Chapter I (2)

That those who keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His
statutes to the end, are the only individuals permitted to sit at
this glorious feast, is evident from the following items in Paul's
last letter to Timothy, which was written just previous to his
death,--he says: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge shall
give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love His appearing." No one who believes the account, will
doubt for a moment this assertion of Paul which was made, as he
knew, just before he was to take his leave of this world. Though he
once, according to his own word, persecuted the Church of God and
wasted it, yet after embracing the faith, his labors were unceasing
to spread the glorious news: and like a faithful soldier, when
called to give his life in the cause which he had espoused, he
laid it down, as he says, with an assurance of an eternal crown.
Follow the labors of this Apostle from the time of his conversion
to the time of his death, and you will have a fair {20} sample
of industry and patience in promulgating the Gospel of Christ.
Derided, whipped, and stoned, the moment he escaped the hands of
his persecutors he as zealously as ever proclaimed the doctrine of
the Savior. And all may know that he did not embrace the faith for
honor in this life, nor for the gain of earthly goods. What, then,
could have induced him to undergo all this toil? It was, as he
said, that he might obtain the crown of righteousness from the hand
of God. No one, we presume, will doubt the faithfulness of Paul to
the end. None will say that he did not keep the faith, that he did
not fight the good fight, that he did not preach and persuade to
the last. And what was he to receive? A crown of righteousness. And
what shall others receive who do not labor faithfully, and continue
to the end? We leave such to search out their own promises if any
they have; and if they have any they are welcome to them, on our
part, for the Lord says that every man is to receive according to
his works. Reflect for a moment, brethren, and enquire, whether
you would consider yourselves worthy a seat at the marriage feast
with Paul and others like him, if you had been unfaithful? Had you
not fought the good fight, and kept the faith, could you expect to
receive? Have you a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness
from the hand of the Lord, with the Church of the First Born? Here
then, we understand, that Paul rested his hope in Christ, because
he had kept the faith, and loved his appearing and from His hand
he had a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness. If the
Saints are not to reign, for what purpose are they crowned? In an
exhortation of the Lord to a certain church in Asia, which was
built up in the days of the Apostles, unto whom He communicated
His word on that occasion by His servant John, He says, "Behold,
I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take
thy crown." And again, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit
with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with
my Father in His throne" (see Rev. 3). And again, it is written,
"Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall
be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath
this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (I John
3:2, 3). How is it that these old Apostles should say so much on
the subject of the coming of Christ? He certainly had once come;
but Paul says, To all who love His appearing, shall be given the
crown: and John says, When He shall appear, we shall be like Him;
for we shall see Him as He is. Can we mistake such language as
this? Do we not offer violence to our own good judgment when we
deny the second coming of the Messiah? When has He partaken of the
fruit of the vine new with His ancient Apostles in His Father's
kingdom, as He promised He would just before He was crucified? In
Paul's epistle to the {21} Philippians, (3:20, 21), he says: "For
our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the
working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."
We find another promise to individuals living in the church at
Sardis who had not defiled their garments: "And they shall walk
with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same
shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name
out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my
Father, and before His angels." John represents the sound which he
heard from heaven, as giving thanks and glory to God, saying that
the Lamb was worthy to take the book and to open its seals; because
He was slain, and had made them kings and priests unto God: and
they should reign on the earth (see Rev. 5). In the 20th chapter
we find a length of time specified, during which Satan is to be
confined in his own place, and the Saints reign in peace, all these
promises and blessings we find contained in the law of the Lord,
which the righteous are to enjoy; and we might enumerate many more
places where the same or similar promises are made to the faithful,
but we do not deem it of importance to rehearse them here, as this
epistle is now lengthy; and our brethren, no doubt, are familiar
with them all.

