1. The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.--While engaged in
the work of translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver found
reference made in the record to baptism for the remission of sins; and
on the 15th of May, 1829, they went into the woods to inquire of the
Lord about it. While thus engaged a messenger from heaven descended
in a cloud of light and announced himself to be John, the same that
is called the Baptist,[10] in the New Testament. He placed his hands
upon the heads of Joseph and Oliver and ordained them to the Aaronic
Priesthood.[11] He explained that this priesthood held the keys of the
ministration of angels, the gospel of repentance and of baptism for
the remission of sins, but had not the power of laying on hands for
the gift of the Holy Ghost. He promised them also that the priesthood
he then conferred upon them should never be taken again from the
earth, until the sons of Levi offer an offering unto the Lord in
righteousness. [See note 1, end of section.]
2. John stated that he was acting under the direction of {297}
Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood,
which he said would in due time be conferred upon them. He then
commanded Joseph to baptize Oliver, and afterwards Oliver to baptize
Joseph.[12] After their baptism they were both filled with the spirit
of prophecy and predicted many things concerning the rise and progress
of the work. The angel also commanded them to each re-ordain the other
to the Priesthood--Joseph to first ordain Oliver, and afterwards Oliver
to ordain Joseph. To this commandment they were obedient, and thus the
Aaronic Priesthood, the power from God which gives the right to those
who receive it to preach repentance and to administer baptism for the
remission of sins, was restored to men.
3. For a season, doubtless in order to avoid persecution, which
constantly increased in bitterness, Joseph and Oliver kept their
baptism and ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood a secret; but as men's
minds were wrought upon to inquire after the truth, they at last let it
be known that they had received authority to baptize for the remission
of sins, and a number of people received the ordinance at their hands.
4. Restoration of the Melchisedek Priesthood.--Some time
in June, 1829,[13] the promise made by John the Baptist to Joseph
and Oliver, at the time he conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon
them--viz., that they should receive the higher or Melchisedek
Priesthood, was fulfilled. This Priesthood was conferred upon them by
Peter, James and John, probably in the wilderness between Harmony,
Susquehanna county, and Colesville, {298} Broome county, on the
Susquehanna River.[14] [See note 2, end of section] It is quite evident
from the prominence given to these three apostles in the New Testament,
that they held the keys of this Priesthood; and that of the three
Peter was the chief. To him the Lord said: "I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven." [15] It was eminently proper therefore that
these three apostles should be the ones to restore to the earth the
Melchisedek Priesthood by conferring the apostleship upon Joseph and
Oliver.
5. As after receiving their ordination under the hands of John
the Baptist they were required to re-ordain each other, so after
receiving the apostleship under the hands of Peter, James and John
they re-ordained each other, Joseph first re-ordaining Oliver, and
afterwards accepting re-ordination at his hands.[16]
6. The power and authority of this Melchisedek Priesthood [see
note 3, end of section] is to hold the keys of all the spiritual
blessings of the church, and those holding it have the privilege of
receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven--they have the right
to have the heavens opened unto them--to commune with the general
assembly and church of the First Born, and to enjoy the communication
and presence of God the Father and Jesus the Mediator of the new
covenant.[17] Hence, clothed with this power, Joseph and Oliver were
authorized to organize the Church of Christ in the earth.
7. The Organization of the Church of Christ.--In all things,
however, the two young men waited for direction from the Lord, and
hence did not undertake to organize the church until he commanded
them. It was in obedience to a commandment from the Lord, therefore,
that they appointed the sixth {299} day of April, 1830, as the time to
organize the church. Six persons[18] who had been baptized, and a few
of their friends, met at the house of Peter Whitmer, Sen., in Fayette,
Seneca county, in the State of New York, to effect that organization.
The meeting was opened by solemn prayer, after which, according to
previous commandment, the Prophet Joseph called upon the brethren
present to know if they would accept himself and Oliver Cowdery as
their teachers in the things of the kingdom of God; and if they were
willing that they should proceed to organize the church according to
the commandment of the Lord. To this they consented by unanimous vote.
