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Kevin Kraut
REVELATIONS
1880-1890
compiled by
Ogden Kraut
1970
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
The following revelations were previously
compiled and printed in two separate publications. Part I was a collection most
of which had already been circulated. The revelations in Part II were located
more recently in a family journal.
Reprinted June
1979
Third Printing
November 1986
CONTENTS
Part I
Part II
Part I
CONTENTS
Preface
1880 REVELATION, Wilford
Woodruff . . . . 1
1882 REVELATION, John Taylor . . . . . 12
1882 REVELATION, John Taylor . . . . . 18
1883 REVELATION, John Taylor . . . . . 25
1884 REVELATION, John Taylor . . . . . 28
1886 REVELATION, John Taylor . . . . . 30
1889 REVELATION, Wilford
Woodruff . . . . 38
PREFACE
During the 1880's the
Church suffered the indignities of persecution, prosecution, and confiscation
of property. The leading men of the Church were in prison or dodging
persecution. President John Taylor spent most of his time as president of the
Church living in the underground to avoid imprisonment.
In the deepest of these
sufferings the Lord was mindful of His people, and He bestowed upon them light
and revelation for their comfort and encouragement. A few of many revelations
received during this time were recorded in journals, on scraps of papers, or
published in European editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. Those printed
here are subject to controversy because of the manner in which they were
recorded or printed. What little documentation has been available is included
in the Notes following each revelation.
The reader must read
these revelations in the light of apocryphal works--enlightened or benefited by
whatever inspiration he can derive therefrom.
Ogden
Kraut
[1]
REVELATION OF JANUARY 26, 1880
Given Through Wilford Woodruff
Sunset, Arizona
REVELATION
given through Wilford Woodruff while at Sunset,
Arizona, January 26, 1880. This revelation was given for comfort,
instruction, and showing forth the will of God concerning the nation and its
inhabitants of Zion. The Government was prosecuting and persecuting the Saints
through the Edmunds-Tucker law, causing them much distress and imprisonment.
This revelation was in response to the prayers and desires of Wilford Woodruff to know the will of the Lord concerning
the Saints and their destiny and the reasons for their persecutions.
1. "Thus saith the Lord unto my servant, Wilford
Woodruff, I have heard thy prayer and will answer thy petition. I will make
known unto thee my will concerning the nations who encumber the land of promise
and also concerning Zion and her inhabitants.
2. "I have already
revealed my will concerning this nation through the mouth of my servant Joseph,
who sealed his testimony with his own blood, which testimony has been in force
upon all the world from the hour of his death.
3. "What I the
Lord have revealed in that testament and decreed upon this nation and upon all
the nations of the earth, shall be fulfilled, saith
the Lord of hosts. I the Lord have spoken and will be obeyed. My purposes shall
be fulfilled upon this nation and no power shall stay My Hand. The hour is at
the door when My wrath and indignation will be poured
out upon the wicked of this nation.
4. "Their murders,
blasphemies, lying, whoredoms, and abominations have
come up before my face and before the heavens, and the wrath of my indignation
is full.
[2] 5. "I have decreed
plagues to go forth and waste my enemies, and not many years hence they shall
not he left to pollute my heritage.
6. "The devil is
ruling over his kingdom and my spirit has no place in the hearts of the rulers
of this nation, and the devil stirs them up to defy my power and to make war
upon my Saints. Therefore let mine Apostles and mine Elders who are faithful
obey my commandments which are already written for their profit and guidance.
7. "Thus saith the Lord unto My servant, John Taylor, and My servant
Wilford Woodruff, and My servant Orson Pratt, and to
all the residue of mine Apostles; Have you not gone forth in My name without
purse or scrip and declared the Gospel of life and salvation unto this nation
and the nations of the earth and warned them of the judgments which are to
come, as you have been moved upon by the power of the Holy Ghost and the
inspiration of the Lord?
8. "You have done
this year by year for the whole generation, as men count time. Therefore, your
garments are clean of the blood of this generation and especially of this
nation.
9. "Therefore as I
have said in a former commandment, so I the Lord say again unto My Apostles: Go
ye alone by yourselves, whether in heat or cold and cleanse your feet in water,
pure water, it matters not whether it be by the running streams, or in your
closets; but leave these testimonies before the Lord and the heavenly hosts;
and when you have all done this, then gather yourselves together in your Holy
places and clothe yourselves with the robes of the Holy Priesthood and there
offer up your prayers according to my Holy law.
10. "Let him who
presides be mouth and kneel at the Holy Altar, and there let mine Apostles
bring all these testimonies before my face and before the heavenly hosts and
before the justified spirits made perfect. [3] And thus saith
the Lord unto you, mine apostles, when you bring these testimonies before me,
let them be presented by name as far as the Spirit shall present them unto you:
11. "The
Presidents of the United States, the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate and
House of Congress of the United States, the Governors of the States and
Territories, the judges and others sent unto you, and all men and persons who
have taken any part in persecuting you or bringing distress upon you or your
families, or who have sought your lives, or sought to hinder you from keeping
my commandments or from enjoying the rights which the constitutional laws of
the land guaranteed unto you.
12. "And what I
the Lord say unto you, mine Apostles, I also say unto my servants the
Seventies, the High Priests, the Elders, the Priests and all my servants who
are pure in heart and who have borne testimony unto the nations. Let them go
forth and cleanse their feet in pure water and bear testimony of it unto the
Father who is in heaven.
13. "And then, saith the Lord unto mine Apostles and mine Elders, when ye
do these things with purity of heart, I the Lord will hear your prayers and am
bound by oath and covenant to defend you and fight your battles.
14. "As I have
said in former commandments, it is not my will that mine Elders should fight
the battles of Zion, for I will fight your battles.
15. "Nevertheless,
let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake, for he that layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again and
have eternal life.
16. "This nation
is ripened in iniquity and the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full and
I [4] will not stay my hand in judgments upon this nation or the nations of the
earth.
17. "I have
decreed wars and judgments upon the wicked and my wrath and indignation are
about to be poured out upon them and the wicked and rebellious shall know that
I am God.
18. "As I the Lord
have spoken so will I fulfill. I will spare none who
remain in Babylon, but I will burn them up, saith the
Lord of Hosts. As I the Lord have suffered, so will I put all enemies under my feet. For I the Lord utter my word and it shall be obeyed.
19. "And the day
of wrath and indignation shall come upon the wicked.
20. "And I say
again, woe unto that nation or house or people who seek to hinder my people from
obeying the Patriarchal law of Abraham, which leadeth
to Celestial Glory, which has been revealed unto my Saints through the mouth of
my servant Joseph, for whosoever doeth these things shall be damned, saith the Lord of Hosts, and shall be broken up and wasted
away from under heaven by the judgments which I have sent forth, and which
shall not return unto me void.
21. "And thus,
with the sword and by bloodshed, and with famine and plagues and earthquakes
and the thunder of heaven and the vivid lightnings
shall this nation and the nations of the earth be made to feel the chastening
hand of an Almighty God until they are broken up and destroyed and wasted away
from under heaven, and no power can stay my hand. Therefore, let the wicked
tremble; let them that blaspheme my name hold their lips, for destruction will
swiftly overtake them.
22. "All that I
the Lord have spoken through the mouths of my Prophets and Apostles since the
world began, concerning the last dispensation and fullness of times, concerning
my Church, which has been called out [5] of the wilderness of darkness and
error, concerning the Zion and kingdom of God and concerning Babylon the great,
and what I have spoken through the mouth of my servant Joseph, shall all be
fulfilled.
23. "And though
the heaven and earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall be
fulfilled, saith the Lord.
24. "These
revelations and testimonies are before you. Let my Saints search the Word of
the Lord and treasure up wisdom and be prepared for that which is to come.
25. "As I have
decreed, so shall my judgments begin at the House of God.
26. "There are
those in my Church who have a name among you, who are adulterers and
adulteresses, and those who blaspheme my name and those who love and make a lie,
and those who revel and drink with the drunken.
27. "If they do
not speedily repent of this wickedness and abomination, they should be severed
from the ordinances of my house, saith the Lord.
28. "There are
many who have need to repent, whose hearts are set upon the things of this
world, who aspire to the honors of men, and do not honor the Priesthood, nor
seek to build up the Kingdom of God as they should. Neither do they learn and
comprehend:
29. "That the
rights of the Priesthood, are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven
and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the
principles of righteousness.
30. "Such should
repent and turn unto the Lord, and seek for the Holy Spirit to guide them.
31. "Judgments will
begin upon my house, and from thence will they go forth unto the world and the
wicked cannot escape.
[6] 32. "Blessed are
the pure in heart, for my blessings await them in this
life and eternal life in the world to come.
33. "Thus saith the Lord unto you, my servants and Apostles who dwell
in the flesh. Fear ye not your enemies. Let not your
hearts be troubled. I am in your midst. I am your advocate with the Father.
34. "I have given
mine angels charge concerning you. Mine eyes are upon you and the eyes of your
heavenly Father and the Heavenly Hosts and all justified spirits made perfect
are watching over you.
35. "Your works
are manifest before the face of my servants who have sealed their testimony
with their blood, and before all my servants of the Apostles whom I have taken
unto myself.
36. "The veil is
taken from off their faces and they know your works. They await your coming
when you have finished your testimony in the flesh. Therefore, be ye faithful
until I come. My coming is at the door.
37. "Call upon the
Lord in mighty prayer, ask and you shall receive. Whenever you agree as
touching anything and ask the Father in my name, it shall be given you.
