Page:Pearl Of Great Price (1851).pdf/60

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52

The Calling and Duties of the Seventy.

"The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve, or the Travelling High Council, in building up the Church and regulating all the affairs of the same, in all nations: first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews:—the Twelve being sent out, holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and first unto the Gentiles and then unto the Jews.

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 time seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it. And these seventies are to be travelling ministers unto the Gentiles 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.

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,"



Extract from a Revelation given July, 1830.

"Behold, this is wisdom in me: wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel; to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim; and also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things, or the restorer of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days: and also John, the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias; which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first Priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron: and also Eli]ah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse: and also with Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers: by whom the promises remain; and also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all,