History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 1681
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<​July 23​> It is a time-honored adage that love begets love; let us pour forth love— shew forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase— cast our bread upon the waters, and we shall receive it after many days increased to a hundred fold. Friendship is like in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence.
I do not dwell upon your faults, and you shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, covereth a multitude of sins, and I have often covered up all the faults among you; but the prettyest thing is to have no faults at all. We should cultivate a meek, quiet and peaceable spirit.
Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists &c. any truth? Yes, they all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up or we shall not come out pure Mormons.
Last Monday morning certain men <​brethren​> came to me and said. “Brother <​they would hardly consent to receive as a Prophet and for me to re[HC 5:517]sign, but I told them I only said it to try your faith and it is strange brethren but you have been in the Church so long and not yet understand the Melchisdeck Priesthood.[”]​>Joseph, is no prophet— he can’t lead the church; you must lead the church; if you resign all things will go wrong.” you must not resign; if you do the church will be scattered.” I felt curious, and said; have we not learned the Priesthood after the order of Melchisedic, which includes both Prophets, Priests and kings; see Rev. 1 ch. 6 v. and I will advance your Prophet to a priest, and then to a king; not to the kingdoms of this earth, but of the most high God, see Rev. 5 ch. 10 v. “thou hast made us unto our God, kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth.”
If I should be exalted would there not be a great many of my enemies disappointed in , when they wake up and find themselves in hell, see what they might have obtained, and realize what they have lost, by not listening to my voice, and obeying my instructions?
Math. 5 ch. 17 and 18 v. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you. Till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
And again, Math. 11 ch. 12 & 13 v. “And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” says Christ, he was the rock &c.
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gave the power
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See Exodus 30 ch. 30 & 31 v. “And thou shalt anoint Aaron, and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priests office. And thou shall speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.” Also Exodus 40 ch. 15 v. “And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, (Aaron) that they may minister unto me in the priests office; for this anointing shall surely [p. 1681]
July 23 It is a time-honored adage that love begets love; let us pour forth love— shew forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase— cast our bread upon the waters, and we shall receive it after many days increased to a hundred fold. Friendship is like in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence.
I do not dwell upon your faults, and you shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, covereth a multitude of sins, and I have often covered up all the faults among you; but the prettyest thing is to have no faults at all. We should cultivate a meek, quiet and peaceable spirit.
Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists &c. any truth? Yes, they all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up or we shall not come out pure Mormons.
Last Monday morning certain brethren came to me and said. “ they would hardly consent to receive as a Prophet and for me to re[HC 5:517]sign, but I told them I only said it to try your faith and it is strange brethren but you have been in the Church so long and not yet understand the Melchisdeck Priesthood.”
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