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| Counsel to Zion, December
1833 |
| [Joseph Smith] and the elders in Kirtland
offer counsel to those in Zion: endure persecution well, don't ordain
hastily, missionaries don't argue, don't send boys out without
mature companions, beware of traitors. |
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THE ELDERS IN KIRTLAND, TO
THEIR BRETHREN ABROAD. |
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Evening and Morning
Star,
vol. 2 no. 15 (December 1833), 120; reprinted in JS history in Times
and Seasons,
vol. 6 no. 13 (July 15, 1845), 960. |
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Dear Brethren in Christ, and companions in tribulation: |
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Instructions
By will of our Mediator
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It seemeth good unto us, to drop a few lines to you, giving
you some instruction relative to conducting the affairs of the kingdom
of God, which has been committed unto us in these later times, by the will
and testament of our Mediator, whose intersessions in our behalf, are lodged
in the bosom of the Eternal Father, and ere long will burst with blessings
upon the heads of all the faithful: |
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Tribulation approaches
Endure persecution
Son of God to burst the veil |
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We have all been children, and are too mutch so at the present
time; but we hope in the Lord, that we may grow in grace and be prepared
for all things which the bosom of futurity may disclose unto us. Time is
rapidly rolling on, and the prophecies must be fulfilled. The days of tribulation
are fast approaching, and the time to test the fidelity of the Saints,
has come.—Rumor with her ten thousand tongues is diffusing her uncertain
sounds in almost every ear: but in these times of sore trial, let the saints
be patient and see the salvation of God. Those who cannot endure persecution
and stand in the day of affliction, cannot stand in the day when the Son
of God shall burst the veil, and appear in all the glory of his Father
with the holy angels. |
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| Ordinations—not
so fast |
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On the subject of ordination, a
few words are necessary: In many instances there has been too much haste
in this thing, and the admonition of Paul has been too slightingly passed
over, which says, "Lay hands suddenly upon no man." Some have
been ordained to the ministry, and have never acted in that capacity, or
magnified their calling at all: Such may expect to lose their calling,
except they awake and magnify their office. Let the elders abroad be exceedingly
careful upon this subject, and when they ordain a man to the holy ministry,
let it be a faithful man, who is able to teach others also; that
the cause of Christ suffer not. It is not the multitude of preachers that
is to bring about the glorious Millenium! but it is those who are "called,
and chosen, and faithful." |
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Avoid contention
Day of warning, not arguments
Cast no reflections
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Let the elders be exceedingly careful
about unnecessarily disturbing and harrowing up the feelings of
the people. Remember, that your business is, to preach the gospel in all
humility and meekness, and warn sinners to repent and come to Christ. Avoid
contentions and vain disputes with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire
to know the truth. Remember that "it is a day of warning, and not a
day of many words." If they receive not your testimony in one place,
flee to another, remembering, to cast no reflections, nor throw out any
bitter sayings. If you do your duty, it will be just as well with you,
as though all men embraced the gospel. |
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Don't send boys
Beware of traitors
Be virtuous |
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Be careful
about sending boys to preach the gospel to the world; if they go, let them
be accompanied by some one who is able to guide them in the proper channel,
lest they become puffed up, and fall under condemnation and into the snare
of the devil: finally, in these critical times, be careful, call on the
Lord day and night. Beware of pride: Beware of false brethren, who
will creep in among you to spy out your liberties, &c. Awake to righteousness
and sin not; let your light shine, and show yourselves work men that need
not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Apply yourselves diligently
to study, that your minds may be stored with all necessary information. |
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| Praying for day of
redemption |
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We remain your brethren in Christ,
anxiously praying for the day on redemption to come, when iniquity shall
be swept from the earth; and everlasting righteousness brought in: Farewell. |
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Farewell
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