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1 THEhe rise of the Cchurch of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in the flesh,;
2 Iit being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month, which is called April—:
23 Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun.,, who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first an elder of this church;
34 And also to Oliver Cowdery,who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the secondan elder of this church, and ordained under his hand;:
45 And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen.
6 For, 5 Aaafter that it was truly was manifested unto this first elder, that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world;
67 But after truly repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness,
7 Aand gave unto him commandments which inspired him from on high,;
8 Aand gave unto him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate a book the Book of Mormon;
98 Which contains book contained a record of a fallen people, and also the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and;
9 And also to the Jews, also;
11 Pproving to the world unto them, that the holy scriptures are true, and;
10 And also, that God doesdoth inspire men and call them to his holy work, in this age and generation,these last days as well as in generationsdays of old;
12 Thereby showing, that he is might be the same God yesterday, today, and forever.for ever. Amen.
1011 Which book was given by inspiration, and is called the book of Mormon, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them:—
1312 TWhereford, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter come to a knowledge of receive this work.
14 And those who receive it in , either to faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life;
15 But those who harden their hearts or to the hardness of heart in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation,—
16 Ffor the Lord God hashath spoken it; and, for we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on high,; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1713 Wherefore, bBy these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, the same unchangeable God, the framermaker of heaven and earth, and all things which arethat in them; is,
18 And that he created man, male and female, and after his own image, and in his own likeness, created he them;
1914 And gave unto themthe children of men commandments, that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship,.
20 Bbut by the transgression of these holy laws, man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man.
2115 Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Oonay Bbegotton Son, as it is written in those scriptures, which have been given of him., that
22 Hhe suffered temptations, but gave no heed unto them.;
2316 That Hhe was crucified, died, and rose again the third day,;
24 Aand that he ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with aAlmighty power according to the will of the Father;.
25 That 17 Therefore, as many as would believe and bewere baptized in his holy name, and endured in faith to the end, should be saved—;
26 Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, 18 Yea, even as many as were before he came, in the flesh, from the beginning, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, whowhich truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life,
27 Aas well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God, by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son,;
28 Wwwhich Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost are, is one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.
2919 And we know, that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
3020 And we know, that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true;
3121 And we know, also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.,
32 Bbut there is a possibility that manmen may fall from grace and depart from the living God;.
3322 Therefore, let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
3423 Yea, and even let those who are he that is sanctified take heed also.
3524 And we know, that these things are true and accordingagreeable to the revelations of John, neither adding to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of his book, ;
25 Neither to the holy scriptures, or;
26 Neither to the revelations of God which shall come hereafter, by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, ;
27 Neither by the voice of God, or ;
28 Neither by the ministering of angels.,
36 Aand the Lord God hashath spoken it; and honor, power, and glory, be rendered to his holy name, both now and ever. Amen.
3729 And again, by way of commandment to the church, concerning the mannermatter of baptism—;
30 Behold All those whosoever humbleth themselves himself before God, and desireth to be baptized, and comes forth with a broken hearts and a contrite spirits, and witnesseth unto before the church, that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him unto the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, then shall they be received byunto baptism into histhe church of Christ.
3831 The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—.
32 An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize;
39 Aand to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons;,
40 Aand to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ—
41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;
4233 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church;
4334 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost;,
44 Aand to take the lead of all meetings.
4535 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.
4636 The priest’s duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament,
47 Aand visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and also to attend to all family duties.;
4837 And he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons.,
49 Aand he is to take the lead of meetings; when there is no elder present;
50 Bbut none of these offices is he to do when there is an elder present, he is only to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize,
51 And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
52 Iin all cases these duties the priest is to assist the elder if occasion requires.
5338 The teacher’s duty is to watch over the church always, and be with them, and strengthen them;,
54 Aand see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, nor back biting, nor evil speaking;
5539 And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty.;
5640 And he is to take the lead of meetings in the abscence of the elder or priest—,
57 Aand is to be assisted always, and in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires.;
5841 But neither the teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, nor administer the sacrament, or lay on hands;
59 Theybut are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
6042 Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon, is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of God unto him; and he is to be ordained, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who ordains him.
6143 The several elders composing this church of Christ, are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferencesthey shall direct or appoint;
62 And said conferences are, to do whatever church business whatsoever is necessary to be done at the time.
63 The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences.
6444 And eEach priest, or teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest, mayis to take a certificate from him at the time, which certificate, when presented to an elder, shall entitlehe is to give him to a license, which shall authorize him to perform the dutiesduty of his calling, or he may receive it from a conference.
65 No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the vote of that church;
66 But the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a vote may be called.
67 Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder), bishop, high councilor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference.
6845 The duty of the members after they are received by baptism—.
46 The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning thethis church of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the sacrament, and being confirmed by the laying on of the hands of the elders,;
47 Sso that all things may be done in order.
6948 And the members shall manifest before the church, and also before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy scriptures—, walking in holiness before the Lord.
7049 Every member of thethis church of Christ having children, is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christthe Lord, and bless them in histhe name of Christ.
71 No50 There can not any one can be received into thethis church of Christ unless he, who has not arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is not capable of repentance.
