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
In November Orson Pratt, the younger brother of Parley P. Pratt, who
had been baptized by his brother Parley a few weeks earlier in Canaan,
Columbia County, N. Y., came to Fayette to learn the will of the Lord
concerning himself. In the following December Sidney Rigdon came from
Ohio on a similar visit, bringing with him a young man named Edward
Partridge, who was not a member of the Church. Edward Partridge, the
day after his arrival, satisfied with what he had seen and heard, was
baptized by Joseph Smith and later was confirmed by Sidney Rigdon. Both
of these young men, Orson Pratt and Edward Partridge, were called to
labor in the ministry and received the commendation and blessing of the
Lord for their faith and desire to serve him. "And this commandment,"
said the Lord, "shall be given unto the elders of my Church, that every
man which will embrace it with singleness of heart, may be ordained and
sent forth, even as I have spoken."
Sidney Rigdon to Write
Sidney Rigdon was commanded to be a companion to Joseph Smith and
to "forsake him not;" moreover, he was to write for him, "and the
scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the
salvation of mine elect," was the word of the Lord to him.
Lost Scriptures Restored
By commandment of the Lord, a revision of the scriptures by inspiration
had already commenced. Much conjecture frequently occurred among the
Saints regarding scripture mentioned in the Bible that could not be
found. They had learned in the reading of the Book of Mormon, "that
many plain and precious things" had been taken away from the Bible as
it went forth among the Gentiles. Many of these the Lord promised to
restore. From time to time, as their labors would permit, the Prophet
received by revelation these scriptures which, were lost, and Sidney
Rigdon wrote for him. Shortly after the coming of Sidney Rigdon to
Fayette, the Lord revealed the writings of Enoch, spoken of by Jude,
which caused much rejoicing among the Saints. These revelations now
form a part of the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price.
Command to Go to Ohio
Soon after the restoration of the words of Enoch, the Lord commanded
that the correction of the scriptures should cease until Joseph Smith
and companions could remove to Ohio. Such a step was necessary, the
Lord declared, "because of the enemy and for your sakes." However, they
were not to go in haste, but first to strengthen the several branches
of the Church in New York; especially that at Colesville, where the
members exercised much faith. Not only were Joseph and the brethren
with him to go to Ohio, but the Lord instructed all the Saints in New
York also to journey there, "against the time" when Oliver Cowdery
should return from the Lamanites.
Conference of January, 1831
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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