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The Importance of the Revelation
Given to Jason Briggs
By Vance Snively
On November 18, 1851, the Lord gave a message to Jason Briggs
on the plains outside of Beloit, Wisconsin. This revelation
was very important to the early Reorganization because it
gave guidance and direction to the Saints at that time, but
it is also important to us today. However, before we can fully
appreciate its application for our times, we must first understand
the historical setting in which it was given.
After the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., on June 27, 1844, the
Church was thrown into chaos, and many factions formed due
to two points of doctrine. Even though Joseph had designated
his son, Joseph III, four times—in the Liberty Jail,
the Red Brick Store, the Grove in Nauvoo, and the Mansion
House—to succeed him according to Doctrine and Covenants,
Section 43:1–2 and the law of father-to-son lineal priesthood
descent (DC 83:2; 84:3; 104:18), many Church leaders believed
it was their right to lead the Church after his death. The
men who led the largest groups were Brigham Young, Sidney
Rigdon, William Smith, James J. Strang, and Lyman Wight. William
Smith (the Martyr's brother) and Lyman Wight, who were both
apostles, were the only ones who supported Young Joseph as
the next prophet. However, in the years just prior to the
Reorganization, William Smith recanted that position and claimed
that he was the successor of Joseph Smith, Jr. (see RLDS History
of the Church 3:738). The second false doctrine common
to many of the factions was the teaching and practice of spiritual
wifery (also known as plural marriage, celestial marriage,
or polygamy). Within those factions this false teaching proved
to be a source of discontent to those who sought to remain
true to the beliefs of the Church.
(Continue...)
My People Will I Preserve
A Sermon by Apostle Arthur Oakman, November
1957
Norwalk, Connecticut, Metropolitan New York District Conference
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I wonder how I may present my point of view.
Perhaps if I tell you what happened to me on the first day
of January 1939, it may help, because I am conscious of the
fact that essentially the same set of circumstances are present
today as were present then—perhaps on a more horrific
scale than they were then. I was supposed to preach in Birmingham,
England, on the first day of January which happened to be
Sunday. It happened to be our second wedding anniversary.
I was perplexed [because World War II was about to begin].
Munich had come and gone. And although the world was brought,
at Munich, to the edge of disaster and had looked into the
jaws of the abyss and had drawn back shuddering from fear,
none of us felt that it would be too long before from the
depth of that abyss the whole world would be plunged into
darkness and the effects of selfishness would be revealed
in blood, fire, and vapors of smoke. Men were crying "Peace,"
as they are crying "Peace" today, and there was
no peace.
(Continue...)
From the Death of Joseph
Smith, Jr. to the Reorganization
How God Cleansed His Church and Set it
in Order
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"Also, I give unto you a commandment,
that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time
forth.
"And I give unto you a commandment,
that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom;
teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you
may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle,
in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that
pertain unto the kingdom of God, that is expedient for you
to understand; of things both in heaven, and in earth, and
under the earth; things which have been; things which are;
things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at
home things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities
of the nations; and the judgments which are on the land; and
a knowledge also of countries, and of kingdoms, that ye may
be prepared in all things when I shall send you again, to
magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission
with which I have commissioned you" (Doctrine and Covenants
85:21).
(More...)
"This Church Will
Triumph"
By Patriarch I. N. White
Isaac N. White was an outstanding elder,
seventy, apostle, and patriarch in the Reorganized Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a patriarch at
the time he bore the following testimony at the Stone Church—that
the Lord had assured him that in spite of opposition, trials,
difficulties, and falling away of members, the Church would
triumph and be victorious. His testimony is found in Zion'
s Ensign, November 7, 1918, pages 9–10.
I have had many [testimonies]... and I have got one that
I just received a few days ago. I took an extract from my
diary just before I left because I thought I might need it.
You remember when we were on the lawn [of the Stone Church]
last Sunday night here, and while the choir was singing the
last song before dismissal, "The angel message"—let
me just give you the experience. When the power of God came
unto me that my soul was lifted up by that wonderful Spirit,
I looked around about me. I felt the glowing influence of
the Spirit coming upon me at that time. I did not care to
make a show of myself there, but as they sang:
"I have found the glorious gospel
that was taught in former years,
With its gifts and blessings all so full and free; And my
soul is thrilled with gladness, and banished are my
fears, Since the precious angel message came to me."
Then when the chorus was sung:
"Then praise the Lord, O my soul!
Abundant mercy, oh, how free!
In joyful song my spirit doth accord,
Since the precious angel message came to me."
Then I felt that influence, just like a funnel, fall over
me as I sat beside my wife, and heard a voice speak to me
and these were the words, as the Spirit rested upon me: "This
Church will triumph. Though some will fall away, yet the Church
will move forward to victory."
And when the dismissal was had, I went off the lawn by the
way of the Order of Enoch [building], and felt that glow and
influence of the Spirit until I got to my home.
(Continue...)
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