The Prophecy on the War of the Rebellion--The Olive Leaf--Communication
to Mr. Seaton--Warning to Zion.
[Sidenote: State of the World at the Close of 1832.]
Appearances of troubles among the nations became more visible this
season than they had previously been since the Church began her journey
out of the wilderness. The ravages of the cholera were frightful in
almost all the large cities on the globe. The plague broke out in
India, while the United States, amid all her pomp and greatness, was
threatened with immediate dissolution. The people of South Carolina,
in convention assembled (in November), passed ordinances, declaring
their state a free and independent nation; and appointed Thursday,
the 31st day of January, 1833, as a day of humiliation and prayer, to
implore Almighty God to vouchsafe His blessings, and restore liberty
and happiness within their borders. President Jackson issued his
proclamation against this rebellion, called out a force sufficient to
quell it, and implored the blessings of God to assist the nation to
extricate itself from the horrors of the approaching and solemn crisis.
On Christmas day [1832], I received the following revelation and
prophecy on war.
Revelation and Prophecy. [1]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will
shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina,
which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many
souls;
2. And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all
nations, beginning at this place.
3. For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the
Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other
nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and
they shall also call upon {302} other nations, in order to defend
themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out
upon all nations.
4. And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up
against their masters, who shall be marshaled and discipled for war.
5. And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left
of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceedingly
angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation.
6. And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the
earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and
the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also,
shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and
indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the
consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;
7. That the cry of the saints, and the blood of the saints, shall
cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the
earth, to be avenged of their enemies.
8. Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the
day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the
Lord. Amen.
Two days after the preceding prophecy, on the 27th of December, I
received the following:
_Revelation_. [2]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled
yourselves together to receive his will concerning you:
2. Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice
over you; the alms of your prayer have come up into the ears of the
Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the
sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3. Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you
my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit
of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto
my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
4. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal
life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;
5. Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God,
the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son--
6. He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all
{303} things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be
in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7. Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he
is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by
which it was made.
8. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the
power thereof by which it was made;
9. As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which
they were made;
10. And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon
which you stand.
11. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through
him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that
quickeneth your understandings;
12. Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill
the immensity of space--
13. The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all
things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the
power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of
eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
14. Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which
is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead.
15. And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
16. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the
soul.
17. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth
all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek
of the earth shall inherit it.
18. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all
unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
19. For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall
be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
20. That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it
forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and
for this intent are they sanctified.
21. And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have
given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another
kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial
kingdom.
22. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom
cannot abide a celestial glory.
23. And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot
abide a terrestrial glory.
24. And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot
abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom
of glory. {304} Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a
kingdom of glory.
25. And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of
a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation,
and transgresseth not the law.
26. Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it
shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power
by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.
27. For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a
spiritual body.
28. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body
which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and
your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.
29. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall
then receive of the same, even a fulness.
30. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial
glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
31. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial
glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
32. And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they
shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are
willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that
which they might have received.
33. For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him,
and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which
is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the
gift.
34. And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law
is also preserved law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
35. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh
to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and
altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by
mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy
still.
36. All kingdoms have a law given;
37. And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which
there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no
space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
38. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there
are certain bounds also and conditions.
39. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.
40. For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth
wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth
unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own;
justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth
{305} before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and
governeth and executeth all things.
41. He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and
all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and
in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all
things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever
and ever.
42. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all
things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;
43. And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens
and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets.
44. And they give light to each other in their times and in their
seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their
weeks, in their months, in their years--all these are one year with
God, but not with man.
45. The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light
by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also
give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in
the midst of the power of God.
46. Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
47. Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any
or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
48. I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came
unto his own was not comprehended.
49. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth
it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend
even God, being quickened in him and by him.
50. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I
am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise
ye could not abound.
51. Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field,
and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.
52. And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and
in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy
of my countenance.
53. And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in
the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.
54. And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you;
55. And unto the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth.
56. And the lord of the field went unto the first in the first
hour, and tarried with him all that hour, and he was made glad with
the light of the countenance of his lord.
57. And then he withdrew from the first that he might visit the
second also, and the third, and the fourth, and so on unto the
twelfth.
{306} 58. And thus they all received the light of the countenance
of their lord, every man in his hour, and in his time, and in his
season--
59. Beginning at the first, and so on unto the last, and from the
last unto the first, and from the first unto the last;
60. Every man in his own order, until his hour was finished, even
according as his lord had commanded him, that his lord might be
glorified in him, and he in his lord, that they all might be
glorified.
61. Therefore, unto this parable I will liken all these kingdoms,
and the inhabitants thereof--every kingdom in its hour, and in its
time, and in its season, even according to the decree which God
hath made.
62. And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these
sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment
which I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near;
63. Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me
diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock
and it shall be opened unto you.
64. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto
you, that is expedient for you;
65. And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall
turn unto your condemnation.
66. Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in
the wilderness--in the wilderness, because you cannot see him--my
voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth
abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.
67. And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall
be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and
that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single
to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will
unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in
his own way, and according to his own will.
69. Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto you;
cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from
you.
70. Tarry ye, tarry ye in this place, and call a solemn assembly,
even of those who are the first laborers in this last kingdom.
71. And let those whom they have warned in their traveling call on
the Lord, and ponder the warning in their hearts which they have
received, for a little season.
72. Behold, and lo, I will take care of your flocks, and will raise
up elders and send unto them.
73. Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.
74. And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last
kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and
{307} organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify
yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and
your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
75. That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God,
that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I
may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have
made unto you, when I will.
76. Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in
prayer and fasting from this time forth.
77. And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one
another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may
be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine,
in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the
kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
79. Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth;
things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly
come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad;
the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments
which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of
kingdoms--
80. That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you
again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the
mission with which I have commissioned you.
81. Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it
becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
82. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are
upon their own heads.
83. He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be
forsaken.
84. Therefore, tarry ye, and labor diligently, that you may be
perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the
last time, as many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up
the law and seal up the testimony, and to prepare the saints for
the hour of judgment which is to come;
85. That their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of
abomination which awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the
world to come. Verily, I say unto you, let those who are not the
first elders continue in the vineyard until the mouth of the Lord
shall call them, for their time is not yet come; their garments are
not clean from the blood of this generation.
86. Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle
not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord
comes.
87. For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to
{308} and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face,
and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in
blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast
themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree.
88. And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the
people.
89. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes,
that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall
upon the ground, and shall not be able to stand.
90. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and
the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice
of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts
shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.
