Nauvoo Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Prophet's Instruction on Various the praise of His glory, that we may be sealed up
Doctrines (to the Quorum of the Twelve, 27 unto the day of redemption."Ephesians, 1st
June 1839) chapter.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God, This principle ought (in its proper place)
through the testimony of the servants of God; to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything
that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the
prophecy and revelation. Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all
Repentance is a thing that cannot be things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the
trifled with every day. Daily transgression and day must come when no man need say to his
daily repentance is not that which is pleasing in neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know
the sight of God. Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest.
Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory How is this to be done? It is to be done by this
to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the sealing power, and the other Comforter spoken
channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be of, which will be manifest by revelation.
administered. There are two Comforters spoken of. One
The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of
on of hands, cannot be received through the Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith,
medium of any other principle than the principle repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or
of righteousness, for if the proposals are not Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure
complied with, it is of no use, but withdraws. intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the
Tongues were given for the purpose of mind, enlightening the understanding, and
preaching among those whose language is not storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a
understood; as on the day of Pentecost, etc., and it man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than
is not necessary for tongues to be taught to the one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half
Church particularly, for any man that has the as much visible effect upon the body; for as the
Holy Ghost, can speak of the things of God in his Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of
own tongue as well as to speak in another; for Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole
faith comes not by signs, but by hearing the word soul and body are only exercised by the pure
of God. spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy
The Doctrines of the Resurrection of the Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old
Dead and the Eternal Judgment are necessary to blood, and make him actually of the seed of
preach among the first principles of the Gospel of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of
Jesus Christ. Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by
The Doctrine of Election. Peter exhorts us the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be
to make our calling and election sure. This is the more of a powerful effect upon the body, and
sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places. visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while
"13. In whom ye also trusted, that after ye heard the Israelite at first might be far before the
the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Gentile in pure intelligence.
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed The other Comforter spoken of is a
with that Holy Spirit of promise, subject of great interest, and perhaps understood
"14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until by few of this generation. After a person has faith
the redemption of the purchased possession, unto in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for
the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the
Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the Saints who held communion with the general
first Comforter, then let him continue to humble assembly and Church of the Firstborn.
himself before God, hungering and thirsting after The Spirit of Revelation is in connection
righteousness, and living by every word of God, with these blessings. A person may profit by
and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou noticing the first intimation of the spirit of
shalt be exalted. revelation; for instance, when you feel pure
When the Lord has thoroughly proved intelligence flowing into you, it may give you
him, and finds that the man is determined to sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you
serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.)
his calling and his election made sure, then it will those things that were presented unto your minds
be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus
which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is by learning the Spirit of God and understanding
recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th it, you may grow into the principle of revelation,
chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses. until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.
Note the 16, 17, 18, 21, 23 verses:
"16. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
you another Comforter, that he may abide with 183831 July 1842] [addenda]," p. 8-9 [addenda], The
you forever; Joseph Smith Papers,
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"17. Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither november-1838-31-july-1842/543)
knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth
with you, and shall be in you.
"18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come
The Prophet's Address to the Twelve
to you. . . .
In the afternoon of Monday, July 2, 1839, the
"21. He that hath my commandments, and
keepeth them he it is that loveth me: and he that
Prophet met with the Apostles and some of
loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will the Seventies who were about to depart on
love him, and will manifest myself to him. their mission to Great Britain in fulfilment of
"23. If a man love me, he will keep my word: and the revelation of the Lord, and instructed
my Father will love him, and we will come unto them.
him, and make our abode with him." Ever keep in exercise the principle of
Now what is this other Comforter? It is mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the
no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ first intimations of repentance, and asking
Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the forgiveness; and should we even forgive our
whole matter; that when any man obtains this brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or
last Comforter, he will have the personage of ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be
Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him equally as merciful unto us. . . .
from time to time, and even He will manifest the When the Twelve or any other witnesses
Father unto him, and they will take up their stand before the congregations of the earth, and
abode with him, and the visions of the heavens they preach in the power and demonstration of
will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach the Spirit of God, and the people are astonished
him face to face, and he may have a perfect and confounded at the doctrine, and say, "That
knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of man has preached a powerful discourse, a great
God; and this is the state and place the ancient sermon," then let that man or those men take care
Saints arrived at when they had such glorious that they do not ascribe the glory unto
visionsIsaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of themselves, but be careful that they are humble,
and ascribe the praise and glory to God and the ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
Lamb; for it is by the power of the Holy 183831 July 1842] [addenda]," p. 9-13 [addenda],
Priesthood and the Holy Ghost that they have The Joseph Smith Papers,
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
power thus to speak. What art thou, O man, but
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
dust? And from whom receivest thou thy power november-1838-31-july-1842/544)
and blessings, but from God? . . . .
I will give you one of the Keys of the
mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal An Epistle of the Prophet to the Twelve (who
principle, that has existed with God from all were in Great Britain, written 19 Oct 1840)
eternity: That man who rises up to condemn Beloved Brethren.May grace, mercy,
others, finding fault with the Church, saying that and peace rest upon you from God the Father and
they are out of the way, while he himself is the Lord Jesus Christ. Having several
righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is communications lying before me from my
in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not brethren the Twelve, some of which ere this have
repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle merited a reply, but from the multiplicity of
is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in business which necessarily engages my attention,
saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous I have delayed communicating with you to the
person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, present time.
and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever Be assured, beloved brethren, that I am
you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it no disinterested observer of the things which are
down that he is an adulterous man. . . . transpiring on the face of the whole earth; and
Salvation cannot come without amidst the general movements which are in
revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister progress, none is of more importance than the
without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ glorious work in which you are now engaged;
without being a Prophet. No man can be a consequently I feel some anxiety on your
minister of Jesus Christ except he has the account, that you may by your virtue, faith,
testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of diligence and charity commend yourselves to one
prophecy. Whenever salvation has been another, to the Church of Christ, and to your
administered, it has been by testimony. Men of Father who is in heaven; by whose grace you
the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have been called to so holy a calling; and be
have never seen either; and I will say that no man enabled to perform the great and responsible
knows these things without this. . . . duties which rest upon you. And I can assure you,
We may look for angels and receive their that from the information I have received, I feel
ministrations, but we are to try the spirits and satisfied that you have not been remiss in your
prove them, for it is often the case that men make duty; but that your diligence and faithfulness
a mistake in regard to these things. . . . have been such as must secure you the smiles of
Not every spirit, or vision, or singing, is of God. that God whose servant you are, and also the
The devil is an orator; he is powerful; he took our good will of the Saints throughout the world. . . .
Savior on to a pinnacle of the Temple, and kept Love is one of the chief characteristics of
Him in the wilderness for forty days. The gift of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who
discerning spirits will be given to the Presiding aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with
Elder. Pray for him that he may have this gift. the love of God, is not content with blessing his
Speak not in the gift of tongues without family alone, but ranges through the whole
understanding it, or without interpretation. The world, anxious to bless the whole human race.
devil can speak in tongues. This has been your feeling, and caused you to
forego the pleasures of home, that you might be a
blessing to others, who are candidates for
immortality, but strangers to truth; and for so depart; we shall find no room in our bosoms for
doing, I pray that heaven's choicest blessings may hatred; vice will hide its deformed head, and we
rest upon you. . . . shall stand approved in the sight of Heaven, and
Beloved brethren, you must be aware in be acknowledged the sons of God.
some measure of my feelings, when I contemplate Let us realize that we are not to live to
the great work which is now rolling on, and the ourselves, but to God; by so doing the greatest
relationship which I sustain to it, while it is blessings will rest upon us both in time and in
extending to distant lands, and thousands are eternity.
embracing it. I realize in some measure my
responsibility, and the need I have of support ("Letterbook 2," p. 190-196, The Joseph Smith
from above, and wisdom from on high, that I may Papers,
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
be able to teach this people, which have now
summary/letterbook-2/195)
become a great people, the principles of
righteousness, and lead them agreeably to the will
of Heaven; so that they may be perfected, and A Proclamation of the First Presidency of the
prepared to meet the Lord Jesus Christ when He Church to the Saints Scattered Abroad (15 January
shall appear in great glory. Can I rely on your 1841)
prayers to our heavenly Father on my behalf, and . . . let the brethren who love the
on all the prayers of all my brethren and sisters in prosperity of Zion, who are anxious that her
England, (whom having not seen, yet I love), that stakes should be strengthened and her cords
I may be enabled to escape every stratagem of lengthened, and who prefer her prosperity to
Satan, surmount every difficulty, and bring this their chief joy, come and cast in their lots with
people to the enjoyment of those blessings which us, and cheerfully engage in a work so glorious
are reserved for the righteous? I ask this at your and sublime, and say with Nehemiah, "We, His
hands in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. servants, will arise and build." It probably would
Let the Saints remember that great things hardly be necessary to enforce this important
depend on their individual exertion, and that subject on the attention of the Saints, as its
they are called to be co-workers with us and the necessity is obvious, and is a subject of paramount
Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of importance; but as watchmen to the house of
the last days; and in consideration of the extent, Israelas shepherds over the flock which is now
the blessings and glories of the same, let every scattered over a vast extent of country, and the
selfish feeling be not only buried, but annihilated; anxiety we feel for their prosperity and
and let love to God and man predominate, and everlasting welfare, and for the carrying out the
reign triumphant in every mind, that their hearts great and glorious purposes of our God, to which
may become like unto Enoch's of old, and we have been called, we feel to urge its necessity,
comprehend all things, present, past and future, and sayLet the Saints come here; this is the
and come behind in no gift, waiting for the word of the Lord, and in accordance with the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. great work of the last days. It is true, the idea of a
The work in which we are unitedly general gathering has heretofore been associated
engaged is one of no ordinary kind. The enemies with the most cruel and oppressing scenes, owing
we have to contend against are subtle and well to our unrelenting persecutions at the hands of
skilled in maneuvering; it behooves us to be on wicked and unjust men; but we hope that those
the alert to concentrate our energies, and that the days of darkness and gloom have gone by, and,
best feelings should exist in our midst; and then, from the liberal policy of our state government,
by the help of the Almighty, we shall go on from we may expect a scene of peace and prosperity we
victory to victory, and from conquest to conquest; have never before witnessed since the rise of our
our evil passions will be subdued, our prejudices Church, and the happiness and prosperity which
now await us, is, in all human probability, sentiment of religion; and therefore say, that so
incalculably great. By a concentration of action, far from being restricted to our own faith, let all
and a unity of effort, we can only accomplish the those who desire to locate themselves in this
great work of the last days which we could not do place, or the vicinity, come, and we will hail
in our remote and scattered condition, while our them as citizens and friends, and shall feel it not
interests, both temporal and spiritual, will be only a duty, but a privilege, to reciprocate the
greatly enhanced, and the blessings of heaven kindness we have received from the benevolent
must flow unto us in an uninterrupted stream; of and kind-hearted citizens of the state of Illinois.
this, we think there can be no question.
