Joseph Smith Sermons of 1844
Date: 7 January 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: Cornelius P. Lott's Home, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 317)
Rode out to my farm & Preached at Bro. Lots. also D Spencer & Reynolds Cahoon preached.
Date: 19 January 1844 (Friday)
Location: Mansion House, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 317)
In the evening gave a Lecture on the constitution & candidates for the presidency &c. Backenstos. Clerk of Co Court. present Bro Phelps & a great Co. in Bar Room.
Date: 21 January 1844 (Sunday)
Location: Front of Robert D. Foster's Hotel, Near Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 317-19)
A large assembly of Saints met at the Temple and herd an interesting discours delivered by President Joseph Smith. The following is a synopsis of his discourse upon the occasion
When I Consider the surrounding Circumstances in which I am placed this day, standing in the open air with week lungs & somwhat out of health I feel that I must have prayers & faith of my brethren that God may strengthen me & pour out his special blessings upon me if you get much from me this day. Their are many people assembled here to day & throughout this City & from various parts of the world who say that they have received to a certainty a portion of knowledge from God by revelation in the way that he has ordained & pointed out I shall take the broad ground then that if we have or Can receive a portion of knowledge from God by immediate revelation by the same source we can receive all knowledge. What shall I talk about today I know what Br Cahoon wants me to speak about, he wants me to speak about the Comeing of Elijah in the last days I Can see it in his eye, I will speak upon that subject then, The Bible says "I will send you Elijah before the great & dredful day of the Lord Come that he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the Children & the hearts of the Children to their fathers lest I Come & smite the whole earth with a Curse," Now the word turn here should be translated (bind or seal) But what is the object of this important mission or how is it to be fulfilled, The keys are to be delivered the spirit of Elijah is to Come, The gospel to be esstablished the saints of gathered , Zion built up, & the Saints to Come up as Saviors on mount Zion but how are they to become Saviors on Mount Zion by building thair temples erecting their Baptismal fonts & going forth & receiving all the ordinances, Baptisms, Confirmations, washings, anointings ordinations & sealing powers upon our heads in behalf of all our Progenitors who are dead & redeem them that they may Come forth in the first resurrection & be exalted to thrones of glory with us, & here in is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the Children, & the Children to the Fathers which fulfills the mission of Elijah & I would to God that this temple was now done that we might go into it & go to work & improve our time & make use of the seals while they are on earth & the Saints have none to much time to save & redeem their dead, & gather together their living relatives that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten & the Consumption decreed falls upon the world & I would advise all the Saints to go to with their might & gather together all their living relatives to this place that they may be sealed & saved that they may be prepared against the day that the destroying angel goes forth & if the whole Church should go to with all their might to save their dead seal their posterity & gather their living friends & spend none of their time in behalf of the world they would hardly get through before night would Come when no man Could work & my only trouble at the present time is concerning ourselves that the Saints will be divided & broken up & scattered before we get our Salvation Secure for thei[r] is so many fools in the world for the devil to operate upon it gives him the advantage often times, The question is frequently asked Can we not be saved without going through with all these ordinances &c I would answer No not the fullness of Salvation, Jesus said their was many mansions in his fathers house & he would go & prepare a place for them. House here named should have been translated (Kingdom) & any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a Celestial law & the whole law to[o], But their has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation it has been like splitting hemlock knots with a Corn doger for a wedge & a pumpkin for a beetle, Even the Saints are slow to understand I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God will fly to pieces like glass as soon as any thing Comes that is Contrary to their traditions, they Cannot stand the fire at all, How many will be able to abide a Celestial law & go through & receive their exaltation I am unable to say but many are Called & few are Chosen.
Date: 21 January 1844 (Sunday)
Location: Front of Robert D. Foster's Hotel, Near Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 317-19)
Preached in front of Dr Foster Mammoth Hotel to several thousand people.--although the weather was somewhat unpleasant. on sealing the hearts of the fathers to the children & the heart of the children to the fathers.
Date: 8 February 1844 (Thursday Evening)
Location: Upper Room, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 319-20)
I met with a congregation of the Citizens in the room over Joseph Store for the purpose of hearing the views of General Joseph Smith given concerning the affairs of Governemtn his views were written & were read by Wm W Phelps & were in the highest degree interesting. Gen Smith gave his reasons for permitting his name to go forth as a Candidate for the Presidency of the United States. which were as follows:
I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on any wise as president of the United States or Candidate for that office If I my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious & civel rights as American Citizens even those rights which the Constitution guarantee unto all her Citizens alike but this we as a people have been denied from the beginning Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time from portions of the United States like peels of thunder because of our religion & no portion of the government as yet has steped forward for our relief & under view of these things I feel it to be my right & privilege to obtain what influence & power I can lawfully in the United States for the protection of injured innocence & If I loose my life in a good cause I am will to be sacrificed on the alter of virtue rightousness & truth in maintaining the laws & Constitution of the United States if need be for the general good of mankind.
Date: 8 February 2007 1844 (Thursday Evening)
Location: Upper Room, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 320)
evening had a political Meeting in the assembly room & Bro Phelps publicly read my views of the Gen Government for the first time—Elders Hyde & Taylor made a speech—& myself also.
Date: 18 February 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 320)
I preached at the Temple to a Large Collection.
Date: 18 February 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 320)
Attd the first meeting at the temple, Joseph spoke, to an immense congregation.
Date: 21 February 1844 (Wednesday Evening)
Location: Upper Room, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 320-21)
Rev Mr De.Wolf, Churchman, Lectured in the assembly room in the eve. I attended & after sermon—at his request, spoke to the people to show them that to get salvation we must not only do somethings but every thing which God had commanded to get salvation.
Date: 25 February 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 321)
I preached at or near the Temple. Hiram also preached.
Date: 25 February 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 321)
President Smith Preached at the Temple.
Date: 25 February 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 321)
Went to the Temple with my wife—heard Joseph preach on Cardinal points—an immense congregation.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Morning)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 321-23)
9 a.m. I Joseph presented to the meeting the proceedings of O. F. Bostwick & the Lawyers &c--for the people to speak out, say whether such men should be tolerated and supported in our midst.--and from this time 1 design to bring such characters before the committee of the whole.--and if these things cannot be put a stop to. I will give them in to the hands of the mob.--the hands of the officers of the city falter, and are palsied by the conduct of such men.
There is another I will speak about he is a mormon.--a certain man who lived here before we come here. the two first letters of his name are Hiram Kimball--when the city had passed an ordinance to tax steam boats. He goes and tells the captains of the steam boats that he owned the landing. and they need not to pay tax--and I am determined to use up such men if they will not stop their efforts. If this is not true. Let him come forward & throw of[f] the imputation.--when they people appeal to carthage I will appeal to this people--the highest court--I despise the Lawyers who lag on their law suits. Kimball & Morrison say they own the wharfs. but the city own the wharf.--64 ft. from high water mark from printing office to the northern limits of the city.—
another thing. I want to speak about. the Lawyers of this city. I have good feelings & and I will reprove them--and the prophets always did say wo unto you ye Lawyers.--the Maratime laws of the U. S. have ceded up the tolls wharfage &c to the respective corporations who have jurisdiction.
&c. Shallow drafts intoxicate the brain &c.
Look at the reason.--no vessel could land any where if Subject to individuals laws.--Corporation owns the streets of the city, and have a right to tax the Boats to make wharfs. the same as to tax citizens to make roads--want every man in this city to stay at home & let the Boat Captains. peace officers and every body alone.—
How are we to keep peace in this city. & defend our selves against mobs--disgrace every man by preaching--him on the house top, who will, who not be still, and mind their own business.--Let them alone to use themselves up.—
A couple of merchants in this city. I was visi told by an old gentleman this morning who told me that the spirit of Mobocracy was almost subsiding.--These mobocrats have as the people abroad say.--told the people that they need not bring butter eggs &c--to Nauvoo will not tell their names. if they will not let the people bring in their produce.--the people will not buy their goods
another Man. will not call his name. has been writing to the New York Tribune some of the greatest most disgraceful things possible to name.--he has stated in that article that there are a great many appropriations to the temple--applied some where else &c.-- to stigmatize the Trustee & turn prejudice against us abroad.--if any man who has appointed any thing.--old harness horses waggon &c let him come forward the first farthing and we cannot show where it has been appropriated. I will give him my head for a foot ball.—
he also states that the Temple cannot be build it costs so much. who dont know that we can put the roof on this building this season? by turning all the means of the N. House & doubling our diligence we can do it.
The best way for such men is to be still. If I did not love men I would not reprove them. but work in the dark as they do--read the Tribune & you see for yourself.—
he is not a Lawyer. he is nearer related to a Doctor. a small man.—"Mr. McNeil--enquired if he was the man.--" No did not know you--you are a stranger. Joseph rested [during Hyrum Smith's remarks].
Chas Foster asked if Joseph meant him Joseph said. I will ask you a question--[F.] that is no way. [J.] yes that is the way the Quakers do. Why did you denominate yourself.--Jesus said-- whose image & superscription is it--[F.] Did you mean me.--[J.] Why did you denominate yourself. did [F.] then I understand you meant me.--[J.] You said it.--[F.] You shall hear form me.--Mayor I fine you $10.00 for that threat, and disturbing the meeting Doctor Robert Foster spoke to palliate and exhort him to await--&c doctor said he has not threatened you. Joseph says he has--Doctor no one has heard him threaten you--and hundreds cried I have. Doctor continued to speak & Mayor said stop[,] order[,] or I will fine you—
W. W. Phelps read Gen Smiths views of the powers & policies of the Gen Government, after which it was voted unanimously with one exception, to uphold Gen Smith for the Presidency.
"A voice of Innocence from Nauvoo" was then read by W W Phelps.--and all the people assembly said Amen. twice
Doctor Foster read a letter from Thomas Ford Governor
30 minutes past 12. adjourned till 2 p.m.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Morning)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 323-25)
The Prophet arived & took the stand. and arose in the midst of people & said (Orson Pratt come & take your post) & further remarked I do not know whether the object of the meeting has been told or not I apologize for not coming sooner. I have had so much on my mind since I saw you that I hardly know where to begin or to say but one of the grand objects that I had in view in calling this meeting was in making a few remarks relative to the laws & ordinances and building the temple, the reason I want to speak of the laws is the Officers have difficulty in administering the laws. We are republican & wish to have the people rule but rule in righteousness, Sone [Some] would complain with what God himself would do, the laws are enacted by petition and they can all be repealed if they wish it but the people ought not to complain of the officers but to complain of the law makers, I am instructed by the City Council to tell this people that if you do not like any law we have passed we will repeal it for we are your servants, Any that Complain of our rights and Charters it is because they are wicked the devil is in them. the reason I called it up is we have a simple gang of fellows who does not know where their elbows or head is if you preach virtue to them they will oppose that if you preach the Methodist God to them they will oppose that or any thing els & if their is any Case tried they want it appealed to Carthage Mr. Boswick's case had to go to Carthage our Lawyers will send any thing to Carthage. I want to know if the Citizens will sustain me when my hands are raised to heaven for the people, I will arraign the person before the people that act against the interest of the City & I will have the voice of the people which is republican and as likely to be the voice of God And as long as long as long as I have a tongue to speak I will expose the iniquity of the Lawyiers and wicked men I fear not their boiling over nor the boiling over of Hell their thunders & forked lightning. I despise the man that will betray you with a kiss. Here is Hiram Kimball has set at naught the ordinances of the City. By saying that He owns the wharf & steem boats need not pay them. wharefore this body is the highest Court what appeal to Carthage I would not appeal there if i died a thousand deaths. Kimball nor Morrison does not own the wharfage water street runs along the beach & belongs to the City & not individuals I will reprove the lawyers & doctors anyhow Jesus did & evry prophet has & if I am a prophet I shall do it, at any rate I shall do it for i profess to be a prophet. The laws & Constitution of the United States has ceded up the right to Corporate Cities to regulate all wharfage of shipping & Steam Boats &c all laws of taxation is subject to the City & not individuals, And I want from this time forth every fool to stay at home & let the steam Boats & Captain alone and let the peace officers alone. How can we keep off mobs & keeping innocent Blood from being shed, By striking a blow at every thing that rises up in disorder & I will war an eternal war with those that oppose me while I am laboring in behalf of the City. A man has been writing to the New York Tribune I will not mention his name. He says that much has been appropriated for the building the Temple that has been spent for other purposes. But I pledge myself that any man that has paid any old shoes, harnesses, horses, or any thing els if he will come I will show him on Book that evry farthi[n]g has gone on Book & been appropriated for the building of the Temple if not so I will pled[g]e my head for a foot ball that this is true. there are men in our midst who are trying to build up themselves at our expense & others in our midst that are watching for iniquity & will make a man an offender for a word, But I will rest myself & give way for others.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Morning)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Willard Richards Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 323-25)
Great Meeting at Temple all day.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 325-26)
Joseph said in relation to those who give property on the temple. be careful into whose hands it come into that it may be entered into the church books. that those whose names are found in the church books shall have the first claim in that house. I intend to keep the door at dedication myself--& not a man shall pass who had not paid his bonus
I do not care 1/2 so much about the Presidential election as I do the office I have got we have as good a right to make a political party to gain power to defend ourselves as for mormons demagogues to make use of our religion to get power to destroy ourselves.--we will whip the mob by getting up a president. when I look into the Eastern papers & see how popular I am I am afraid I shall be president.--
on the annexation of Texas--some object--the anti-Mormons are good fellows--I say it in anticipation they will repent object to Texas on account of slavery.--Tis the very reason why she should be received.—
Houston says "gentlemen if you refuse to receive us we must go to the British" and the first thing they will do will be to set the negroes free & Indians & they will use us up.
British officers running all over Texas to pick a quarrel with s.--more honorable for us to receive them. & set the negroes free & use the negroes & Indians against our foes.
Don't let Texas go out. Our Mother & the daughter of the land, will laugh at us in the teeth.—and if these things are not so—God never spoke with by any prophet since the world began.—I have been [thought not completed]
south held the balance of power &c—by annexing Texas.—I can do away this evil liberate 2 or 3 states & if that was not sufficient, call in Canida—
Send the negroes to Texas. from Texas to Mexico where all colors are alike.—Notice was given for the relief Society to meet saturday 2 P.M. to adopt "the voice of Innocence from Nauvoo."
Joseph stated the Mormon Zion has endured all animus
Singing & prayer by B. Young.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 326-27)
President Smith remarked in relation to those who give in property for the temple we want it brought to the proper source that it may be put on the Church Book So that in the endowment those whose names are on Book shall have the preference. As to politics I care but little about the Presidential Chair., I would not give half as much for the office as I would for the one I now hold, but as the world have used the power of Government to oppress & persecute us it is right for us to use it for the protection of our rights. when I get hold of the eastern paper & see how popular I am I am afraid myself that I shall be elected, But if I should be I would not say that your cause is just & I could not do anything for you. What I said in relation to the annexation of texas is with some unpopular the people are opposed to it, I will take this objection away. the opposition is because it is filled up with Slavery, now I wish to turn the argument it is the very reason why it ought to be received in order to watch over them of the greatest two evils we should reject the greatest The president of Texas says if you do not receive us in the United States we will go to the British this would certainly be bad policy for this Nation the British are now throughout that whole Country trying to bribe all they can. How much better it is to be to a little expens than to have the indians & British upon us & destroy us all, we should grasp all the territory we can" and I know, much that I do not tell I have had bribes offered me, but I have rejected them. The government will not receive any thing from me they are self sufficient, but they must go to Hell & work out their own salvation with fear & trembling. as soon as texas was annexed I would liberate two or three states & pay them for their salves & let them go to Mexico where they are mixed blacks &c I would also receive Canada & stand by them & many other usful remarks He made.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 326-27)
At the temple all day—the Prophet, Patriarch, B. Young, Taylor &c spoke-both large meetings. a most splendid day--& an attentive congregation—received much instruction.
Date: 7 March 1844 (Thursday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Nauvoo Neighbor 1 (13 March 1844) (Words of Joseph Smith, 326-27)
On Thursday last a large concourse of people assembled at the Temple, according to previous appointment. Gens. Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, Elder Young, and others, addressed the meeting at considerable length, and were listened to with profound attention. Upwards of five thousand persons were present on the occasion.
