| 547 that you have seen the face of God. Therefore, call upon him in faith and mighty prayer till you prevail; for it is your duty and your privilege to bear such testimony for yourselves. We now exhort you to be faithful to fulfill your calling; there must be no lack here; you must fulfill in all things: and permit us to repeat, all nations have a claim on you; you are bound together as the three witnesses were; you, notwithstanding, can part and meet, and meet and part again, till your heads are silvered over with age.
"'He then took them separately by the hand, and said, Do you with full purpose of heart take part in this ministry, to proclaim the gospel with all diligence, with these your brethren, according to the tenor and intent of the charge you have received? Each of whom answered in the affirmative.
"'Kirtland, February 27.
"'This evening, nine of the Twelve; viz., Lyman Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton, and William Smith, assembled at the house of President Joseph Smith, Jr., who was present, with Frederick G. Williams, Sidney Rigdon, Bishop Whitney, and three elders. Parley P. Pratt had gone to New Portage, and Orson Pratt and Thomas B. Marsh had not yet arrived to receive their ordination.
"'After prayer by President Joseph Smith, Jr., he said if he were heard patiently he could lay before the council an item which would be of importance. He had for himself learned a fact, by experience, which, on reflection, always gave him deep sorrow. It is a fact, if I now had in my possession, every decision which has been had upon important items of doctrine and duties, since the commencement of this work, I would not part with them for any sum of money; but we have neglected to take minutes of such things, thinking, perhaps, that they would never benefit us afterwards; which, had we now, would decide almost every point of doctrine which might be agitated. But this has been neglected, and now we cannot bear record to the church and to the world of the great and glorious manifestations
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