| February 9, 1831, Kirtland, Ohio. |
|
Short missions. The New Jerusalem.
Only those ordained by recognized authorities may preach §—from
the Bible and Book of Mormon §. Do not teach
without the spirit §. Speak and prophecy as
the Comforter directs §. Cast out the
unrepentant §.
Consecrate property to the Lord §. The
bishop returns what the family needs. Keep the rest in the Lord's storehouse
for the poor and needy. Do not return consecrated property excommunicants.
Bless the sick. Do not mention Bible translation until complete §.
The kingdom is the keys of the church. Do not go in debt to the world
unless commanded
§ [dropped in 1835]. |
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| For Evening and Morning Star, Book of Commandments, and Doctrine and Covenants (1835) versions, see D&C 42 (2). For annotations and cross-references,
see D&C 42. |
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Book of Commandments and Revelations
(BCR, 62–67)
Scribe: John Whitmer
1831
Redactors: Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, Unidentified. |
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Book of Commandments,
Book A
Scribe: Orson Hyde
November 16, 1832 |
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Book of Commandments, Book B
Scribe: Algernon Sidney Gilber
Before June 12, 1833 |
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The Laws of the Church of Christ Received in Kirtland Geauga County State of Ohio in the Presence of twelve elders Febuary Ninth one thousand eight hundred & thirty one |
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Points of Law |
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Laws of
the Church of Christ received in the presence of twelve Elders
February
9th 1831. |
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¶ First Shall the Church come to gether into one place or continue in seperate establishments? |
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Question 1st
= Shall the Church come together into one place or remain as they are
in Separate bodies? |
| 1 |
¶ Hearken Oh ye Elders of my Church who have assembled yourselves
together in my name even Jesus Christ the Son of the living God the
Saveiour of the World |
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Answer
= Hearken Oh! ye Elders of my Church who have assembled yourselves
together in my name, even Jesus Christ the son of the living God the
Saviour of the world, |
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in as much as they believe on my
name & keep my Commandments |
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inasmuch as they believe on my
name & keep my Commandments, |
| 2 |
again I say unto you hearken & hear
& obey the Law which I shall give unto
you |
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again I say unto you hearken & hear
and obey the laws which I shall give unto
you |
| 3 |
for Verily I say as ye have assembled
yourselves together according to <the> commandment wherewith I commanded
you & are agreed as touching this one thing & have asked me <the Father> in
my name even so ye shall receive |
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for verily I say as ye have assembled
yourselves together according to the Commandment wherewith I commanded
you, and are agreed as touching this one thing and have asked me in
my name, even so ye shall receive— |
| 4 |
Behold
verily I say unto you I give unto you this first commandment that {63} ye shall
go forth in my name every one of you together excepting my servents Joseph & Sidney |
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Behold
verily I say unto you, I give unto you this first commandment that ye shall
go forth in my name every one of you, {2} together
with my
Servants Joseph & Sidney, |
| 5 |
& I give unto them a commandment
that they shall go forth for a little Season & it shall be given by
the power of my spirit when they shall return |
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& I give unto them a Commandment
that they Shall go forth for a little season & it Shall be given by
the power of my spirit when they Shall return— |
| 6 |
& ye shall go forth in the power
of my spirit preaching my Gospel two by two in my name lifting up your
voices as with the voice of a Trump declaring my word like unto Angels
of God |
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and ye Shall go forth in the power
of my Spirit, preaching my gospel two by two in my name lifting up your
voices as with the voice of a trump, declaring my word like unto Angels
of God— |
| 7 |
& ye shall go forth baptizing
with water saying repent ye repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand |
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and ye shall go forth baptizing
with water, saying Repent ye, Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at
hand, |
| 8 |
& from this place ye shall go
forth into the regions westward & in as much as ye Shall find my Deciples you <them that will receive ye> shall build up my Church in evry region |
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and from this place ye Shall go
forth into the regions westward & inasmuch as ye Shall find my
disciples ye shall build up my Church in every region |
| 9 |
until the time shall come
when it shall be revealed unto you from on high &
<when> the city of the New Jerusalem shall be prepared that ye may be gethered in one
that ye may be my people & I will be your God |
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untill the time Shall come
when it Shall be revealed unto you from on high, and the
City of the New Jerusalem shall be prepared, that ye may be gathered into one,
that ye may be my people & I will be your God |
| 10 |
& again I
say unto you that my servent Edward shall stand
in the office wherewith I have appointed him |
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& again I
say unto you {3} that my Servant Edward Shall Stand
in the Office wherewith I
have appointed him |
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& it shall come to pass that
if he transgress another shall be appointed in
his stead even so amen |
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& it shall come to pass that
if he transgress another Shall be planted in
his Stead, even So, Amen— |