Joseph then ordained Oliver an elder of the Church of Jesus Christ;[19]
after which Oliver ordained Joseph an elder of the said church. The
sacrament was administered and those who had been previously baptized
were confirmed members of the church and received the Holy Ghost by the
laying on of hands. Some enjoyed the gift of prophecy, and all rejoiced
exceedingly. [See note 4, end of section.]
8. While the church was yet assembled a revelation was received
from the Lord,[20] directing that a record be kept in the church, and
that in it Joseph be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle
of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church; and the church was commanded
to give heed to all his words and commandments which he should receive
from the Lord, accepting his word as the word of God in all patience
and faith. On condition of their doing this, the Lord promised them
that the gates of hell should not prevail against the church; but on
{300} the contrary he would disperse the powers of darkness from before
them and shake the heavens for their good.
9. The Voice of God and the Voice of the People in Church
Government.--Thus the church was organized; and in that organization
we see the operation of two mighty principles--the voice of God: the
consent of the people. At the time that Joseph and Oliver received
instruction to ordain each other to be elders of the church, they were
told to defer their ordination until such time as would be practicable
to get their brethren who had been and who would be baptized assembled
together: for they must have the sanction of their brethren before
they ordained each other elders of the Church; and their brethren must
decide by vote whether they would accept them [Joseph and Oliver] as
spiritual[21] teachers. Thus, notwithstanding Joseph and Oliver had
been ordained apostles under the hands of Peter, James and John, and
had doubtless re-ordained each other as already stated,[22] yet when
it came to being ordained _elders of the Church_,[23] and made the
spiritual leaders of it, it must be done by the common consent of the
church; and thus early we see enforced that law which says: "All things
shall be done by common consent in the church, by much prayer and
faith." [24] But no sooner was the church organized than a prophet, a
seer, a translator, is appointed and the church commanded to give heed
to his words, and to receive them as coming from the mouth of of the
Lord himself. Here in the very inception of the church organization
is clearly established the great truth, the grand principle, that in
the government of the church there is to be a union of the voice of
God {301} and the consent or voice of the people. Not _vox populi,
vox Dei;_[25] nor _vox Dei, vox populi_;[26] but _vox Dei et vox
populi_.[27]
10. Revelation on Church Government and Discipline.--Previous
to the organization of the church, a very important revelation was
given--in fact it was the revelation which pointed out the date on
which the church was to be organized[28]--which teaches many important
truths and points out the duties of the members of the church and also
the duties of the officers of the church--so far as the officers of
the church at that time had been given. That revelation announces the
following doctrines:--
_I. Of the Existence of God_.--There is a God in heaven who is infinite
and eternal from everlasting to everlasting--unchangeable; the framer
of heaven and earth and all things which are in them.
_II. Of the Creation and Fall of Man_.--God created man male and
female, after his own image, and in his own likeness created he them.
He gave them commandment that they should love and serve him, and that
he should be the sole object of their worship. But by the transgression
of these holy laws man became sensual and devilish--fallen man.
_III. Of Jesus Christ_.--The Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son as
a ransom for fallen man, as it is written of him in the scriptures. He
suffered temptations, but gave no heed to them; he was crucified, died,
and rose again the third day; he ascended into heaven to sit on the
right hand of his Father, {302} to reign with almighty power according
to the will of God. As many as believe on him and are baptized in his
holy name--enduring in faith to the end--shall be saved. Not only those
who believed after he came in the flesh; but all those who from the
beginning believed in the words of the holy prophets, who testified of
him in all things.
_IV. Of the Holy Ghost and the Trinity_.--The Holy Ghost beareth record
of the Father and of the Son--is God's witness. The Father, Son and
Holy Ghost constitute the Holy Trinity--one God or grand Presidency of
heaven and earth, infinite, eternal.