Most assuredly it is, however, that the ancients, though persecuted
and afflicted by men, obtained from God promises of such weight and
glory, that our hearts are often filled with gratitude that we are
even permitted to look upon them while we contemplate that there
is no respect of persons in His sight, and that in every nation,
he that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is acceptable with
Him. But from the few items previously quoted we can draw the
conclusion that there is to be a day when all will be judged of
their works, and rewarded according to the same; that those who
have kept the faith will be crowned with a crown of righteousness;
be clothed in white raiment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be
free from every affliction, and reign with Christ on the earth,
where, according to the ancient promise, they will partake of
the fruit of the vine new in the glorious kingdom with Him; at
least we find that such promises were made to the ancient Saints.
And though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the
ancients for they are not our property, merely because they were
made to the ancient Saints, yet if we are the children of the Most
High, and are called with the same calling with which they were
called, and embrace the same covenant that they embraced, and are
faithful to the testimony of our Lord as they were, we can approach
the Father in the name of Christ as they approached Him and for
ourselves obtain the same promises. These promises, when obtained,
if ever by {22} us, will not be because Peter, John, and the other
Apostles, with the churches at Sardis, Pergamos, Philadelphia,
and elsewhere, walked in the fear of God and had power and faith
to prevail and obtain them; but it will be because we, ourselves,
have faith and approach God in the name of His Son Jesus Christ,
even as they did; and when these promises are obtained, they will
be promises directly to us, or they will do us no good. They will
be communicated for our benefit, being our own property (through
the gift of God), earned by our own diligence in keeping His
commandments, and walking uprightly before Him. If not, to what end
serves the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and why was it ever
communicated to us?

Previous to commencing this letter we designed giving you some
instruction upon the regulation of the Church; but that will be
given hereafter.

In our own country, surrounded with blessings innumerable, to which
thousands of our fellow men are strangers, enjoying unspeakable
benefits and inexpressible comforts, when once our situation is
compared with the ancient Saints, as followers of the Lamb of
God who has taken away our sins by His own blood, we are bound
to rejoice and give thanks to Him always. Since the organization
of the Church of Christ, or the Church of the Latter-day Saints,
on the 6th of April, 1830, we have had the satisfaction of
witnessing the spread of the truth into various parts of our land,
notwithstanding its enemies have exerted their unceasing diligence
to stop its course and prevent its progress; though evil and
designing men have combined to destroy the innocent, because their
own craft was in danger; and these have been assisted in raising
mobs and circulating falsehoods by a miserable set of apostates who
have for wicked and unbecoming conduct been expelled from the body
of which they were once members, yet the glorious Gospel in its
fullness is spreading and daily gaining converts; and our prayer to
God is, that it may continue, and numbers be added of such as shall
be eternally saved.

The Messiah's kingdom on earth is of that kind of government, that
there has always been numerous apostates, for the reason that it
admits of no sins unrepented of without excluding the individual
from its fellowship. Our Lord said, "Strive to enter in at the
straight gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and
shall not be able." And again, many are called, but few are chosen.
Paul said to the elders of the {23} Church at Ephesus, after he
had labored three years with them, that he knew that some of their
own number would turn away from the faith, and seek to lead away
disciples after them. None, we presume, in this generation will
pretend that he has the experience of Paul in building up the
Church of Christ; and yet, after his departure from the Church at
Ephesus, many, even of the elders, turned away from the truth;
and what is almost always the case, sought to lead away disciples
after them. Strange as it may appear at first thought, yet it is
no less strange than true, that notwithstanding all the professed
determination to live godly, apostates after turning from the faith
of Christ, unless they have speedily repented, have sooner or
later fallen into the snares of the wicked one, and have been left
destitute of the Spirit of God, to manifest their wickedness in the
eyes of multitudes. From apostates the faithful have received the
severest persecutions. Judas was rebuked and immediately betrayed
his Lord into the hands of His enemies, because Satan entered into
him. There is a superior intelligence bestowed upon such as obeyed
the Gospel with full purpose of heart, which, if sinned against,
the apostate is left naked and destitute of the Spirit of God, and
he is, in truth, nigh unto cursing, and his end is to be burned.
When once that light which was in them is taken from them they
become as much darkened as they were previously enlightened, and
then, no marvel, if all their power should be enlisted against
the truth, and they, Judas like, seek the destruction of those
who were their greatest benefactors. What nearer friend on earth,
or in heaven, had Judas than the Savior? And his first object was
to destroy Him. Who, among all the Saints in these last days, can
consider himself as good as our Lord? Who is as perfect? Who is
as pure? Who is as holy as He was? Are they to be found? He never
transgressed or broke a commandment or law of heaven--no deceit was
in His mouth, neither was guile found in His heart. And yet one
that ate with Him, who had often drunk of the same cup, was the
first to lift up his heel against Him. Where is one like Christ? He
cannot be found on earth. Then why should His followers complain,
if from those whom they once called brethren, and considered as
standing in the nearest relation in the everlasting covenant they
should receive persecution? From what source emanated the principle
which has ever been manifested by apostates from the true Church to
persecute with double diligence, and seek with double perseverance,
to destroy those whom they once professed to love, with whom they
once communed, and with whom they once covenanted to strive with
every power in righteousness to obtain the rest of God? Perhaps our
brethren will say the same that caused Satan to seek to overthrow
the kingdom of God, because he himself was evil, and God's kingdom
is holy. * * * * * * * * * *

