| 281 may be misunderstood; viz., that in which they were instructed to finish the translation of the prophets, for the reason that the history has spoken of the New Testament being finished on February 2, 1833. It is evident, however, that the New Testament was first finished, the prophets remaining incomplete at the time this revelation was given. It appears from this revelation that the primary right of presiding over the church, and of regulating and setting in order all the affairs of the same, is resident in the First Presidency; and that the true philosophy of the organization is, that if others should be appointed to those duties, these rights and prerogatives inhere in them in a secondary sense, to be exercised under the direction and counsel of the First Presidency. At the time of the giving of this revelation, and for some time after, the incomplete organization
the mouth of the Lord shall name. And let thy counselor, even Sidney Rigdon, remain where he now resides, until the mouth of the Lord shall name. And let the bishop search diligently, to obtain an agent; and let it be a man who has got riches in store; a man of God and of strong faith; that thereby he may be enabled to discharge every debt; that the storehouse of the Lord may not be brought into disrepute before the eyes of the people. Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly, and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. Let your families be small, especially mine aged servant Joseph Smith, Sr., as pertaining to those who do not belong to your families; that those things that are provided for you, to bring to pass my work are not taken from you and given to those that are not worthy, and thereby you are hindered in accomplishing those things which I have commanded you.
7. And again, verily I say unto you, It is my will that my handmaid, Vienna Jaques, should receive money to bear her expenses, and go up unto the land of Zion; and the residue of the money may be consecrated unto me, and she be rewarded in mine own due time. Verily I say unto you, that it is meet in mine eyes, that she should go up unto the land of Zion, and receive an inheritance from the hand of the bishop, that she may settle down in peace inasmuch as she is faithful, and not be idle in her days from thenceforth.
8. And, behold, verily I say unto you, that ye shall write this commandment, and say unto your brethren in Zion, in love greeting, that I have called you also to preside over Zion in mine own due time; therefore let them cease wearying me concerning this matter. Behold, I say unto you, that your brethren in Zion begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them; nevertheless, I am not well pleased with many things; and I am not well pleased with my servant William E. McLellin, neither with my servant Sidney Gilbert; and the bishop also; and others have many things to repent of; but verily 1 say unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with Zion and plead with her strong ones, and chasten her, until she overcomes and is clean before me; for she shall not be removed out of her place. I, the Lord, have spoken it. Amen.
(page 281) |
