SECTION
130
Instruction
given through President Joseph Smith III, April 14, 1913, at Lamoni,
Iowa. It was endorsed by the quorums and the assembly as a revelation
from God, and the Conference authorized its inclusion in the Doctrine
and Covenants.
Elder
Joseph R. Lambert had been acting as Presiding Evangelist since the
death of Elder Alexander H. Smith in 1909. There was widespread
concern that a more permanent successor should be selected. Bishop E.
L. Kelley and Apostles W. H. Kelley, I. N. White, and J. W. Wight
were also finding the burdens of their several responsibilities
arduous. These, and other needs of the church, undoubtedly found a
prominent place in the petitions of the prophet and of the Saints in
general prior to the convening of the Conference and while it was yet
in session.
1. In
obedience to the spirit and design of the day of fasting and prayer,
I observed the day with the church. I have hitherto made supplication
to the God whom we serve and renewed my supplication in the spirit of
the desire of the church, for instruction and light, and I am now
prepared to lay before the church what has come to me as the
presiding officer, through whom the Master may speak to his people.
2a.
Thus saith the voice of the Spirit: In order that the Quorum of
Twelve may be placed in better condition to carry on the work of the
ministry in various fields of occupation,
2b. it
is expedient that Elders W. H. Kelley, I. N. White, and J. W. Wight
be released from the active duties of the apostolic quorum, on
account of increasing infirmities of age and incapacity, caused by
illness of body,
2c.
and stand with their associates among the high priests and patriarchs
of the church for such special service as may be open to them,
according to wisdom and the call of the Spirit.
3a. It
is also expedient that Elder Frederick A. Smith be released from the
quorum activities, that he may take the place of his father, Elder
Alexander H. Smith, as the Presiding Patriarch of the church.
3b.
According to the tradition of the elders he should be chosen and
ordained to this office, thus releasing Elder Joseph R. Lambert from
the onerous duties in which he has faithfully served since the death
of the Presiding Patriarch.
4a. To
fill the vacancies caused by the release of these elders from the
apostolic quorum, Elders James E. Kelley, William M. Aylor, Paul M.
Hanson, and James A. Gillen may be chosen and ordained as apostles to
take with others of the quorum active oversight of the labors in the
ministerial field.
4b.
These servants, so called and chosen, if faithful, will receive the
blessings which those have enjoyed who have preceded them in the
apostolic quorum,
4c.
and will be entitled to receive such ministration of the Spirit as
will continue to qualify them for the discharge of the duties of the
position whereunto they are called.
4d.
The Twelve in its reorganization for its work may choose its own
officers (president and secretary) by nomination and vote.
5a.
The Spirit saith further: Elder E. A. Blakeslee is hereby called into
the more active participation of the duties of the Bishopric than he
has hitherto engaged in,
5b. in
order that he may give such assistance to the Bishop, E. L. Kelley,
as is essential unto the success of the work intrusted to the
Bishopric.
5c. It
is also expedient that he be ordained unto the office of Bishop, that
he may serve as did his father, George A. Blakeslee, who has preceded
him.
6a.
The Spirit saith further: That the Bishopric may be still further put
in condition to perform the duties of the office of caring for the
temporalities of the church, the imminent necessity of which appears
clear to all,
6b.
the church should authorize the Presiding Bishop to make choice of
some one who may be qualified to take active participation in the
work of the Bishopric and become in due time a part thereof;
6c.
and this one so chosen should receive the support and sanction of the
church until he shall have approved or disapproved himself as a
servant of the Master, in the office whereunto he shall be called.
7a.
The Spirit saith further unto the church assembled and at large:
7b. In
order that the temporal affairs of the church may be successfully
carried on and the accumulated debt of the church in its respective
departments where debts have accumulated may be properly met and in
due time discharged,
7c.
the church is instructed, both as members and as the body at large,
to avoid the unnecessary building of houses of worship or places of
entertainment or otherwise expending the tithes and offerings of the
church in that which may not be essential unto the continued onward
progress of the general work;
7d.
and both in private and in public expenditure carry into active
exercise the principle of sacrifice and repression of unnecessary
wants;
7e.
and thus permit the accumulation of tithes and offerings in such
amounts as may be needful to properly discharge the existing
indebtedness of the church as a body. And the Spirit counseleth the
church in this regard.
8a.
The Spirit saith further: That the elders and delegates assembled in
business capacity are counseled to cease permitting the spirit of
recrimination and accusation to find place in their discourse, either
public or private,
8b. as
it tends to destroy confidence and create distrust not only in those
present at councils where they occur, but to those to whom the
knowledge of such a course of procedure comes by the voice of those
who are present and witness what is said and done.
8c.
There should be harmony, and the Spirit enjoins it upon all, that the
Master may be remembered as in meekness and due sobriety he carried
on the great work to which he was called.
9a.
The Spirit saith further: That the church has been warned heretofore
that the sons of the leading officers of the church are called and
may be chosen to the respective offices to which the Spirit may
direct,
9b.
and the church should be prepared when necessity arises to properly
choose such officers as may be pointed out as those who should fill
the positions to which they are respectively called.
9c.
There are others still in reserve who are fitted through the
testimony that Jesus is the Christ and the doctrine is true to serve
as those who are sent as apostles of peace, life, and salvation to
those who are laboring in the valleys of humiliation and distress of
spirit.
Lamoni,
Iowa
April
14, 1913
