ru
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LIBRARY
OF THF.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
OF*
Accession No.
, C/^5S
THE
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:ONTAINING THE-
ARTTOS AND I<ETT3R$
WRITTEN BY
PUBLISHED BY
Geo, 8. Dove & Company.
SAN FRANCISCO :
J. A. DOVE & CO., PRINTERS.
1886.
f
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1886,
BY GEO. S. DOVE & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
PREFACE.
IT HAS been a pleasure to me to have been entrusted with the responsibility of publishing the revelations of the departed prophet, Joseph Morris. For twenty-four years the revelations have been withheld from the people, ( with the exception of a few copies that some of the brethren have had in their possession) notwithstand- ing that in Rev. 88, par. 7, given Aug. 23rd, 1861, the clerks were commanded to copy for the press the revelations that had been given up to that time. The clerks accomplished their part of the work, but the revelations were not produced in printed form. I feel impressed that I, with the aid of many others, have been in- strumental at this time in fulfilling that command, by presenting to the Weber brethren the writings of Joseph Morris complete, in book form. Many of the brethren were opposed -to their publica- tion, believing that it would not be prudent to advance them to the world in their crude state : some contending that the doctrines contained in them were fragmentary, and that most of the instuc- tion was appertaining to local affairs ; but I hope that their publi- cation may result in convincing many that the God of the prophets still speaks.
The forty letters, or addresses, that were written to Brigham Young, contained many new principles which have been made use of by the leaders of the old Church whenever they had an opportunity to present them to the saints as new truths which had had been retained until wisdom dictated that they should be made known.
IV PREFACE.
Brother Joseph Morris in the night of his earthly afflictions, was permitted to have a glimpse of divine realities. All through his life the course of the world appeared to be against him ; and dur- ing the short recognition of his mission which he enjoyed, he had to carry a heavy burden. His claim for recognition rests in the hearts of those who were with him ; and the hidden spiritual truths which he proclaimed, will remind them of his mission in their darkest hours, and be promulgated for future generations to profit by.
Although no claim can be made for eloquence in the, phrase- ology of the revelations, ( as they bear the marks of an unlearned man ) we are nevertheless confident of the divine origin of the doctrines and principles contained in them. The truths were given to him by direct impression, and he conveyed them in the language he had at command.
Taking the principles as advanced in their crude state, without the aid of a spiritual understanding, they may appear mysterious and obscure; (some who are opposed to the advance of the new doctrines, may take advantage of this) but, under the guidance of the spirit that revealed to him those principles, they appear grand in their simplicity.
After twenty-fotir years of investigation and experience in re- ligious matters, I still remain a believer in the prophetic mission of Joseph Morris, feeling convinced that the truths he revealed were from the Eternal Fountain.
GEORGE S. DOVE. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., May, 1886.
CONCERNING THE REVELATIONS.
THE REVELATIONS contained in this book were written by Joseph Morris, between the years of 1857 and 1862. They were inspired and written as the spirit dictated, and after having been read before the congregation of the saints, they were deposited in a chest under lock and key. Immediately after Joseph was shot, Hannah Banks and other sisters took the box from the office, and buried it after dark in the Bowery, where he had on many occa- sions addressed the people. After three days, his widow took possession of it. Her father, after her death, sold it to Abraham Taylor, who retained it safely over twenty years, and before his decease, willed it to his son, Joseph Taylor, of San Francisco.
The people in South Weber, during the ministrations of Joseph Morris, dwelt in booths and tents in an open field ; they dfd not erect any substantial places of abode, neither did they till the • soil, but they subsisted on the means that they had previously acquired, implicitly believing that the Lord would come to deliver them. In this manner they lived for months, expecting a deliver- ance from the bondage that had oppressed them ; and while wait- ing under these conditions, the prophet received many revelations relative to spiritual matters, which has shed a new light on the to- morrow of the Scriptures.
The value of. the property consecrated from the time that the law of consecration was revealed up to the time that the people were dispersed, amounted to $167,622.54; and the donations for the poor, which amounted to $7,306.16, were distributed by the bishop, who had been appointed to look after the temporal needs of the people ; thus the saints were bound together as one family, having made a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice.
4 HISTORY OF EVENTS.
had sometimes worked for. One day when Joseph was mowing hay, he said to Father Jones: "Do you know who I am?" ".Yes," he replied, "I do know that you are a prophet of God, for the spirit has told me so." This was the first recognition Joseph had met with, and he took it as a sign that the work would go on. He was very much opposed by Mother Jones, though at times she admitted the new truths, was very friendly, and gave him advice how to avoid the enemies who were constantly on his track. At last, notice was given him by some of the leading men of the place that he must leave in so many hours. At first he gave but little attention to it; but Mother Jones became uneasy and said : "Are you going?" "Yes, Him going, I will go," he replied; so he started next day for South Weber, carrying a small bundle. This was in October, 1860.
On arriving at South Weber (formerly called Kingston Fort), he enquired for Richard Cook, whose brother, John Cook, he had previously met at the Warm Springs, and John had invited him to come and see them. Both Richard Cook, who was at that time bishop at Wreber, and his brother John carefully investigated Joseph's claims, and received him into their family. John Parson, who lived up Weber Canyon, and many others became interested also, and they were convinced that Joseph Morris was all that he claimed to be. From this time he began to make converts to the new faith, for many became interested, and were convinced of the truth of his mission ; so he was rewarded for all his anxious weep- ing and prayers, and all the scofrlngs and mockings he had suf- fered, and his heart was filled with gratitude.
This little uprising caused uneasiness in Salt Lake City, and in February, 1861, two of the apostles of the old Church were sent to investigate. They called the people together and demanded to know what folly was going on, and what they were doing there. They said : "We hear it reported that you have a prophet among you, and we cannot accept of any prophet but Brigham Young." Joseph being questioned, replied : "I am by right of my heir- ship, prophet, seer and revelator to the Church of the Latter Day Saints." Seventeen of the Weber people said that they accepted him as a prophet; so they were all "cut off" from the Church.
The people now commenced gathering around him, as if drawn by the cords of genuine love, and impelled by an unseen hand, and the minds of the people of that whole country were lit up as by the effulgence of the everlasting light. They' began to look from a new standpoint and to a higher light ; their pride was sub- dued, and the black cloud of prejudice, which so often hovers over the minds of men, was removed, and they began to think freely for themselves, not judging from external appearances. So they departed from their old habits and ways, and commenced a
HISTORY OF EVENTS. 5
new life like little children inquiring after a new treasure. They endeavored to girt themselves with truth and righteousness and approach the mountain of purity by searching diligently, and talk^ ing one to another constantly, away from the cares and labors of life ; for that was a day in which it was hard for any one to be- lieve without a great struggle. They were living amongst a gener- ation whose teeth were as knives, to devour the poor and needy from off the face of the earth.
Joseph then began to be looked upon much more favorably, and a great reformation took place, and a wonderful out-pouring of the spirit and divine influence prevailed. The gifts and powers of the gospel gave exceeding joy to the honest in heart who attended these ministrations, which prepared the people for what they had to undergo. They were astonished at his doctrine. Sometimes the prophet's countenance would change as if illuminated by the true light of the world ; then he would retire and others would go on with the meeting.
The news spread throughout the Territory that a new prophet had arisen who had been denounced by the Church, which led many to inquire into the matter.
On the sixth of April, 1861, six persons were baptized. From this time until Fall, people arrived from all parts of the Territory, inquiring the way to the prophet, leaving their farms and all that they could not bring with them. They came with their teams, flocks and herds, intending to cast in their all with Joseph ; even some came who had spoken against the new prophet. Thus the membership continued to increase until there was four hundred and twenty-five baptized believers. Joseph possessed a wonder- ful power to attract the attention of the people, and to hold them together under the most trying circumstances.
He was married to Mary Olsen, a Dane, in August, 1861. In the latter part of April, 1862, teams were sent to the grist mill with wheat to be ground for the use of the Camp. As the men were returning home, the teams were taken away from them. The children were without bread, and the Camp much in need. To go to the courts of Utah for redress was useless, so twenty-five men were sent to, Kaysward to take the men prisonrers who had taken the flour, and bring them into Camp ; but there were no legal papers for doing these things. The Morrisites taking thes^e men prisoners raised the indignation of the Mormons, who determined upon .having a writ issued for the appearance of five persons before Judge Kinney at the Court House in Salt Lake City. Judson Stoddart and another officer came with the writ ; but before coming into the Fort they sent a messenger to enquire whether they could come in. John Banks sent John Smith out to see them. Mr. Smith talked with them a few minutes,
6 HISTORY OF EVENTS.
and told them that they could come into the Fort, which they did. Mr. Stoddart read the warrant for the appearance of five persons therein named, as follows : Joseph Morris, John Banks, Richard Cook, John Parson and Peter Klemgard. Joseph Morris was not present, for he was writing a revelation. John Banks said for himself that he would not take any notice of the warrant, and he sent for some fire and burned it. After this, Mr. Stoddart went away.
On the 3oth of May, 186.2, occured what was called "Fore- shadowing Day." The officers were at the head of the kingdom, the generals were at the head of the army, and Joseph was nailed as Lord of the whole earth, as a representative of Jesus. Twelve generals appeared on horseback, the first four riding on white, red, black and pale horses. The first seven of these generals wore crowns as representatives of the seven presidents of the earth. Seven companies of infantry well armed and equipped followed them, and they marched around the fort seven times. After this the horses were given up to twelve other persons, who represented the twelve princes of the earth, and each one carried a rod. They marched around the fort twelve times with the companies of infantry following them, as a representation of their position as princes of the earth. From this time until the appearance of the Mormon Militia on the hills around Weber, many revelations were given, and there was much anxiety among the people.
On the morning of the i3th of June, 1862, Robert T. Burton, with the Mormon Militia, made his appearance on the hills around Weber. They hesitated about coming into the Fort; so they sent a boy, belonging to the Morrisite Camp, with a note ordering the Morrisites to surrender, within thirty minutes, the five men mentioned in the writ that had been served about three weeks previous to this time. The Morrisites were under the impression that should they surrender those men that the warrant called for, that the Mormons would injure them before arriving at the Court House in Salt Lake City ; therefore no immediate reply was sent to Burton. At this juncture a meeting of the saints was called to deliberate upon the condition of affairs, and receive instruction ; while the samts were assembled, engaged in religious services, in a bowery composed of willows and green branches, supported by posts, a cannon ball came in our midst, and it killed two women, one a nursing mother, with a babe in her arms, and the other an old lady. A girl sixteen years of age, had her chin shattered by the same shot. The yells of the attacking party were heard all around us. For an hour and a half after they com- menced firing, not a man in the Camp of Weber took up arms, while the Mormon Militia poured in cannon and rifle shot on every side; then the men said: "What shall we do;" and the
HISTORY OF EVENTS. 7
word was given: "Protect your families the best way you can, but avoid shedding blood if possible." This was carried out to the letter ; for had the Morrisites been so disposed, they could have done much execution. Only ninety men in our Camp carried arms, while Burton started from Salt Lake with two hundred and fifty men, and that number was about doubled by the time he arrived in Weber. They poured shot and shell into the Camp for three successive days, from Friday morning until Sunday evening, June 1 5th. They sent to Salt Lake for rockets to fire the Camp, but they could not use them, for it rained very heavily on Satur- day. Sunday (the i5th), was a very fine day, but a very sad day for us. We had been almost without food, and were weary, and our ammunition was about exhausted. Late in the afternoon the bugle sounded in the Fort, and a white flag was raised and carried by Alonzo Brown to the western part of the Fort. The order to do this was given by brother John Parson and others, who stated to Joseph that they thought the men had done all they could, and that they were willing to surrender and give their lives for the sake of the people if necessary. Orders were given to cease firing, Robt. Farley continued to blow the bugle while bullets were flying around him, but he remained unhurt. While the white flag was being carried to the western part of the Fort, Burton and his men continued to advance toward us, firing all the time. John Parson called out: "For God's sake and the sake of humanity stop your firing!" Then Burton and many of his men rushed into the Fort and ordered the Morrisites to stack arms, which was done by them without hesitation. After they had done this, Burton called out for Joseph Morris, John Banks, Richard Cook, John Parsons and Peter Klemgard. When they presented themselves before him, he said: "I want no more of your apo.stacy. I do not know how you have escaped as well as you have done. I have fired over five thousand rounds of cartridges into you, and a hundred cannon balls, besides some shell." Then he said to Joseph Morris: "Are you willing to give up," as if he had not already surrendered. He was so overcome with rage that he tried to ride Joseph down with his powerful horse ; but Joseph stepping quietly forward, took hold of the bridle-reins with each hand and sent the horse back upon his haunches. Then he turned to the people and said: "I have taught you righteous principles from heaven ; all those who are willing to follow me to the death, come this way." The general cry was, "Here I am!" with the exception of about twenty per- sons, who formed a group by themselves and said they could stand it no longer. Then Joseph stepped to the western part of the Fort, opposite the school house. Robert Burton, in company with some others, rode up to him there and commanded him to surrender in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the
*8 HISTORY OF EVENTS.
authority of the United States. Brother Joseph stood firmly, and looking up to Burton, replied: "Never! no, never; no, never." Then Burton said: "I will try your God," and he fired five shots at him ; at the fifth shot Joseph reeled, and was caught in the arms of a man by the name of John Eames, who laid him down gently on the ground. Such was the earthly end of Joseph Morris, but he still lives in the hearts of those who received his teachings.
A young woman named Isabella Bowman, holding in her arms the babe of the mother who had been killed by the first cannon ball fired into camp, stepped forward and said : "You blood-thirsty hell-hound, why do you shoot at that good man?" Burton took deliberate aim at her, and shot her dead. Mrs. O'Hagg was shot at the same time. At this time, John Banks was standing near the steps of the school house, when one of the mob stepped be- hind him and shot him in the back of the neck ; but he did not die until that night. After this we were encamped on the South Bench, and put under a strong guard until the following morning, when we were marched to Salt Lake City. We arrived there after a march of two days, and were brought before Judge Kinney, in the Court^ House. When we appeared before the Judge, he said : "I have been misinformed about you men. You were represented to me as a banditti of low, degraded men — robbers and thieves ; but I see before me a class of intelligent men, quite different to what was represented to me. On the strength of the repesenta- tions that were made to me, I granted a writ to the Mormon Militia to arrest and bring before me, — Joseph Morris, John Banks, Richard Cook, John Parson and Peter Klemgard. I see that I have been completely misinformed." We were then bound over — furnishing bonds for each other — to keep the peace, on a bail of $1,500 each, for our appearance in court the following March. The majority appeared for trial ; but some few went East, and others went West to Carson Valley and California. At the March session of the court, the names were called and the trial proceeded. Many witnesses were there to testity. Seven men were sentenced to terms of imprisonment, varying from seven to fourteen years. Their names were : Peter C. Klemgard, John Nielson, Abraham Taylor, George Lee, Christian Nelsen, Jens Christiansen and John E. Jones. But they only served three days of their term, for Brother John Parson exerted himself vigorously to obtain a pardon from the Governor of the Territory, and succeeded in doing so. He then took a wagon to the prison for the men, and conveyed them to Fort Douglas.
THE PROPHET CALLED.
No. i. PROVO, UTAH, Spring of 1857.
THE FIRST REVELATION RECEIVED BY JOSEPH MORRIS, IN WHICH
HIS CALLING AS A PROPHET IS MADE KNOWN TO HIM.
1. Verily, verily, verily, thus saith the spirit unto thee, my ser- vant Joseph : I, the Lord, have beheld thy afflictions, and know the intentions of thy heart And because thou art pure before me. I will give unto thee power over thine enemies ; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, and that I regard not the persons of men only in their obedience to me. And, now, I say unto thee, let thy heart be comforted, and know that I am with thee, and will be with thee, through thy faithfulness, unto the end.
2. And I say unto thee, my servant, that I have chosen thee from before the foundation of the world to be a mighty man, yea, to be a prophet in Israel ; and thou shalt prophesy to many na- tions, and peoples, and kings, and tongues. Yea, I say unto thee, that the mountains shall tremble at the uttering of thy voice ; and men shall seek thy life from place to place, and thirst after thy blood as an ox thirsteth after water ; but they shall not have power to take it before thy work is finished.
3. Thou shalt be betrayed by friends and relatives, and even by thine own flesh and blood.
4. And I say unto thee, that I have chosen my servant Brig- ham, and also mine apostles to lead my people Israel ; and that power shall not be taken out of their hands only through trans- gression.
5. And I say unto thee that thy sacrifice has been accepted; and through it I have blessed thee and thy seed after thee through^ out all their generations ; and no privilege in my Holy Temple shall be denied thee and thy posterity forever. Thus saith the Lord by the voice of the spirit.
10 KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
KEYS OF THE PRESTHOOD.
No. 2. SALT LAKE CITY, Winter of 1859.
A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, GIVING AN EXPLANATION OF
THOSE ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND WHOM JOHN SAW STANDING WITH JESUS UPON MOUNT ZlON.
1. Who are they? They are the firstborn sons of one hun- dred and forty-four thousand Gods, all in advance of Jesus Christ. John said that they were the first-fruits unto God. Unto what God ? Unto each of their own Fathers. How did they become the first-fruits unto the Lamb also? In that they were appointed by his Father to assist him in bringing to pass the salvation and exaltation of Adam's posterity, and, consequently, they received his mark in their foreheads as a token of the appointment that they had received from him. Why did they come forth upon this earth to assist Jesus in bringing to pass the salvation and exalta- tion of Adam's posterity ? In order that they might continue to pass on from one stage of progression to another, and, ultimately, become Gods like unto the Eternal Father.