The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought to occupy our
strict attention, and be regarded as one of heaven's best gifts to
mankind. No consideration whatever ought to deter us from showing
ourselves approved in the sight of God, according to His divine
requirement. Men not unfrequently forget that they are dependent
upon {24} heaven for every blessing which they are permitted to
enjoy, and that for every opportunity granted them they are to
give an account. You know, brethren, that when the Master in the
Savior's parable of the stewards called his servants before him
he gave them several talents to improve on while he should tarry
abroad for a little season, and when he returned he called for
an accounting. So it is now. Our Master is absent only for a
little season, and at the end of it He will call each to render
an account; and where the five talents were bestowed, ten will be
required; and he that has made no improvement will be cast out as
an unprofitable servant, while the faithful will enjoy everlasting
honors. Therefore we earnestly implore the grace of our Father
to rest upon you, through Jesus Christ His Son, that you may not
faint in the hour of temptation, nor be overcome in the time of
persecution.

[Sidenote: Prayer of the First Presidency.]

On the evening of the 28th of January, Brothers Oliver Cowdery, Frederick G. Williams, and myself, being agreed, bowed before the Lord, and united in prayer, that God would continue to deliver me and my brethren from "Doctor" Hurlburt, [3]that he may not prevail against us in the law-suit that is pending; and also that God would soften the hearts of Eden Smith,--- Jones, ----- Lowd,--- Lyman, and also Mr. Bardsley, that they might obey the Gospel; or if they would not repent, that the Lord would send faithful Saints to purchase their farms, that this Stake may be strengthened, and its borders enlarged. O Lord, grant it for Christ's sake. Amen.

_January 31_.--It is my prayer to the Lord that three thousand subscribers may be added to the Star in the time of three years.

[Sidenote: Preparations for Returning Exiles to Zion.]

_February 1_.--Every expedient preparation was making by the Church in Kirtland, and Clay county, to have those who have been driven from their possessions in Jackson county, returned.

[Sidenote: Conference of High Priests and Elders at New Portage.]

_February 9_.--A conference of High Priests, Elders and officers of the Church of Christ in New Portage, Medina county, Ohio, was called at the house of Brother {25} Kirlins, which I attended. It had been suggested that Elder Rigdon might remove from Kirtland to New Portage; but after listening to the proceedings of a previous conference in Portage, from Brothers Palmer and Bosworth, it was decided that Elder Rigdon should not remove; and that the brethren in New Portage should assist all in their power to build the Lord's House in Kirtland; and that the brethren erect only a temporary or cheap place for meeting in Portage, as that was not to be established as a Stake of Zion at present; and that course would enable them to do more for the House in Kirtland.

At a council of the High Priests and Elders, (Orson Hyde, clerk,) at my house in Kirtland, on the evening of the 12th of February, I remarked that I should endeavor to set before the council the dignity of the office which had been conferred on me by the ministering of the angel of God, by His own voice, and by the voice of this Church; that I had never set before any council in all the order in which it ought to be conducted, which, perhaps, has deprived the councils of some or many blessings.