38. "Seek
diligently to build up Zion and to magnify your high calling and your enemies shall
not prevail over you.
39. "Zion shall
not be moved out of her place. Zion shall prevail against her enemies.
40. "My people
shall not be hindered in the building of my temples unto my Holy Name, if they
will hearken unto my voice and do as I command them.
41. "The blood of
my servants Joseph and Hyrum and of mine Apostles and Elders which has been
shed [7] for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, cries from the
ground for vengeance upon the nation which has shed their blood.
42. "But their
blood shall speedily be avenged and shall cease to cry unto me, for the hour of
God's judgment is fully come and shall be poured out without measure upon the
wicked.
43. "But hearken
and hear, O ye Apostles, Elders and people of my Church, to the Word of the
Lord concerning you, that for all the blessings that I will pour out upon you
and the inhabitants of Zion and the judgments and destruction upon the wicked,
I will be inquired of by you to ask the Father in my name to do and to perform
these things for you as I told all the House of Israel by my servant Moses,
that they should ask at my hand for all the blessings which I the Lord have
promised unto Israel in the latter days.
44. "And as I the
Lord ordained mine Apostles who were with me in my ministry and promised them
that they should sit upon twelve thrones, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel,
so I say unto you mine Apostles, whom I have raised up in these last days that
I have ordained you to bear record of my name, and of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, to the Gentiles first, and then to the House of Israel.
45. "I have also
ordained you to sit upon thrones and judge the Gentiles and all the inhabitants
of the earth unto whom you have borne testimony of my name in the day and
generation in which you live. Therefore, how great is your calling and
responsibility before me.
46. "Therefore,
gird up the loins of your minds and magnify your calling in the fear of God,
and prepare ye for the coming of the Son of Man, which is nigh at the door.
47. "No man knoweth the day nor the hour, but the signs of both heaven
and earth indicate His coming, as [8] promised by the mouths of my disciples;
the fig tree is leafing and the hour is nigh. Therefore, prepare yourselves, O
ye Saints of the Most High God, with oil in your lamps, for blessed is he that watcheth for the coming of the Son of Man.
48. "Again, hear
ye the Word of the Lord, O ye mine Apostles whom I have chosen in these last
days to bear record of my name and lead my people Israel until the coming of
the Son of Man.
49. "I the Lord
have raised up unto you my servant John Taylor to preside over you and to be a
lawgiver unto my Church. He has mingled his blood with that of the martyred
Prophets. Nevertheless, while I have taken my servants Joseph and Hyrum unto
myself, I have preserved my servant John Taylor for a wise purpose in me.
50. "I have also
taken many others of the apostles unto myself, for I take whom I will take, and
preserve in life whom I will preserve, according to the counsel of mine own
will.
51. "And while my
servant John Taylor is your President, I wish to ask the rest of my servants of
the Apostles the question, although you have one to preside over your Quorum,
which is the order of God in all generations, do you not, all of you, hold the
apostleship, which is the highest authority ever given to men on earth? You do.
Therefore you hold in common the Keys of the Kingdom of God in all the world.
52. "You each of
you have the power to unlock the veil of eternity and hold converse with God
the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ and to have the ministrations of angels.
53. "It is your right, privilege and duty to inquire of the Lord as to His
mind and will concerning yourselves and the inhabitants of Zion and their
interests.
[9] 54. "And whenever
any one of you receives the word of the Lord, let it be written and presented
in your councils and whatever by united consent you deem wise to be presented
unto the people, let it be presented by the President, my servant John Taylor,
as the word of the Lord. In this way you will uphold him and strengthen his
hands, as all the burden should not lie upon one man.
55. "For thus saith the Lord, all mine Apostles should be full of the
Holy Ghost of inspiration and revelation to know the mind and will of God and
be prepared for that which is to come.
56. "Therefore let
mine Apostles keep my commandments and obey my voice and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against you.
57. "Fear not, for
lo, I am with you until I come, I come quickly. Even So,
Amen."
* * * * *
NOTES
NOTE 1. "During the month of January, 1880, I was at
Sunset, Arizona, with Brother Lot Smith and the brethren with him who were
trying to establish a branch of the United Order at that place. At this time
the Government, through its officers, were using every means in its power to
enforce the Edmunds-Tucker and anti-polygamy law with the evident intent on the
part of the officers to break us up as an organized community. Being away from president Taylor and my Quorum, I felt deeply distressed in
mind concerning our conditions as a people. While thus exercised I went into
"the Wilderness," a region of country called by this name, situated
about forty miles west of Sunset; and while there I stopped with two young men
who were herding sheep belonging to the people of Sunset. I remained with them
ten days, reading the revelations of God as contained in the Doctrine and
Covenants, and praying fervently unto the Lord to reveal to me His mind and
will concerning Zion. On retiring [10] to bed on the night of the 25th of
January, 1880, I found myself wrapt in vision, and
the next morning the following revelation was given to me of the Lord which I
wrote at the time." (The preceding revelation was then quoted.)
THE
JOURNAL OF WILFORD WOODRUFF
January
25, 1880
NOTE 2. "During the period of the extreme and
unrelenting prosecutions under the anti-polygamy acts of Congress, President
Woodruff spent much of the time among the churches in Arizona and Southern
Utah. On January 26, 1880, having retired for some days in the mountains
fasting and praying, he obtained important revelations from the Lord concerning
the work of the Twelve Apostles and events which would happen, affecting both
the church and the nations. These were submitted to President John Taylor and
the Council of the Apostles and were accepted by them as profitable for
doctrine, for comfort, for light as to the future and for encouragement in the
work of the ministry."
IMPROVEMENT
ERA 1:874
NOTE 3. After his visit along the settlements up the Little
Colorado Elder Woodruff returned to Brigham City, and later took up his abode
in a shepherd's tent about twenty-five miles from Sunset. Here he wrote letters
to President Taylor and others, and was especially thoughtful of Elder George
Reynolds, then a prisoner in Lincoln, Nebraska, Elder Reynolds having been
convicted of polygamy. It was here in this shepherd's tent that he felt the
solemnities of eternity resting upon him and desired to know the mind and will
of the Lord concerning the Apostles and the nation, and especially the purpose
of the persecution against the Saints of God. On the 26th of January in his
journal he says: "I went to bed filled with prayer and meditation. I fell
asleep and remained in slumber until about midnight, when I awoke. The Lord
then poured out His spirit upon me and opened the vision of my mind so that I
could comprehend in a great measure the mind and will of God concerning the
nation and concerning the inhabitants of Zion. I saw the wickedness of the
nation, its abominations and corruptions and the judgments of God and the
destruction that awaited it. Then I also comprehended the great responsibility
which rested upon the Quorum of the Apostles. My head became a fountain [11] of
tears, and my pillow was wet with the dews of heaven. Sleep departed from me.
The Lord revealed unto me the duty of the Apostles and of all the faithful
elders of Israel. The revelation was submitted to the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles just prior to the April conference of that year; it was accepted by
that body as the word of the Lord, according to Elder Woodruff's journal, under
the date of April 4th 1880.
On the morning
following the revelation, January 27th, he said: "I arose in the morning
after the vision of the night. My heart was filled with joy and gratitude for a
manifestation of the spirit of God to me. It was given by the inspiration of
the Holy Ghost. I had read a revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants and
prayed earnestly to the Lord to manifest to me His mind and will concerning
myself and my brethren, the Apostles, and the Lord gave me that revelation in
answer to my prayers."
LIFE
OF WILFORD WOODRUFF
By
M. F. Cowley, p. 530-531
[12]
REVELATION OF JUNE 27, 1882
Given Through John Taylor
Salt Lake City, Utah
REVELATION
given through President John Taylor on June 27, 1882, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
It relates to the Kingdom of God established in these last days, for the
promulgation of the principles of freedom and liberty for all nations and
people. Responsibility and duties of all who hold keys and authority of the
Priesthood are defined.
1. "Verily, thus saith the Lord, I have instituted my Kingdom and my laws,
with the keys and the power thereof, and I have appointed you as my spokesman
and my Constitution, with President John Taylor at your head, whom I have appointed
to my Church and my Kingdom as Prophet, Seer and Revelator unto and over my
kingdom, and to be my mouthpiece unto my Church and unto my Kingdom, and I will
honor him, and he shall speak forth the words that I will reveal unto him from
time to time by the whisperings of my Spirit, by the revelation of my Spirit,
by the revelation of my will and my word, or by mine own voice, as I will, saith the Lord, and ye shall listen to his words as my
words, saith the Lord your God.
2. "Thus saith the Lord God, who rules in the heavens above and in
the earth beneath: I have introduced my Kingdom and my government, even the
Kingdom of God, that my servants have heretofore prophesied of and that I
taught my disciples to pray for, saying:
3. "`Thy Kingdom
come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,' for the establishment of
my rule for the introduction of my law, for the protection of my Church, and
for the maintenance, promulgation and protection of civil and religious liberty
in this nation and throughout the world;
4. "And all men of
every nation, color and creed shall yet be protected and shielded thereby;
[13] 5. "And every
nation and kindred, and people, and tongue shall yet bow the knee to me and
acknowledge me to be Ahman Christ to the glory of God
the Father.
6. "And my law and
my rule and my dominion shall yet be known and extended to all people.
7. "And now,
behold, I speak unto you through my servant John, whom you have acknowledged
and shall acknowledge as my spokesman.
