13. Elder Parley P. Pratt; in his _Autobiography_, referring to this revelation, for he was present when it was given--indeed it was obtained chiefly at his own and Elder John Murdock's solicitation--takes occasion to relate how this and other revelations were given through the Prophet. "Each sentence," says he, "was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded by an ordinary writer in long hand. This was the manner in which all his written revelations were dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings or corrections. As he dictated them so they stood, so far as I have witnessed; and I was present to witness the dictation of several communications of several pages each."--_Aut_. Parley P. Pratt, pp. 65-66. This statement of Elder Pratt's is true in a general way, and valuable as a description of the manner in which revelations were dictated by the Prophet; and needs modifying only to the extent of saying that some of the early revelations first published in the "Book of Commandments," in 1833, were revised by the Prophet himself in the way of correcting errors made by the scribes and publishers; and some additional clauses were inserted to throw increased light upon the subjects treated in the revelations and paragraphs added, to make the principles or instructions apply to officers not in the Church at the time some of the earlier revelations were given. The addition of verses, 65, 66 and 67 in sec. 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is an example. 14. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 51. {175} Chapter XV. The Important Conference of June 3rd-6th--Arrival of the Elders in Western Missouri. [Sidenote: Important Conference of June 3rd-6th, at Kirtland.] On the 3rd [1] of June, the Elders from the various parts of the country where they were laboring, came in; and the conference before appointed, convened in Kirtland; and the Lord displayed His power to the most perfect satisfaction of the Saints. The man of sin was revealed, [2] and the authority of the {176} Melchizedek Priesthood was manifested and conferred for the first time upon several of the Elders. [3] It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required. [4] Great harmony prevailed; several were ordained; faith was strengthened; and humility, so necessary for the {177} blessing of God to follow prayer, characterized the Saints. The next day, as a kind continuation of this great work of the last days, I received the following: _Revelation, given June, 1831._ [5] 1. Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the Elders whom He hath called and chosen in these last days, by the voice of His Spirit,