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 327-33)
A large assembly of the Saints met at the temple & was addressed by President Joseph Smith upon one of the most important & interesting subjects ever presented to the saints & the principles presented were of the greatest importance to be understood it was as follows the work & calling & spirit of Elias, Elijah, & Mesiah The following is a synopsis of the discourse
Their is a differance between the spirit & office of Elias & Elijah it is the spirit of Elias I wish first to speak of. And in order to come at the subject I will bring some of the testimony from the scripture & give my own, in the first place suffice it to say I went into the woods to inquire of the Lord by prayer his will concerning me--& I saw an angel & he laid his hands upon my head & ordained me to be a priest after the order of Aaron & to hold the keys of this priesthood which office was to preach repentance & Baptism for the remission of sins & also to baptise but was informed that this office did not extend to the laying on of hands for the giving of the Holy Ghost that that office was a greater work & was to be given after wards but that my ordination was a preparatory work or a going before which was the spirit of Elias for the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the Case with John the Baptist he Came balling through the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord & make his paths strait & they were informed if they Could receive it. it was the spirit of Elias & John was very particular to tell the people He was not that light but was sent to bear witness of that light, He told the people that his mission was to preach repentance & baptise with water, but it was he that should Come after him that should baptize with fire & the Holy Ghost if he had been an imposture he might have gone to work beyound, his bounds & undertook to have performed ordinances that did not belong to that office & calling under the spirit of Elias. The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God which is the priesthood of Elias or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work holds the keys of the power of Elias it was called the doctrine of Elias even from the early ages of the world. John,s mission was limited to preaching & Baptizing but what he done was legal & when Jesus Christ Came to any of John's disciples He baptized them with fire & the Holy Ghost, we find the Apostles endowed with greater power than John their office was more under the spirit & power of Elijah than Elias. In the Case of Philip when he went down to Samaria was under the spirit of Elias he baptised both men & women, when Peter & John herd of it they went down & lade hands on them & they received the Holy Ghost this shows the distinction between the two powers. when paul came to Certain Deciples He asked if they had received the Holy Ghost they said no, who baptized you then we were Baptizd unto Johns Baptism No John did not baptized you for he did his work right, & so Paul went & baptized them for He knew what the true doctrin was & he knew that John Had not Baptised them, & these principles and [it] is strange to me that men who have red the scriptures of the New Testament are so far from it. What I want to impress upon your minds is, the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you saying I have the spirit of Elias you can know whether he be true or false, for any man that comes having the spirit & power of Elias he will not transcend his bounds, John did not transend his bound but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office, and evry portion of the great building should be prepared right & assigned to its proper place, & it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power & who dont, or we may be likely to be deceived, That person who holds the keys of Elias hath a preparitory work, But if I spend much more time in conversing about the spirit of Elias I shall not have time to do justice to the spirit & power of Elijah, this is the Elias spoken of in the last days & here is the rock upon which many split thinking the time was past in the days of John & Christ & no more to be, but the spirit of Elias was revealed to me & I know it is true therefore I speak with boldness for I know verily my doctrine is true. Now for Elijah, the spirit power & calling of Elijah is that ye have power to hold the keys of the revelations ordinances, oricles powers & endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood & of the Kingdom of God on the Earth & to receive, obtain & perform all the ordinances belonging to the Kingdom of God even unto the sealing of the hearts of the hearts fathers unto the children & the hearts of the children unto the fathers even those who are in heaven. Malachi says I will send Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come & He shall turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to the Fathers lest I come & smite the earth with a Curse, Now what I am after is the knowledge of God & I take my own Course to obtain it, what are we to understand by this in the last days, in the days of Noah God destroyed the world by a flood & has promised to destroy it by fire in the last days but before it took place Elijah should first come & turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children &c now comes the point what is this office & work of Elijah, it is one of the greatest & most important subjects that God has revealed, He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers & fathers to the Children, Now was this merely confined to the living to settle difficulties with families on earth, by no means, it was a far greater work Elijah what would you do if you was here would you confine confine your work to the living alone. No I would confine refer you to the scriptures whare the subject is manifest, i.e, without us they could not be made perfect, nor we without them, the fathers without the children nor the children without the fathers. I wish you to understand this subject for it is important & if you will receive it this is the spirit of Elijah that we redeem our dead & connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven & seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection & here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those which dwell in heaven this is the power of Elijah & the keys of the Kingdom of Jehovah. Let us suppose a case; suppose the great God who dwells in heaven should reveal himself to Father Cutler here by the opening heavens and tell him I offer up a decree that whatsoever you seal on earth with your decree I will seal it in heaven, you have power then, can it be taken of[f] No, Then what you seal on earth by the Keys of Elijah is sealed in heaven, & this is the power of Elijah, & this is the difference between the spirit & power of Elias and Elijah, for while the spirit of Elias is a forerunner the power of Elijah is sufficient to make our calling & Election sure, & the same doctrin whare we are exhorted to go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works but of laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead &c. we cannot be perfect without the fathers, &c we must have revelations then & we can see that the doctrin of revelation as far transcends the doctrine of no revelation as knowled[g]e is above ignorance for one truth revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in existence. This spirit of Elijah was manifest in the days of the Apostles in delivering certain ones to the buffitings of Satan that they may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, they were sealed by the spirit of Elijah unto the damnation of Hell untill the day of the Lord or revealtion of Jesus Christ Here is the doctrin of Election that the world have quarreled so much about, but they do not know any thing about it, The doctrine that the Presbyterians & Methodist have quarreled so much about once in grace always in grace, or falling away from grace I will say a word about, they are both wrong, truth takes a road between them both. for while the Presbyterian says once in grace you cannot fall the Methodist says you can have grace to day, fall from it tomorrow, next day have grace again & so follow it, but the doctrin of the scriptures & the spirit of Elijah would show them both fals & take a road between them both for according to the scriptures if a man has receive the good word of God & tasted of the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away it is impossible to renew them again, seeing they have Crucified the son of God afresh & put him to an open frame shame, so their is a possibility of falling away you could not be renewed again, & the power of Elijah Cannot seal against this sin, for this is a reserve made in the seals & power of the priesthood, I will make every doctrin plain that I present & it shall stand upon a firm bases And I am at the defiance of the world for I will take shelter under the broad sheler cover of the wings of the work in which I am engaged, it matters not to me if aIl hell boils over regard it ownly as I would the crackling of thorns under a pot A murderer; for instance one that sheds innocent Blood Cannot have forgiveness, David sought repentance at the hand of God Carefully with tears, but he could only get it through Hell, he got a promise that his soul should not be left in Hell, Although David was a King he never did obtain the spirit & power of Elijah & the fullness of the Priesthood, & the priesthood that he received & the throne & kingdom of David is to be taken from him & given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his linage Peter refered to the same subject on the day of pentecost, but the multitude did not get the endowment that Peter had but several days after the people asked what shall we do, Peter says I would ye had done it ignorantly speaking of crucifying the Lord &c He did not say to them repent & be baptized for the remission of your sins but he said repent therefore & be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts iii, 19 this is the case with murderers they could not be baptized for the remission of sins for they had shed innocent Blood.
Again the doctrin or sealing power of Elijah is as follows if you have power to seal on earth & in heaven then we should be Crafty, the first thing you do go & seal on earth your sons & daughters unto yourself, & yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory, & go ahead and not go back, but use a little Craftiness & seal all you can; & when you get to heaven tell your father that what you seal on earth should be sealed in heaven I will walk through the gate of heaven and Claim what I seal & those that follow me & my Council
The Lord once told me that what I asked for I should have, I have been afraid to aske to ask God to kill my enemies lest some of them should peradventure should repent I asked a short time, since for the Lord to deliver me out of the hands of the Governor of Missouri & if it must needs be to accomplish it to take him away, & the next news that Came pouring down from their, was Governor Reynolds had shot himself, and I would now say beware O earth how you fight against the Saints of God & shed innocent Blood, for in the days of Elijah his enemies came upon him & fire was Called down from heaven & destroyed them, the spirit of Elias is first Elijah second, & Masiah last. Elias is a fore runner to prepare the way, & the spirit & power of Elijah is to come after holding the keys of power building the Temple to the Cap stone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek priesthood up on the house of Israel & making alI things ready then Mesiah comes to his Temple which is last of all. Mesiah is above the spirit & power of Elijah, for he made the world & was that spiritual rock unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah was to come & prepare the way & build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord Although the spirit of Elias might begin it, I have asked of the Lord concerning his coming & while asking, the Lord gave me a sign & said in the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign & token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come, but their should be seed time--harvest during that year, but when ever you see the bow withdraw, it shall be a token that their shall be famin pestilance & great distress among the nations. But I take the responsibility upon myself to prophesy in the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come this year as [William] Miller has prophecyed, for we have seen the bow. And I also Prophecy in the name of the Lord that Christ will not Come in forty years & if God ever spake by my mouth he will not come in that length of time & Jesus Christ never did reveal to any man the precise time that he would come, go & read the scriptures & you cannot find any thing that specified the exact [time] he would come & all that say so are fals teachers. Their are some important things concerning the office of the Messiah in the organization of the worlds which I will speak of hereafter. May God Almighty bless you & pour out his spirit upon you is the prayer of your unworthy servant Amen.
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: James Burgess Notebook (Words of Joseph Smith, 333-34)
Showing the difference between the Spirit of Elias, Elijah and the messiah.
J Smith P[rophet].
of the spirit of Elias I must go back to the time at Susquehannah river when I retired in the woods pouring out my soul in prayer to Almighty God. An Angel came down from heaven and laid his hands upon me and ordained me to the power of Elias and that authorised me to baptise with water unto repentance. It is a power or a preparatory work for something greater. you have not power to lay on hands for the gift of the holy ghost but you shall have power given you hereafter, that is the power of the Aaronick priesthood. this is the power which John the baptist was clothed with when he came bounding out of the wilderness saying repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is come unto you or is at hand, For there standeth one among you whose shoes latchett I am not worthy to unloose. he has greater power than I have he will baptise you with fire and with the holy ghost. Jesus said of John this is Elias which was for to come if you will receive me otherwise he cannot do the work of an Elias, for Elias is preparatory for something greater to prepare my way before me I have power to restore all things and establish my kingdom amongst you, but if you will not receive me and my doctrine, he is not that Elias which was for to come for he cannot accomplish that for which he was sent, see 1st chapter of John 19 to 22 verse for he confessed that he was not Elias why because they would not receive him that was coming after him namely Christ. Philip was clothed with the power of Elias when he went to samaria he could baptise for remission of sins, but could not lay on hands for the gift of the holy ghost, but sent for Peter and John who had the power of Elijah &c Acts 19 chapter Paul when he came to Corinth found certain disciples and asked them if they had received the holy ghost since they blieved, and they said we have not so much as heard of the holy ghost and with what surprise says he unto them. unto what were you baptised and they said unto Johns baptism. not so not so my friends if you had you would have heard of the holy ghost but you have been duped by some designing knave who has come in the name of John an imposture. how do you know it Paul why John verilly baptised with water unto repentance, always telling the people that they should believe on him that should come after him. he would baptise with fire and with the holy ghost. John's baptism stood good but these had been baptised by some imposture. The spirit of Elijah is to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse the baptism for the dead and the ordinances that is to be administered by us for them for paul says that they without us cannot be made perfect neither can we without them be made perfect. Now we come to talk about election a great deal is said about it. one way or another. Make your calling and election sure go on from grace to grace until you obtain a promise from God for yourselves that you shall have eternal life. this is eternal life to know God and his son Jesus Christ, it is to be sealed up unto eternal life and obtain a promise for our posterity. Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, this is the power of Elijah to seal or bind or turn the hearts of the fathers to their children The presbytery says once in grace always in grace, the methodist says once in grace can fall from grace and be renewed again. there is some truth in both of these statements Paul says in the 6 chapter of hebrews that after arriving at a certain knowledge and then fall away it is impossible to renew them again, well paul the presbratarian says once in grace always in grace I say it is not so the methodist says once in grace can fall from grace and be renewed again I Paul say it is impossible seeing that they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh and put him to an open shame.
Make your calling and election sure go in from grace to grace until you obtain a promise from God for yourselves that you shall have eternal life. this is eternal life to know God and his son Jesus Christ, it is to be sealed up unto eternal life and obtain a promise for our posterity. Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, this is the power of Elijah to seal or bind or turn the hearts of the children against all sin but the sin of sheding innocent blood and the Sin against the holy ghost. David was one of the promised seed yet he was guilty of murder see Acts Chap 2 & 3 other sins will go to judgement before hand.
Joseph Smith prophet.
Revelation given through Joseph Smith in answer to a certain question Son of Man if you live untill you are 85 years of age you shall see the face of the Son of Man and so long as you see the rainbow strethching across the heavens there will be seed time and harvest and the son of Man will not come that year.
Joseph Smith was born in the year
1805
85
----
1890
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Franklin D. Richards "Scriptural Items" (Words of Joseph Smith, 334-35)
On Sunday March 10 Joseph the Priest delivered the following concernin the Spirits & Powers of Elias Elijah & of Messiah
The power of Elias is not the power of Elijah related the vision of his ordination to the priesthood of Aaron on the Susquehannah river to preach the preparatory gospel. This said the Angel is the Spirit of Elias
The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for one greater to come
The spirit of Elijah is that degree of power which holds the sealing power of the Kingdom to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children & of the children their fathers not only on earth but in Heaven both the living & the Dead to each other for they (the dead) cannot be made perfect without us Heb 11-40
This power of Elijah is to that of Elias what in the architecture of the Temple of God those who seal or cement the Stone to their places are to those who cut or hew the stones the one preparing the way for the other to accomplish the work By this we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise ie Elijah
To obtain this sealing is to make our calling and election sure which we ought to give all diligence to accomplish
there are two sins against which this power does not secure or prevail they are "The sin against the Holy Ghost" And "shedding of innocent Blood" which is equivalent to "crucifying the Son of God afresh & putting him to an open shame" Those who do these it is impossible to renew unto repentance for they are delivered to the buffetings of Satan untill the day of redemptions
illustrated the case of David said he could not obtain celestial glory and the reason why he had any hope or obtained a Promise that of his seed one should be raised up to reign over Israel forever was because that he had not spoken against the spirit & because he had not done this he was renewed unto repentance and obtained promise that God would not leave his soul in Hell
Also spake of the rulers of the Jews & Peters preaching I wot (wish) that through ignorance ye did it as did those over whom ye ruled Acts 3-17 Peter did not preach repentance & Baptism but repent & be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of redemptions shall come from the presence of God Promised to treat upon the Spirit of Messiah some future time
A Revelation So long as we see the bow in the cloud seed time & harvest shall continue that year when the bow shall cease then shall come famine wars &c after which the sign of the son of man shall be seen in heaven.
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 335)
I attended meeting A M at the Stand by the Temple and preached on the Subject of the Spirit of Elias Elijah. Elias & Mes[si]ah clearly defining the offices of the 3 personages.
The Savior will not come this year. nor 40 yrs to come. Me bow has been seen in the cloud & in that year that the bow is seen seed time and harvest will be. but when the bow ceases to be seen look out for a famine.
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 336)
Frost in the night--day most beautiful--went to the temple Joseph & Hyrum spoke. Joseph spoke on the Spirit of Elias the Spirit of Elijah and the Spirit of Messiah the Spirit of Elias is a forerunner same as John the Baptist-- as Paul declared that the Saints of the last days could not be perfect without them--neither can they be perfect without us the Spirit of Messiah is all power in Heaven and in Earth-- Enthroned in the Heavens as King of Kings and Lord of Lords the Rainbow is not to be seen--it is a sign of the commencement of famine & pestilence &c &c and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant--the Messiah will not come this year--upsets Millerites the Messiah will not come for 40 years and he told the people to write it a very large and attentive congregation—
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: John Solomon Fullmer Papers (Words of Joseph Smith, 336)
Prophesy delivered by President Joseph Smith, March 10th 1844.
While enquiring of the Lord concerning the End of time, it was made known to him by the Holy Spirit, that there should be prosperity, seed time and harvest every year in which the Rainbow was seen, for to that was Noah referred as a surety on this subject,-- But in the year when the Bow was not to be seen, would commence desolation, calamity and distress among the Nations, without seed time or harvest,--And that the Revelation of the Son of Man from Heaven, would not be in this year, nor the next;" and he would say to his Millerite friends, that it would not be in forty years to come. He uttered all this in the name of the Lord, and said we should go home and write it—
J.S.F.
Date: 24 March 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 336-37)
I have been informed by two gentleman that a conspiracy is got up in this place for the purpose of taking the life of President Joseph Smith his family and all the Smith family; the heads of the Church, one of the gentleman will give his name unto the public & the other wishes it to be hid for the present they will both testify to it on oath & make an affidavit upon it the names of the persons revealed at the head of the Conspiracy are as follows (Chancy Higby Dr Foster, Dr Jackson, Wm & Wilson Law) and the lies that Higby has hatched up as a foundation to work upon is, he says that I had mens heads Cut off in issouri & that I had a Sword run through the hearts of the people that I wanted to kill & put out of the way I wont swear out a warrant against them for I don't fear any of them they would not scare of[f] and old Setting hen. I intended to publish all the iniquity that I know of If I am guilty I am ready to bear it there is honor among enemies I am willing to do any thing for the good of the people, I will give the names of one of the gentleman who have divulged the plot his name is Eaton, he will sware to it he is a bold fellow. Jackson said a Smith should not be alive 2 weeks not men I will say nothing about it now, but If I hear any thing more from them on this subject I will tell what I know about them.
[After addresses from Orson Spencer and Sidney Rigdon] (President Joseph Smith again arose & said in relation to the power over the minds of the mankind which I hold, I would say it is in consequence of the power of truth in the doctrines which I have been an instrument in the hands of God of presenting unto them & not because of any Compulsion on my part. I will ask if I ever got any of it unfair. If I have not reproved you in the gate, I ask did I ever exerise any compulsion over any man. did I not give him the liberty of disbelieveing any doctrin I have preached if he saw fit, why do not my enemies strike a blow at the doctrin, they cannot do it, it is truth, And I am as the voice of one Crying in the wilderness repent of your sins & prepare the way for the Coming of the Son of Man, for the Kingdom of God has Come unto you and hence forth the ax is laid unto the root of the tree and evry tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, God Almighty (and not Jo Smith) shall hew down & cast it into the fire.)