The greatest temporal and spiritual blessings ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
which always flow from faithfulness and 183831 July 1842]," p. 1147-1148, The Joseph
concerted effort, never attended individual Smith Papers,
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
exertion or enterprise. The history of all past ages
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
abundantly attests this fact. In addition to all november-1838-31-july-1842/319)
temporal blessings, there is no other way for the
Saints to be saved in these last days, [than by the
gathering] as the concurrent testimony of all the
General Conference, 7 April 1841
holy Prophets clearly proves, . . .
We contemplate a people who have
We would wish the Saints to understand
embraced a system of religion, unpopular, and the
that, when they come here, they must not expect
adherence to which has brought upon them
perfection, or that all will be harmony, peace, and
repeated persecutions. A people who, for their
love; if they indulge these ideas, they will
love for God, and attachment to His cause, have
undoubtedly be deceived, for here there are
suffered hunger, nakedness, perils, and almost
persons, not only from different states, but from
every privation. A people who, for the sake of
different nations, who, although they feel a great
their religion, have had to mourn the premature
attachment to the cause of truth, have their
death of parents, husbands, wives, and children.
prejudices of education, and, consequently, it
A people, who have preferred death to slavery
requires some time before these things can be
and hypocrisy, and have honorably maintained
overcome. Again, there are many that creep in
their characters, and stood firm and immovable,
unawares, and endeavor to sow discord, strife,
in times that have tried men's souls. Stand fast, ye
and animosity in our midst, and by so doing,
Saints of God, hold on a little while longer, and
bring evil upon the Saints. These things we have
the storm of life will be past, and you will be
to bear with, and these things will prevail either
rewarded by that God whose servants you are,
to a greater or less extent until "the floor be
and who will duly appreciate all your toils and
thoroughly purged," and "the chaff be burnt up."
afflictions for Christ's sake and the Gospel's. Your
Therefore, let those who come up to this place be
names will be handed down to posterity as Saints
determined to keep the commandments of God,
of God and virtuous men.
and not be discouraged by those things we have
enumerated, and then they will be prospered ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
the intelligence of heaven will be communicated 183831 July 1842]," p. 1190, The Joseph Smith
to them, and they will, eventually, see eye to eye, Papers,
and rejoice in the full fruition of that glory which http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
is reserved for the righteous. . . . summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
november-1838-31-july-1842/362)
We wish it likewise to be distinctly
understood, that we claim no privilege but what
we feel cheerfully disposed to share with our
fellow citizens of every denomination, and every
Instructions from the Prophet Joseph Smith at Sunday Sermon given on Sunday 20 March
the Request of the Quorum of the Twelve 1842 in the grove on the west of the Temple.
gave the following Items of Instruction 3 (The body of a young child who had just died had
Oct 1841 been put at the front in a coffin causing the
There is never a time when the spirit is Prophet to change his remarks slightly)
too old to approach God. All are within the reach
of pardoning mercy, who have not committed the . . . in my leisure moments I have meditated upon
unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, the subject, and asked the question, why it is that
neither in this world, nor in the world to come. infants, innocent children, are taken away from
There is a way to release the spirits of the dead; us, especially those that seem to be the most
that is by the power and authority of the intelligent and interesting. The strongest reasons
Priesthoodby binding and loosing on earth. that present themselves to my mind are these:
This doctrine appears glorious, inasmuch as it This world is a very wicked world; and it is a
exhibits the greatness of divine compassion and proverb that the "world grows weaker and wiser";
benevolence in the extent of the plan of human if that is the case, the world grows more wicked
salvation. and corrupt. In the earlier ages of the world a
This glorious truth is well calculated to righteous man, and a man of God and of
enlarge the understanding, and to sustain the soul intelligence, had a better chance to do good, to be
under troubles, difficulties and distresses. For believed and received than at the present day; but
illustration, suppose the case of two men, in these days such a man is much opposed and
brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous persecuted by most of the inhabitants of the
and lovely, walking in uprightness and in all good earth, and he has much sorrow to pass through
conscience, so far as they have been able to here. The Lord takes many away even in infancy,
discern duty from the muddy stream of tradition, that they may escape the envy of man, and the
or from the blotted page of the book of nature. sorrows and evils of this present world; they were
One dies and is buried, having never too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if
heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to the other rightly considered, instead of mourning we have
the message of salvation is sent, he hears and reason to rejoice as they as delivered from evil,
embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. and we shall soon have them again. . . .
Shall the one become the partaker of glory and The doctrine of baptizing children, or sprinkling
the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is them, or they must welter in hell, is a doctrine
there no chance for his escape? Sectarianism not true, not supported in Holy Writ, and is not
answers "none." Such an idea is worse than consistent with the character of God. All children
atheism. . . . are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and
the moment that children leave this world, they
"History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November are taken to the bosom of Abraham. The only
183831 July 1842]," p. 1229, The Joseph Smith difference between the old and young dying is,
Papers, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
november-1838-31-july-1842/401 from this miserable wicked world.
Notwithstanding all this glory, we for a moment
lose sight of it, and mourn the loss, but we do not
mourn as those without hope.
My intention was to have spoken on the
subject of baptism, but having a case of death
before us, I thought proper to refer to that
subject. I will now, however, say a few words There is a difference between the Holy
upon baptism, as I intended. Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius
God has made certain decrees which are received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized,
fixed and immovable; for instance, God set the which was the convincing power of God unto
sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens, and him of the truth of the Gospel, but he could not
gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he
which they cannot pass, except by His was baptized. Had he not taken this sign or
commandments; they all move in perfect ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which
harmony in their sphere and order, and are as convinced him of the truth of God, would have
lights, wonders and signs unto us. The sea also has left him.
its bounds which it cannot pass. God has set many
signs on the earth, as well as in the heavens; for "History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
instance, the oak of the forest, the fruit of the 183831 July 1842]," p. 1295-1297, The Joseph
Smith Papers,
tree, the herb of the field, all bear a sign that seed
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hath been planted there; for it is a decree of the summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
Lord that every tree, plant, and herb bearing seed november-1838-31-july-1842/469
should bring forth of its kind, and cannot come
forth after any other law or principle. Upon the
same principle do I contend that baptism is a sign Synopsis of the Prophet's Remarks to the
ordained of God, for the believer in Christ to take Female Relief Society, 30 March 1842
upon himself in order to enter into the kingdom All difficulties which might and would
of God, "for except ye are born of water and of cross our way must be surmounted. Though the
the Spirit ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of soul be tried, the heart faint, and the hands hang
God," said the Savior. It is a sign and a down, we must not retrace out steps; there must
commandment which God has set for man to be decision of character, aside from sympathy.
enter into His kingdom. Those who seek to enter When instructed, we must obey that voice,
in any other way will seek in vain; for God will observe the laws of the Kingdom of God, that the
not receive them, neither will the angels blessings of heaven may rest down upon us. All
acknowledge their works as accepted, for they must act in concert, or nothing can be done, and
have not obeyed the ordinances, nor attended to should move according to the ancient Priesthood;
the signs which God ordained for the salvation of hence the Saints should be a select people,
man, to prepare him for, and give him a title to, a separate from all the evils of the worldchoice,
celestial glory; and God had decreed that all who virtuous, and holy. The Lord was going to make
will not obey His voice shall not escape the of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of
damnation of hell. What is the damnation of hell? Priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in
To go with that society who have not obeyed His Enoch's day, having all the gifts as illustrated to
commands. the Church in Paul's epistles and teachings to the
Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to churches in his daythat it is the privilege of
heaven that we do the will of God, and there is each member to live long and enjoy health. He
no other way beneath the heavens whereby God then blessed the Saints.
hath ordained for man to come to Him to be
saved, and enter into the Kingdom of God, except ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 Addenda," p.
faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for 62, The Joseph Smith Papers,
the remission of sins, and any other course is in http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-
Holy Ghost. . . . addenda/62)
"Try the Spirits" The Prophet's Editorial in the mass of confusion never can enter into the
Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842 kingdom of heaven.
