Articles and Covenants, circa April 1830, as Recorded in Coltrin, Diary [D&C 20]
Source Note
“Articles and Covenants,” [, Seneca Co., NY, ca. Apr. 1830, though parts may have been received as early as ca. summer 1829]. Version copied [12 Jan. 1832] in Coltrin, Diary, [1]–[10]; handwriting of ; CHL.
Strengthen them & see that there is no iniquity in the church nor hardness with each other nor lying nor back biteing nor evil Speaking & see that the Church meets together often & also that every member does his duty & he is to take the lead of Meetings in the absence of or & is to be assisted always & in all his duties in the Church by the but neither the nor the Deacons have authority to nor administer the but are to warn expound exhort & teach & invite all to come to Christ——
Every Elder Priest Teacher or Deacon is to be according to the gifts & callings of God unto him by the Power of the holy Ghost which is in the one who ordains him◊——
The Several Elders composing this are to meet in one in three month to church Church business whatsoever is nessessary &c & each Priest or Teacher who is ordained by any Priest is to take a cirtificate from him at the time which when shewn to an Elder he is to give him a licence which shall authorize him to perform the duty of his calling◊—— [p. [7]]