SECTION
128
At
the annual Conference of 1909, Presiding Bishop E. L. Kelley
requested that a meeting of the eldership be called to consider
organizations and procedures in connection with the Gathering and the
care of the poor. At the meeting called in this connection the elders
asked the First Presidency for instruction. At a subsequent meeting
President Smith asked for the support and prayers of the ministry as
he sought divine guidance, and accordingly April 18, was observed by
the eldership as a day of fasting and prayer for such guidance.
The
following revelation through President Joseph Smith was presented to
the elders April 19, 1909, and by them referred to the quorums. After
receiving their approval, the elders adopted a resolution “that the
document be accepted as a whole,” and their action was reported to
the Conference. The revelation is dated April 18, 1909, at Lamoni,
Iowa. It was accepted by the Conference and ordered included in the
Doctrine and Covenants.
To
the Eldership; Brethren: So far as the burden of the conference and
its peculiar conditions have enabled me to do I have steadfastly
presented the matter stated by the Bishop for our consideration to
the Lord for instruction. Whether that which has come to me will
bring relief to the situation, I know not; but such as it is, I
hereby present it.
1a.
The conditions surrounding the work, the increase of the membership
of the church, the increasing desire for gathering together, and the
necessity existing for the obtaining places for settlement in the
regions round about,
1b.
under the existing laws of the United States, and especially the
state of Missouri, require that the Bishopric be authorized to take
such measures as will bring to pass the organization of those who are
desirous and willing to form parts in colonization under terms of
association in different localities
1c.
where settlements may be made and may lawfully secure and hold
property for the benefit of themselves and their fellow church
members and the whole body of the church when organized.
2a.
The work to be done belongs to those who are by command of God made
the custodians of the properties of the church;
2b.
and these by their appointment are empowered to prosecute the work of
caring for and using such properties as are confided to their care to
accomplish the end designed.
3a.
The Bishop and his counselors, together with the other bishops of the
church, and such other officers as the Bishop may call together, with
whom he may confer in council, are authorized to devise the methods
of procedure;
3b.
and they will be guided by the spirit of wisdom and revelation to do
the work intrusted to their care.
4a.
Counsel has already been given to those gathering into the regions
round about to consult with the elders and the bishops before
removing into those regions,
4b.
that such removal may be accomplished through the having of all
things prepared before them who seek to remove and become resident in
the regions round about.
5. It
is well to understand that the term “regions round about” must
mean more than a small area of country round about the central spot,
and that the necessity of the great majority of the church in
gathering together can only be provided for by settling carefully
together as many in one region as may be practicable and profitable
and in accordance with the feelings of the people under the laws
existing in the places where such settlements are to be made.
6a.
The great variety of callings, avocations, and professions will
present difficulties precluding the practicability of all settling
and living in near proximity to each other.
6b. It
is therefore within the province of those upon whom the burden of
organization may rest to provide for other organizations or
associations than those simply pastoral or agricultural.
6c.
Under this head there may be placed industrial associations of such
sorts as the varied qualifications existing among workmen may demand.
7a. It
has been prophesied that the Gentiles shall assist in rebuilding the
waste places of Zion.
7b.
This can not refer to the inhabitants of Zion who are the pure in
heart, but must refer to the places which have been occupied or which
it may be contemplated to occupy in the regions round about.
7c.
The Saints can not occupy in any place on the land of Zion which is
not under the domination of civil law, and as citizens of the state,
holding their liberties under the law, there must be a proper
recognition and observance of these laws.
7d.
The Lord has said that this condition of obedience to law must
continue until he comes whose right it is to come and assumes to
reign over his people.
7e.
Under the provisions of the laws these organizations or associations
must be instituted and carried to completion if they shall be of
benefit to those who shall be engaged in them.
8a.
The Spirit saith further: That these organizations contemplated in
the law may be effected and the benefits to be derived therefrom be
enjoyed by the Saints, in such enjoyment they can not withdraw
themselves so completely from a qualified dependence upon their
Gentile neighbors surrounding them as to be entirely free from
intercommunication with them;
8b.
yet it is incumbent upon the Saints while reaping the benefits of
these organizations to so conduct themselves in the carrying into
operation the details of their organizations as to be in the world
but not of it,
8c.
living and acting honestly and honorably before God and in the sight
of all men, using the things of this world in the manner designed of
God, that the places where they occupy may shine as Zion, the
redeemed of the Lord.
9. The
Bishop should be directed and authorized to proceed as soon as it
shall be found practicable by consultation with the general
authorities of the church who are made the proper counselors in
spiritual and temporal things to carry out the provisions of the law
of organization which are by the law made the duty of the Bishop.
Joseph
Smith
Lamoni,
Iowa
April
18, 1909