Recent occurrences that have transpired Every one of these professes to be
amongst us render it an imperative duty competent to try his neighbor's spirit, but no one
devolving upon me to say something in relation can try his own, and what is the reason? Because
to the spirits by which men are actuated. . . . they have not a key to unlock, no rule wherewith
"Try the spirits," but what by? Are we to to measure, and no criterion whereby they can
try them by the creeds of men? What test it. Could any one tell the length, breadth or
preposterous follywhat sheer ignorancewhat height of a building without a rule? Test the
madness! Try the motions and actions of an quality of metals without a criterion, or point out
eternal being (for I contend that all spirits are the movements of the planetary systems, without
such) by a thing that was conceived in ignorance, a knowledge of astronomy? Certainly not; and if
and brought forth in follya cobweb of such ignorance as this is manifested about a spirit
yesterday! Angels would hide their faces, and of this kind, who can describe an angel of light? If
devils would be ashamed and insulted, . . . Satan should appear as one in glory, who can tell
One great evil is, that men are ignorant of his color, his signs, his appearance, his glory, or
the nature of spirits; their power, laws, what is the manner of his manifestation? . . . . Or
government, intelligence, etc., and imagine that who can drag into daylight and develop the
when there is anything like power, revelation, or hidden mysteries of the false spirits that so
vision manifested, that it must be of God. Hence frequently are made manifest among the Latter-
the Methodists, Presbyterians, and others day Saints? We answer that no man can do this
frequently possess a spirit that will cause them to without the Priesthood, and having a knowledge
lie down, and during its operation, animation is of the laws by which spirits are governed; for as
frequently entirely suspended; they consider it to no man knows the things of God, but by the
be the power of God, and a glorious manifestation Spirit of God, so no man knows the spirit of the
from Goda manifestation of what? Is there any devil, and his power and influence, but by
intelligence communicated? Are the curtains of possessing intelligence which is more than
heaven withdrawn, or the purposes of God human, and having unfolded through the
developed? Have they seen and conversed with medium of the Priesthood the mysterious
an angelor have the glories of futurity burst operations of his devices; without knowing the
upon their view? No! but their body has been angelic form, the sanctified look and gesture, and
inanimate, the operation of their spirit suspended, the zeal that is frequently manifested by him for
and all the intelligence that can be obtained from the glory of God, together with the prophetic
them when they arise, is a shout of "glory," or spirit, the gracious influence, the godly
"hallelujah," or some incoherent expression; but appearance, and the holy garb, which are so
they have had "the power." characteristic of his proceedings and his
The Shaker will whirl around on his heel, mysterious windings.
impelled by a supernatural agency or spirit, and A man must have the discerning of spirits
think that he is governed by the Spirit of God; before he can drag into daylight this hellish
and the Jumper will jump and enter into all kinds influence and unfold it unto the world in all its
of extravagances. A Primitive Methodist will soul-destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for
shout under the influence of that spirit, until he nothing is a greater injury to the children of men
will rend the heavens with his cries; while the than to be under the influence of a false spirit
Quakers (or Friends) moved as they think, by the when they think they have the Spirit of God.
Spirit of God, will sit still and say nothing. Is God Thousands have felt the influence of its terrible
the author of all this? If not of all of it, which power and baneful effects. Long pilgrimages have
does He recognize? Surely, such a heterogeneous been undertaken, penances endured, and pain,
misery and ruin have followed in their train; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
nations have been convulsed, kingdoms Saints has also had its false spirits; and as it is
overthrown, provinces laid waste, and blood, made up of all those different sects professing
carnage and desolation are habiliments in which every variety of opinion, and having been under
it has been clothed. the influence of so many kinds of spirits, it is not
As we have noticed before, the great to be wondered at if there should be found among
difficulty lies in the ignorance of the nature of us false spirits.
spirits, of the laws by which they are governed, Soon after the Gospel was established in
and the signs by which they may be known; if it Kirtland, and during the absence of the
requires the Spirit of God to know the things of authorities of the Church, many false spirits were
God; and the spirit of the devil can only be introduced, many strange visions were seen, and
unmasked through that medium, then it follows wild, enthusiastic notions were entertained; men
as a natural consequence that unless some person ran out of doors under the influence of this spirit,
or persons have a communication, or revelation and some of them got upon the stumps of trees
from God, unfolding to them the operation of the and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were
spirit, they must eternally remain ignorant of entered into by them; one man pursued a ball
these principles; for I contend that if one man that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came
cannot understand these things but by the Spirit to a precipice, when he jumped into the top of a
of God, ten thousand men cannot; it is alike out of tree, which saved his life; and many ridiculous
the reach of the wisdom of the learned, the things were entered into, calculated to bring
tongue of the eloquent, the power of the mighty. disgrace upon the Church of God, to cause the
And we shall at last have to come to this Spirit of God to be withdrawn, and to uproot and
conclusion, whatever we may think of revelation, destroy those glorious principles which had been
that without it we can neither know nor developed for the salvation of the human family.
understand anything of God, or the devil; and But when the authorities returned, the spirit was
however unwilling the world may be to made manifest, those members that were
acknowledge this principle, it is evident from the exercised with it were tried for their fellowship,
multifarious creeds and notions concerning this and those that would not repent and forsake it
matter that they understand nothing of this were cut off.
principle, and it is equally as plain that without a At a subsequent period a Shaker spirit was
divine communication they must remain in on the point of being introduced, and at another
ignorance. The world always mistook false time the Methodist and Presbyterian falling down
prophets for true ones, and those that were sent power, but the spirit was rebuked and put down,
of God, they considered to be false prophets, and and those who would not submit to rule and good
hence they killed, stoned, punished and order were disfellowshipped. We have also had
imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to brethren and sisters who have had the gift of
hide themselves "in deserts and dens, and caves of tongues falsely; they would speak in a muttering,
the earth," and though the most honorable men unnatural voice, and their bodies be distorted like
of the earth, they banished them from their the Irvingites before alluded to; whereas, there is
society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, nothing unnatural in the Spirit of God. A
honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, circumstance of this kind took place in Upper
hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men. Canada, but was rebuked by the presiding Elder;
A man must have the discerning of spirits, another, a woman near the same place, professed
as we before stated, to understand these things, to have the discerning of spirits, and began to
and how is he to obtain this gift if there are no accuse another sister of things that she was not
gifts of the Spirit? And how can these gifts be guilty of, which she said she knew was so by the
obtained without revelation? . . . . spirit, but was afterwards proven to be false; she
placed herself in the capacity of the "accuser of brethren. Mr. Olney has also been tried by the
the brethren," and no person through the High Council and disfellowshipped, because he
discerning of spirits can bring a charge against would not have his writings tested by the word of
another, they must be proven guilty by positive God; evidently proving that he loves darkness
evidence, or they stand clear. rather than light, because his deeds are evil.
There have also been ministering angels
in the Church which were of Satan appearing as ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
an angel of light. A sister in the state of New York 183831 July 1842]," p. 1303-1312, The Joseph
Smith Papers,
had a vision, who said it was told her that if she
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
would go to a certain place in the woods, and summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
angel would appear to her. She went at the november-1838-31-july-1842/477)
appointed time, and saw a glorious personage
descending, arrayed in white, with sandy colored
hair; he commenced and told her to fear God, and Synopsis of Remarks of the ProphetSunday
said that her husband was called to do great Meeting in the Grove, 10 April 1842
things, but that he must not go more than one Joseph the Seer arose in the power of
hundred miles from home, or he would not God; reproved and rebuked wickedness before
return; whereas God had called him to go to the the people, in the name of the Lord God. He
ends of the earth, and he has since been more wished to say a few words to suit the condition of
than one thousand miles from home, and is yet the general mass, and then said: I shall speak with
alive. Many true things were spoken by this authority of the Priesthood in the name of the
personage, and many things that were false. How, Lord God, which shall prove a savor of life unto
it may be asked, was this known to be a bad life, or of death unto death. Notwithstanding this
angel? By the color of his hair; that is one of the congregation profess to be Saints, yet I stand in
signs that he can be known by, and by his the midst of all [kinds of] characters and classes of
contradicting a former revelation. men. If you wish to go where God is, you must be
We have also had brethren and sisters like God, or possess the principles which God
who have written revelations, and who have possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God
started forward to lead this Church. Such was a in principle, we are going from Him and drawing
young boy in Kirtland, Isaac Russell, of Missouri, towards the devil. Yes, I am standing in the midst
and Gladden Bishop, and Oliver Olney of of all kinds of people.
Nauvoo. The boy is now living with his parents Search your hearts, and see if you are like
who have submitted to the laws of the Church. God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of
Mr. Russell stayed in Far West, from whence he all my sins.
was to go to the Rocky Mountains, led by three We have thieves among us, adulterers,
Nephites; but the Nephites never came, and his liars, hypocrites. If God should speak from
friends forsook him, all but some of the blood heaven, he would command you not to steal, not
relations, who have since been nearly destroyed to commit adultery, not to covet, nor deceive, but
by the mob. Mr. Bishop was tried by the High be faithful over a few things. As far as we
Council, his papers examined, condemned and degenerate from God, we descend to the devil
burned, and he cut off the Church. He and lose knowledge, and without knowledge we
acknowledged the justice of the decision, and said cannot be saved, and while our hearts are filled
"that he now saw his error, for if he had been with evil, and we are studying evil, there is no
governed by the revelations given before, he room in our hearts for good, or studying good. Is
might have known that no man was to write not God good? Then you be good; if He is faithful,
revelations for the Church, but Joseph Smith," then you be faithful. Add to your faith virtue, to
and begged to be prayed for, and forgiven by the virtue knowledge, and seek for every good thing.
 The Church must be cleansed, and I them, "not according to what they have not, but
proclaim against all iniquity. A man is saved no according to what they have," those who have
faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not lived without law, will be judged without law,
get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity and those who have a law, will be judged by that
by some evil power in the other world, as evil law. We need not doubt the wisdom and
spirits will have more knowledge, and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award
consequently more power than many men who judgment or mercy to all nations according to
are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to their several deserts, their means of obtaining
assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of intelligence, the laws by which they are
God. governed, the facilities afforded them of
obtaining correct information, and His
("History, 18381856, volume C-1 Addenda," p. 62- inscrutable designs in relation to the human
63, The Joseph Smith Papers, family; and when the designs of God shall be
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-
withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to
addenda/62)
confess that the Judge of all the earth has done
right. . . .