92. And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a
loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare
ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is
come: behold, and lo! the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him.
93. And immediately there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and
all people shall see it together.
94. And another angel shall sound his trump, saying, That great
church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink
of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the
Saints of God, that shed their blood; she who sitteth upon many
waters, and upon the islands of the sea; behold, she is the tares
of the earth, she is bound in bundles, her bands are made strong,
no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And
he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall
hear it.
95. And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half
an hour, and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be
unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the
face of the Lord shall be unveiled;
96. And the Saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be
quickened, and be caught up to meet Him.
97. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth; for
their graves shall be opened, and they also shall be caught up to
meet Him in the midst of the pillar of heaven:
98. They are Christ's, the first fruits: they who shall descend
with Him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves,
who are first caught up to meet Him: and all this by the voice of
the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.
99. And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second
trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at
{309} His coming; who have received their part in that prison which
is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be
judged according to men in the flesh.
100. And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third
trump; and then come the spirits of men who are to be judged, and
are found under condemnation:
101. And these are the rest of the dead, and they live not again
until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of
the earth.
102. And another trump shall sound, which is the fourth trump,
saying, There are found among those who are to remain until that
great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still.
103. And another trump shall sound, which is the fifth trump, which
is the fifth angel who committeth the everlasting Gospel,--flying
through the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues,
and people;
104. And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all
people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth;
for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every
tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump,
saying, Fear God, and give glory to Him who sitteth upon the
throne, for ever and ever: for the hour of His judgment is come.
105. And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the
sixth angel, saying, She is fallen who made all nations drink of
the wine of the wrath of her fornication: she is fallen! is fallen!
106. And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the
seventh angel, saying, It is finished! It is finished! The Lamb
of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone: even the
wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God;
107. And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of His
might, and the Saints shall be filled with His glory, and receive
their inheritance and be made equal with Him.
108. And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the
ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the
mighty works of God in the first thousand years.
109. And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal
the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their
hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years.
110. And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump: and
he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in
the name of Him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be
time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who
is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a
thousand years.
{310} 111. And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he
may gather together his armies:
112. And Michael, the seventh angel, even the archangel, shall
gather together his armies, even the hosts of heaven.
113. And the devil shall gather together his armies, even the hosts
of hell, and shall come up to battle against Michael and his armies:
114. And then cometh the battle of the great God; and the devil and
his armies shall be cast away into their own place, that they shall
not have power over the saints any more at all;
115. For Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him
who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the
Lamb.
116. This is the glory of God, and the sanctified; and they shall
not any more see death.
117. Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your solemn
assembly, as I have commanded you.
118. And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one
another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words
of wisdom; seek learning even by study, and also by faith.
119. Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and
establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a
house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of
order, a house of God;
120. That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your
outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations
may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most
High.
121. Therefore, cease from all your light speeches; from all
laughter; from all your lustful desires; from all your pride and
light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.
122. Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be
spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen
unto his sayings, that when all have spoken, that all may be
edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
123. See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous, learn to
impart one to another as the gospel requires:
124. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one
with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy
bed early, that ye may not be weary; rise early, that your bodies
and your minds may be invigorated.
125. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of
charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and
peace;
126. Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come: behold, and
lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
{311} 127. And again, the order of the house prepared for the
presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their
instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all
the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called
to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests, even
down to the Deacons;
128. And this shall be the order of the house of the presidency of
the school: He that is appointed to be president, or teacher, shall
be found standing in his place in the house which shall be prepared
for him.
129. Therefore, he shall be first in the house of God, in a place
that the congregation in the house may hear his words, carefully
and distinctly, not with loud speech.
130. And when he cometh into the house of God, (for he should be
first in the house; behold, this is beautiful, that he may be an
example),
131. Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in
token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant.
132. And when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise,
and, with uplifted hands, to heaven; yea, even directly, salute his
brother or brethren with these words:
133. Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting
covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a
determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be
your friend and brother through the grace of God, in the bonds
of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in
thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen.
134. And he that is found unworthy of this salutation, shall not
have place among you; for ye shall not suffer that mine house shall
be polluted by him.
135. And he that cometh in and is faithful before me, and is a
brother, or if they be brethren, they shall salute the president or
teacher with uplifted hands to heaven, with this same prayer and
covenant, or by saying Amen, in token of the same.
136. Behold, verily, I say unto you, this is an ensample unto you
for a salutation to one another in the house of God, in the school
of the prophets.
137. And ye are called to do this by prayer and thanksgiving as
the Spirit shall give utterance in all your doings in the house
of the Lord, in the school of the prophets, that it may become a
sanctuary, a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit to your edification.
138. And ye shall not receive any among you into this school save
he is clean from the blood of this generation;
{312} 139. And he shall be received by the ordinance of the washing
of feet, for unto this end was the ordinance of the washing of feet
instituted.
140. And again, the ordinance of washing feet is to be administered
by the president, or Presiding Elder of the Church.
141. It is to be commenced with prayer; and after partaking of
bread and wine, he is to gird himself according to the pattern
given in the thirteenth chapter of John's testimony concerning me.
Amen.
I wrote to N. E. Seaton, Esq., [3] editor of the--, as follows: [4]
Kirtland, January 4th, 1833.
_Mr. Editor_:--Sir, Considering the liberal principles upon which
your interesting and valuable paper is published, myself being a
subscriber, and feeling a deep interest in the cause of Zion, and
in the happiness of my brethren of mankind, I cheerfully take up my
pen to contribute my mite at this very interesting and important
period.
For some length of time I have been carefully reviewing the state
of things, as it now appears, throughout our Christian land; and
have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety.
While upon one hand I behold the manifest withdrawal of God's
Holy Spirit, and the veil of stupidity which seems to be drawn
over the hearts of the people; upon the other hand, I behold the
judgments of God that have swept, and are still sweeping hundreds
and thousands of our race (and I fear unprepared) down to the
shades of death. With this solemn and alarming fact before me, I am
led to exclaim, "O that my head were {313} waters, and mine eyes a
fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night."
I think that it is high time for a Christian world to awake out of
sleep, and cry mightily to that God, day and night, whose anger we
have justly incurred. Are not these things a sufficient stimulant
to arouse the faculties and call forth the energies of every man,
woman or child that possesses feelings of sympathy for their
fellows, or that is in any degree endeared to the budding cause
of our glorious Lord! I leave an intelligent community to answer
this important question, with a confession, that this is what has
caused me to overlook my own inability, and expose my weakness to
a learned world; but, trusting in that God who has said that these
things are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes, I
step forth into the field to tell you what the Lord is doing, and
what you must do, to enjoy the smiles of your Savior in these last
days.