_V. Of Justification and Sanctification_.--Justification and
sanctification come through the grace of God, and are just and true
principles. That is, the grace of God supplies the means or conditions
of justification and sanctification, and it is for man to apply
those means of salvation. The means or conditions of justification
and sanctification are that men love and serve God with all their
might, mind, and strength. That would lead them to exercise faith in
God, repentance of sin and baptism for the remission of sins, laying
on of hands for the Holy Ghost, and the pursuit of a godly life and
conversation--the old conditions of salvation.[29]
_VI. Of Falling from Grace_.--It is possible for men to fall from grace
and depart from the living God, therefore the saints are admonished to
take heed and pray always, least they fall into temptation. Even those
who are sanctified are cautioned to take heed.
_VII. Of Baptism_.--All who humble themselves before God, and desire
to be baptized and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits,
and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all
their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ,
having a determination to serve Him to the end, and truly manifest
by their works that {303} they have received of the spirit of Christ
unto the remission of their sins--shall be received by baptism into
the church.[30] No person, however, can be received into the church
of Christ, unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability[31]
before God, and is capable of repentance.
_VIII. Of the Manner of Baptism_.--The person who is called of God, and
has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go into the water
with the person who has presented him or herself for baptism, and shall
say--calling him or her by name--"Having been commissioned of Jesus
Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost. Amen." [32] Then shall he immerse him or her, and come
forth again out of the water.
_IX. Of Confirmation_.--Confirmation into the church follows baptism
and is performed by the laying on of hands, by those who have authority
in the church. The Holy Ghost is imparted in the same manner. There is
no form of exact words given, so far as we know, for confirming persons
into the church and imparting the Holy Ghost; but judging from the
forms given for baptism, administering the sacrament, etc., a simple
form would be most proper. But whatever other words are used, the
following should not be omitted: I confirm you a member of the {304}
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and say unto you, receive
ye the Holy Ghost. Those officiating would of course be careful to do
this in the name of Jesus Christ, or their administration would be of
none effect.
_X. Of the Duties of Members_.--It is the duty of the members of the
church to manifest righteousness by "a Godly walk and conversation;"
to abstain from ill feeling toward each other, neither indulging in
lying, back-biting nor evil speaking. It is also their duty to pray
vocally and in secret. They are required to meet together often to
partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus, which is
to be administered by the elder or priest[33] in the following manner:
kneeling with the church he consecrates the emblems of the body and
blood of Christ in these words:
BLESSING ON THE BREAD.
"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus
Christ to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who
partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son,
and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing
to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and
keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always
have His Spirit to be with them. Amen."
BLESSING ON THE WINE.[34]
"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus
Christ to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of {305} all those
who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy
Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God,
the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may
have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
_XI. Of the Duties of Saints Respecting Children_.--Every member of the
church having children is required to bring them to the elders, before
the church, who are to lay their hands upon them and bless them in the
name of Jesus Christ.[35]
XII. _Duties of Officers--Elders_. [36]--Elders have authority to
preside over meetings and conduct them as prompted by the Holy Ghost.
They also have authority to teach and expound {306} the scriptures; to
watch over the church; to baptize; to lay on hands for the bestowal
of the Holy Ghost; confirm those baptized, members of the church;
administer the sacrament, and ordain other elders and also priests,
teachers, and deacons.
--_Priests_.--It is the duty of priests to preach, teach, and expound
scripture; to visit the home of each member and exhort them to pray
vocally and in secret and attend to all duties. They may also baptize
and administer the sacrament, ordain other priests, teachers and
deacons, take the lead of meetings when no elder is present, and in
a general way assist the elder; but they have no authority to lay on
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost or confirmation in the church.
--_Teachers_.--The teacher's duty is to always be with the church,
watch over and strengthen it; to see that there is no iniquity in it,
and that the members thereof meet together often and all do their
duty. Teachers may warn, expound, exhort, teach and invite all to come
unto Christ, and take the lead of meetings when no elder or priest is
present; but they have not the authority to baptize, administer the
sacrament or lay on hands.
--_Deacons_.--Deacons are appointed to assist the teachers in the
performance of their duties. They may also warn, expound, exhort, teach
and invite all to come unto Christ, but like teachers have no authority
to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands.