The great Jehovah contemplated the
Editorial in the Times and Season on Baptism
whole of the events connected with the earth,
for the Dead, 15 April 1842 pertaining to the plan of salvation, before it rolled
The great designs of God in relation to the
into existence, or ever "the morning stars sang
salvation of the human family, are very little
together" for joy; the past, the present, and the
understood by the professedly wise and future were and are, with Him, one eternal
intelligent generation in which we live. Various "now;" He knew of the fall of Adam, the
and conflicting are the opinions of men
iniquities of the antediluvians, of the depth of
concerning the plan of salvation, the requisitions
iniquity that would be connected with the human
of the Almighty, the necessary preparations for family, their weakness and strength, their power
heaven, the state and condition of departed
and glory, apostasies, their crimes, their
spirits, and the happiness or misery that is
righteousness and iniquity; He comprehended the
consequent upon the practice of righteousness fall of man, and his redemption; He knew the
and iniquity according to their several notions of plan of salvation and pointed it out; He was
virtue and vice. . . .
acquainted with the situation of all nations and
But while one portion of the human race
with their destiny; He ordered all things
is judging and condemning the other without according to the council of His own will; He
mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks
knows the situation of both the living and the
upon the whole of the human family with a
dead, and has made ample provision for their
fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them redemption, according to their several
as His offspring, and without any of those circumstances, and the laws of the kingdom of
contracted feelings that influence the children of
God, whether in this world, or in the world to
men, causes "His sun to rise on the evil and on the
come.
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the The idea that some men form of the
unjust." He holds the reins of judgment in His
justice, judgment, and mercy of God, is too
hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all
foolish for an intelligent man to think of: for
men, not according to the narrow, contracted instance, it is common for many of our orthodox
notions of men, but, "according to the deeds done preachers to suppose that if a man is not what
in the body whether they be good or evil," or
they call converted, if he dies in that state he
whether these deeds were done in England,
must remain eternally in hell without any hope.
America, Spain, Turkey, or India. He will judge
Infinite years in torment must he spend, and REMARKS OF THE PROPHET TO THE
never, never, never have an end; and yet this RELIEF SOCIETY, 28 April 1842 (notes of
eternal misery is made frequently to rest upon the Eliza R. Snow)
merest casualty. The breaking of a shoe-string, . . . . As well might the devil seek to
the tearing of a coat of those officiating, or the dethrone Jehovah, as overthrow an innocent soul
peculiar location in which a person lives, may be that resists everything which is evil.
the means, indirectly of his damnation, or the This is a charitable Society, and according
cause of his not being saved. I will suppose a case to your natures; it is natural for females to have
which is not extraordinary: Two men, who have feelings of charity and benevolence. You are now
been equally wicked, who have neglected placed in a situation in which you can act
religion, are both of them taken sick at the same according to those sympathies which God has
time; one of them has the good fortune to be planted in your bosoms.
visited by a praying man, and he gets converted a If you live up to these principles, how
few minutes before he dies; the other sends for great and glorious will be your reward in the
three different praying men, a tailor, a celestial kingdom! If you live up to your
shoemaker, and a tinman; the tinman has a privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from
handle to solder to a pan, the tailor has a being your associates. . . .
buttonhole to work on some coat that he needed How precious are the souls of men! The
in a hurry, and the shoemaker has a patch to put female part of the community are apt to be
on somebody's boot; they none of them can go in contracted in their views. You must not be
time, the man dies, and goes to hell: one of these contracted, but you must be liberal in your
is exalted to Abraham's bosom, he sits down in feelings. Let this Society teach women how to
the presence of God and enjoys eternal, behave towards their husbands, to treat them
uninterrupted happiness, while the other, equally with mildness and affection. When a man is
as good as he, sinks to eternal damnation, borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed
irretrievable misery and hopeless despair, because with care and difficulty, if he can meet a smile
a man had a boot to mend, the button-hole of a instead of an argument or a murmurif he can
coat to work, or a handle to solder on to a meet with mildness, it will calm down his soul
saucepan. and soothe his feelings; when the mind is going to
The plans of Jehovah are not so unjust, despair, it needs a solace of affection and
the statements of holy writ so visionary, nor the kindness.
plan of salvation for the human family so You will receive instructions through the
incompatible with common sense; at such order of the Priesthood which God has
proceedings God would frown with indignance, established, through the medium of those
angels would hide their heads in shame, and appointed to lead, guide and direct the affairs of
every virtuous, intelligent man would recoil. . . . the Church in this last dispensation; and I now
A view of these things reconciles the turn the key in your behalf in the name of the
Scriptures of truth, justifies the ways of God to Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and
man, places the human family upon an equal knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from
footing, and harmonizes with every principle of this time henceforth; this is the beginning of
righteousness, justice and truth. better days to the poor and needy, who shall be
made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your
("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November heads.
183831 July 1842]," p. 1321-1324, The Joseph
("History, 18381856, volume C-1 Addenda," p.
Smith Papers,
39-42, The Joseph Smith Papers,
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summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-
november-1838-31-july-1842/495)
addenda/40)
 prophets; a work that is destined to bring about
Editorial in the Times and Seasons, 2 May the destruction of the powers of darkness, the
1842 renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the
The building up of Zion is a cause that has salvation of the human family.
interested the people of God in every age; it is a
theme upon which prophets, priests and kings ("History, 18381856, volume C-1 [2 November
have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have 183831 July 1842]," p. 1327-1328, The Joseph
Smith Papers,
looked forward with joyful anticipation to the http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
day in which we live; and fired with heavenly summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-2-
and joyful anticipations they have sung and november-1838-31-july-1842/501)
written and prophesied of this our day; but they
died without the sight; we are the favored people
that God has made choice of to bring about the Minutes of Meeting of the Female Relief
Latter-day glory; it is left for us to see, participate Society, at the Grove, Nauvoo, June 9, 1842,
in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory,
(Reported by Miss E. R. Snow.)
"the dispensation of the fulness of times, when
Objections having been previously made
God will gather together all things that are in
against Mahala Overton, they were now
heaven, and all things that are upon the earth,"
removed; after which President Joseph Smith
"even in one," when the Saints of God will be
continued his address; said he was going to preach
gathered in one from every nation, and kindred,
mercy. Suppose that Jesus Christ and holy angels
and people, and tongue, when the Jews will be
should object to us on frivolous things, what
gathered together into one, the wicked will also
would become of us? We must be merciful to one
be gathered together to be destroyed, as spoken of
another, and overlook small things.
by the prophets; the Spirit of God will also dwell
Respecting the reception of Sister Overton,
with His people, and be withdrawn from the rest
President Joseph Smith said: It grieves me that
of the nations, and all things whether in heaven
there is no fuller fellowship; if one member suffer
or on earth will be in one, even in Christ. The
all feel it; by union of feeling we obtain power
heavenly Priesthood will unite with the earthly,
with God. Christ said He came to call sinners to
to bring about those great purposes; and whilst
repentance, to save them. Christ was condemned
we are thus united in one common cause, to roll
by the self- righteous Jews because He took
forth the kingdom of God, the heavenly
sinners into His society; He took them upon the
Priesthood are not idle spectators, the Spirit of
principle that they repented of their sins. It is the
God will be showered down from above, and it
object of this society to reform persons, not to
will dwell in our midst. The blessings of the Most
take those that are corrupt and foster them in
High will rest upon our tabernacles, and our
their wickedness; but if they repent, we are
name will be handed down to future ages; our
bound to take them, and by kindness sanctify and
children will rise up and call us blessed; and
cleanse them from all unrighteousness by our
generations yet unborn will dwell with peculiar
influence in watching over them. Nothing will
delight upon the scenes that we have passed
have such influence over people as the fear of
through, the privations that we have endured; the
being disfellowshipped by so goodly a society as
untiring zeal that we have manifested; the all but
this. Then take Sister Overton, as Jesus received
insurmountable difficulties that we have
sinners into His bosom. Sister Overton, in the
overcome in laying the foundation of a work that
name of the Lord, I now make you free. Nothing
brought about the glory and blessing which they
is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin
will realize; a work that God and angels have
as to take them by the hand, and watch over
contemplated with delight for generations past;
them with tenderness. When persons manifest
that fired the souls of the ancient patriarchs and
the least kindness and love to me, O what power
it has over my mind, while the opposite course Editorial in the Times and Seasons on the Gift
has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings of the Holy Ghost, 15 June 1842
and depress the human mind. Various and conflicting are the opinions
It is one evidence that men are of men in regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost.
unacquainted with the principles of godliness to Some people have been in the habit of calling
behold the contraction of affectionate feelings every supernatural manifestation the effects of
and lack of charity in the world. The power and the Spirit of God, whilst there are others that
glory of godliness is spread out on a broad think there is no manifestation connected with it
principle to throw out the mantle of charity. God at all; and that it is nothing but a mere impulse of
does not look on sin with allowance, but when the mind, or an inward feeling, impression, or
men have sinned, there must be allowance made secret testimony or evidence, which men possess,
for them. and that there is no such a thing as an outward
All the religious world is boasting of manifestation.
righteousness: it is the doctrine of the devil to It is not to be wondered at that men
retard the human mind, and hinder our progress, should be ignorant, in a great measure, of the
by filling us with self-righteousness. The nearer principles of salvation, and more especially of the
we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are nature, office, power, influence, gifts, and
disposed to look with compassion on perishing blessings of the gift of the Holy Ghost; when we
souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our consider that the human family have been
shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs. enveloped in gross darkness and ignorance for
My talk is intended for all this society; if you many centuries past, without revelation, or any
would have God have mercy on you, have mercy just criterion [by which] to arrive at a knowledge
on one another. . . . of the things of God, which can only be known
How glorious are the principles of by the Spirit of God. Hence it not infrequently
righteousness! We are full of selfishness; the devil occurs, that when the Elders of this Church
flatters us that we are very righteous, when we preach to the inhabitants of the world, that if
are feeding on the faults of others. We can only they obey the Gospel they shall receive the gift of
live by worshiping our God; all must do it for the Holy Ghost, that the people expect to see
themselves; none can do it for another. . . . The some wonderful manifestation, some great display
way to keep all the Saints together, and keep the of power, or some extraordinary miracle
work rolling, is to wait with all long-suffering, till performed; and it is often the case that young
God shall bring such characters to justice. There members of this Church for want of better
should be no license for sin, but mercy should go information, carry along with them their old
hand in hand with reproof. notions of things, and sometimes fall into
Sisters of the society, shall there be strife egregious errors. We have lately had some
among you? I will not have it. You must repent, information concerning a few members that are
and get the love of God. Away with self- in this dilemma, and for their information make a
righteousness. The best measure or principle to few remarks upon the subject.