The time has at last arrived when the God of Abraham, of Isaac,
and of Jacob, has set His hand again the second time to recover
the remnants of His people, which have been left from Assyria,
and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam,
and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the
sea, and with them to bring in the fulness of the Gentiles, and
establish that covenant with them, which was promised when their
sins should be taken away. See Isaiah xi, Romans xi, 25, 26 and
27, and also Jeremiah xxxi, 31, 32 and 33. This covenant has never
been established with the house of Israel, nor with the house of
Judah, for it requires two parties to make a covenant, and those
two parties must be agreed, or no covenant can be made.
Christ, in the days of His flesh, proposed to make a covenant with
them, but they rejected Him and His proposals, and in consequence
thereof, they were broken off, and no covenant was made with them
at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of
God of none effect: no, for there was another day limited in David,
which was the day of His power; and then His people, Israel, should
be a willing people;--and He would write His law in their hearts,
and print it in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities He
would remember no more.
Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and His
proposals, the heralds of salvation said to them, "Lo, we turn
unto the Gentiles;" and the Gentiles received the covenant, and
were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off: but
the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have
departed from the faith that was once delivered to the Saints, and
have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established
(See Isaiah xxiv, 5); and have {314} become high-minded, and have
not feared; therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the
chosen family. Have not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of
the Gentiles, provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw His Holy
Spirit from them, and send forth His judgments to scourge them for
their wickedness? This is certainly the case.
Christ said to His disciples (Mark xvi:17 and 18), that these signs
should follow them that believe:--"In my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt
them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover;"
and also, in connection with this, read 1st Corinthians, 12th
chapter. By the foregoing testimonies we may look at the Christian
world and see the apostasy there has been from the apostolic
platform; and who can look at this and not exclaim in the language
of Isaiah, "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants
thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the
ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant?"
The plain fact is this, the power of God begins to fall upon the
nations, and the light of the latter-day glory begins to break
forth through the dark atmosphere of sectarian wickedness, and
their iniquity rolls up into view, and the nations of the Gentiles
are like the waves of the sea, casting up mire and dirt, or all
in commotion, and they are hastily preparing to act the part
allotted them, when the Lord rebukes the nations, when He shall
rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a
potter's vessel. The Lord declared to His servants, some eighteen
months since, that He was then withdrawing His Spirit from the
earth; and we can see that such is the fact, for not only the
churches are dwindling away, but there are no conversions, or but
very few: and this is not all, the governments of the earth are
thrown into confusion and division; and _Destruction_, to the eye
of the spiritual beholder, seems to be written by the finger of
an invisible hand, in large capitals, upon almost every thing we
behold.
And now what remains to be done, under circumstances like these?
I will proceed to tell you what the Lord requires of all people,
high and low, rich and poor, male and female, ministers and
people, professors of religion and non-professors, in order that
they may enjoy the Holy Spirit of God to a fulness, and escape
the judgments of God, which are almost ready to burst upon the
nations of the earth. Repent of all your sins, and be baptized in
water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of
the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto
this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this
is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and
the only way that man can enter into the celestial {315} kingdom.
These are the requirements of the new covenant, or first principles
of the Gospel of Christ; then "Add to your faith, virtue; and to
virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance,
patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
kindness: and to brotherly kindness, charity [or love]; for if
these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ."
The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western
tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of
an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift
and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the
last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was
delivered unto them. By it we learn that our western tribes of
Indians are descendants from that Joseph which was sold into Egypt,
and that the land of America is a promised land unto them, and
unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the
Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant.
But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem. The city of
Zion spoken of by David, in the one hundred and second Psalm, will
be built upon the land of America, "And the ransomed of the Lord
shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon
their heads" (Isaiah xxxv:10); and then they will be delivered
from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But
Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel ii:32; Isaiah
xxvi:20 and 21; Jeremiah xxxi:12, Psalm 1:5; Ezekiel xxxiv:11, 12
and 13. These are testimonies that the Good Shepherd will put forth
His own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have
been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion, and to Jerusalem;
besides many more testimonies which might be brought.
And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ,
that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall
present such a scene of _bloodshed_ as has not a parallel in the
history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake
will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of
the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost
tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord,
those who have complied with the requirements of the new covenant,
have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in
the state of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning
which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation,
remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him
I am accountable for every word I say, wishing nothing worse to my
fellow-men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "Fear God, and
give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come." Repent
ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting {316} covenant, and flee
to Zion, before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there
are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed
in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken,
fulfilled. _Remember_ these things; call upon the Lord while He is
near, and seek him while He may be found, is the exhortation of
your unworthy servant,
[Signed] Joseph Smith, Jun.
Important Correspondence with the Brethren in Zion.
Kirtland, January 14, 1833.
_Brother William W. Phelps_:
I send you the "olive leaf" which we have plucked from the Tree
of Paradise, [5] the Lord's message of peace to us; for though
our brethren in Zion indulge in feelings towards us, which are
not according to the requirements of the new covenant, yet, we
have the satisfaction of knowing that the Lord approves of us,
and has accepted us, and established His name in Kirtland for the
salvation of the nations; for the Lord will have a place whence
His word will go forth, in these last days, in purity; for if Zion
will not purify herself, so as to be approved of in all things, in
His sight, He will seek another people; for His work will go on
until Israel is gathered, and they who will not hear His voice,
must expect to feel His wrath. Let me say unto you, seek to purify
yourselves, and also all the inhabitants of Zion, lest the Lord's
anger be kindled to fierceness. Repent, repent, is the voice of
God to Zion; and strange as it may appear, yet it is true, mankind
will persist in self-justification until all their iniquity is
exposed, and their character past being redeemed, and that which is
treasured up in their hearts be exposed to the gaze of mankind. I
say to you (and what I say to you I say to all), hear the warning
voice of God, lest Zion fall, and the Lord sware in His wrath the
inhabitants of Zion shall not enter into His rest.
The brethren in Kirtland pray for you unceasingly, for, knowing
the terrors of the Lord, they greatly fear for you. You will see
that the Lord commanded us, in Kirtland, to build a house of God,
and establish a school for the Prophets, [6] this is the word of
the Lord to us, and we must, yea, the Lord helping us, we will
obey: as on conditions of our obedience He has promised us great
things; yea, even a visit from the heavens to honor us with His own
presence. We greatly fear before the Lord lest we should fail of
this great honor, which our {317} Master proposes to confer on us;
we are seeking for humility and great faith lest we be ashamed in
His presence. Our hearts are greatly grieved at the spirit which
is breathed both in your letter and that of Brother Gilbert's,
the very spirit which is wasting the strength of Zion like a
pestilence; and if it is not detected and driven from you, it will
ripen Zion for the threatened judgments of God. Remember God sees
the secret springs of human action, and knows the hearts of all
living.