Date: 24 March 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 337-38)
10 A M. I preached at the Temple stand, followed by O. Spencer & Prest Rigdon
On the Stand I related what was told me yesterday by Mr Eaton. that Wm. Law. Wilson Law. R.D. Foster, Chauncey L. Higbee, & Joseph Jackson had held a caucus, designing to destroy all the Smith family in a few weeks.
Date: 24 March 1844 (Sunday)
Location: At Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 338)
Went to the Temple Joseph spoke about a conspiracy to kill him—he said he would not say anything about the characters of the Laws, Jackson, Dr Foster, or Higbee—but if he was driven to it, he would tell all he knew . . . Joseph again spoke [after Orson Spencer and Sidney Rigdon] and shewed that his Power was in the Doctrines he taught and defied all men to upset it—he called aloud "as the voice of one bawling in the wilderness Repent ye Repent ye for the Kingdom of God is at hand"—
Date: 5 April 1844 (Friday Morning)
Location: Near Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Nauvoo Neighbor 2 (1 May 1844) (Words of Joseph Smith, 338)
At 10 o'clock I attended near the Temple, where the word of God was proclaimed by Mr. A. M. Lyman, and others, and at the close of whose addresses Joseph Smith in a plain and familiar style satisfactorily closed. The text was 104th verse of 119th Psalm (through thy precepts I get understanding &c).
Date: 6 April 1844 (Saturday Morning)
Location: In Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Times and Seasons 5 (1 May 1844): 522 (Words of Joseph Smith, 338)
Conference Minutes
Conference met pursuant to appointment, on Saturday the 6th of April, 1844.
Present, President Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon and William Marks.
Of the Twelve, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and George A. Smith.
The members of the High Council, an immense number of elders, and an innumerable concourse of people
Saturday, April 6, 1844.
Presidents Joseph, and Hyrum Smith came to the stand at 1/4 past 10 o'clock, when the meeting was called to order by elder Brigham Young. The choir sung a hymn, after which President Joseph Smith rose to state to the congregation the nature of the business which would have to come before them. He stated that it had been expected by some that the little petty difficulties which have existed, would be brought up and investigated before this conference, but it will not be the case; these things are of too trivial a nature to occupy the attention of so large a body. I intend to give you some instruction on the principles of eternal truth, but will defer it until others have spoken, in consequence of the weakness of my lungs. The elders will give you instruction, and then, (if necessary) will offer such corrections as may be proper to fill up the interstices. Those who feel desirous of sowing the seed of discord will be disappointed, on this occasion. It is our purpose to build up, and establish the principles of righteousness, and not to break down and destroy. The great Jehovah has ever been with me, and the wisdom of God will direct me in the seventh hour; I feel in closer communion, and better standing with God than ever I felt before in my life, and I am glad of this opportunity to appear in your midst. I thank God for the glorious day that he has given us. In as large a congregation, it is necessary that the greatest order and decorum be observed; I request this at your hands, and believe that you will all keep good order.
Date: 6 April 1844 (Saturday Morning)
Location: In Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 339)
10 1/2 A. M.
Pres. Joseph & Hyrum came to the stand Meeting called to order by Er B. Young.
The choir sung an Hymn after which Pres. Joseph Smith arose to state to the congregation the business which would have to come before them. It had been expected that the little petty difficulties which had existed would be brought up, but it would not be the case. He intended to give them some instruction on the principles of eternal truth but would defer it untill the last in consequences of the weakness of his lungs. The Elders would give instruction and then if necessary he would offer such corrections as might be necessary to fill the interstices. Those who wanted to sow the seeds of discord will be disapointed for the wisdom of God will direct him in the seventh hour He feels in closer communion and better standing with God than ever before in his life. He was glad of the opportunity to appear in their midst. He thanked God for the glorious day that God had given us. He believe they will keep good order.
Date: 6 April 1844 (Saturday Morning)
Location: In Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 340)
I made a few introductory remarks to an immense number of the saints assembled on the 14th Anniversary of Church in the grove 1/4 miles east of the temple on Young St.—10 A.M. weather warm. brisk air from the south.—
Date: 6 April 1844 (Saturday Morning)
Location: In Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 340)
Conference assembled at 10, oclock AM April 6 President (B. Young, Called the Conference to order. (President Joseph Smith Said He Should not occupy time in Speaking of any difficulties that might have occurred in our midst, Said He was not a fallen prophet, & never in any nearer relationship to God than at the present time, & would show before the Conferen[ce] closed that God was with him.)
Date: 6 April 1844 (Saturday Morning)
Location: In Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Willard Richards Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 340)
Special [meeting] at the stand 1/4 m E [of] Temple.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 340)
A very pleasant morning. the people began to assemble. and by 10 oclock there was the largest congregation ever seen in Nauvoo. . . .
Prest. J. Smith requested that the congregation would keep good order—and in the name of the constitution, continental congress & God Almighty I command the public to keep good order.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USASource: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 340-43)
3 1/4 p.m.-- Joseph commenced speaking on the subject of the Dead--relative to the death of elder King Follett who was crushed in a well. by the falling of a tub of rock on him.—
If men do not comprehend the character of God they do not comprehend themselves. what kind of being is God?-- Eternal life to know God.--if man does not know God, has not Eternal life.--if I am so fortunate as to comprehend and explain the [incomplete thought] let every one sit in silence and never lift your voice against the servants of God again.
Every man has a right to be a false prophet. as well as a true prophet.-- in the beginning. before the world was. --Is a man like one of yourselves.--should you see him to day. you would see a man in fashion and in form. Adam was formed in his likeness.—
refute the Idea that God was God from all eternity—Jesus said as the father had power in himself even so hath the son power to do what the father did. Lay down his body. & take it up again.—you have got to learn how to make yourselves God, Kings, Priests, &c—by going from a small to great capacity. Till they are able to dwell in everlasting burning & everlasting power.—
how consoling when called to part with a dear friend. to know their very being will rise to dwell in everlasting burning.--heirs of God. and ascend a throne as those who have gone before.-- I saw the father work out his kingdom with fear & trembling.--god is glorified in salvation Exaltation--of his ancestors &c.-- not all to be comprehended in this world.-- the head, or the head one--The head one of the Gods, brought forth the Gods.--Dr & Lawyers that have persecuted.--The head one called the Gods together in grand council--to bring forth the world.--Example of error as yocabem-Jacob--the son of Zebedee--& James. James the son of Zebedee 4 Mat. 21. Greek, Hebrew, German, & Latin.-- In the beginning the head of the gods called a council of the Gods--and concocted a scheme to create the world.-- Soon as we begin to understand the character of the Gods he begins to unfold the heavens to us. -- Doctors say.--created the earth out of nothing. Borau. --creates.-- it means to organized.-- God had materials to organize the world. Elements--nothing can destroy. no beginning no end.—
The soul. Doctors of Divinity. God created in the beginning-- he never the character of man. don't believe it.--who told you God was self existent? correct enough.--in hebrew put into him his spirit.--which was created before. Mind of man coequal with God himself. friends separated for a small moment from their spirits. coequal with God. and hold converse when they are one with another—
If man had a beginning he must have an end.-- might proclaim. God never had power to create the spirit of man
Intelligence exist upon a self existent principle no creation about it. all mind & spirit God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.-- all things God has seen fit proper to reveal while dwelling in mortality, are revealed. precisely the same as though we were destitute of bodies.—
what will save our spirits will save our bodies--our tabernacles--for our spirits--All spirits who have not obeyed the Gospel must be damned.--who have not obeyed the decrees of son of man.
We are looked upon by God as though we were in Eternity-- the greatest responsibility resting upon us is to look after our dead.-- they without us cannot be made perfect without us. Meet Paul 1/2 way.-- Hence the saying of Elijah.--God made provisions before the world was for every creature in
All sin shall be forgiven in this world or world to come--except one
Salvation for all men who have not committed a certain sin can save any man who has not committed the unpardonable sin. cannot commit the unpardonable sin after the diss dissolution of the body. Knowledge save a man.—
No way for a man to come to understanding but give his consent to the commandment Damned by mortification--a lake as of fire of brimstone--as exquisite the disappointment of the mind of man—
Why? Must commit the unpardonable sin in this world. will suffer in the eternal world until he will be exalted.—
work of the devil. the plans the devil laid to save the world.—
Devil said he could save them all--Lot fell on Jesus.--All sin &c forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost.--Got to deny the plan of salvation &c. with his eyes open. Like many of the apostates of christ of the Church of Jesus Christ of last Days.
Let All be careful.--lest you be deceived. Best man brings forth best works.
To the mourners, your friend has gone to wait the perfection of the reunion--the resurrection of your friend in felicity. While worlds must wait myriads of years before they can receive the like blessings.--Leave the subject. Bless those who have lost friends. Only gone for a few moments.—
Shall mothers have their Children? Yes. they shall have it without price. Redemption is paid possessing all the intelligence of a god. The child as it was before it died out of your arms thrones upon thrones. Dominion upon dominion just as you—
Baptism of water fire & Holy Ghost. are inseparably connected.--found in the German Bible to prove what I have taught for 14 years about baptism.--I baptize you with water. but when Jesus comes having the keys--he shall baptize you with the baptism of fire & Holy Ghost.—
Leaving the principles of doctrine of baptism &c--one god, one baptism, & one baptism--I.E. all three.
called upon all men, Priests, and all to repent and obey the gospel.--if they do not, they will be damned.-- those who commit the unpardonable sin are doomed to Gnaolom. without end.-- God dwells in everlasting burnings.--Love all men but hate your deeds.—
You don't know me--you never will I don't blame you for not believing my history. Had I not experienced it, I could not believe it myself
5 1/2 closed.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Samuel W. Richards Record (Words of Joseph Smith, 361)
Must know the only living and true God and Jesus Christ. to have eternal life, God: a man like one of us, even like Adam. Not God from all Eternity. Once on a planet with flesh and blood, like Christ. As the father hat life in himself &c. To know God learn to become God's Exalted by the addition of subjects to his family, or kingdom.
Create (Burrau, in Hebrew,) which means organize from Element Chaos, or Element, All things revealed to us as through we had no bodies. for the exaltation of our Spirits, hence our bodies being connected, cannot commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 348-355)
The President having arrived--the Choir sung an hymn Elder Amasa Lyman prayed.
The Prophet while I address you on the subject which was contempd in the fore pt. of the Con.--as the Wind blows very hard it will be hardly possible for me to make you all hear. It is of the greatest importance & the mo solemn of any that cod. occupy our attentn & that is the subject of the dead on the dece of our bror Follett who was crushed to death in a well--& inasmuch as there are a great many in this congre who live in this city & who have lost friends, I shall speak in genl. & offer you my ideas so far as I have ability & so far as I shall be inspd by the H S. to dwell on his subjt. I want your prayer, faith, the inspn of Alm God to say things that are true & shall carry the testimony to your hearts & pray that he may streng my lungs--stay the winds--& let the prayers of the Saints to heaven appear--for the prayers of the righteous avail much & I verily believe that your prayers shall be heard. Before I enter in this investign fully of the subjt that is lying before us I wish to make a few preliminaries in order that you may understand when I come to it I do not calculate to please your ears with oratory with much leang, but I calculate to edify you with simple truths from Heaven. I wish to go back to the begin: of creation--it is necessary to know the mind, decree, & ordinatn of the great Elohim beging at the creatn, & it is necy. for us to have an understandg of God in the beging. If we start right it is very easy for us to go right all the time. But if we start wrong, it is hard to get right. There are very few who understand rightly the char of God--They do not comprehend any thing that is past or that which is to come & com: but little more than the brute beast if a man learns, knows nothing more than to eat, drink, sleep, & does not comprehend any of the desn of God, the Beast com the same thing, eats, drin sleeps—[k]nows nothing more, & how are we to do it? By no or way than the inspn of A. God.