bring the poor to repentance is to administer to We believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost
their wants. The Ladies' Relief Society is not only being enjoyed now, as much as it was in the
to relieve the poor, but to save souls. Apostles' days; we believe that it [the gift of the
Holy Ghost] is necessary to make and to organize
("History, 18381856, volume C-1 Addenda," p. 73-
the Priesthood, that no man can be called to fill
75, The Joseph Smith Papers,
any office in the ministry without it; we also
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summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1- believe in prophecy, in tongues, in visions, and in
addenda/73) revelations, in gifts, and in healings; and that
these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of
the Holy Ghost. We believe that the holy men of these Scriptures that many of them had not
old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, spiritual gifts, for if they had spiritual gifts where
and that holy men in these days speak by the was the necessity of Paul telling them to follow
same principle; we believe in its being a after them, and it is as evident that they did not
comforter and a witness bearer, that it brings all receive those gifts by the imposition of the
things past to our remembrance, leads us into all hands; for they as a Church had been baptized
truth, and shows us of things to come; be believe and confirmed by the laying on of handsand
that "no man can know that Jesus is the Christ, yet to a Church of this kind, under the immediate
but by the Holy Ghost." We believe in it [this gift inspection and superintendency of the Apostles, it
of the Holy Ghost] in all its fullness, and power, was necessary for Paul to say, "Follow after
and greatness, and glory; but whilst we do this, charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that
we believe in it rationally, consistently, and ye may prophesy," evidently showing that those
scripturally, and not according to the wild gifts were in the Church, but not enjoyed by all
vagaries, foolish notions and traditions of men. in their outward manifestations. . . .
The human family are very apt to run to There are several gifts mentioned here,
extremes, especially in religious matters, and yet which of them all could be known by an
hence people in general, either want some observer at the imposition of hands? The word of
miraculous display, or they will not believe in the wisdom, and the word of knowledge, are as much
gift of the Holy Ghost at all. If an Elder lays his gifts as any other, yet if a person possessed both of
hands upon a person, it is thought by many that these gifts, or received them by the imposition of
the person must immediately rise and speak in hands, who would know it? Another might
tongues and prophesy; . . . Paul says, "To one is receive the gift of faith, and they would be as
given the gift of tongues, to another the gift of ignorant of it. Or suppose a man had the gift of
prophecy, and to another the gift of healing;" and healing or power to work miracles, that would
again: "Do all prophesy? do all speak with not then be known; it would require time and
tongues? do all interpret?" evidently showing that circumstances to call these gifts into operation.
all did not possess these several gifts; but that one Suppose a man had the discerning of spirits, who
received one gift, and another received another would be the wiser for it? Or if he had the
giftall did not prophesy, all did not speak in interpretation of tongues, unless someone spoke
tongues, all did not work miracles; but all did in an unknown tongue, he of course would have
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; sometimes to be silent; . . .
they spake in tongues and prophesied in the The greatest, the best, and the most useful
Apostles' days, and sometimes they did not. The gifts would be known nothing about by an
same is the case with us also in our observer. . . .
administrations, while more frequently there is The manifestations of the gift of the Holy Ghost,
no manifestation at all; that is visible to the the ministering of angels, or the development of
surrounding multitude; this will appear plain the power, majesty or glory of God were very
when we consult the writings of the Apostles, seldom manifested publicly, and that generally to
and notice their proceedings in relation to this the people of God, as to the Israelites; but most
matter. Paul, in 1st Cor. 12, says, "Now generally when angels have come, or God has
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not revealed Himself, it has been to individuals in
have you ignorant; " it is evident from this, that private, in their chamber; in the wilderness or
some of them were ignorant in relation to these fields, and that generally without noise or tumult.
matters, or they would not need instruction. ...
Again, in chapter 14, he says, "Follow We would say to the brethren, seek to
after charity and desire spiritual gifts, but rather know God in your closets, call upon him in the
that ye may prophesy." It is very evident from fields. Follow the directions of the Book of
Mormon, and pray over, and for your families, The Prophet's Advice to New-comers to
your cattle, your flocks, your herds, your corn, Nauvoo, 29 Oct 1842
and all things that you possess; ask the blessing of I showed them that it was generally in
God upon all your labors, and everything that you consequence of the brethren disregarding or
engage in. Be virtuous and pure; be men of disobeying counsel that they became dissatisfied
integrity and truth; keep the commandments of and murmured; and many when they arrived
God; and then you will be able more perfectly to here, were dissatisfied with the conduct of some
understand the difference between right and of the Saints, because everything was not done
wrongbetween the things of God and the perfectly right, and they get angry, and thus the
things of men; and your path will be like that of devil gets advantage over them to destroy them. I
the just, which shineth brighter and brighter unto told them I was but a man, and they must not
the perfect day." expect me to be perfect; if they expected
. . . . The gifts of God are all useful in their place, perfection from me, I should expect it from them;
but when they are applied to that which God but if they would bear with my infirmities and
does not intend, they prove an injury, a snare and the infirmities of the brethren, I would likewise
a curse instead of a blessing. We may some future bear with their infirmities.
time enter more fully into this subject, but shall
let this suffice for the present. ("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
July 1843]," p. 1414, The Joseph Smith Papers,
("History, 18381856, volume C-1 Addenda," p. http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
64-70, The Joseph Smith Papers, summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- 1842-1-july-1843/57)
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-c-1-
addenda/64)

REMARKS OF THE PROPHET ON THE

DEATH OF LORENZO D. BARNES, given at
Minutes of the Female Relief Society's
the Temple, 16 April 1843
MeetingRemarks of the Prophet, 31 August
Almost all who have fallen in these last
1842
days in the Church have fallen in a strange land.
Shall a man be considered bad, when men
This is a strange land to those who have come
speak evil of him? No. If a man stands and
from a distance. We should cultivate sympathy
opposes the world of sin, he may expect to have
for the afflicted among us. If there is a place on
all wicked and corrupt spirits arrayed against him.
earth where men should cultivate the spirit and
But it will be but a little season, and all these
pour in the oil and wine in the bosoms of the
afflictions will be turned away from us, inasmuch
afflicted, it is in this place; and this spirit is
as we are faithful, and are not overcome by these
manifest here; and although a stranger and
evils. By seeing the blessings of the endowment
afflicted when he arrives, he finds a brother and a
rolling on, and the kingdom increasing and
friend ready to administer to his necessities. . . .
spreading from sea to sea, we shall rejoice that we
Would you think it strange if I relate
were not overcome by these foolish things.
what I have seen in vision in relation to this
interesting theme? Those who have died in Jesus
("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of
July 1843] [addenda]," p. 3 [addenda], The Joseph
Smith Papers,
joy when they come forth, which they possessed
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- or anticipated here.
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august- So plain was the vision, that I actually
1842-1-july-1843/284) saw men, before they had ascended from the
tomb, as though they were getting up slowly.
They took each other by the hand and said to hearts, that we may even here begin to enjoy that
each other, "My father, my son, my mother, my which shall be in full hereafter.
daughter, my brother, my sister." And when the Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to Almighty
voice calls for the dead to arise, suppose I am laid God, that rays of light begin to burst forth upon
by the side of my father, what would be the first us even now. I cannot find words in which to
joy of my heart? To meet my father, my mother, express myself. I am not learned, but I have as
my brother, my sister; and when they are by my good feelings as any man.
side, I embrace them and they me. O that I had the language of the archangel
It is my meditation all the day, and more to express my feelings once to my friends! But I
than my meat and drink, to know how I shall never expect to in this life. When others rejoice, I
make the Saints of God comprehend the visions rejoice; when they mourn, I mourn. . . .
that roll like an overflowing surge before my . . . . As president of this house, I forbid
mind. any man leaving just as we are going to close the
Oh! How I would delight to bring before you meeting. He is no gentleman who will do it. I
things which you never thought of! But poverty don't care who does it, even if it were the king of
and the cares of the world prevent. But I am glad England. I forbid it.
I have the privilege of communicating to you
some things which, if grasped closely, will be a ("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
help to you when earthquakes bellow, the clouds July 1843]," p. 1533-1535, The Joseph Smith Papers,
gathers, the lightnings flash, and the storms are http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder. Lay summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-
hold of these things and let not your knees or 1842-1-july-1843/176)
joints tremble, nor your hearts faint; and then
what can earthquakes, wars and tornadoes do
Nothing. All your losses will be made up to you Sunday Sermon in Yelrome (Morleys
in the resurrection, provided you continue Settlement), 14 May 1843
faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen It is not wisdom that we should have all
it. knowledge at once presented before us; but that
More painful to me are the thoughts of we should have a little at a time; then we can
annihilation than death. If I have no expectation comprehend it. . . .
of seeing my father, mother, brothers, sisters and Salvation is nothing more nor less than to
friends again, my heart would burst in a moment, triumph over all our enemies and put them under
and I should go down to my grave. our feet. And when we have power to put all
The expectation of seeing my friends in enemies under our feet in this world, and a
the morning of the resurrection cheers my soul knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the
and makes me bear up against the evils of life. It world to come, then we are saved, as in the case
is like their taking a long journey, and on their of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all
return we meet them with increased joy. enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was
God has revealed His Son from the death.
heavens and the doctrine of the resurrection also; Perhaps there are principles here that few
and we have a knowledge that those we bury men have thought of. No person can have this
here God will bring up again, clothed upon and salvation except through a tabernacle.
quickened by the Spirit of the great God; and Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish,
what mattereth it whether we lay them down, or ambitious and striving to excel one above
we lay down with them when we can keep them another; yet some are willing to build up others as
no longer? Let these truths sink down in our well as themselves. So in the other world there
are a variety of spirits. Some seek to excel. And
this was the case with Lucifer when he fell. He all times of trouble. Handsome men are not apt to
sought for things which were unlawful. Hence he be wise and strong-minded men; but the strength
was sent down, and it is said he drew many away of a strong-minded man will generally create
with him; and the greatness of his punishment is course features, like the rough, strong bough of
that he shall not have a tabernacle. This is his the oak. You will always discover in the first
punishment. . . . glance of a man, in the outlines of his features
. . . . Notwithstanding the apostle exhorts something of his mind.
them to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, Excitement has almost become the
temperance, etc., yet he exhorts them to make essence of my life. When that dies away, I feel
their calling and election sure. And though they almost lost. When a man is reined up continually
had heard an audible voice from heaven bearing by excitement, he becomes strong and gains
testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, yet he power and knowledge; but when he relaxes for a
says we have a more sure word of prophecy, season, he loses much of his power and
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a knowledge. But in all matters, temporal or
light shining in a dark place. Now, wherein could spiritual, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or
they have a more sure word of prophecy than to in leading an army to battle, victory almost
hear the voice of God saying, This is my beloved entirely depends upon good order and
Son. moderation. . . .