2. How many progressive estates did the Eternal Father pass through before he became a God? Ten. What were they? His FIRST was a spiritual estate ; his SECOND, a probation in the flesh ; his THIRD, a resurrected or celestial estate. In His FOURTH es- tate he went forth upon a mortal earth, received a body, died up- on a cross, and was raised again from the dead. In his FIFTH estate he sat at the right hand of his Father, and was a Mediator, and contended against and conquered death, hell and the grave, In his SIXTH estate he took mortal bodies upon many mortal earths, and officiated in the office of a high priest, a prophet and a p/esident,
3. His mission to each of the last five of those earths, was to preside over a dispensation of a thousand years on each earth ; on the first of the five, he presided over the first thousand years ; on the second of the five, over the second thousand years, and so on, unto and including the fifth. In his SEVENTH estate he was a prophet, and held the keys of the sixth dispensation. In his EIGHTH estate he was a prophet, Redeemer, lawgiver ond presi- dent of seventh dispensation holding the full keys of the holy
KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD. II
priesthood. In his NINTH estate he went forth upon his own earth to commence mortality, and having completed his mission, he died, He afterwards returned to his own earth and commenced the — resurrection of his own posterity, and after its last great change he ascended his throne, and this was his TENTH estate.
4. Who is Lucifer? He is the second born son of God the Eternal Father. What was the cause of his fall ? He sought to take away the birthright from Jesus Christ, and to break the con- necting link of the holy priesthood. If he had been permitted to come forth upon this earth to redeem Adam's posterity, he would have brought them under him; and, contrary to eternal order, he would have continued to hold them in subjection ; whereas, Jesus being a firstborn son, he was under a covenant by which he was bound to deliver up to the Father all the keys of authority pertaining to this earth, after all things should be made subject unto him, to which covenant Lucifer was not subject.
5. Did Lucifer come forth into a second estate and receive a body? Yes, and those who fell with him received bodies also, and many of them came into the Church, received their ordina- tions to the holy priesthood, and also their endowments. Why was Lucifer and his band permitted to come forth into a second estate and receive bodies ? In order that they might come into the Church of Christ, receive their ordinations to the two priesthoods, and thereby obtain their outfit ; for they never had an ordination to any authority in their first estate. They were then conquered, cast out of the Church, and their bodies destroyed by Michael who was at that time a seventh angel ; this was their first death.
6. Lucifer then became, in the spirit, the reigning devil to this earth. How long will he reign? Until this earth is perfected, when he and his band will be cast into a lake of fire and brim- stone ; this will be their second death.
7. Every world has its devil whose history is similar to that of Lucifer's.
8. Do devils try spirits in their first estate ? No, they do not. The firstborn son rules in that estate, and the devils are subject to him. But there is an eternal law of the Gods, according to which, the devil, being the second born son, claims the right to lead off in the second estate. His Father enters into a covenant with* him
12 KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
when he falls, which is this: "Now, my second born son, seeing that you have revolted from under my government, and have set up a government of your own.,, in opposition to mine — as my first- born son rules in the first estate, so you shall lead off in the second estate. And it shall come to pass,, that if you conquer me and my prophets, you shall hold the world in your grasp., and I will lose all ; but if I conquer you, you shall endure both the first and second deaths."
9. Who is George A. Smith? The second born son of Adam. Is he a fallen angel? Yes. When did he fall? In his first estate. Did any others fall with him? Yes, a large train in like manner as, they fell, who fell with Lucifer that was before him.
10. Is George A. Smith a true apostle? No; for he never was ordained either to that or to any other office by any of the Gods of eternity. In what sense then is he an apostle? In the same sense that Judas was, of whom Jesus said, "I have chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil." And as such he has gone forth teach- ing the saints, until he has led them to the verge of destruction.
1 1. -What are those one hundred and forty-four thousand spok- en of by John the Revelator? They are all high priests after the order of Melchiseflec— all having obtained a resurrected body. Why were they called to officiate in the lesser offices of the priesthood? Because it was not known who they were while the Church was under an imperfect organization ; hence, they officiated in all the lesser offices of the Church for the work of the ministry.
12. The holy priesthood runs by birthright, and the firstborn son always holds the keys of that priesthood. Has the firstborn son the privilege of becoming a God? Yes. Have any others the same privilege? Yes. When the firstborn son steps out of his place to become a God, the next to him steps into that place, and holds the keys of the holy priesthood ; and so thfe order con- tinues from one to another until they all hold the keys of the priesthood.
13. When did Jesus Christ receive his first ordination to the office of a high priest? Soon after he and his brethren had received their resurrected bodies. His own Father ordained them to that authority ; and, holding the holy priesthood, they were appointed to fill the office of Holy Ghpsts pr ministering
O'F tttE PRlESTHOOl). k3
angels to those of this earth who are heirs of salvation — being filled with eternal light
14. Where and by whom did Abel receive his ordination to the lesser priesthood? In the Garden of Eden (so called), under the hands of his father* Adam. By whom do the younger sons of Adam receive their ordinations to the lesser priesthood? By Abel.
15. By whom did the fallen angels receive their ordinations to the priesthood as pertaining to this earth? By Cain; and Cain by Lucifer. Cain claims the right to enter into the Church, and blind the eyes of all the servants of the Lord until he has obtained his outfit ; he then becomes a reigning devil.
1 6. By whom did the holy priesthood come to this earth:' By Seth, who received his ordination from Adam, and whose seed are the chosen of the Lord. He claims the ruling power over this planet, having all things placed under his feet.
17. Who was that Elijah (or Elias) who accompanied Moses when he appeared unto Jesus upon the Mount> and ordained him to the holy priesthood? It was Enos,, the firstborn son of Seth. Why did Jesus Christ, when he was upon the earth, receive an or* dination by Moses to the holy priesthood? Because Moses held the full keys of the holy priesthood as pertaining to this earth j and when Jesus came forth under his presidency, he had to re- reive an ordination from him. Had Jesus any power to interfere with the I^aw of Moses? No, he had not He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it ; and by fulfilling it, he put an end to the ceremonial portion thereof only.
1 8. What are Holy Ghosts? They are men who have once lived upon a mortal earth like unto this. Upon what principle did they, being many, become one? Upon the same principle as that by which the Father and the Son became one. They all obeyed one gospel, were all perfected by the same law, were all counted worthy of a glorious resurrection, they all entered into the celestial kingdom of their Father, by whom they were all ordained to the high and holy priesthood, through whom and by whom they were appointed to fill the office of Holy Ghosts, and to be minister- ing spirits to the heirs of salvation upon this earth.
19. Why were the high priests after the order. of Melchisedec •commanded to lay their hands upon the members of the Church
14 KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
of Christ in order to confer upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost? Because high priests are firstborn sons, holding the keys of the holy priesthood in all those celestial worlds from which they came; and by virtue of their birthright, and being their superiors, they claim the right to command the Holy Ghosts.
20. Are they all high priests by birthright who are now holding that office in my Church ? No, they are not. What are they ? Some of them are fallen angels ; others are sons ©f Aaron, and but few of them are high priests by birthright ; hence, when they lay their hands upon the saints, in order to confer upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost, they confer upon them a false spirit instead, thereof; for they can only give to others that which they, them- selves, possess ; and being deceived themselves,, they deceive all those to whom they administer.
21. Why is Aaron and his seed called to hold the lesser priest- hood only ? Because they have not yet been resurrected ; and their calling is to administer in temporal things ; therefore, when they act in the offices of the high priesthood they deceive, for the Holy Ghosts are not subject to them.
22. It is contrary to the eternal law ©f heaven for the lesser to* rule the greater, and in consequence of the violation of this- law vast numbers of false spirits have been introduced into the Church,
23. According to the eternal law,, one* hundred and forty-four thousand Gods form a quorum. The first God of a quorum, assisted by the next two below him, who are his counselors, rule? all the rest ©f the quorum,, and he is subject to the God immedi- ately preceding him, and so on, even up to the first God of all who rules and presides over all the quorums of the Gods.
25. What rod was that which Moses used? It was one of a series of rods which came forth from the first God of all which rods he signed with his own signature,, and covenanted also to sus- tain those men who should be called to use them. These rods are handed down from one G0d t© another, and ©ne ©f them is. held by the presiding God ©f each quorum during his reign. There are many quorums,, and to each quorum is connected an. earth in mortality. A presiding God rules for the space of seven thousand years; and his son,, who is a seventh angel, rules at the
KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD. 15
same time upon the mortal earth belonging to that quorum over which his father presides, and while filling that mission he claims the right to use his father's rod. Hence, Moses being a seventh- angel, used his father's rod, and none other could use it unless appointed by him.
25. Upon what principle does the Lord know all things, even from the beginning to the end? He knows the principle by which all worlds that have been were organized, governed, saved and exalted, and he also knows that all worlds to come must be organ- ized, governed, saved and exalted upon the same principle ; there- fore, the Lord knows all things.
36. And now I say unto you, O ye saints, lift up your heads and rejoice ! for I, the Lord, have raised up unto you a mighty prophet, who shall deliver you out of the hands of your enemies, rfnd lead you triumphantly over them all. He is a man after mine own heart, and in his mouth I have found no guile. I have tried him as I never before tried man upon the earth, and he has never flinched from his integrity. I have given unto him the keys of my kingdom, and whatsoever he shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven ; whosesoever sins he shall remit, I will remit them ; and whosesoever sins he shall retain, I will retain them, I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two- edged sword ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen,
DISOBEDIENT HIGH PRIESTS.
No. 3. UTAH, March ipth, 1860.
REVELATION concerning those who having been ordained to the office of High Priests, refuse to go on missions when they are called to do so by the prophet of the Lord, or other legal authori- ties. This is the penalty for that crime :
Their authority in the Holy Priesthood shall be taken from them in this life, and they shall be bereaved of their wives and children for time, and be made servants to those who fill their mission, I am Jesus Christ Even so. Amen and Amen,
1 6 THE DELIVERANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD,
THE DELIVERANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF GOEt
No, 4, UTAH, August iythr 1860.
1. BEHOLD, I am Jesus Christ,, the Alpha and Omega, even the beginning and the end.
2. I have uttered my voice, and it shall be obeyed, and I testify unto you, Or ye rebellious shepherds of my flock that I have given this revelation unto my servant Joseph,- according to» the commandment which I have received of my Father.
3. I have done my duty to you faithfully ; but, notwithstand- ing all my pleadings with you, you have turned a deaf ear to me from the beginning* I can do nothing with you. You have pre- ferred your own judgment to mine,, and thus you are going on. destroying my Church,
4. The cries of my people have come up into my ears for redress, and, as I live, I will burst their bands asunder,, and give unto them an abundant deliverance. I will supply their needs both in food and raiment ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people; and I will leave them no more, for my bowels' have yearned with pity towards them.
5. O! ye saints who trust in me,, 'let your hearts be comforted,, for I have raised up unto you a mighty deliverer, who shall lead you victoriously over all your enemies ; and if you continue faith- ful unto me, you shall see no more affliction.
6. The cries of the fair daughters of my people have come uj> before me, and I will heal up their wounds. Oh, ye afflicted saints ! hearken to the .words of the Lord your God, and prepare for that which is coming upon you ; for I am about to seperate the sheep from the goats, and if you are prepared for it, it will be well with you.
7. And, inasmuch as I have sent a warning, voice unto the chief shepherds of my flock, which they have partially rejected, I require a sacrifice to be made by them > and unless this sacrifice is made, there is no salvation for them ; for when men enter into a covenant with me to become mine apostles, and take an oath of the Holy Priesthood, and pledge their word and honor to uphold
REORGANIZATION OE THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD. 17
that Priesthood, and to live by every word that proceeds from my mouth, and afterward turn a deaf ear to my commandments, they cannot be saved only by the shedding of their blood.
8. Therefore, O, ye shepherds ! I say unto you, prepare your- selves for that which is coming upon you ; for I will shorten your lives — you shall satisfy the demands of justice. My wrath and indignation are kindled against you ; and I will visit you in a day that you are not aware of.
9. And, now, I say Unto you, my servant, that I will make up unto you for all the disappointments which you have endured through their rebellion.
I now add no more. I am he who holds the keys of death and hell ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
No. 5. UTAH, September 6th, 1860,
1. BEHOLD! Verily 1 say unto you, my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as I have chosen you to stand at the head of my Church, as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the same, you shall take my servant Brigham to be your first counselor, and place upon him the presidency of my Church, under your direction ; and, inasmuch as he will stand by you and take your counsel, I will greatly multiply blessings upon his head.
2. As concerning my servant Heber, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him; for he has committed a grevious sin against me; and if he humbleth not himself before me, he shall be destroyed ; but, if he humbleth himself sufficiently before me, he shall receive his former office back among my servants the Twelve, and I will be with him.
3. I, the Lord, have ordained that another shall act in his place — even my servant John Banks ; for I have seen his afflic- tion, and know his weakness, and I will strengthen him, and give him power over his weakness, and he shall become mighty in my Church, and no privilege shall be denied him that is lawful and right ; for his heart is upright before me.
1 8 RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
4. As concerning the rest of the quorums of my Church, I will that all those who are heirs to my holy priesthood shall be ordained to the office of high priests ; but the quorums of seven- ties and elders shall no more exist in my Church.
5. There shall not, henceforth, but two quorums exist in my Church : the high priesthood and the lesser priesthood ; and those of the sons of Adam who are faithful shall be ordained to the lesser priesthood.
6. As concerning the rules and regulations of my Church per- taining to, government, I will give unto my servant Joseph power in mine own due time ; and he shall write a book which shall contain the fulness of my law, and it shall be called "The Book of the Law of the Lord," and out of it all men shall be judged — both small and great.
7. There is a party spirit in my Church; yea, and among the first elders of my Church, which thing is an abomination in my sight. And I will that my servants should cast those feelings out of their hearts, or I will not hold them guiltless.
I am he who holds in his hands the keys of -death and hell ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE GREAT COMET.
No. 6. UTAH, September 6th, 1860.
A REVELATION of Jesus Christ giving an explanation of that great comet that has been seen of late.
1. Verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of me to know concerning it, I will make it known to you, It is the seventh star spoken of by John the Reve- lator, representing the seventh angel that has come forth ; and the tail that was attached to it is a representation of the army of heaven that was to follow the seventh angel.
2. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I testify unto all men that dwell upon the face of the earth that I have sent forth the seventh angel to preside over my Church upon the earth, and it will be woe unto them if they do not humble themselves and obey my
JUDGMENT UPON HYPOCRITES. 19
gospel, for I will cut them off until there is none left upon the earth to cumber it.
3. As concerning this star before mentioned, there has never been the like of it seen before upon this earth for magnitude and greatness, nor will be again until the seventh angel comes forth upon another earth like unto this ; therefore, O ye saints prepare for that which is coming upon you, or you will be caught in a snare, and it will be woe unto you if you are cast out of my Church ; therefore hearken unto my words which are1 quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword ; and behold I come quickly. Even so. Amen and Amen.
JUDGMENT UPON HYPOCRITES,
No. 7. UTAH, September 6th, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, prepare yourself for the work which lies before you ; for I, the Lord, am about to judge between those who serve me, and those who serve me not — but who are liars and hypocrites — who have oppressed the poor of my people, and turned them away from their rights, Behold, I will settle with them.
2. And I say unto you that you shall gather all my people Israel together, that I may know who is for me ; and, at the time appointed, I will make known unto you what you shall do,
3. And inasmuch as you have inquired of me to know con- cerning my saints who are scattered abroad among the nations of the earth, I will make known unto you that which you desire. I am the Lord, and I will preserve them ; and in my own due time I will send forth deliverers to deliver them, and bring them up to the head of my Church.
4. As concerning the people of the nation called the United States, who have shed the blood of my apostles and prophets, and also of my saints, behold, I will shortly settle with them. I I have given unto them privileges that I have given to no other nation upon the earth ; but they have trampled upon all my bles- sings, and come out as a nation against me to throw down my
20 OATHS TO BE TAKEN BY OFFICERS,
Church, and to destroy my saints ; but they shall know that 1 am the Lord, and that I will hot be challenged to war by poor mortal man. Therefore, I will come out of my hiding place, and sweep them out of existence ; and of those who are now in that nation, I will leave none but the pure in heart, and they shall have my gospel when the wicked are cut ofif,
5. Therefore, O, ye inhabitants of the earth prepare yourselves for that which is coming upon the earth ; for the day of judgment has now come to your doors, and I will lay you low by famine, by pestilence, by earthquakes, and by flames of devouring fire, until you are wasted away ; for my wrath is kindled against the rebell- ious, and it will never be appeased until I have laid them low.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ, Even so. Amen and Amen,
AN OATH OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
TO BE SWORN BY THE PROPHET'S TWO COUNSELORS*
No. 8. UTAH, September 8th. 1860.
I HAVING been duly elected and ordained to the high priest- hood, to be a counselor to the prophet of the Lord, do hereby set my hand to swear an oath according to the order of the holy priesthood, in the presence of the Father, and of the Son, and of1 his servant, the prophet, who holds the keys of authority on this earth. And I testify that I will uphold him with all my power, and abide his counsel in all things until my mission is completed upon the earth.
The person will then kiss the written word of the Lord and write his name.
AN OATH OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
TO BE SWORN BY THOSE WHO ARE ORDAINED TO THE OFFICE OF APOSTLES.
No. 9. UTAH, September 8th, 1860.
I HAVING been duly elected and ordained to the high priesthood, to be an apostle, even one of the special witnesses of Jesus Christ,
MANNER OF ANOINTING. 21
to bear his name to the nations of the earth, do hereby set my hand to swear an oath according to the order of the holy priest- hood, in the presence of the Father, and of the Son, and of his^scrr vant, the prophet, who holds the keys of authority on this earth, And I testify that I will uphold him with all my power and abide his counsel in all things until my mission is completed.
The person will then kiss the written word of the Lord, and write his name.
AN OATH OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD
TO BE SWORN BY THOSE WHO ARE ORDAINED TO THE OFFICE OF HIGH PRIESTS.
No. 10. UTAH, September pth, 1860.
I HAVING been ordained to the office of a high priest according to my birthright, holding all keys pertaining to this high and holy' calling, do hereby set my hand to swear an oath according to the order of the holy priesthood, in the presence of the Feather, and of the Son, and of his servant, the prophet, who holds the keys of authority on this earth. And I testify that I will uphold him with all my power, and abide his counsel in all things until my mission is completed on the earth.
The person will then kiss the written word of the Lord and write his name.
THE MANNER OF ANOINTING THE ELECT LADY.
No. ii. UTAH, September 9th, 1860.
i. I, THE PROPHET the of the Lord, holding the full keys of the holy priesthood, according to my birthright, anoint you in the name of Jesus Christ with this holy anointing, according to your birthright, to be a prophetess, even the elect lady, and set you apart to minister in holy things to all those who are of your sex. I, moreover, anoint your womb that you may bring forth a holy posterity unto the Lord.