8. "Thus saith the Lord God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the
Ruler of the universe, whose right it is to rule in the heavens above and in
the earth beneath, behold I raised up my servant Joseph Smith to introduce my
Gospel and to build up my Church and establish my Kingdom on the earth;
9. "And I gave
unto him wisdom and knowledge and revelation, and intelligence pertaining to
the past; the present and the future, even to that extent which was not known
among men;
10. "And I endowed
him with power from on high and conferred upon him the Priesthood of Aaron and
also the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God,
even the holiest of all, and after the power of endless life, and administereth forever in this world and in the world to
come.
11. "He was called
and ordained to this office before the world was. He was called by me; and
empowered by me, and sustained by me to introduce and establish my Church and
Kingdom upon the earth;
12. "And to be a
Prophet, Seer and Revelator to my Church and Kingdom; and to be a King and
Ruler over Israel.
13. "He was slain
for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God; but he yet lives, and is
with me where I am.
[14] 14. "And now I
speak unto you who are members of this Council, and of my Kingdom, and I say
unto you, as I said unto my disciples of old, Ye have
not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
15. "I called you
by my servant Joseph, and by my servant Brigham, and by my servant John. You
did not teach and instruct me; but I have taught and instructed you and
organized you according to my eternal laws.
16. "Ye are my
Constitution, and I am your God; and I will be acknowledged and my will and my
word and my law shall bear rule in my Kingdom, saith
the Lord. If it does not, then it is not my Kingdom, and then are ye not my
man, and under the direction of man, then it is a kingdom of man, and it is not
of me, and I will not acknowledge it, saith the Lord
God.
17. "Have I not
instructed you in all that you know, and is not this
Kingdom organized and directed by revelation from me?
18. "Is it not
called the Kingdom of God? If, therefore, it is not my Kingdom, why do you make
use of my name and involve my authority and my aid?
19. "Is this
Kingdom not called `The Kingdom of God, and His laws, with the keys and power
thereof, and judgment in the hands of His servant, Ahman
Christ?'
20. "And because I
am kind and beneficent to all peoples, and because I have given to man his free
agency and have always maintained that free agency among all peoples, and have
treated all men alike among all nations, and made the sun to shine on the evil
and the good, on the just and the unjust, and have never controlled the
consciences of men, think ye, therefore, that I have no rights, and will yield
up all my authority to the dictates and caprices of wicked and corrupt men?
21. "Verily, I say
unto you, Nay. Behold, Satan sought to take away the
free agency of man in the [15] beginning for which cause he was thrust out of
heaven, and has sought to introduce the same principles upon the earth, which
principles are opposed to me, to my institution and my laws, and to the
freedom, the welfare and happiness of man, and by which principles the
Government of the United States sought to deprive my people of their free agency;
and because men have been under the influence and power and dominion of
Lucifer, and because tyranny and oppression and misrule, and anarchy, deception
and fraud forever prevail?
22. "Verily, I say
unto you, Nay; and for this cause have I introduced my Church and my Kingdom,
that pure and righteous principles might be inculcated, and man, by his free
agency, yield a willing obedience to my law;
23. "For after
this testimony and the rejection thereof, I will sweep the earth of evil doers,
as with the besom of destruction;
24. "For this is
my right, and while man has his free agency, judgment belongs to me, saith the Lord.
25. "And I will
come out of my hiding place and vex the nations of the earth because of their
iniquities, their misrule, their tyranny, their oppression, their corruption,
their murders, their adulteries and fornications and all their abominations;
26. "And because
my servant Joseph, whose soul was pained because of their cruelties and
oppressions, the injustice, fraud and corruption and the inhumanity of men,
proclaimed himself the advocate of human rights, the advocate of liberty, and
the friend of man;
27. "And because,
according to my eternal decrees, the free agency of men should be guaranteed to
all men, I moved upon him to introduce into my Kingdom certain parties not in
my Church, for the purpose of exhibiting unto my Kingdom that I would still
maintain the free agency of man, and that I hold inviolate that principle [16]
and will still maintain it to the end.
28. "Think ye,
therefore, that because they are thus admitted to a share in my Government and
my laws that they shall be permitted to break their covenants, violate their
obligations, and reject me and my laws and authority, and seek to overthrow the
Kingdom of God and deprive my people who are contending for freedom, and who
shall yet maintain it, of their agency and of my laws?
29. "Verily, I say
unto you, Nay! They may be admitted to the rights of
representation in the manner appointed, after subscribing to my covenants and
commandments, and have a full and free opportunity of presenting their views,
interests and principles, and enjoying all the freedom and rights of this
Council;
30. "But they
shall acknowledge me and my laws in this Council, saith
the Lord God;
31. "For my
people's rights and immunities and free agency shall be acknowledged as well as
those of all other people, and my laws and government shall be sustained, or I
will not acknowledge you, saith the Lord.
32. "I have
invested you with the keys and power of my Kingdom and they cannot be bartered
away to others.
33. "Shall all men
be free? Yes, free to do right; free to express their sentiments and opinions
and have a full, fair and free representation;
34. "But no man
shall violate his covenants, pervert my laws, subvert others' free agency, and
trample upon mine authority in this Council, saith
the Lord your God.
[17] 35. "Again, I say
unto you, as I said before, Henceforth do as I shall
command you, saith the Lord your God. Even so Amen.
NOTE 1. Documentation for this revelation was taken from the
private journals of the John Taylor family.
[18]
REVELATION OF OCTOBER 13, 1882
Given Through John Taylor
Salt Lake City, Utah
REVELATION
given through President John Taylor on October 13, 1882, in Salt Lake City,
Utah. George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant called to the apostleship; the
admonition of all who preside in the Stakes of Zion to establish law and righteousness.
Heads of families and all people to repent and thereby obtain special blessings
and promises.
1. "Thus saith the Lord to the Twelve, and to the Priesthood and
people of my Church.
2. "Let my
servants George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant be appointed to fill the vacancies
in the Twelve, that you may be fully organized and prepared for the labors
devolving upon you, for you have a great work to perform; and then proceed to
fill up the presiding quorum of Seventies, and assist in organizing that body
of my priesthood who are your co-laborers in the ministry. You may appoint
Seymour B. Young to fill up the vacancy in the presiding quorum oœ Seventies, if he will conform to my law;
3. "For it is not
meet that men who will not abide my law shall preside over my priesthood;
4. "And then
proceed forthwith and call to your aid any assistance that you may require from
among the Seventies to assist you in your labors in introducing and maintaining
the gospel among the Lamanites through-out the land.
And then let High Priests be selected, under the direction of the First
Presidency, to preside over the various organizations that shall exist among
this people; that those who receive the Gospel may be taught in the doctrines
of my church and in the ordinances and laws thereof, and also in the things
pertaining to my Zion and my kingdom, saith the Lord,
[19] that they may be one with you in my Church and my Kingdom.
5. "Let the
Presidency of my Church be one in all things; and let the Twelve also be one in
all things; and let them all be one with me as I am one with the Father. And
let the High Priests organize themselves, and purify themselves, and prepare
themselves for this labor, and for all other labors that they may be called
upon to fulfill.
6. "And let the
Presidents of Stakes also purify themselves, and the priesthood and people of
the Stakes over which they preside, and organize the priesthood in their
various stakes according to my law, in all the various departments thereof, in
the High Councils, in the Elders' quorums, and in the Bishops and their
councils, and in the quorums of Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, that every
quorum may be fully organized according to the order of My Church;
7. "And, then, let
them inquire into the standing and fellowship of all
that hold my Holy Priesthood in their several stakes; and if they find those
that are unworthy let them remove them, except they repent;
8. "For My
Priesthood, whom I have called and whom I have sustained and honored, shall
honor Me and obey My laws, and the laws of My Holy
Priesthood, or they shall not be considered worthy to hold My Priesthood, saith the Lord.
9. "And let my
priesthood humble themselves before me, and seek not their own will but my
will;
10. "For if my priesthood, whom I have chosen and called,
and endowed with the spirit and gifts of their several callings, and with the
powers thereof, do not acknowledge me, I will not acknowledge them, saith the Lord; for I will be honored and obeyed by my
priesthood.
[20] 11. "And, then, I
call upon My Priesthood and upon all of my people, to repent of all their sins
and shortcomings, of their covetousness and pride and self-will, and of all
their iniquities wherein they sin against me;
12. "And to seek
with all humility to fulfill my law, as my priesthood, my Saints and my people;
13. "And I call
upon the heads of families to put their houses in order according to the Law of
God, and attend to the various duties and responsibilities associated
therewith, and to purify themselves before me, and to purge out iniquity from
their households.
14. "And I will
bless and be with you, saith the Lord, and ye shall
gather together in your holy places wherein ye assemble to call upon me, and ye
shall ask for such things as are right, and I will hear your prayers and my
spirit and power shall be with you and my blessings shall rest upon you, upon
your families, your dwellings and your households, upon your flocks and herds
and fields, your orchards and vineyards, and upon all that pertains to you;
15. "And you shall
be my people and I will be your God;
16. "And your
enemies shall not have dominion over you, for I will preserve you and confound
them, saith the Lord, and they shall not have power
nor dominion over you; for my words shall go forth, and my work shall be
accomplished, and my Zion shall be established, and my rule and my power and my
dominion shall prevail among my people, and all nations shall yet acknowledge
Me. Even so, Amen."
