Discourse, 21 May 1843, as Reported by Levi Richards

Sunday May 21— 1843 10½ Joseph arrived at the and after pushing his way though the crowd, & getting on the ,— said there were some people who thought it a terrible thing that any body should exercise a little power;— and said he thought it a pity that any body should give occasion to have power exercised,— & requested the people to get out of the alleys, & if they did not keep them clear he might some time run up & down & might hit some of them,— and called on the constable to keep the alleys clear— After singing Joseph read the lst Chap 2d. Peter, prayer by , singing again— Joseph commenced by saying,— when I shall have the opportunity of speaking in a house I know not, I find my lungs failing,— it has always been my fortune, almost to speak in the open air to large assemblies.— I have not an idea that there has been a great many very good men since Adam, There was one good man, Jesus.— Many think A prophet must be a great deal better than any body else, suppose I would condescend,— yes I will call it condescend,— to be a great deal better than any of you I would be raised up to the highest heaven, & who should I have to accompany me,—

I love that man better who swears a stream as long as My arm & administering to the poor— & dividing his substance than the long smooth faced hypocrite, I dont want you to think I am very righteous, for I am not very righteous, God judges man according to the light he give them— We have a more sure word of prophecy &c. We were eyewitnesses of his majesty & heard the voice of his excelent Glory,— & what could be more sure?— transfigured on the mount &C— & what could be more sure? Divines have been quarreling for ages about the meaning of this,— Rough stone rolling down hill

3 grand Secrets lying in this chapter which no man can dig out which unlocks the whole Chap. What is written are only hints of things which existed in the prophets mind which are not written, concerning eternal glory. I am going to take up this subject by virtue of the knowledge of God in me, which I have received from heaven.— The opinions of men so far as I am concerned, are to me as the crackling of thorns under the pot or the whistling of the wind— Columbus & the egg— Ladder & the raindow like precious faith with us &c— add to your faith virtues &c. . . another point after having all these qualifications he lays this injunction but rather make your calling & election sure— after adding all this virtue knowledge &c Make your calling sure— what is the secret the starting point— according as his divine power which hath given us all things that pertain to life & Godliness, how did he obtain all things? through the knowledge of him who hath called him.— there could not any be given pertaining to life & godliness without knowledge— Wo, wo, wo, to Christendom the divines & priests; &c if this be true [p. [1]]