SECTION
149
Revelation
given through W. Wallace Smith, prophet and seer to the church, April
1, 1968. A vacancy had existed in the Council of Twelve since 1964,
and the honorable release of two members of the Council in 1966
resulted in three vacancies in that body, two of which were filled at
that time.
The
need for clarifying relationships between ministerial programs and
direction of the use of temporalities was recognized, and guidance
was given accordingly.
In
the search for effective interpretations of the gospel in a rapidly
changing society the presiding quorums had been engaged in studies in
which resources were tapped both from within and without the church.
The quorums were commended for their pursuit of understanding by such
means.
In
reference to the dedication of the temple site in 1831, instruction
was given to begin the active development of plans for use of the
temple and the gathering of resources for its construction.
The
document was considered by the quorums, councils, and orders and
adopted by the Conference on April 4, 1968.
The
prophet stated in his introduction to the document that he had “come
to know that such direction is not necessarily limited to a once-per-
biennium expression of the will of our heavenly Father. However,
since the church must give its approval to any document which I may
present purporting to contain the will of God, I have limited the
presentation of any prophetic utterance for the guidance of the
church as a whole to a time when such a message could have almost
immediate consideration. Thus having given prayerful consideration to
the pressing needs of the church for enlightenment on various
subjects and having received what I consider the confirmation of the
Spirit of God, I am prepared to bring the following message to you
for your consideration and action.”
To
the Councils, Quorums, and the Church:
1. In
order to fill the existing vacancy in the Council of Twelve, Howard
S. Sheehy, Jr., is called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. While the
knowledge of the call came to my servant at a previous time, it was
withheld to permit the confirmation of the Spirit so necessary in
such matters. He should be set apart without undue delay and take his
place among his brethren in the Council of Twelve, so that the church
shall have the benefit of his contribution as soon as possible.
My
servant is further directed to say:
2. My
word to the leaders in stakes and other jurisdictions is to be
diligent in seeking ways to implement the program called for in the
principles of spiritual leadership so necessary to the effective
carrying out of my purpose.
3.
Instructions given formerly are to be observed, and since the office
of bishop is a “necessary appendage” to the high priesthood and
members of the Order of Bishops are charged with the ministry of
temporalities, they will act in support of leadership given by the
spiritual authorities for the achievement of the purposes of my
church. Temporal officers are to be supported in their rightful
place, but must be guided by the needs of the field in their work of
helping to furnish the means to finance my program.
4.
Some of you have sought security in the words and phrases by which
the faithful of earlier days have expressed their knowledge of me. My
ways are still the ways of my Son. My servants of the holy priesthood
will need to be alert as never before to see that my work is not
vitiated by the designs of the adversary. They must also bring to
their searching for truth and their service to my people all the
treasures of understanding I have opened for them elsewhere. It is
necessary for all to promote unity so that my blessings can be yours
as you willingly bend your strength to kingdom-building enterprises.
5. My
servants of the leading quorums are commended for their diligence in
seeking more light and truth from all available sources. For have I
not told you that my glory is intelligence and he that seeketh
learning by study and by faith will be rewarded in this life and the
life to come? Your efforts to find ways to more successfully
implement the goals of my church must be continued.
6a.
The time has come for a start to be made toward building my temple in
the Center Place. It shall stand on a portion of the plot of ground
set apart for this purpose many years ago by my servant Joseph Smith,
Jr. The shape and character of the building is to conform to
ministries which will be carried out within its walls. These
functions I will reveal through my servant the prophet and his
counselors from time to time, as need for more specific direction
arises.
6b.
Money for this purpose should come from the consecration of surplus
by my people inasmuch as the building of houses of worship is one of
the purposes of the Storehouse.
6c. As
you are diligent in moving to effect this project I will pour out the
blessings of my Spirit and you will know that I am God.
7. I
have not forsaken you, my people, even though you have at times and
in diverse ways failed to live up to your potential under the
direction you have received from me through my servants. I change
not; neither are my purposes to fail by the evil designs of men.
Your
servant in Christ,
W.
Wallace Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
1, 1968
