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SECTION 51Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio, May 1831. HC 1:173—174. At this time the saints migrating from the eastern states began to arrive in Ohio, and it became necessary to make definite arrangements for their settlement. As this undertaking belonged particularly to the bishop's office, Biship Edward Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord. |
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9—12, The saints are to deal honestly and receive alike; 13—15, They are to have a bishop's storehouse and to organized properties according to the Lord's law; 16—20, Ohio is to be a temporary gathering place. | ||
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D&C 51:1 HEARKEN unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will
speak unto my servant aEdward Partridge, and give unto him
directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize
this people.
D&C 51:2 For it must needs be that they be aorganized according to my blaws; if otherwise, they will be cut off.
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D&C 51:3 Wherefore, let my servant Edward Partridge, and those whom he has
chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people their
aportions, every man bequal according to
his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and
cneeds.
D&C 51:4 And let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his aportion, give unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this inheritance in the church, until he transgress and is not accounted worthy by the voice of the church, according to the blaws and ccovenants of the church to belong to the church. D&C 51:5 And if he shall transgress and is not accounted worthy to belong to the church, he shall not have power to aclaim that portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop for the poor and needy of my church; therefore, he shall not retain the gift, but shall only have bclaim on that portion that is deeded unto him.
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D&C 51:6 And thus all things shall be made sure, aaccording
to the blaws of the land.
D&C 51:7 And let that which belongs to this people be appointed unto this people.
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D&C 51:8 And the amoney which is left unto this
people—let there be an bagent appointed unto this
people, to take the cmoney to provide food and raiment,
according to the wants of this people.
D&C 51:9 And let every man deal ahonestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be bone, even as I have commanded you. D&C 51:10 And let that which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of aanother church.
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D&C 51:11 Wherefore, if another church would receive money of this church,
let them apay unto this church again according as they
shall agree;
D&C 51:12 And this shall be done through the bishop or the agent, which shall be appointed by the avoice of the church.
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D&C 51:13 And again, let the bishop appoint a astorehouse
unto his church; and let all things both in money and in meat, which are more
than is bneedful for the wants of this people, be kept in
the hands of the bishop.
D&C 51:14 And let him also reserve unto ahimself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family, as he shall be employed in doing this businessa.
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14a he shall be employed in doing this business During the period in which the church was engaged in their living the united order, the work of the Bishop in administering such unto the saints was a full time affair. Thus the Bishop's calling and position was such that he too had claim upon the Bishop's storehouse for his livelihood and his assigned stewardship was that of administering day in and day out to the needs of the people, his own family's included. | |
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D&C 51:15 And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing
themselves according to my alaws.
D&C 51:16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a alittle season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; D&C 51:17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.
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D&C 51:18 Behold, this shall be aan example unto my servant
Edward Partridge, in other places, in all churches.
D&C 51:19 And whoso is found a afaithful, a bjust, and a wise csteward shall enter into the djoy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life. D&C 51:20 Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who acometh quickly, in an bhour you think not. Even so. Amen.
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