whose multitudes went down to the pit.
_Zech_. 9. 11 by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy
prisoners out of the pit.
_Matt_. 12. 32 whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not
be forgiven him in this world, nor the world to come.
_Luke_ 12. 47, 48 some shall be beaten with few, some with many stripes.
_Acts_ 2. 34 for David is not ascended into heaven.
_Rev_. 5. 13 every creature which is in heaven, on earth, and under the
earth.
20. 7 when the thousand years are ended, Satan shall be loosed out of
his prison.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 19. 6 it is not written that there shall be no end to this
torment.
45. 17 as ye have looked upon the long absence of your spirits from
your bodies to be a bondage, I will show you how the day of redemption
will come. 45, 46.
54 and then shall the heathen nations be redeemed.
78. 12 be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan, until the day of
redemption. _Sec_. 82. 21.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND TWELVE APOSTLES.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
It is revealed unto us in _Doc. & Cov_., 20. 2, 3, that Joseph Smith,
Jun., was called of God and ordained an Apostle of the Lord Jesus
Christ to be the first Elder of this church; and that Oliver Cowdery
was also called of God, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second
Elder of this church. In _sec_. 18. we are informed that Oliver Cowdery
and David Whitmer were called with that same calling with which the
apostle Paul was called; but of Joseph Smith. Jun., the Lord said, 8th
_verse_, "Marvel not that I have called him unto mine own purpose,
which purpose is known in me." In _sec_. 27. 12, the Savior says: "And
also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by
whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be Apostles, and especial
witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of the
same things which I revealed unto them."
Joseph, the first Apostle, continued as directed of the Lord from
time to time to organize and develop the offices and ordinances of
the church, for the saints were informed, in _sec_. 43. 3, "Ye shall
know assuredly that there is none other appointed unto you to receive
commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me."
In _sec_. 107, on Priesthood, instructions are given how to organize
various councils and presidencies, in which is, _verse_ 22, "Of
the Melchisedek Priesthood, three presiding High Priests, chosen
by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by
the confidence, faith and prayer of the church." _Verse_ 9, "The
Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchisedek,
have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church;" and, as
in _verses_ 18, 19, to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of
the church"--to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven--to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune
with the general assembly and church of the firstborn, and to enjoy the
communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of the
new covenant.
In _verses_ 91-2, "The duty of the President of the office of the High
Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto
Moses. Yea, to be a Seer, a revelator, a translator and a prophet,
having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the
church." In this light and sense does the church uphold, by their vote,
their faith and their prayers, the First Presidency of the church, or
the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the church.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES.
The Twelve Apostles, or the twelve traveling counselors, are called to
be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in
all the world; and they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to
the three Presidents previously mentioned--the decisions of each being
unanimous. _Doc. & Cov., sec_. 107, _verses_ 23, 24. In _verse_ 33
they "are to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of
the Presidency of the church, agreeable to the institution of heaven:
to build up the church and regulate the affairs of the same in all
nations; first unto the Gentiles, and secondly unto the Jews."
The foregoing laconic description of their duties is so comprehensive
that we will not detail further than to refer the student to _verses_
23, 24, 35, 38, 39, 58 for further description of the duties of the
Twelve Apostles.
In _sec_. 112, _verses_ 30-32, the Lord says to them: "For unto you,
(the Twelve,) and those (the First Presidency) who are appointed with
you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this
Priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which
is the dispensation of the fulness of times, which power you hold in
connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time
from the beginning of the creation."
At the dedication of the Temple in Kirtland, the Prophet Joseph "called
upon the quorums and the congregation of Saints to acknowledge the
Twelve Apostles, who were present, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators,
and special witnesses to all the nations of the earth, holding the
keys of the kingdom, to unlock it, or cause it to be done, among them,
and uphold them with their prayers, which they assented to by rising:"
_His. of Joseph Smith, March_ 27, 1836.
The following is a list of the names, time of birth and date of
membership of the First Presidency and of the Twelve Apostles of this
Dispensation, given in the order in which they were set apart to those
offices, so far as we have ascertained:
Lyman E. Johnson was born October 24, 1811, at Pomfret, Windsor County,
Vermont; was ordained an apostle at the organization of the first
Council of Apostles, at Kirtland, February 14, 1835, and was cut off
from the Council and the church April 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri.
Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801, at Whittingham, Windsor County,
Vermont; was ordained an apostle February 14, 1835, at Kirtland. From
the apostacy of Thomas B. Marsh in October, 1838, he was President
of the Twelve, and from December 27, 1847, was sustained as First
President of the church, with Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as
his counselors. This position he occupied until his death, on the 29th
of August, 1877.
Heber C. Kimball was born June 14, 1801, at Sheldon, Franklin County,
Vermont; was ordained an apostle February 14, 1835, at Kirtland, and
was first counselor to President Brigham Young, from December 27, 1847,
until his death, on the 22d of June 1868.
Orson Hyde was born January 8, 1805, at Oxford, New Haven County,
Connecticut; was ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland,
and died at Spring City, Utah, November 28, 1878.
David W. Patten was born in the State of New York, about A. D. 1800;
was ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland. He was fatally
shot, by a mob, at Crooked River, Missouri, on the 25th of October,
1838, and died the same day, firm in the faith.
Luke S. Johnson was born November 3, 1807, at Pomfret, Windsor County,
Vermont; was ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland. He was
disfellowshipped September 3, 1837, at Kirtland, and was cut off at Far
West, April 13, 1838.
William E. McLellin was born in Tennessee, supposed in 1806; was
ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland. He was cut off May
11, 1838, at Far West.
John F. Boynton was born September 20, 1811, at Bradford, Essex County,
Massachusetts; was ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland.
He was cut off September 3, 1837, at Kirtland.
William Smith was born March 13, 1811, at Royalton, Windsor County,
Vermont; was ordained an apostle February 15, 1835, at Kirtland. He
was deprived of the apostleship October 7, 1845, in Nauvoo, and was
excommunicated October 12, 1845.
Parley P. Pratt was born April 12, 1807, at Burlington, Otsege County,
New York; was ordained an apostle February 21, 1835, at Kirtland, and
was assassinated near Van Buren, in Arkansas, May 14, 1857.
Thomas B. Marsh was born November 1, 1799, at Acton, Massachusetts; was
ordained an apostle April 25 or 26, 1835, at Kirtland. He was cut off
for apostacy, at Quincy, Illinois, March 17, 1839.
Orson Pratt was born September 19, 1811, at Hartford, Washington
County, New York; was ordained an apostle April 26, 1835, at Kirtland.
He died at his residence in Salt Lake City, October 3, 1881.
John Taylor was born November 1, 1808, at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland,
England; was ordained an apostle December 19, 1838, at Far West,
Missouri. He was President of the Twelve from the death of Brigham
Young, and has been sustained as First President of the church since
October 10, 1880, with apostles George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith as
his counselors.
John E. Page was born February 25, 1799, at Trenton, Oneida County, New
York; was ordained an apostle December 19, 1838, at Far West, Missouri.
He was cut off June 27, 1846.
Wilford Woodruff was born March 1, 1807, at Avon, Hartford County,
Connecticut; was ordained an apostle April 26, 1839, at Far West,
Missouri. Since October 10, 1880, has been sustained as President of
the Twelve Apostles.
George A. Smith was born June 26, 1817, at Potsdam, St. Lawrence
County, New York; was ordained an apostle April 26, 1839, at Far West,
Missouri. He was appointed and sustained first counselor to President
Brigham Young, at the October Conference, 1868. He continued to hold
this office until his death, September 1, 1875.
Willard Richards was born June 24, 1804, at Hopkinton, Middlesex
County, Massachusetts; was ordained an apostle April 14, 1840, at
Preston, Lancashire, England, by President Brigham Young and the
Council of Apostles held there on that day. He was second counselor to
President Young from December 27, 1847, until his death, March 11, 1854.
Lyman Wight was born May 9, 1796, at Fairfield, Herkimer County,
New York; was ordained an apostle April 8, 1841, at Nauvoo. He was
excommunicated February 12, 1849.
Amasa M. Lyman was born March 30, 1813, at Lyman, Grafton County, New
Hampshire; was ordained an apostle August 20, 1842, at Nauvoo. He was
deprived of his apostleship October 8, 1867, and excommunicated May 12,
1870.
Ezra T. Benson was born February 22, 1811, at Mendon, Worcester County,
Massachusetts; was ordained an apostle July 16, 1846, at Council
Bluffs, Iowa. He died at Ogden, September 3, 1869.