Brother, suffer us to speak plainly, for God has respect to
the feelings of His Saints, and He will not suffer them to
be tantalized with impunity. Tell Brother Gilbert that low
insinuations God hates; but He rejoices in an honest heart, and
knows better who is guilty than he does. We send him this warning
voice, and let him fear greatly for himself, lest a worse thing
overtake him; all we can say by way of conclusion is, if the
fountain of our tears be not dried up, we will still weep for Zion.
This from your brother who trembles for Zion, and for the wrath of
heaven, which awaits her if she repent not.
[Signed] Joseph Smith, Jun.
P. S.--I am not in the habit of crying peace, when there is no
peace; and, knowing the threatened judgments of God, I say, Wo unto
them who are at ease in Zion; fearfulness will speedily lay hold of
the hypocrite. I did not suspect you had lost the commandments, but
thought from your letters you had neglected to read them, otherwise
you would not have written as you did.
It is in vain to try to hide a bad spirit from the eyes of them who
are spiritual, for it will show itself in speaking and in writing,
as well as in all our other conduct. It is also needless to make
great pretensions when the heart is not right; the Lord will expose
it to the view of His faithful Saints. We wish you to render the
_Star_ as interesting as possible, by setting forth the rise,
progress, and faith of the Church, as well as the doctrine; for
if you do not render it more interesting than at present, it will
fall, and the Church suffer a great loss thereby.
[Signed] J. S. Jun.
Kirtland Mills, [7] Geauga Co., Ohio,
January 14, 1833.
_From a Conference of Twelve High Priests, to the Bishop, his Council
and the Inhabitants of Zion_.
Orson Hyde, and Hyrum Smith being appointed by the said {318}
conference to write this epistle in obedience to the commandment,
given the 22nd and 23rd of September last, which says: "But verily
I say unto all those to whom the kingdom has been given, from you
it must be preached unto them, that they shall repent of their
former evil works, for they are to be upbraided for their evil
hearts of unbelief; and your brethren in Zion, for their rebellion
against you at the time I sent you." [8]
Brother Joseph, and certain others, have written to you on this
all-important subject, but you have never been apprised of these
things by the united voice of the conference of those High Priests
that were present at the time this commandment was given.
We therefore, Orson and Hyrum, the committee appointed by said
conference to write this epistle, having received the prayers of
said conference, that we might be enabled to write the mind and
will of God upon this subject, now take up our pen to address you
in the name of the conference, relying upon the arm of the Great
Head of the Church.
In the commandment above alluded to, the children of Zion were all,
yea, even every one, under condemnation, and were to remain in that
state until they repented and remembered the new covenant, even the
Book of Mormon, and the former commandments, which the Lord had
given them, not only to say, but to do them, and bring forth fruit
meet for the Father's kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge
and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion: for
"shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? I say unto
you, Nay." [9]
The answers received from those letters, which have been sent to
you upon this subject, have failed to bring to us that satisfactory
confession and acknowledgment, which the spirit of our Master
requires. We, therefore, feeling a deep interest for Zion, and
knowing the judgments of God that will come upon her except she
repent, resort to these last, and most effectual means in our
power, to bring her to a sense of her standing before the Most High.
At the time Joseph, Sidney, and Newel left Zion, all matters
of hardness and misunderstanding were settled and buried (as
they supposed), and you gave them the hand of fellowship; but,
afterwards, you brought up all these things again, in a censorious
spirit, accusing Brother Joseph in rather an indirect way of
seeking after monarchial power and authority. This came to us in
Brother Corrill's letter of June 2nd. We are sensible that this is
not the thing Brother Joseph is seeking after, but to magnify the
high office and calling whereunto he has been called and appointed
by the command of God, and the united {319} voice of this Church.
It might not be amiss for you to call to mind the circumstances of
the Nephites, and the children of Israel rising up against their
Prophets, and accusing them of seeking after kingly power, and see
what befel them, and take warning before it is too late.
Brother Gilbert's letter of December 10th, has been received and
read attentively, and the low, dark, and blind insinuations, which
were in it, were not received by us as from the fountain of light,
though his claims and pretensions to holiness were great. We are
not unwilling to be chastened or rebuked for our faults, but we
want to receive it in language that we can understand, as Nathan
said to David, "Thou art the man." We are aware that Brother
Gilbert is doing much, and has a multitude of business on hand; but
let him purge out all the old leaven, and do his business in the
spirit of the Lord, and then the Lord will bless him, otherwise
the frown of the Lord will remain upon him. There is manifestly an
uneasiness in Brother Gilbert, and a fearfulness that God will not
provide for His Saints in these last days, and these fears lead
him on to covetousness. This ought not so to be; but let him do
just as the Lord has commanded him, and then the Lord will open
His coffers, and his wants will be liberally supplied. But if this
uneasy, covetous disposition be cherished by him, the Lord will
bring him to poverty, shame, and disgrace.
Brother Phelps' letter of December 15th, is also received and
carefully read, and it betrays a lightness of spirit that ill
becomes a man placed in the important and responsible station that
he is placed in. If you have fat beef, and potatoes, eat them in
singleness of heart, and boast not yourselves in these things.
Think not, brethren, that we make a man an offender for a word;
this is not the case; but we want to see a spirit in Zion, by which
the Lord will build it up; that is the plain, solemn, and pure
spirit of Christ. Brother Phelps requested in his last letter that
Brother Joseph should come to Zion; but we say that Brother Joseph
will not settle in Zion until she repent, and purify herself, and
abide by the new covenant, and remember the commandments that have
been given her, to do them as well as say them.
You may think it strange that we manifest no cheerfulness of heart
upon the reception of your letters; you may think that our minds
are prejudiced so much that we can see no good that comes from you,
but rest assured, brethren, that this is not the case.
We have the best of feelings, and feelings of the greatest anxiety
for the welfare of Zion: we feel more like weeping over Zion than
we do like rejoicing over her, for we know that the judgments of
God hang over her, and will fall upon her except she repent, and
purify herself before the Lord, and put away from her every foul
spirit. We now say to Zion, this once, in the name of the Lord,
Repent! repent! {320} awake, awake, put on thy beautiful garments,
before you are made to feel the chastening rod of Him whose anger
is kindled against you. Let not Satan tempt you to think we want
to make you bow to us, to domineer over you, for God knows this is
not the case; our eyes are watered with tears, and our hearts are
poured out to God in prayer for you, that He will spare you, and
turn away His anger from you.
