History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 296
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<​August 7​> successor of Joseph. The kingdom is to be built up to Jesus Christ through Joseph: there must be revelation still. The martyred prophet is still the head of this Church; every quorum should stand as you stood in your washings and consecrations. I have been consecrated a spokesman to Joseph and I was commanded to speak for him: the Church is not disorganized though our head is gone. We may have a diversity of feelings on this matter, I have been called to be a spokesman unto Joseph, and I want to build up the Church unto him, and if the people want me to sustain this place, I [HC 7:229] want it upon the principle that every individual shall acknowledge it for himself. I propose to be a guardian to the people— in this I have discharged my duty, and done what God has commanded me, and the people can please themselves whether they accept me or not.”
Prest. said:—
“I do not care who leads the Church, even though it were Ann Lee, but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the Keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject. I know there are those in our midst who will seek the lives of the Twelve as they did the lives of Joseph and . We shall ordain others and give the fulness of the priesthood, so that if we are killed the fulness of the Priesthood may remain. Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the apostleship which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, I have laid the foundation, and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests. The Twelve as a quorum will not be permitted to tarry here long; they will go abroad and bear off the kingdom to the nations of the earth and baptise the people faster than mobs can kill them off. I would like, were it my privilege to take my valise and travel and preach till we had a people gathered who would be true. My private feelings would be to let the affairs of men and women alone; only go and preach and baptise them into the Kingdom of God: yet whatever duty God places upon me, in his strength I intend to fulfil it. I want to see this people, with the various quorums of the Priesthood, assembled together in Special Conference on Tuesday next at 10 a. m., which was carried unanimously, by vote. [HC 7:230]
8 August 1844 • Thursday
<​8​> Thursday 8.
“At a special meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in , at 10 a. m. on Thursday Aug 8. 1844, by the request of President , (who was then presiding over that Stake of Zion,) to choose a guardian, or President and Trustee, took his position in a wagon, about two rods in front of the , and harangued the Saints for about one and a half hours, upon choosing a guardian for the Church. The meeting was then dismissed when President gave out an appointment for the brethren to assemble at 2. p. m.
“At the appointed time, the brethren came together:— Present of the Twelve, , , , , , . The several quorums were organized on and around the according to order. [p. 296]
August 7 successor of Joseph. The kingdom is to be built up to Jesus Christ through Joseph: there must be revelation still. The martyred prophet is still the head of this Church; every quorum should stand as you stood in your washings and consecrations. I have been consecrated a spokesman to Joseph and I was commanded to speak for him: the Church is not disorganized though our head is gone. We may have a diversity of feelings on this matter, I have been called to be a spokesman unto Joseph, and I want to build up the Church unto him, and if the people want me to sustain this place, I [HC 7:229] want it upon the principle that every individual shall acknowledge it for himself. I propose to be a guardian to the people— in this I have discharged my duty, and done what God has commanded me, and the people can please themselves whether they accept me or not.”
Prest. said:—
“I do not care who leads the Church, even though it were Ann Lee, but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the Keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject. I know there are those in our midst who will seek the lives of the Twelve as they did the lives of Joseph and . We shall ordain others and give the fulness of the priesthood, so that if we are killed the fulness of the Priesthood may remain. Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the apostleship which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, I have laid the foundation, and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests. The Twelve as a quorum will not be permitted to tarry here long; they will go abroad and bear off the kingdom to the nations of the earth and baptise the people faster than mobs can kill them off. I would like, were it my privilege to take my valise and travel and preach till we had a people gathered who would be true. My private feelings would be to let the affairs of men and women alone; only go and preach and baptise them into the Kingdom of God: yet whatever duty God places upon me, in his strength I intend to fulfil it. I want to see this people, with the various quorums of the Priesthood, assembled together in Special Conference on Tuesday next at 10 a. m., which was carried unanimously, by vote. [HC 7:230]
8 August 1844 • Thursday
8 Thursday 8.
“At a special meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in , at 10 a. m. on Thursday Aug 8. 1844, by the request of President , (who was then presiding over that Stake of Zion,) to choose a guardian, or President and Trustee, took his position in a wagon, about two rods in front of the , and harangued the Saints for about one and a half hours, upon choosing a guardian for the Church. The meeting was then dismissed when President gave out an appointment for the brethren to assemble at 2. p. m.
“At the appointed time, the brethren came together:— Present of the Twelve, , , , , , . The several quorums were organized on and around the according to order. [p. 296]
Page 296