History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 24 [addenda]
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the Former-day Saints had two priesthoods. The Aaronic Priesthood administered in outward ordinances, as in the case of John the Baptist. The power and authority of the Higher, or Melchizedeck Priesthood was to hold the Keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, as Jesus said, “I give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven— whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” &c. They were to have the privilege of knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom,”— to have the heavens opened unto them— to commune with the general assembly and church of the firstborn; and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and of Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Heb. 12. 22, 23, 24. So that in this wonderful Priesthood, they have provided for an ample supply of new things in endless variety, and without end, from those who are and were counted the off-scouring of all things; and who, as the baptists would insinuate, “did aspire to a dignity which they say ‘belongs alone to him who is the only Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedeck.”
The fear of trespassing upon the time and patience of our readers, prevents our enlarging upon these and many other points of difference; but enough has been said to shew that no two sects can possibly differ more widely from each other than do the Baptists and Former-day Saints,— and to amalgamate the two systems in any way is not only an act of injustice— but would involve the Baptists, who by the by are an honourable body, in the disgrace of that sect which was “every where spoken against.” See Acts.
<​see page 1198​>
Addenda • 3 February 1841, second of two entries
(concluded from page 21)
provisions of an act entitled, “An Act concerning Religious Societies”, approved February 6th., 1835.
Joseph Smith (L.S.)
State of Illinois, , ss.
This day personally appeared before me, , a justice of the peace, within and for the County of aforesaid, , , and , who, being duly sworn, depose and say, that the foregoing certificate of Joseph Smith is true.
;
,
.
Sworn to and subscribed this third day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, before me.
,
Justice of the Peace.
The above is recorded in the County Records, at , in Book No. 1, of Bonds and Mortgages, page 95, No. 87. [p. 24 [addenda]]
the Former-day Saints had two priesthoods. The Aaronic Priesthood administered in outward ordinances, as in the case of John the Baptist. The power and authority of the Higher, or Melchizedeck Priesthood was to hold the Keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church, as Jesus said, “I give unto thee the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven— whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” &c. They were to have the privilege of knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom,”— to have the heavens opened unto them— to commune with the general assembly and church of the firstborn; and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and of Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Heb. 12. 22, 23, 24. So that in this wonderful Priesthood, they have provided for an ample supply of new things in endless variety, and without end, from those who are and were counted the off-scouring of all things; and who, as the baptists would insinuate, “did aspire to a dignity which they say ‘belongs alone to him who is the only Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedeck.”
The fear of trespassing upon the time and patience of our readers, prevents our enlarging upon these and many other points of difference; but enough has been said to shew that no two sects can possibly differ more widely from each other than do the Baptists and Former-day Saints,— and to amalgamate the two systems in any way is not only an act of injustice— but would involve the Baptists, who by the by are an honourable body, in the disgrace of that sect which was “every where spoken against.” See Acts.
Addenda • 3 February 1841, second of two entries
(concluded from page 21)
provisions of an act entitled, “An Act concerning Religious Societies”, approved February 6th., 1835.
Joseph Smith (L.S.)
State of Illinois, , ss.
This day personally appeared before me, , a justice of the peace, within and for the County of aforesaid, , , and , who, being duly sworn, depose and say, that the foregoing certificate of Joseph Smith is true.
;
,
.
Sworn to and subscribed this third day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, before me.
,
Justice of the Peace.
The above is recorded in the County Records, at , in Book No. 1, of Bonds and Mortgages, page 95, No. 87. [p. 24 [addenda]]
Page 24 [addenda]