Now for the secret and grand key. A man can bear a heavy burden by
Though they might hear the voice of God and practice and continuing to increase it. The
know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would inhabitants of this continent anciently were so
be no evidence that their election and calling was constituted, and were so determined and
made sure, that they had part with Christ, and persevering, either in righteousness or
were joint heirs with Him. They then would wickedness, that God visited them immediately
want that more sure word of prophecy, that they either with great judgments or blessings. But the
were sealed in the heavens and had the promise present generation, if they were going to battle, if
of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, they got any assistance from God, they would
having this promise sealed unto them, it was an have to obtain it by faith.
anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the
thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and ("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, July 1843]," p. 1548-1550, The Joseph Smith Papers,
yet this hope and knowledge would support the http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
soul in every hour of trial, trouble and summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-
tribulation. Then knowledge through our Lord 1842-1-july-1843/191)
and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that
unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom
of heaven. Letter to the Editor of the Times and Seasons,
. . . . Then I would exhort you to go on 15 May 1843
and continue to call upon God until you make Sir:Through the medium of your paper,
your calling and sure for yourselves, by obtaining I wish to correct an error among men that profess
this more sure word of prophecy, and wait to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the
patiently for the promise until you obtain it, etc. more cheerfully, because I hope sober-thinking
(He then rode to Lima and spoke, including the and sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to
following): the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain
The way to get along in any important pretensions of the self-wise. The error I speak of,
matter is to gather unto yourselves wise men, is the definition of the word "Mormon." It has
experienced and aged men, to assist in council in been stated that this word was derived from the
Greek word "mormo." This is not the case. There
was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from JOSEPH SMITH.
which I, through the grace of God, translated the ("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
Book of Mormon. Let the language of that book July 1843]," p. 1554-1555, The Joseph Smith Papers,
speak for itself. On the 523rd page, of the fourth http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
edition, it reads: "And now behold we have summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-
written this record according to our knowledge in 1842-1-july-1843/197)
the characters, which are called among us the
"Reformed Egyptian," being handed down and Sunday Sermon given at the Temple, 21 May
altered by us, according to our manner of speech; 1843
and if our plates had been sufficiently large, we I do not know when I shall have the
should have written in Hebrew: but the Hebrew privilege of speaking in a house large enough to
hath been altered by us, also; and if we could convene the people. I find my lungs are failing
have written in Hebrew, behold ye would have with continual preaching in the open air to large
had no imperfection in our record, but the Lord assemblies. . . .
knoweth the things which we have written, and I love that man better who swears a
also, that none other people knoweth our stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his
language; therefore he hath prepared means for neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to
the interpretation thereof." the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.
Here then the subject is put to silence, for I do not want you to think that I am very
"none other people knoweth our language," righteous, for I am not, God judges men according
therefore the Lord, and not man, had to interpret, to the use they make of the light which He gives
after the people were all dead. And as Paul said, them. . . .
"the world by wisdom know not God," so the I am like a huge, rough stone rolling
world by speculation are destitute of revelation; down from a high mountain; and the only
and as God in his superior wisdom, has always polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed
given his Saints, wherever he had any on the off by coming in contact with something else,
earth, the same spirit, and that spirit, as John says, striking with accelerated force against religious
is the true spirit of prophecy, which is the bigotry, priest-craft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft,
testimony of Jesus, I may safely say that the word lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the
Mormon stands independent of the learning and authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs,
wisdom of this generation.Before I give a blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and
definition, however, to the word, let me say that womenall hell knocking off a corner here and a
the Bible in its widest sense, means good; for the corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and
Savior says according to the gospel of John, "I am polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who
the good shepherd;" and it will not be beyond the will give me dominion over all and every one of
common use of terms, to say that good is among them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and
the most important in use, and though known by their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these
various names in different languages, still its smooth-polished stones with which I come in
meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to contact become marred. . . .
"bad." We say from the Saxon, "good"; the Dane, Paul ascended into the third heavens, and
"god"; the Goth, "goda"; the German, "gut"; the he could understand the three principal rounds of
Dutch, "goed"; the Latin, "bonus"; the Greek, Jacob's ladderthe telestial, the terrestrial, and
"kalos"; the Hebrew, "tob"; and the "Egyptian, the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw
"mon." Hence, with the addition of "more," or the and heard things which were not lawful for him
contraction, "mor," we have the word "mormon"; to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than
which means, literally, "more good." I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms
Yours, manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted,
and were the people prepared to receive them.
The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent changed. All must be saved on the same
with a child, communicating light and principles.
intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as It is for the same purpose that God
they can bear it. The inhabitants of the earth are gathers together His people in the last days, to
asleep; they know not the day of their visitation. . build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for
.. the ordinances and endowments, washings and
The spirits in the eternal world are like anointings, etc. One of the ordinances of the
the spirits in this world. When those have come house of the Lord is baptism for the dead. God
into this world and received tabernacles, then decreed before the foundation of the world that
died and again have risen and received glorified the ordinance should be administered in a font
bodies, they will have an ascendency over the prepared for that purpose in the house of the
spirits who have received no bodies, or kept not Lord. "This is only your opinion, sir," says the
their first estate, like the devil. The punishment sectarian.
of the devil was that he should not have a If a man gets a fullness of the priesthood
habitation like men. of God he has to get it in the same way that Jesus
Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the
("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421 commandments and obeying all the ordinances of
July 1843]," p. 1555-1557, The Joseph Smith Papers, the house of the Lord. . . .
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- All men who become heirs of God and
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august- joint heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive
1842-1-july-1843/198) the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom; and
those who will not receive all the ordinances will
come short of the fullness of that glory, if they do
Sunday Sermon given at the Temple, 11 June not lose the whole. . . .
1843 . . . . Why gather the people together in
This subject was presented to me since I this place? For the same purpose that Jesus
came to the stand. What was the object of wanted to gather the Jewsto receive the
gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any ordinances, the blessings, and glories that God has
age of the world? . . . . in store for His Saints.
The main object was to build unto the I will now ask this assembly and all the Saints if
Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His you will now build this house and receive the
people the ordinances of His house and the ordinances and blessings which God has in store
glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the for you; or will you not build unto the Lord this
way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances house, and let Him pass by and bestow these
and principles that, when they are taught and blessings upon another people?
practiced, must be done in a place or house built
for that purpose. ("History, 18381856, volume D-1 [1 August 18421
It was the design of the councils of July 1843]," p. 1572, The Joseph Smith Papers,
heaven before the world was, that the principles http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
and laws of the priesthood should be predicated summary/history-1838-1856-volume-d-1-1-august-
upon the gathering of the people in every age of 1842-1-july-1843/217)
the world. Jesus did everything to gather the
people, and they would not be gathered, and He
therefore poured out curses upon them. Sunday meeting at the Grove, 9 July 1843
Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the . . . . If we would secure and cultivate the love of
foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for others, we must love others, even our enemies as
the salvation of men, are not to be altered or well as friends.
 Sectarian priests cry out concerning me, believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying
and ask, "Why is it this babbler gains so many on of hands. Evidence by Peter's preaching on the
followers, and retains them?" I answer, It is day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38. You might as well
because I possess the principle of love. All I can baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view
offer the world is a good heart and a good hand. of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy
The Saints can testify whether I am Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and
willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it is good for nothing without the other halfthat
has been demonstrated that I have been willing to is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
die for a "Mormon," I am bold to declare before
Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending ("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330
the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good April 1844]," p. 1665-1667, The Joseph Smith Papers,
man of any other denomination; for the same http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
principle which would trample upon the rights of summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
30-april-1844/35)
the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the
rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other
denomination who may be unpopular and too Sunday Meeting at the Temple, 23 July 1843
weak to defend themselves. (synopsis by Willard Richards)
It is a love of liberty which inspires my The burdens which roll upon me are very
soulcivil and religious liberty to the whole of great. My persecutors allow me no rest, and I find
the human race. Love of liberty was diffused into that in the midst of business and care the spirit is
my soul by my grandfathers while they dandled willing, but the flesh is weak. Although I was
me on their knees, . . . . called of my Heavenly Father to lay the
The inquiry is frequently made of me, foundation of this great work and kingdom in this
"Wherein do you differ from others in your dispensation, and testify of His revealed will to
religious views?" In reality and essence we do not scattered Israel, I am subject to like passions as
differ so far in our religious views, but that we other men, like the prophets of olden times.
could all drink into one principle of love. One of Notwithstanding my weaknesses, I am
the grand fundamental principles of under the necessity of bearing the infirmities of
"Mormonism" is to receive truth, let it come from others, who, when they get into difficulty, hang
whence it may. . . . on to me tenaciously to get them out, and wish
If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I me to cover their faults. On the other hand, the
bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in same characters, when they discover a weakness
their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my in Brother Joseph, endeavor to blast his
way is better; and I will not seek to compel any reputation, and publish it to all the world, and
man to believe as I do, only by the force of thereby aid my enemies in destroying the Saints.
reasoning, for truth will cut its own way. Do you Although the law is given through me to the
believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation Church, I cannot be borne with a moment by
which he revealed? So do I. Christians should such men. They are ready to destroy me for the
cease wrangling and contending with each other, least foible, and publish my imaginary failings
and cultivate the principles of union and from Dan to Beersheba, though they are too
friendship in their midst; and they will do it ignorant of the things of God, which have been
before the millennium can be ushered in and revealed to me, to judge of my actions, motives or
Christ takes possession of His kingdom. . . . conduct, in any correct manner whatever.