I want to go back to the begin & so get you into a more lofty sphere than what the human being generally understands. I want to ask this cong: every man wom: & child to ansr the questn in their own heart what kind of a being is God I agn. rept. the questn. what kind of a being is God does any man or woman know have any of you seen him, heard him, communed with him here is the questn that will peradventure from this time henceforth occupy your attention-- The Apos: says this is Eternal life to know God & J. C. who he has sent--that is eternl life. If any man enquire what kind of a being is God, if he will search deligently his own heart that unless he knows God he has no eternal life--my first object is to find out the character of the true God & if I shold. be the man to comp: the God & I com: then to your heart let every man & woman henceforth shut their mouths & never say anything agst the man of God & If I do not do it I have no right to revn. inspn. if all are [indecipherable word] to the God they will all be as bad off as I am. they will all say I ought to be d d. there is not a man or wom who wod not breath out an anathema on my head & some would feel authd. to take away my life-- if any man is authd. to take away my life, who say I am a false teacher so I shod. have the same right to all false teachers & where wod be the end of the blood & there is no law in the heart of God that wod allow anyone to interfere with the rights of man every man has the right to be a false as well as a true prophet--If I shew verily that I have the truth of God & shew that ninety nine of 100 are false prop. it wod deluge the whole world with blood. I want you all to know God to be familiar with him & if I can bring you to him all persecute. agst. me will cease & let you know that I am his servt.. for I speak as one havg. authy. and not as a scrib[e] open your ears & eyes all ye Ends of the Earth & hear & I am going to prove. it to you with the Bible & I am going to tell you the desns. of God to the human race & why he interferes with the affairs of man God himself who sits enthroned in yonder Heavens is a man like unto one of yourselves who holds this world in its orbit & upholds all things by his power if you were to see him today you wod see him a man. for Adam was a man like in fashion & image like unto him Adam wakd, talked & convd. with him as one man talks & com: with anor. in order to speak for the consoln of those who mourn for the loss of their friend it is necy. to understand the char. & being of God for I am going to tell you what sort of a being of God. for he was God from the begin of all Eternity & if I do not refute it--truth is the touchstone they are the simple and first princ: of truth to know for a certainty the char. of God that we may con[verse] with him same as a man & God himself the father of us all dwelt on a Earth same as Js. himself did & I will shew it from the Bible--I wish I had the trump of an Arch An. I cod. tell the story in such a manner that pers: shod cease forever—J.Sd. as the Far hath power in himself even so hath the Son power to do what the Far did that ansr. is obvious in a manner to lay down his body & take it up--J--did as my Far laid down his body & take it up agn. if you don't believe it you don't believe the Bile the Scrip says & I defy all hell all learng. wisdom & records of hell togr to refute it here then is Etl. life to know the only wise and true God you have got to learn how to be a God yourself & be a K. &GodPriest to God same as all have done by going from a small capy to anr. from grace to grace until the resn. of & sit in everlasting power as they who have gone before & God in the L. D. while certn. indivals are proclaimg. his name is not trifling with us--how consoling to the mourner when they are cald. to part with a wife, mother, father dr. relative to know that all Earthly taber shall be dissolved that they shall be heirs of God & jt hrs of J. C. to inherit the same power exaltn until you ascd. the throne of Etl power same as those who are gone bef. what J. did I do the things I saw my Far. do before worlds came rolld. into existence I saw my Far. work out his K with fear & trembling & I must do the same when I shall give my K to the Far. so that he obtains K. rollg. upon Kingdom so that J treads in his tracks as he had gone before. It is plain beyond comprehension & you thus learn the first principle of the Gospel when you climb a ladder you must begin at the bottom run[g] until you learn the last prin of the gospel for it is a great thing to learn Saln. beyond the grave & it is not all to be com in this world. I sup I am not alld. to go into investigatn. but what is contd in the Bible & I think is so many wise men who wod. put me to death for treason I shall turn commentator today. I shall go to the first Hebrew word in the Bible the 1st sen: In the beginning—Berosheat—In by thro. & every thing else. Roshed the head when the Inspd. mand wrote it he did not put the 1st pt. to it. a man a Jew witht. any authy. thot. it too bad to begin to talk about the head of any man. "The Head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods" is the true meang. of the word--if you do not believe it you do not believe the learned man of God--no man can tell you more than I do thus the H God brot forth the Gods in the Head council--I want to bring it to English. Oh ye lawyers ye doctors I want to let you know that the H G knows something as well as you do--the Head God called togr. the Gods & set in Grand Council &c when I say a lawyer I mean a lawyer of the Scrip. I have done so hither to let the lawyers flutter & let everybody laugh at them. some learned Dr. mit take a notn to say thus & so--& are not to be altd & I am going to shew you an error I have an old book in the Latin Greek Hebrew & German &I have been readg. the Germ: I find it to be the most correct that I have found & it corresponds the rearest to the revns. that I have given the last 16 yrs years it tells about Jachabod means Jacob—in the English James-- & you may talk about James thro all Eternity in the 21 v. of 4th Mat: where it gives the test. that it is to Jacob & how can we escape the dn. of hell witht. God reveal to us. Latin says that Jackobus means Jacob—Hebrew says means Jacob—Greek says Jacks Jacob German says Jacob thank God I have got this book & I thank him ore for the gift of the H G. I have all the 4 Test. come here ye learned men & read if you can. I shod. not have brot. up this word unt only to shew that I am right when we beg to learn this way we beg to learn the only true God & when we be[g]in to know how to come to him—he begins to unfold the heavens to us & tell us all abt. it bef our prayers get to his ears at the bo now I ask all the learned men who hear me wher. the ears at the bo now I ask all the learned men who hear me wher. the learned men who are preachg. Saln. say that God created the Heavens & the Earth out of nothing & the reason is that they are unlearned & I know more than all the world put togr. & If the H.G. in me com: more than all the world I will associate with it--What does Boro mean it means to organize same as you wod organize a Ship.-- God himself had materials to org the world out of chaos which is Element & in which dwells all the glory--that nothing can destroy they never can have an ending they coexist eternally--I have ano. to dwell on & it is impossible for me to say much but to touch upon them--for time will not permit me to say all-- so I must come to the resn. of the dead--the soul the in[ne]r Spirit--of God man says created in the beging. the very idea lessens man in my idea--I don't bel. the doct: hear it all ye Ends of the World for God has told me so I am going to tell of things more noble--we say that God himself is a selfexisting God, who told you so, how did it get it into your head who told you that man did not exist in like manner-- how does it read in the Heb. that God made man & put into it Adams Spirit & so became a living Spirit--the mind of man--the mind of man is as immortal as God himself--hence while I talk to these mourners--they are only separated from their bodies for a short period--their Spirits coexisted with God & now converse one another same as we do--does not this give your satisfactn. I want to reason more on the Spirit of Man for I am dwelling on the body of man on the subjt of the dead—the SP of man I take ring from my finger and liken it unto the mind of man, the im[mor]t. Sp. bec. it has no beging Suppose you cut it into but as the D[evil] lives there wod be an end all the fools & wise men from the beging of creation who say that man had begin--they must have an end & then the doc of annihilatn wod be true--but if I am right I mit with boldness proclaim from the housetop that God never had power to create the Sp of Man at all—it is ne God himself cod not create himself-- intelligence is self existent it is a sp. from age to end & there is no creatn abt. it
the first principles of man are self exist with God--that God himself finds himself in the midst of Sp & bec he saw proper to institute laws for those who were in less intelligence that they mit. have one glory upon another in all that knowledge, power & glory & so took in hand to save the world of Sp: you say honey is Sweet & so do I. I can also taste the Sp of Eternal life I know it is good & when I tell you of these things that were given me by Insp of the H S. you are bound to rece it as sweet & I rej more & more. Man's rel. to God & I will open your eyes in rel to your dead all things which God of his inf reason has seen fit to reveal to us in our mortal state in regard to our mortal bodies are revd. to us as if we had no bodies & those revns. which will save our dead will save our bodies. & God reveals them to us in the view of no eternal dissn. of the body--hence the awful responsibility that rests upon us for our dead--for all the Spirits must either obey the gospel or be d--d solemn thot, dreadful thot. is there nothing to be done for those who have gone before us without obeyg the decrees of God Wod. to God that I had 40 days & nights--to tell you all to let you know I am not a fallen prop--what kind of characters are those who can be saved altho their bodies are decaying in the grave-- the greatest responsibility that God has laid upon us to seek after our dead--the apostle says they without us cant be Perfect--now I am speaking of them I say to you Paul, you cant be perfect witht. us.--those that are gone before & those who come after must be made perfect--& God has made it obligatory to man-- God said he shall send Elijah &c I have a declarn to make as to the provn. which God made from before the foundn. of the world. what has J. sd. All sins & all blas. every trans. that man may be guilty of there is a Saln for him or in the world to come"--every Sp in the Et. world can be ferreted out & saved unless he has comd. that Sin which cant be remd to him--that God has wrot. out saln. for all men unless they have comd. a certn. sin. a friend who has got a friend in the world can save him unless he has comd. the unpard sin & so you can see how far you can be Savior there is no thing that a man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body & there is a way possible for escape. not Part[icul]arly st[ate]d those that are witht. wisdom until they get exalted to wisdom so long as man will not give acct. of his sins a sinner has his own mind & is in his own condemner for the C will the torment of the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burng. with fire & brimstone--I know the Scriptures I understand them--no man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissn of the body but they must do it in this World--hence the Saln. of J. C. was wrought out for all men to triumph over the devil--for he stood up for a Savior—J. contd. that there wod. be certn. souls that wod. be condemned & the d[evi]l sd. he cod. save them all--as the grand council gave in for J. C. so the d l fell & all who put up their heads for him. All sin shall be forgiven except the sin agt. the H. G. he has got to say that the Sun does not shine while he sees it he has got to deny J. C. when the heavens are open to him. & from that time they begin to be enemies like many of the apostates of the Church of J. C. of L.D.S.--when a man begins to be an enemy he hunts him--for he has the same Sp. that they had who crucd. the Lord of life--the same Sp. that Sin agt. the H. G. I advise all to be careful what you do--stay--do not give way--you may find that some one has laid a snare for you be cautious-- await--when you find a Sp. wants bloodshed murder same is not of God but is of the devil out of the abundance of the heart man speaks--the man that tells you words of life is the man that can save you--I warn you agt all evil characters who sin agt H. G. for there is no redempn. for them in this world nor in the world to come I can enter into the mysteries--I can enter largely into the eternal worlds--for J. sd. where my In my Fars mansion there are many mansions &c There is one glory of the moon sun & star&c we have the reason to have the greatest hope & consoln for our dead-- for we have aided them in the 1.st princ for we have seen them walk in the midst & sink asleep in the arms of J. & hence is the glory of the Sun--you mourners have occn. to rejoice for your husband has gone to wait until the redn. & your expn. & hope are far above what man can conceive--for why God has revd to us--& I am authd .to say by the authy. of the H. G. that you have no occasion to fear for he is gone to the home of the just--don't mourn don't weep--I know it by the test of the H. G. that is within me--rejoice O Israel--your friends shall triumph gloriously--while their murderers shall welter for years.--I say for the benefit of strangers I have a Far. Bror. Friends who are gone to a world of Sp--they are absent for a momt.--they are in the Sp. then shall we hail our Mor. Far. Friends & all no fear of mobs--&c but all one Eternity of felicity--Mothers you shall have your Children for they shall have it--for their debt is paid there is no damn. awaits them for they are in the Spirits--as the Child dies so shall it rise from the ded & be living in the burng. of God.--it shall be the child as it was bef it died out of your arms Children dwell & exercise power in the same form as they laid them down
The Baptism of Water witht. the B of Fire & the H G. attg. it are necy he must be born of W. & Sp in order to get into the K of God & in the German text bears me out same as the revns. which I have given for the 14 years--I have the test to put in their teeth that my test has been true all the time You will find it in the declar of John the Bap (reads from the German) John says I bap you with Water but when J comes who has the power he shall adm the bap of F. & the H. G. Gt. God now where is all the Sect. world. & if this is true they are all d--d as clearly as any Anathama ever was--I know the text is true--I call upon all to say I--(shouts of I) Alex Campbell--how are you going to save them with water--for John sd. his bapm. was nothing witht. the bap of J. C. One God, Far., Jesus, hope of, our calling, one baptism--all three bap make one. I have the truth & I am at the defiance of the world to contradict.
I have preached Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German & I have fulfilled all. I am not so big a fool as many have taken me for--the Germans know that I read the German correct--Hear it all ye Ends of the Earth--all ye Sinners Repent Repent--turn to God for your religion won't save you & ye will be d--d but I do not say how along-- but those who Sin agt. the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven in this world or in the world to come but they shall die the 2nd. death--but as they concoct scenes of bloodshed in this world so they shall rise to that resurn. which is as the lake of fire & brimstone--some shall rise to the everlasting burning of God & some shall rise to the dn. of their own filthiness--same as the lake of fire & brimstone--I have intd. my remarks to all--to all rich & poor bond & free great & small I have no enmity agst any man. I love you all--I am their best friend & if persons miss their mark it is their own fault--if I reprove a man & he hate me he is a fool--for I love all men especially these my brethren & sisters--I rejoice in hearing the test of my aged friend--You never knew my heart. No man knows my hist--I can not do it. I shall never undertake--if I had not experienced what I have I should not have known it myself--I never did harm any man since I have been born in the world--my voice is always for peace--I cannot lie down until my work is finished--I never think evil nor think any thing to the harm of my fellow man--& when I am called at the trump & weighed in the balance you will know me then-- I add no more God bless you. Amen--The choir sung an hymn at 1/2 p 5.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 343-348)
3 o clock P M April Sunday 7th 1844
The following important edifying & interesting discourse was delivered by President Joseph Smith to about twenty ten thousand souls upon the subject of the death of Elder King Follett
I now call the attention of this congregation while I addres you upon the subject of the dead The case of our Beloved Brother King Follett, who was crushed to death in a well, as well as many others who have lost friends, will be had in mind this afternoon, & I shall speak upon the subject in general as far as I shall be inspired by the Holy Spirit to treat upon the subject it, I want the Prayers & faith of the saints that I may have the Holy Ghost, that the testimony may carry conviction to your minds of the truth of what I shall say, & pray that the Lord may strengthen my lungs, there is strength here, & your prayers will be herd. Before I enter upon an investigation of this subject, I wish to pave the way, and bring up the subject from the beginning that you may understand. I do not intend to please you with oritory but with the simple truths of heaven to Edify you. Go to the morn of creation to understand of the decrees of the Elohim at the Creation. It is necessary for us to have an understanding of God at the beginning, if we get a good start first, we can go right, but if you start wrong, you may go wrong. But few understand the character of God. they do not know, they do not understand their relationship to God. the world knows no more than the brute beast, & they know no more than to eat, drink, and sleep & this is all man knows about God or his existence, except what is given by the inspiration of the Almighty. go then to the beginning that you may understand. I ask this congregation what kind of a being is God? Turn your thoughts in your hearts, & say, have any of you seen or heard him or communed with him? This is a question that may occupy your attention. The scriptures inform us that this is eternal life to know the ownly wise God & Jesus Christ whom He has sent. If any inquire what kind of a being God is, I would say, If you dont know God you have not eternal life, go back & find out what kind of a being God is. If I am the man that shows you what kind of a being God is, then let evry man & woman sit in silence and never lift up his hand against me again. If I do not do it, I will not make any further pretensions to inspiration or to be a prophet, I would be like the rest of the world: fals teachers, and you would want to take my life. But you might just as well take the lives of other fals teachers as mine if I was fals, But meddle not with any man for his religion, evry government ought to permit evry man to enjoy his religion, I will show the world is wrong by showing what God is. I am going to inquire after God so that you may know God, that persecution may cease concerning me. I go back to the beginning to show what kind of a being God was. I will tell you & hear it, O Earth! God who sits in yonder heavens is a man like yourselves. That God, if you were to see him today that holds the worlds, you would see him like a man in form like yourselves. Adam was made in his image and talked with him & walkd with him. In order to understand the dead for the consolation of those that mourn, I want you to understand God and how he comes to be God. We suppose that God was God from eternity. I will refute that Idea, or I will do away or take away the veil so you may see. It is the first principle to know thatwe may converse with him and that he once was a man like us, and the Father was once on an earth like us, and I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it. The scriptures inform us mark it, that Jesus Christ said, As the Father hath power in himself, so hath the son power in himself to do what the father did even to lay down my body & take it up again do you believe it, if not, dont believe the bible. I defy all Hell and earth to refute it. And you have got to learn how to make yourselves Gods, kings, and priests, by going from a small capacity to a great capacity, to the resurrection of the dead to dwelling in everlasting burnings, I want you to know the first principle of this law, how consoling to the mourner when they part with a friend to know that though they lay down this dody [body]. it will rise & dwell with everlasting burnings to be an heir of God & joint heir with Jesus Christ enjoying the same rise, exaltation & glory untill you arive at the station of a God. What did Jesus Christ do? The same thing as I se the Father do, see the father do what work out a kingdom when I do so to I will give to the father, which will add to his glory he will take a Higher exaltation & I will take his place and am also exalted. Those are the first princples of the gospel. It will take a long time after the grave to understand the whole. If I should say anything but what was in the bible, the cry of treason would be herd I will then go to the Bible, Barasheet in the beginning, Analize the word in and through the head, an old Jew added the word Bath, it red the head one of the Gods, broat forth the Gods, I will transpose it in the English language. I want you to know & learn that the Holy Ghost knows somthing. The grand Council set at the head and contemplated the creation of the world, some will say, the scriptures say so & so, but I will show you a text out of an old book containing the four languages, the German is here what does this text say, yoakabeam, the son of Zebedee, the bible says James the son of Zebedee, but this says Jacob son of Zebedee 21 chapter 4th ver Matthew. The Dr says (I mean Dr of Law not of physic) If you say anything not according to the Bible we will cry treason, But if ye are not led by revelation, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell, here we have the testimony of four I have the oldest Book in the world & the Holy Ghost I thank God for the old Book but more for the Holy Ghost. The Gods came together & concocked the plan of making the world & the inhabitants, having an knowledge of God, we know how to Approach him & ask & he will answer An other thing the learned Dr says: the Lord made the world out of nothing, you tell them that God made the world out of somthing, & they think you are a fool. But I am learned & know more than the whole world, the Holy Ghost does anyhow, & I will associate myself with it. Beaureau, to organize the world out of chaotic matter, element. They are principles that cannot be disolved. They may be reorganized. Another subject which is calculated to exalt man I wish to speak of The resurrection of the dead The soul, the mind of man, whare did it come from? The learned says God made it in the beginning, but it is not so, I know better; God has told me so. If you dont believe it, it wont make the truth without effect, God was a self existing being, man exists upon the same principle. God made a tabernacle & put a spirit in it and it became a Human soul, man exhisted in spirit & mind coequal with God himself, you who mourn the loss of friends are only separated for a moment, the spirit is separated for a little time. They are now conversant with each other as we are on the earth. I am dwelling on the immutability of the spirit of man is it logic to say the spirit of man had a beginning & yet had no end, it does not have a beginning or end, my ring is like the Exhistenc of man. It has no beginning or end, if cut into, there would be a beginning & end. So with man, if it had a beginning, it will have an end, if I am right, I might say God never had power to create the spirit of man, God himself could not create himself. Intelligence is Eternal & it is self exhisting. All mind that is susseptible of improvement, the relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. God has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences that they may be exalted with himself. this is good d doctrine, it taste good, I can taste the principles of eternal life, so can you, they are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ and I know you believe it. All things that God sees fit to reveal to us in relation to us, reveals his commandments to our spirits, and in saving our spirits, we save the body, the same as though we had no Body how comes the awful responsibility if in relation to our dead, if they do not be baptized they must be damned, (I wish I had 40 days to talk) wat promises are made, what can be said if in the grave, God dwells in eternity, and he does not view things as we do, the greatest responsibility lade upon us in this life is in relation to our dead Paul said we cannot be made perfect without us [them], for it is necessary that the seals are in our hands to seal our children & our dead for the fullness of the dispensation of times, A dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ befor the foundation of the world for the salvation of man. All sins and blasphemy were to be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost. God has made provision for evry spirit in the eternal world, and the spirits of our friends should be searched out & saved, Any man that has a friend in eternity can save him if he has not committed the unpardonable sin, He cannot be damned through all eternity, their is a possibility for his escape in a little time, if a man has knowledge he can be saved, if he has been guilty of great sins, he is punished for it, when he consents to obey the gospel whether Alive or dead, he is saved, his own mind damns him I have no fear of hell fire that dont exist No man can commit the unpardonable sin, untill he receives the Holy Ghost, All will suffer untill they obey Christ himself, even the devil said I am a savior and can save all, he rose up in rebelion against God and was cast down,. Jesus Christ will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin they must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto them, & know God, & then sin against him, this is the case with many apostates in this Church, They never seease to try to hurt me, they have got the same spirit the devil had, you cannot save them, they make open war like the devil, stay all that hear, dont make any hasty mooves you may be saved if a spirit of Bitterness is in you, dont be in haste say you that man is a sinner, well if he repents, he shall be forgiven. I could go back and trace evry subject of interest concerning the relationship of man to God if i had time their is many mansions in my fathers Kingdom, what have we to console us in relation to our dead, we have the greatest hope in relation to our dead, of any people on earth we have seen them walk worthy on earth and those who have died in the faith are now in the selestial kingdom of God, they have gone to await the resurrection of the dead, to go to the celestial glory, while there is many who die who will have to wait many years, But I am authorized to say to you my friends in the name of the Lord, that you may wait for your friends to come forth to meet you in eternity in the morn of the celestial world. Those saints who have been murdered in the persecution shall triumph in the celestial world, while their murderers shall dwell in torment untill they pay the utmost farthing.
