| 169 wife for Kirtland, Ohio, where we arrived about the first of February, and were kindly received and welcomed into the house of Brother N. K. Whitney. I and my wife lived in the family of Brother Whitney several weeks, and received every kindness and attention which could be expected, and especially from Sister Whitney. The branch of the church in this part of the Lord's vineyard, which had increased to nearly one hundred [this evidently should read one thousand] members, were striving to do the will of God, so far as they knew it, though some strange notions and false spirits had crept in among them. With a little caution and some wisdom I soon assisted the brethren and sisters to overcome them. The plan of 'common stock,' which had existed in what was called 'the family,' whose members generally had embraced the everlasting gospel, was readily abandoned for the more perfect law of the Lord: and the false spirits were easily discerned and rejected by the light of revelation."-Times and Seasons, vol. 4, p. 368.
On Friday, February 4, 1831, a revelation was given promising, on conditions of their assembling with prayer and faith, that a law should be given "that ye may know how to govern my church, and have all things right before me."
In this revelation provision is made for the financial department of the work by the call of the first bishop of the church, whose duties were to be subsequently defined. They were also told that the law which they were to receive was '"to be answered upon your souls in the day of judgment;" teaching as plainly as words can that it was not to be abrogated in time, but would be in force until the judgment. The reader will please remember this point, for we may refer to it again. 8
8 1. Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest blessings; ye that hear me: and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my name with the heaviest of all cursings. Hearken, O ye elders of my church whom I have called: behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word, and by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law, that ye may know how to govern my church, and have all things right before me.
2. And I will be your Ruler when I come; and, behold, I come quickly;
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