Charles C. Rich was born August 21, 1809, in Campbell County, Kentucky,
and was ordained an apostle February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City. He
died at Paris, Idaho, November 17, 1883.
Lorenzo Snow was born April 3, 1814, at Mantua, Portage County, Ohio;
was ordained an apostle February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City.
Erastus Snow was born November 9, 1818, at St. Johnsbury, Vermont; was
ordained an apostle February 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City.
Franklin D. Richards was born April 2, 1821, at Richmond, Berkshire
County, Massachusetts; was ordained an apostle February 12, 1849, at
Salt Lake City.
George Q. Cannon was born January 11, 1827, at Liverpool, Lancashire,
England; was ordained an apostle August 26, 1860, at Salt Lake City;
was sustained first counselor to President John Taylor October 10, 1880.
Brigham Young, Jun., was born December 18, 1836, at Kirtland, Geauga
County, Ohio; was set apart as one of the Twelve Apostles October 9,
1868, in Salt Lake City.
Joseph F. Smith was born November 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri; was
received into the Council of Apostles October 6, 1867, at Salt Lake
City. He was sustained as second counselor to President John Taylor
October 10, 1880.
Albert Carrington was born January 8, 1813, at Royalton, Windsor
County, Vermont; was ordained an apostle July 3, 1870, at Salt Lake
City.
Moses Thatcher was born February 2, 1842, at Sangamon County, Illinois;
was ordained an apostle April 7, 1879, at Salt Lake City.
Francis M. Lyman was born January 12, 1840, near McComb, in McDonough
County, Illinois; was ordained an apostle October 27, 1880, at Salt
Lake City.
John H. Smith was born September 18, 1848, at Carbunca, Pottowattomie
County, Iowa; was ordained an Apostle October 27, 1880, at Salt Lake
City.
George Teasdale was born on the 8th of December, 1831, at London,
England, and ordained one of the Twelve Apostles on the 16th of
October, 1882, by President John Taylor, assisted by George Q. Cannon
and others of the apostles.
Heber J. Grant was born on the 22d of November, 1856, in Salt Lake
City, Utah, and ordained one of the Twelve Apostles on the 16th of
October, 1882, by President George Q. Cannon, assisted by President
John Taylor and others of the apostles.
John W. Taylor was born on the 15th of May, 1858, at Provo City, Utah
County, Utah, and ordained one of the Twelve Apostles on the 9th day of
April, 1884, by President John Taylor, assisted by Counselors Geo. Q.
Cannon, Jos. F. Smith and others of the apostles.
The first First Presidency and Twelve Apostles of the church, in
Kirtland, were:
FIRST PRESIDENCY.
Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams.
TWELVE APOSTLES.
1. Thomas B. Marsh, 2. David W. Patten, 3. Brigham Young,
4. Heber C. Kimball, 5. Orson Hyde, 6. William E. McLellin,
7. Parley P. Pratt, 8. Luke S. Johnson, 9. William Smith,
10. Orson Pratt, 11. John F. Boynton, 12. Lyman E. Johnson.
The persons composing the first Council of Twelve Apostles were chosen
by the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, viz.: Oliver Cowdery,
David Whitmer and Martin Harris, on the 14th day of February, 1835.
They were ordained Apostles by Joseph Smith, Jun., Oliver Cowdery and
David Whitmer, as stated in the History of Joseph Smith, under date of
May 28, 1843.
In a revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, at Far West, Missouri,
July 8, 1838, the Lord said to him: "Let my servant John Taylor, and
also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff,
and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the
places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their
appointments."
When Frederick G. Williams was rejected from the First Presidency,
on the 7th of November, 1837, at Far West, Hyrum Smith was appointed
a counselor in his stead, which position he occupied until called to
officiate as Patriarch to the church, after the death of his father,
Joseph Smith, Sen., which occurred in Nauvoo, September 14, 1840, when
William Law was appointed counselor to the Prophet Joseph in Hyrum's
stead. This office Wm. Law occupied until the assassination of the
Prophet and Patriarch, which occurred June 27, 1844, at Carthage,
Illinois.
The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles as they stood in Nauvoo, after
the apostacy of Luke S. Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton,
Lyman E. Johnson, Thomas B Marsh and Frederick G. Williams, and the
ordination of Hyrum Smith to the office of Patriarch, were:
FIRST PRESIDENCY.
Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, William Law.
TWELVE APOSTLES.
1. Brigham Young, 2. Heber C. Kimball, 3. Parley P. Pratt,
4. Orson Pratt, 5. Orson Hyde, 6. William Smith,
7. John Taylor, 8. John E. Page, 9. Wilford Woodruff,
10. Willard Richards, 11. George A. Smith, 12. Lyman Wight.
At a General Conference, held on December 27, 1847, at Kanesville,
(now Council Bluffs,) Iowa, the Saints acknowledged Brigham Young
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards his Counselors. This action was
confirmed at the General Conference, held in Salt Lake Valley, after
the companies had arrived in the Fall of 1848.
In Salt Lake City, February, 1849, after the assassination of the
Prophet Joseph, the apostacy of Sidney Rigdon, William Law, William
Smith, John E. Page and Lyman Wight, the First Presidency and Twelve
Apostles stood as follows:
FIRST PRESIDENCY.
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards.
TWELVE APOSTLES.
1. Orson Hyde, 2. Parley P. Pratt, 3. Orson Pratt,
4. John Taylor, 5. Wilford Woodruff, 6. George A. Smith,
7. Amasa M. Lyman, 8. Ezra T. Benson, 9. Charles C. Rich,
10. Lorenzo Snow, 11. Erastus Snow, 12. Franklin D. Richards.
After the death of Counselor Willard Richards, March 11, 1854,
President B. Young nominated, and the church sustained Jedediah
M. Grant, at the General Conference April 6, 1854, as his second
counselor. Elder Grant filled this office until his death, at Salt Lake
City, December 1, 1856. He was born in Windsor, Broome County, New
York, February 21, 1816.
John W. Young was born October 1st, 1844, at Nauvoo, Hancock County,
Illinois; was ordained an apostle November 22d, 1855, by President
Brigham Young, assisted by Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M. Grant, at
Salt Lake City; on the 4th of February, 1864, he was set apart to be
assistant counselor to the First Presidency by his father, President
Brigham Young, and on the 8th of October, 1876, was set apart as first
counselor to President Brigham Young, by his father, assisted by Daniel
H. Wells and Brigham Young, Jr, at Salt Lake City, which position
he occupied until the death of President Young. Since then he has
officiated as counselor to the Twelve Apostles.
Daniel H. Wells was born October 27, 1814, at Trenton, Oneida County,
New York; was ordained an apostle and set apart to be second counselor
in the First Presidency by President Brigham Young, January 4th, 1857.
He held this office until the death of President Young; since then he
has officiated as counselor to the Twelve Apostles.
Since the death of Presidents Brigham Young and George A. Smith, Elders
Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Ezra T. Benson, Orson Pratt and Charles
C. Rich, and the apostacy of Amasa M. Lyman, the First Presidency and
Council of Apostles have been as follows, from April 9, 1884:
FIRST PRESIDENCY.
John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith.
TWELVE APOSTLES.
1. Wilford Woodruff, 2. Lorenzo Snow, 3. Erastus Snow,
4. Franklin D. Richards, 5. Brigham Young, 6. Albert Carrington,
7. Moses Thatcher, 8. Francis M. Lyman, 9. John H. Smith,
10. George Teasdale, 11. Heber J. Grant, 12. John W. Taylor.
Francis M. Lyman and John H. Smith were appointed and sustained at the
General Conference in October, 1880, but were not ordained, on account
of the absence of Elder Lyman, until the 27th day of that month.
Bible.
_Matt_. 10. 2-4 the names of the Twelve Apostles are these.
28. 19, 20 go ye therefore and teach all nations.
_Mark_ 3. 14 he ordained Twelve that they should be with him.
_John_ 15. 16 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
_Acts_ 1. 25 that ye may take part in this ministry and apostleship.
4. 35 laid them down at the apostles' feet.
16. 4 the decrees ordained of the apostles.
_Rom_. 1. 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship.
11. 13 inasmuch as I am an apostle of the Gentiles.
1 _Cor_. 12. 28 God hath set some in the church, first apostles.
2 _Cor_. 12. 12 truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you.
_Eph_. 2. 20 built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets.
3. 5 as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets.
4. 11 and he gave some apostles and some prophets, etc.
_Neh_. 3. 1 the apostle and high priest of our profession.
_Jude_ 17. words spoken before of the apostles of our Lord.