[21]
NOTES
NOTE 1. Documentation for this revelation may be found in
the following places:
Doctrine and
Covenants, Section 137, German edition, Salt Lake City printing 1893, second
edition; and 1903 Berlin printing, third edition.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 137, Danish 6th edition, Salt Lake
City printing, 1900.
Doctrine and
Covenants, Section 137, Swedish first edition, 1888, Salt Lake City printing;
and 1928 second edition, Stockholm edition.
Life of John
Taylor, by B. H. Roberts, p. 349-51.
Gospel Kingdom,
by Samuel W. Taylor, p. 390.
NOTE 2. "Fri. 13, October 1882--George Teasdale and
Heber J. Grant were chosen by revelation to fill the vacancies in the Council
of Twelve Apostles, caused by the death of Orson Pratt and the recent
reorganization of the First Presidency. Seymour P. Young was chosen by the same
revelation as one of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies. These three
brethren were ordained on the 16th."
CHURCH
CHRONOLOGY
by Andrew Jensen, p. 110
NOTE 3. "I came to the Sunday afternoon meeting of the
conference, because of this partial sentence, and the balance that was given to
me, with the assurance in my heart that Brother Teasdale and myself
would be sustained as apostles. Those of you who were at that conference
remember that it adjourned without filling those vacancies. I do not believe
that any mortal man ever more humbly supplicated God during the next few days
to forgive him for his egotism than I did for thinking I was to be chosen as an
apostle. As you are aware within a week a revelation came to John Taylor
calling Brother Teasdale and myself to those positions."
Heber
J. Grant
CONFERENCE
REPORT
October,
1922:2-3
[22] NOTE 4. "I
have felt my own lack of ability. In fact, when I was called as one of the
apostles, I arose to my feet to say it was beyond anything I was worthy of; and
as I was rising the thought came to me, `You know as you know that you live
that John Taylor is a prophet of God, and to decline this office when he had
received a revelation is equivalent to repudiating the prophet.' I said,
"I will accept the office and do my best.' I remember that it was with
difficulty that I took my seat without fainting,
"There are
two spirits striving with us always: one telling us to continue our labor for
good, and one telling us that with the faults and failings of our nature we are
unworthy. I can truthfully say that from October, 1882, until February, 1883,
that spirit followed me day and night, telling me that I was unworthy to be an
apostle of the Church and that I ought to resign. When I would testify of my
knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Redeemer of
mankind, it seemed as though a voice would say to me: `You lie! You lie! Him. You have never seen Him.'"
Heber
J. Grant
IMPROVEMENT
ERA 44:267
NOTE 5. "On the 13th of October the First Presidency
and the Twelve met to receive the revelation of God to President Taylor, in
which the duties of the Priesthood and of the Saints were set forth. In that
same revelation appears the call of President George Teasdale of the Juab
Stake, and President Heber J. Grant of the Tooele Stake to the vacancies in the
Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Seymour P. Young was called to fill the vacancy in
the First Council of Seventies and requested to keep the whole law of God as a
preparation of his new calling and labors.
"Concerning
the Patriarchal Order of Marriage, President Taylor said: `If we do not embrace
that principle soon, the keys will be turned against us. If we do not keep the
same law that our Heavenly Father has kept, we cannot go with Him. A man
obeying a lower law is not qualified to preside over those who keep a higher
law.' In harmony with the remarks of President Taylor, Elder Woodruff observed:
`This is why the Church and Kingdom of God cannot advance without [23] the
Patriarchal Order of Marriage is that it belongs to this dispensation just as
baptism for the dead does, or any law or ordinance that belongs to a
dispensation. Without it, the Church cannot progress. The leading men of Israel
who are presiding over stakes will have to obey the law of Abraham, or they
will have to resign.'"
LIFE
OF WILFORD WOODRUFF
by Matthias F. Cowley, p. 542
NOTE 6. "October 13, 1882. We met in council at
President Taylor's office. We heard the revelation read in which George
Teasdale and Heber J. Grant were called to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of
Twelve Apostles, and Seymour P. Young, to fill the vacancy in the First Presidency
of Seventies.
"October 14,
1882. We held a meeting with the Presidency, Twelve Apostles and the Presidents
of Stakes. Remarks were made by President Taylor. Then the revelation was read.
George Q. Cannon spoke to us and said, `How can we teach the people any law or
principle that we do not keep ourselves?'
"Joseph F.
Smith spoke upon several subjects upon the Patriarchal Order of Marriage.
"President
Taylor told what Joseph Smith said to him upon the subject, and said, `If we do
not embrace that principle soon, the keys will be turned against us; for if we
do not keep the same law our Heavenly Father has kept, we cannot go with Him.
The word of the Lord to us was that if we did not obey that law, we could not
go where our Heavenly Father dwelt. A man obeying a lower law is not qualified
to preside over those who keep a higher law.'
"W. Woodruff
said he was glad the Quorum of the Twelve and Seventies were now to be filled,
and said that the reason why the Church and Kingdom of God could not progress
if we did not receive the Patriarchal Law of Marriage is that it belonged to
this dispensation as well as the baptism for the dead, and any law or ordinance
that belongs to this dispensation must be received by the members of the
Church, or it cannot progress. The leading men of Israel who are presiding over
stakes will have to obey the law of Abraham, or they will have to stop.
[24] "L. Snow
said that Joseph Smith said that the parable that Jesus spoke of that the man
who had one talent and hid it in the earth was the man who had but one wife and
would not take another, would have her taken from him and given to one who had
more."
WILFORD
WOODRUFF JOURNAL
Dates:
Oct. 13 & 14, 1882
[25]
REVELATION OF APRIL 14, 1883
Given Through John Taylor
Salt Lake City, Utah
REVELATION
given through President John Taylor on April 14, 1883, Salt Lake City,
Utah. Given in answer to President's prayer in which he asked the Lord to
"Show unto us Thy will, O Lord, concerning the organization of the
Seventies." It affirms that the things that had been written were
acceptable and that the Lord would further reveal more concerning his kingdom
and for Zion.
1. "What ye have
written is my will, and is acceptable unto me:
2. "And
furthermore, thus saith the Lord unto the First
Presidency, unto the Twelve, unto the Seventies and unto all my holy
priesthood, let not your hearts be troubled, neither be ye concerned about the
management and organization of my church and priesthood and the accomplishment
of my work.
3. "Fear me and
observe my laws and I will reveal unto you, from time to time, through the
channels that I have appointed, everything that shall be necessary for the
future development and perfection of my church, for the adjustment and rolling
forth of my kingdom, and for the building up and the establishment of my Zion.
4. "For ye are my
priesthood and I am your God. Even so. Amen."
[26]
NOTES
NOTE 1. Documentation for this revelation may be found in
the following places:
Doctrine & Covenants, Section 138, German second edition, Salt
Lake City 1893 edition, and the 1903 Berlin third edition.
Doctrine & Covenants, Section 138, Danish 6th edition, Salt
Lake City 1900 printing.
Doctrine & Covenants, Section 138, German 1893 second edition
and 1903 third edition.
Doctrine & Covenants, Section 138, Swedish 1888, first edition
and 1928 second edition.
Seventy's Course
in Theology, by B. H. Roberts, p. 16.
NOTE 2. ". . . the number of
quorums was greatly increased, and after arriving in Utah the multiplication of
quorums went on, but without definitely districting them. The result was that a
quorum was scattered to wherever its members wandered, and the only meetings
that could be held were "mass meetings" in appointed districts,
instead of in quorum meetings. Under the readjustment of the quorums in 1883,
however, it was proposed that quorum districts be organized with the establishment
of headquarters for each quorum, where its records should be kept; such
districts to be distributed throughout the church territory under the direction
of the first council as the number of the priesthood residing in such
localities might seem to justify; and any vacancies that existed, either in the
presidency or the membership, might be filled by the ordination of persons
residing in the locality in which the respective quorums were located;
seventies removing from one district to another could take a transfer to the
one into which they moved, and thus the quorums would be kept in existence,
meet in their quorum capacity, and maintain a permanent entity, as a unit in
the priesthood organization.
[27] The first quorum
was to consist of the first council of the first seventy, and the senior
presidents of other quorums might act in their place. In all cases where
members of the quorum were called in question a majority of their respective
quorums were declared to have jurisdiction in all cases involving their
standing as members of their respective quorums. Any complaints regarding the
presidents of quorums made to the first seven presidents of seventy, who might
suspend them, if the conduct complained of seemed to justify it, pending the
action of the first quorum. Any presidents or members from whom fellowship was
withdrawn were to be reported to the high council having jurisdiction. These
several arrangements written as instructions for the setting in order of this
body of priesthood, received the sanction of formal revelation through
President John Taylor, on the 13th of April, 1883, by the Lord saying:
"What ye have written is my will, and is acceptable unto me."
COMPREHENSIVE
HISTORY OF CHURCH
Vol.
6:107-108
[28] REVELATION OF MAY 1884
Given Through John Taylor
Logan, Utah
REVELATION
given through President John Taylor in May 1884, Logan, Utah. It was
given in answer to President Taylor's inquiry if the Lord had accepted the
Logan Temple dedication. Revelations pertaining to the past, the present and
the future are promised.
