SECTION
154
President
Wallace B. Smith on April 8, 1980, presented this inspired document
to the councils, quorums, and orders of the church and to the World
Conference as expressing the divine will for the church. It was on
that basis that the Conference accepted it and authorized its
inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Clifford
A. Cole, Donald V. Lents, and Aleah G. Koury are honorably released
from the Council of Twelve: Cole to ministries of teaching and
writing, and the latter two to serve in the Order of Evangelists.
The
three vacancies in the apostolic council are to be filled by Bishop
Kisuke Sekine of Okinawa; Everett S. Graffeo, Campus Minister at
Graceland College; and Blue Valley Stake President Kenneth N.
Robinson, a native of Australia.
The
Council of Twelve is commended for its ministries of outreach, and
encouraged toward even more creative and effective evangelistic
endeavors. The Presiding Bishopric is indicated as playing a central
role in the continuing redefinition of concepts of stewardship as
personal and corporate response to God’s grace and love.
Church
leaders—”all who labor in the field”—are promised the
confidence of the membership commensurate with the degree of
sacrificial devotion they bring to their ministry. The body of Christ
is called to a life of courage, hope, and faith in order that a more
adequate proclamation of the gospel might ensue. The indwelling of
the Spirit is surely to be the mark of those who “support one
another in love.”
President
Smith introduced the document with this explanatory paragraph:
“With
the needs of the church and its work constantly before me, I have
sought frequently, prayerfully, and expectantly for direction
concerning those needs. My earnest desire is always that, to the
extent I am enlightened by the Holy Spirit, I might discern what God
desires for the church and then have the strength and courage to
convey that understanding to the church. In that spirit I humbly but
confidently present the following as representing the divine will.”
To
the Councils, Quorums, and Orders of the Church and to the General
Conference:
1. It
is my will that Clifford A. Cole be honorably released from his
duties in the Council of Twelve Apostles. His calming spirit and
reasoned approach many times have been a great blessing, especially
in his role as president of the council. He should now be relieved of
the burdens of the office of apostle to serve under the direction of
the First Presidency, especially in the areas of teaching and writing
by which, among his many other skills, the church has greatly
benefited over the years.
2a.
Donald V. Lents and Aleah G. Koury are also relieved of their
responsibilities as apostles in my church. Both have labored
diligently, often under considerable hardship and conditions of
discomfort. They are commended for their years of service which for
Apostle Lents extend over the administrations of three presidents of
the church.
2b.
Both are called and, if willing, should be ordained as patriarchs and
take their place in the Order of Evangelists—Apostle Koury, if
chosen, serving as secretary of the order.
3. To
fill the vacancies in the Council of Twelve Kisuke Sekine, Everett S.
Graffeo, and Kenneth N. Robinson are called from their present
responsibilities to be apostles in my church. They should be ordained
as soon as practicable and take their places in the apostolic quorum.
The
Spirit saith further by way of instruction:
4a.
The Council of Twelve Apostles should continue to pursue the
strategies and methods by which the missionary work may be promoted
and my gospel most meaningfully communicated to the world. As the
chief missionary quorum they are encouraged to devote sufficient time
to this task that they may develop a unity of purpose concerning the
missionary work and go forth in great power to witness of me.
4b.
The brethren of the council are also commended for their collective
stewardship in the identifying, evaluating, and recommending of
missionary development projects. The opportunities for such outreach
are limitless; however, because of the limited resources which are
available for such projects, every effort should be made to assure
that these resources are expended in the areas of greatest
evangelistic potential.
5a.
The Presiding Bishop and his counselors are encouraged to continue to
seek ways of effecting a greater understanding of the meaning of the
stewardship of temporalities as a response to my grace and love so
that the understanding of the principle may stir the hearts of the
people as never before.
5b.
Redefinition of terms within the basic law of temporalities, for
clarification and to meet the needs of a growing church, is in
harmony with my will. However, let this be done with due deliberation
and with full consent of the body after sufficient study and
discussion, all to the end that the people may come to provide more
fully and joyfully for the great work to which all are called.
6.
Likewise, it is the responsibility of all who labor in the field,
either by general church appointment or otherwise, to continue always
to be aware of the need to render unreserved and fully accountable
service—”good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and
running over.” As they do so, there will be a confidence inspired
and a desire to respond engendered in those who look to my servants
for leadership.
7a. Be
of good cheer, O my people. Neither be discouraged by uncertainties
nor disheartened by the seeming lack of understanding on the part of
some regarding the kingdom-building task. If you will move out in
faith and confidence to proclaim my gospel my Spirit will empower you
and there will be many who respond, even in places and ways which do
not now seem clear.
7b.
Support one another in love, confident that my Spirit will be with
you even as I have gone before you and shown you the way.
Wallace
B. Smith
President
of the Church
Independence,
Missouri
April
8, 1980