And I continued and said, no man is capable of judging a matter, in council, unless his own heart is pure; and that we are frequently so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions.

[Sidenote: Order in Ancient Councils.]

But to return to the subject of order; in ancient days councils were conducted with such strict propriety, that no one was allowed to whisper, be weary, leave the room, or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord, by revelation, or the voice of the council by the Spirit, was obtained, which has not been observed in this Church to the present time. It was understood in ancient days, that if one man could stay in council, another could; and if the president could spend his time, the members could also; but in our councils, generally, one will be uneasy, another asleep; one praying, {26} another not; one's mind on the business of the council, and another thinking on something else.

[Sidenote: Responsibility of Those who sit in Judgment.]

Our acts are recorded, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we should fail to judge right and injure our fellow-beings, they may there, perhaps, condemn us; there they are of great consequence, and to me the consequence appears to be of force, beyond anything which I am able to express. Ask yourselves, brethren, how much you have exercised yourselves in prayer since you heard of this council; and if you are now prepared to sit in council upon the soul of your brother.

[Sidenote: The Prophet's Predicted Triumph.]

I then gave a relation of my situation at the time I obtained the record (Book of Mormon), the persecutions I met with, and prophesied that I would stand and shine like the sun in the firmament, when my enemies and the gainsayers of my testimony shall be put down and cut off, and their names blotted out from among men.

[Sidenote: Trial of Martin Harris.]

The council proceeded to investigate certain charges presented by Elder Rigdon against Martin Harris; one was, that he told A. C. Russell, Esq., that Joseph drank too much liquor when he was translating the Book of Mormon; and that he wrestled with many men and threw them; and that he (Harris) exalted himself above Joseph, in that he said, "Brother Joseph knew not the contents of the Book of Mormon, until it was translated, but that he himself knew all about it before it was translated."

Brother Harris did not tell Esq. Russell that Brother Joseph drank too much liquor while translating the Book of Mormon, but this thing occurred previous to the translating of the Book; he confessed that his mind was darkened, and that he had said many things inadvertently, calculated to wound the feelings of his brethren, and promised to do better. The council forgave him, with much good advice.

{27} [Sidenote: Trial of Leonard Rich.]

Brother Leonard Rich was called in question for transgressing the Word of Wisdom, and for selling the revelations at an extortionate price, while he was journeying east with Father Lyons, Brother Rich confessed, and the council forgave him upon his promising to do better and reform his life.

Footnotes

1. Of these days in Kirtland Elder Heber C. Kimball in his Journal says, "The Church was in a state of poverty and distress, a consequence of which it appeared almost impossible that the commandments could be fulfilled [relative to the Kirtland Temple]; at the same time our enemies were raging and threatening destruction upon us, and we had to guard ourselves night after night, and for weeks were not permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lay with our fire locks in our arms."--_Times and Seasons_, vol. 6, p. 771.

2. The use of "abroad" here does not have reference to foreign lands, but means those who were scattered from their homes in Missouri.

This communication of the Elders of the Church at Kirtland, to their brethren scattered abroad, does not appear in the History of the Prophet, but is found in the _Evening and Morning Star_, vol. 2, Nos. 17, 18, 19. The document is evidently dictated by the Prophet and is of such doctrinal importance that it is thought proper to give it place in the body of the Church History. It treats of the origin of law, human and divine, and man's relations thereto; the antiquity of the Gospel; the virtue of the atonement of Christ; the importance of men in this age being in communication with God through the means of revelation; the bitterness and fate of apostates. The document is a complete refutation of the charges of bad motives behind the conduct of the saints. No man, I believe, can read this document and then believe that those who issued it were evil disposed men bent on deceiving mankind.

The late President Daniel H. Wells was wont to say that some time previous to his joining the Church he was satisfied that Joseph Smith was an inspired man because of his intuitive knowledge of the fundamental principles of law--a view that will be confirmed by a perusal of the parts of this communication which deal with the origin, force, and relations of law.

3. The case of Joseph Smith _vs._ "Doctor" Hurlburt did not come to trial until the 4th of April, 1834, when the "Doctor" was bound over to keep the peace.

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