I have Fathers, Brothers, children, that are gone to eternity soon to meet me, the time will soon be gone, the trump will soon be blown. A question, will Mothers have their children in Eternity yes, yes, you will have the children but as it falls so it will rise it will never grow, It will be in its precise form as it fell in its mothers arms. Eternity is full of thrones upon which dwell thousands of children reigning on thrones of glory not one cubit added to their stature I will leave this subject here and make a few remarks upon Baptism. I will read a tex[t] in Jerman [German] upon Baptism, John says, I baptise you with water but when Jesus Christ comes He shall administer the baptism of fire & the Holy Ghost. John said his baptism was good for nothing without the Baptism of Jesus Christ, Many talk of any baptism not being essential to salvation, but this would lay the foundation of their damnation, There has also been remarks made concerning all men being redeemed from Hell, But I say that any man who commits the unpardonable sin must dwell in hell worlds without end.
Date: 7 April 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: At Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 355-361)
Choir sung a Hymn Prayer by Er A.Lyman.
Prest. J. Smith called the attention of the con. upon the subjects contemplated in the fore part of this con.--as the wind blows hard it will be impossible to make hear unless profound attention--Subject of the greatest importance and most solemn that could occupy our attention. the subject of the dead been requested to speak on the subject on the decease of bro Follett who was crushed to death &c--I have been requested to speak by his friends & relatives & inasmuch as great many here in con--who live in this City as well as elsewhere who have deceased friends feel disposed to speak on the subject in general and offer my ideas as far as ability & as far as inspired by H. S. Want your prayers faith the inspiration of Almighty God the Gift of H. S. that I may set forth truth things that can easily be comprehended and will carry the testimony to your hearts. Pray that the L may strengthen my lungs control the mind that it may enter into the ear of the L of Sabaoth. The fervent effectual prayer of righteous men availeth much--. Will speak in order to hold out Before enter fully into the investigation wish to pave the way--make a few preliminaries--bring the subject from the beginning in order that you may understand the subject when I come to it. Do not calculate to please your ears with superfluity of words oratory much learning, but edify you by the simple truths of heaven. First place wish to go back to the beginning of creation. There the starting point in order to fully aquainted with purposes decrees &c of the Great Eloheim that sits in the hev. for us to take up beginning. at the creation necessary to understand something of God himself in the beginning. If we start right easy to go right all the time--start wrong hard matter to get right. Few beings in the world who understand the character of God and do not comprehend their own character. They cannot compre[he]n the beginning nor the end neit[her] their own relation and is but little above the beast. If a man comprehends nothing more than to eat sleep arise and not any more and what the designs of Jehov what better than the beast it does the same thing--eat drink sleep & comprehends present and knows as much as we, unless we are able to com by the inspiration of A. God. Go back to the beginning to lift your minds into a more exalted standing than the human mind is want Want to ask this this congregation every man,woman, &c what kind of a being is God. ask yourselves. I repeat the question what kind of a being is God. Any man or woman that know, any of you seen him? heard him? communed with him? Here a subject that will peradventure occupy your attention while you live-- The apostle says this is eternal life to know &c" that is eternal life if any man inquires what kind of being is God casts his mind to know--if the declaration of the ap[ostle] be true he will realize that he has not eternal life. There can be eternal life on no other principle. 1st object to find the character of the only wise & true God.
I comprehend so that the spirit seals it upon you hearts, let every man and woman put his hand on his mouth & never say anything against the [indecipherable] of God again. But if I fail it becomes my duty to renounce all my pretensions to inspiration &c and if I should do so should I not be as [indecipherable] as all the rest of the world. Not a man would not breath anathema if they knew I was a false prophet. Some would take away my life. If any man is authorized to take my life because I am a false teacher then upon the same principle am I authorized to take the life of every false teacher and who would not be the sufferer--but no man is authorized to take away life in consequence of their religion. All laws and governments ought to tolerate whether right or wron. If I show that I have the truth of God & 99/100 are false teachers while they pretend to hold the keys of God & go to killing them because &c would it not deluge the world in blood. Want you should all now God--be familiar--If I can get you to know I can bring to him.& if so you will cease to persecute me. I speak in authority. What kind of a being was God in the beginning. Hear all ye ends of the earth. I am going to prove it by the bible & the relation the human family sustains with God. 1st God that sits enthroned is a man like one of yourselves. That is the great secret. If the veil was rent to day & the great God who holds this world in its sphere or its orbit--the planets--if you were to see him to day you would see him in all the person image, very form of man, For Adam was created in the very fashion of God. Adam received instruction walked talked as one man with another. In order to understand the subject of the ded for the consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends necessary they should understand Going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity-- These are incomprehensible to some but are the first principle[s] of the gospel-- to know that that we may converse with him as one man with another & that he was once as one of us and was on a planet as Jesus was in the flesh--If I have the privilege could tell the story in such a manner as persecution would cease forever. Said Jesus (mark it Br. Rigdon) as the father hath power in himself even so hath the son power to do what why what the father did, to lay down his body and took it up again. Jesus what are you going to do--to lay down my life as my father did that I might take it up again. as the father hath power in himself even so hath the son power to do what why what the father did, to lay down his body and took it up again. Jesus what are you going to do--to lay down my life as my father did that I might take it up again. If you deny it you deny the bible. I defy the [indecipherable] and wisdom & all the combined powers of earth and hell to refute it. [indecipherable] You have got to learn how to be a god yourself in order to save yourself-- to be priests & kings as all Gods has done--by going from a small degree to another--from exaltation to ex--till they are able to sit in glory with those who sit enthroned. I want you to know while God is being proclaimed that he is not trifling with you nor me. 1st principles of consolation how consoling to the mourner when called to part with husband father wife child to know that those being shall rise in immortal glory to sorrow die nor suffering more. & not only that to contemplate--the saying they shall be heirs of God &c.--what is it--to inherit the same glory power & exaltation with those who are gone before. What did Jesus do. Why I do the things that I saw the father do when worlds came into existence. I saw the father work out a kingdom with fear & trembling & I can do the same & when I get my K[ingdom] work[ed out] I will present to the father & it will exalt his glory and Jesus steps into his tracks to inherit what God did before. This is some of the first principles of the gospel about which so much hath been.--You have got to find the beginning of this history & go on till you have learned the last--will be a great while before you learn the last. lt is not all to be comprehended in this world. I suppose that I am not allowed to go into an investigation of anything that is not in the Bible--you would cry treason. So many learned and wise men here--will go the the old Bible the-very Berosheit. make a comment on the first sentence of the history of creation. Berosheit want to annalize the word--Be--in by through & everything else—rosh [indecipherable]--the head. sheit--where do it come from--when they inspired man wrote he did not put the Be there--But a jew put it there. It read in the first--the head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods--is the true meaning--rosheet signifies to bring forth the Elohim. Learned men cannt learn anymore than what I have told you hence the head God brought forth the head God in the grand council. Will simplify it in the English language. The learned Doctors who have persecuted me I want to let you know that the H. G.—
The grand councilors set in yonder heavens and contemplated the creation of the worlds that was created at that time. When I say Doctor & Lawyer I mean the D & L of the scriptures. Some learned doctor might say the scriptures say thus & so and we must believe the scriptures He referred to an old book (N. T.) in the Hebrew, Latin, German & Greek-- find it to be the most correct--find it to correspond with the revelations I have received. It talks about Yachaubon the son of Zebedee--means Jacob. The New Testament says James--now if Jacob had the keys you might talk about James and never get the keys. Matthew 4-21 verse it gives the word Jacob instead of James How can we escape the damnation of hell unless God be with us--Men bind us with chains--Read from the Hebrew Yingacoub--Jacob. Greek Ichobon--Jacob. German He has got the Oldest book in the world--but he has got the oldest book in his heart. Latin Yacobus--Jacob too--Should not have introduced this testimony were it not to back up the word rosh--the head father of the Gods. When we begin in this way we begin to find out God-- what kind a being we have got to worship. When we begin to know how to come to him he begins to come to us. When we are ready to come to him he is ready to receive us. Learned Doctors tell us God created the heavens & earth out of nothing. They account it blasphemy to contradict the idea--They will call you a fool--You ask them why they say don't the Bible say he created the world & they infer that it must be out of nothing. The word create came from the word Barau--don't mean so--it means to organize--same as man would use to build a ship--hence we infer that God created the heavens & earth out of nothing. They account it blasphemy to contradict the idea--They will call you a fool--You ask them why they say don't the Bible say he created the world & they infer that it must be out of nothing. The word create came from the word Barau--don't mean so--it means to organize--same as man would use to build a ship--hence we infer that God had materials to organize from--chaos--chaotic matter.--element had an existence from the time he had. The pure principles of element are principles that never can be destroyed--they may be organized and reorganized=but not destroyed.
It is as[o]ciated with the subjects in question the resurrection of the dead. Another subject--the soul--the mind of man--they say God created it in the beginning. The idea lessens man in my estimation. Don't believe the doctrine--know better--God told me so--Make a man appear a fool before he gets through if he dont believe it. We say that God was self--existent who told you so? It's correct enough but how did it get into your heads--who told you that man did not exist upon the same principle (refer to the bible) Don't say so in the old Hebrew--God made man out of the earth and put into him his spirit and then it became a living body The mind of man--the intelligent part is coequal with God himself. I know that my testimony is true. hence when I talk to these mourners what have they lost--They are only separated from their bodies for a short season but their spirits existed coequal with God and they now exist in a place where they converse together as much as we do on the earth. Is it logic to say that a spirit is immortal and yet have a beginning because if a spirit have a beginning it will have an end--good logic--illustrated by his ring. All the fools learned & wise men that comes and tells that man has a beginning proves that he must have an end and if that doctrine is true then the doctrine of annihilation is true. But if I am right then I might be bold to say that God never did have power to create the spirit of man at all. He could not create himself--Intelligence exists upon a self-existent principle--is a spirit from age to age & no creation about it--All the spirits that God ever sent into this world are susceptible of enlargement. That God himself--find himself in the midst of spirit and glory because he was greater saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. I know that when I tell you those words of eternal life that are given to me I know you taste it and I know you believe it. Wants to talk more of the relation of man to God--in relation to your dead. All things whatsoever God has seen proper to reveal to us while we are dwelling in mortality are revealed to us in the abstract & independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle--but they are revealed as though we had no bodies at all--tho revealed to our spirits and those revelations must of necessity--save our spirits with them. Hence the responsibility, the awful res. that rests upon us in relation to our dead--for all spirits who have not obeyed the gospel in the flesh must obey the gospel or be damned. Is there no preparation--no salvation for our fathers & friends who have died and not obeyed the decrees of the son of man--Would to God I had 40 days & nights I would let you know that I am not a fallen prophet--What kind of beings can be saved although their bodies are moldering in the dust. When his commandments teach us it is in view of eternity. The greatest responsibility in this world is to seek after our dead. They without us cannot be made perfect--It is necessary that those who come after us should have salvation in common with us--& thus hath God laid this upon the [indecipherable] of the world hence the saying of Elijah. Speak in relation to the provisions God hath made to suit the conditions of man. What hath Jesus said?--All sins & all blasphemies every transgression except one there is a provision either in this world or in the world of spirit. Hence God hath made a provision that every spirit can be ferreted out in that world that has not sinned the unpardonable sin neither in this world or in the world of spirits. Every man who has a friend in the eternal world who hath not committed the unpardonable sin you can save him. A man cannot commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body there is a way for his escape. Knowledge saves a man and in the world of spirits a man can't be exalted but by knowledge. So long as a man will not give heed to the commandments he must abide without salvation. A man is his own torment. Hence the saying they shall go into the lake that burns with fire & is as exquisite as a lake & so is the torments of a man--I said no man could commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body--Hence the salvation that the saviour wrought out for the salvation of a man if it did not [indecipherable] him in one place it would another--The contention in heaven was Jesus said there were certain man would not be saved the devil said he could save them. he rebelled against God and was thrust down. After a man has sinned the sin against the H. S. there is no repentance for him. Hence like many of the apostates of the C of J.C. L.D.S. They go to far the spirit leaves them hence they seek to kill me they thirst for my blood--they never cease--he has got the same spirit that crucified Jesus. You cant renew them to repentance-- awful is the consequence. Advise all to be careful what they do-- you may by and by find out that you have been deceived. He continued his discourse--& told of parents receiving their children—conlcluded his remarks by Baptism—Choir sang--
Date: 8 April 1844 (Monday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 362-63)
9 3/4 A.M. Prest. J. Smith took his seat on the stand. and requested choir to sing an Hymn. His lungs having failed he would call upon Er B. Young to read 1st Cor 15 Ch.
Er B. Young said to cont the sub of Prest. S. discourse yesterday shall com by read18 Cor.--from an old Bible--W. W. Phelps read
Prayer by Er B. Young. choir sung an Hymn
Prest. J. said impos. to continue the subject as to raise the dead. Lungs is gone--time to do things must wait--give it up and leave the time to those who can make you hear--will do it some other time. Make a proc to the Ers--Wanted you to stay in order I might make this Proc. you know the Ld has lead the Church from rev. Has another rev in rel to economy in the Church Shall not be able as largely as some other. time will give 1st prin--has been great discourse in rel to Zion--prophets--make a proc that will cover a broad gd. the whole America is the Zion itself-- from North to South-- that is the Zion where the Mountain of the Ld shd be--when Ers take up br will see it—dec. this morning. are calculating soon as Temple finished washing & anointing &c when those last & most impt ordinance can be done--must be in a house--prov made during time of laying foundation: where men may rec endowment to make K & Pts unto the Most H G. having nothin to do with temporal things but K of G. G has provided for a house to be built where we can get a House this the central place & where we can be baptized for dead-- it is nec. when we want to save our dead we go through all the ordinances same as for ourself from bap to ordination & endt. From henceforth I have rec--inst from Ld that Ers shall build churches where ever they raise branches through the States then build stakes--in the gt cities, Boston &c there shall be stakes-- reserved the pro. to the last. all this to be understood that this work shall commence after the washing anointing & endowment here
The Ld has an est law in relation to the matter. there must be a particular spot for the sal, of our dead. I verily believe this will be the place, hence men who want to save their dead can come and bring their families do their work and return to live and wait till the go to receive their reward. Shall leave the rest for the brethren--tis my duty to teach the doctrine--spt is willing flesh is weak. God is not willing to let me gratify you-- but I must teach the Ers and they should teach you He will make me to be God in your stead & they be mouth for me. Have been giving some inst to Er Adams to speak to you & when he makes a mistake will get up and correct him.
Date: 8 April 1844 (Monday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 363-64)
Conference met at 10 oclck April 8th
President J Smith arose and said it is impossible to continue the subject that I spoke upon yesterday in Consequence of the weakness of my lungs. Yet I have a proclamation to make to the Elders you know the Lord has led the Church untill the present time I have now a great proclamation for the Elders to teach the Church hereafter which is in relation to Zion, The whole of North and South America is Zion, the mountain of the Lord's House is in the Centre of North & South America, when the House is done, Baptism font erectd and finished & the worthy are washed, anointed, endowed & ordained Kings & priests, which must be done in this life, when the place is prepared you must go through all the ordinances of the house of the Lord so that you who have any dead friends must go through all the ordinances for them the same as for yourselves; then the Elders are to go through all America & build up Churches untill all Zion is built up, so their will be gathering fast enough here. but not to commence to do this untill the Temple is built up here and the Elders endowed then go forth & accomplish the work & build up stakes in all North and South America, Their will be some place ordained for the redeeming of the dead I think this place will be the one, so their will be gathering fast enough here. President Smith lungs failed him and he appointed Elder G. J. Adams to occupy the time during the forenoon He however remarked that his proclamation just made was the greatest ever made as all could not come here; but it was necessary that enough should come to build up the temple & get an endowment so that the work could spread abroad.
Date: 8 April 1844 (Monday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 364-65)
Monday morning
Prayer by Pres Young--after which choir sung an hymn
Prophet it is just as impossible for me to continue the subject as to raise the dead--my lungs are worn out--I will do so anor. day. has led this Church by revn I have another revelation a great grand & glorious revn & this is what I am going to declare--you kno there has been great discusn. where Zion is & when the gathg of the D is & which I am to--the whole America is the Land itself N. & S itself & is descd. by the Prophets that it shod be in the centre of the land. the declan is that as soon as the temple & B font is prepd & so as we can wash & anoint the El of Israel there must be a place prepd for that purpose--there are provins made until the work is compd. to be as K & P of the mos H. God but as all to do with the hs of God-- but there must be an express place built for that purpose & for men to be B for their dd for every man who wishes to save the F & M. B. S & F must go thro the same--B—A. W. & all the protectn. of the powers of the Priesthood same as for themselves-- the Elders of Israel shall build Churches unto the Ld. & there shall they build Churches unto the Ld: there shall be a Stake of Zion--it is a glorious pro--& I reserved it to the last & desn. it to be understd. that it shall be after the washg .& anointg. here--the place that the Ld. has estd. for the Sn. of the dead--there must be a particular place. I verily believe this to be the place--& men who wish to save their dead must come here to be B for their dead--& then may go back agn.--& I shall leave m Bren to enlarge--it is my duty to teach those who err in doctrine--the Sp is willg. but the flesh is weak--if God made Aaron to be their mouthpiece & Made me to be their K. & their God & if you dont like it you must lump it--I have give instron to El Adams in some principles--if he makes a mistake I will tell it.
