Articles and Covenants, circa April 1830, Symonds Rider Copy [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 [May 1831]; handwriting of ; six pages; Revelations Collection, CHL.
And Savior Jesus Christ is just and true to all those who love and serve God with all their mights minds and str[e]ngth but there is a possibility that men may fall from grace and depart from the living God therefore let the Church take heed and pray always lest ye fall into temptation yea and even he that is Sanctified also and we know that these things are just and true and agreable to the Revelations of John neither adding nor diminishing to the Prophecies of his Book neither to the holy Scriptures neither to the Revelations of God which shall come hereafter by the gift and power of the holy Ghost neither by the voice of God neither by the ministering of and the Lord God hath spoken it and honor power and glory be rendered to his holy name both now and ever Amen)——
And again by way of Commandment to the Church concerning the manner of Baptizing Behold whosoever humbleth himself before God and desireth to be baptized and comes forth with a broken heart and a contrite Spirit and witnesseth unto the Church that they have truly repented of all their Sins and are willing to take upon them the name of Christ have<ing> a determination to serve him unto the end and truly manifest by their works that they have received the Spirit unto the remission of their Sins then Shall they be received unto into the church of Christ
The duty of the Elders Priests Teachers Deacons and Members of the church of Christ an is an Elder and it is his calling to baptise and to ordain other Elders Priests Teachers and Deacons and to administer the flesh and blood of Christ according to the Scriptures and to p[r]each and expound exhort and to Baptize and to watch over the Church and to confirm the Church by the laying on of the hands and the giving of the holy Ghost and to take the lead if of all meetings &c)——
The Elders are to conduct the meetings according as they are led by the holy Ghost)——
The Priests duty is to preach teach expound exhort and Baptize and administer the Sacrament and visit the house of each member and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and also to attend all familys duties and ordain other Priests and Teachers and Deacons and take the [p. [3]]