Subsequently, when the Prophet had proved his faithfulness, the Lord
revealed to him, March 8, 1833, the following revelation declaring that
the keys of the kingdom would never be taken from him:
"Thus saith the Lord, verily, verily, I say unto you my son,
thy sins are forgiven thee, according to thy petition, for thy
prayers and the prayers of thy brethren have come up into my ears;
Therefore thou art blessed from henceforth that bear the keys of
the kingdom given unto you; which kingdom is coming forth for the
last time. Verily, I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall
never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in
the world to come; Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be
given to another; yea, even unto the church." (Doc. & Cov., sec.
90:1-4; Reorganized edition, D&C 87:1-2.)
In the year 1835 the twelve apostles were chosen according to the
revelation of June, 1829, and received a commission equal in power and
authority to that of the First Presidency. Following is the language of
the revelation:
"And they (the Twelve) form a quorum, equal in authority and power
to the three presidents previously mentioned." (Doc. & Cov. sec.
107:24; Reorganized edition, sec. 104:11.)
Thus it is seen that these early revelations which were local in their
application, given for special needs, were superseded by later ones.
In the former we learn "that none else shall be appointed unto this
gift except it be through him, for if it be taken from him he shall
not have power except to appoint another in his stead." In the latter
we are told that Joseph has proved his faithfulness and that "Verily,
I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you
while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come, Nevertheless
through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea even to the
church." In accordance with these later revelations there was soon
after given THROUGH THE PROPHET to {493} the church the order of the
Priesthood, with all its offices and their authority and power. One of
these quorums (the quorum of the twelve apostles) was authorized to
"ordain and set in order all the other officers in the church," which
of course includes the First Presidency. (Doc.& Cov., sec. 107:58;
Reorganized Edition, sec. 104:30.)
These superseding revelations are so plain on this matter that one has
but to have an ordinary knowledge of English to understand them. It is
not to be wondered at that the church unitedly so interpreted them at
the Prophet's death.
And so, under the Twelve, was the temple work prosecuted to completion,
and preparations made for the journey west.