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Show Israel A. Smith Mistohes Should Not Fetter MANY EVENTS IN THE LIFE and for when they are fortuitous or accidental, are given weight as precedents; but in our church economy tune of a people, even it was not intended that law or doctrine should be created unless actually intend ed and accordingly acted upon. There are two or three noteworthy incidents in our history as a church that have been given a degree of consider ation not warranted, because of which error and misunderstanding have un doubtedly resulted, in mind first, _two J_tters Smith the since 1844 have appeared in the book of Doctrine and Covenants and to contPe ,cause of misunderstanding an<!_.!.:._ from these fatsrc:.lQced luqg _that, this letter by Joseph Smith thinking? and if on the church, matters in the order these ]las not binding Taking up named: .i was n_9t binding then it ought vc:£ £Q!l_eous _!g. have been considered Section 109, Doctrine and Covenants Here are the facts as disclosed by the record: On page 919 of the Times and Seasons for September 15, 1842, there was published as an editorial a letter en titled "Tidings," the opening paragraph of which is as i0110ws: We have ritten by Ioseph which ProEhet' ever consequently h!lv5! in our thinking been of revelation when as given a _matter of fact as well as law, there wa,rrant or is n0 justification for their inclusion in that book. The writer has frequently discussed these matters with official associates, and as time Bas passed the greater appears to be the error or mistake by which they were originally incorporated and since maintained in one of our "standard" books. The other incident relates to a report of joint council proceedings now designated as Section ]23 in OUf D0S:Eine and Covenants which does not in fact warrant inclusion in that book. The facts with respect to these matters are plain ana easily established, ana therefore this question has been present- the, status The following letter was read to the Saints in Nauvoo, last Sunday week, and a copy for warded to us for publication: and cordially and a happy 'We give it a hearty welcome, spread among those who love the truth for the truth's sake, Then follows: September 1st, 1842 To all the Saints in Nauvoo: Forasmuch as the Lord has revealed me that my enemies . . unto . It is well to note that in the next to the last paragraph the Prophet said: ." (indicating "I now close my letter. , his as valid and ilim! not be consig<;d as bind_M no, _Sc!:.i?!.on _1_02More History, Section 110 Two weeks later, in the Times and Seasons for October 1, 1842, again in the editorial columns, appeared another document, entitled "Letter from Joseph Smith," which, addressed to "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," begins: "As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place " ... This second letter was datelined "Nau v3 Septmber " 1832: a!!a,-:a.it.h t _message in th.e_form_er cornmunica tjon, was intended as a letter only a !lot as a revi91l_ _fof__adoption a_nd. l? pr9'laf by the church, As a matter of law} however, it is far more important to know that no lawflll action was taken by the church to make these letters a pant of the covenants of. the church than it is to draw conclusions from the phraseology of the documents intention). _N.o_,notwithst. there are iso themselves. lated_ words in this_l,tteE which are sug-. No_t_ even the prophet-Ieader q gestive of a revelation, it fails to disclose of the church .9y his mere.::'t;' tt.Jsh Smith intended it to oe _con-- founder QL_the writing of a letter could create, sidered as revelation. for the church, doctrine joseph, l'!w to constitute this er As-we'-aN1(now _'" also, Smith a_t no time ever attempted to c'!3-t, document as a valid revelation from God methods. such law and church its the !:>y and binding upon ed: to the Resuming our narrative we find that .Il these do£U!!!s _wc:re_riginallL!!!l.<! members, it required submission was an interim of r_ongfHy included i.!'lll!.. qU0rums ana to the church in General notwithstanding there almost two years between the time these Conference assembled and an affirmative trine and Covenants if they are there as Times and Sea the in ietters appeared the res error ,!!! mistake,_.j1 action of approval. An examination of and the death of Joseph Smith, t!tn, an(PEEil_!g_,JSL,.<12_ the record discloses the iaot that there sons [Continued on page 8.) was no submission to the church and, about them? l!ll we perpetuate misfakes or shall consequently, there was by it no action JANUARY 17, 1955 of approval. (53) 5 y.r.&. c9!rect them_,_thereby clearing away |
