SECTION
141
Revelation
given through President Israel A. Smith during the World Conference
of 1948 held at Independence, Missouri. There was a vacancy in the
ranks of the Twelve because of the death of Elder G. G. Lewis. Also,
Elder M. A. Mcconley had become incapacitated by illness. The
instruction given was endorsed by the various quorums and by the
Conference, and provision was made for its inclusion in the Doctrine
and Covenants.
To
the Quorums, Councils and Orders of the Church and the General
Conference:
Since
the day set for a fast and especially since the loss by death of
Apostle Lewis, I have been led to seek the divine mind respecting the
needs of the body. Light and intelligence have been manifested as a
result, and I am permitted to present the following by way of
encouragement and direction:
To
the Church:
1. My
servant George G. Lewis has been taken for mine own purposes. He has
been faithful, and his labors have been acceptable to me.
2. My
servant Myron A. Mcconley is honorably released from further duty as
an Apostle, and he should be ordained to the office of evangelist and
labor as a member of that order.
3. In
order that the Council of Twelve may be filled and the work of that
Quorum be carried forward, it is my will that my servants Percy E.
Farrow and Reed M. Holmes be ordained and set apart unto the
apostolic office and appointed to mission responsibility.
4a.
There are others of the leading councils who have likewise served
faithfully, whose ministry in my wisdom is continued for a season,
but who may be taken to myself, or because of age or infirmity
released in mine own due time.
4b.
There are those with the body of my priesthood who are called and who
will be chosen to succeed them, if faithful; therefore, all are
admonished to qualify themselves in spirit by ministry and by
witnessing for Christ.
5. The
hastening time is upon us; the period until the next General
Conference, as already provided, must be one of unusual preparation
for my church as an organization, for my people, and especially for
my priesthood if there shall be those who will be qualified to assume
and to carry the responsibilities of those who fall or fail or who
are released.
6a.
Let the Seventies under appointment as far as practicable relieve my
servants of the Quorum of Twelve from labor in outlying or
undeveloped areas, and let the Twelve seek to perfect the work in
regions closer to the Center, opening up the work in new places.
6b. In
these labors, the standing ministers, and especially district and
stake authorities, are called to assist.
6c.
Many of the elders not under appointment have a desire and will labor
in new places if requested and given responsibility.
7a.
The unity and spirit of tolerance evidenced by my servants in the
councils of the church are commended of me.
7b.
Each should strive prayerfully for sustained and greater devotion to
the work whereunto he is called.
7c. My
servants should not become weary of well-doing. The adversary is
quick to discourage and thus destroy their effectiveness.
8a.
The church is admonished again that joint responsibility is laid on
all.
8b.
Properly and equally borne, this responsibility will insure success,
and the consummation will be glorious, and all will share in that
glory.
Israel
A. Smith
Servant
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
October
2, 1948