1. "As thou hast
asked me concerning this Temple, thus saith the Lord:
2. "I accept this
house which thou hast built, and also the labors of the Committee, the
Superintendent, and the Architect thereof, and of those who have in anywise
contributed to the building or beautifying the same, by their labor or by their
means;
3. "And inasmuch
as it shall be preserved pure, and not be defiled, my presence shall be there,
even the power of my Spirit, the Gift of the Holy Ghost; which shall be in this
house hereafter more fully;
4. "And I will
acknowledge the ordinances which shall be administered therein, both for the
living and the dead;
5. "And my
blessings shall attend the administration of the ordinances and shall rest upon
those who administer therein; inasmuch as they comply with the order and
institutions of my house, and act with purity and singleness of heart before
me, according to my word, my ordinances and my law;
6. "And this house
shall be a house of prayer, a house of learning, a house of God, wherein many
great principles pertaining to the past, to the present and the future shall be
revealed, and my word and my will be made known;
[29] 7. "And the laws
of the Universe, pertaining to this world and other worlds be
developed;
8. "For in these
houses which have been built, I will reveal the abundance of those things
pertaining to the past, the present and the future, to the life that now is,
and the life that is to come, pertaining to law, order, rule, dominion and
government, to things affecting this nation and other nations;
9. "The laws of
the heavenly bodies in their times and seasons, and the principles or laws by
which they are governed, and their relation to each other, and whether they be
bodies celestial, terrestrial, or telestial, shall
all be made known as I will, saith the Lord;
10. "For it is my
will and my purpose to place my people in closer communion with the heavens,
inasmuch as they will purify themselves and observe more diligently my law, for
it is in mine heart to greatly bless and exalt my people, and to build up,
exalt and beautify my Zion, inasmuch as they shall observe my law. Even so, Amen."
* * * * *
NOTES
NOTE 1. "The Lord accepted dedication of the House of
His people."
JOURNAL
OF WILFORD WOODRUFF
May
22, 1884
[30]
REVELATION OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1886
Given Through John Taylor
Centerville, Utah
REVELATION
given through President John Taylor on September 26, 1886 in Centerville, Utah.
Everlasting covenants stand forever and are not revoked. Men
to use their free agency pertaining to God's laws.
1. "My Son John:
You have asked me concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant and how far it is
binding upon my people;
2. "Thus saith the Lord: All commandments that I give must be obeyed
by those calling themselves by my name, unless they are revoked by me or by my
authority, and how can I revoke an everlasting covenant;
3. "For I the Lord
am everlasting and my everlasting covenants cannot be abrogated, nor done away
with, but they stand forever.
4. "Have I not
given my word in great plainness on this subject?
5. "Yet have not
great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my laws and the
keeping of my commandments, and yet have I borne with them these many years;
and this because of their weakness, because of the perilous times, and
furthermore, it is more pleasing to me that men should use their free agency in
regards to these matters.
6. "Nevertheless,
I the Lord do not change and my word and my covenants and my law do not,
7. "And as I have
heretofore said by my servant Joseph: All those who would enter into my glory
must and shall obey my law.
[31] 8. "And have I not
commanded men that if they were Abraham's seed and would enter into my glory,
they must do the works of Abraham?
9. "I have not
revoked this law, NOR WILL I, for it is everlasting, and those who will enter
into my glory must obey the conditions thereof; Even so, Amen."
* * * * *
NOTES
NOTE 1. "Tuesday, March 29, 1892. . . John W. Taylor
spoke in relation to the Manifesto: `I do not know that thing was right, though
I voted to sustain it, and will assist to maintain it; but among my father's
papers I found a revelation given him of the Lord, and which is now in my
possession, in which the Lord told him that the principle of plural marriage
would never be overcome. Pres. Taylor desired to have it suspended, but the
Lord would not permit it to be done.' At the close of John W.'s remarks, our
meeting adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock. I closed with prayer."
ABRAHAM
H. CANNON JOURNAL
March
29, 1892
Page
24
NOTE 2. "September 1, 1934. After reading some
expressions in a letter ascribed to A. W. Ivins in
which the foregoing revelation (1886) is referred to as an unsigned scrap of
paper--a so-called revelation--the words of a man which were never submitted to
the people of the Church and are not binding, etc., I went up and talked with
my sister Nellie E. Taylor, plural wife of John W. Taylor to learn what she
knew about it. She says John W. referred to the circumstances on several
occasions and told how his father was in hiding at the home of John Woolley at
Centerville the night it was received. That Lorin
Woolley was on guard in the next room and witnessed a strange light under Pres.
Taylor's door. Next day a message was sent to those of the Apostles then at
home to meet Pres. T. at Centerville. Bro. Geo. Gibbs arranged for a sheep
wagon well closed in and drove them up. [32] John W. was asked to stand guard
in the adjoining room. He said the revelation was submitted and received. The
original was brought to the Temple, but as there was danger of the Temple being
raided, it and other records were hidden by Wm. Salmon. This copy was later
given to John W. who asked his brother-in-law, Rodney Badger, to place it in a
safety box at the bank where he worked. It was later returned to John W.
Taylor, who kept it in his office. While in this office, Ellen Sanberg was his secretary. He married her as a plural wife.
After John's death Ellen kept the revelation and worked for L. N. Stohl, who persuaded her to let him make photographic
copies of it.
Nellie says that
one night after his death, John W. came to her with a troubled look on his face
and it was made known to her that he was concerned about this revelation--the
one given to John Taylor. Nellie went to Mill Creek and Ethan reluctantly
surrendered it. Nellie took it to Frank Y. Taylor and asked that he deliver it
to the Church historian. Frank delayed and some inquiry was made about it.
Nellie again saw him about it and Frank decided to surrender it but instead of
taking it to the historian's office, he took it to Pres. Grant and asked him if
it was genuine and in the handwriting of his father. Pres. Grant said it was.
Bro. Taylor asked how he could get around it. "I am not going to try to
get around it," replied Pres. Grant.
The revelation
given to President Taylor Sept. 27, 1886, is as well authenticated as any we
have, and is just as sacred and just as true. It is from the Lord and set forth
His mind and will at that time. It has been claimed by several that inasmuch as
it never was presented to the Church, it is not binding upon the Church. That
simply announces that unless we in conference vote to accept a commandment of
God, we are not required to keep that particular commandment, which is not
true. If God gave a commandment to 100 men and 60 of them rejected it, that would not affect the commandment. Of course, they
couldn't obey the commandment till they heard it. This revelation could not be
presented to the Church when it was received and by the time it could be
presented, we had already acted in a way quite opposite to its injunctions, so
it was not presented to the members in conference at all, but that does not
change the revelation.
[33] Anyone in the
Church who refers to any one of these revelations received by President Taylor
or Apostle or President Woodruff as "purported," "so-called,"
"pretended," or as scraps of paper not binding because they were
never accepted by the Church or as being received when an Apostle, is sowing
confusion for himself and the Church to reap.
Excerpts
from the
JOURNAL OF DOUGLAS M. TODD, SR.
pp.
10-13
NOTE 3. The following excerpts were taken from the trial of
John W. Taylor, held in the Salt Lake Temple, February 22 and March 1, 1911:
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"My father
received a revelation which however was never presented to the Church, and I
refer to this not because it was a revelation to my father; I don't think a
revelation because it came through him was any greater than one receive of
through any other president of the Church, but because it seems to pertain to
this question."
(The revelation
was read by Brother Penrose.)
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"There are
two things I am drawing your attention to. I am not in politics and very little
in the Church, but I do this as a matter of privilege. This revelation is
either true or it is false. Assuming that it is true, it seems to me that it
would be better to offer leniency on the side of the Lord if you are going to
offer any leniency, than on the side of politics. . . . Brother Lyman, what do
you think of the revelation to my father?"
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"If you ask
me if I believe in the plurality of wives, I would say that I believe it is
true and will always be so, but the Lord may suspend the practice of it, and
how much of the responsibility remains with the people and with the government,
I don't know. I am living with my wives now all the time, but I don't hold the
Church responsible for it but shoulder the responsibility myself . . . . I have
no fault to find with the revelation."
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"Do you
understand the free agency referred to in the revelation gives any one the
privilege of taking a plural wife?"
[34] APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I take it
that it refers to the individual and relieved the Church of the responsibility
and placed the responsibility upon the individual."
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"When did
you find this revelation?"
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I found it
on his desk immediately after his death, when I was appointed administrator of
his estate. . . ."
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"Do you
think anyone can solemnize plural marriages with authority now?
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I feel
under certain circumstances they could, but it would depend on the
circumstances."
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"What
conditions?"
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I fully
explained that last time."
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"What are
your views with regard to that revelation?"
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I am not
the one to pass upon that revelation. I think you are the ones to do
that."
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"What I
desire to get at is as to how you view the matter, whether you have been guided
by that in your case. You brought the revelation to us and it has never been
accepted by the Church or presented to it."
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I think the
only thing to do is to go to the presiding priesthood of the Lord and get his
idea on it and get him to inquire of the Lord what His mind is regarding it.
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"I don't
think Brother Taylor should come here and tell us what we need to do. But what
I wanted to know is what he thought the President meant by the revelation,
whether the man was placed upon his own responsibility by that revelation and
the President and Church relieved of all responsibility or not."
APOSTLE ANTHONY W. IVINS:
"Do you know
how extensively this revelation has been circulated in times past and has
guided people in their actions in this regard?"
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
"Brother
Joseph Robinson came to me and asked for a copy of it upon the suggestion of
Brother Cowley and he got it from Brother Badger. Brother Joseph F. Smith, Jr.
also got a copy but I don't know how many have got copies from these."
APOSTLE ANTHONY W. IVINS:
"You don't
know what inference was placed upon it in early times?"
