Chapter XXIV.
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smith, Joseph, Jr., and Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
For your satisfaction, I here insert a revelation given to Shederlaomach [Frederick G. Williams], the 15th of March, 1833, constituting him a member of the United Firm.[2]
With respect to Brother Gilbert's letter of the 10th of December, I would say to him: firstly, he wrote it in all sincerity of heart, and we were pleased with the style, and composition; but upon mature reflection, and inquiry at the hands of the Lord, we find some things that are unreconcilable, especially to some; I mean with respect to hints given that are not clearly explained.
As every letter that comes from Zion must go the rounds of the {341} brethren for inspection, it is necessary that there should be no disguise in them, but that every subject written upon by the brethren should be plain to the understanding of all, that no jealousy may be raised, and when we rebuke, do it in all meekness. The letter written the 24th of February was not written in that contrition of heart in which it should have been, for it appears to have been written in too much of a spirit of justification; but the letter to Brother Whitney of the 20th of March, was written to our entire satisfaction.
Now I would say to Brother Gilbert, that I do not write this by way of chastisement, but to show him the absolute necessity of having all his communications written in a manner to be clearly understood. We are well aware of the great care upon his mind, in consequence of much business, but he must put his trust in God, and he may rest assured that he has our prayers day and night, that he may have strength to overcome every difficulty. We have learned of the Lord that it is his duty to assist all the poor brethren that are pure in heart, and that he has done wrong in withholding credit from them, as they must have assistance; and the Lord established him in Zion for that express purpose.
It is not the will of the Lord to print any of the New Translation in the Star; but when it is published, it will all go to the world together, in a volume by itself; and the New Testament and the Book of Mormon will be printed together.
With respect to Brother Oliver's private letter to me on the subject of giving deeds, and receiving contributions from brethren, I have nothing further to say on the subject than to recommend that you make yourselves acquainted with the commandments of the Lord, and the laws of the state, and govern yourselves accordingly. Brother Elliot was here yesterday and showed me a letter from Brother Phelps, and we were well pleased with the spirit in which it was written. The probability is that he [Elliot] will not go to Zion at present, as he has bought [lands] in Chagrin.
We rejoice to hear that the Seminary lands are reduced in price, and are coming into market; and be assured that we shall use our influence to send brethren to Zion who are able to help you in the purchase of lands.
We have just received a letter from Brother Sidney, he has built up a church of eight members, in Medina county, Ohio, and has prospects of more. With respect to the deaths in Zion, we feel to mourn with those that mourn, but remember that the God of all the earth will do right. And now, my beloved brethren, I commend you to God and His grace, praying Him to keep and preserve you blameless, of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Joseph Smith, Jun.
{342} P. S.Say to Brother Corrill that his confession gave me great satisfaction, and all things are now settled on my part.
J. S.
First Assembling of the Mob in Zion.
In the month of April, the first regular mob rushed together, in Independence, to consult upon a plan, for the removal, or immediate destruction, of the Church in Jackson county. The number of the mob was about three hundred. A few of the first Elders met in secret, and prayed to Him who said to the wind "Be still," to frustrate them in their wicked designs. The mob, therefore, after spending the day in a fruitless endeavor to unite upon a general scheme for "moving the Mormons out of their diggings" (as they asserted), became a little the worse for liquor and broke up in a regular Missouri "row," showing a determined resolution that every man would "carry his own head."
Conference of High Priests in Kirtland.
April 30.A conference of High Priests assembled at the school room, in Kirtland, and appointed Brother Albert Brown a committee to circulate a subscription, to procure money to pay for the use of the house where meetings had been held the past season. John P. Greene was instructed to go and take charge of the branch of the Church in Parkham county, carrying with him an epistle to the brethren; and as soon as convenient he was to remove his family to that place. It was also decided that Sister Vienna Jaques should not proceed immediately on her journey to Zion, but wait until William Hobert was ready, and go in company with him.
Another Conference of High Priests.
May 4.A conference of High Priests assembled in Kirtland, to take into consideration the necessity of building a school house, for the accommodation of the Elders, who should come together to receive instruction preparatory for their missions, and ministry, according to a revelation on that subject, given March 8, 1833,[3] and by unanimous voice of the conference; Hyrum Smith, Jared Carter, and {343} Reynolds Cahoon were appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions, for the purpose of erecting such a building.
Council Proceedings Approved.
A council had previously been held in Norton Township, Medina county, Ohio, at which Sidney Rigdon presided. The council took into consideration the standing of Baldwin Welton, Aaron Smith, andHays, Elders; and James Braden, Priest; and decided that their ordinations were illegal, and that the churches should not receive them in their several offices. The doings of the council were reviewed, and sanctioned by the First Presidency, viz: Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, and entered on record in Kirtland.
May 6.I received the following:
Revelation.[4]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord, It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am,
2. And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
3. And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one:
4. The Father because He gave me of His fullness, and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, and dwelt among the sons of men.
5. I was in the world and received of my Father, and the works of Him were plainly manifest;
6. And John saw and bore record of the fulness of my glory, and the fulness of John's record is hereafter to be revealed:
7. And he bore record, saying, I saw His glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was;
8. Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for He was the Word, even the messenger of salvation.
9. The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by Him, and in Him was the life of men and the light of men.
10. The worlds were made by Him: men were made by Him: all things were made by Him, and through Him, and of Him.
{344} 11. And I, John, bear record that I beheld His glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.
12. And I, John, saw that He received not of the fullness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13. And He received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until He received a fulness;
14. And thus He was called the Son of God, because He received not of the fulness at the first.
15. And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and sat upon Him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying, This is my beloved Son.
16. And I, John, bear record that He received a fullness of the glory of the Father;
17. And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with Him, for He dwelt in Him.
18. And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
19. I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of His fullness,