There are many things in the last letters from Brothers Gilbert and
Phelps that are good, and we esteem them much. The idea of having
"certain ones appointed to regulate Zion, and Traveling Elders have
nothing to do with this part of the matter," is something we highly
approbate, and you will doubtless know before this reaches you, why
William E. M'Lellin opposed you in this move. We fear there was
something in Brother Gilbert, when he returned to this place from
New York last fall, in relation to his brother William, that was
not right: for Brother Gilbert was asked two or three times about
his brother William, but gave evasive answers, and at the same
time, he knew that William was in Cleveland: but the Lord has taken
him. We merely mention this, that all may take warning to work in
the light, for God will bring every secret thing to light.
We now close our epistle by saying unto you, the Lord has commanded
us to purify ourselves, to wash our hands and our feet, that He may
testify to His Father and our Father, to His God and our God, that
we are clean from the blood of this generation; and before we could
wash our hands and our feet, we were constrained to write this
letter. Therefore, with the feelings of inexpressible anxiety for
your welfare, we say again, Repent, repent, or Zion must suffer,
for the scourge and judgment must come upon her.
Let the Bishop read this to the Elders, that they may warn the
members of the scourge that is coming, except they repent. Tell
them to read the Book of Mormon, and obey it; read the commandments
that are printed, and obey them; yea, humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that peradventure He may turn away His anger
from you. Tell them that they have not come up to Zion to sit down
in idleness, neglecting the things of God, but they are to be
diligent and faithful in obeying the new covenant.
There is one clause in Brother Joseph's letter which you may not
understand; that is this, "If the people of Zion did not repent,
the Lord would seek another place, and another people." Zion is
the place where the temple will be built, and the people gathered,
but all people upon that holy land being under condemnation, the
Lord will cut off, if they repent not, and bring another race
upon it, that will serve Him. The Lord will seek another place to
bring forth and prepare his word to go forth to the nations, and
as we said before, so we say again. {321} Brother Joseph will not
settle in Zion, except she repent, and serve God, and obey the new
covenant. With this explanation, the conference sanctions Brother
Joseph's letter.
Brethren, the conference meets again this evening to hear this
letter read, and if it meet their minds, we have all agreed to
kneel down before the Lord, and cry unto Him with all our hearts,
that this epistle, and Brother Joseph's, and the revelations also,
may have their desired effect, and accomplish the thing whereunto
they are sent, and that they may stimulate you to cleanse Zion,
that she mourn not. Therefore when you get this, know ye that a
conference of twelve High Priests have cried unto the Lord for
you, and are still crying, saying, Spare thy people, O Lord, and
give not thy heritage to reproach. We now feel that our garments
are clean from you, and all men, when we have washed our feet and
hands, according to the commandment.
We have written plainly at this time, but we believe not harshly.
Plainness is what the Lord requires, and we should not feel
ourselves clear, unless we had done so; and if the things we have
told you be not attended to, you will not long have occasion to
say, or to think rather, that we may be wrong in what we have
stated. Your unworthy brethren are determined to pray unto the Lord
for Zion, as long as we can shed the sympathetic tear, or feel any
spirit to supplicate the throne of grace in her behalf.
The School of the Prophets will commence, if the Lord will, in two
or three days. It is a general time of health with us. The cause
of God seems to be rapidly advancing in the eastern country; the
gifts are beginning to break forth so as to astonish the world,
and even believers marvel at the power and goodness of God. Thanks
be rendered to His holy name for what He is doing. We are your
unworthy brethren in the Lord, and may the Lord help us all to do
His will, that we may at last be saved in His kingdom.
Orson Hyde,
Hyrum Smith.
N. B.--We stated that Brother Gilbert, when he was in Kirtland,
knew that William was in Cleveland last fall. We wrote this upon
the strength of hearsay; but William being left at St. Louis,
strengthened our suppositions that such was the fact. We stated
further respecting this matter, or this item, than the testimony
will warrant us. With this exception the conference sanctions this
letter.
O. H.
H. S.
Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxvii.
2. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxviii. This is the revelation
referred to as "The Olive Leaf," plucked from the Tree of Paradise, in
the Prophet's letter of January 11, 1833. See page 316.
3. This name is also spelled Sexton in the Ms. History. Mr. Seaton
lived at Rochester, New York, and published a paper there, but the name
of the paper cannot be ascertained.
4. The Prophet states subsequently that he wrote this communication by
commandment of the Lord. The general condition of the world as noted
by the Prophet at the commencement of this chapter, was doubtless
the occasion of the Lord sending forth such a note of warning to the
inhabitants of the earth as is here presented. It should be said,
however, in addition to what is here set down, i.e. at the beginning
of the chapter--that the "plague," or Asiatic cholera, which first
broke out in India, spread also throughout the United States in that
same year. One historian, speaking of its ravages in the United States,
says: "It was on the 21st of June, 1832, that the eastern plague,
known as the Asiatic cholera, made its first appearance in the United
States, in the city of New York. Its rapid spread produced universal
panic, though it was less fatal in the South Atlantic States than in
the north and in the valley of the Mississippi. Thousands of persons of
all ages and conditions died of it within a few months. The most robust
constitutions in many instances became victims of its malignancy within
thirty-six hours from its first attack."--History U. S., Stephens, p.
450.
5. This is the revelation beginning on p. 302, and section lxxxviii of
the Doctrine and Covenants.
6. See p. 301, verses 119-136.
7. "Kirtland Mills" and "Kirtland" are identical. The name "Kirtland
Mills" arose from the existence of some mills on the banks of the
branch of the Chagrin river on which Kirtland is situated.
8. See p. 292, verse 76.
9. See p. 291, verses 55-59.
{322} Chapter XXIII.
The Enjoyment of Spiritual Blessings in the Church--The Word of Wisdom.
[Sidenote: The Enjoyment of Spiritual Gifts.]