_Rev_. 18. 20 rejoice over her, ye holy apostles and prophets.
Book of Mormon.
3 _Nephi_ 12. 1 give heed unto these Twelve whom I have chosen.
13. 25 ye are they I have chosen to minister to this people.
19. 4 Jesus chose twelve disciples among the Nephites.
_Chap_. 28. Jesus' ministry to his Twelve Disciples; three chosen to
remain.
_Mormon_ 1. 16 disciples taken out of the land on account of wickedness.
3. 19 Nephites to be judged by the Twelve whom Jesus chose.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 18. 9 called with the same calling as the apostle Paul.
27-47 calling of the Council of Twelve Apostles in this dispensation.
19. 8 for it is meet for you to know, even as mine apostles.
20. 2, 3 Joseph Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery called and ordained
apostles.
27. 12 with Peter, James and John, by whom I have ordained you apostles.
84. 63 you are mine apostles, even God's high priests. 64.
95. 4 prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time.
_See A Pamphlet, Succession in the Priesthood, by John Taylor_.
_Sermon by O. Pratt, J. of D., Vol. 19, page 111_.
" " _Geo. Q. Cannon, J. of D. Vol. 10, page 230_.
CONSECRATION--STEWARDSHIP--UNITED ORDER.
To the Elder or Saint who has studied the revelations of our Lord Jesus
Christ, as given in the Doctrine and Covenants, by the light of the
Holy Spirit, it is most abundantly manifest that the human family has
departed, degenerated or apostatized from original methods in their
secular or business concerns, as truly, and as extensively, as they
have in their spiritual interests, or the matters of their religious
faith.
Enoch instituted an order of things among his people, in their business
and financial relations, which so revolutionized their temporalities,
that they had no poor among them, and all rejoiced together in equal
hope of the life and exaltation, offered to them in the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father.
This very peculiar condition of things has been revealed to us under
the style of United Order of Enoch, and it would surprise many who have
given little attention to it to know how much is said in explanation
and support of this doctrine in the Revelations.
We have thought that our little work could not be considered complete
without a studied article, explanatory of this subject, but have
concluded to give some references and citations, and invite the
earnest students and scholars in the Church to investigate these great
principles of social reform which have long puzzled the scientists and
moralists of our age, which are worthy the efforts of our best minds,
enlightened by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and which God has
promised to set in order in his Church, in his own time and in his own
way.
Bible.
_Psalm_ 50. 5 gather my Saints together, that have made a covenant with
me by sacrifice.
_Matt_. 19. 16-21 go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor.
_Acts_ 4. 31, 32 but they had all things common.
35 distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Book of Mormon.
4 _Nephi_ 1. 2, 3 they had all things common among them, therefore they
were not rich and poor, bond and free.
16 there could not be a happier people who had been created by the hand
of God.
24, 25 from that time they had their goods and substance no more common
among them.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 19. 26 Martin Harris was commanded to impart of his substance,
for printing the Book of Mormon.
34, 35 Martin Harris commanded to impart all his substance except
sufficient for the support of his family.
42. 30 properties to be consecrated for the support of the poor, by
deed and Covenant.
32 every man to be made accountable to the Lord, as a steward over his
own property.
33 properties in the hands of the Church, or individuals, more than is
necessary for their support, shall be kept to administer to those who
have not.
39 the riches of those who embrace the Gospel among the Gentiles, to be
consecrated to the poor of the house of Israel.
37 he that is cast out of the Church shall not receive that which he
has consecrated to the poor.
51. 1, 2 must needs be that they be organized according to my laws, or
they will be cut off.
3 appoint unto this people their portion, every man equal according to
their families.
4 a writing given unto every man to secure unto him his portion. 5-7.
58. 35-87 Martin Harris to be an example unto the Church, in laying
his monies before the bishop. This is the law to every man who would
receive an inheritance in Zion.
70. 9-11 no man exempt from the law of consecration who belongs to the
church.
78. 4 the order for the establishment of the poor to be everlasting.
5, 6 all to be equal in heavenly and earthly things.
11, 12 the Saints to organize by an everlasting covenant. He who breaks
it to be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan.
82. 11 certain men to be bound together by a covenant not to be broken.
12-18.
21 the soul that sins against this covenant and hardens his heart
against it, to be turned over to the buffetings of Satan.