_XIII. Conferences_.--The several elders comprising the church of
Christ are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time
to time as the said conference shall appoint, to do whatever church
business is necessary. It is the duty of the several branches of
the church to send one or more of their {307} teachers [or other
representatives] to attend the conferences of the church, with a list
of the names of those who joined the church since the last conference,
that a record of the names of the whole church may be kept by one
who shall be appointed to that work; and the names of those who are
expelled from the church are also to be sent up to the conferences,
that their names may be blotted out of the general record of the
church. Members removing from the church where they reside are to take
a letter certifying that they are regular members in good standing, and
that when signed by the regular authorities of the church from whence
they move is to admit them into the fellowship of the Saints in the
church to which they go. Such is the plan of government and discipline
contained in the revelation given just previous to the organization
of the church, and in it one may observe the outlines of that more
complete organization of the church which will be treated more fully in
another section. The above was sufficient for the church in its infancy.
11. Commencement of the Public Ministry.--On Sunday, the 11th of
April, 1830, the first public discourse was preached. It was delivered
by Elder Oliver Cowdery, at the house of Peter Whitmer, in Fayette.
After the services six persons were baptized. Thus began the public
ministry of the church.
12. First Miracle in the Church.--In this same month of April
the first miracle in the church was performed. It occurred in this
manner: The Prophet Joseph went on a visit to Mr. Joseph Knight, at
Colesville, Broome County, New York. This gentleman had rendered the
prophet some timely assistance while translating the Book of Mormon,
and he was anxious that Mr. Knight and his family should receive the
truth. While in Mr. Knight's neighborhood the prophet held a number
of meetings. Among those who regularly attended was Newel Knight, son
of Joseph Knight. He and the prophet had many serious conversations
on the subject of man's salvation. In the meetings {308} held the
people prayed much, and in one of the aforesaid conversations with the
prophet, Newel Knight promised that he would pray publicly. When the
time came, however, his heart failed him, and he refused, saying that
he would wait until he got into the woods by himself. The next morning
when he attempted to pray in the woods, he was overwhelmed with a sense
of having neglected his duty the evening before in not praying in the
presence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to grow
worse both in mind and body, until upon reaching home his appearance
was such as to alarm his wife. He sent for the prophet, who, when he
came, found Newel in a sad condition and suffering greatly. His visage
and limbs were distorted and twisted in every shape imaginable. At
last he was caught up off the floor and tossed about most fearfully.
The neighbors hearing of his condition came running in. After he had
suffered for a time, the prophet succeeded in getting him by the hand,
when immediately Newel spoke to him, saying he knew he was possessed
of the devil, and that the prophet had power to cast him out. "If you
know I can, it shall be done," replied the prophet; and then almost
unconsciously he rebuked Satan and commanded him to depart from the
man. Immediately Newel's contortions stopped, and he spoke out and said
he saw the devil leave him and vanish from sight.
13.--"This was the first miracle which was done in this church
or by any member of it," writes the prophet; "and it was done not by
man, nor by the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power
of godliness; therefore let the honor and praise, the dominion and the
glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever and
ever. Amen."
14. The First Conference.--The first conference of the church
was held the first day of June, 1830. About thirty members were in
attendance, besides a number of unbaptized believers and others anxious
to learn. The sacrament was administered, a number who had been
baptized were confirmed, {309} and brethren were called and ordained
to various offices of the priesthood. The time was spent in prayer,
singing, instruction and exhortation. The Holy Ghost was abundantly
poured out upon the saints. Some prophesied, and others were wrapped
in heavenly vision, until their bodily strength was exhausted. When
restored they shouted hosannah to God and the Lamb, and related the
glorious things they had seen and felt while in vision. [See note
4, end of section.] Thus the ministry of God's servants began to be
confirmed by the signs and the gifts of the Holy Ghost following those
who believed.