22 MANNER OF ANOINTING.
2. The prophet will then lay his hands upon the head of the elect lady, and express these words : I, the prophet of the Lord, holding the full keys of the holy priesthood, according to my birth- right, place my hands upon your head, and seal upon you this holy anointing in the name of Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
The person's name shall then be recorded in the "Lamb's Book of Life," to be no more blotted out forever,
MANNER OF ANOINTING FEMALES IN THE CHURCH • OF CHRIST.
No. 12, UTAH, September 9th, 1860.
1. I HAVING been duly elected and anointed to this authority, according to my birthright, anoint you in the name of Jesus Christ with a holy anointing, according to your birthright ; and I set you apart to minister in holy things, according as you shall hereafter be appointed. I, moreover, anoint your womb that you may bring forth a holy posterity unto the Lord.
2, The elect lady will .then place her hand upon the head of the handmaiden, and express these words : Beloved handmaiden, I having been duly elected and anointed with a holy anointing, according to my birthright to this authority, place my hands upon your head, and seal upon you this holy anointing in the name of Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
The person's name shall then be recorded in the "Lamb's Book of Life," to be blotted out no more forever.
MANNER OF ANOINTING HIGH PRIESTS.
No. 13. UTAH, September pth, 1860.
i. I, the prophet of the Lord, holding the full keys of the holy priesthood, according to my birthright, anoint you in the name of Jesus Christ with a holy anointing according to your birthright, and set you apart to minister in holy things, according to that
MANNER OF ANOINTING AND ORDAINING. 23
office to which you have been ordained. I, moreover, anoint your secret member that you may beget a holy posterity unto the Lord. 2. The prophet will then place his hands upon the head of the person, and express these words : I, the prophet of the Lord, holding the full keys of the holy priesthood, according to my birth- right, place my hands upon your head, and seal upon you this holy anointing in the name of Jesus Christ, Even so, Amen and Amen.
MANNER OF ORDAINING MEN TO THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD,
No, 14. UTAH, September Qth, 1860,
I, BEING a servant of the Lord, holding the high priesthood, ac- cording to my birthright and ordination, place my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ. And inasmuch as yoij arq an heir with me to this authority, I ordain you to the office of a high priest, and confer upon you all the gifts, powers, and keys pertaining to this high and holy calling, in the name of Jesqs Christ. Even so. Amen and
MANNER OF CONFIRMING MEMBERS IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.
No. 15. UTAH, September pth,
DEAR brother (or sister), I being a servant of the Lord, holding the high priesthood according to my birthright and ordination, place my hands upon yoyr head, and confer upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost ; and inasmuch as you will give heed to the- prompt- ings of that Holy Messenger, he shall lead you into ajl truth, and direct your footsteps until the perfect day ; and I seal his attend- ance upon you in the. name of Jesus Christ. J£y§n sp, Amen and Amen.
THE OLD CHURCH REJECTED.
THE OLD CHURCH REJECTED.
No. 1 6. UTAH, September i6th, 1860.
1. BEHOLD! Verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, pie- pare yourself to go forth and deliver my people Israel ; for the set time for their deliverance has now come. I have sent a warning voice unto the chief shepherds of my flock, and they have treated it as a light thing, and trampled it under their feet as a thing of naqght ; but they shall now know that I am the Lord, and that I can deliver my people, and do my own work without their assist- ance.
2. I have done my duty to them ; but they have not done their duty to me ; for when I most needed their assistance, they withheld it from me. Yet I am not .without friends in the world, and this they shall shortly see. And I say unto you, that you shall go forth and open your mouth, and with all your power pro- claim both loud and long against the abominations of this people ; for they have altogether departed from me, and I have rejected them.
2. And, behold, I give unto you a commandment that you shall gather together all those who will hearken unto me ; and I will preserve their lives, and supply their needs both in food and raiment, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people j and I will feed them in a fat pasture, and I will leave them no more.
4. And I will cut off from the earth all those who will not gather themselves together according to your command ; for I am the Lord. And I will establish the full keys of the holy priest- hood upon the earth, even though I should have to cut off the whole community in order to do so.
5. And I say unto you that you shall not regard those shep- herds whom, formerly, I placed over my flock, but who are now mine enemies ; for tears of sorrow shall roll down their cheeks. I have done all in my power to save them, but it is all in vain ; and they shall be the first to feel my withering hand ; for my wrath is kindled against them to overflowing. And inasmuch as you have desired a greater manifestation of my power, I will grant it unto
THE ROD OF MOSES. 25
you ; and when you are called to deliver my people, I will place the rod in your hand with all the power that accompanied it when it was upon the earth before ; for thou art Moses, the legal heir to use it, and no person save thyself shall use it ; therefore, prepare thyself to receive it ; for I will speedily send a holy messenger with it. He shall place it in your hand, and no power shall stand be- fore you all your days. Yea, verily I say unto thee, kings shall consume away and drop from their thrones, and nations shall crumble to dust, and thou shalt have the power to smite the earth with a curse as often as thou wilt, until thy mission is ended ; for I will be with thee unto the end.
I now add no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE ROD OF MOSES.
No. 17. UTAH, September 24th, 1860.
1. THIS rod proceeded forth from the first God of all, and it is as endurable as God himself. He placed his superscription upon it, and he is sworn to sustain that man who is called to use it, and it cannot be used by any person but the seventh angel, or those whom he shall appoint ; for the seventh angel is always the presi- dent of that world in which he dwells. It is his duty to preside over the dispensation of the fullness of times, and he is sustained by all the Gods of eternity, who number millions. And I say un- to you, my servant Joseph, that I will place the rod of Moses in your hand, for you are worthy ; therefore, prepare yourself to re- ceive it.
2. To every quorum of the Gods there is a world like unto this passing through a state of mortality ; and to the creations of the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords there is no end.
3. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I testify unto all the inhabi- tants of the earth that I have opened the seventh seal. Therefore, I say unto you, O ye inhabitants of the earth, prepare yourselves for that which is coming upon you ; for I will lay the wicked low, for my wrath is kindled, and it will never be appeased until I
26 REVELATION TO PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.
have avenged the blood of all my saints and servants that has been shed upon the earth since the world began.
4. And, behold, I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that I have raised you up, that through you I might make manifest mine almighty power in the defense of my chosen people. Therefore, my son, be of good courage, and I will be with you, and no power shall stand before you unto the end ; for the hand that is raised against you shall wither, and the tongue that lies against you, shall consume away in its mouth ; and I will bless you above all men with an abundance of blessings, for I have chosen you.
I now add no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION TO PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG.
No. 1 8. UTAH, October 2nd, 1860.
1. WHEN you were small in your own eyes, I took you and raised you up, and I guarded you both by night and by day ; and when you were afflicted I raised you up again, and I multiplied blessings upon you. I increased your cattle, your horses, your houses and your lands, until you have waxed great. I guarded you as a father guards his son, and you were unto me as the apple of mine eye. But when I raised up a prophet to deliver my peo- ple, and sent him unto you, you shut your door against him, for which thing my wrath and indignation are kindled against you. Therefore, I say unto you, if you had not done this wicked thing, I would have established both you and your seed upon the throne of Israel forever ; but now I will deliver you into the hands of my servant Joseph, and what he does, I will sanction ; for his word shall never fail.
2. As concerning my servant Heber, his heart was bound up in my servant Joseph Smith. He has thought that my servant Joseph Smith held the full keys of this last dispensation, and also the leading keys of the resurrection ; but he has been deceived.
3. My servant Joseph Smith is the sixth angel, and he was ap- pointed to open the sixth seal, and to loose the four angels who
REVELATION TO PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 27
were bound in the great river Euphrates, that they might be ready to go to war when the seventh angel should open the seventh seal. These angels represent the riders of the four horses that John saw, and they are the captains of the Lord's hosts.
4. Did my servant Joseph Smith hold the full keys of the holy priesthood? No, he did not; he only held them in part. Does the seventh angel hold the full keys of my holy priesthood? Yes, he does ; and there is but one man upon the earth who can hold the full keys of that priesthood. Who is that man? It is my servant Joseph Morris. He holds the full keys of my kingdom on the earth ; for he is next in authority to Adam ; and he received his ordination in a council of the Gods to preside over Adam's posterity, and to deliver them out of the hands of all their enemies.
5. Does my servant Joseph Smith hold the leading keys of the resurrection pertaining to Adam's posterity? No, he does not; nor he never will. Does my servant Joseph Morris hold those keys? No. Who does then? Adam holds the leading keys of the resurrection pertaining to his own posterity.
6. How many persons are there who hold the leading keys of the resurrection pertaining to this planet? Two. Who are they? Adam and Jesus.
7. Joseph Smith gives up to Moses; Moses gives up to Adam; Adam gives up to Jesus ; and Jesus gives up to the Father, that God may be all in all.
8. When Jesus shall have finished his work as a Mediator, he will step out of that place and will go forth upon other earths and preach the gospel ; and he will go on from step to step until he becomes a God like unto the Eternal Father.
9. And when this world becomes celestialized, and moves out of its present position, and takes its place among celestial planets, Adam will be worshipped by the posterity of Moses as the Eternal Father is now worshipped by Adam's posterity — and this accord- ing to the law of eternal progression.
10. Joseph Smith will come forth upon another earth like un- to this, and hold the full keys of the holy priesthood, to preside over the posterity of Moses.
11. Jesus said, "No man taketh my life away; but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay down my life, and I have
28 THE DELIVERANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
power to take it up again — this commandment I received from my Father."
12. O ye hundred and forty-four thousand! you also have power to lay down your lives and to take them up again ; for you received this commandment from your Fathers. And you, in connection with Adam, hold the keys of the resurrection per- taining to his posterity.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE DELIVERANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE.
No. 19. UTAH, October i3th, 1860.
1. VERILY I say unto you my servant Joseph that, inasmuch as you have desired to know of me concerning the time when I have concluded to commence to deliver my people, I will make it known unto you.
2. I have heard your prayers and seen your agonizing groans in behalf of mine afflicted people, and I will now satisfy your feel- ings ; for I have borne with the follies of those chief shepherds of my flock until I will bear with them no longer ; therefore, prepare yourself for the work, for I will commence to deliver my people this fall, and it will be woe unto those who undertake to stay my hand, for I will sweep them out of existence as with the besom of destruction until there shall be none left to tell the tale. I have heard the cries of mine afflicted people until I will hear them no longer.
3. And as for the chief shepherds of my flock, I will not be trifled with by them any longer. Therefore, if they are not ready to do their duty at the time which I have appointed, I will cut them off first, and afterwards those who uphold them, until there shall be nothing left to oppose me ; for I am the Lord, and I am not to be mocked. Had it not have been for the pure that are among my people, I would have cut those shepherds off before this time ; but with a view to save the pure of my people, I have suffered them to run thus far; but, now I will, at all hazards,
THE DELIVERANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE. 29
deliver all those who will hearken unto me, and the rest I will destroy. I have shown mercy the rebellious shepherds of my flock, until mercy has no more claim upon them.
4. And I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you are surrounded by enemies who are laying snares to entrap you, they shall have no power over you ; but I will break up all their plans by confusing them in their councils until they shall feel that it is hard for them to kick against me ; for my course is one eternal round, and my purposes never fail.
5. And I say unto you, that whomsoever you curse, I will curse ; and whomsoever you bless, I will bless. And your power shall be felt to the ends of the earth. And although you have murmured against me because I have suffered the deliverance of my people to be delayed up to the present time, yet I have for- given you. And I say unto you, my son, murmur no more ; for I will be with you to the end.
I now add no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come ; even Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SHEPHERDS OF
ISRAEL.— THE REJECTION OF THE
TEMPLE.
No. 20. UTAH, October i6th, 1860.
BEHOLD, I am the Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. I have seen the distress of mine afflicted people, and I have pre- pared a way for their escape. And I have seen the disobedience of those men with whom I entrusted the souls of my people. When I wished to change things I could not work with them ; for instead of assisting me, they sought their own way, and they have been my greatest opposers. Nevertheless, when they shall have done the most against me that they are able to do, I shall have power in mine own hands to accomplish my purposes. I can do without those who can do without me. But they wish to do their own will, and still be considered my servants. I would that they were either hot or cold ; but they are neither.
2. Oh! how my bowels yearn with pity towards the pure
30 THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FALSE SHEPHERDS.
of my people who are going on like lambs to the slaughter, and whom I shall be compelled to cut off on account of the wicked- ness of those chief shepherds of my flock. But I will satisfy my- self upon them ; for I will not leave one of their seed alive. As I did to Jeroboam, so I will do to them.
3. They have done nothing but aggravate me in all their works. When I have commanded them to do one thing, they have done another in opposition to it. When I commanded them to seal no more, they continued sealing as though I had never spoken ; thus trampling my words under their feet. And when I commanded them to send out no more missionaries, they disre- garded my word, and sent missionaries out as though I had never spoken.
4. They have also contemplated building the temple which I have rejected ; but, behold, I say unto you, O ye rebellious shep- herds ! you have gone your length, and I will now stop you ; for the man that undertakes to lay a stone upon that temple I will cut both him and his seed off from the earth forthwith, and his name shall be handed down in shame and disgrace from generation to generation.
5. And as for the men who have been sent out on missions in opposition to my command, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies, and it will be hard for them to escape. And they shall be confounded on every hand ; for I am not with them. I am the Lord.
6. And as for the sealing which has been done in opposition to my command, I will cast it all down, and visit upon those who have attended to that matter all the sins which have been com- mitted by those who have been sealed by them ; for I am not to be mocked.
7. Therefore, I say unto you, my son, place yourself in readi- ness for that which is coming upon you ; for I will lay your way open, and you shall have no difficulty in going forth to your place. You shall meet with no disappointments as you have hitherto done. And, at the time appointed, I will make known unto you the course you shall take; therefore, place your confidence in me, and I will lead you triumphantly over all your enemies, and my people shall see no more affliction forever ; for I am the Lord and I will be their shepherd forever. Even so. Amen and Amen'
THE GATHERING TO SALT LAKE CITY. 31
THE GATHERING TO SALT LAKE CITY.
No. 21. UTAH, October 24th, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, even he who holds the keys of death and hell. I suffered my blood to be shed upon the cross for the sins of the world that I might save as many as my Father hath put within my power.
2. And I testify unto all mankind that I have given this reve- lation unto my servant Joseph according to the commandment which I received from my Father. Therefore, I say unto you, O ye saints who trust in me, and profess to live by every word that proceeds from my mouth, place yourselves in readiness for that which is coming upon you, for you shall behold scenes that will cause your hearts to melt within you.
3. For I am about to gather together, unto one place, all those that will hearken to me ; and it mattereth not unto me whether the liars and hypocrites gather themselves together, or not ; for I will cut them off let them be wheresoever they may.
4. I have appointed a place for the gathering together of my people, which place is the Public Square in that City called the Great Salt Lake City — even the central point.
5. And I will there stand side by side with my servant Joseph, and speak to him mouth to mouth ; and I will instruct him in those things which will be necessary for him to know at the appointed time.
6. And I will give unto him power to discern between the sheep and the goats { so called ) ; and he shall place the sheep on the one side and the goats on the other ; for this is the harvest spoken of in the Scripture, when the angels were to be sent to gather out the tares' from among the wheat, that the wheat might l>e save^ and that the tares might be destroyed,
7. And at that time the hosts of heaven shall be there, and I -will lead them up to battle, and go before them from conquering to conquer ; and I will never again stay my hand until I have laid mine enemies flow ; for my time is now come to make manifest mine almighty power among the nations and .kingdoms of the •earth.
32 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROPHET.
8. Therefore, my son rest assured that I will be with thee, and make known unto thee all things which may be necessary for thee to know unto the end. And although thou hast been mocked and derided by thine enemies, and hast been belied by them, and been driven from place to place without a sure place to lay thine head, yet thou hast a friend in me who is greater than al] thine enemies.
9. And now, O ye mockers, hearken to the words of the Lord unto you : Your race is now run, and you shall know that when you mock my servant whom I have called to hold the keys of my kingdom, that you mock me ; and I will settle with you. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I testify unto all the inhabitants of the earth that I have sent that spirit which inhabited the body of Moses to rule rny kingdom upon the earth, and that spirit now in- habits the body of my servant Joseph ; and all those who do not believe it, shall soon feel it. Therefore, O ye mockers, mock on, the scene will soon be over. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH MORRIS.
No. 22. UTAH, October 3oth, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my son, mur- mur not at your fate, neither be faint-hearted nor faithless inj[my promises ; but be of good courage, and remember that I am with you to fight your battles.
2. Why should you doubt in my promises? Have I ever failed to fulfill my promises as far as I have gone with you t An- swer this for yourself ; and if I have never failed to fulfill my promises, and you do not believe in those promises which yet re- main to be fulfilled, you are under condemnation. Yea, I require that you should place the utmost confidence in me. Therefore, trifle not with my words ; but rise up and do your duty, and pre- pare yourself for the work that lies before you, for it is at your door.
3. Do you suppose that I am driven about by every wind that
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROPHET. 33
blows, and tossed about like a wave upon the ocean? What think you about it? Then trifle with me no more; neither use any more insulting language towards me. Oh how you have piercecL my heart with the language that you have used to me. I can do my duty without being driven to it.
4. And when you are ready to go forth to your place — go ; and if I am not there to open your way and guard you from your enemies, and lead you triumphantly over them all, I will bear the blame forever. And if you do not speedily rise up and go, you will be under condemnation ; for I am now ready, and I will con- sume everything that stands in your way. And, as a token of this, I will cut off a number of this people that you may know that the time for the work to commence has come ; for those shepherds of my flock will not open the way for you unless I do this. When this is done, you shall go forth speedily, or your enemies will be upon you, and I will not protect you only in the line of your duty.
5. Therefore, prepare thyself now, and hearken, and try to satisfy thy mind. I say unto thee, that if I do not fulfill the promises which I have made to the very letter, thou art under no further obligation to me and to this people ; and I will do unto thee as thou hast desired of me, or otherwise I will bear the blame forever. Therefore, settle thy mind upon the matter, and all will be well. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father. Even so. Amen and Amen.