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"No, I don't
know."
[35] APOSTLE ANTHONY W. IVINS:
"I ask this
question because I have heard some of the brethren interpret this revelation in
this way, and I would like to find out to what extent they had the endorsement
of the Church in view of this revelation, and what was the reason these
brethren went to Canada and Mexico. Do you know what they based their belief
upon; as they seemed to be sincere. Whether it was from this revelation or from
the President of the Church or from what grounds were taken that they could
come in contact with the law of the land and still win out. I would like to
know from Brother Taylor what he knows about this and if they were justified in
it."
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"President
Smith has come out on numerous occasions with the statement that there have
been no marriages of a polygamous nature solemnized with the approval of the
Church, since 1890. He stands at the head of this dispensation at this moment
and has adopted that policy, and as far as I am concerned I don't want to come
in conflict with President Smith on this proposition. I don't know what others
have taken from this revelation. If the revelation is true, it would certainly
impress me that the Church was relieved of responsibility in this matter and
the responsibility placed upon the individual."
APOSTLE ORSON F. WHITNEY:
"Was it not
the policy during your father's administration to leave everything to the mind
of the individual? I know this was the case with me when I went to inquire if I
should take the test oath. I was told to exercise my own judgment. Also there
is no authority as far as I can see in that revelation, no authority given to
man to exercise such authority in marrying anyone, but the question of whether
they should go into the relationship was left with the individual, as in
President Young's time men were commanded to go into it."
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"I feel that
we should not express our own views on this revelation but should have Brother
Taylor's views if he will give them; if not, we can get through with that
question."
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"The date of
this revelation is September 1886, four years before the manifesto of President
Woodruff and I remember at that time that President Taylor and all his brethren
were very strongly entrenched in the principle of plural marriage. From [36]
1880 to 1890 men were almost commanded to enter it, especially the officials of
the Church. We were all pretty well engaged in this question. The change came
in 1890 when President Woodruff felt the necessity that plural marriage should
cease and after that he felt just as strong against it, as President Taylor had
felt for it before. It was subsequent to this that President Smith made his
declaration that the Church took no responsibility for the unlawful
co-habitation of those in plural marriage and the
performance of plural marriages. I would like to ask if you have encouraged
others to take plural wives, or taken them yourself or if you think these brethren
who have copies of this revelation have taken it as an encouragement, for
instance, Brother Robinson."
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I will
answer that by asking if anyone you have had here before you has ever said that
I encouraged him."
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN:
"No one
except Wolff, and you admit having encouraged him
under the direction of a superior officer."
APOSTLE DAVID O. McKAY:
"I would
like to know who the man is that directed you to instruct Brother Wolff to
marry a certain party."
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I would not
wish to take issue with the President of the Church or anyone who is at the
head of the Church. I went to President Smith's office the other day and had a
three and one-half hour talk with him and John Henry Smith and he said that he
had never authorized anyone to perform a plural marriage. I am not saying that
he is the one to whom I refer, but I do not want to say any more on this
point."
APOSTLE HYRUM M. SMITH:
"I would
like Brother Taylor to feel that we are not persuading him or any other man to
do harm but simply to get at the bottom of these matters. I feel that you are
responsible for the circulation of that revelation."
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"I am
willing to put in a supplemental answer to the effect that I have never married
anyone without the endorsement and authority of the President of the Church
and, if you desire, I will give the names of those I have married, but I think
this would be unwise. . . ."
APOSTLE CHARLES W. PENROSE:
"Under this
purported revelation from your father, do you think this authority is given
[37] to anyone to perform a plural marriage on their own free agency?"
JOHN W. TAYLOR:
"If a men
had been authorized in any way by authority to perform a marriage, under that
revelation he would be."
MINUTES
FROM SPECIAL MEETINGS
OF
QUORUM OF TWELVE
Salt
Lake Temple
Feb.
22 & Mar. 1, 1911
[38]
REVELATION OF NOVEMBER 24, 1889
Given Through Wilford Woodruff
Salt Lake City, Utah
REVELATION
given through President Wilford Woodruff, November
24, 1889. Given in answer to his prayer about making
concessions to the Government and the courts in regard to plural marriages.
Church Presidency not to deny His law, make promises
or pledges to the enemies, Judgments at the door. Anointed to keep commandments
and exercise faith.
1. "Thus saith the Lord to my
servant Wilford. I, the Lord, have heard thy prayers
and thy request, and will answer thee by the voice of my spirit.
2. "Thus saith the Lord unto my servants the presidency of My
Church, who hold the Keys of the Kingdom of God on the earth. I the Lord hold
the destiny of the courts in your midst, and the destiny of this nation, and
the destiny of all other nations of the earth, in mine own hands, and all that
I have revealed and promised and decreed concerning the generation in which you
live shall come to pass, and no power shall stay my hand.
3. "Let not my
servants who are called to the presidency of my Church deny my word or my law,
which concerns the salvation of the children of men.
4. "Let them pray
for the Holy Spirit which shall be given them to guide them in their acts.
5. "Place not
yourselves in jeopardy to your enemies by promise."
6. "Your enemies
seek your destruction and the destruction of my people.
7. "If the Saints
will hearken unto my voice, and the counsel of my servants, the wicked shall
not prevail.
[39] 8. "Let my
servants who officiate as your counselors before the courts make their
pleadings as they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit, without any further
pledges from my Priesthood.
9. "I, the Lord,
will hold the courts, with the officers of government and the nation
responsible for their acts towards the inhabitants of Zion.
10. "I, Jesus
Christ, the Saviour of the world, am in your midst. I
am your advocate with the Father.
11. "Fear not,
little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
12. "Fear not the
wicked and ungodly.
13. "Search the
scriptures, for they are they which testify of me; also those revelations which
I have given to my servant Joseph, and to all my servants since the world
began, which are recorded in the record of divine truth.
14. "Those
revelations contain the judgments of God which are to be poured out upon all
nations under the heavens, which include Great Babylon. These judgments are at
the door. They will be fulfilled as God lives.
15. "Leave
judgment with me, it is mine, saith the Lord.
16. "Watch the
signs of the times and they will show the fulfillment of the words of the Lord.
Let my servants call upon the Lord in mighty prayer, retain the Holy Ghost as
your constant companion and act as you are moved upon by the Spirit, and all
will be well with you.
17. "The wicked
are fast ripening in iniquity, and they will be cut off by the judgments of
God.
[40] 18. "Great events
await you and this generation and are nigh at your doors.
19. "Awake! O
Israel, and have faith in God and his promises and he will not forsake you.
20. "I the Lord
will deliver my Saints from the dominion of the wicked in mine own due time and
way.
21. "I cannot deny
my Word, neither in blessings nor judgments. Therefore let mine anointed gird
up their loins, watch and be sober, and keep my commandments.
22. "Pray always
and faint not. Exercise faith be in the Lord and in
the promises of God; be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ.
23. "The eyes of
the Lord and the Heavenly Hosts are watching over you and your acts. Therefore be
faithful until I come. I come quickly to reward every man, according to the
deeds done in the body. Even so, Amen."
[41]
NOTES
NOTE
1.
Thursday, Dec.
19th: . . . During our meeting a revelation was read which Pres. Woodruff
received Sunday evening, Nov. 24th. Propositions had been made for the Church
to make some concessions to the Courts in regard to its principles. Both of
Pres. Woodruff"s counselors refused to advise
him as to the course he should pursue, and he therefore laid the matter before
the Lord. The answer came quick and strong. The word of the Lord was for us not
to yield one particle of that which He had revealed and established. He had
done and would continue to care for His work and those of the Saints who were
faithful and we need have no fear of our enemies when we were in the line of
our duty. We are promised redemption and deliverance if we will trust in God
and not in the arm of flesh. We were admonished to read and study the Word of
God, and to pray often. The whole revelation was filled with words of the
greatest encouragement and comfort, and my heart was filled with joy and peace
during the entire reading. It sets all doubts at rest concerning the course to
pursue.
JOURNAL
OF ABRAHAM CANNON
December
19, 1889
NOTE
2.
Saturday, Nov.
23, 1889: . . . The Church attorneys and John W. Young met at the office with Prsts. Cannon and Smith to consider the property of putting
further testimony in Court more fully explaining the instructions to pray for
the avenging the blood of the prophets in the Endowments also in regard to
anointing the arm. Bro. Young felt it will be a proper time to state in Court
that instructions have been given by the Presidency that no more plural
marriages shall be solemnized, etc. Pres. Cannon was not in favor of such
action and said that Pres. Woodruff was the only one to decide that. Bro. Young
suggested that to have time to see Pres. Woodruff, the attorneys should ask to
have the case continued till Monday morning. This was approved and it was
proposed that Bro. Young see Pres. Woodruff tomorrow.
Sunday, Nov. 24,
1889: Bro. D. R. Bateman called for me with a buggy this evening and took me to
the Gardo House. I found Pres. Woodruff there. He
with Pres. George Q. Cannon [42] had met this afternoon with Bro. John W.