15. Errors of the Saints.--It would be unreasonable to suppose
that the members of the church fell into no errors. Some time in the
summer of 1830, while the prophet was still living in Harmony, Penn.,
and Oliver Cowdery was with the Whitmer family in New York, he received
a letter from Oliver informing him that he [Oliver] had discovered
an error in one of the revelations, and added: "I command you in the
name of God to erase these words [having named the passage] that no
priestcraft be among us." [37] The prophet wrote immediately, asking by
what authority Oliver took it upon himself to command him to alter or
erase, to add to, or diminish a revelation or commandment from Almighty
God. Joseph followed his letter in a few days, and was grieved beyond
measure to find that the whole Whitmer family sustained Oliver in the
position he had taken. By labor and perseverance, however, he convinced
them that they were in error and the difficulty was settled.
16. Scarcely had this trouble subsided when another arose. In
the month of August, 1830, in consequence of persecution having grown
extremely bitter in Harmony and vicinity, the prophet removed with
his family to Fayette, New York, at the invitation of the Whitmers,
to live with them. On arriving {310} there he learned that Hyrum
Page was in possession of a stone which he called a seer stone, and
through which he was receiving revelations for the church in respect
to the up-building of Zion, church government, etc. The Whitmers and
the inconstant Oliver accepted these revelations and much harm was
being done. A conference was to convene on the first of September,
but before it assembled the prophet inquired of the Lord and obtained
a revelation on the subject, which was directed more especially to
Oliver Cowdery.[38] In regard to the subject in hand, it contained
the following: Oliver was to be heard by the church in all things
whatsoever he taught by the Comforter, concerning the revelations
and commandments; and if led by the Comforter to teach by way of
commandment, he had permission to do it; "But thou shalt not write
by way of commandment," said the Lord to him, "but by wisdom. And
thou shalt not command him who is at thy head and at the head of the
church." No one was to receive commandments and revelations in the
church, that is for the church, except Joseph the prophet; for the
Lord had given him the keys of the mysteries and revelations, until he
appointed unto the church another in his stead. Oliver was commanded
to take Hyrum Page aside by himself and tell him that the revelations
which he had written from that stone were not of the Lord, but that
Satan had deceived him, and they must be given up, for he had not been
appointed to receive revelations, neither would any one be appointed
contrary to the church covenants, which provided that all things must
be done in order and by common consent of the church.
17. During the conference the subject of the revelations from
Hyrum Page's seer stone was discussed, and after much consideration,
the whole church, including Hyrum Page, renounced the stone and all
things connected with it; and the {311} church was made to understand
more clearly that there is but one on the earth at a time who is
authorized to receive the word and commandment of the Lord for the
Church.[39]
NOTES.
1. The Visitation of John the Baptist.--On a sudden, as from the
midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while
the vail was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory,
and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the
gospel of repentance! What joy! What wonder! What amazement! While the
world was racked and distracted--while millions were groping as the
blind for the wall, and while all men were resting on uncertainty,
as a general mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard. As in the blaze
of day; yes, more--above the glitter of the May sunbeam which then
shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then this voice, though
mild, pierced to the center, and his words, "I am thy fellow servant,"
dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! 'Twas the
voice of an angel from glory, 'twas a message from the Most High! And
as we heard we rejoiced, while his love enkindled upon our souls, and
we were wrapped in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for
doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk more more to rise,
while fiction and deception had fled forever! * * * Think for a moment
what joy filled our hearts, and with what surprise we must have bowed
(for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing) when we
received under his hand the holy priesthood as he said, "Upon you, my
fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this priesthood and
this authority, which shall remain upon the earth, that the sons of
Levi may yet offer an offering to the Lord in righteousness."--Oliver
Cowdery.