7251 And bBaptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent—:
73 The person who is52 Whosoever being called of God and hashaving authority fromgiven them of Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptismthem, and shall say, calling him or herthem by name:
53 Having been commissionedauthority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
7454 Then shall he immerse him or herthem in the water, and come forth again out of the water.
7555 And iIt is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine, in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;
7656 And the elder or the priest shall administer it;, and after this manner shall he administer it—do, he shall kneel with the church, and call upon the Father in solemnmighty prayer, saying:
7757 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hashath given them;, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
7858 The mannermatter of administering the wine—he:
59 Behold they shall take the cup also, and say:
79, O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them;, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
8060 Any member of thethis church of Christ, transgressing, or being overtaken in a fault, shall be dealt with according as the scriptures direct.
8161 It shall be the duty of the several churches, composing thethis church of Christ, to send one or more of their teachers to attend the several conferences, held by the elders of thethis church,
82 Wwith a list of the names of the several members, uniting themselves withto the church since the last conference;, or send by the hand of some priest;, so that there can be kept a regular list of all the names of the members of the whole church may be kept, in a book kept by one of the elders,;
62 Wwhomsoever the other elders shall appoint from time to time;:
8363 And also, if any have been expelled from the church, so that their names may be blotted out of the general church record of names.
84 All 64 Any members removing from the church where theyhe resides, if going to a church where they arehe is not known, may take a letter certifying that they arehe is a regular members and in good standing,;
65 Wwhich certificate may be signed by any elder or priest, if the member receiving the letter is personally acquainted with the elder or priest, or it may be signed by the teachers or deacons of the church.
107
To the Church of Christ in the Land of Zion in addition to the Church Laws respecting Church business
60 Vverily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hhosts, there must needs be presiding Eelders to preside over themthose who are of the office of an Eelder;
61 Aand also Ppriests to preside over thosethem who are of the office of a Ppriest;
61 Aand also Tteachers to preside over thosethem who are of the office of a Tteacher, in like manner, a And also the deacons—
63 Wwherefore, from Ddeacon to Tteacher, and from Tteacher to Ppwriest, and from Ppriest to Eelder, severally as they are appointed, according to the Church Articles and Cccovenants and commandments of the church.
64 Tthen comesth the Hhigh Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
65 Wwherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the Hhigh Priesthood to preside over the Pppriesthood,and he shall be called President of the Hhigh Priesthood of the Church;
66 Oor, in other words, the Presiding Hhigh Priest over the Hhigh Priesthood of the Church.
67 Ffrom the same comesth the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the Cchurch, by the Llaying on of the hands.
68 Wwherefore, the office of a Bbishop is not equal unto it; for the office of a Bbishop is in administering all temporal things;
69 Nnevertheless a Bbishop must be chosen from the Hhigh Priesthood that he, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;
70 For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold the keys of that priesthood.
71 Nevertheless, a high priest, that is, after the order of Melchizedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth;
72 Aand also to be a Jjudge in Israel, to do the business of the Cchurch, to sit down in Jjudgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before himthem according to the Llaws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he hasth chosen or will choose among the Eelders of the church.
73 This is the duty of a bishop who is not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
74 Tthus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion, or in a stake of Zion, or in any branch of the church where he shall be set apart unto this ministry, until the borders of Zion are enlarged and it becomes necessary to have other Bbishops or judges in Zion or elsewhere.
75 Aand inasmuch as there are other Bbishops appointed they shall act in the same office.
76 But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in the office of bishop independently, without counselors, except in a case where a President of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, is tried, to sit as a judge in Israel.
77 And the decision of either of these councils, agreeable to the commandment which says:and
78 Aagain, verily, I say unto you, the most important business of the church, and the most difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as there is not sufficient satisfaction upon the decision of the bishop or judges, it shall be handed over and carried up unto the councilcourt of the church, before the Presidencypresident of the Hhigh Priesthood.
79 Aand the Presidencypresident of the councilCourt of the Hhigh Ppriesthood shall have power to call other high priests, even twelve, to assist as counselors; and thus the Presidencypresident of the Hhigh Ppriesthood and itshis counselors shall have power to decide upon testimony according to the laws of the church.
80 Aand after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no more before the Lord; for this is the highest councilcourt of the church of God, and a final decision upon controversies in spiritual matters.
81 There is not any personall persons belonging to the church who isare not exempt from this councilcourt of the church.
82 Aand inasmuch as athe Ppresident of the Hhigh Ppriesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common councilcourt of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the Hhigh Priesthood;
83 Aand their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.
84 Tthus, none shall be exempted from the justice andof the lLaws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him,me in according to truth and righteousness. Amen
85A few more words in addition to the Laws of the church And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a Ddeacon is to preside over twelve Ddeacons, to sitset in council with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants.
86 And also the duty of the president over the office of the Tteachers is to preside over twenty– four of the Tteachers, and to sitset in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.
87 Also the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaronpriesthood is to preside over forty– eight priests, and to setsit in council with them, and to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants—
88 This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood.
89 And aAgain, the duty of the president over the office of the Eelders is to preside over ninety– six Eelders, and to sitset in council with them,and to teach them according to the covenants.
90 This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world.
91 And again, the duty of the Ppresident of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—
92 Bbehold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a Sseer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestowseth upon the head of the church.
93 And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy;
94 And the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six;
95 And these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides the first seventy to whom they belong, and are to preside over them;
96 And also other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.
97 And these seventy are to be traveling ministers, unto the Gentiles first and also unto the Jews.
98 Whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the Seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.
99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
100 Hhe that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learnseth not his duty and showssheweth himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Eeven so. Amen.
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