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Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 4 August 1835

 
will if presisted in, bring down the wrath and indig nation upon your heads. The other ten

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The articles and covenants of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder” and, as such, had...

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are directed to  procceed on and finish the conferences

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

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, and the two  may act their own Judgment, whether to proceed or  return.
President

The presiding body of the church. From the day of the church’s organization on 6 April 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery led the church in their capacity as elders. An 11 November 1831 revelation directed that “the duty of the president of the office of the high...

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J. Smith Jr. read to the counsel

A gathering of church leaders assembled “for consultation, deliberation and advice”; also a body responsible for governance or administration. As early as 9 February 1831, a revelation instructed that “the Elders & Bishop shall Council together & they shall...

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a letter from  Elder

An administrative and ecclesiastical office not associated with age. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church.” The articles and covenants of the church directed...

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Wm. Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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, which was approved, and filled our  hearts with Joy.
A letter from Elder T[homas] B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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was presented— The  council refer him to the commandment which requires men  to have or bring their families without revelation, or de cisian of the high counsel

Although JS utilized councils of elders and high priests earlier in church government, the first standing high council of the church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834. The second high council was organized a few months later in Clay County...

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— Were they to come, they would  not be with him as much as they will to tarry. Pres ident Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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’ family is not coming.
We discover an error in Elder Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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’es letter— He says,  “To the able preaching of Elders W. E. M.c.Lellin

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into LDS church by Hyrum Smith...

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& P. P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother to acquire land, 1823. Affiliated...

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.”  We conclude that if it had been the preaching of the Lord, as  it should have been, he would have had the honor, and  not these men.
To close, we add, that unless this epestle is heeded, in  all its parts, in its full forcce, those who rebell against  it shall be dealt with by the Lord accordingly, for we  ask, being agreed as touching this thing.
We wish you to understand, that your duty requires  you to seek first the kingdom of Heaven and its  righteousness, that is— attend to the first things first, and  then all things will be added, and that complaint abo[u]t  your families will be less frequent— Dont preach  yourselves crucified for your wives sake, but remembr  that Christ was crucified, and you are sent out to be spe cial witnesses of this thing. Men do not wish to hear  these little things, for there is no salvation in them,  but there is in the other.
Let the hands of the ten be strengthened, and let  them go forth in the name of the Lord, in the power  of their mission, giving diligent heed to the direction [p. 92]

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