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
As stated, all six of the original members of the Church were again
baptized on the day of the organization. This action was due, in part
at least, to the fact that baptism is the doorway into the Church as
well as for the remission of sins. There had been a few others baptized
before the sixth of April (see Ch. 9). Some of those previously
baptized raised the question as to why they should again be baptized.
In consequence of their desire to unite with the Church without
re-baptism, the Prophet inquired of the Lord in relation to the matter
and received the following revelation:
"Behold, I say unto you, that all old covenants have I caused to
be done away in this thing, and this is a new and an everlasting
covenant, even that which was from the beginning.
Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times, it
availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by
the law of Moses, neither by your dead works;
For it is because of your dead works, that I have caused this last
covenant and this Church to be built up unto me, even as in days of
old.
Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek
not to counsel your God. Amen" (Doc. and Cov. sec. 22).
Chapter 13
Beginning of the Public Ministry of the Church
1830
The First Public Discourse
On Sunday, April 11, 1830, the work of proselyting was publicly
launched. The first discourse was preached by Oliver Cowdery. The
meeting was held by appointment at the home of "Father" Peter Whitmer,
where the meeting of organization had been held the Tuesday preceding.
A goodly number of members and investigators were present. The
impression made on the minds of those assembled was favorable, and the
same day Hiram Page, Katherine Page, Christian Whitmer, Anne Whitmer,
Jacob Whitmer and Elizabeth Whitmer, were baptized. One week later
(April 18) Peter Whitmer, Sen., Mary Whitmer, William Jolly, Elizabeth
Jolly, Vincent Jolly, Richard B. Preston and Elizabeth Ann Whitmer,
were added to the Church.
The Ministry of Joseph Smith in Colesville
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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