Young, LeGrand Young, Jas. H. Moyle and R. W. Young
to consider the matters as presented and talked upon yesterday, and the
question was left with Pres. Woodruff to decide. The President told me of this
and said that he had made the subject a matter of prayer and by the voice of
the spirit he was directed to write, after he had concluded writing which he
was doing when I arrived. He asked me to copy a revelation which he had
received--I did so. Having heard Bro. J. W. Young's reasoning, I felt very much
worked up in my feelings for I did not feel that as a Church we could assume
the position in regard to Celestial Marriage which he seemed to desire should
be taken, and when Pres. Woodruff commenced talking to me this evening I felt
that he had become converted and actually trembled, for I know such had not
been Pros. Woodruff's feelings before, but as I wrote at his dictation, I felt
better all the time and when completed I felt as light and joyous as it is
possible to feel, for I was satisfied that Pres. Woodruff had received the word
of the Lord. When Pres. Jos. F. Smith returned and read the revelation he was
moved to tears and expressed his approval and acceptance of the word of the
Lord to His Servants and Saints. We all felt well and thankful to the Lord.
Monday, Nov. 27,
1889. The presidency of the Office. I attended to our
Mail Matter. . . . I also wrote a letter to Bro. J. D. T. McAllister, St.
George for Pres. Woodruff. Revelation of Pres. Woodruff, Sunday Nov. 24th,
1889: (Revelation then quoted.)
L.
JOHN NUTTALL JOURNAL
(Original)
16:162-170
REVELATIONS
1880 - 1890
PART II
Table of Contents
Compiled by
OGDEN KRAUT
1973
PREFACE
During the national
crusades against the Church from 1880 to 1890, President John Taylor received
many revelations from the Lord. Those revelations were seldom brought to the
attention of the membership of the Church because the leading men were either
hiding in the underground or in prison.
The following
revelations were recorded by one of his daughters and have just recently been
located. A sample of one of the hand-written pages is reproduced on the
following page of this pamphlet.
These four revelations
are in addition to those eight recorded in our previous book on
"Revelations."
Ogden
Kraut
[1]
REVELATION OF JUNE 25 & 26, 1882
Given Through John Taylor
REVELATION
given through John Taylor in answer to a question on Celestial Marriage.
This principle is not for the nations of the world, but only for the elect.
Those that have this law revealed to them and don't obey it, are damned. Any
covenants or contracts not sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise are of no force
or efficacy after the resurrection. It is contrary to the constitution to
prohibit the living of Celestial Marriage in this country.
Celestial Marriage
1. Question: Is the law
of Celestial Marriage a law given to this nation or to the world?
2. Answer: No, in no
other sense than as the Gospel is given, and in accordance with the laws
thereof. So far as it is made known unto them as the Gospel is made known unto
them and is a part of the New and Everlasting Covenant;
3. And it is only those
who receive the Gospel that are able to, or capable of, entering into this
Covenant.
4. Have I not said
through my servant, Joseph, that "all Kingdoms
are governed by law," and if they receive not the law of my Gospel, they
cannot participate in the blessings of celestial marriage, which pertains to my
elect.
5. No person, or
people, or nation can enter into the principle of celestial marriage unless
they come in by me, saith the Lord, and obey the law
of my Gospel through the medium of him who is appointed unto this [2] power, as
made known unto my people through my servant, Joseph, in a revelation on
"The eternity of the marriage covenant, including plurality of
wives."
6. I have therein
stated that "All those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the
same; for, behold I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting Covenant; and if
ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this
covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." [Doc.
& Cov. Sec. 132, Ver. 3, 4.]
7. Furthermore;
"And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted
for the fullness of my glory; and he that receiveth a
fullness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God." [Doc. & Cov. Sec. 132, Ver. 6.]
8. It is again written
that "all Kingdoms have a law given." [Doc. & Cov. Sec. 88, Ver. 36.]
9. The Celestial
Kingdom, including the promise of eternal life pertains to "the Church of
the First Born, even of God the holiest of all, thro' Jesus Christ his
son;" [Doc. & Cov. Sec. 88, Ver. 5.]
10. Therefore, such
must be sanctified from all unrighteousness that they may be prepared for the
Celestial Glory, "for he who is not able to abide the law of a Celestial Kingdom, cannot abide a celestial glory;
11. And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial Kingdom, cannot
abide a terrestrial glory.
[3] 12. He who cannot abide
the law of a telestial Kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory: therefore he is not meet for a Kingdom of
glory; therefore he must abide a Kingdom which is not a Kingdom of glory."
[Doc. & Cov. Sec. 88,
Ver. 22, 24.]
13. Each of the persons
inhabiting these several kingdom shall be quickened by the same power that
pertains to the Kingdom that they are destined to inherit, whether Celestial, terrestrial,
or telestial, and shall receive of their respective
glories.
14. And, again, it is
written, "And, again, Verily I say unto you, that
which is governed by law is also preserved by law, and perfected and sanctified
by the same.
15. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not
by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth
in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor
judgment." [Doc. & Cov.
Sec. 88, Ver. 34, 35.]
16. It is further
written, speaking of Celestial Marriage, "And verily I say unto you, that
the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds,
obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or
expectations that are not made, and entered into, and sealed by the Holy Spirit
of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity,
and that too most holy, by revelation and Commandment thro' the medium of mine
anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power, (and I have
appointed unto my servant, Joseph, to hold this power in the last days, and
there is never but one on the earth [4] at a time, or on whom this power and
the keys of this Priesthood are conferred,) are of no efficacy, virtue or
force, in and after the resurrection from the dead;
17. For all contracts
that are not made unto this end, have an end when men
are dead."
18. This law is a
Celestial law and pertains to a Celestial Kingdom.
19. It is a new and
everlasting Covenant, and appertains to thrones, principalities, powers,
dominions, and eternal increase in the Celestial Kingdom of God.
20.
You are not now sent to proclaim this principle to the United States, nor the
world; nor to urge it upon them.
21. It is not for them
as a nation, or nations, only as many as accept the law of my Gospel and are
governed thereby.
22. Behold, if you were
to preach this principle unto them and they said, "We accept it,"
could you then administer it unto them? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.
23. Have I not said,
"Behold, mine house is a house of order," saith
the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
24. Will I accept of an
offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my
name, or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed, and will
I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by
law, even as I and my Father ordained before the world was!
25. "I am the Lord
thy God, and I give unto you this commandment, that no man shall come unto the
Father but by me, or by my word, which is my law, saith
the Lord;
[5] 26. And everything that
is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities,
or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain
after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith
the Lord, your God;
27. For
whatsoever things remain, are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall
be shaken and destroyed.
28. "Therefore, if
a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me, nor by my
word; and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she be with
him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when
they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they
are out of the world." [Doc. & Cov.
Sec. 132, Ver. 9-15.]
29.
You ask, what shall we do?
30. Thus saith the Lord God, obey my law, and seek not to become a
law unto yourselves, nor trust to outside influences;
31. But seek in the way
appointed to the Lord your God. Ye are my spokesmen, I am your God; and as I
have before said, I now again say, Henceforth do as I shall command you.
32. Concerning the
course taken by the United States, they have a right to reject this law
themselves; as they have a right to reject the Gospel; but it is contrary to
the provisions of the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, for
them to prohibit you from obeying it.
[6] 33. Therefore, abide in
my law which I have revealed unto you, saith the Lord
God, and contend for your rights by every legal and constitutional method and
in accordance with the institutions, laws, and Constitution of the United
States.
34. Be humble, be
faithful, be diligent, seek unto me and it shall be
made known unto you, from time to time, what my will is pertaining to this
matter.
35. I am the Lord Your
God, hearken unto me, and obey my law, and your enemies shall be confounded,
and my Kingdom shall be victorious. Amen.
[7] REVELATION OF JUNE OR JULY 1882
Given Through John Taylor
REVELATION
given through John Taylor in late June or very early in July of 1882.
Rulers of Kingdom and Church identified. Kingdom established to protect the
Church. Any kingdom or government that fights against the Lord shall be
overthrown.
1. Am I not King of
Kings and Lord of lords?
2. Do I not rule in the
heavens above and in the earth beneath, as I will, saith
the Lord?
3. And though men do
not acknowledge me yet do I control them; and I will control them according to
my will and purposes, and I will make use of the Kings of the earth, and the
rulers and powers of the earth to accomplish my purposes, saith
the Lord God your Redeemer, and none shall stay my hand.
4. And I will build up
my Kingdom as I have heretofore decreed and made known through the mouth of
mine holy Prophets, so far as they have declared my purposes pertaining
thereto;
5. And I have many
other things to make known and to proclaim relative to my Church and to my
Kingdom, and to the building up of my Zion on the earth.
6. Behold, you are my
Kingdom and rulers in my Kingdom and then you are also, many of you, rulers in
my Church according to your ordinations therein. For are you not of the First Presidency, and of the Twelve Apostles, and some Presidents
of Stakes, and some Bishops, and some High Priests and some Seventies and
Elders therein?
7. And are ye not all
of my Church and belong to my holy Priesthood?
[8] 8. And then, are ye not
all of my Kingdom, and do you not belong to my Kingdom, and are ye not the
representatives thereof, even my Constitution?
9. And am I not your
God, even your Redeemer and your King?
10. Behold, I have told
you to do as I command you, and have I not a right to dictate in the affairs of
my Kingdom, and is it not incumbent upon you to obey
me as your Lord, your lawgiver and your King?
11. Behold, thus saith the Lord, I will be obeyed by my Council, and if they
do not acknowledge me, I will not acknowledge them, saith
the Lord of hosts, the God and King of the whole earth.