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2nd The Law |
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Question
2d. The Law regulating the Church in her present situation till the time
of her gathering—Answer— |
| 11 |
Again I
say unto you that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach
my Gospel or to
build up my Church except they <he> be ordained by some one that
hath <who has> authority & it is known
to the Church that he hath <has> authority & has been regularly ordained by the heads of the Church |
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{1} Hearken
O ye people of my Church for behold I say unto you that it Shall
not be given to any one to go forth to preach my Gospel or to build up my
Church Except he be ordained by some one who has authority & it is known
to the Church that he has authority & has been regularly ordained by
the heads of the Church |
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Again
verily I
say unto you that it Shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach
my gospel & to
build up my Church except he be ordained by Some one that
hath authority & it be known
to the Church that he hath authority & has
been regularly ordained by the hands of this Church |
| 12 |
& again the Elders Priests
& Teachers of this Church shall teach the principles
which
are in the Bible and the Book of mormon in the which is the fulness of the gospel |
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& again the
Elders priests & Teachers of this Church shall teach the
Scriptures which are in the bible & the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness
of the Gospel |
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And again, the Elders, Priests
and Teachers of this church, shall teach the principles
of my gospel which
are in the Bible and Book of Mormon in the which is the fulness of my Gospel; |
| 13 |
& thou shalt they shall observe the Covenants & Church Articles to do them & this shall be thy their teachings & thou shalt they shall be directed by the Spirit it <which> shall be given the them by the prayer of faith |
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& they Shall observe
the covenants and Church articles to do them, & this Shall be their teaching |
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& thou Shalt observe
the covenants and Church articles to do them, & this Shall
be thy teaching |
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& if ye they receive not the spirit |
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& they shall be directed by
the Spirit |
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as thou Shalt be
directed by the Spirit., [sic] |
| 14 |
ye they shall not teach & all this |
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which shall be
given them by
the prayer of faith & if they receive
not the Spirit they Shall not teach |
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it shall be given unto
thee by the prayer of faith, & if ye receive
not the Spirit ye Shall
not teach, |
| 15 |
ye they shall observe to do as I have commanded concerning their teaching untill the fullness
of my scriptures are given |
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and all this they shall observe
to do as I have commanded concerning their teaching untill the fullness
of my scriptures are given |
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and all this ye shall {4} observe to do as I have commanded you concerning your
teachings untill
the fullness of my scriptures are given |
| 16 |
& as ye they shall lift up your <their> voices by the comforter ye they shall
{64} Speak & prophecy as seemeth me good |
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and as they shall lift up their their voices by the comforter, they Shall
speak and prophecy as seemeth me good; |
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and as ye shall
lift up your voices by the Comforter, ye shall
speak & prophecy as Seemeth me good |
| 17 |
for behold the Comforter knoweth all things
& beareth record of the Father and <of> the Son |
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for behold the comforter knoweth all things & beareth
record of the father & of the Son |
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for behold the Comforter knoweth all things,
and beareth record of the Father and the Son— |
| 18 |
&
now behold I speak unto the Church |
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& now Behold
I speak unto the Church |
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And
now, behold I speak unto the Church, |
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¶ Thou shalt not kill & he that
k[i]lleth shall not have forgiveness neither <in>
this world nor the <world> to come |
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Thou Shalt not kill
and he that killeth shall not have forgiveness neither in this world nor in the world to come |
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thou Shalt not kill, and he that
killeth Shall not have forgiveness neither in
this world nor the world to Come, |
| 19 |
& again thou shalt not kill
he that k[i]lleth shall die— |
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and again, Thou Shalt
not kill & he that killeth Shall die |
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and again, I
say unto you thou shalt not kill,
he that killeth shall die. |
| 20 |
thou shalt not steal & he that
stealeth & will not Repent shall be cast out |
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Thou Shalt not Steal
& he that Stealeth & will not repent Shall be cast out |
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Thou shalt not Steal & he that
stealeth & will not repent Shall be cast out— |
| 21 |
Thou shalt not lie he that lieth & will
not repent shall be cast out |
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Thou Shalt not Lie he
that lieth & will not repent Shall be cast out |
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thou Shalt not lie, he that lieth & will
not repent Shall be Cast out. |
| 22 |
thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart & <shall> Cleave unto her & none else |
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Thou Shalt love thy