We ask the sects, Do you believe this? The only principle upon which they
They answer, No. I believe in being converted. I judge me is by comparing my acts with the
believe in this tenaciously. So did the Apostle foolish traditions of their fathers and nonsensical
Peter and the disciples of Jesus. But I further teachings of hireling priests, whose object and
aim were to keep the people in ignorance for the
sake of filthy lucre; or as the prophet says, to feed covereth a multitude of sins, and I have often
themselves, not the flock. Men often come to me covered up all the faults among you; but the
with their troubles, and seek my will, crying, Oh, prettiest thing is to have no faults at all. We
Brother Joseph, help me! help me! But when I am should cultivate a meek, quiet and peaceable
in trouble few of them sympathize with me or spirit.
extend to me relief. I believe in a principle of Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes.
reciprocity, if we do live in a devilish and wicked Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth?
world where men busy themselves in watching Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error.
for iniquity, and lay snares for those who reprove We should gather all the good and true principles
in the gate. in the world and treasure them up, or we shall
I see no faults in the Church, and not come out true "Mormons."
therefore let me be resurrected with the Saints,
whether I ascend to heaven or descend to hell, or ("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330
go to any other place. And if we go to hell, we April 1844]," p. 1680-1681, The Joseph Smith Papers,
will turn the devils out of doors and make a http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
society. What do we care where we are, if the 30-april-1844/50)
society be good? I don't care what a man's
character is; if he's my frienda true friend, I Proverbs of the Prophet Joseph Smith1843
will be a friend to him, and preach the Gospel of 1st. Never exact of a friend in adversity what you
salvation to him, and give him good counsel, would require in prosperity.
helping him out of his difficulties. 2nd. If a man prove himself to be honest in his
Friendship is one of the grand deal, and an enemy come upon him wickedly,
fundamental principles of "Mormonism"; [it is through fraud or false pretenses and because he is
designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, stronger than he, maketh him his prisoner and
and cause wars and contentions to cease and men spoil him with his goods, never say unto that man
to become friends and brothers. Even the wolf in the day of his adversity, pay me what thou
and the lamb shall dwell together; the leopard owest, for if thou doest it, thou addest a deeper
shall lie down with the kid, the calf, the young wound, and condemnation shall come upon thee
lion and the fatling; and a little child shall lead and thy riches shall be justified in the days of
them; the bear and the cow shall lie down thine adversity if they mock at thee.
together, and the sucking child shall play on the 3rd. Never afflict thy soul for what an enemy
hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall play hath put it out of thy power to do, if thy desires
on the cockatrice's den; and they shall not hurt or are ever so just.
destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord of 4th. Let thy hand never fail to hand out that that
hosts. (Isaiah.) thou owest while it is yet within thy grasp to do
It is a time-honored adage that love so, but when thy stock fails, say to thy heart, be
begets love. Let us pour forth loveshow forth strong, and to thine anxieties cease, for man,
our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will what is he; he is but dung upon the earth and
reward us with everlasting increase; cast our although he demand of thee the cattle of a
bread upon the waters and we shall receive it thousand hills, he cannot possess himself of his
after many days, increased to a hundredfold. own life. God made him and thee and gave all
Friendship is like Brother Turley in his things in common.
blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites 5th. There is one thing under the sun which I
the human family with its happy influence. have learned and that is that the righteousness of
I do not dwell upon your faults, and you man is sin because it exacteth over much;
shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, nevertheless, the righteousness of God is just,
because it exacteth nothing at all, but sendeth the
rain on the just and the unjust, seed time and to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites
harvest, for all of which man is ungrateful. prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to
them; in consequence of which he cursed them
("Proverbs, between 11 August and 4 September with a carnal law.
1842," p. [1-2], The Joseph Smith Papers, What was the power of Melchizedek?
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
'Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which
summary/proverbs-between-11-august-and-4-
september-1842/1) administers in outward ordinances, and the
offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fulness of
the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests
of the Most High God, holding the keys of power
The Prophet's Remarks at the Funeral of Judge
and blessings. In fact, that Priesthood is a perfect
Higbee, given at the Temple Stand, 13 August
law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws
1843 to the people, administering endless lives to the
Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to sons and daughters of Adam.
communicate what my soul has contemplated in Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe
times past, there is not a soul in this congregation all that thou hast taught me concerning the
but would go to their homes and shut their priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so
mouths in everlasting silence on religion till they Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him
had learned something. away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a
Why be so certain that you comprehend priesthood.
the things of God, when all things with you are so Salvation could not come to the world
uncertain. You are welcome to all the knowledge without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
and intelligence I can impart to you. I do not How shall God come to the rescue of this
grudge the world all the religion they have got: generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The
they are welcome to all the knowledge they law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was
possess. revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts
("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330 of the fathers to the children, and the children to
April 1844]," p. 1689, The Joseph Smith Papers,
the fathers.
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843- The anointing and sealing is to be called,
30-april-1844/61) elected and made sure. . . .
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal
authority. Go to and finish the temple, and God
will fill it with power, and you will then receive
Meeting at the Temple Stand, 27 August 1843
more knowledge concerning this priesthood.
There are three grand orders of
The 3rd is what is called the Levitical
priesthood referred to here.
Priesthood, consisting of priests to administer in
1st. The King of Shiloam (Salem) had
outward ordinances, made without an oath; but
power and authority over that of Abraham,
the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and
holding the key and the power of endless life.
covenant.
Angels desire to look into it, . . . God cursed the
The Holy Ghost is God's messenger to
children of Israel because they would not receive
administer in all those priesthoods.
the last law from Moses.
Jesus Christ is the heir of this Kingdom
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the
the Only Begotten of the Father according to the
offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would
flesh, and holds the keys over all this world.
attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless
life; he must sacrifice all things. When God offers
a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses
("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330 glorious work; hence they are blessed in their
April 1844]," p. 1708, The Joseph Smith Papers, departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843- and understand our thoughts, feelings, and
30-april-1844/80) motions, and are often pained therewith.
Flesh and blood cannot go there; but flesh
and bones, quickened by the Spirit of God, can.
General Conference Address, 9 October 1843
All men know that they must die. And it ("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330
is important that we should understand the April 1844]," p. 1750-1751, The Joseph Smith Papers,
reasons and causes of our exposure to the http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
vicissitudes of life and of death, and the designs summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
and purposes of God in our coming into the 30-april-1844/122)
world, our sufferings here, and our departure
hence. What is the object of our coming into
existence, then dying and falling away, to be here Preaching at the Southeast Corner of the
no more? It is but reasonable to suppose that God Temple, 20 January 1844
would reveal something in reference to the What shall I talk about to-day? I know
matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more what Brother Cahoon wants me to speak about.
than any other. We ought to study it day and He wants me to speak about the coming of Elijah
night, for the world is ignorant in reference to in the last days. I can see it in his eye. I will speak
their true condition and relation. If we have any upon that subject then.
claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is The Bible says, "I will send you Elijah the
for knowledge on this important subject. Could Prophet before the coming of the great and
we read and comprehend all that has been dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the
written from the days of Adam, on the relation of heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart
man to God and angels in a future state, we of the children to the fathers, lest I come and
should know very little about it. Reading the smite the earth with a curse."
experience of others, or the revelation given to Now, the word turn here should be
them, can never give us a comprehensive view of translated bind, or seal. But what is the object of
our condition and true relation to God. this important mission? or how is it to be
Knowledge of these things can only be obtained fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit
by experience through the ordinances of God set of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established,
forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the
heaven five minutes, you would know more than Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion.
you would by reading all that ever was written on But how are they to become saviors on
the subject. Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting
We are only capable of comprehending their baptismal fonts, and going forth and
that certain things exist, which we may acquire receiving all the ordinances, baptisms,
by certain fixed principles. If men would acquire confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations
salvation, they have got to be subject, before they and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of
leave this world, to certain rules and principles, all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem
which were fixed by an unalterable decree before them that they may come forth in the first
the world was. . . . resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory
When men are prepared, they are better with them; and herein is the chain that binds the
off to go hence. Brother Adams has gone to open hearts of the fathers to the children, and the
up a more effectual door for the dead. The spirits children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission
of the just are exalted to a greater and more of Elijah. And I would to God that this temple
was now done, that we might go into it, and go to all manner of herbs, and still not obey the
work and improve our time, and make use of the commandments of God. The object with me is to
seals while they are on earth. obey and teach others to obey God in just what
The Saints have not too much time to He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the
save and redeem their dead, and gather together principle is popular or unpopular, I will always
their living relatives, that they may be saved also, maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in
before the earth will be smitten, and the it.
consumption decreed falls upon the world. . . .
The question is frequently asked, "Can we ("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330
not be saved without going through with all those April 1844]," p. 1896, The Joseph Smith Papers,
ordinances?" I would answer, No, not the fulness http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
of salvation. Jesus said, There are many mansions summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
in my Father's house, and I will go and prepare a 30-april-1844/268)
place for you. House here named should have
been translated kingdom; and any person who is
exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a Sunday meeting at the Temple Stand, 10
celestial law, and the whole law too. March 1844
But there has been a great difficulty in There is a difference between the spirit
getting anything into the heads of this generation. and office of Elias and Elijah. It is the spirit of
It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a Elias I wish first to speak of; and in order to come
corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a at the subject, I will bring some of the testimony
beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand. from the Scripture and give my own.