BLESSINGS FOR THE PROPHET'S BENEFACTORS.
No. 23. UTAH, November 8th, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Eternal Father, and I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, through mine Only Begotten Son.
2. And inasmuch as you have felt dissatisfied with my deal- ings with you, in my not submitting to be counselled by you, be- hold I will satisfy you upon this matter. In consequence of the situation in which you have been placed, I have withheld the power of your office from you up to this time ; nevertheless, I have committed unto you the full keys of the holy priesthood ; but
34 BLESSINGS FOR THE PROPHET'S BENEFACTORS.
now I will committ unto you the full power of your office unto your satisfaction.
3. You have often feared that I would not fulfill my word ; but I am unchangeable in my course. And now I will counsel with you in all things with which you have to deal ; and your command shall be obeyed in all things ; for I will go before you and make your words good.
4. Thou art that prophet of whom Moses spoke, who was to come in the lat%er days — whose word should be obeyed by all.
5. And I say unto you, settle your affairs at the place where you now dwell, and get ready. Set your own time to commence the work, and it shall be brought about at your appointed time, and in your appointed way ; for I have now committed unto you all power ; therefore, all things are now placed within your power ; and I will influence you, and make you understand my will con- cerning all things with which you have to deal. And whom thou wilt, I will save alive ; and whom thou wilt, I will destroy ; there- fore, linger not, but go forth as thou art commanded, and start the work. I am the Lord. Even so. Amen.
6. And now, behold, I speak unto you concerning the hand- maid in whose house you have dwelt. I have beheld all her affliction with her husband, and I have prepared a blessing for her ; for I will restore her husband unto her again, and he shall be a blessing unto her all her days,
7. I have seen his affliction until my bowels have yearned with pity towards him ; for I know him. He is a chosen vessel to hold my holy priesthood upon the earth ; and I will make of him a mighty man ; and I will make up unto him for all his distresses. And because they opened their doors for you when you were in distress, and assisted you in the work which I raised you up to do, their names shall be handed down from generation to generation as a memorial for the good deeds which they have done to you. I do not look at men as they look at each other ; for that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in my sight. I am Jesus Christ Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE SIGNS OF COMMAND. 35
THE SIGNS OF COMMAND.
No. 24. UTAH, November nth, 1860.
1. VERILY, verily, thus saith the Lord, even Jesus Christ the Son of God, I have settled my mind concerning the course which I am about to take with my people — from the highest of them to the lowest. And I say unto you, my son, that I will now settle the matter with them to your satisfaction. Therefore, settle thy business as I have before commanded thee, and also give the command ; and from the very hour that thou shalt do this, I will commence to lay mine enemies low. If I do not, I will bear the blame forever, and thou shalt be free from blame. And when thou shalt give the command, thou shalt raise thy right arm to- ward heaven, and express these words :
2. O God, the Eternal Father, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, I call upon thee on this solemn occasion ; and inasmach as thou hast conferred upon me this honor, namely, to deliver thy people out of the hands of all their enemies — having placed under my charge and at my command all thy heavenly host — by virtue of my authority I command them to go forth from this very hour, even from conquering to conquer.
3. And when thou wishest to stop me, thou shalt again raise thy right arm, and express these words :
4. O God, the Eternal Father, by virtue of my authority, I call upon thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to stay thy hand.
5. And when thou hast expressed these words, thou shalt drop thy arm. And these shall be the signs which thou shalt manifest for starting and stopping. And thou shalt prove that thy word shall never fail.
6. And when I commence, I will never stay mine hand again until thy way shall be opened, and thou shalt say unto me, "stop." And* I will cut off everything that stands in the way; and thou shalt never again have to complain of me for my backwardness. And, for thy satisfaction, I say unto thee, if I do not fulfill this promise to the very letter, I will take thee out of the midst of this people up into my presence at one hour's notice ; for thou shalt
36 DESTRUCTION OF FALSE SHEPHERDS,
suffer no longer. And I make unto thee a promise that thou shalt never lose thy life by the hand of an enemy ; therefore, I say unto thee, give the command when thou art ready.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FALSE SHEPHERDS.
No. 25. UTAH, November i3th, 1860.
1. VERILY I say unto you, my servant Joseph, be not fearful, nor faint-hearted ; but be of good courage, for I am with thee, and I will make known unto thee the course which I am about to take with mine enemies.
2. Inasmuch as I have sent a warning voice unto the chief shepherds of my flock, and they have rejected it, I will cut both them and their seed off first, and afterwards I will continue until I shall have cut off all the responsible men in my Church, who are now acting under their influence, until there shall not be a false shepherd left among my people, neither large nor small.
3. And from them I will go to mine enemies who have come into the midst of my people, and I will not leave one of them alive ; .and inasmuch as I could not seperate the shepherds of my flock from the enemy which has deceived them, they shall all die together in one day.
4. Nevertheless, I will save alive of my people as many of the pure in heart as I can ; and I will save alive sufficient faithful men to organize my Church according to. mine own pattern.
5. And inasmuch as thou hast, of late, been visited by mine enemies, who have laid a trap for thee, I will move thee out of their way before the time which they have appointed to ensnare thee has come ; and I will take them in their own snare.
6. Therefore, get thee ready, and go to some secret place, "and give the command ; and I will go forth from that very hour. And as soon as thou hast given the command, hearken out, and be ready to go forth to take thy place ; for thou shait walk the streets without fear. And, for thy satisfaction, I say unto thee,
RICHARD COOK AND JOHN PARSON. 37
that if I do not fulfill this promise, I will require no more at thy hands ; but I will take thee out of the midst of this people that very hour. Thou shalt soon prove me in these things. I shalL give unto thee no more revelations upon this subject until I shall have fulfilled this promise, and satisfied thy feelings.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen Amen.
REVELATION CONCERNING RICHARD COOK.
No. 26. UTAH, November 29th, 1860.
BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, hearken unto the words of the Lord your God, for I am about to make known unto you my will concerning my servant Richard Cook.
I have known him from the beginning, and I have been with him in all his administrations among my people, and my eyes have been upon him for good, for I have prepared him for a great work ; therefore, let him prepare himself for that which has to come, for I will satisfy him. Let him place confidence in me, and he shall never be disappointed. He is a chosen vessel to bear my name to the nations of the earth ; and, in a day to come, he shall receive a place in the apostleship, and travel from place to place all his days ; and he shall gain a name that will never die, for I will be with him. Let him not be faithless in my promises ; but let him set himself for the work. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION CONCERNING JOHN PARSON.
No. 27. UTAH, December 6th, 1860.
BEHOLD I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and I speak unto him according to his desire. I have heard his prayers which he has offered up unto me, and I will answer them to his satisfaction. I have seen him in all his move- ments in my Church from his beginning; and although he has thought that I have not heard him, yet. I have been present with
38 JOHN COOK.
him by mine holy angels, and I have now called him to hold an eminent position in my Church, for he is greatly beloved by me. He need not fear that I will not fulfill my promises, for I will to the very letter; and I will give unto him a testimony that I have raised up a prophet to rule my Church upon the earth ; and inas- much as he has desired of me to know his birthright, behold I will make it known unto him. He is an heir to my holy priest- hood, and he shall become one of my special witnesses to bear my name to the nations of the earth ; and he shall bring many thou- sands to the knowledge of the truth ; and he shall open his mouth and prophesy in my name ; and he shall seal up the destiny of nations, and live as long upon the earth as he desires, and pos- sess all the blessings that belong to the high priesthood. I am he that was, and is to come, even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION CONCERNING JOHN COOK.
No. 28. UTAH, December nth, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph : — that inasmuch as you have inquired of me to know my will concerning my servant John Cook, I will make it known un- to you.
2. I have prepared a blessing for him ; for he is greatly be- loved by me for his integrity of heart. I have prepared him for a mighty work upon the earth ; and although he is of slow speech, yet I will open his mouth and loose his tongue, and he shall become fluent in speech. And he shall travel, and preach my gospel from land to land, and from country to country, until he is satisfied. He shall go at his pleasure, and return at the same, and be subject to none but the prophet of the Lord ; for his heart is upright before me, and his lineage is that of Ephriam.
3. He is an heir to my holy priesthood, and I have blessed him with a great blessing, and none of his fellows shall excel him in wisdom. And he shall be blessed with great stores of knowl- edge; and he shall become a counselor to one of the greatest men in my kingdom ; and he shall gain the favor of all who
RICHARD COOK AND THE PROPHET JOSEPH MORRIS. 39
become acquainted with him. And, in a day to come, he shall possess great riches, and his posterity shall be the chosen of the Lord — holding the holy priesthood — and he shall live upon the earth as long as he desires. I am he that was, and is, and is to come; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION TO RICHARD COOK AND THE PROPHET JOSEPH MORRIS.
No. 29. UTAH, December i5th, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father.
2. And I say unto you that I have given my word to accom- plish a mighty work upon the earth. And I have so laid my plans that they cannot be frustrated by man's power ; and I shall work to their accomplishment. Therefore, let all saints, who know any- thing about my plans, rest assured that I will accomplish that whereunto I have set my hands, and let them not be impatient ; for the day of my power will come as soon as they will be ready for it ; and many who will not be ready will be taken in a snare.
3. As concerning my servant Richard Cook, let him not be impatient ; but let him trust in me, and I will satisfy him. I require of him that he shall place all confidence in my words, and not trifle with them. He need not to fear mine enemies, for they are in my hands, and I will hold them with an almighty hand. Let him prepare himself for the work that lies before him ; for I am about to call him to hold an eminent position in my Church ; and he shall travel, and preach my gospel all his days, for that is his calling.
4. And, behold, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, and I say unto you, settle your mind, and place your confidence in me, and do not trifle with my words. Have I ever neglected you? Answer this for yourself. If I have not, why should you insult me in such a manner as you do by throwing out insinuations to me? As I have said unto you before, so say I unto you again, get your- self ready to start the work, and then commence; and if I am
40 A PROPHESY.
not ready, then I will bear the blame forever — you will be clear, and I will stand for myself.
5. Be it known unto you, O ye inhabitants of Utah Territory, that I have spoken all these things through my servant Joseph, and I am responsible for them. I am he that was, and is, and is to come ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
A PROPHESY TO THE INHABITANTS OF UTAH.
No. 30. UTAH, December 2ist, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, verily, verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that I will commence a mighty work upon the earth in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one — commencing in Utah Territory.
2. I will begin with the men who now stand at the head of my Church, and I will cut them off first ; and from them I will go to those who are next to them in authority, and I will cut them off also ; and so I will continue until I shall have cut off every shepherd in my Church — both large and small — that will not stand by my servant whom I have called.
3. And I will gather my people together to one place, even to the Great Salt Lake City — the central point in this Territory. And I will be there myself, and stand side by side with my servant Joseph, and speak to him mouth to mouth. And all the hosts of heaven shall be there. I will lead them up to battle, and I will separate the sheep from the goats.
4. As I cut off all the firstborn of Egypt, so I will go from settlement to settlement, cutting off all those whom I do not claim as mine own ; for I never shed my blood to save the goats — they belong to Satan.
5. And when I have purged my Church, I will go to that nation called the United States, and I will purge her also ; for I will not leave anything alive in that land but the pure in heart ; for that nation is ripe for the harvest, and I will cut them down now. *
6. And not many years shall pass away before my people
THE DESTRUCTION OF IDOLATROUS PEOPLE. 41
shall return to the land of promise ; for I will go before them and fight their battles.
7. And a temple shall be built in that land; and I will make my appearance in that temple from time to time ; but I will not give any endowments, under the fullness of the holy priesthood, in this place ; for my saints shall not remain here long — this is not the place for them.
8 And when I shall have taken my people back to that land, I will give unto my servant Joseph power to write a law which shall govern the nations of the earth ; and they shall abide it, or be cut off from the earth. And from that time, I will go forth from nation to nation, cutting off everything that opposes my plans, until I shall have utterly wasted away the heathen nations.
9. And it shall come to pass that, in her turn, I will visit the nation of Great Britain ; and I will purge out of her everything that offends ; for this is the day of my power. And I will be present with my servant Joseph, and speak to him mouth to mouth, whenever it is necessary, until his mission is ended. For I am the Lord, and I have spoken these words. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE DESTRUCTION OF IDOLATROUS MEMBERS OF
THE OLD ORGANIZATION 'OF THE CHURCH
OF JESUS CHRIST.
No. 31. WEBER, UTAH, December 3ist, 1860.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Lord of Hosts, even the Eternal Father, and I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, through mine Only Begotten Son.
2. Oh, how my wrath is kindled against these idolatrous peo- ple ! What can I do with them ? They are innocently led away from me. WThat can I do with them ! I will now make known unto you what I will do with them. I will send my holy messengers to them, and they shall hold them by a power that those people do not understand, until my wrath shall be over, and I shall have cut off all those who are worthy of death, and I will not be long about it.
42 THE DESTRUCTION OF IDOLATROUS PEOPLE.
3. Therefore, I say unto you, my son, finish up your writing as soon as you can, and hold yourself in readiness ; for I will, shortly, make a breach. I shall be ready as soon as you Avill be. I am waiting even now for you ; and if you do not believe me now, you soon will believe me. And when you are ready, try me ; and if I do not satisfy your feelings, then I will bear the blame.
4. You need not to think that you can make anything of those men to whom I have sent a warning voice ; for they will not come to my terms in this life ; therefore, I have concluded to move them out of the way; even as I have before spoken in former revelations.
5. Can I submit to let the devil destroy my Church? No, I cannot. I have power to accomplish my own purposes ; and that you shall soon see to your heart's content.
6. And I say unto you, watch ; for you are surrounded by enemies that thirst for your blood ; but they shall have no power over you, for I will hold them in mine almighty hand.
7. You are guarded by the hosts of heaven. They are con- tinually around you, guarding you from your enemies. Although you do not see them always, yet you are surrounded by them con- tinually, and you need not to fear ; for the man that shall ap- proach you to lay violent hands upon you, shall die in your presence.
8. And it is my will that all those who know anything about me, should place the utmost confidence in me : for I will not betray it.
9. And, again, I say unto you, that you shall not mourn over those men whom I placed over my flock ; for you have done your duty to them. I must either cut them off, or give up to them, and let them do their own will ; and this I cannot allow. I must save my Church ; for the pure in heart have a claim upon me — I cannot forsake them.
10. And inasmuch as you have desired to know of me as to the course that you shall persue with my people, as touching their deliverance, until I shall place the rod in your hands, you shall raise your right arm and give the command, and that shall answer as though the rod was in your hand ; but I will soon place it in your hand ; even as soon as you will be ready to use it. Remem-
TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH MORRIS. 43
ber that I am with you — mine eye is upon you for good. And it is my will that you should instruct those men with whom I have made you acquainted ; for you will need their assistance when you commence the work.
I will give unto you no mure at this time. I am the Eternal Father ; even the Father of Jesus Christ, through whom I speak unto you. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION TO THE PROPHET, JOSEPH MORRIS.
No. 32. WEBER, UTAH, January 6th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And I am come to make known unto you those things which you desire to know of me.
2. Why are you so faithless in my word? I am really sur- prised at you. Have I not blessed you above all other men that dwell upon the face of the earth? I am sorry that I have to reprove you for your unbelief and lack of confidence in me. If I had ever given you cause for this, I would willingly bear the blame ; but you know that I have never given you the least cause. Why, then, should you insult me in such a manner as you do? I have rights, as well as you have; and when my feelings are wounded, I can feel as well as you can. I am ready to meet you upon any just ground ; and I can prove to you that I have never failed to fullfil my promises in any one thing. And now, I call upon you to meet me and let us have a settling, and if you can prove one case in which I have failed to fullnll my promises, then I will bear the blame forever, and you will be clear ; but if you cannot do this, you will be under condemnation.
3. And if you do not stop insulting me in such a manner as you have done, I will greatly chasten you for your follies. You know the promises which I have made unto you, and why do you not exercise faith in them ? You know that I am working with you continually ; and you also know the state of this, my people, even as I do. Then why do you act so strangely ?
4. And, inasmuch as you know that you are not ready for me
44 MANNER OF SEALING THE PROPHET AND PROPHETESS.
to commence the work, why cannot you rest satisfied until you are ready? I have told you to get ready and start the work; and if I am not ready at that time, then you can insult me as much as you like, and I will never complain about it. I know my duty, and I will do it without being driven to it. I have as much love and affection for these afflicted people as you have.
5. You have felt grieved in your feelings at me for permitting those men to continue sealing in opposition to my command ; you have desired in your heart that I should cut them off when they stand before the altar; but I have concluded to cut them off in another way ; for I will cut them off all at once. When I begin I will finish ; for I do despise them in my heart.
6. And again, I say unto you, wind up your affairs as soon as you can, and when you are ready I will be ready also. It may seem, to you, almost impossible for me to clear your way ; but I will do it in one day. Oh ! the woe and lamentation that will be witnessed at that time ! for there is not a heart that will not be penetrated.
I now add no more. I am he whose words are quick and powerful — sharper than a two-edged sword — even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
MANNER OF SEALING THE PROPHET AND PROPHETESS FOR TIME AND ETERNITY.
No. 33. WEBER, UTAH, January yth, 1861.
1. THE prophet shall express these words: My dearly beloved bride, I, the prophet of the Lord, having chosen you, according to your birthright, to be my wife for time and all eternity, give unto you my hand and heart in a marriage covenant, according to the holy order of heaven ; and swear, in the presence of the Father, and of the Son, that I will be a true and faithful husband unto you.
2. The prophetess shall then express these words : My dearly beloved bridegroom, I, having chosen you to be my husband for time and for all eternity, give unto you my hand and heart in a
WILLIAM KENDELL. 45
marriage covenant, according to the holy order of heaven ; and swear, in the presence of the Father, and of the Son, that I will be a kind and faithful wife unto you.
3. The prophet and prophetess will then kiss the written word of the Lord, and each other ; and their names shall be recorded in a book set apart for that purpose. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION CONCERNING WILLIAM KENDELL.
No. 34. WEBER, UTAH, January i4th, 1861.
BEHOLD, I am the Lord of Hosts, and I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, concerning my servant William Kendell.