This winter [1832-33] was spent in translating the Scriptures; in the
School of the Prophets; and sitting in conferences. I had many glorious
seasons of refreshing. The gifts which follow them that believe and
obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in His
dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be
poured out among us, as in ancient days;--for as we, viz.: Joseph
Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Newel K. Whitney,
Hyrum Smith, Zebedee Coltrin, [1] Joseph Smith, Sen., Samuel H. Smith,
John Murdock, Lyman E. Johnson, [2] Orson Hyde, Ezra Thayer, High
Priests; and Levi Hancock, [3] and William Smith, [4] Elders, were
assembled in {323} conference, on the 22nd day of January, I spoke to
the conference in another tongue, and was followed in the same gift
by Brother Zebedee Coltrin, and he by Brother William Smith, after
which the Lord poured out His Spirit in a miraculous manner, until
all the Elders spake in tongues, and several members, both male and
female, exercised the same gift. Great and glorious were the divine
manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Praises were sung to God and the
Lamb; speaking and praying, all in tongues, occupied the conference
until a late hour at night, so rejoiced were we at the return of these
long absent blessings.
[Sidenote: Ordinance of the Washing of Feet.]
On the 23rd of January, we again assembled in conference; when, after
much speaking, singing, praying, and praising God, all in tongues, we
proceeded to the washing of feet (according to the practice recorded
in the 13th chapter of John's Gospel), as commanded of the Lord. Each
Elder washed his own feet first, after which I girded myself with a
towel and washed the feet of all of them, wiping them with the towel
with which I was girded. Among the number, my father presented himself,
but before I washed his feet, I asked of him a father's blessing,
which he granted by laying his hands upon my head, in the name of
Jesus Christ, and declaring that I should continue in the Priest's
office until Christ comes. At the close of the scene, Brother Frederick
G. Williams, being moved upon by the Holy Ghost, washed my feet in
token of his fixed determination to be with me in suffering, or in
journeying, in life or in death, and to be continually on my right
hand; in which I accepted him in the name of the Lord.
[Sidenote: The Elders Pronounced Clean.]
I then said to the Elders, As I have done so do ye; wash ye, therefore,
one another's feet; and by the power of the Holy Ghost I pronounced
them all clean from the blood of this generation; but if any of them
should sin wilfully after they were thus cleansed, and sealed up unto
eternal life, they should be given over unto the buffetings of Satan
until {324} the day of redemption. Having continued all day in fasting,
and prayer, and ordinances, we closed by partaking of the Lord's
supper. I blessed the bread and wine in the name of the Lord, when
we all ate and drank, and were filled; then we sang a hymn, and the
meeting adjourned.
[Sidenote: Revision of the New Testament Completed.]
I completed the translation and review of the New Testament, on the
2nd of February, 1833 and sealed it up, no more to be opened till it
arrived in Zion. [5]
An Epistle
_Of the First Presidency, to the Church of Christ in Thompson, Geauga
County, Ohio_.
Kirtland, February 6th, 1833.
_Dear Brethren_,
We salute you, by this our epistle, in the bonds of love, rejoicing
in your steadfastness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord: and we desire your prosperity in the ways of truth and
righteousness, praying for you continually, that your faith fail
not, and that you may overcome all the evils with which you are
surrounded, and become pure and holy before God, even our Father,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
It has seemed good unto the Holy Spirit and unto us, to send this
our epistle to you by the hand of our beloved Brother Salmon Gee,
your messenger, who has been ordained by us, in obedience to the
commandments of God, to the office of Elder to preside over the
Church in {325} Thompson, taking the oversight thereof, to lead
you and to teach the things which are according to godliness; in
whom we have great confidence, as we presume also you have, we
therefore say to you, yea, not us only, but the Lord also, receive
him as such, knowing that the Lord has appointed him to this office
for your good, holding him up by your prayers, praying for him
continually that he may be endowed with wisdom and understanding in
the knowledge of the Lord, that through him you may be kept from
evil spirits, and all strifes and dissensions, and grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Brethren beloved, continue in brotherly love, walk in meekness,
watching unto prayer, that you be not overcome. Follow after peace,
as said our beloved brother Paul, that you may be the children of
our Heavenly Father, and not give occasion for stumbling, to Saint
or sinner. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that we may be enabled
to do the work whereunto we are called, that you may enjoy the
mysteries of God, even a fulness; and may the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Joseph Smith, Jun.,
Sidney Rigdon,
Frederick G. Williams.
[Sidenote: John Murdock's Message to the Thompson Branch.]
The following letter was written by John Murdock, a High Priest, (who
had previously been with the Church in Thompson), to Salmon Gee, Elder
of the Church in Thompson:
Kirtland, February 11, 1833.
Beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I beseech you in the bowels of mercy to remember the exhortation
which I gave you while I was yet present with you, to beware of
delusive spirits. I rejoice that our Heavenly Father hath blessed
you greatly, as He also has me, in enabling me to speak the praises
of God and the mysteries of the kingdom in other tongues according
to promise: and this without throwing me down or wallowing me on
the ground, or any thing unbecoming or immoral; also, without any
external operation of the system, but it is the internal operation
and power of the Spirit of God, so that I know that those odd
actions and strange noises are not caused by the Spirit of the
Lord as is represented by Brother King. Therefore in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Spirit of the living God, according
to the authority of the Holy Priesthood committed to me, I command
Brother Thomas King, (as though I were present), to {326} cease
from your diabolical acts of enthusiasm, and also from acting as
an Elder in this Church of Christ, until you come and give full
testimony to the High Priests in Kirtland, that you are worthy of
that holy calling; because those are the things of God, and are to
be used in the fear of God: and I now not only command you, but
exhort you in behalf of your soul's salvation, to submit, and let
Brother Gee be upheld by the prayer of faith of every brother and
sister, and if there be this union of spirit, and prayer of faith,
every false spirit shall be bound, and cast out from among you.
My beloved children in the bonds of the Gospel, and the bowels of
mercy, which is the everlasting love of God, I do beseech you to
live faithful and in obedience to the commandments of God; and
in the name of the Lord Jesus, I say, the blessings of God shall
attend you.
John Murdock.
[Sidenote: Concerning the Prophet's Communication to Seaton.]
_February 12_.--Having received Seaton's paper, from Rochester, New
York, containing a part of my communication, written on the 4th of
January, I wrote as follows:
_To N. E. Seaton, Rochester_.
Dear Sir:--I was somewhat disappointed on receiving my paper with
only a part of my letter inserted in it. The letter which I wrote
you for publication, I wrote by the commandment of God, and I am
quite anxious to have it all laid before the public, for it is of
importance to them: but I have no claim upon you, neither do I wish
to urge you, beyond that which is reasonable, to do it. I have only
to appeal to your extended generosity to all religious societies
that claim that Christ has come in the flesh; and also to tell you
what will be the consequence of a neglect to publish it.
