The elders of the Church are instructed to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as they may determine, to transact such business as may come before them. All who are ordained are to receive certificates of ordination, and shall be accepted as officers in the Church by the vote of the members. Duties of Church Members All members shall be received by baptism after they have repented of their sins. They shall have sufficient time to be taught the Gospel and Church government before they are confirmed and partake of the sacrament. Children are to be brought to the elders of the Church, who shall bless them. The members must meet together often to partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ. The elder or priest who shall administer the sacrament "shall kneel with the Church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer," repeating the words which the Lord Himself has given. Transgressors Any member of the Church transgressing the commandments of the Lord, or the rules of the Church, shall be dealt with as the scriptures direct. If any are expelled their names are to be "blotted out" and not kept on the records of the Church. Recommendations of Members Records of members are to be kept in a book, and the members moving from one branch to another shall take a letter of recommendation, or certificate, stating that they are in standing in the Church. This shall be presented to the presiding officer in the branch with which they desire to unite. Summary These commandments and instructions were given through Joseph Smith, shortly before the organization of the Church, to guide him and his companions in Church government. They are all important because they deal with the fundamental principles of the Gospel and doctrines of the Church. They set forth clearly many things which were familiarly known in the primitive Church, but which were either lost or perverted during the ages of apostasy and departure from the standards set by the Savior and his disciples. Again they are restored in their simplicity, freed from all mysticism and error, for the salvation of mankind. Chapter 12 Organization of the Church 1830 The Church Organized