RLDS Church History Search

Chapter Context

RLDS History Context Results


Source: Church History Vol. 2 Chapter 1 Page: 8 (~1836)

Read Previous Page / Next Page
8 spiritual reward has been very great indeed. Spent the evening at home."-Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 582.

On February 15,1836, this council again assembled, when the committee on rules reported. Their report was three times read, then passed upon by the Presidency, the High Council of Kirtland, the High Council of Zion, the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, the Bishop of Zion and his counselors, the Bishop of Kirtland and his counselors, and then by the assembly as a whole; when it became a law to govern the house of the Lord in Kirtland. 1

At this council Don C. Smith was chosen President of the High Priests in Kirtland; Alva Beeman to preside over the

1 "I. It is according to the rules and regulations of all regular and legally organized bodies, to have a President to keep order.

"II. The body thus organized, are under obligation to be is subjection to that authority.

"III. When a congregation assembles in this house, they shall submit to the following rules, that due respect may be paid to the order of worship; viz.:-

"1. No man shall be interrupted who is appointed to speak by the Presidency of the church, by any disorderly person or persons in the congregation, by whispering, by laughing, by talking by menacing gestures, by getting up and running out in a disorderly manner or by offering indignity to the manner of worship, or the religion, or to any officer of said church, while officiating in his office, in anywise whatsoever, by any display of ill manners, or ill breeding, from old or young, rich or poor, male or female, bond or free, black or white, believer or unbeliever. And if any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be taken as are lawful, to punish the aggressor or aggressors, and eject them out of the house.

"2. An insult offered to the presiding elder of said church, shall be considered an insult to the whole body. Also, an insult offered to any of the officers of said church, while officiating, shall be considered an insult to the whole body.

"3. All persons are prohibited from going up the stairs in times of worship.

"4. All persons are prohibited from exploring the house, except waited upon by a person appointed for that purpose.

"5. All persons are prohibited from going into the several pulpits, except the officers who are appointed to officiate in the same.

"6. All persons are prohibited from cutting, marking, or marring the inside or outside of the house with a knife, pencil, or any other instrument whatever, under pain of such penalty as the law shall inflict.

"7. All children are prohibited from assembling in the house, above or below, or any part of it, to play, or for recreation, at any time; and all parents, guardians, or masters, shall be amenable for all damage that shall accrue in consequence of their children's misconduct.

"8 All persons, whether believers or unbelievers, shall be treated with due respect by the authorities of the church.

"9. No imposition shall be practiced upon any member of the church by depriving them of their rights in the house."-Millennial Star, vol. 15 pp. 582, 583.

(page 8)

Read Previous Page / Next Page