SECTION
117
As
he approached the annual conference of 1873, President Smith was
deeply concerned that he was again the only member of the First
Presidency (Counselor William Marks had died in May 1872) and that
the death of Apostle Samuel Powers in February 1873 had left the
Quorum of Twelve with but five members. This concern was shared by
the remaining members of the Twelve, and these were joined by a
number of the Seventy in requesting that the prophet seek divine
guidance.
In
presenting the following revelation to the elders of the church,
President Smith stated that it had been received “in answer to long
and continued and earnest prayer to God upon the condition of the
Quorums of the Church.”
The
revelation was approved by the available apostles and, on April 10,
1873, was endorsed by the conference. With the ordination of William
Wallace Blair and David H. Smith, as provided for in this
instruction, the quorum of the First Presidency was now complete for
the first time since the reorganization of the church. This was also
the first time in the Reorganization that members of the Twelve had
been called by revelation through the President of the Church. Prior
to this time, and on occasions in the early church, members of the
Twelve had been selected by committees.
1.
Hearken to the voice of the Spirit, O ye elders of my church; the
prayers of my people have prevailed with me.
2.
Behold, it is wisdom in me, and expedient in my church that the chief
quorums should be more nearly filled, and their organization more
nearly completed. Thus saith the Spirit.
3a.
Let my servants, William W. Blair and David H. Smith, be chosen and
ordained to be counselors to my servant, the presiding elder of my
church.
3b.
Let them be set apart to this office by the laying on of hands by my
servants whose duty it is to ordain and set in order the officers of
my church;
3c.
and let my servants, the president of the high priests’ quorum and
the president of the lesser priesthood, also lay their hands upon
these their brethren who are to be counselors, but let my servants of
the Twelve be the spokesmen.
4a.
Let my servants William H. Kelley, Thomas W. Smith, James Caffall,
John H. Lake, Alexander H. Smith, Zenas H. Gurley, and Joseph R.
Lambert, be chosen as especial witnesses, even of the Quorum of
Twelve, for they are called thereunto, that they may take this
ministry upon them.
4b.
Let them be ordained and set apart to this office by the laying on of
the hands of my servants Joseph Smith, Jason W. Briggs, and William
W. Blair.
5.
Verily, I say unto you, If these my servants will henceforth magnify
their calling in honor before me, they shall become men of power and
excellent wisdom in the assemblies of my people.
6. Let
the names of my servants Daniel B. Rasey and Reuben Newkirk be taken
from the record of the Quorum of the Twelve and placed with the
records of the names of the elders, and let them labor as elders, and
their labors will be accepted by me.
7a. It
is my will that my servants, Jason W. Briggs, Josiah Ells, and Edmund
C. Briggs, remain and stand in their lot as especial witnesses before
me.
7b.
Let them diligently labor in their ministry, encouraging and
directing their brethren in their labors.
7c. It
is expedient for the good of my cause that my servant Jason take the
active oversight of this quorum.
8a.
Let my servants Archibald M. Wilsey, William D. Morton, and George
Rarick, be ordained high priests:
8b.
and let my servants E. C. Brand, Charles W. Wandell, and Duncan
Campbell be appointed as special witnesses of the Seventy in their
places;
8c.
and let my servants Joseph Lakeman, Glaud Rodger, John T. Davies, and
John S. Patterson be also appointed as witnesses of the Seventy
before me.
9a.
Until such time as the quorum of the Twelve shall be filled, the
decision of that quorum, a unanimous decision, shall be accounted
final, as if such quorum were filled, according to my law as given in
the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
9b.
And until such time as the quorum of the Seventy shall be filled,
their decision, if unanimous and agreeing with that of the quorum of
the Twelve, shall be considered the same as if the quorum were
filled.
10a.
It is expedient that the Bishop of my church shall choose two
counselors, and that they be ordained to their office as my law
directs, that there may be henceforth no caviling among my people.
10b.
The bishop of my church may also choose and appoint Bishop’s
agents, until it shall be wisdom in me to ordain other bishops, in
the districts and large branches of my church.
11a.
It is not expedient in me that there shall be any stakes appointed
until I command my people. When it shall be necessary I will command
that they be established.
11b.
Let my commandments to gather into the regions round about, and the
counsel of the elders of my church guide in this matter until it
shall be otherwise given of me.
12.
Behold, if my servants and my handmaidens, of the different
organizations for good among my people, shall continue in
righteousness, they shall be blessed, even as they bless others of
the household of faith.
13.
Let contentions and quarrelings among you cease. Sustain each other
in peace, and ye shall be blessed with my Spirit, in comforting and
strengthening you for my work.
14. It
is not expedient that I command you further at this time; but be ye
diligent, wise, and faithful, doing all things with an eye single for
the glory of your God, and for the good of his people. Thus saith the
Lord. Amen.