Date: 8 April 1844 (Monday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 365)
Prest. J. Smith said he must give up the subject of yesterday
Made a proclamation.--I have another great and grand Revelation-- great discussion where Zion is.--The whole America is Zion that is the Zion where the Mountain of the Lords house shall be. about the central part of North & South America.—
soon as the Temple is finished.—Lord hath ordained where these last & most important ordinances must be in a house.—provided for the purpose.—when we can get a house build first there is the place.—Bap. washed. anointed, sealed &c for the dead the same as for themselves.—
from henceforth the elders shall build churches where ever the people receive the gospel sufficient. then build stakes to this place. I verily believe that God will establish this place for the salvation of the dead.-- those who want to save their dead can come hither. those who do not wish to come hither to live can bring their families and attend the ordinances and return.
Date: 23 April 1844 (Tuesday)
Location: Masonic Hall, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 365)
Meeting—Joseph & others speaking.
Date: 5 May 1844 (Sunday Afternoon and Evening)
Location: Mansion House, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 365)
A large co in Bar Room P.M. & eve Joseph spoke a long time on petitions read Friersons letter, Clays letter &c.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 365-69)
The Savior has the words of Eternal life--nothing else can profit us--there is no salvation in believing an evil report against our neighbor--I advise all to go on to perfection and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness--a man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way, and the Priesthood is reserved for that purpose-- the last time I spoke on this stand, it was on the resurrection of the dead; when I promised to continue my remarks upon that subject. I still feel a desire to say something on this subject--let us this very day begin anew, and now say with all our hearts, we will forsake our sins and be righteous-- I shall read the 24th. ch of Matthew and give it a literal rendering and reading, and when it is rightly understood it will be edifying (he then read & translated it from the German) I thought the very oddity of its rendering would be edifying any how—"And it will preached be; the Gospel of the Kingdom in the whole world, to a witness overall people, and then will the end come." I will now read it in German--(which he did, and many Germans who were present said he translated it correct) the Savior said, when those tribulations should take place, it should be committed to a man, who should be a witness over the whole world, the keys of knowledge, power, and revelations, should be revealed to a witness who should hold the testimony to the world; it has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries, new things, for my hearers-- just at the time when some men think that I have no right to the keys of the Priesthood just at that time, I have the greatest right--the Germans are an exalted people. the old German translators are the most correct; most honest of any of the translators, and therefore I get testimony to bear me out in the revelations that I have preached for the last 14 years--the old German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew translations all say it is true, they cannot be impeached, and therefore I am in good company-- all the testimony is, that the Lord in the last days would commit the keys of the Priesthood to a witness over all people--has the Gospel of the Kingdom commenced in the last days? and will God take it from the man, until he takes him, himself? I have read it precisely as the words flowed from the lips of Jesus Christ--John the Revelator saw an angel flying thro' the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, &c. the Scripture is ready to be fulfilled when great wars, famines, pestilence, great distress, judgments, &c are ready to be poured out on the Inhabitants of the Earth--John saw the angel having the holy Priesthood who should preach the everlasting gospel to all nations,--God had an angel, a special messenger, ordained, & prepared for that purpose in the last days-- Woe! Woe! be to that man, or set of men, who lift up their hands against God and his Witness in these last days.--for they shall deceive almost the very chosen ones--my apostate enemies say that I have been a true prophet--& I had rather be a fallen true prophet, than a false prophet; when a man goes about prophesying and commands men to obey his teachings, he must be either a true or false prophet; false prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets, and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones-- the doctrine of eternal judgments belong to the 1st. principles of the Gospel in the last days-- in relation to the Kingdom of God--the devil always sets up his Kingdom at the very same time in opposition to God,--every man who has a calling to minister to the Inhabitants of the world, was ordained to that very purpose in the grand Council of Heaven before this world was--I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that grand Council-- it is the testimony that I want, that I am God's servant, and this people his people--the Ancient Prophets declared in the last days the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom which should never be destroyed, nor, left to other people; & the very time that was calculated on; this people was struggling to bring it out-- he that arms himself with Gun, sword, or Pistol except in the defense of truth, will some time be sorry for it--I never carry any thing weapon with me bigger than my Pen Knife--when I was dragged before the Cannon and muskets in Missouri, I was unarmed. God will always protect me until my mission is fulfilled. I calculate to be one of the Instruments of setting up the Kingdom of Daniel, by the word of the Lord, and I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world-- I once offered my life to the Missouri Mob as a sacrifice for my people--and here I am--it will not be by Sword or Gun that this Kingdom will roll on--the power of truth is such that--all nations will be under the necessity of obeying the Gospel the prediction is that army will be against army--it may be that the Saints will have to beat their Ploughes into Swords. It will not do for men to sit down and see their women & children destroyed patiently,-- my text is on the resurrection of the dead, which you will find in the 14 ch. of John In my Fathers house are many mansions &c it should be In my Father's Kingdom are many Kingdoms--in order that ye may be heirs of--God and joint heirs with me-- I do not believe the methodist doctrine of sending honest men, and noble minded men to hell, along with the murderer and adulterer--they may hurl all their hell and fiery billows upon me, for they will roll off me as fast as they come on--but I have an order of things to save the poor fellows at any rate, and get them saved for I will send men to preach to them in prison and save them if I can. There are many mansions for those who obey a celestial law--& there are other mansions for those who come short of that law--every man in his own order there is baptism &c for those to exercise who are alive, and baptism for the dead, who died without the knowledge of the gospel I am going on in my progress for eternal life--it is not only necessary that you should be baptized for your dead, but you will have to go through all the ordinances for them, same as you have gone through, to save yourselves; there will be 144,000 Saviors on Mount Zion, and with them an innumerable host, that no man can number-- Oh! I beseech you to forward, go forward and make your calling and your election sure--and if any man preach any other gospel with that which I have preached, he shall be cursed, and some of you who now hear me, shall see it & know that I testify the truth concerning them;
in regard to the law of the Priesthood--there should be a place where all nations shall come up from time to time to receive their endowments, and the Lord has said, this shall be the place for the baptism for the dead--every man that has been baptized and belongs to the Kingdom, has a right to be baptized for those who are gone before, and, as soon as the Law of the Gospel is obeyed here by their friends, who act as proxy for them, the Lord has administrators there to set them free--a man may act as proxy for his own relatives--the ordinances of the Gospel which was laid out before the foundation of the world has been thus fulfilled, by them, and we may be baptized for those who we have much friendship for, but it must be first revealed to the man of God, lest we should run too far--as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive, all shall be raised from the dead--the Lamb of God hath brought to pass the resurrection so that all shall rise from the dead--God Almighty himself dwells in Eternal fire, flesh and blood cannot go there for all corruption is devoured by the fire--our God is a consuming fire--when our flesh is quickened by the Spirit, there will be no blood in the tabernacles,--some dwell in higher glory than others--those who have done wrong, always have that wrong knawing them--Immortality dwells in everlasting burnings--I will from time to time reveal to you the subjects that are revealed by the Holy Ghost to me-- all the lies that are now hatched up against me are of the devil & all the influence of the devil & his servants will be used against the kingdom of God--the Servants of God teach nothing but the principles of eternal life--by their works ye shall know them--a good man will speak good things, & holy principles and an evil man, evil things;--I feel in the name of the Lord, to rebuke all such bad principles, liars &c and I warn all of you to look out who you are going after--I exhort you to give heed to all the virtue and the teachings which I have given you; all men who are immortal, dwell in everlasting burnings; you cannot go any where, but where God can find you out; all men are born to die & all must rise, all must enter eternity--in order for you to receive your children to yourself, you must have a promise, some ordinance, some blessing in order to assend above principalities or else it may be an angel--they must rise just as they died--we can't here hail our lovely infants with the same glory, the same loveliness in the celestial glory where they all enjoy alike--they differ in stature, in size--the same glorious spirit gives them the likeness of glory and bloom--the old man with his silvery hairs will glory in bloom & beauty--no man can describe it to you--no man can write it-- when did I ever teach any thing wrong from this stand? when was I ever confounded? I want to triumph in Israel before I depart hence and am no more seen--I never told you I was perfect--but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught--must I then be thrown away as a thing of nought?--I enjoin for your consideration, add to your faith, virtue, love &c I say in the name of the Lord, if these things are in you, you shall be fruitful. I testify that no man has power to reveal it, but myself, things in heaven, in earth and hell--and all shut your mouths for the future--I commend you all to God, that you may inherit all things--& may God add his blessings. Amen.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: George Laub Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 369-71)
Concerning Gods Witness
24th chapter of Revelations of John Matthew, Matthew 6 & 7 14 verses, & the original translation Reads thus and I will Send you a another witness & he shall preach this gospel to all nations to the ends of the world But woe to that man or woman who Shall lift up their or his hands against god's witness for the[y] are rasing their hands or arms against the power of god and the[y] will be cursed. But in these times in the last days there will many fals prophets arise and false teachers and decieve many the[y] Shall have many followers by their deceit. the[y] Strive to have power and by their pernicious ways lead of[f] many--for Brother Joseph Smith was chosen for the last dispensation or Seventh Dispensation The time the grand council Set in heaven to organize this world Joseph was chosen for the last & greatest Prophet to lay the foundation of gods work of the Seventh Dispensation therefore the Jews asked John the Baptist if he was Elias or Jesus or that great prophet that was to come.
the Devil lusifer also organised his kingdom in oposition to overthrow gods kingdom & he became the Son of perdition
also concerning the kingdoms in my fathers house or kingdom are many kingdoms or worlds I will goe to prepare a place for you. and according to your works you shall be rewarded. These who will not obey the gospel will go to the world of spirits there to stay till the[y] have paid the utmost farthing or till some person pays their debts they owe. Now all those die in the faith goe to the prison of Spirits to preach to the dead in body, but they are alive in the Spirit & those Spirits preach to the Spirits that they may live according to god in the Spirit and men do minister for them in the flesh and angels bare the glad tidings to the Spirits & the[y] are made happy by these means. therefore those who are baptized for their dead are the Savior's on mount Zion & the[y] must receave their washings and their anointings for their dead the same as for themselves till the[y] are connected to the ones in the dispensation before us and trace their leniage to connect the priesthood again
and if any other man preach any other gospel then this and the Baptism for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the reception of the holy ghost let him be anathematised or accursed The curs of god shall be upon him or them.
Concerning Resurrection Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the kingdom of god or the kingdom that god inherits or inhabits. But the flesh without the blood and the Spirit of god flowing in the veins in Sted of the blood. for blood is the part of the body that causes corruption. therefore we must be changed in the twinkle of an Eye or have to lay down these tabernacles and leave the blood vanish away Therefore Jesus Christ left his blood to atone for the Sins of the world that he might ascend into the presences of the father for God dwels in flaming flames and he is a consuming fire he will consume all that is unclean and unholly and we could not abide his presentes unless pure Spirits in us. for the Blood is the corruptible part of the tabernacles.
for the resurrection is devised to take away corruption and make Man perfect or in the glory which he was created for The body is Sowen in corruption & raised in Incorruption Then we will be able to goe in the presents of God. Bro. Joseph Smith was sent to remind the world of Sin or righteousness & of the Judgments to come But this is that of what John Says in his 14th Chapter, but he Says of sin or rituousness and of a Judgment to come to reprove the world This is rong Translation for to remind is correct.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Samuel W. Richards Record (Words of Joseph Smith, 371-72)
The Prophet Joseph said May 12th 1844 After reading the 24th Chap of Math from from an Ancient German Bible Text: "The Kingdom must preached be to a witness over all Nation People." "preached to a man who should be a witness to all people, is the meaning of the text." quoted Rev. 14-6 having the Gospel saying the hour of his Judgment is come.
At the general & grand Council of heaven, all those to whom a dispensation was to be committed, were set apart & ordained at that time, to that calling.
The Twelve also as witnesses were ordained.
Subject changed to Resurrection of the Dead. John 14:2d "in my Fathers Kingdom are many Kingdoms. I go to prepare a Kingdom for you, that the exaltation that I receive you may receive also."
The sectarians have no Charity for me but I have for them. I intend to send men to prison to preach to them, and this is all on the Principle of entering in by Water and Spirit. Then you must not only be baptized for them but they must receive the Holy Ghost by Proxy and be sealed by it unto the day of their redemption as all the other ordinances by proxy.
All persons who have been Baptized and who have received the Holy Ghost may be baptized for their ancestors or near relatives. God has administrators in the eternal world to release those spirits from Prison the ordinances being administered by proxy upon them the law is fulfilled.
All resurrected bodies dwell in flaming fire for our God is a consuming fire.
With what body do they rise?
You must obtain promises for them as Abraham. They rise with the same sized and shaped bodies, but to have the same glories as full grown bodies.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Fielding Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 372)
On Sunday the 13th [12th] of May Joseph spoke on the Gospel of the Kingdom and shewd that when God set up his Kingdom on the Earth Satan always set up his in Opposition alluding to Appostasy at this [time] working in this Place, I never felt more delighted with his discourse than at this time, It put me in Mind of Herod when they said at his Oration It is the voice of a God and not of a Man, The Circumstances were widely different, he also spoke some on the Resurrection.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 372)
10 A.M. preached at the Stand touching many things.
Date: 12 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Temple Stand, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 372)
I and wife went to Temple stand Joseph preached on the resurrection and baptism for the dead he translated 24 ch Matthew—I learned a great deal.
Date: 14 May 1844 (Tuesday Evening)
Location: Temple Stand
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 372)
This P.M. My Old Lawyer gave a lecture on the stand. stating the difficulties I had formerly encountered. I spoke after he had close & continued my history to the present time.—
Date: 17 May 1844 (Friday)
Location: Upper Room, Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Nauvoo Neighbor 2 (22 May 1844) (Words of Joseph Smith, 373)
When Gen. Smith was called upon, he spoke with much talent, and ability and displayed a great knowledge of the political history of this nation, of the cause of the evils under which our nation groans, and also the remedy.
Date: 26 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location:
Source: History of the Church, 6:408–12 (Words of Joseph Smith, 373-77)
President Joseph Smith read the 11th Chapter II Corinthians. My object is to let you know that I am right here on the spot where I intend to stay. I, like Paul have been in perils, and oftener than anyone in this generation. As Paul boasted, I have suffered more than Paul did. I should be like a fish out of water, if I were out of persecutions. Perhaps my brethren think it requires all this to keep me humble. The lord has constituted me so curiously that I glory in persecution. I am not nearly so humble as if I were not persecuted. If oppression will make a wise man mad, much more a fool. If they want a beardless boy to whip all the world, I will get on the top of a mountain and crow like a rooster: I shall always beat them. When facts are proved, truth and innocence will prevail at last. My enemies are no philosophers: they think that when they have my spoke under, they will keep me down; but for the fools, I will hold on and fly over them.
God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil-all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. You know my daily walk and converstion. I am in the bosom of a virtuous and good people. How I do love to hear the wolves howl! When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go. For the last three years I have a record of all my acts and proceedings, for I have kept several good, faithful, and efficient clerks in constant employ: they have accompanied me everywhere, and carefully kept my history, and they have written down what I have done, where I have been, and what I have said; therefore my enemies cannot charge me with any day, time, or place, but what I have written testimony to prove my actions; and my enemies cannot prove anything against me. They have got wonderful things in the land of Ham. I think the grand jury have strained at a gnat and swallowed the camel.
A man named Simpson says I made an affidavit against him, &c. Mr. Simpson says I arrested him. I never arrested Mr. Simpson in my life. He says I made an affidavit against him in my life. I will prove it in court. I will tell you how it was: Last winter I got ready with my children to go to the farm to kill hogs. Orrin P. Rockwell was going to drive. An Englishman came in and wanted a private conversation with me. I told him I did not want any private conversations. "I demand one of you!" Such a one I am bound to obey anyhow. Said he—"I want a warrant against the man who stabbed Brother Badham. He said it was a man who boarded at Davis'. He said it was Mr. Simpson—it answered his description. I said I had no jurisdiction out of the city. He said—"The man must be arrested, or else he will go away." I told him—"You must go to Squire Wells, Johnson, or Foster." Mr Lytle stepped up and said—"I am a policeman." I jumped into my carriage, and away I went.
When I came back I met Mr. Jackson. He said—"You did wrong in arresting Mr. Simpson." I told him I did not do it. I went over and sat down, and related the circumstances. He turned round and said—"Mr. Smith, I have nothing against you; I am satisfied." He went and supped with me. He declared in the presence of witnesses, that he had nothing against me. I then said—"I will go over to Esquire Johnson, and testify what the Englishman told me." I told him not to make out that I believe he is the man, but that I told him not to make out that I believe he is the man, but that I believe he is innocent. I don't want to swear that he is the man. Messrs. Coolidge, Rockwell, Hatfield, and Hawes were present.
Mr. Johnson made one out in due form: and as I sat down in a bustle the same as I do when one of the clerks brings a deed for me to sign. Johnson read it. I said—"I can't swear to that affidavit; I don't believe it: tear up that paper." Mr. Simpson agreed to come before Badham and make it up. I did not swear to it.
After a while, Dr. Foster and others came in. They called me up to testify. I told it all the same as I do here. Mr. Simpson rose up, and asked—"Do you believe now that I am the man who stabbed Mr. Badham?" I replied—"No sir, I do not now, nor ever did: the magistrate says I did not swear to it." He considered, and made a public declaration that he was satisfied with me.