I have tried for a number of years to get the In the first place, suffice it to say, I went
minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things into the woods to inquire of the Lord, by prayer,
of God; but we frequently see some of them, after His will concerning me, and I saw an angel, and
suffering all they have for the work of God, will he laid his hands upon my head, and ordained me
fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes to a Priest after the order of Aaron, and to hold
that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot the keys of this Priesthood, which office was to
stand the fire at all. How many will be able to preach repentance and baptism for the remission
abide a celestial law, and go through and receive of sins, and also to baptize. But I was informed
their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are that this office did not extend to the laying on of
called, but few are chosen. hands for the giving of the Holy Ghost; that that
office was a greater work, and was to be given
("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330 afterward; but that my ordination was a
April 1844]," p. 1866-1867, The Joseph Smith Papers, preparatory work, or a going before, which was
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper- the spirit of Elias; for the spirit of Elias was a
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843- going before to prepare the way for the greater,
30-april-1844/238) which was the case with John the Baptist. He
came crying through the wilderness, "Prepare ye
the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
Speaking After an Episcopalian Priest, 21 And they were informed, if they could receive it,
February 1844 it was the spirit of Elias; and John was very
I spoke to the people, showing them that particular to tell the people, he was not that
to get salvation we must not only do some things, Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
but everything which God has commanded. Men He told the people that his mission was to
may preach and practice everything except those preach repentance and baptize with water; but it
things which God commands us to do, and will be was He that should come after him that should
damned at last. We may tithe mint and rue, and baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost.
 If he had been an impostor, he might He should send Elijah to seal the children to the
have gone to work beyond his bounds, and fathers, and the fathers to the children.
undertook to have performed ordinances which Now was this merely confined to the
did not belong to that office and calling, under living, to settle difficulties with families on earth?
the spirit of Elias. By no means. It was a far greater work. Elijah!
The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way what would you do if you were here? Would you
for a greater revelation of God, which is the confine your work to the living alone? No: I
Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron would refer you to the Scriptures, where the
was ordained unto. And when God sends a man subject is manifest: that is, without us, they could
into the world to prepare for a greater work, not be made perfect, nor we without them; the
holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was fathers without the children, nor the children
called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early without the fathers.
ages of the world. . . . I wish you to understand this subject, for
What I want to impress upon your minds it is important; and if you receive it, this is the
is the difference of power in the different parts of spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and
the Priesthood, so that when any man comes connect ourselves with our fathers which are in
among you, saying, "I have the spirit of Elias," you heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the
can know whether he be true or false; for any first resurrection; and here we want the power of
man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those
Elias, he will not transcend his bounds. . . . who dwell in heaven. This is the power of Elijah
This is the Elias spoken of in the last days, and the keys of the kingdom of Jehovah. . . .
and here is the rock upon which many split, The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second,
thinking the time was past in the days of John and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare
and Christ, and no more to be. But the spirit of the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to
Elias was revealed to me, and I know it is true; come after, holding the keys of power, building
therefore I speak with boldness, for I know verily the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of
my doctrine is true. the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of
Now for Elijah. The spirit, power, and Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah
calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the comes to His Temple, which is last of all.
key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, Messiah is above the spirit and power of
powers and endowments of the fulness of the Elijah, for He made the world, and was that
Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of spiritual rock unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah
God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and was to come and prepare the way and build up
perform all the ordinances belonging to the the kingdom before the coming of the great day
kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the of the Lord, although the spirit of Elias might
hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the begin it.
hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those
who are in heaven. . . . ("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330
In the days of Noah, God destroyed the April 1844]," p. 1918-1922, The Joseph Smith Papers,
world by a flood, and He has promised to destroy http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
it by fire in the last days: but before it should take summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
place, Elijah should first come and turn the hearts 30-april-1844/290)
of the fathers to the children, &c.
Now comes the point. What is this office
and work of Elijah? It is one of the greatest and
most important subjects that God has revealed.
General Conference, Sunday, 7 April 1844. If any man does not know God, and
Address by the Prophet Joseph Smith inquires what kind of a being he is,if he will
commenting on the death of King Follett, a search diligently his own heartif the
church member who had recently died. declaration of Jesus and the apostles be true, he
. . . . I do not intend to please your ears will realize that he has not eternal life; for there
with superfluity of words or oratory, or with can be eternal life on no other principle. . . .
much learning; but I intend to edify you with the I will go back to the beginning before the
simple truths from heaven. . . . world was, to show what kind of being God is.
In the first place, I wish to go back to the What sort of a being was God in the beginning? . .
beginningto the morn of creation. There is the . God himself was once as we are now, and is an
starting point for us to look to, in order to exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder
understand and be fully acquainted with the heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were
mind, purposes and decrees of the Great Elohim, rent today, and the great God who holds this
who sits in yonder heavens as he did at the world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and
creation of this world. It is necessary for us to all things by his power, was to make himself
have an understanding of God himself in the visible,I say, if you were to see him today, you
beginning. If we start right, it is easy to go right would see him like a man in formlike
all the time; but if we start wrong, we may go yourselves in all the person, image, and very form
wrong, and it be a hard matter to get right. . . . as a man; for Adam was created in the very
If a man learns nothing more than to eat, fashion, image and likeness of God, and received
drink and sleep, and does not comprehend any of instruction from, and walked, talked and
the designs of God, the beast comprehends the conversed with him, as one man talks and
same things. It eats, drinks, sleeps, and knows communes with another. . . .
nothing more about God; yet it knows as much as It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a
we, unless we are able to comprehend by the certainty the Character of God, and to know that
inspiration of Almighty God. If men do not we may converse with him as one man converses
comprehend the character of God, they do not with another, and that he was once a man like us;
comprehend themselves. I want to go back to the yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt
beginning, and so lift your minds into a more on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did. .
lofty sphere and a more exalted understanding ..
than what the human mind generally aspires to. . . . . The Scriptures inform us that Jesus
I want to ask this congregation, every said, As the Father hath power in Himself, even
man, woman and child, to answer the question in so hath the Son powerto do what? Why, what
their own heart, what kind of a being God is? Ask the Father did. The answer is obviousin a
yourselves; turn your thought into your hearts, manner to lay down His body and take it up
and say if any of you have seen, heard, or again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay
communed with him. This is a question that may down my life as my Father did, and take it up
occupy your attention for a long time. I again again. Do we believe it? If you do not believe it,
repeat the questionWhat kind of a being is you do not believe the Bible. . . .
God? Does any man or woman know? Have any Here, then, is eternal lifeto know the
of you seen him, heard him, or communed with only wise and true God; and you have got to learn
him? Here is the question that will, peradventure, how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and
from this time henceforth occupy your attention. priests to God, the same as all Gods have done
The Scriptures inform us that "This is life eternal before you, namely, by going from one small
that they might know thee, the only true God, degree to another, and from a small capacity to a
and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to
exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of
the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting All things whatsoever God in his infinite wisdom
burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, while we
enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you are dwelling in mortality, in regard to our mortal
to know that God, in the last days, while certain bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract, and
individuals are proclaiming his name, is not independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle,
trifling with you or me. but are revealed to our spirits precisely as though
These are the first principles of we had no bodies at all; and those revelations
consolation. How consoling to the mourners which will save our spirits will save our bodies.
when they are called to part with a husband, God reveals them to us in view of no eternal
wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to dissolution of the body, or tabernacle. Hence the
know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid responsibility, the awful responsibility, that rests
down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell upon us in relation to our dead; for all the spirits
in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to who have not obeyed the Gospel in the flesh must
sorrow, suffer, or die any more; but they shall be either obey it in the spirit or be damned. Solemn
heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. thought!dreadful thought! Is there nothing to
What is it? To inherit the same power, the same be done?no preparationno salvation for our
glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at fathers and friends who have died without having
the station of a God, and ascend the throne of had the opportunity to obey the decrees of the
eternal power, the same as those who have gone Son of Man? Would to God that I had forty days
before. . . . and nights in which to tell you all! . . .
When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at . . . . God dwells in eternity, and does not
the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you view things as we do.
arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of The greatest responsibility in this world
the Gospelyou must begin with the first, and go that God has laid upon us is to seek after our
on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. dead. The Apostle says, "They without us cannot
But it will be a great while after you have passed be made perfect;" (Hebrews 11:40) for it is
through the veil before you will have learned necessary that the sealing power should be in our
them. It is not all to be comprehended in this hands to seal our children and our dead for the
world; it will be a great work to learn our fulness of the dispensation of timesa
salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. . . dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus
. Christ before the foundation of the world for the
Having a knowledge of God, we begin to salvation of man. . . .
know how to approach him, and how to ask so as I have intended my remarks for all, both
to receive an answer. When we understand the rich and poor, bond and free, great and small. I
character of God, and know how to come to him, have no enmity against any man. I love you all;
he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell but I hate some of your deeds. I am your best
us all about it. When we are ready to come to friend, and if persons miss their mark it is their
him, he is ready to come to us. . . . own fault. If I reprove a man, and he hates me, he
The relationship we have with God places is a fool; for I love all men, especially these my
us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has brethren and sisters.
power to institute laws to instruct the weaker I rejoice in hearing the testimony of my
intelligences, that they may be exalted with aged friends. You don't know me; you never
himself, so that they might have one glory upon knew my heart. No man knows my history. I
another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don't
and intelligence, which is requisite in order to blame any one for not believing my history. If I
save them in the world of spirits. . . . had not experienced what I have, I could not
have believed it myself. I never did harm any
man since I was born in the world. My voice is
always for peace.
I cannot lie down until all my work is
finished. I never think any evil, nor do anything
to the harm of my fellow-man. When I am called
by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the
balance, you will all know me then. I add no
more. God bless you all. Amen.

("History, 18381856, volume E-1 [1 July 184330

April 1844]," p. 1968-1979, The Joseph Smith Papers,
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-
summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-
30-april-1844/340)