That the only reason why usurpers and apostates are now promising you

To organize the church according to the original pattern with a First Presidency

Is because so many have appealed to the law

And said “a church without a prophet is not the church for me”.

792.

Having no God-made prophet, they are about to offer you one made by themselves.

793.

Since you have rejected man-made parsons, bishops, and archbishops,

Will you accept a man- made prophet?

794.

Brethren, in this appeal to you I have spoken upon principles and not men.

795.

Those who say they are apostles yet are not,

Have gone beforehand to you with terrible accusations against me.

796.

I shall not retaliate on them by so much as naming their real errors.

797.

If they have the authority to lead the church, in spite of all their faults,

Their authority is good till regularly taken away.

798.

On the other hand, if I have not the authority,

No matter what the sanctity of my life, I have no right to assume it till it is regularly conferred.

799.

I am ready to test these matters by the word of God.

800.

Fully persuaded that no man can do me any real or lasting injury by myself,

I am content to leave both accusation and defense to others.

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Pastoral Letter of James                                                                   CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

to the Saints of Great Britain and Ireland                                                            Divisions 801-830

 

concerning ordination of the prophets

SECTION (19)

801.

As your true Shepherd I invite you to the fold and refuge God has prepared for you.

802.

Both at Voree and Beaver Island God has provided for the saints peace, abundance, and safety.

803.

The saints are gathering in a church with a God-made prophet, and an authorized priesthood,

And keeping the law of God,

Having all their goods and possessions in common and wanting nothing.

 

804.

We do not claim authority in virtue of numbers.

805.

We have never yet subscribed to the doctrine that the voice of the people is the voice of God,

Or that men are made prophets by the will of man.

806.

We know very well that Christ was rejected by the voice of the people.

807.

Truly did he say to the Israel of his day, ye are the children of those that slew the prophets.

808.

Moreover the prophet Joseph has given us a full test of those who say they are apostles and are not.

809.

 Though we will not accuse them,

Yet we believe the word of God by his prophet will stand, and by that they must fall.

810.

After the saints had gathered to Nauvoo God gave them the following promise:

D& C 107: 12, or 124: 44-48

811.

“If ye labor with all your might's,

I will consecrate that spot, that it shall be made holy;

812.

And if my people will harken unto my voice,

And unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people,

Behold, verily I say unto you,

They shall not be moved out of their place.

813.

Yet if they will not harken unto my voice,

Nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed,

They shall not be blest,

814.

Because they pollute mine holy grounds,

And mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words, that I give unto them.

 

815.

And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name,

And do not do the things that I say,

I will not perform the oath which I make unto you,

Neither fulfill the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord;

816.

For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works,

Bring cursings, wrath, indignation and judgments upon your own heads,

by your follies, and by all your abominations that you practice before me, saith the Lord.”

817.

That the saints in Nauvoo obeyed faithfully the words of Brigham Young and his associates from the death of Joseph till their final expulsion from that place,

And the laws which they gave as the law of God, they themselves have abundantly proved.

 

818.

Heber C. Kimball and others of the Twelve at the April Conference, 1845,

And at other times, said they were the most obedient people that ever existed.

819.

Why were they removed out of their place?

820.

Was it because the arm of God is shortened that he cannot save?

821.

Or was it because they obeyed the voice of men whom God did not appoint to be their leaders?

 

822.

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