Aaron Johnson went before the grand jury and swore I did not swear to it, when Dr. Foster goes and swears that I swore to it, and that he was in the room when he was not in. Chauncey wanted me to stay and have a conversation. Dr. Foster asked Aaron Johnson for the writ and affidavit. He handed them to Dr. Foster, who read them, and hten threw them into the fire. I said—"Doctor, you ought not to have burned it; it was my paper." Dr. Foster goes to the grand jury and swears he did not burn only one; but I say he burnt both. This is a fair sample of the swearing that is going on against me.
The last discharge was the 40th; now the 41st, 42nd, 43rd; all through falsehood. Matters of fact are as profitable as the Gospel, and which I can prove. You will then know who are liars, and who speak the truth I want to retain your friendship on holy grounds.
Another indictment has been got up against me. It appears a holy prophet has arisen up, and he has testified against me: the reason is, he is so holy. The Lord knows I do not care how many churches are in the world. As many as believe me, may. If the doctrine that I preach is true, the tree must be good. I have prophesied things that have come to pass, and can still.
Inasmuch as there is a new church, this must be old, and of course we ought to be set down as orthodox. From henceforth let all the churches now no longer persecute orthodoxy. I never build upon any other man's ground. I never told the old Catholic that he was a fallen true prophet God knows, then, that the charges against me are false.
I had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made one proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives. I mean to live and proclaim the truth as long as I can.
This new holy prophet has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dares not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this.
William Law testified before forty policemen, and the assembly room full of witnesses, that he testified under oath that he never had heard or seen or knew anything immoral or criminal against me. He testified under oath that he was my friend, and not the "Brutus." There was a cogitation who was the "Brutus." I had not prophesied against William Law. He swore under oath that he was satisfied that he was ready to lay down his life for me, and he swears that I have committed adultery.
I wish the grand jury would tell me who they are—whether it will be a curse or blessing to me. I am quite tired of the fools asking me.
A man asked me whether the commandment was given that a man may have seven wives; and now the new prophet has charged me with adultery. I never had any fuss with these men until that Female Relief Society brought out the paper against adulterers and adulteresses.
Dr. Goforth was invited into the Laws' clique, and Dr. Foster and the clique were dissatisfied with that document, and they rush away and leave the Church, and conspire to take away my life; and because I will not countenance such wickedness, they proclaim that I have been a true prophet, but that I am now a fallen prophet.
Jackson has committed murder, robbery, and perjury; and I can prove it by half-a-dozen witnesses. Jackson got up and said—"By God, he is innocent," and now swears that I am guilty. He threatened my life.
There is another Law, not the prophet, who was cashiered for dishonesty and robbing the government. Wilson Law also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery. Brother Jonathan Dunham can swear to the contrary. I have been chained. I have rattled chains before in a dungeon for the truth's sake. I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocence, for you know me yourselves.
When I love the poor, I ask no favors of the rich. I can go to the cross—I can lay down my life; but don't forsake me. I want the friendship of my brethren.—Let us teach the things of Jesus Christ. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Be meek and lowly, upright and pure; render good for evil. If you bring on yourselves your own destruction, I will complain. It is not right for a man to bear down his neck to the oppressor always. Be humble and patient in all circumstances of life; we shall then triumph more gloriously. What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one.
I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers. I labored with these apostates myself until I was out of all manner of patience; and them I sent my brother Hyrum, whom they virtually kicked out of doors.
I then sent Mr. Backenstos, when they declared that they were my enemies. I told Mr. Backenstos that he might tell the Laws, if they had any cause against me I would go before the Church, and confess it to the world. He [William Law] was summoned time and again, but refused to come. Dr. Bernhisel and Elder Rigdon know that I speak the truth. I cite you to Captain Dunham, Esquires Johnson and Wells, Brother Hatfield and others, for the truth of what I have said. I have said this to let my friends know that I am right.
As I grow older, my heart grows tenderer for you. I am at all times willing to give up everything that is wrong, for I wish this people to have a virtuous leader, I have set your minds at liberty by letting you know the things of Christ Jesus. When I shrink not from your defense will you throw me away for a new man who slanders you? I love you for your reception of me. Have I asked you for your money? No; you know better. I appeal to the poor. I say, Cursed be that man or woman who says that I have taken of your money unjustly. Brother Babbitt will address you. I have nothing in my heart but good feelings.
Date: 26 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location:
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 377)
10 A M. preached at the stand about Joseph Jackson and the mobcrats.
Date: 26 May 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location:
Source: Thomas Bullock Diary 12 (Words of Joseph Smith, 377)
At the Stand recording J. Smith's sermon.
Date: 13 June 1844 (Thursday Afternoon)
Location: At Seventies Hall, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 378)
P.M. attended meeting in 70s Hall G. J. Adams Preached—after which I made some observations—
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Thomas Bullock Report (Words of Joseph Smith, 378-83)
Prayer by Newell K. Whitney choir sang "Mortals Awake" The Prophet read the 3rd Rev. text 6th v. & made us K & P. unto God & his Far. to him be glory & dominion for evermore—
It is altogr. correct in the translatn. --now you know that of late some have sprung up & apostat. & they declare that Pro bel[ieves]. in a plurality of Gods--&c. & behold a very great secret they cry it has been my intention to take up this subject & show what my Faith is in the matter--I have contemplated the saying of Je[sus] as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be at his 2nd. coming & if it rains I'll preach--the plurality of Gods--I have selected this text I wish to declare I have allways--& in all congregats. when I have preached it has been the plurality of Gods it has been preached 15 years--I have always decld. God to be a distinct personage--J. C. a sep. & distinct pers from God the Far. the H.G. was a distinct personage & or Sp & these 3 constit. 3 distinct personages & 3 Gods--if this is in accordance with the New Test.--lo & behold we have 3 Gods anyhow & they are plural any how--our text says
the apost[les] have disc[overe]d. that there were Gods above-- God was the Far. of our Ld. J.C.--my object was to preach the Scrip--& preach the doctrine there being a God above the Far. of our Ld. J.C.--I am bold to declare I have taut. all the strong doctrines publicly--& always stronger that what I preach in private--John was one of the men & the apos. declare they were made K. & P. unto God the Fatr. of our Ld. J.C. it reads just so hence the doctrine of a plurality of Gods is as prominent in the Bible as any doctrine--it is all over the face of the Bible, it stands beyond the power of controversy--a wayfaring man tho a fool need not fail--Paul says there are gods many & Lords many--I want to set it in a plain simple manner--but to us there is but one God pertaining to us, in all thro all,--but if J. Smith says there are Gods many & Lds. many they cry away with him crucify him mankind verily say that the Scrip [i]s with them--Search the Script & & they testify of things that apostates wod blaspheme--Paul if Jo Smith is a blasphemer you are--I say there are Gods many & Lds many but to us only one & we are to be in subject to that one & no man can limit the bounds, or the eternal existence of eternal time--hath he beheld the et[erna]l world. & is he authd. to say that there is only God he makes himself a fool--& there is an end of his career in knowledge he cannot obtn. all knowledge for he has sealed up the gate to
some say I do not interpret same as you--they say it means the heathen God. Paul says there are Gods many &c it makes a plurality of Gods any how—witht. a revn. I am not going to give the God of Heaven to them any how--you know & I testify that Paul had no allusions to it--I have it from God & get over it if you can--I have a witness of the H.G--& a test. that Paul had no allusion to the Heathen G. in the text-- Twice I will shew from the Heb. Bible & the 1st. word shows a plurality of Gods--& I want the apostate & learned men to come here--& prove to the contrary an unlearned boy must give you a little Hebrew--Berosheit &c In the begin rosheit--the head--it shod. read the heads of--to organize the Gods--Eloiheam Eloi. God in sing. heam, reanders Gods I want a little learning as well as other fools
Popes quot: Drink deep
all the confusion is for want of drinking and draught the head God--organized the heavens & the Earth--I defy all the learning in the world to refute me—
In the begin the heads of the Gods organized the heaven & the Earth--now the learned Priest--the people rage--& the heathen imagine a vain thing--if we pursue the Heb. further--it reads
The Head one of the Gods said let us make man in our image I once asked a learned Jew once--if the Heb. language compels us to render all words ending in heam in the plural--why not render the first plural--he replied it would ruin the Bible--he acknowledged I was right. I came here to investigate these things precisely as I believe it--hear & judge for yourself--& if you go away satisfied--well & good--in the very beginning there is a plurality of Gods-- beyond the power of refutation--it is a great subject I am dwelling on--the word Eloiheam ought to be in the plural all the way thro-- Gods--the heads of the Gods appointed one God for us--& when you take a view of the subject it sets one free to see all the beauty holiness & perfection of the God--all I want is to get the simple truth--naked & the whole truth--Men say there is one God--the Far. Son & the H.G. are only 1 God--it is a strange God any how 3 in 1. & 1 in 3. it is a curious thing any how—Far. I pray not for the world but I pray for those that thou givest me &c &c all are to be crammed into 1 God--it wod. make the biggest God in all the world--he is a wonderful big God--he would be a Giant I want to read the text to you myself--I am agreed with the Far. & the Far. is a greed with me & we are agreed as one--the Greek shows that is shod be agreed—Far. I pray for them that thou hast given me out of the world &c &c that they may be agreed & all come to dwell in unity & in all the Glory & Everlasting burngs of God & then we shall see as we are seen & be as God--& he as the God of his Far.--I want to reason-- I learned it by translating the papyrus now in my house--I learned a test. concerning Abraham & he reasoned concerng. the God of Heaven--in order to do that sd. he--suppose we have two facts that supposes that anotr. fact may exist two men on the earth--one wiser than the other—wod. shew that antr. who is wiser than the wisest may exist--intelligences exist one above anotr. that there is no end to it--if Abra. reasoned thus--
if J.C. was the Son of God & John discd. that god the Far. of J.C. had a far. you may suppose that he had a Far. also--where was there ever a Son witht. a Far.--where ever did tree or any thing spring into existence witht. a progenitor--& every thing comes in this way--Paul says that which is Earthyly is in likeness of that which is Heavenly-- hence if J. had a Far. can we not believe that he had a Far. also--I despise the idea of being scared to death--I want you all to pay particr. attent. J. sd. as the Far. wrought precisely in the same way as his Far. had done bef.--as the Father had done before--he laid down his life & took it up same as his Far. had done before--he did as he was sent to lay down his life & take it up again & was then committed unto him the keys &c I know it is good reasoning--I have reason to think that the Church is being purged--I saw Satan fall from heaven--& the way they ran was a caution. all these are wonders & marvelous in our eyes in these last days--so long as men are under the law of God they have no fears, they do not scarce themselves--I want to stick to my text--to shew that when men open their lips-- they do not injure me--but injure themselves--To the law & to the testimony--they are poured all over the Scrip
When things that are great are passed over witht. even a thot I want to see all in all its bearings & hug it to my bosom--I believe all that God ever revd. & I never hear of a man being d[amne]d for belg. too much but they are d--d for umbel.
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they found fault with J.C. bec. he sd. he was the Son of God & made himself equal with God--they say like the apost. of old I must be put down--what Je. say--it is written in your law I said Ye are Gods--it was thro' him that they drink of the rock--of course he wod. take the honor to himself—J. if they were called Gods unto whom the word of God why shld. it be thot incredible that I shod say I am the Son of God. Oh Apostates did ye never think of this bef these are the quotations that the apostates take to the Scrip-- they swear that they bel the Bible & the Book of Mormon &c & then you will get filth & slander & bogus makers plenty--& one of the Church members prophesied that Jo Smith shld. never preach any more--& yet I am now prachg.--go & read the vision--there is glory & glory--Sun, moon & Stars--& so do they differ in glory & every man who reigns is a God--& the text of the Do & Covt damns themselves--Paul what do you say--they impeached Paul & all Went & left him--Paul had 7 churches & they drove him off from among them--& yet they cannot do it by me--I rej. in that--my test. is good--Paul--says there is one Glory of the Sun the moon & the Stars--& as the Star differs &c--They are exalted far above princ. thrones dom. & angels--& are expressly decld. to be heirs of God & jt. heirs with J.C. all havg. et[erna]l. power--the Scrip are a very strange doct.--I have an[othe]r. Scrip--now says God when visited Moses in the Bush--moses was a stutt[er]ing sort of a boy like me--God said thou shalt be a God unto the children of Israel--God said thou shalt be a God unto Aaron & he shall be thy spokes. I bel. in these Gods that God reveals as Gods--to be Sons of God & all can cry Abba Father--Sons of God who exalt themselves to be Gods even from bef. the foundatn. of the world & are all the only Gods I have a reverence for—
John sd. he was a K[ing].—J.C. who hath by his own blood made us K & P to God. Oh thou God who are K. of K's & Ld. of Lds.--we cannot bel. thee--old Catholic Church is worth more than all--here is a princ. of logic--that men have no more sense--I will illustrate an old apple tree--here jumps off a branch & says I am the true tree. & you are corrupt--if the whole tree is corrupt how can any true thing come out of it--the char[acte]r of the old ones have always been sland[ere]d. by all apos[tates] since the world began--I testify again as God never will acknowledge any apost: any man who will betray the Catholics will betray you--& if he will betray one another. he will betray you--all men are liars who say that they are of the true--God always sent a new dispensatn. into the world--when men come out & build upon o[the]r men's foundatn.--did I build on anotr. mans foundatn. but my own--I have got all the truth & an indepent. rev[elation]n in the bargain--& God will bear me off triumphant--I will drop this subjt. I wish I cod. speak for 3 or 4 hours it is not expedt. on acct. of the rain--I will still go on & show you proof on proof. all the Bible is as equal one part as another
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: George Laub Journal Book (Words of Joseph Smith, 382)
The Scripture Say I and my father are one & again that the father son & holy ghost are one 1 John 5 ch. 7 vers But these three agree in the Same thing & did the Saviour pray to the father. I pray not for the world but those [w]home he gave me out of the world that we might be one, or to Say be of one mind in the unity of the faith.
but Every one being a diffrent or Seperate person & So is god & is god & Jesus Christ & the holy ghost. Seperate persons. but the all agree in one or the Self Same thing But the holy ghost is yet a Spiritual body and waiting to take to himself a body. as the Savior did or as god did or the gods before them took bodies for the Saviour Says the work that my father did do i also & those are the works he took himself a a body & then laid down his life that he might take it up again & the Scripture Say those who will obey the commandments shall be heirs of god & Joint heirs with of Jesus Christ we then also took bodys to lay them down, to take them up again & the Sperit itself bears witness with our Spirits that we are the children of god & if children then heirs and Joint heirs with Jesus Christ if So be that we Suffer with him in the flesh that we may be also glorified to gether. See Romans 8 ch. 16 & 17 Vers.
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: McIntire Minute Book (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
Sunday the 16th of June 1844 Gen. Joseph Smiths Last public Discource on Doctrine he comenced By Reading Rev. 1st Ch 6th verse-- "And hath made us Kings & priests unto God & his father &c He then preceded to show the plurality of Gods By Referring to the 1st Gen. as in the origanel Hebrew--that it Read that in the Begining the Head Gods organized the Earth & the heavens &-- and that God was a distinct in of himself & the Son also was a distinct Personage But in the image of the Father--he quoted the 17th of St John 20, 21, 22, 23 that the apostles & the Desciples may all agree in one--or be agreed in the one principal as thou father & me are agred-- Jesus said that all things that He saw the father do he did--and also the 82 psalm 1st verse God standith in the Congragations of the Mighty; he Judgeth among the Gods--
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
Preached at the stand 10 o'clock A.M.
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Morning)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
Preached at the stand.
Date: 16 June 1844 (Sunday Afternoon)
Location: Grove East of Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
4 o clock at the stand stated the design of the meeting & ordered the Major General to have the Legion in readiness to suppress all the illegal violence in the City.
Date: 18 June 1844 (Tuesday Afternoon)
Location: Frame Building, Near Mansion House, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
After Phelps got through Genl. J. Smith addressed the multitude. He briefly explained the object of the mob and showed that they waged a war of extermination upon us because of our religion. He called upon all the volunteers who felt to support the constitution from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean to come with their arms, ammunition & defend the constitution. He called upon them as the Lieutenant General of the N. L and Illinois Militia in the name of the Constitution of the U.S. the people of the State of Ill. and the citizens of Nauvoo. He called upon the citizens to defend the lives of their wives & children, fathers and mothers, brothers & sisters from being murdered by the mob. He urged them in strong terms not to shed innocent blood. —not to act in the least on the offensive but invariably in the defensive and if we die—die like men of God and secure a glorious resurrection. He concluded by invoking the Great God to bless the people.—
. . .In the above address he advised all to arm themselves those who had no rifles, get swords, scythe and make weapons of some kind He informed them that he had 5000 Elders minute men who would come with volunteers as soon as he would inform them. He said there were many from Iowa waiting to come when requested.
Date: 18 June 1844 (Tuesday Afternoon)
Location: Frame Building, Near Mansion House, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: William Clayton Diary (Words of Joseph Smith, 383)
Joseph Smith to the Nauvoo Legion his Last adress in which he called for all philanthropic men from Main to the Rocky Mountains & from the East & the west & from the North & the south to the help of this people also he cursed the Mob.—with thunder & lightning & the sword plague Earthquakes & pestilence & devouring fire.