Some parts of the letter were very severe upon the wickedness of
sectarianism, I acknowledge; and the truth, remember, is hard and
severe against all iniquity and wickedness, but this is no reason
why it should not be published, but the very reason why it should
be. I lay the ax at the root of the tree, and I long to see many
of the sturdy oaks, which have long cumbered the ground, fall
prostrate. I now say unto you, that if you wish to clear your
garments from the blood of your readers, I exhort you to publish
that letter entire; but if not, the sin be upon your head. Accept,
sir the good wishes and tender regard of your unworthy servant,
Joseph Smith, Jun.
{327} [Sidenote: Case of Burr Riggs.]
_February 13_.--A council of High Priests assembled to investigate
the proceedings of Brother Burr Riggs, who was accused of failing to
magnify his calling as High Priest, and had been guilty of neglect of
duty, of abusing the Elders, and of treating their admonitions with
contempt. After the council had considered the case, Brother Riggs
agreed to make satisfaction, but did not show much humility.
_February 15_.--In a council I ordained Harpin Riggs, and Isaac McWethy
Elders.
_February 17_.--In conference I ordained John Johnson to the office of
Elder.
[Sidenote: Consideration of Missouri Correspondence of the 11th and
12th of January.]
_February 26_.--A special council of High Priests assembled in Zion,
to take into consideration my letter to Brother Phelps, of the 11th
of January, and the revelation called the Olive Leaf, referred to in
my letter, and the epistle of Orson Hyde and Hyrum Smith of the 14th
of January, in behalf of the conference of High Priests: and Oliver
Cowdery, William W. Phelps, and John Corrill were appointed a committee
to write an epistle from the conference to the brethren in Kirtland;
which was written and sanctioned by the conference.
[Sidenote: Excommunication of Burr Riggs.]
The same day a conference of High Priests was again called in Kirtland,
concerning Brother Burr Riggs, who was accused of neglecting to make
satisfaction to the Church as he had agreed, and disgracing the High
Priesthood by neglect of duty, and saying he did not care how soon he
was cut off from the Church. He was cut off by a unanimous vote of the
council.
_February 27_.--I received the following revelation:
The Word of Wisdom. [6]
_A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests,
assembled in Kirtland, and the church; and also the Saints in Zion.
To {328} be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but
by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and
will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last
days; given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity
of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called
Saints_.
1. Behold, verily, thus said the Lord unto you, in consequence
of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of
conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn
you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation,
2. That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among
you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your
Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your
sacraments before him.
3. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of
the vine, of your own make.
4. And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the
washing of your bodies.
5. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly,
and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick
cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
6. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
7. And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath
ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man.
8. Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season
thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
9. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I,
the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving;
nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
10. And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in
times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
11. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to
be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the
field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or
creep on the earth.
12. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of
famine and excess of hunger.
13. All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the
vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the
ground.
14. Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for
the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts
of the {329} field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild
drinks, as also other grain.
15. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings,
walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in
their naval and marrow to their bones,
16. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even
hidden treasures;
17. And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint;
18. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying
angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay
them. Amen.
[Sidenote: A Word of Comfort to the Prophet]
_March 8_.--I received the following revelation:
Revelation. [7]
1. 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;
2. 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.
3. 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;
4. Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another;
yea, even unto the church.
5. And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how
they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are
brought under condemnation thereby; and stumble and fall, when the
storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat
upon their house.
6. And again verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and
Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they
are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last
kingdom,
7. As also through your administration the keys of the school of
the prophets, which I have commanded to be organized,
8. That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the
salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the
Gentiles, as many as will believe;
{330} 9. That through your administration they may receive the
word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto
the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold,
and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews:
10. And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be
revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations,
the house of Joseph, of the Gospel of their salvation.
11. For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall
hear the fulness of the Gospel in his own tongue, and in his own
language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the
administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the
revelation of Jesus Christ.
12. And now, verily I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment
that you continue in the ministry and Presidency,
13. And when you have finished the translation of the Prophets, you
shall from thenceforth preside over the affairs of the Church and
the school;
14. And from time to time, as shall be manifested by the Comforter,
receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom,
15. And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become
acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and
people.
16. And this shall be your business and mission in all your lives,
to preside in council, and set in order all the affairs of this
church and kingdom.
17. Be not ashamed, neither confounded; but be admonished in all
your high-mindedness and pride, for it bringeth a snare upon your
souls.
18. Set in order your houses; keep slothfulness and uncleanness far
from you.
19. Now, verily I say unto you, let there be a place provided as
soon as it is possible, for the family of thy counselor and scribe,
even Frederick G. Williams.
20. And let mine aged servant, Joseph Smith, Sen., continue with
his family upon the place where he now lives, and let it not be
sold until the mouth of the Lord shall name.
21. And let my counselor, even Sidney Rigdon, remain where he now
resides, until the mouth of the Lord shall name.
22. And let the Bishop search diligently to obtain an agent, and
let him be a man who has got riches in store--a man of God, and of
strong faith;
23. That thereby he may be enabled to discharge every debt; that
the storehouse of the Lord may not be brought into disrepute before
the eyes of the people.
{331} 24. Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all
things shall work together for your good if ye walk uprightly and
remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.
25. Let your families be small, especially mine aged servant Joseph
Smith's, Sen., as pertaining to those who do not belong to your
families;
26. That those things that are provided for you, to bring to pass
my work, be not taken from you and given to those that are not
worthy,
27. And thereby you be hindered in accomplishing those things which
I have commanded you.
28. And again, verily I say unto you, it is my will that my
handmaid, Vienna Jaques, should receive money to bear her expenses,
and go up unto the land of Zion;
29. And the residue of the money may be consecrated unto me, and
she be rewarded in mine own due time.
30. Verily I say unto you, that it is meet in mine eyes that she
should go up unto the land of Zion, and receive an inheritance from
the hand of the Bishop,
31. That she may settle down in peace inasmuch as she is faithful,
and not be idle in her days from henceforth.
32. And behold, verily I say unto you, that ye shall write this
commandment, and say unto your brethren in Zion, in love greeting,
that I have called you also to preside over Zion in mine own due
time:
33. Therefore, let them cease wearying me concerning this matter.
34. Behold, I say unto you that your brethren in Zion begin to
repent, and the angels rejoice over them;
35. Nevertheless, I am not well pleased with many things, and I am
not well pleased with my servant William E. M'Lellin, neither with
my servant Sidney Gilbert; and the Bishop also, and others have
many things to repent of;
36. But verily I say unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with
Zion, and plead with her strong ones, and chasten her until she
overcomes and is clean before me:
37. For she shall not be removed out of her place. I the Lord, have
spoken it. Amen.