12. Speaking of my
Church, Behold I established my Church that I might reveal unto them my word,
and my will and the law of the Gospel, and the order of the holy Priesthood,
and I set in order my Priesthood, even the Aaronic
and Melchesidek, and I have sent forth mine Elders to
the world to preach this Gospel of the Kingdom to all people, and to gather
mine elect from among all nations, that a people might be prepared through my
Gospel, through the manifestation of my Spirit, even the Spirit of Truth, the
Gift of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and through the teachings of my holy
Priesthood and the revelations of my will, to comprehend the law of my Gospel,
to be one with each other, and to be one with me as I am one with the Father,
to comprehend and obey the principles of righteousness, virtue, holiness,
purity, and the love and fear of God, and to assist in building my Zion unto
me, saith the Lord of hosts, and to prepare for the
salvation and redemption of the world, even the living and the dead.
13. And, again, it
required this Gospel, this Priesthood, this revelation, this unity, this Spirit, to [9] introduce the Kingdom of God, the law of God,
the authority and dominion of God, that the will of God might be done on earth
as it is done in heaven.
14. I rule now among
the nations but not by their consent, and the rulers of the earth do not know
me or my law, nor recognize my authority.
15. They have their free agency and use it; so have also my people, and they use their agency through my Gospel to serve
me, to obey my law and to build up my Church and Kingdom.
16. For outside of my
Church there is no people on the earth who will listen to my law, and if there
was no people who would listen to my law, how could I have a Kingdom, and how
could I be their ruler?
17. I have established
my Kingdom to be a shield and protection to my Church, to learn and comprehend
my law, and to carry out my purposes, that my will may be done on earth as it
is done in heaven;
18. The Church through
the law and Spirit of the Gospel to preserve the virtue and purity of the
Kingdom; and the Kingdom to preserve and protect the Church from the
aggressions of the wicked and ungodly.
19. And behold, I do
not want my own will, but the will of my Father; the same is my Father and my
God, and your Father and your God, and we are one, I
in him, and you in me.
20. Are I and my Father
with the Church? Yes.
21. Are we not also
with the Kingdom? Yes.
22. Am I not your God,
your Ahman Christ? acknowledge
me.
You so acknowledge me.
[10] 23. My Father is King
of Kings and Lord of lords. I rule as my Father directs me,
and if ye rule and direct according to my will, under the direction of my
servant who is your president and head, are we not one, and is it not the rule
and government of God?
24. And any Kingdom, or
government, or dominion that is not under my direction, and does not
acknowledge me I will not acknowledge, saith the Lord
of hosts;
25. And if they fight
against me and my laws, and my Church, and my Kingdom, they shall be overthrown
in mine own due time, for I have so decreed. Even so, Amen.
[11]
REVELATION OF APRIL 28, 1883
Given Through John Taylor
Salt Lake City
REVELATION
given through John Taylor in response to his question why his mind had been
confused and dull for the past two days. The
contemplated arrangement with Thomas not acceptable. Forbidden
for the Presidency to go into debt, unless commanded by the Lord. John Taylor to be the Lord's mouthpiece. His
counselors, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, acceptable before the Lord.
School of the Prophets to be organized for those who were
worthy.
1. You have asked me
why your mind was confused and dull within the last two days.
2. Verily, thus saith the Lord, by the whisperings of his spirit and the
still small voice, that the arrangement which you have contemplated with my
servant, Thomas, is not acceptable to me.
3. He should have
listened to your offer which would have been profitable to himself
and acceptable to me.
4. When you rejected
his offer you did right, and Spirit was with you;
5. But when you, in
your zeal to show that you had faith in me and in my word, accepted
propositions and assumed responsibilities which were not in accordance with the
order that I showed you, you did wrong, and I withdrew my Spirit.
6. For it is forbidden
my Presidency to go into debt unless I, the Lord, command it; for these things
lead to confusion and bondage.
[12] 7. Besides, have I not
shown unto you, my servant John, a way to raise a fund which should be at your
disposal for the accomplishment of my purposes, and by which the rights and
properties of my people should be preserved in all of these matters?
8. You must abide by
this principle. My servant, Thomas, does not understand fully this matter.
9. Confer with him on
this subject, and if he can see these things and follow counsel he shall assist
you in the developments contemplated.
10. For you, nor my
servant, George Q. Cannon, cannot attend to these details; but if he, Thomas,
cannot enter freely into this matter without restraint, then shall you arrange
with him, according to wisdom, and withdraw from the consummation of the
contemplated arrangement.
11. Behold, I have
shown unto you many things, and I will continue to make known unto you my will,
from time to time, on things temporal as well as spiritual, things pertaining
to my Church, my Kingdom and my Zion;
12. And you shall be my
mouthpiece saith the Lord, and I will greatly bless
you, and lift you up, and exalt you, saith the Lord,
for your words and works are acceptable unto me, and I know of your zeal and
integrity in my cause, and you shall be made a blessing to my people, and your
name shall be honored in Israel, and in this nation and among the nations of
the earth;
13. For they that honor
me I will honor.
14. And I will also
greatly bless my servant, George Q. Cannon, who is acceptable before me, and
who is exceedingly desirous to do my will.
[13] 15. And I will also
bless my servant, Joseph F. Smith, whose heart and spirit is right before me,
and who is also desirous to fulfil my law,
16. And these your
counselors shall be greatly blessed with you; and you shall be my mouthpiece
unto them, and I will also show unto them my will from time to time.
17. And you shall be
one in spiritual things, and also in temporal things in due time, and I will
show unto my people and unto the world, that this world is mine, and that I
created it by my power, and the gold and silver, and copper, and brass, and
iron and riches and precious things thereof, and all that pertains there-unto
are mine;
18. And my people shall know that they are mine, and that they
live in me, and move and exist by me, and have their being from me, and that
all which they possess is mine, and is obtained of me, and that they are, and
can only be, stewards over that which I have given unto them to possess, and which
they could not have only of me and by me, whether it relates to this earth and
the fulness thereof, to wives, children, and friends,
to gold, silver, houses, lands, riches and possessions pertaining thereto, or
to thrones, principalities, powers, dominions and exaltations in my eternal
Kingdoms.
19. And my presidency
shall be one, and the Twelve shall be one, and the Presidencies of Stakes and
the High Councils shall be one, and all of my holy Priesthood in their several
quorums, standings, offices, and positions, shall be one and all of my
Priesthood shall be united as one, and they shall be one with my people, and my
people shall be one with them, and they shall be my Church, my Kingdom and my
Zion, and I will be one with them and be their God.
[14] 20. Let every person,
therefore, be diligent and act in their several positions, callings or
Priesthood, and honor and magnify the same, and honor and obey me, the Lord
their God, and respect and obey the counsels of my holy Priesthood, and I will
honor and exalt them, saith the Lord, in time and
throughout eternity.
21. And as it regards
my servant, John Taylor, it is not necessary for him to attend to the minutia
or details of either spiritual or temporal things, but only to give general
directions, or as I may make manifest from time to time.
22. And his counselors
are to be his assistants.
23. And the First
Presidency shall call upon the Twelve, the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops,
and others to assist in these duties, and I will raise
up wise and prudent men, from time to time, to assist in Temporal as well as
Spiritual things, for they are all one with me.
24. And, then, let the Twelve call upon the Seventies; and let the High Priests,
the High Councils, and Elders, and Bishops and the lesser Priesthood, and all
who labor for Zion be diligent and obedient, and let every man put in his
sickle and reap, and fulfil and magnify his calling,
office or Priesthood.
25. These things belong
to my Priesthood, but more properly to the School of the Prophets.
26. Let the School of
the Prophets be organized, even all such as are worthy, but if they are found
unworthy; they shall not have a place in my school;
27. For I will be
honored by my Priesthood; and let my laws be made known unto them as may be deemed
expedient.
[15]
REVELATION OF DECEMBER 25, 1884
Given Through John Taylor
Salt Lake City
REVELATION
given through John Taylor to instruct the families to put themselves in order
and obey his law in order to receive blessing and protection from the Lord.
A day of judgment and sorrow soon to overtake this and
other nations. The Lord will sustain the righteous.
1. There are some things that ought to be put right.
2. Some time ago there
was word given for the brethren and their families to put themselves
in order before the Lord; and it is necessary that these things should be
carried out, for there has been a negligence in some of these matters;
3. And if my people and
Priesthood desire my blessing, and guidance, and protection, they must and
shall be subject to my law.
4. And it is necessary
that the various quorums of the Priesthood should place themselves right before
me, saith the Lord;
5. And that as
individuals they should place themselves in that position, for if they do not
they have no claim upon my blessing or my protection.
6. A day of trouble,
and anxiety and sorrow, and judgment will soon overtake this nation and other
nations: it is nigh at hand, and the inhabitants of Zion must purge themselves
from iniquity, folly, covetousness, and vanity, and listen to and obey my laws,
or they cannot have my protection.
7. For I, the Lord,
will not be mocked, but the wrongdoer shall receive the just recompense of
reward; and the sinners in Zion shall be afraid;
[16] 8. And fearfulness
shall also take hold of the wicked and the ungodly that are in your midst.
9. And if you, my
people, obey my law and keep my commandments, to do them not in name only, but
in reality, I will be your shield and protector, and your strong tower and no
man shall be able to hurt you, for I will be your defense.
10. Therefore, humble
yourselves before me, and purify yourselves, that your acts and doings may be
acceptable before me.
11. For if you do not
you will share in the condemnation of the wicked.
12. Therefore, listen
to the counsels of those whom I have appointed, and seek not your own will and
way, but the will of the Lord your God;
13. For by him only can
you be sustained in the time of trouble which is just approaching.
Even so, Amen.