2. I have looked down upon him, and I have noticed him in all his movements in my Church from the beginning. I have beheld the integrity of his heart, and when he has been surrounded by darkness I have held him by my power. And now I have a place prepared for him in my Church; and, inasmuch as he has seen great darkness, he shall witness great light ; for his heart is honest before me. He need not to fear nor to be faint-hearted ; but let him place his confidence in me, and I will not betray it. I know the intentions of his heart, and while he trusts in me, he shall never be confounded ; for I will be with him.
3. Let him settle his mind and prepare himself for a great work ; for he is an heir to the holy priesthood, and his lineage is that of Joseph who was sold into Egypt. And if he is faithful before me, no privilege shall be denied him. I will open his mouth and he shall have a fluency of speech, and bring many thousands to a knowledge of the truth. He shall go from nation to nation, preaching my gospel, and he shall seal up the destinies of nations. He shall live upon the earth as long as he desires, and he shall be satisfied.
4. And, inasmuch as his partner in life has been attacked by an evil spirit, which has greatly afflicted her, let both him and her rest assured that I will soon release her from it ; and I will grant unto her eternal life. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
46 THE FIRST TEST.
THE FIRST TEST.
No. 35. WEBER, UTAH, January i6th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father ; the same whose blood was shed for the sins of the world, that he might save as many as his Father hath placed within his power.
2. I am come to make known unto you, my servant Joseph, my will concerning this, my people, and the course which you shall take with them ; for the test is near at hand. And let all those who understand my plans, trust in me, and they shall soon be satisfied. They may be surrounded by enemies ; but not a hair of their heads shall be hurt ; for I will surround them as by a wall of fire.
3. And it is my will that you should gather together all those \o whom you have made known my purposes concerning this my people. And when they are gathered together, I will speak to them, and make my will known unto them, as touching the course which they shall persue in connection with you ; for I have chosen them. I am the Lord.
4. And, again, I say unto you, that it is my will that you should remain where you are until I shall have cleared your way ; for I have concluded to do it speedily. And when your enemies appear to crowd upon you, be calm in your mind, and do not let your feelings be ruffled ; for your enemies shall be as straws in your way.
5. And, again, it is my will that you should hold yourself in readiness, and do not be faithless. I shall be ready when you are — never fear. It is my business to lead my Church triumph- antly over all its enemies. Do you think that I shall forsake my Church, and let the destroyer take all, after having given my life for it? What think you of this? Do not act so strangely, as though you knew nothing about me. You know that I cannot fail to fulfill my promises.
6. And, inasmuch as you have desired to see me face to face, and to converse with me, you shall soon have that privilege. I would have met with you before this time, if I had had a place where
TO THE PROPHET. 47
I could have met with you. But I will soon place you in a position where I can speak mouth to mouth with you ; for I know that you wish to see me.
7. And as concerning my servant Richard Cook, it is my will that he should hold his office as the bishop in this place. He shall not give up to those, mine enemies, who are seeking to move him out of his place ; and I will sustain him. And as for those men who have come to this place to fight against me, I will visit them with sudden death ; for I will send an angel to them, and he shall cut tnem off. They shall know that they cannot stand against me. And I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that you shall open your mouth and curse them, and I will fulfill it when they have left this place.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
TO THE PROPHET.
No. 36. • WEBER, UTAH, January lyth, 1861
BEHOLD, verily saith the Lord unto you, my son, set yourself strong against mine enemies ; for the work has now commenced, and it will continue until I have put all enemies under my feet ; and you shall go about your work without any fear. You have complained to me for not giving unto you a manifestation of my power. How could I do this before I had placed you in a position for it ? As soon as I can give unto you a manifestation of power, I will do so. You will soon need it ; therefore, stand to your post like a man, and be not faint-hearted, and I will strengthen you for the work ; and I will make your enemies flee before you as chaff before the wind. And when the day has come for you to give the command, I will make it known unto you ; and at that time all doubt will leave you, and you will be satisfied at once. And I will influence you continually, and I will stand by your side, and put words in your mouth, and your oppression shall soon leave you, and you shall never have to complain against me after I have once started. I have pitied thee when I have seen thee weighed down with oppression; but I will release thee at
48 SELECTION OF MEN TO THE APOSTLESHIP.
once. I will now take thy burden ; therefore, rest thyself, and be satisfied.
I now add no more. I am he that holds the keys of death and hell; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
CURSINGS, AND THE SELECTION OF MEN TO THE APOSTLESHIP.
No. 37. WEBER, UTAH, January 2oth, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that, when you curse those men whom I commanded you to curse, you shall raise your right arm towards heaven, and express these words : Oh God, the eternal Father, I, thy servant, raise my right arm towards heaven, and, having been called by thee to hold the sealing and binding power upon the earth, by virtue of my authority, and in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, I seal a curse
upon and , which shall be sudden
death. And I command the destroying angel to follow them up, and lay them low. And I pronounce this curse upon them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Even so. Amen and Amen.
2. And after you have cursed those men, you shall then curse the chief shepherds of my flock, beginning at the first of them; and when you have done this, you shall then curse all the false shepherds of my flock.
3. And, again, I say unto you, that you shall curse all your enemies in this place ; for you have enemies here who thirst for your blood ; but whom I will speedily destroy. Before I do this, however, I will break them up, and confuse them — and I will so set them one against another, that they shall have no power to unite themselves against you ; and you shall pass on without any difficulty, until I clear your way so that you can go and take your place. And I will do this at once. And when I have done with your enemies here, I will cut them off forthwith.
4. And, inasmuch as I have committed unto you the keys of my kingdom on the earth, it is necessary that there should be an
SELECTION OF MEN TO THE APQSTLESHIP. 49
understanding between us, as touching matters of importance. I do not claim the authority to do anything upon the earth, only through you; for I shall work according the law, as I am com- manded by my Father, and without law I shall do nothing. And I will make known unto you my law at all times when it shall become necessary to do so; therefore, in all that you do, regulate yourself according to my word; and, if you will do this, I am bound to fulfill your words to the very letter. If I do not, I shall have broken the law of the holy priesthood, which I cannot do.
5. You need not, any more, to fear; for I will now take your burden upon myself, and I will see if I cannot bear it. My heart has been pained when I have looked down upon thee, and heard thy groans ; but thy oppression is nearly at an end. Thou art beloved above all men for thy patience, thy virtue, and thine integrity ; for there is none like unto thee upon the earth ; and the nations thereof shall feel thy rod.
6. And although the shepherds of my flock have proven treacherous to me, yet I have selected out a number of faithful men, whom I will give unto thee; and they will be faithful unto thee, and thou shalt ordain them to the apostleship; and thou shalt have twenty-four apostles.
7. And I will make the nations bend to thee, and, at thy command, the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunken man. And the nations of the earth shall abide the law that shall come forth from thy mouth, or be cut off; for I, the Lord, have spoken it. And whomsoever thou shalt bless, I will bless ; and whomso- ever thou shalt curse, I will curse ; for I am one with thee.
8. And it is my will that all those who know me shall uphold thee with all their power. And I will send unto them the com- forter, and he shall lead them into all truth. And I will give unto them a powerful testimony, for I have called them ; therefore, let them stand firm to the truth which shall make them free. And I will influence those men who are now absent from you, and they shall come forth to you when they are needed. And let my servant Richard Cook be strong, and I will be with him, and put words into his mouth at all times, when it becomes necessary for me to do so.
I jnow add no more at this time. I am he who holds the keys of death and hell — even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
50 JUDGMENTS OF GOD UPON THE WICKED.
THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD UPON THE WICKED, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INNOCENT WHO ARE DECEIVED.
No. 38. WEBER, UTAH, January 25th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword ; the same whose blood was shed upon the cross for the sins of the world ; who groaned upon the cross and bore the shame of the wicked, that he might save those who were heirs to salvation; and having conquered death, hell, and the grave, is now interceding with his Father in behalf of those whom he shed his blood to save.
2. And I am come to make known unto you, my servant Joseph, those things which you have desired to know of me. Why do you not place confidence in me? You know that I am with you. You have nothing to fear. I am all sufficient for your enemies. And I am continually watching over ycu, and holding your enemies off you, and they cannot come upon you until I permit them to do so, and I will hold them until I am ready to make a breach ; and when I am ready, I will cut them off sud- denly. You need not to fear that you will be injured by them ; for I will take care of you. Your work is not yet done. You shall never be slain by an enemy. Therefore, let your mind be at rest, and make your calculations for speedily commencing the work.
3. I will stop the wicked course of this people. They shall not go on as they are going. Oh how my heart is pained when I look down upon them, and see their situation. They know not what they are doing. They take the wrong for right, and right for wrong. What can I justly do with them? I do not want to destroy the innocent with the guilty ; but what can I do ? I shall be compelled to cut off many innocent people who, being de- ceived, I cannot undeceive — this I cannot avoid ; but I will save as many of them as will hearken to and obey my word. And I will take this matter into my own hands, and I will speedily bear it off. And I will be present at the time wnen I shall have brought these things to a head, and then I will manifest my power.
JOHN FIRTH. 51
4. And as soon as those chief shepherds of my flock have made the first move against you, I make the second move against them ; and I will cut them off instantly. And from them I will" go to others, and cut them off also — even all who stand in your way, and mine enemies shall see that I am more powerful than they are. And until this matter shall be brought to a head, I will hold off from you all other surrounding influences. And no person shall have any power to approach you, or to injure you. You shall pass on without any fear. And as concerning the curses which you have uttered, I have heard them, and I will fulfill them at the time appointed.
5. And as concerning my servant Richard Cook, let him not be cast down. He suffers fear and unbelief to creep upon him, which is grievous for me to see. There is no cause for this. He has never yet suffered any loss by trusting in me ; let him, there- fore, repent of his follies, and lay hold of my promises, and let him act the part of a man. I have poured out great blessings upon him, and let him prove himseif worthy of them. I am dis- pleased with him. If he will do my will, let him place the utmost confidence in me, and I will not betray it ; for my wrath is kindled against none so much as it is against those who confess not my hand in all things ; for without faith it is impossible to please me.
I now add no more. Let this suffice for the present, and I will make known more unto you hereafter. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
REVELATION CONCERNING JOHN FIRTH.
No. 39. WEBER, UTAH, January 2yth, 1861.
1. VERILY, I say unto you, my Son, that inasmuch as you have inquired of me to know my will concerning my servant John Firth, I will make it known unto you. I have looked down upon him, and I have seen the darkness which has surrounded him, and when I have seen him labor under it, I have pitied him ; but with him it is now at an end.
2. He is greatly beloved by me for his humility, his faith, and
52 LANGUAGE DESTRUCTION OF WICKED SHEPHERDS.
his honesty of purpose — and he shall be made strong, and do a mighty work upon the earth ; for he is an heir to the high and holy priesthood — which priesthood holds the sealing and binding power. His lineage is that of Ephraim ; and I have prepared a place for him in my kingdom ; for his calling shall be to go from nation to nation and preach my gospel.
3. And, in a day to come, he shall become a counselor to those who shall be ordained to the office of apostles, and I will open his mouth and loose his tongue, and he shall become fluent in speech. Let him prepare himself for the work which lies before him ; for I shall soon need his assistance in connection with others; therefore, if he will be my friend, let him hold himself in readiness for that which is coming, and, in the time of trouble, I will be his friend also.
4. The great last test is near at hand, and I now need friends, and to those who will be my friends now, I will be a friend in a day to come — none need to be afraid to put their trust in me, for I will not betray their confidence.
I now give unto you no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come — even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
LANGUAGE, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED SHEPHERDS.
No. 40. WEBER, UTAH, January 3oth,
1. VERILY, I say unto you, my son, that inasmuch as there has been some dissatisfaction manifested by some, concerning the language which I, the Lord, have made use of in the revelations and addresses which I have given, I will satisfy the minds of all upon this subject.
2. I have taken the liberty of expressing myself in the plainest of language, that all might understand. I do not imitate the great men of the earth (so called); for their wisdom is an abomination in my sight — they take wrong for right, and right for wrong — they are filled with vainness — they know not what they are doing. And as for the language which they speak, it is not correct. There is
LANGUAGE DESTRUCTION OF WICKED SHEPHERDS. 53
not a correct language now spoken upon the earth; but, in a day to come, I will give unto my people a correct language.
3. And, inasmuch as there have been some disputations about the word "isolate," I will explain the meaning of that word, as it is understood in heaven : — It is to elevate, or place on high. The world does not know the correct meaning of that word ; therefore, let all be satisfied.
4. And I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that you shall not alter the sense of any revelation that I have given, or that I shall hereafter give.
5. I am, indeed, surprised at you, my son, for yo\ir lack of confidence in me. I am holding your enemies off you; this you know. You are afraid that I shall forsake, you ; but you may rest yourself satisfied that I will never leave you; neither can your enemies injure you.
6. And you shall soon be called to give the word of command, and then you will be satisfied at once ; and you shall have things your own way.
7. You have greatly desired to see me, I know, and you shall soon have the privilege.
8. I will speedily stop the course of those wicked shepherds of my flock — their names shall not grate on your ears but a few days longer. These afflicted people shall not long have those wicked men to look to, for I will speedily destroy those shepherds, and leave my people without a shepherd to look to, until I shall place others over them.
I now add no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come — even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amem.
THE CLOUD NOW GATHERING.
No. 41. WEBER, UTAH, February 2nd, 1861.
1. VERILY I say unto you, my servant, that inasmuch as the cloud is now gathering, and must shortly burst, it is necessary that you should understand my will upon this matter.
2. You know that I have been with you from the time that I
54 THE CLOUD NOW GATHERING.
first called you until now, and no person, as yet, has ever had the power to hurt you. You know that if I had not preserved you from your enemies, they would have slain you before this time ; and knowing, as you do, that I have always been with you, why cannot you place confidence in me now? I have always worked according to the law, and I cannot deviate from it.
3. What would you have me to do? I am willing to do any- thing that lies in my power to minister comfort unto you. I know that you are burdened with this idolatrous people, and you wish me to clear both them and their shepherds out of your way with- out troubling you with them. And inasmuch as you desire it, I will make unto you a promise, that your enemies shall have no power over you ; but I, will deliver this people into your hands, and what you do, I will acknowledge.
4. And as for those shepherds, they have forgotten all that which they once knew, and they now know nothing about me. They are wholly led by the devil. And inasmuch as I could not make them hear me, I will make them fear me. As I have said unto you before, so I say unto you again, I will not leave one of their seed alive. I will clear your way to your satisfaction. I will cut off everything that dwells in those accursed houses which have been built by the poor of my people. I will also scatter their flocks, and the poor of my people shall gather them, and possess them ; for my wrath is kindled against those who now possess them. And I say unto you that you should not fear your enemies ; but remember that I will control all things according to my own will : for I have taken the matter into my own hands, and I will carry it on myself, and nothing shall go wrong, for I am round about my people. The command shall soon be given after which I will commence the destruction of your enemies ; and then I will go on from conquering to conquer ; and I will lay the way open for you. But if I do not clear your way, I will require no more at your hands.
5. Those who have been made acquainted with my plans, have longed to see a manifestation of my power, and they shall soon see it to their satisfaction. Let them be steadfast in me, and know that I am with them ; and if they will be true to me, I will be true to them ; but if they prove false to me, I will cut them
WARNING THE INHABITANTS OF SOUTH WEBER. 55
off instantly. Those who seek to save their lives, shall lose them ; for I, the Lord, despise the false hearted.
6. And as for my servant Richard Cook, let him be strong, and not fear. And let him not be afraid to speak boldly those things that I will place in his mouth, for I will be present with him. And let him hold his place, and I will uphold him : and who can stay my hand? Let him prove me in this thing; for I have an object in view for counselling him in this wise, and he will know the secret hereafter. I have laid my plans, and I am working to their accomplishment ; and, when the test is over, all will be satisfied.
7. I now close. I will give unto you more hereafter. I am he who holds in his hands the keys of death and hell ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE LORD ADVISES THE PROPHET TO PLACE MORE CONFIDENCE IN HIM.
No. 42. WEBER, UTAH, February 6th, 1861.
BEHOLD, I am the Lord of Hosts, even Jesus Christ, and I am come to make known unto you those things which you have desired to know of me. I am astonished at you for your lack of confidence in me. What is the cause of it? Have you ever proved me false in one thing? You know that you have not; then it is your duty to place the utmost confidence in me. You know that I cannot fail to fulfill ^the promises which I have made. The influence which is before you seems too great for you to strive against, and on this account you manifest great dissatisfaction with me. This oppression which you are now called to bear I cannot help. I have done everything for you that I could do. You know that you are placed in a position where you have to bear oppression. This cannot be avoided. I know what oppres- sion is as well as you do. I have endured everything that could have been placed upon man, and I was compelled to bear it or all must be lost; -and you are placed in a similar position. Then why do you murmur at your fate? Rise up and stand it like a
56 THE PROPHET ADVISED.
man, and I will be with you continually, and stand by you. I will do my duty, you need not fear. You have felt dissatisfied with me for suffering this matter to run so long, but it is all right. I am working to the point. You have not long to wait, and when my presence is needed I will be there. You have longed to see me, and you have not long to wait. You have also felt dissatisfied with me because I have not given unto you the power of your office. I have given it unto you, but you have never yet been placed in a position to use it. You will find that you have the power when it is needed. Oh, then, place your confidence in me, and I will lead you safely through all the snares of your enemies. It will be woe unto them that set themselves against you.
And as concerning those men who now stand at the head of my Church : They have now turned against me, and they have laid their plans to fight against me, and they will strive to break up my plans which I have laid for the accomplishment of my purposes. They will strive to divide the people in this place and to remove the bishop out of his place : and I will meet them here, and they will find that I am here. I will reveal a secret to them that will satisfy all. I have tried to satisfy them by word of mouth, but it is no use. I will now see if I cannot penetrate them; therefore, I say unto you, my son, get yourself ready to give the command, and I will be present with you. At that time I will show you that which you have longed to see. I will control all things to your satisfaction. If you would only place confidence in me you would set my feelings at rest at once. You must place confidence in me. I require it at your hands. Then why will you not do the thing that I wish you to do? I have never betrayed your confidence, and why cannot you try me ?