wife {2} with all thy heart & Shall cleave unto her with
all & none else |
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Thou shalt love thy wife with all
thy heart and Shall cleave unto her & none else, |
| 23 |
& he that looketh upon a woman
to lust after her Shall deny the faith & shall not have the Spirit & if
he repent not he shall be cast out |
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& he that looketh upon a woman
to lust after her Shall deny the faith & shall not have the Spirit & if
he repent not he shall be cast out |
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and he that looketh upon a woman to lust after
her Shall deny the faith, & Shall not have the Spirit & if he repent
not he shall be cast out— |
| 24 |
¶ Thou shalt not commit
adultery & he that committeth adultery & Repenteth not shall be cast
out |
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Thou Shalt not commit
adultery and he that committeth adultery & repenteth not shall be cast
out |
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Thou
Shalt not Commit adultery and he that Committeth adultery & repenteth
not shall {1} be Cast out |
| 25 |
& he that committeth adultery
& Repenteth with all his heart & forsaketh it & doeth it no more
thou shalt forgive him |
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and he that Committeth adultery
and repenteth with all his heart and forsaketh it & doeth it no more
Thou Shalt forgive him |
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and he that Committeth adultery and repenteth with
all his heart and forsaketh & doeth it no more, thou shalt forgive
him, |
| 26 |
but if he do it again he shall
not be forgiven but shall be cast out |
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but if he do it again he Shall
not be forgiven but Shall be cast out |
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but if he do it
again he Shall <not> be forgiven, but Shall be cast out. |
| 27 |
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thou Shalt not speak
evil of thy neighbour nor do him any harm |
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Thou
shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do
him any harm, |
| 28 |
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thou knowest my laws
they are given in my scriptures he that sinneth & repenteth not Shall
be cast out |
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thou knowest my laws, they are
given in my Scriptures he that Sinneth & repenteth not shall be Cast
out— — |
| 29 |
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if Thou lovest me Thou
Shalt serve me & keep all my commandments |
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If thou lovest me thou Shalt Serve
me & keep all my Commandments |
| 30 |
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& behold
thou shalt consecrate all thy properties wh that which Thou hast unto me with a covenant & a
deed which cannot be broken |
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and behold thou Shalt Consecrate all thy property that
which thou hath unto me with a Covenant & a
deed which cannot be broken |
| 31 |
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& they Shall be laid before
the bishop of my church & Two of the Elders Such as he Shall appoint & set
apart for that purpose |
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and they Shall be laid before the Bishop of
my Church & two of the Elders such as he Shall appoint & Set apart
for that purpose |
| 32 |
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and it Shall come to
pass that the bishop of my church after that he has recd the properties
of my church that it cannot be taken from the Church {3} he Shall appoint every man a Steward over his own property or that which
he has recd
in as much as it Shall be sufficient for himself &
family |
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and it shall come to pass that
the Bishop of my Church after that he hath received
the [blank] of my Church that it cannot be
taken from you,
he Shall appoint every man a Steward over his own property or that which
he hath received
inasmuch as it Shall be sufficient for {2} himself & family |
| 33 |
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and the residue Shall
be kept to administer to him that has not that every man may receive according
as he Stands in need |
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and the residue Shall be kept to
administer to him that hath not
that every man may receive according as he Stands in need, |
| 34 |
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& the residue Shall
be kept in my Storehouse to a[d]minister to the poor & needy as
shall be appointed by the Elders of the Church & the Bishop |
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& the
residue Shall be kept in my Store House to administer to the poor & needy,
as Shall be appointed by the Elders of the
Church and the Bishop |
| 35 |
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& for the purpose of the purchasing lands & the building up of the
new Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed |
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& for the purpose of purchasing lands and
the building up the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed, |
| 36 |
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that my covenant people may be
gathered in one in the day that I Shall come
to my Temple |
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that my Covenant people may be gathered in me in
the day that I Shall come to my Temple |
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¶ this I do for
the salvation of my people |
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this
[I] do for the Salvation of my people |
| 37 |
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And it Shall come to pass that he
that Sinneth and repenteth not Shall be cast out & Shall not receive
again that which he hath consecrated unto me |
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and it Shall
come to pass that he that Sinneth and repenteth not Shall be Cast out and
Shall not receive again that which he hath consecrated
unto me |
| 38 |
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| 39 |