Date: 15 August 1844 (Thursday)
Location: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Times and Seasons, (August 15, 1844): 612
The president having arrived; the choir sung a hymn. Elder A. Lyman offered prayer.
The president then arose and called the attention of the congregation upon the subjects which were contemplated in the fore part of the conference. As the wind blows very hard, it will be hardly possible for me to make you all hear unless there is profound attention. It is of the greatest importance, and the most solemn of any that can occupy our attention, and that is, the subject of the dead; on the decease of our brother Follett, who was crushed to death in a well, I have been requested to speak by his friends and relatives, and inasmuch as there are a great many in this congregation who live in this city, as well as elsewhere, and who have lost friends, I feel disposed to speak on the subject in general, and offer you my ideas so far as I have ability, and so far as I shall be inspired by the Holy Spirit to dwell on this subject. I want your prayers and faith, the instruction of Almighty God and the gift of the Holy Ghost, that I may set forth things that are true, that can easily be comprehended, and shall carry the testimony to your hearts; pray that the Lord may strengthen my lungs, stay the winds and let the prayers of the saints to heaven appear, that it may enter into the ear of the Lord of Sabaoth; for the effectual prayers of righteous men availeth much, and I verily believe that your prayers shall be heard before I enter into the investigation fully of the subject that is laying before me. Before entering fully into the investigation, I wish to pave the way: I will make a few preliminaries, in order that you may understand the subject when I come to it. I do not calculate to please your ears with superfluity of words or oratory, or with much learning; but I calculate to edify you with the simple truths from heaven. In the first place, I wish to go back to the beginning of creation; there is the starting point, in order to be fully acquainted with the mind, purposes, decrees, &c. of the great Eloheim, that sits in yonder heavens, it is necessary for us to have an understanding of God himself in the beginning. If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong, it is a hard matter to get right. There are a very few beings in the world who understand rightly the character of God. They do not comprehend any thing, that which is past, or that which is to come; and consequently, but little above the brute beast. If a man learns nothing more than to eat, drink, sleep, and does not comprehend any of the designs of God, the beast comprehends the same thing; it eats, drinks, sleeps, knows nothing more; yet knows as much as we unless WE are able to comprehend by the inspiration of Almighty God. I want to go back to the beginning, and so lift your minds into a more lofty sphere, a more exalted understanding; than what the human mind generally understands. I want to ask this congregation, every man, woman and child, to answer the question in their own heart, what kind of a being is God? ask yourselves. I again repeat the question, what kind of a being is God? Does any man or woman know? have any of you seen him, heard him, communed with him? Here is the question that will peradventure from this time henceforth, occupy your attention. The apostle says this is eternal life, to know God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent. If any man enquire what kind of a being is God, if he will search diligently his own heart, if the declaration of the apostle by true, he will realize that he has not eternal life, there can be eternal life on no other principle. My first object is, to find out the character of the only wise and true God, and if I should be the man to comprehend God, and explain or convey the principles to your hearts so that the spirit seals it upon you, let every man and woman henceforth put their hand on their mouth and never say any thing against the man of God again; but if I fail, it becomes my duty to renounce all my pretensions to revelations, inspirations, &c., and if all are pretensions to God, they will all be as bad off as I am at any rate. There is not a man but would breathe out an anathema, if they knew I was a false prophet; and some would feel authorized to take away my life. If any man is authorized to take away my life, who says I am a false teacher: then upon the same principle am I authorized to take away the life of every false teacher, and where would be the end of blood, and who would not be the sufferer. But no man is authorized to take away life in consequence of their religion; which all laws and governments ought to tolerate, right or wrong. If I show verily, that I have the truth of God, and show that ninety-nine out of a hundred are false teachers, while they pretend to hold the keys of God, and to kill them because they are false teachers, it would deluge the whole world with blood. I want you all to know God, to be familiar with him, and if I can bring you to him, all persecutions against me will cease; you will know that I am his servant, for I speak as one having authority-- What sort of a being was God in the beginning? Open your ears and hear all ye ends of the earth; for I am going to tell you the designs of God to the human race, and why he interferes with the affairs of man. First, God himself, who sits enthroned in yonder heavens, is a man like unto one of yourselves, that is the great secret. If the vail was rent to-day, and the great God, who holds this world in its orbit, and upholds all things by his power; if you were to see him to-day, you would see him in all the person, image and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion and image of God; Adam received instruction, walked talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and communes with another. In order to understand the subject of the dead, for the consolation of those who mourn for the loss of their friends, it is necessary they should understand the character and being of God, for I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple and first principles of the gospel, to know for a certainty the character of God, that we may converse with him as one man with another, and that God himself; the Father of us all dwelt on an earth the same as Jesus Christ himself did, and I will show it from the Bible. I wish I had the trump of a arch angel, I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease forever; what did Jesus say? (mark it elder Rigdon;) Jesus said, as the Father hat power in himself, even so hath the Son power; to do what? why what the Father did, that answer is obvious; in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus what are you going to do? To lay down my life, as my Father did, and take it up again.---- If you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible; the scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom, all the combined powers of earth and hell together, to refute it. Here then is eternal life, to know the only wise and true God. You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves; to be kings and priests to God the same as all Gods have done; by going from a small degree to another, from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you are able to sit in glory as doth those who sit enthroned in everlasting power; and I want you to know that God in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me; it is the first principles of consolation. How consoling to the mourner, when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child or dear relative, to know, that although the earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, that they shall rise in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? to inherit the same glory, the same power and the same exaltation, until you ascend the throne of eternal power the same as those who are gone before. What did Jesus do? why I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds came rolling into existence. I saw my Father work out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom I shall present it to my Father, so that he obtains kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt his glory, so that Jesus treads in his tracks to inherit what God did before; it is plain beyond disputation, and you thus learn some of the first principles of the gospel, about which so much hath been said. When you climb a ladder, you must begin at the bottom and go on until you learn the last principle; it will be a great while before you have learned the last. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it is a great thing to learn salvation beyond the grave. I suppose I am not allowed to go into an investigation of any thing that is not contained in the Bible, and I think there are so many wise men here, who would put me to death for treason; so I shall turn commentator to-day; I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation in the Bible, Berosheit. I want to analyze the word; Baith, in, by through, in, and every thing else. Rosh, the head. Sheit, grammatical termination. When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the baith there. A man a Jew without any authority, thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head. It read first, 'The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods,' that is the true meaning of the words. Baurau, signifies to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the learned man of God. No man can learn you more than what I have told you. Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council. I will simplify it in the English language. Oh ye lawyers! ye doctors! who have persecuted me; I want to let you know that the Holy Ghost knows something as well as you do. The head God called together the Gods, and set in grand council. The grand counsellors sat in yonder heavens, and contemplated the creation of the worlds that were created at that time. When I say doctors and lawyers, I mean the doctors and lawyers of the scripture. I have done so hitherto, to let the lawyers flutter, and every body laugh at them. some learned doctor might take a notion to say, the scriptures say thus and so, and are not to be altered, and I am going to show you an error. I have an old book of the New Testament in the Hebrew, Latin, German and Greek. I have been reading the German and find it to be the most correct, and it corresponds nearest to the revelations I have given for the last fourteen years. It tells about Jachoboy the son of Zebedee; it means Jacob; in the English New Testament it is James.---- Now if Jacob had the keys, you might talk about James through all eternity, and never get the keys. In the 21st verse of the 4th chapter of Matthew, it gives the word Jacob instead of James. How can we escape the damnation of hell except God reveal to us; men bind us with chains; Latin says Jachobod means Jacob;--- Hebrew says it means Jacob; Greek says Jacob; German says Jacob. I thank God I have got this book, and thank him more for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have got the oldest book in the world, but I have got the oldest book in my heart. I have all the four testaments, come here ye learned men, and read if you can. I should not have introduced this testimony were it not to back up the word Rosh, the head, Father of the Gods. I should not have brought it up, only to show that I am right. When we begin to learn in this way, we begin to learn the only true God, and what kind of a being we have got to worship. When we know how to come to him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us and tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us. Now I ask all the learned men who hear me, why the learned men who are preaching salvation way, thatGod created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, and the reason is they are unlearned; they account it blasphemy to contradict the idea, they will call you a fool.--- I know more than all the world put together and the Holy Ghost within me comprehends more than all the world, and I will associate with it. The word create came form the word baurau; it does not mean so; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize a ship. Hence we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos; chaotic matter, which is element, and in which dwells all the glory. Element had an existence from the time he had. The pure principles of element, are principles that can never be destroyed. They may be organized and re-organized; but not destroyed. I have another subject to dwell upon and it is impossible for me to say much, but I shall just touch upon them; for time will not permit me to say all; so I must come to the resurrection of the dead, the soul, the mind of man, the immortal spirit. All men say God created it in the beginning. The very idea lessens man in my estimation; I do not believe the doctrine, I know better. Hear it all ye ends of the world, for God has told me so. I will make a man appear a fool before I get through, if you dont believe it. I am going to tell of things more noble--we say that God himself is a self existing God; who told you so? it is correct enough, but how did it get into your heads? Who told you that man did not exist in like manner upon the same principles? (refers to the old Bible,) how does it read in the Hebrew? It dont say so in the Hebrew, it says God made man out of the earth, and put into him Adam's spirit, and so became a living body. The mind of man is as immortal as God himself. I know that my testimony is true, hence when I talk to these mourners; what have they lost, they are only separated from their bodies for a short season; their spirits existed co-equal with God, and they now exist in a place where they converse together, the same as we do on the earth. Is it logic to say that a spirit is immortal, and yet have a beginning? Because if a spirit have a beginning it will have an end; good logic. I want to reason more on the spirit of man, for I am dwelling on the body of man, on the subject of the dead. I take my ring from my finger and liken it unto the mind of man, the immortal spirit, because it has no beginning. Suppose you cut it in two; but as the Lord lives there would be an end.--- All the fools learned and wise men, from the beginning of creation, who say that man had beginning, proves that he must have an end and then the doctrine of annihilation would be true. But, if I am right I might with boldness proclaim from the house tops, that God never did have power to create the spirit of man at all. God himself could not create himself: intelligence exists upon a self existent principle, it is a spirit from age to age, and there is no creation about it. All the spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement. The first principles of man are self existent with God; that God himself finds himself in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was greater, and because he saw proper to institute laws, whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself, that they might have one glory upon another, in all that knowledge, power, and glory, &c., in order to save the world of spirits. I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life, that are given to me, I know you taste it and I know you believe it. You say honey is sweet and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life; I know it is good, and when I tell you of these things, that were given me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive it as sweet, and I rejoice more and more. I want to talk more of the relation of man to God. I will open your eyes in relation to your dead; all things whatsoever God of his infinite wisdom has seen proper to reveal to us, while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to our mortal bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract and independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle; but are revealed to us as if we had no bodies at all, and those revelations which will save our dead will save our bodies; and God reveals them to us in view of no eternal dissolution of the body; hence the responsibility, the awful responsibility, that rests upon us in relation to our dead: for all the spirits who have not obeyed the gospel in the flesh, must either obey the gospel or be damned. Solemn thought, dreadful thought. Is there nothing to be done: no salvation for our fathers and friends who have died and not obeyed the decrees of the Son of Man? Would to God that I had forty days and nights to tell you all, I would let you know that I am not a fallen prophet. What kind of characters are those who can be saved although their bodies are decaying in the grave? When his commandments teach us, it is in view of eternity. The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead.--- I say to you Paul, you cannot be perfect without us: it is necessary that hose who are gone before, and those who come after us should have salvation in common with us, and thus hath God made it obligatory to man. Hence God said he should send Elijah, &c. ; I have a declaration to make as to the provisions which God hath made to suit the conditions of man; made from before the foundation of the world, What has Jesus said? All sins and all blasphemies, every transgression, except one, that man can be guilty of, there is a salvation for him either in this world, or the world to come. Hence God hath made a provision, that every spirit in the eternal world can be ferreted out and saved, unless he has committed that unpardonable sin, which con not be remitted to him.
Knowledge saves a man, and in the world of spirits a man cannot be exalted but by knowledge; so long as a man will not give heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation. A man is his own tormenter, and is his own condemner: hence the saying they shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone-- so is the torment of man. I know the scriptures; I understand them. I said no man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body, but they must do it in this world: hence the salvation of Jesus Christ was wrought out for all men in order to triumph over the devil: for if it did not catch him in one place, it would in another, for he stood up as a Savior. The contention in heaven was, Jesus said there would be certain souls that would not be saved, and the devil said he could save them all; the grand council gave in for Jesus Christ: so the devil rebelled against God and fell, and all who put up their heads for him. All sins shall be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost: after a man has sinned against the Holy Ghost there is no repentance for him, he has got to say that the sun does not shine, while he sees it, he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the Heavens were open to him, and form that time they begin to be enemies, like many of the apostates of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. When a man begins to be an enemy, the hunts me. They seek to kill me; they thirst for my blood; they never cease. He has the same spirit that they had who crucified the Lord of Life: the same spirit that sins against the Holy Ghost. You cannot bring them to repentance. Awful is the consequence. I advise all of you to be careful what you do, you may be and bye find out that you have been deceived. Stay yourselves, do not give way. You may find out that some one has laid a snare for you. Be cautious; await! when you find a spirit that wants bloodshed, murder, the same is not of God, but is of the devil. Out of the abundance of the heart man speaketh. The man that tells you words of life, is the man that can save you. I warn you against all evil characters, who sin against the Holy Ghost, for there is no redemption for them in this world, or in the world to come. I can enter into the mysteries; I can enter largely into the eternal worlds: for Jesus said, in my father's house there are many mansions, &c. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, &c. We have reason to have the greatest hope and consolations for our dead, for we have aided them in the first principles; for we have seen them walk in our midst, and seen them sink asleep in the arms of Jesus. And hence is the glory of the sun. You mourners have occasion to rejoice; (speaking of the death of Elder King Follett,) for your husband is gone to wait until the resurrection: and your expectations and hope are far above what man can conceive: for why has God revealed it to us? I am authorized to say by the authority of the Holy Ghost, that you have no occasion to fear, for he is gone to the home of the just. Don't mourn: don't weep. I know it by the testimony of the Holy Ghost that is within me. Rejoice O Israel! your friends shall triumph gloriously, while their murderers shall welter for ages. I say this for the benefit of strangers. I have a father, brothers, and friends who are gone to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment; they are in the spirit, and when we depart we shall hail our mothers fathers, friends, and all whom we love.--- There will be no fear of mobs, &c., but all will be an eternity of felicity. Mothers you shall have your children, for they shall have eternal life; for their debt is paid, there is no damnation awaits them, for they are in the spirit.--- As the child dies, so shall it rise from the dead and be forever living in the learning of God, it shall be the child, the same as it was before it died out of your arms. Children dwell and exercise power in the same form as they laid them down. The baptism of water without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it is of no use: they are necessary. He must be born of water and the spirit in order to get into the kingdom of God. In the German, the text bears me out the same as the revelations which I have given for the last fourteen years. I have the testimony to put in their teeth; my testimony has been true all the time. You will find it in the declaration of John the Baptist, (reads from the German), John says I baptize you with water, but when Jesus comes, who has the power, he shall administer the baptism of fire, and the Holy Ghost. Great God! where is now all the sectarian world! and if this testimony is true, they are all damned as clearly as anathema can do it. I know the text is true. I call upon all you Germans, who know that it is true. to say aye, (loud shouts of aye.) Alexander Campbell, how are you going to save them with water alone? for John said his baptism was nothing without the baptism of Jesus Christ. There is one God, one Father, one Jesus, one hope of our calling, one baptism--- all these three baptisms only make one. I have the truth and am at the defiance of the world to contradict me, if they can. I have now preached a little Latin, and little Hebrew, Greek and German, and I have fulfilled all.--- I am not so big a fool as many have taken me to be. The Germans know that I read the German correct. Hear it all ye ends of the earth-- all ye sinners, repent! turn to God, for your religion wont save you, and you will be damned; I do not say how long; but those who sin against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiven in this world, or in the world to come; they shall die the second death; as they concoct scenes of bloodshed in this world so they shall rise to that resurrection, which is as the lake of fire and brimstone: some shall rise to the everlasting burning of God, and some shall rise to the damnation of their own filthiness---as exquisite as the lake of fire and brimstone. I have intended my remarks to all; both rich and poor, bond and free, great and small. I have not enmity against any man. I love you all. I am your best friend, and if persons miss their mark, it is their own fault. If I reprove a man and he hates me, he is a fool, for I love all men, especially these my brethren and sisters. I rejoice in bearing the testimony of my aged friends. You never know my heart; no man knows my history; I cannot tell it. I shall never undertake it; if I had not experienced what I have, I should not have known it myself. I never did harm any man since I have been born in the world. My voice is always for peace, I cannot lie down until all my work is finished. I never think any evil, nor any thing to the harm of my fellow man.--- When I am called at the trump of the ark-angel, and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. I add no more. God bless you all. Amen. The choir sung a hymn at half past 5 o'clock and dismissed with a benediction.