[Sidenote: The Apocrypha.]
_March 9_.--Having come to that portion of the ancient writings called
the Apocrypha, I received the following:
Revelation. [8]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha,
{332} there are many things contained therein that are true, and it
is mostly translated correctly.
2. There are many things contained therein that are not true, which
are interpolations by the hands of men.
3. Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the
Apocrypha should be translated.
4. Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit
manifesteth truth;
5. And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit, shall obtain benefit
therefrom;
6. And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited.
Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.
[Sidenote: A Mission to the East Appointed.]
_March 12_.--A council of High Priests assembled in the school room and
decided that Horace Cowin and Zerubbabel Snow, Amasa M. Lyman [9] and
William F. Cahoon, Jenkins Salisbury and Truman Wait, journey east on a
mission, two by two, {333} paired as their names are written. Brothers
Cowin and Salisbury were ordained at the same time.
[Sidenote: Case of Brother Lake.]
_March 15_.--A council was called to consider the case of Brother Lake,
from Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, who came professing to have received
revelations. On investigation, it was unanimously agreed, that said
Brother Lake was under the influence of an evil spirit, and that his
license as Priest be taken from him.
The same day I received the following:
_Revelation to Enoch (Joseph Smith, Jun.,) given to the Saints in
Kirtland_. [10]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order,
organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a
revelation and commandment concerning my servant Shederlaomach
(Frederick G. Williams), that ye shall receive him into the order.
What I say unto one I say unto all.
2. And again, I say unto you my servant Shederlaomach, (Frederick
G. Williams), you shall be a lively member in this order, and
inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments you
shall be blessed forever. Amen.
Footnotes
1. Zebedee Coltrin was born at Ovid, Seneca county, New York, September
7, 1804. He was the son of John and Sarah Coltrin; and was baptized
into the Church soon after its organization.
2. Lyman E. Johnson was born in Pomfret, Windsor county, Vermont,
October 24, 1811. He was baptized into the Church in February, 1831, by
Sidney Rigdon and was ordained an Elder under the hands of the Prophet
Joseph Smith.
3. Levi Ward Hancock was born April 7, 1803, in Old Springfield,
Hampden county, Massachusetts. He was the youngest son of Thomas
Hancock and Amy Ward Hancock. When Levi was about two years old his
family removed from Massachusetts to Ohio, settling in Chagrin,
Cayahoga county, not far from Kirtland. Here Levi grew to manhood,
occupied chiefly in farming with his father. In 1827, however, he
purchased a farm in Ashtabula county, which is in the extreme northeast
part of Ohio. He was directly in the pathway of Elders Cowdery, Pratt,
Whitmer and Peterson, when journeying westward on their mission to
the Lamanites; and shortly after they passed through his neighborhood
he followed them to Kirtland, where he was baptized on the 16th of
November, 1830, by Elder Parley P. Pratt, and was soon afterwards
ordained an Elder under the hands of Oliver Cowdery.
4. William Smith was the fifth son of Joseph Smith, Sen., and Lucy
Smith. He was born in Royalton, Windsor county, Vermont, March 13,
1811; and was baptized soon after the Church was organized.
5. It was the intention of the Prophet to have this revised version of
the Scriptures, which he had made with such laborious care, published
in Zion, at the printing establishment of the Church in that place,
(New Testament and Book of Mormon to be published together; see p.
341), but before the work could even be commenced, the persecution
arose which made the undertaking impracticable. And such was the
unsettled state of the Church throughout the remaining years of the
Prophet's life that he found no opportunity to publish the revised
Scriptures, and to this day there is no authoritative publication of
his translation of the Old and New Testaments given to the world,
except in such excerpts as appear in the Pearl of Great Price. On this
subject the late President George Q. Cannon, in his "Life of Joseph
Smith," remarks in a foot note (p. 142)--"We have heard President
Brigham Young state that the Prophet, before his death, had spoken to
him about going through the translation of the Scriptures again and
perfecting it upon points of doctrine which the Lord had restrained him
from giving in plainness and fulness at the time of which we write [2nd
Feb., 1833]."
6. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxix.
7. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xc.
8. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xci.
9. Amasa Mason Lyman was born in the township of Lyman, Grafton county,
New Hampshire, on the 30th of March, 1813. He was the third son of
Boswell Lyman and Martha Mason. His father dying when Amasa was about
eight years of age, and some time later his mother marrying again, he
was reared in the home of his grandfather, on the maternal side, Perez
Mason, until he was eleven years of age. Perez Mason then retired from
his farm to live with his eldest son, Perley Mason; with whom also,
according to the wishes of his mother, Amasa lived during the next
seven years. When young Lyman was in his eighteenth year he became
thoughtful on the subject of religion and earnestly sought the favor
of the Lord by righteous deportment, though without connecting himself
with any of the religious sects. About one year later Elders Orson
Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson passed through the section of New Hampshire
where young Lyman lived, on a preaching tour. He believed the message
proclaimed by these new evangels and was baptized on the 27th of April,
1832, by Elder Lyman E. Johnson, and confirmed on the following day by
Elder Orson Pratt. In consequence of the ill feelings which arose in
his uncle's family, owing to his joining the Church, Amasa departed
from the home of his kindred, and set out on foot for the gathering
place of the Saints in Ohio. After a journey of some seven hundred
miles, in which he endured many hardships--for much of the journey was
made on foot and with but scant means of subsistence--he arrived at
Hiram in Portage county, and engaged to work for Father Johnson at ten
dollars a month. It was at this time that the Prophet was making his
home at Father Johnson's, though on the arrival of young Lyman at Hiram
he was absent in Missouri. About the first of July, however, Joseph
returned from his western journey, and Amasa had the joy of meeting the
Prophet of the new dispensation. Of that meeting and the impressions
it produced, he says: "Of the impressions produced I will here say,
although there was nothing strange or different from other men in his
personal appearance, yet when he grasped my hand in that cordial way
(known to those who have met him in the honest simplicity of truth), I
felt as one of old in the presence of the Lord; my strength seemed to
be gone, so that it required an effort on my part to stand on my feet;
but in all this there was no fear, but the serenity and peace of heaven
pervaded my soul, and the still small voice of the Spirit whispered its
living testimony in the depths of my soul, where it has ever remained,
that he was the man of God."--Autobiographical Sketch of Amasa M.
Lyman, _Millennial Star_, vol. xxvii, p. 473.
10. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xcii.
{334}