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for it Shall come to pass that that which I
Spake by the mouth of my prophets Shall be fulfilled for I will consecrate
the riches of the Gentiles unto my people which are of the house of Israel. |
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for it Shall come to pass that which I Spake
by the mouth of my prophets Shall be fulfilled
for I will Consecrate the riches of the Gentiles unto my people which are
of the House of Israel — |
| 40 |
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& again Thou Shalt
not be proud in heart let all {4} thy garments be plain & their beauty
the beauty of the work of the [sic] own
hands |
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and again thou shalt not be proud
in [thy] heart, let all thy Garments be plain & their beauty {3} the
beauty of the work of thine own hands |
| 41 |
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& let all things be done in cleanliness before
me |
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& let all things be done in decency before
me — — — |
| 42 |
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thou Shalt not be Idle
for he that is idle Shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the
labourer |
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Thou
Shalt not be idle for he that is idle Shall not eat the bread nor wear
the garments of the Labourer, |
| 43 |
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& whosoever among
you that is sick & hath not faith to be
healed but believeth Shall be nourished in all tenderness with herbs &
mild food & that not of the world. |
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and whosoever
among you that is Sick & hath not faith to be healed but believeth Shall be nourished in all
tenderness with herbs & mild food & not that of
the world |
| 44 |
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& the Elders of the Church
2 or more Shall be called & Shall pray for & lay <their> hands
upon them in my name & if they die they Shall die unto me & if
they live they shall live unto me. |
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and the Elders of the Church two or more Shall
be called & Shall pray for & lay their hands upon them in my name, & if
they die, they Shall die unto me, & if they live they, Shall live unto
me, |
| 45 |
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thou Shalt live together
in love insomuch that thou Shalt weep for the loss of them that die &
more especially for those that have not the
hope of a Glorious resurrection |
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thou Shalt live together in love,
insomuch that thou Shalt weep for the loss of those that die, & more
especially for those that have not the hope
of a glorious resurrection, |
| 46 |
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& it Shall [come
to pass] that they who die in me Shall not
Taste of Death for it Shall be Sweet unto them |
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and it Shall come to pass that they that
die in me Shall not taste of death for it Shall be sweet unto them & |
| 47 |
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& they who die
not in me wo unto them for their death is bitter, |
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they that die
not in me [blank] their death Shall be bitter, |
| 48 |
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& again it Shall
come to pass that he that hath faith in me
to be healed & is not appointed unto Death shall be healed, |
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& again it Shall Come to pass
that he that hath faith in me to be healed & is
not appointed unto death shall be healed, |
| 49 |
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he that hath faith
to See Shall see |
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he that hath faith to see {4} Shall
See, |
| 50 |
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& he
that hath faith to hear shall hear |
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he that hath faith
to hear Shall hear, |
| 51 |
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the lame that hath
faith to {5} leap Shall leap |
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the lame who hath faith
to leap Shall leap, |
| 52 |
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& they that have not faith
to do these things but believe in me hath power to become my sons & inasmuch
as they break not my law thou Shalt bear their infirmities, |
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& they that have
not faith to do these things but believe in me hath power
to become my sons, & inasmuch as they believe
in & break not my law, thou Shalt
bear their infirmities — — |
| 53 |
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Thou Shalt Stand in
the place of thy StewardShip. |
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Thou
shalt stand in the place of thy Stewardship, |
| 54 |
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Thou Shalt not take
thy brothers garment thou Shalt pay for that which thou Shalt receive of
thy brother |
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thou Shalt not take thy brothers
garment, thou Shalt pay for that which thou Shalt receive of thy brother |
| 55 |
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& if thou obtain
more than that which would be for thy support thou Shalt give it into my
store house that all things may be done according
to that which I have Spoken |
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and if thou obtain more
than that which would be for thy support, thou Shalt give it into my Store
house, that it may
be done according to that which I have Spoken == |
| 56 |
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thou Shalt ask and my
scriptures Shall be given as I have appointed & for thy safety |
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Thou shalt ask and my scriptures
Shall be given as I have appointed, and for thy salvation |
| 57 |
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it is expedient
that thou Shalt hold thy peace concerning them till ye have recd.
them. |
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thou Shalt hold
thy peace concerning them till ye have recd.