And as concerning my servant Rickard Cook, let him stand fast to his place, and I am with him, and he shall see where the power lies. And as concerning the rest of those that know my plans, let them be strong, and I will fight their battles. They may place their confidence in me without any fear, and their minds will soon be at rest.
I give unto you no more at present. I am he whose word is quick and powerful — sharper than a two-edged sword —even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
INHABITANTS OF WEBER WARNED. 57
WARNING TO THE INHABITANTS OF SOUTH WEBER AGAINST FIGHTING THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
No. 43. SOUTH WEBER, UTAH, February yth, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, verily, verily, thus saith the Lord: That, inas- much as the first test is now near at hand, and must commence in this place, it is necessary that those who love and fear me, and who are trusting in me for salvation, should know my will concern- ing them, that they may escape my wrath and save their lives.
2. I, the Lord, have sent a warning voice unto the chief shepherds of my flock, and they have rejected it, and are now fighting against me ; and it is necessary that all those who expect to receive eternal life should know this fact. Therefore, let them make up their minds as to which side they are going to take. I feel in duty bound to lay this matter before them, and then they can please themselves as to what they will do ; but, if they take sides against you, I will cut them off suddenly, for those who fight against you, fight against me, and of such I will not leave alive one person in this place.
3. But I will stand side by side with you in this place, and I will give unto you that courage which it will be necessary for you to have at the time when it will be needed. You need not to fear, for I am not far from you, and the hosts of heaven, also, are with me, and you shall see them to your satisfaction — you shall see them go out to battle, and they shall both go and stop at your bidding. I will make the nations of the earth tremble. I cannot penetrate all men by my word, but I will do it by my power. You shall not have cause to murmur against me but a short time longer ; therefore, treasure up in your heart these things which I have made known unto you, and I will be with you unto the end.
I am the Lord, and I have spoken these things. Even so. Amen and Amen.
58 COMMANDED TO PREPARE FOR THE FIRST TEST.
THE PROPHET AND THE SAINTS COMMANDED TO PREPARE FOR THE FIRST TEST.
No. 44. WEBER, UTAH, February ioth, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am Jesus Christ, and I am come to make my will known unto you concerning this first test, which is now at hand. It is necessary that you should know my will concerning this matter. What is the reason that you cannot place your con- fidence in me.'' You keep my feelings continually ruffled, and unless you place confidence in me I cannot work with you.
2. I am all sufficient for your enemies. I have marked out their course, and I will make them walk in it. They can do nothing, save that which I permit them to do. I shall be present with you to influence you in this affair, and all things shall be con- trolled to your satisfaction. You are greatly afraid that I shall neglect you at that time. Do you not know that I have been with you always, even from the beginning? I have told you to cite one case in which I have failed to fulfill my promise, and if you can do this, then I will bear the blame ; but if you cannot do this, you are under condemnation for having insulted me in the manner in which you have done. You keep my feelings continually wounded by your insults. I will do everything that I can do to ease your burden ; and, as I have said unto you before, so I say unto you again, when you need my presence, you shall see me. You com- plain of me because I have not of late shown unto you the hosts of heaven ; but when it becomes necessary you shall see them. Tell me, therefore, what you require of me, and, if I can do so, I will grant it unto you. The influence of that which lies before you greatly oppresses you ; but I can move that out of your way in one day. I have striven to bring this matter to a head, and as soon as possible I will do so.
3. And as concerning those men whom you have made ac- quainted with my plans, who profess to be my friends, it is necessary that they should now set themselves for a test. They have longed to see it come, and it is now close upon them, and their hearts will pain them before it is through. They have longed to see a manifestation of my power, and they shall shortly see one. Let
THE FIRST TEST. 59
them stand firm by me ; let them stand up and testify to the truth of those things which I have made known unto them through you; for this thing I require of them, and they shall be endued with the power my of spirit ; and if they will do those things which I have commanded them to do, I will be with them. The hosts of heaven shall be round about them, and not a hair of their heads shall be hurt. They have never yet seen my wonder-working hand made bare ; but they shortly shall see it.
4. And, behold, I say unto you, my son, that inasmuch as you have desired to know of me what course you shall take in this matter, I will make my will known unto at this time. I will influence you, and lead you in the way that I wish you to go. I will take the responsibiltty of the work upon myself, and no person shall do anything save that which I shall permit them to do. Therefore, let all be diligent, and do the things which I have commanded them, and all shall be well.
I now give unto you no more. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the eternal Father, and I have given this revelation unto my servant Joseph, according to the , commandment of my Father. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE FIRST TEST.
No. 45. WEBER, UTAH, February nth, 1861.
1. VERILY, thus saith the Lord, that, inasmuch as you have desired to know of me as to the manner in which you shall act in this affair, I will make my will known unto you upon this matter.
2. I am with you all the day long; and you have no cause to fear. And I will prepare you for the work that lies before you; and, when you are called to go into the assembly of the people, I will go in with you, and stand side by side with you, and you shall speak those things which I place in your mouth. I will also sus- tain your words, and I will make them take every word that flows from your mouth. They shall find out that they cannot have things their own way ; but when you are in that assembly all shall
60 INABILITY OF MAN TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF GOD.
be subject unto you. Your command shall be obeyed without fail. You shall declare yourself the prophet of this people, and I will sustain your words in all things.
3. And it is my will that all those whom you have made acquainted with my plans should sustain your words also, and leave the result in my hands, and they will be satisfied. And as to those men who are coming to this place, I will reveal a few things to them here. And when this first test is over, all my friends will be satisfied. Therefore, let all be strong ; for I am with them. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE INABILITY OF MAN TO UNDERSTAND THE
WAYS OF THE LORD— JOHN PARSON AND
ROBERT FARLEY COMMANDED TO
MOVE TO SOUTH WEBER.
No. 46. WEBER, UTAH, February i2th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword ; the same who groaned upon the cross ; who bore the shame of the wicked that he might break the barrier of the tomb, and set the captive free.
2. Be it known unto all that I am at work, and that I will never stay my hand until I have laid all mine enemies under my feet. Let not those men who have trusted in me be discouraged at the prospect that is before them ; for I will satisfy them. They need not to think that I have forgotten them, for I have not. I am well pleased with them for having taken the course which they have taken in this the first test. They have done all that I required at their hands. I will work the next test to their satis- faction. Let them stand still and watch my wonder-working hand, and they will not need to watch it long, before they will have received that which they have longed to see, which will be a manifestation of my power unto salvation.
3. I am not trifling either with them or with this people. I am placed in a position where I have to work in a manner that all do not understand; and, not understanding, they have thought that
INABILITY OF MAN TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF GOD. 6 1
I have not fulfilled my promises ; but I have. When I speak I do it in mine own way, and all cannot understand me ; but to you it is given to understand my ways, to others it is not. I expect, therefore, that you will stand for me, and explain my meaning to the satisfaction of all with whom you have or may become acquainted.
4. You feel hard towards me because I do not cut off those shepherds who are now leading my flock ; but you know that I have before told you that I am bound by law ; nevertheless, when I begin I will finish ; and when the test is over, all will be satisfied.
5. I am obliged to take a course to warn this people. I first sent a warning voice unto the chief shepherds of my flock, and they refused to warn the people. But they must be warned, and I will warn them; but I must take mine own course to do it; there- fore, let all be satisfied with what I do, for I work so as to save the innocent, of whom I do not want to cut off any more than the law compels me to cut off. And it is my will that these men should rest themselves satisfied, and not murmur against you. I am at the head of things, and I will work them to the point.
6. And inasmuch as my servant John Parson has desired of me to know my will concerning him, I will make it known unto you. If he cannot remain where he is in peace, let him remove to this place, and all shall be well with him — not a hair of his head shall, be hurt; for I will be present with him by my holy angels.
7. And as concerning my servant Robert Farley, let him settle his affairs where he is now living, and come down to this place with my servant John Parson. I have prepared a blessing for him. Let him trust in me, and I will abundantly bless him ; he needs not to fear his enemies — I am all sufficient for them.
8. As concerning my servant Richard Cook, let him rest him- self satisfied, and not murmur at his fate. He must not be impatient, but he must exercise patience, and not be restless, and I will be with him.
I now give unto you no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
62 A WARNING TO THE PEOPLE.
WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
No. 47. WEBER, UTAH, February i6th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, by whose command I have come to speak unto you.
2. Oh, my servant Joseph, why do you insult me in such a manner? I have done all that I could do for you. I cannot, at the present time, remove the oppression which you are called to bear. You are too restless. You do not place your confidence in me. I have told you that I wish to warn this people, and I am doing so. You need not to question my work ; for I shall take mine own course to warn this people ; but, when the test is over, all will be satisfied. I know what I am doing, whether you think that I do, or not. I have to work according to law — I can- not deviate from it. I take no pleasure at all in working with you ; for you are continually wounding my feelings. I know what the oppression is that you are called to bear, and I feel for you; but what can I do? I am compelled to take such a course as that which will warn this people, among whom are many that are innocent, whom I desire to save. If you would only place your confidence in me, all would be right. I arn round about you continually by my holy angels, and they will guard you from the attacks of all your enemies.
3. You wish to know what course I am about to take to warn this people, and I will reveal it unto you. You know that I called upon you to declare yourself the prophet of this people, and you did so — that was the means which I first put into operation to warn this people. All those who have heard of that declaration are now looking towards you ; and all those who have not as yet heard of it, soon will do so ; and they, also, will then look towards you. The chief shepherds of my flock will rise up against you, and seek to stop your course; but when they do so, and crowd upon you, I will come out of my hiding place, and in one day I will cut them off the earth. I am holding the surrounding influences off you on every hand ; and, until the appointed time shall have arrived, your enemies cannot come upon you ; and when they come, I will preserve you from their grasp. Before I shall have
THE PEOPLE MUST BE WARNED. 63
cut off those wicked shepherds, you will not have long to wait ; for, in my heart, I do despise them, and I will shortly move them out of the way.
4. You are afraid lest you should be taken by your enemies unawares ; but you need not to be ; for I will so reveal unto you, at all times, when it becomes necessary to do so, that you shall not be caught by them unawares. And when they visit you, I will give you the power to look them through ; and you shall answer them according to their folly, and they shall not have power to resist your words. And if an enemy crowds too hard upon you, I will smite him dead in your presence in one minute. I will not be trifled with by your enemies. You shall have no cause to complain against me on that account.
5. And as concerning these people who believe in your words, let them be comforted ; for I am round about them by my holy angels, and I am well pleased with them for having taken the course which they have ; and, if they will abide your counsel, not a hair of their heads shall be hurt. I am abundantly able to do mine own work; therefore, let all stand still, and watch my won- der-working hand, and all shall be well.
I now give unto you no more. I am he who holds the keys of death and hell ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE PEOPLE MUST BE WARNED.
No. 48. WEBER, UTAH, February 24th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father; even he who is from everlasting to everlasting ; the same who bore the shame of the wicked that he might save the world, and cast the destroyer out.
2. And I am come to speak unto you, my son, according to the commandment of my Father. I have heard your prayers, and I know the anxiety of your mind. You are greatly troubled about this people. You long to see me come out of my hiding-place to deliver them out of the hands of ail their enemies. I am as anxious to see this take place as you are ; but I am bound by law — I can-
64 THE PEOPLE MUST BE WARNED.
not do my own will. You have greatly afflicted my feelings by talking to me in the manner that you have done. You are very restless. If I could help you I would ; but you have not long to wait. I am working this matter up to a head as fast as I can.
3. The warning is going forth at a rapid speed, and it will soon reach the ears of all; and, when that is done, I shall be ready to fulfill the promises which I have made to you. I will then come out of my hiding place and clear the way for you at once. I shall then be at liberty, according to the eternal law of heaven, to come out and destroy everything that stands in your way ; but before I cut off mine enemies, I am obliged to give unto all a warning, and, until I have done this, I shall not require anything at your hands, nor at the hands of those men who are one with you. Let them stand still and watch my wonder-working hand. They need not to think that they can do anything to warn this people, for they cannot ; that is my business ; but, after I shall have done my part, I shall call upon them to do theirs. Let them make themselves ready, for they have no time to lose. They have long wished that I was ready, but I shall be ready before they will be, and this they will find out. Then let them rise up like men, and set themselves for the work.
4. And as concerning my servant John Cook, he has thought that he could warn his friends ; but he has been deceived. They will not give hear to him ; but they meet him with a delusive spirit, and overpower him : he cannot stand against them. Therefore, let him be still, and leave the warning of his friends to me. And inasmuch as his business calls him to mingle himself with those people who know nothing about me, who have departed from my ways, who know not what they are doing, who take wrong for right, and right for wrong — let him leave these things in my hands, and, in the end, I will satisfy him. And as for those chief shep- herds, I will mark out their course, and I will make them walk in it. They cannot do what they wish to do. They shall obey me — they cannot help it.
5. All power that is upon the earth is in my hands, and I will wield it to accomplish my purposes. I shall now assume my rights upon the earth, and the kings of the earth shall feel my withering hand. And as for your enemies in this place, and throughout this
JUDGMENTS TO COME AS A WHIRLWIND. 65
Territory, you need not to fear them, for I am round about you, and I will protect you from them all — only be strong.
6. And as concerning my servant Richard Cook, let him be strong, and I will soon liberate him. He wishes to preach my gospel, and he shall soon have that privilege granted to him.
7. Let all who know me rest assured that I am with them, and if they will take your counsel, not a hair of their heads shall be hurt.
I now give unto you no more. I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD TO COME AS A WHIRL- WIND.
No. 49. WEBER, UTAH, March 3rd, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am the light and life of the world; even he who moves forth in the midst of darkness, and the darkness com- prehendeth him not ; the same who broke the barrier of the tomb, and set the captive free ; who speaks the word, and all the heavenly hosts obey.
2. And I am come to speak unto you, my son. Oh, my son, why do you suffer your spirit to droop? Why do you not do the thing that I wish you to do? Why do you take such a course as you have taken, when, by so doing, you wound my feel- ings. Have I not called upon you, time after time, to bring up one case wherein I have failed to fulfill my promises as far as I have gone with you ? I know that you are placed in a painful position; but I cannot help it. I have done my best for you, whether you think so, or not. I have greatly complained of you, because you have not placed that confidence in me which I have required of you. I know that your intentions are pure ; but you are overpowered by the influence which is before you, which is too great for you to strive against. If I could only prevail upon you to place all confidence in me, my feelings would be at rest ; but it seems that you cannot place that confidence in me which I require ; therefore, I shall have to be content without it.
66 JUDGMENTS TO COME AS A WHIRLWIND.
3. Now let us reason together : You are sensible of the course that I have taken with you from the beginning. I have been with you both at home and abroad. You have been to me as the apple of mine eye ; and wherever you have been, I have been with you. And you know that I have protected you from all your enemies; and you know, also, that if I had not, you would have been slain before this time. Notwithstanding, after all that you have witnessed of my protecting care, which I have had over you, you cannot place that confidence in me which is required of you. O, that I could prevail with you ! O, that you would place that confidence in me which I require — I should be released at once.
4. And, now, I speak unto you concerning this people : You know that the warning voice is going forth at a rapid speed, and, as soon as it shall have reached the ears of all, I will come out of my hiding place and clear your way according to my former promises. I will not keep you waiting after the warning has reached the ears of all, and it will not be long before it will have done so. You may be setting yourself for that time ; for it will come as a whirlwind, and none but the pure in heart will escape. And, until the very day comes for me to commence the work, I will hold the surrounding influences off you, and you shall have no difficulty in passing along from day to day. And let these people who are now with you, be strong and remember that I am with them, and that I will fight their battles; for I am well pleased with them for that which they have done. Their good acts shall be handed down from generation to generation in honor to their names ; for they have wrought a good work for me, and for their poor brethren. They are blessed of me ; and the good acts which they have performed will be like bread cast upon the waters, which is seen after many days.
5. And, as concerning my servants John Parson and Richard Cook, let them hold themselves in readiness; for I am their friend, and I am all sufficient for them. They shall soon be liber- ated, and they shall preach my gospel until they are satisfied.
I now add no more at this time. I am he that was, and is, and is to come ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
COMMANDED TO TARRY AT SOUTH WEBER. 67
COMMANDING THE PROPHET TO TARRY AT SOUTH
WEBER. —FORETELLING DESTRUCTIONS
TO COMMENCE THERE.
No. 50. WEBER, UTAH, March 8th, 1861.
1. VERILY, I say unto you, my son, that inasmuch as the cloud is now fast gathering, and must shortly, burst upon the heads of your enemies to the destruction of many thousands of souls, it is necessary that you should understand my will concerning this matter.
2. The warning has now reached the ears of almost all of this people. It will not be more than a few more days before it will have reached the ears of all. Your enemies are already setting themselves against you. They are seeking to raise a mob to destroy you, and you need to prepare yourself for it ; for, although it will not come until I am ready, it will, nevertheless, soon come. I am controlling it. I will make mine enemies do what I wish them to do, and they shall go so far, and no farther. I will raise up a standard against them.
3. And behold, I say unto you, that the men who now stand at the head of my Church are at the head of this mob, and it will involve all the shepherds who are corrupt before me. As I said unto you in a former revelation, so I say unto you again, I will not keep you waiting after the warning has reached the ears of all. And when your enemies come upon you, you must not fear, but stand to your post like a man, and I will fight your battles. I will lay your enemies low before your face. You must place your confidence in me in this case ; for I shall require it of you. And it is my will that these people, who are one with you, should also place their confidence in me. They must not fear their enemies, for the great test is near at hand, and those who forsake me through fear and turn traitors to me, as they may suppose to save their lives, shall lose them, for I will cut them off first. But if they stand fast to their integrity, and act honestly towards me, I will be true to them, and not a hair of their heads shall be hurt ; for I love those who are filled with integrity.
4. And if your enemies should send unto you a warning,
68 COMMANDED TO TARRY AT SOUTH WEBER.
ordering you to move away from this place, you shall pay no attention to it, but tell them to " come on " as soon as they are ready. Those people who profess to be one with you will behold scenes that will cause their hearts to fail them. And as I have said unto you before, so I say unto you again, I will stand side by side with you in this place, and I will speak with you mouth to mouth ; and you shall see the hosts of heaven go out to war. I have told you before, that when my presence is needed you shall see me. You have nothing to fear. I am all sufficient for your enemies. And when you are called to give the command, I will come up and speak to you, and you shall be perfectly satisfied in every respect.
