Instruction on Priesthood, between circa 1 March and circa 4 May 1835, as Recorded in Kimball, History [D&C 107]
Source Note
Instruction on Priesthood, , Geauga Co., OH, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835. Version copied [between 31 May 1843 and 31 Dec. 1856] in Kimball, History, pp. 28–33; in handwriting of ; CHL.
shall be assisted by twelve counsellors of the ; and their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him. Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness.
38. And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a is to preside over twelve deacons, to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty— edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants.
39. And also the duty of the president over the office of the is to preside over twenty four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.
40. Also the duty of the president over the is to preside over forty eight , and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants. This president is to be a ; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood.
41. Again, the duty of the president over the office of is to preside over ninety six elders, and to sit in council with them, and to teach them according to the covenants. This presidency is a distinct one from that of the and is designed for those who do not travel into all the world.
42. And again, the duty of the is to preside over the whole , and to be like unto Moses. Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a , a revelator, a , and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.
43. And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy; and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six; and these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides the first seventy, to whom they belong, and are to preside over them; and also other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it. And these seventy are to be travelling ministers unto the first, and also unto the Jews; whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the twelve, neither to the seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.
44. Wherefore now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen. [p. 33]