be Samuel Bent. Samuel Bent later marched in zion's camp and will later be the president at Garden Grove in Iowa where he will die in august 1846. ] Henry G. Sherwood, George W. Harris, Charles C. Rich, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, David Dort, Dunbar Wilson—Seymour Brunson I have taken unto myself; no man taketh his priesthood, but another may be appointed unto the same priesthood in his stead; and verily I say unto you, let my servant Aaron Johnson be ordained unto this calling in his stead—David Fullmer, Alpheus Cutler, William Huntington.
134 Which ordinance is instituted for the purpose of qualifying those who shall be appointed standing presidents or servants over different stakes scattered abroad;
135 And they may travel also if they choose, but rather be ordained for standing presidents; this is the office of their calling, saith the Lord your God.
136 I give unto him Amasa Lyman and Noah Packard for counselors, that they may preside over the quorum of high priests of my church, saith the Lord.
137 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you John A. Hicks, Samuel Williams, and Jesse Baker, which priesthood is to preside over the quorum of elders, which quorum is instituted for standing ministers; nevertheless they may travel, yet they are ordained to be standing ministers to my church, saith the Lord.
138 And again, I give unto you Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield, Daniel Miles, Henry Herriman, Zera Pulsipher, Levi Hancock, James Foster, to preside over the quorum of seventies;
139 Which quorum is instituted for traveling elders to bear record of my name in all the world, wherever the traveling high council, mine apostles, shall send them to prepare a way before my face.
140 The difference between this quorum and the quorum of elders is that one is to travel continually, and the other is to preside over the churches from time to time; the one has the responsibility of presiding from time to time, and the other has no responsibility of presiding, saith the Lord your God.
141 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over the bishopric; a knowledge of said bishopric is given unto you in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.
142 And again, I say unto you, Samuel Rolfe and his counselors for priests, and the president of the teachers and his counselors, and also the president of the deacons and his counselors, and also the president of the stake and his counselors.
143 The above offices I have given unto you, and the keys thereof, for helps and for governments, for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of my saints.
144 And a commandment I give unto you, that you should fill all these offices and approve of those names which I have mentioned, or else disapprove of them at my general conference;
[ David O McKay lists the four purposes of general conference (Conference Report October 1938 page 131) 16 years later he again speaks on conference and this time he lists five things as to why we hold general conference (Conference report October 1954 page 7). ]