5. And when the test comes you shall call these people who are one with you to one place, even to the place that I shall appoint. I will make known unto you more upon this subject hereafter.
6. And inasmuch as those men whom I have called to devote themselves wholly to my cause, wish to know what I mean by telling them to make ready, I will explain the matter to them. Let them store their minds with the principles of my gospel, even those principles which I have revealed unto them through you ; for they will be called upon to preach the fullness of my gospel ; and let them study this and nothing else, and I will supply their temporal needs. They need not to think that they can both do this and put in their crops, for they cannot. They may set them- selves for the test. They need not suppose that it is a great way off, for it is not; let them judge by the signs of the times. It is nearer than they think it is; therefore, let them harken to the words of my mouth, and diligently obey them, and all shall be well.
I now add no more. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE ROD OF MOSES IS PROMISED.
No. 51. WEBER, UTAH, March i6th 1861.
i. BEHOLD, I am the Lord of Hosts, even Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father. And I am come to speak unto you, my servant Joseph, according to your desire.
THE ROD OF MOSES. 69
2. Oh, that you could only place your confidence in me ! What a burden it would remove from you ! When you are oppressed I feel your oppression, even as you do. You need not to think that I pass on without having to contend with evil, for I do not. I am responsible for my words, and I shall have to fulfill them or suffer the consequences. I am as much bound by law as you are. I cannot swerve from the eternal, unchangeable law of heaven ; and I have sworn an oath of the holy priesthood, that, if you will be led by me, I will make your words good. If I could make you believe that you have nothing to fear, I should gain the point which I wish to gain. The oppression which afflicts you is in consequence of your not placing sufficient confidence in me. You distrust me without a cause, and, by so doing, you afflict both yourself and me.
3. You see the pure principles of my gospel trampled under the feet of those 'who profess to be my people ; you witness all manner of wickedness among this people ; you hear the cries of my poor and afflicted people, who are oppressed and robbed of their rights' by liars and hypocrites ; and these things give you sorrow and pain; but justice has come to their doors. And I will now defend the rights of my poor and afflicted people, for my heart has been pained when I have seen their distress. I am now working for their deliverance. The last test will shortly come, and then I will strike the final blow.
4. As I said unto you before, so I say unto you again, pre- pare yourself for the test, for whan it comes, it will come suddenly. Seek to strengthen yourself by exercising your faith in me, and do not, any more, show such weakness as you have done, but rise up like a man and do your duty ; but leave mine to me. Each of us is responsible for himself. If I do not do my duty I shall have to bear the blame ; if you do not do yours, you will have to bear the blame.
5. You think that I have not done my duty to you, because I have not given unto you the rod. But, although it belongs to you, you have never stood in need of it ; nevetheless, you shortly will need it, and then I will bring it unto you, for I have it. When my servant Moses had delivered mine own covenant people, I took the rod from the earth, and it is in mine own possession. It is
70 THE ROD OF MOSES.
never upon the earth, only when the full keys of the holy priest- hood are upon the earth. Inasmuch, therefore, as you hold those keys, when I visit you I will give it unto you. And I make unto you a promise, that I will never neglect you. Let us be united and work together, and everything will move on well.
6. And behold, I say unto you, that, inasmuch as you have many enemies, whose tongues are continually lying against you without a cause, I will settle with them. I will record the names of all those who maliciously lie against you, and who continue to do so, and I will visit them with sudden death. And when the scourge passes through this Territory, all such shall be destroyed, and the remnant who shall be left, will be as the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is over; for I shall make a great slaughter. I know that you are weary of waiting for me, but I am bound by law to take the course which I am taking.
7. And behold, I say unto you, that you have enemies in this place who are seeking to lay a snare for your feet. Beware of those who come into your presence, who profess to be your friends. Open your eyes and look at them, and I will give unto you power to discern who they are, and you shall shun such, and they shall fall into their own snare. They seek to lead your enemies upon you before the time which I have appointed has come ; but, if you will do as I have commanded you, they shall have no power over you ; but if you do not, they will ensnare you and cause you trouble. You need to open your eyes wide, and look at every one. who comes into your presence? You have the gift of discern- ment by which, if you will use it, you may know who people are.
8. And as concerning those people who are one with you in very deed, let them lift up their hands and rejoice, for I am their shepherd ; and if they will do those things ' which I have com- manded them to do, I will be with them unto the end. The test is close upon them. I know that they are weary of waiting for it ; nevertheless, when it does come, it will come too soon for some of those who have been wishing for it to come. And as I have said unto you before, so I say unto you again, as soon as you need to see me, I will come unto you and talk with you, and I will make known unto you all things which are necessary for you to know at the time.
SAINTS IN FOREIGN LANDS. 7 1
9. And as concerning the seed which, from this time forward, may be put into the ground by those whom I have commanded not to sow, those who may put it in will not reap it — they will have their trouble for nothing. I have told them, now, and they can please themselves as to what they will do.
10. And as concerning the warning which I have sent forth, it has now almost reached the ears of all. I need not to say any more to you at this time upon this subject ; therefore, let this, for the present, suffice, and I will make known more unto you here- after. Therefore, be strong, and I will be with you unto the end.
I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE SAINTS IN FOREIGN LANDS.
No. 52. WEBER, UTAH, March 24th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I am the Son of the Eternal Father, even Jesus Christ. And, inasmuch as you have desired to know my will con- cerning my saints in foreign lands, I will make it known unto you. You know that they are now in the hands of false shepherds, and are held by them, even as my saints are held by false shepherds in this Territory ; and I will make known unto you what I will do to release them. I will cut off those false shepherds, and I will leave my saints without a shepherd to look to, until I shall have placed others over them. My people are groaning under oppression in foreign lands, even as they are here, and they wish to know my will concerning them ; for they are faint for lack of knowledge.
2. They are continually calling upon me to release them from Babylon ; but if they were here they would be worse bound than they now are. Then what can I do with them in such a case ? I am continually looking down upon them, and my heart is pained when I behold their situation. They feel as though they were sheep without a shepherd — as though there was nothing for them to cling to. They feel as though I had betrayed their confidence ; as though they had believed in me in vain. They know not what they are doing. They would serve me if they knew how ; but they
72 SAINTS IN FOREIGN LANDS.
know but little about, me, notwithstanding I have done my best for them.
3. I cannot change the nature of things. I am always regu- lated by law. I cannot deviate from it. I have never failed to abide by it. I need not to be driven to do my duty, for I know what it is, and without being driven thereto (which is beneath me) I will discharge that duty. I take delight in defending the rights and relieving the wants of the poor, the distressed, and the inno- cent. Mine afBicted people have thought that I have neglected them, and suffered them to be afflicted by the destroyer ; but their suffering and affliction will result in their good. And I will give unto them a great endowment, which will make up for all their losses and disappointments, and then they will be abundantly satisfied, and know that I have done my duty to them.
4. And after that I shall have purged my Church here, I will go to my churches abroad, and purge out of them, also, every- thing that offends. I will overturn all things pertaining to my Church, whether at home or abroad.
5. And, as concerning my saints who are in this place, let them lift up their heads and rejoice ! for I am with them, and all is well. I am working to their deliverance, and the cloud that is gathering against them will soon burst. All things are working well, whether you see it or not. There is a calm now, but there soon will be a storm. Their enemies are now counseling together about this matter, in order to find out the best plan to put a stop to my work ; but I will control them in their councils, and bring them to my terms. They cannot do anything save that which I permit them to do.
6. Let not these people who are one with you grow weary in waiting for me. I am doing all that I can . to satisfy them. Let them be patient — not restless. I am working as fast as I can, and they ought to be satisfied. They know that I have given unto them the keys of the holy priesthood, about which they before knew nothing, and they know that those keys of knowledge came from me ; they know, also, that they could not have come from any other source. Let them, therefore, rise up like men, and use their judgment, and put away all doubt from them. They have good sense, if they would use it. Let them not trifle with me. They
THE PROPHET AND OTHERS REPROVED. 73
have never lost anything by trusting in me. The things that come from above are sacred, and they must be treated with care ; they must not be trifled with. Let them treat these things with solemity, and not with light-mindedness.
7. And again, as touching those people who are one with you. When the test is about to commence I will make it known unto them through you, and you shall call them together to the place which I shall appoint. And I will make known unto you where the place is, which I shall have appointed for that purpose, in time for you to gather the people to it. Therefore, let them all be satisfied, and know that, if they will abide in me, I will be with them unto the end*
I now add no more. Let this suffice for the present, and I will give unto you more hereafter. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE PROPHET AND OTHERS REPROVED.
No. 53. WEBER, UTAH, March 3ist, 186 1.
1. LIFT up your head, and stand to your post like a man — do not act so vainly. You act, betimes, as though you knew nothing either about me or my plans, and you let others also see your weakness. Why do you not rise up, and strive against those influences that oppress you? You know my will concerning this people, even as I do; consequently, you have no cause to act as you do. I have many times told you that you have nothing to fear. Do you think that I have nothing to do with this people? What did I give my life for? Have I no claim on them ? Have they no claim on me ? If neither I nor they have any claim upon each other, then all is lost.
2. I am abundantly able to do mine own work ; for I have the power, and I will use it to the deliverance of my people ; and that you shall shortly see. You do not need to doubt my power ; for I have sufficient to cut off the inhabitants of a million earths like this, if the law required me to do so. You surely think that I am not honest ; but whether I am, or not, I cannot fail to ful- fill my words ; for I am compelled to work by law, that Adam's
74 THE PROPHET AND OTHERS REPROVED.
posterity may be saved ; and if I should fail, another would come and take my place. The work must go on — it cannot stop ; and were I not to abide the law, I should have to suffer the conse- quences. Then let me prevail upon you to exercise faith in me.
3. You think that I have too much sympathy for those chief shepherds who have misled my people, to cut them off; but you are mistaken. They have no sympathy for themselves ; therefore, how can I sympathize with them ? I have done my duty to them ; but, instead of hearkening to me, they have risen up and set them- selves in war against me. And do you think that I will give up to them, and let all my words fall to the ground unfulfilled? No, I will not. If they are presumptuous enough to set themselves in war against me, I shall be compelled to cut them off. But I shall not strike the first blow ; for it is contrary to the law of heaven for me to do so. But I will work them up to a head, and then they will come out openly against me, and strive to stop my course. And when they do this, I shall be at liberty, according to the law by which I am governed, to cut them off. And I cannot break that law. I cannot deviate from it. If you knew my situation, you would not complain of me as you have done. I have done the best that I could for you.
4. And as for these men who profess to be one with you, I am astonished at them also, for their coolness and lack of faith in me. I have done my duty to them, and blessed them ; but they do not appreciate the blessings that I have placed within their reach. They know that I have committed the full keys of the holy priesthood to my servant upon the earth, and that they have received a knowledge of things about which they knew nothing before. And, after all, how lightly they value these things ! They need not to think that I am dependent upon them, and that I can- not do without them ; for I can. I do not want the help of those who render help grudgingly. They need not to think that I can- not do without their help. If they wish to forsake me, they can do so; and I can find friends when they have forsaken me. If men do not lay hold and labor for me with all their hearts, I do not want their labor at all. I dislike those who are half-hearted — they will do me no good. They are continually filled with fear; so much so, that that they are of no use to me ; as they now are
THE PROPHET AND OTHERS REPROVED. 75
I can do nothing with them. If they cannot place their confi- dence in me, and work with me, I have no use for them ; and they may do their own will. When I sent them from my presence to the earth, they promised to assist me with all their power ; but now, when I need their help, they are a burden upon me. They are so much afraid of me, that they cannot do their duty ; never- theless, they have a part to act as well as I have ; and if they do not act that part, they will have to suffer the consequences. They are not ignorant about my plans ; they know what I mean to do.
5. And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that I will establish the full keys of the holy priesthood upon the earth, even if I have to cut off this entire people in order to do so ; for there are many of them whom I despise. They will do anything that those corrupt shepherds tell them to do. They have laid aside their own judgment and given it up to others who are as blind as them- selves ; and they do not for a moment think about what they are doing. But can they justify themselves before me? No, they cannot ; therefore, I will visit many of their sins upon them. I will visit them shortly, and I will open their eyes for them at once.
6. And inasmuch as you wish to know my will concerning the gathering together of these people, I will make it known unto you. When your enemies are about to come upon you, I will speak unto you suddenly, and make known unto you the place which I have appointed for the gathering together of these people.
7. And, behold, I say unto you, you may be setting yourself for the test. And you must take care of your writings, and lock them up, and keep them safe. And, if you will do as I have commanded you, I will lead you safely through in spite of your enemies. And remember that, when the test is about to com- mence, I will make my appearane to you ; and you shall have no cause to complain against me for neglect of duty towards you.
I now add no more. I am he whose words are quick and pow- erful, sharper than a two-edged sword ; even Jesus Christ Even so. Amen and Amen.
76 REORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
REOGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH— APPOINTMENT
OF RICHARD COOK, JOHN PARSON AND
OTHERS TO OFFICE.
No. 54. WEBER, UTAH, April 3d, 1861.
1. A REVELATION of Jesus Christ, concerning those who know his plans, and who are willing to comply with his request. Let them hearken to my words, which are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, and all shall be well with them. It is necessary that a move should be made by them for their good. There are many people now scattered around, who have no stand- ard to rally to, and, on this account, it is necessary that a move should be made for their benefit.
2. It is my will that all those who believe in me should be baptized for the remission of sins, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in its fullness, and, also, that testimony which has been promised to them. They need not to be afraid to do the thing which I require at their hands, for I will sustain them in it. And while they trust in me they have nothing to fear ; for I will be round about them, both at home and abroad, and they shall be as giants. Everything shall become subject to them ; and, as soon as they are ready, I will deliver them out of the hands of all their enemies, and they shall know no more affliction.
3. I am working mine enemies up to a head at a rapid speed, and they will soon break out, and come up against you with all their power. You may open your eyes and be looking out for them ; fur they will come upon you suddenly. You have no time to lose. And when they come, your hands will be full. But I will be present with you at that time to instruct you.
4. I cannot make you understand me as I wish to do. You are continually wishing to see me, that you may know whether I am ready for the work, or not. But, if I come unto you when you need to see me, will not that be soon enough? What think you? You know that you have not yet been placed in a position where you have needed a manifestation of my power ; and, until you are so placed, you do not need to see me. If I am not with you when my presence and power are needed, then yqu will have
REORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 77
cause to complain of me. Why do you not act reasonably? You know that, according to my promises, I have kept your enemies off you, and I have broken them up, and set them one against- another, and they have had no power over you. What have you to complain of? Nothing at all. Therefore, let your mind be at rest. And if ever you complain against me again, let it be when I deserve it; but do not keep wounding my feelings without a cause. I will never neglect you, never fear.
5. And, behold, I say unto you that, when you shall have baptized those men who believe in me, you shall ordain those of them who are high priests by birthright to the office of high priests.
6. And you shall take my servant Richard Cook to be your first counselor; and, in a day to come, you shall make him the president of the Church under your direction. Let him stand up like a man and prove himself worthy of that blessing.
7. And as concerning my servant John Parson, you shall or- dain him to the office of an apostle, and he shall preside over the apostleship.
8. And as for my servants John Cook, William Kendall, and John Firth, you sfiall ordain them to the office of high priests ; and, in a day to come, they shall receive their appointments to honorable places if they will abide in me. Let them store their minds with all necessary information, that they may become useful in their places ; and you shall ordain others as they come along, and place them in their own places; and you shall show no partiality to one more than another; for I, the Lord, am just in all my ways. I cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. And unto all those that have come forth with honest hearts and contrite spirits, I will make unto them this promise : That they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in its fullness. They shall speak in tongues and prophesy, and receive all the gifts of the spirit. And if they are sick, and not appointed to death, I will heal them, and their joy shall be full.
I now give unto you no more. I am he that was, and is, and is to come; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
78 THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM.
THE MANNER OF ADMINISTERING THE ORDI- NANCE OF BAPTISM.
No. 55. WEBER, UTAH, April 3rd, 1861.
A REVELATION of Jesus Christ, showing the manner of admini- stering the ordinance of baptism to those who wish to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, under the fullness of the gospel.
The person called to administer in this ordinance, shall raise his right arm up towards heaven, and calling the person by name, shall say: I, having received authority from Jesus Christ, baptize you for the remission of your sins, and into the fullness of the gos- pel of Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Even so. Amen and Amen.
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IN FULFILLING HIS PROMISES.
No. 56. WEBER, UTAH, April 4th, 1861.
1. INASMUCH as there has been some dissatisfaction mani- fested by some concerning the blessings which I have given unto my servants whom I have called, I will answer them upon this matter.
2. They have thought that I am partial to one more than to another, and they have also thought that I have not fulfilled my promises which I have made in those blessings ; but they condemn me before I have had an opportunity of fulfilling them. They judge me rashly, and condemn me as though I had not the power to make my promises good ; but I shall make them good. They think that I have so arranged things to commence with, that I can- not make good the promises which I have made ; but I know my business. I do not make a promise that I am not able to fulfill ; and, in due time, I will fulfill all the promises that I have made, to the satisfaction of all those who are concerned. But they think that if I do not fulfill my promises immediately after I have made them, that all is over, and that I am false. They do not know
THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD. 79
much about me. My ways are not like the ways of men. All things with me have to take their regular rounds, and I cannot turn them out of their regular course. They must take their own time. But men upon the earth do not stand for law ; they ride over it and do as they please. In heaven all are subject to the celestial law, which law cannot be changed. Therefore, immortal beings cannot be subject to mortal beings; but mortal beings must be subject to immortal beings.
3. And as concerning my servant Richard Cook, I have called him, and, if he will stand to his post like a man, I will uphold him, and he will never have cause to complain against me for neglecting him; but he is, betimes, very impatient. Let him exercise more patience than he has hitherto done.
4. vAnd as concerning my servant John Parson, I have called him to preside over those who shall be called to hold the apostle- ship, and inasmuch as he will do his duty, I will uphold him to his satisfaction.
