SECTION
124
Revelation
given through Joseph Smith III at Lamoni, Iowa, April 1897. The
Twelve had renewed their request of 1894 for direction concerning the
calling and responsibilities of patriarch-evangelists. They and the
church in general were also anxious that the presiding quorums should
be more nearly filled. Temporary completion of the First Presidency
and more permanent completion of the Quorum of Twelve were authorized
in this revelation.
This
was the first time that the Twelve had been filled since the
Reorganization.
1.
Thus saith the Spirit of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Your
fasting and your prayers are accepted and have prevailed.
2a.
Separate and set apart my servant Alexander Hale Smith to be a
counselor to my servant, the President of the church, his brother;
and to be patriarch to the church, and an evangelical minister to the
whole church.
2b.
Also, appoint my servant E. L. Kelley, Bishop of the church, to act
as counselor to the President of the church, for the conference year,
or until one shall be chosen to succeed my servant W. W. Blair, whom
I have taken unto myself;
2c. he
to sit in council with his brethren of the Presidency and act with
and for them and the church; though he shall still be and act in the
office of his calling of Bishop of the church with his brethren of
the Bishopric.
3. The
Quorum of Twelve, my servants, may choose and appoint one of their
number to take the place of my servant Alexander H. Smith, and if
they shall choose William H. Kelley, from among them for this place
it will be pleasing unto me; nevertheless, if directed by the spirit
of revelation and wisdom they may choose another.
4a.
And, that the quorum may be filled and be prepared to stand as a unit
in the councils of the church, in equality with the Presidency and
the Seventy, choose and set apart to act as apostles in the Quorum of
Twelve, my servants I. N. White, J. W. Wight, and R. C. Evans, for
they are called unto this office and calling.
4b.
And, if these will accept this appointment and remain humble,
faithful, and diligent, they shall with their brethren be greatly
blessed in ministering the word and bringing souls unto me. Let the
quorum be not doubting but believing and I, the Lord, will bless
them.
5a. My
servants, the presidents of the Seventy, may with the consent and
approval of their brethren of the Seventy sitting in council
together, select from their brethren one to take the place of my
servant I. N. White, if he accept the appointment to the Quorum of
Twelve, and his choosing be approved by the church;
5b.
and in like manner they may fill any other vacancy that has occurred
or may occur; such selection and appointment to be made in the spirit
of prayer and supplication and wisdom, and to be approved by the
church.
6a. It
is according to the vision that the seven presidents of the Seventy
shall preside over the whole number of the Seventy when assembled in
council together;
6b.
the senior, or chosen president of the seven presidents shall preside
over the six other presidents in their councils as presidents of the
Seventy;
6c.
and when either quorum is sitting in council, as a quorum, then its
chosen president shall preside over its sittings.
6d.
When any quorum of the Seventy may be sitting, any one, or all of the
seven presidents, may at their request, or by invitation of such
quorum, be present and take part in the deliberations of such
council, but the president of such quorum only shall preside, except
by consent of the quorum obtained by vote properly taken.
7a.
The sons of my servant the President of the church, the sons of my
servant William W. Blair, whom I have taken to myself, the sons of my
servant the Bishop of the church, and the sons of my servants of the
leading quorums of the church are admonished,
7b.
that upon their fathers is laid a great and onerous burden, and they
are called to engage in a great work, which shall bring them honor
and glory, or shame, contempt and final great loss and destruction;
7c. as
they shall in uprightness, faithfulness and diligence discharge their
duties acceptably to God, or shall in carelessness, slothfulness, or
wickedness fail in their calling and ministry therein;
7d.
and to their sons shall come honor, or shame, as they shall approve,
or disapprove themselves to God.
7e.
These sons of my servants are called, and if faithful shall in time
be chosen to places whence their fathers shall fall, or fail, or be
removed by honorable release before the Lord and the church.
8a.
The Spirit saith further unto the church, Be of good cheer.
8b. It
has pleased the Father to accept many of the sacrifices of his
people; and, notwithstanding some have fallen while engaged in their
work; some have been tried, and are still tried; some have been and
are afflicted, yet the Lord has seen the affliction and trial and
will accept and bless, and no man shall lose his reward.
Brethren
of the ministry and members of the church; my soul has been cheered,
my spirit and body have been strengthened and my heart made exceeding
glad by the blessed and holy influence of the Spirit which was with
me, and still is with me as I write; causing me to give praise, honor
and glory to God and the Lamb, to whom honor and glory belong, and
with whom are might, power, and dominion evermore. Amen.
Your
servant for the Christ’s sake.
Joseph
Smith
President
of the Church
Lamoni,
Iowa
April
9, 1897
