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SECTION 81Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, March 1832. HC 1:257-258. Frederick G. Williams is called to be a high priest and a counselor in the Presidency of the High Priesthood. The historical records show that when this revelation was received in March 1832, it called Jesse Gause to the office of counselor to Joseph Smith in the Presidency. However, when he failed to continue in a manner consistent with this appointment, the call was subsequently transfered to Frederick G. Williams. The revelation (dated March 1832) should be regarded as a step toward the formal organization of the First Presidency, specifically calling for the office of counselor in that body and explaining the dignity of the appointment. Brother Gause served for a time, but was excommunicated from the Church in December 1832. Brother Williams was ordained to the specified office on March 18, 1833. |
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3—7, If Frederick G. Williams is faithful in his ministry, he shall have eternal life. | ||
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1 VERILY, verily, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams:
Listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the Lord your God,
and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a
ahigh priest in my church, and a
bcounselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.;
2 Unto whom I have given the akeys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the bPresidencya of the High Priesthood:
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2a the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the Presidency This, in Joseph's life time ought to have prevented any believing saint from ever considering Joseph a fallen prophet as long as he lived. For none could obtained the 'keys of the kingdom' but of and through his presidency. This Presidency is of course the First Presidency of the Church today. But one aditional clarification ought to be made. The 'First Presidency' only exists as long as the President of that Presidency lives. Upon his death the 'Presidency' is disolved and the keys fall back to the quorum of the twelve until they confirm the new Presidency under a new President. The fact that this has always been the senior member of the quorun of the apostles is also so established. Today there is little question as Elder Monson, who is first councelor is also the senior apostle. But this has not always been the case that the first councelor is automatically the first councelor in the Presidency. But the councelors in the Presidency are only that, 'councelors' to the Prophet. When the Prophet dies, the councelors do not have claim to the keys without him, and they fall to the quorum of the apostle who hold them jointly and under their senior member, the President of the Quoram. Today Boyd K. Packer only 'acts' as the president of the quoram, as President Monson has been called to the Presidency as councelor to President Hinckley. This is the true order. | |
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3 Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, and also
thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have
appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and
in private, also in thy aministry in proclaiming the gospel
in the bland of the living, and among thy brethren.
4 And in doing these things thou wilt do the greatest agood unto thy fellow beings, and wilt promote the bglory of him who is your Lord.
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5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed
unto you; asuccor the bweak, lift up the
hands which hang down, and cstrengthen the
dfeeble knees.
6 And if thou art afaithful unto the end thou shalt have a bcrown of cimmortality, and eternal life in the dmansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father. 7 Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
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