5. It was necessary for me to call these two men, in order to commence an organization ; and, as soon as I can do so, I will call all the others, and place them in honorable places also. They shall have no cause to complain, if they will be honest before me, and that I do not wish to doubt. Let them rise up and shake themselves, and cling to the truth, and forsake all falsehood ; and let them store their minds with those principles which I have revealed to them. Let them not sit in judgment upon anything that I have revealed, or that I shall hereafter reveal through my servant ; for he is subject to me only ; and let all others obey the words that come from his mouth, for I will sustain them.
6. Let not those who profess to believe in me think that my servant Joseph is partial to one more than to another ; for he is not. For honesty and integrity, there is none like unto him upon the earth. I can trust him, whether others can or not. There- fore, I command all those who profess to be my friends, to forsake all their follies, and not dictate to me. Let them learn to obey me, and, by so doing, they will save themselves from much affliction. And let them leave those things which belong to me. alone, and all shall be well with them.
I now add no more. I am the Son of the Eternal Father ; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
8o ORDINATION.
ADVISING SLOWNESS OF SPEECH IN ORDINATIONS.
No. 57. WEBER, UTAH, April 6th, 1861.
BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, my son, that when you place your hands upon the head of a person, you shall pause for a short time. You must not be hasty in speaking. And, if you will do as I command you, you will ordain him aright ; for I will 'stand by you to dictate you. Remember that I do not work in haste — I must have my own time. And if you will observe and keep my commandments, you will never be led wrong.
I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
ORDINATION.
No. 58. WEBER, UTAH, April 8th, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, I speak unto you, my servant Joseph, according to your request. You are greatly afraid lest I should lead you wrong when you are called upon to ordain men to the priesthood ; but you need not to fear, for I will sanction what you do. It is my business to direct you in all your movements. I am satisfied with what you have done, and I will record it in heaven. You must not fear, but trust fully in me ; and if there is anything that goes wrong, I will bear the blame. Do your own duty, and leave mine to me.
2. You are astonished at my leading you to ordain so many high priests. You have thought that the high priests were scarce ; but they are not. There are many thousands of them now upon the earth ; and, although there are quite a number of them now in my Church, there are, notwithstanding, many of them who have not yet obeyed my gospel. Of those who have, some of them are in the lesser priesthood ; but they will be taken out, and placed in their own places. And, in due time, all things pertaining to my Church will be placed in their own order.
3. And it is my will that you should give unto all those whom you have ordained to the high priesthood a certificate of their ordination, as soon as you can make it convenient. And, behold,
THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS. 8 1
I speak unto all those who have complied with my request; let them place their whole confidence in me, and I will fight their battles. They have nothing to fear, for I will be by their side by my holy angels ; and, if they will hearken to the whisperings of the still small voice, not a hair of their heads shall be hurt.
4. And as concerning the Holy Ghost, which I have promised to all those who have complied with my request, it shall commence to influence them from the time that they were confirmed into my Church ; and its influence shall continue to increase with them, and seal the truth upon their minds. It shall be a continual light to their pathway, and give unto them the promised testimony.
5. And when your enemies are about to come upon you, you shall call all those who believe in me together ; and at the right time I will appoint unto you the place to which they shall gather. I am controlling those wicked shepherds who oppose you, and I will bring them to my own terms. All will go right. Therefore, let them hearken diligently to my words, and obey them, and I will be with them unto the end.
I now give unto you no more. I am he who holds in his hands the destinies of all men; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS UNDER THE FULL- NESS OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
No. 59. WEBER, UTAH, April lyth, 1861.
1. INASMUCH as the chief acting officers of my holy priesthood, under the fullness of the gospel, feel that I have not given unto them a sufficient testimony of the truth of the mission of my servant, the prophet, who now holds the keys of my kingdom upon the earth, let them hearken unto the words of the Lord their God ; for I am about to reason with them upon this matter.
2. They bring up the evidence which I gave unto those men whom I have called to assist my servant, Joseph Smith, and com- pare it with the evidence which they have received under the full- ness of the priesthood ; and they consider that the evidence which
82 THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS.
I gave to the associates of the Prophet Joseph Smith, is greater than that which they have received ; but they do not know what they are saying. They think that it was a great thing for me to send a holy angel unto those men, who were one with my servant Joseph Smith, in his beginning. But what was that compared with that which they have now received? Unto them I have revealed all heights of exaltation, both of Gods and angels, and also of worlds innumerable. And I have placed them in a position where they can come to a knowledge of the inhabitants of all earths which have been created. Moreover, I have sent unto them the angel Gabriel, clothed in mortality, to restore all things, and to bring down all power under his feet, and I am with him ; but it seems that I cannot make those men believe it. Oh, how they do trifle with me ! How they aggravate me with their follies ! If they would only act reasonably with me, I could do with them ; but they do not. They think that I ought to do everything that they ask me to do in a minute. They will not give me time to commence to do it before they censure me because it is not done. I cannot please them, do what I will. In their estimation all that I do is wrong. They think that they know what ought to be done better than I do. They cannot do their own duty, for fear that I shall not do mine. How can I work with such people? They act as inconsistently as though they knew nothing about me.
3. It seems that they cannot place their confidence in me unless they could see me ; but they cannot see me until there shall be a temple built, and a holy place appointed for that purpose ; and then, if they are worthy, I will meet with them, and speak with them mouth to mouth. It is contrary to the law by which I am governed for me to meet with them in the open air, or to be seen by them. No person can see me without being transfigured ; but I will show myself to those who have occasion to see me. If I show myself to my servant who holds the keys of my kingdom, it is sufficient at present ; but, in due time, I will reveal myself to thousands. When I met with mine ancient covenant people, they had a place prepared for me, where I could meet with them, and show myself unto them ; and when these my people have prepared a place for me, I will appear to them also.
4. The trouble with my servants is this : They do not know
THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS. 83
me. Their minds have been exercised too much with the foolish- ness of men. So much so, that they neither have confidence in me, nor in anything else. Neither do they reason honestly, or they never could have come to the conclusion to which they have come. But I suppose that they will justify their own course, and consider that it is I who am wrong. Suppose that I should make my appearance to them, what benefit would that be to them ? It would not relieve them. Suppose that I should open the heavens to them, and they should see all the heavenly host, what benefit would that be to them.'' They know that these things exist in the heavens, as well as if I had shown them unto them. They have the keys of knowledge by which all these things are known ; and if they do believe in those keys, which reveal all things, they would not believe that it was me, even should they see me. They would not acknowledge the sight of their own eyes. There is a spirit that wars against them that would lead them to infidelity. It is in the Church, and they have felt the effects of it ; and they must strive against it, or it will take them down the stream to destruction. But if they cannot believe in those keys of knowledge which I have given, they cannot believe in me ; for, whosoever under- stands the laws by which I am governed, sees me in all my glory, for these are my attributes. And by this means, those who have any knowledge of me, know me. And this is eternal life to all people, that they have a perfect knowledge of my laws and obey them.
I now add no more ; but I will shortly give unto you more. For the present, let this suffice. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS UNDER THE FULL- NESS OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
No. 60. WEBER, UTAH, April i8th, 1861.
i. BEHOLD, I am the Lord of Hosts, and I am come to speak unto you again concerning those chief acting officers of my Church under the fullness of the holy priesthood.
84 THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS.
2. They are greatly afflicted in their feelings without a cause. If they could only place their confidence in me, what a burden it would remove off them. But, if they cannot do so, they must grapple with their own weakness. I have done my duty to them as far as I have gone with them ; and they know that no person as yet has ever injured them. And if I have preserved them through the past, why cannot they place their confidence in me, and trust me for the future? If men could only act reasonably with me, I could do with them. Whoever has proved me false in any one thing that I have ever promised? No. one. I never failed to fulfill my word ; yet men say that they do not understand me. It is only given to one man upon the earth to understand me perfectly ; and he who holds the keys of my kingdom upon the earth is that man ; and it is his duty to explain my words to the satisfaction of all. I am governed by a celestial law.
3. As I have said unto you in a former revelation, so I say unto you again, what benefit would it be unto those men if I should send unto them a holy angel? What would they know about him more than what they now know? They know that an angel is a resurrected personage ; and what more do they need to know about angels? If an angel was sent unto them, what could he tell them more than they now know? Nothing at all. They have the greatest angel now in their midst that ever surrounded my throne; but they do not appreciate that blessing. But, behold, I say unto them, if they do not alter their course, I will take him away from them. I will not suffer that his feelings shall be con- tinually wounded by their foolishness.
4. They need not to think that I am dependent upon them ; for I am not. Should they leave me I can still obtain help. They act as though they had nothing to do with the salvation of man. They had much better have remained with their fathers at home, than to have come here to grumble and complain as they do. I suppose that they think that they are laboring for me ; but they are not. If they labor at all, they do it for themselves. They had better make up their minds what they are going to do. And if they are going to draw out from me, the sooner they do so, the better; for, as they now are, they are of no use to me. But if they conclude to act in the office to which I have appointed
THE CHIEF ACTING OFFICERS. 85
them, I wish them to humble themselves before me, that I may pardon their sins; for they have grievously sinned against me. They think that I should do everything that they ask me to do in one minute. If I have made unto them a promise, and they are worthy, I will fulfill it as soon as I can ; but the way in which they now act, renders them unworthy of the least of my blessings. They consider that I have never given unto them a manifestation of my power ; as yet, they have never needed one. When they need to see one, they shall see it. They can read in the Bible of the miracles that I performed through my servant Moses ; but I did not manifest my power through him until I had first raised him up, and given unto him all the keys of the holy priesthood. And I was several years in doing so before I began to manifest my almighty power through him. But after I had started my work with him, I never staid my hand while he was upon the earth; and I will do the same now. After I shall have once started, I will never stay my hand again until I shall have brought down all power under my feet. But these men think that I should now give unto them a manifestation of my power to satisfy them. Should I do this, I would disturb the calm which I wish to exist until I am ready to burst things up, and then they will se£ all the manifestations of power which they wish to see.- When they see that I am at work, the}- ought to be satisfied. As often as they need information, they can hear from me, if they will take the right course. I am ready and willing to pour out blessings upon all those who seek me with all their hearts.
I now add no more. I am he. that was, and is, and is to come; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
FORMER REVELATIONS EXPLAINED.— BAPTISM.— THE SACRAMENT.— HEALING OF THE SICK.
No. 6 1. WEBER, UTAH, April i9th, 1861.
i. IT is necessary that you should know my will concerning the work that lies before you. Those men who are connected with you in this work, have desired to know of me what I meant
86 BAPTISM. THE SACRAMENT.
by calling upon them to be baptized for the remission of their sins, and, thereby, commencing an organization. It was necessary for me to do this, in order to prepare a number of men to preach my gospel in its fullness, and that there might be a place prepared for the people to rally to, when I shall have moved the obstacles that now bind my people together out of the way, and those obstacles I will remove when I shall have worked things up to a head. I understand my business, no matter whether others think that I do or not. When I told my people to stand still and watch my wonder-working hand, I did not mean that they should stand still and do nothing at all ; but, on the contrary, I called upon them to do a small thing to loose my hands so that I could work, and I expected them to do it. Then what did I mean by telling them to stand still? I meant that they must not go abroad among the people to preach, until I shall have opened the way for them. I told them that they could not convince the people by so doing t for it is my business to penetrate their hearts ; and, when I am ready, I can do it effectually. But the law by which I am governed binds me to take a course to save alive as many innocent people as I shall be able to : besides which, I do not delight in shedding the blood of the innocent.
2. And now, behold, I say unto you, my son, it is necessary that you should know my will concerning the future. You have baptized many already; others, also, will flock to you, and call upon you for baptism; and, as much as possible, I will send unto you those who are worthy ; but the rest I will restrain. I will regulate all these things as well as possible. And you shall baptize those who apply to you for baptism, and place them in their own places; and you shall continue to preach to those who come to hear you. I will shortly place you in a different position to that in which you are now placed. Therefore, hearken to my words, and be content to remain as you are until I change your circumstances.
3. As touching the partaking of the sacrament, it is my will that these my people should wait a short time for this privilege, and I will speak unto my servant again upon this matter at the time which I have appointed, and reveal unto him more about it. Until then, let all be satisfied, and continue on as they are.
THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS. 87
4
4. And as for the healing of the sick, I will pour out that blessing upon my people in rich abundance to the satisfaction of all, if they will only wait until the time has arrived for me to do so. But the difficulty with them is, that they must have a thing done immediately, or they begin to murmur against me, and charge me with being false. I do not work in haste. All things with me must take their regular round.
5. And as concerning the gifts of the spirit, I will shortly pour them out upon my people to their satisfaction. I am doing the best that I can for them in every respect. Let them all hearken to my words, and diligently obey them, and all will be well.
I now add no more. I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS.
No. 62. WEBER, UTAH, May 3d, 1861.
BEHOLD, I am the light and the life of the world ; the same which moves forth in the darkness, and the darkness compre- hendeth it not. I am he who speaks the word, and all the heavenly hosts obey ; who groaned upon the cross, and all eternity was pained. And I am come to speak unto you, my son; con- cerning those whom you have ordained to the holy priesthood. It is necessary that you should enter into an order whereby to instruct them in those things which I have revealed unto you, that they may be prepared for the work which I have called them to do. There is a great work lying before them, and they need to be preparing themselves for it. And this order which you must com- mence, you shall call the "School of the Prophets." And in that school you shall teach the hidden mysteries of my Church. And you shall gather together the high priests as often as you can make it convenient, and instruct them on this wise. And, for the time being, you may admit into the school the priests of Aaron ; but, in due time, there will be none admitted into this school but high priests. And this order shall be fully established in the Church,
88 THE PROPHET AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
and it shall continue as long as the fullness of the priesthood con- tinues upon the earth. And you shall preside over this school, and it shall be conducted after this manner : It shall be opened by singing and prayer, and there shall be perfect order kept in the school. There shall be but one person speak at once, and all others shall sit in silence ; and there shall be no laughter allowed in the school. And, inasmuch as my servants will hearken unto my words and obey them, I will meet with them in this holy place, and they shall be filled with wisdom. Every endowment neces- sary shall be granted unto them. It is my delight to build them up in those things which belong to eternal life. Let them not fear, for, if they will hearken unto me, I will be with them unto the end. I am Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
THE PROPHET'S SICKNESS, AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
No. 63. WEBER, UTAH, May 3d, 1861.
1. BEHOLD, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, I have looked down upon you and seen your sickness. You have passed through so much since I called you, and it has so broken your constitution, that it is with great difficulty that you manage to live ; and you must not talk any more at this time than duty calls you to do, and, when you do talk, you must not exert yourself any more than necessary. The ill usage which you have been called to pass through was more than mortal man could well endure ; but I will shortly heal you again, and you shall gradually gain your strength back.
2. I am continually at work with this people, striving to bring about a change, and all things are working well. There are hundreds of people who now believe in me, and they will soon call upon you for baptism ; and I shall soon have a sufficient number in the new organization of my Church to commence the work with, and then, when there is a certain number in the Church, which will be sufficient for me to commence my work with, I will cut a clear way through your enemies. I will then make a slaughter among them. And as I have said unto you
THE PROPHET AND HIS ASSOCIATES. 89
before, so I say unto you again, I will hold all your enemies off you until I am ready to cut them off. When I am ready, then I will destroy them in the flesh. I will act with you in such a way as to remove all the burden that I can off you ; for I do not delight to see you continually weighed down until your life is a burden to you.
3. And it is my will that those men who are one with you should do likewise. Let them uphold you, and I will uphold them. And, if they will only do that which I command them, all will be well with them. They must take a course to hold all the burden off you that they can. Let them cease their light-mindedness and loud laughter, for it is sin in my sight. As for the preaching which they have done to those who have come to hear, I am well pleased with it. In this respect I am well pleased with them. Notwithstanding this, they are light-minded. This is the greatest failing that they have. They should be an example to others. It is my will that they should continue in preaching as they have hitherto done ; and let them place their whole confidence in me. I will do my duty. They need not to fear. No person ever knew my works to fail. It is not the work of the Lord that is frustrated, but the work of man. They can see the works of man failing all around them, and, on this account, they are deceived ; for they judge of the works of the Lord by the works of man ; therefore, it is hard to find faith upon the earth.
4. And as concerning my servant John Parson, I have seen his sickness, and I will shortly heal his body, and he shall enjoy good health. He desires that blessing, and it shall be granted unto him.
I now add no more. I am he whose words are quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword; even Jesus Christ. Even so. Amen and Amen.
90 JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
REVELATION CONCERNING JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
No. 64. WEBER, UTAH, May 4th, 1861.
1. IT is necessary that you should understand my movements among men.
2. You have heard of a new sect rising up, calling themselves the "True Latter Day Saints," headed by the son of my servant, Joseph Smith, and you wish to know whether I have anything to do with them, or not. I answer that I have. I am using them to be a scfourge to those false shepherds of my flock, that through them I might open the eyes of some. But, when I have accom- plished my purposes with them, I will turn them another way. I have given unto them a portion of my holy spirit to prepare them for the work which I have called them to do. Therefore, I am using them to assist you, and, in the end, I will bring them up to you, and many of them will obey the fulness of my go spel, and become one with you. They are in my hands, and I will turn them hither and thither as it seemeth me good. They enjoy, in part, the gifts of my spirit. I have given unto them wisdom, and love for each other ; and I will take good care of them. You need not to think that they will come in contact with you, for they will not. They will become subject to you. And, at the time which I have appointed, I will bring down all power under your feet.
3. I have not, as yet, called my servant, Joseph Smith, who now stands at the head of that party, to be a prophet. I have only moved upon him by my holy spirit for a certain purpose. I shall do nothing in that respect, but what I do through you. I do not claim the right to do anything upon the earth that concerns you, without your consent. Therefore, when I call my servant Joseph Smith to be a prophet, I shall call him through you.
4. There will be many prophets called to assist you in a day to come, but none will hold the keys of this dispensation except you. All others will be subject to you. There is an order in my Church, and that order has to be adhered to. There can be but one person upon the earth at once holding the keys of a dis- pensation. There may be many prophets upon the earth at one time, but they must be subject to him who holds the keys.
THE DELIVERANCE OF THE