them, |
| 58 |
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then I give unto you
a commandment that you Shall Teach them unto
all men & they Shall be taught to all nations Kindreds tongues & people |
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and then
I give unto you a Commandment that ye Shall
teach them unto all men & they also Shall
be taught unto all nations kindreds, tongues & people— |
| 59 |
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thou Shalt take the things
which thou hast recd. which thou knowest to have been my laws to be my laws to govern my church |
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Thou Shalt take those things
which thou hast recd. which thou knowest to have
been my law & to
be {5} to govern my
Church |
| 60 |
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& he that doeth according to
these things {6} Shall be saved & he that doeth them not Shall be damned
if he continue |
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& he that doeth according to these things
Shall be Saved, & he that doeth them not Shall be damned if he continues— |
| 61 |
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if thou shalt ask thou
Shalt receive revelation upon revelation knowledge upon knowledge that
thou mayest know the mysteries of the peaceable
things of the kingdom that which bringeth joy that which bringeth life Eternal |
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If thou shalt ask thou shalt receive
revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge that thou mayest know
the mysteries of the peaceable
things of the kingdom, that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life
Eternal— |
| 62 |
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Thou Shalt ask &
it Shall be revealed unto you in mine own due
time when the New Jerusalem Shall be built |
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Thou
Shalt ask & it Shall be revealed unto you in mine own
due time, when the New Jerusalem Shall be
built, |
| 63 |
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& behold it Shall
come to pass that my servants Shall be sent both to the east & to the
west & to the north & to the south |
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& behold it Shall come to pass
that my Servants Shall be Sent both to the East & to the west & to
the North & to the South, |
| 64 |
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& even now let him that goeth
to the East teach them that Shall be converted
to flee to the west & this because of that which is to come, & secret
combinations. |
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& even now let him that goeth to the East
teach them that are Converted to flee to the
west & this because of that which is to
come, & secret Combinations— |
| 65 |
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behold thou Shalt observe
all these things & great shall be thy reward. |
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Behold thou Shalt observe all these
things & great Shall be thy reward, |
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Thou Shalt observe to
keep the mysteries of the Kingdom unto thyself. it is not given to the world
to know the mysteries |
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Thou Shalt
observe to keep the mysteries of the Kingdom unto
thyself, for it is not given to the
world to know the mysteries. |
| 66 |
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& these laws which ye have recd Shall be |
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And these laws
which ye have recd. are |
| 67 |
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sufficient for you here & in
the new Jerusalem |
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sufficient for you here & in
the New Jerusalem |
| 68 |
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Therefore he that lacketh
knowledge let him ask of me, and I will give him liberally, and upbraid
him not. |
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but he
that lacketh knowledge let him ask {6} of me & I
will give him liberally & upbraid him not— |
| 69 |
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lift up your hearts
& rejoice for unto you the kingdom has been given Even so Amen |
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lift up your hearts & rejoice
for unto you the kingdom has been given, even
so, Amen— |
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Question
4th [sic] How the Elders are to dispose
of their families while they are proclaiming or otherways engaged in
the Service of the Church — Answer — |
| 70 |
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{7} The priests & teachers
Shall have their stewardship given them even as
the members |
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That the
Priests & Teachers Shall have their Stewardship given them
as the other members, |
| 71 |
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& the Elders are to assist
the Bishop in all things and he is to see that their families are Supported
out of the property which is consecrated to
the Lord |
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and the Elders are to assist the Bishop in
all things & he is to See that their families are Supported out of
the property consecrated to the Lord |
| 72 |
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either a Stewardship or otherwise
as may be thought best by the Elders & Bishop |
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either a Stewardship or otherwise as may be
thought best by the Elders and Bishop— |
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Shaded text is dropped in the Doctrine and Covenants (1835). |
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Question
5th [sic] How far is it the will of the
Lord we Should have dealings with them — Answer— |
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Thou Shalt contract no debts with the world |
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Thou
Shalt not contract any debts
with them |
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& again the Elders
& Bishop Shall council together & they shall do by the directions of the Spirit as it must needs be necessary. |
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& again the Elders and Bishop
Shall councel together and they shall do by the direction of the Spirit
as it must needs be necessary.— |
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Question
6th [sic] What preparation shall we make
for our Brethren from the East & where & how? |
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There Shall be as many
appointed as must needs be necessary to assist the Bishop in obtaining
Houses
that they may be together as much as can be & as directed by the holy
Spirit & every family that they may live by themselves, and every Church
Shall be organized in as close bodies as they can |
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Answer— There
Shall be as many appointed {7} as must needs be
necessary to assist the Bishop in obtaining Houses for
the Brethren that they may be together as much as can be & is directed
by the Holy Spirit, & every family Shall
have place that they may live by themselves, and every Church Shall
be organized in as close bodies as they Can be for
the Enemy— |
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D&C 42:74–93
D&C 43
D&C 42
D&C 41
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