2. Melchisedek Priesthood Restored.--We cannot fix the exact date
when this priesthood was restored, but it occurred sometime between
the 15th of May, 1829, and the 6th of April, 1830. We can approximate
within a few months of the exact time, but no further, from any of
the records of the church. Joseph, the Prophet, designates {312} the
place, where their ordination took place, in his address to the saints,
written September 6th, 1842, as follows: "Again what do we hear? * * *
the voice of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony,
Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna
River, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom and
of the dispensation of the fullness of times." And in a revelation
given September, 1830, referring to Joseph and Oliver, the Lord said,
in reference to partaking again of the sacrament on the earth, that
the "hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you
on the earth, and with Moroni, * * * and also with Elias, * * * and
also with John, the son of Zacharias, * * * and also with Peter, James
and John whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and
confirmed you apostles and especial witnesses of my name." It would
appear from the instructions given in the revelation, dated June, 1829,
[Doc. and Cov. sec. xviii] that the apostleship had been conferred on
Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. If this supposition is
correct, it reduces the period of uncertainty when this glorious event
actually took place to a few weeks, or from the middle of May to the
end of June.--Joseph F. Smith, "Contributor," vol. x, p. 310.
3. Why the Higher Priesthood is Called After Melchisedek.--There
are in the church two Priesthoods * * * Why the first is called the
Melchisedek Priesthood, is because Melchisedek was such a great high
priest. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the
order of the Son of God; but out of respect or deference to the name
of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his
name, they the church, in ancient days called that priesthood after
Melchisedek, or the Melchisedek Priesthood.--Doc. and Cov. sec. cvii.
4. Visions at the First Conference of the Church.--Among those
who received visions was Newel Knight, who was so completely overcome
by the power of the spirit that he had to be laid on a bed, being
unable to help himself. "By his own account of the transaction," says
the prophet, "he could not understand why we should lay him on the bed,
as he felt no sensibility of weakness. He felt his heart filled with
love, with glory, and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that
was going on in the room; when all of a sudden a vision of futurity
burst upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through
my instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw heaven opened,
and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, seated on the right hand of the
majesty on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the
time would come when he would be admitted into His presence to enjoy
his society for ever and ever."
{313}
REVIEW.
1. Relate the circumstances which led to the restoration of the Aaronic
priesthood.
2. What explanation did the angel make concerning this priesthood?
3. What reason have you for believing that John the Baptist would be
among the resurrected saints spoken of by Matthew? (Note.)
4. Under whose direction did John say he was acting?
5. What promise did he make to them about the Melchisedek priesthood?
6. What commandment did the angel then give to Joseph and Oliver?
7. How were these baptisms performed? (Note.)
8. What commandment did the angel give in relation to re-ordination?
9. What course did Joseph and Oliver pursue after their ordination?
10. About what time was the Melchisedek Priesthood restored? (Note 2.)
11. By whom and in what locality was it restored?
12. What made it especially appropriate that these three apostles
should restore that Priesthood?
13. What is the power or authority of the Melchisedek priesthood?
14. What particular power did this Priesthood give to Joseph and Oliver?
15. When was the church organized?
16. How many persons effected the organization?
17. Were six persons all who had been baptized up to that date--6th of
April, 1830?
18. Relate the circumstances connected with the organization of the
church.
19. What was the organization called?
20. When was the phrase "of Latter-day Saints," added as a part of the
name of the church?
21. What spiritual manifestations were experienced at the organization
of the church? (Note 4.)
22. What important revelation was given immediately after the church
was organized?
23. What two great principles are seen operating at the organization of
the church?
{314} 24. What can you say of the union of these two principles in
church government?
25. What revelation is it that commanded the organization of the
church? (Note.)
26. State what that revelation says upon the existence of God.
27. --Of the creation of man.
28. --Of Jesus Christ.
29. --Of the Holy Ghost.
30. --Of justification and sanctification.
31. --Of falling from grace.
32. --Of baptism.
33. --Of the manner of baptism.
34. --Of confirmation.
35. --Of the duties of members.
36. --Of the duties of parents respecting their children. (Note.)
37. --Of the duties of officers--elders. (Note.)
38. --Of priests.
39. --Of teachers.
40. --Of deacons.
41. --Of conferences.
42. In what manner did the public ministry of the church begin?
43. Relate the first miracle performed in the church.
44. When was the first conference of the church held, and what occurred?
45. What error did Oliver Cowdery and the Whitmer family fall into?
46. How was Hyrum Page deceived by Lucifer?
47. What great principle concerning revelations to the church was
brought out by these errors?
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