Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
March 18, 1833, the First Presidency of the Church was organized,
with Joseph Smith, president, and Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G.
Williams, counselors. This was in fulfilment of the commandment given
in a revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 90) on the 8th of that month,
wherein the Lord said to Joseph Smith: "And again, verily I say unto
thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, their sins
are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in
holding the keys of the kingdom." One year before, in March, 1832, the
Lord had called Frederick G. Williams to this position by revelation
(Doc. and Cov. Sec. 81), and to hold "the keys of the kingdom, which
belongeth always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood." Joseph
Smith laid his hands on the heads of each of these men and ordained
them to take part with him in this great responsibility. Thus another
step in the organization of the Church was completed.
Kirtland a Stake of Zion
March 23, 1833, a council of the elders was called for the purpose
of appointing a committee to purchase lands in Kirtland, upon which
the Saints might build a stake of Zion. After some deliberations a
committee was appointed consisting of Ezra Thayer and Joseph Coe. Later
the property was purchased for this purpose, and many of the elders
commenced to labor in various ways for the building of a city for the
Saints at Kirtland.
First Gathering of the Mob in Zion
In April, 1833, the first gathering of the mob in Jackson County took
place. About three hundred men came together to decide upon a plan
of campaign for the removal of the members of the Church in Jackson
County. At the same time the elders in Jackson County met in solemn
prayer and petitioned the Lord that the efforts of their enemies might
fail. They had reason to meet and pray, for the wickedness of their
enemies was extreme. Nor were the Saints free from guilt before the
Lord. They had failed to keep strictly the commandments of the Lord
which had been given them for the building up of Zion. Jealousies had
arisen and murmurings were heard; even the Prophet, as well as others
of the leading brethren, had been criticized. Some of the members had
failed to observe the law of consecration, which had been given for
the building of Zion, and their humility, in some respects, had been
forgotten. However, on this occasion the deliberations of their enemies
came to nothing. The Lord had heard the prayers of the Saints.
A House of the Lord in Kirtland
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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