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Prophets of God have three things in common. First, they are called by a direct revelation from God. Second, they are ordained at the hands men that held that office in the flesh (with the exception of Adam and Jesus). Jesus was ordained under the hands of the Father (Heb. 5:4). Third, their teachings on the same subject are consistently the same. Joseph Smith left four revelations from God stating that in the event of his impending death he would appoint "another" to stand in his place (Doctrine and Covenants, 28:7, 35:18, 43:4-7, 90:4). Joseph Smith wrote this Letter of Appointment on June 18, 1844; and was mailed in Nauvoo June 19. It is not in Yale University Library. On July 27, 1844, Joseph was murdered by a mob in Carthage Jail, Illinois; where he was being held under the protective custody of the Governor. At the same hour of his death, James J. Strang claimed to have been ordained under the hands of angels; although he was 400 miles away and had no way of knowing of the death of Joseph. The Letter of Appointment arrived at Burlington, Wisconsin on July 9. This was the first news of the death of Joseph Smith. James taught the same as every prophet of God
before him. He wrote, “As prophet, I have
foretold in the name of God, the ills that were coming on men, and directed all
who received the word of the Lord how and where to come out from among
the wicked, that they receive not of their plagues. Prophets Prophets Many different words were translated as prophet in the Bible. “A prophet may be a minister, a singer, a priest, or some other person. In short, a prophet is anyone who presents the Word of God to his fellowmen, or who praises the works of God.” (Young’s Analytical Concordance To The Bible) Webster’s Dictionary gives three primary definitions for the word prophet: (1) a person who speaks for God, (2) a religious teacher or leader regarded as, or claiming to be, divinely inspired, and (3) a person who predicts future events in any way. James fulfilled all three definitions of the term prophet. The Spirit of Truth received when a person is born of the Spirit includes a gift of prophesy. “13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16) One of the gifts of the Holy Ghost is the gift of prophesy. The Apostle Paul placed great value on this gift. “1 Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” (1 Cor. 14) Generally, the higher a person progresses in the priesthood, the greater this gift is manifested; until a person is ordained to the Prophetic Office and enjoys a fullness of this gift. Prophets often see various times like rows of hills at different distances. Seeing both the near times and the far times, they often speak of different times in the same verse. High Priests
are often referred to as prophets in the Bible.
James wrote, “They
who are faithful in the calling, have the gift of prophecy.
Hence High Priests are frequently spoken of under the name of
Prophets.” (Book of the Law,
p. 225) There is also the Prophetic Office. This is the highest order of the Melchisedec Priesthood and presides as First President over the people of God. The superior office is that of first degree Apostle; and is a Lawgiver, Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator. “This Degree is sole, and gives the word of God as from his own mouth.” (Book of the Law, p. 214) James fulfilled all of these duties. He stood as First President having communion with God; and offered many Revelations from God giving the people guidance on the will of God. Communication with God is limited only by the faithfulness and obedience of the people. When men turn from the will of God to the commandments of men and delights of the world, they lose communication with God. Eventually the Spirit is completely withdrawn. The command that the people should gather, have all things in common, and be as one, was broken both under Joseph and James. James provided numerous revelations from God to the people. These are addressed in the chapter, James the Revelator. James also continually offered the people guidance on the will of God through various tracts; and through his teachings in the official church journals. He published four Pastoral Letters to the church that are included in this chapter. The prophecies which he gave (up to this generation) have been perfectly fulfilled. His prophecies of events yet future, agree with those in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. As a translator he provided the Voree Record and The Book of the Law of the Lord. The latter remains the most valuable document given through James to the people of God. It was the most sacred of all the books of Scripture. It is noted by name over twenty times in the Bible; and as the law of God hundreds of times. The teachings of James bring a wealth of information on doctrinal subjects. They are included in the chapter, James the Teacher. After the loss
of the Melchisedec Priesthood in This office if that of second degree Apostle; and is Counselor, Prophet, Seer, and King. In the absence of a Lawgiver, this lower office can stand at the head of the people; when specifically given that commission; as was Joshua. James explained the possible succession in the office of second degree Apostle, “If there was an interregnum in the Priesthood of Lawgiver, the oldest Apostle of this Degree… would stand at the head till the place was filled.” (Book of the Law, p. 219) Only those who
have been properly called to the Prophetic Office have authority to stand at the
head of the Although Joshua
stood at the head of the people, and held the keys of mysteries and revelation,
his office was that of an interpreter and administrator (of existing laws)—he
could not give new commandments to the people.
After Joshua, Prophet Judges, and Prophets stood at the head of the
people of God; and provided communication with God.
The inferior Kings in A distinguishing feature of Prophets of God is communication with God. God does not separate Himself from man. It is man who, through lack of faith and disobedience, separates himself from God. “1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa. 59) James was the only person who claimed to succeed Joseph; and who provided this essential communication with God. Brigham Young
claimed to stand at the head; as a third degree Apostle.
This lower degree is that of Ambassador and not of Prophet; and holds no
royal (presiding) authority in About four
hundred years before The first
vacancy in the twelve third degree Apostles, left by Judas, was filled by
Matthais (Acts John was the last Prophet of God in the former Gentile dispensation. The final book in the Bible is the book of Revelation by John. It begins with a strong warning to the Gentile churches. The gentiles had already begun to fall back into their pagan traditions and evil practices. Jesus gave them one final warning. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:5) They would not.
God called no more Prophets; and no longer spoke with them.
Prophesy, ecclesiastical history, and church leaders agree that the
Gentiles returned to paganism. John saw a
beast (Mystery, “10
And there are seven kings: five are fallen [ The final form
of the beast—Papal Rome—was established in 570 AD.
The After the 1260
years, John prophesied that divine authority and the gospel of Christ would be
restored to the earth; and Jesus taught the gospel would be preached one last
time as a witness against the Gentiles before their destruction.
“And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people.” (Rev. 14:6) Jesus
said, “this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and
then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14) Exactly 1260
years later, on This was to be
the last time the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles.
“Wherefore, labor
ye, labor ye in my vineyard for the last time--for the last time call upon the
inhabitants of the earth.” (Doctrine and
Covenants, 43:28) Again,
the Gentiles refused to live by the will of God.
Joseph Smith was martyred on Joseph Smith had left several revelations that, in the event of his impending death, he would appoint “another” in his place. Joseph also noted the law of God provides that only one ordained at the hands of angels has a legitimate claim to the higher Prophetic Office held by Joseph. “4
But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this
gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have
power except to appoint another in his stead. 5 And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of
any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; 6 And this I give
unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me. 7
For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the
gate and be ordained as I have told you
before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive
through him whom I have appointed.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 43; see also D&C 28:2, 6, 7; 35:17,
18; 43:3; and 90:3, 4) James became
familiar with the He was ordained
an Elder by Hyrum Smith, brother of Joseph and Patriarch to the church, on March
3rd. As Hyrum laid his hands upon
James’ head, he prophesied that he would hold the same priesthood as Enoch,
Moses, and Elijah. “In
February in the year eighteen hundred and forty four James J. Strang in company
with Aaron Smith and under his teachings visited Nauvoo the city of the Saints
and there was more fully instructed by Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Sidney
Rigdon, in the Gospel. “On
the twenty fifth day of February in that year he was baptized by Joseph Smith
who gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and blessed
him with many and great blessings and said I seal upon thy head against God's
own good time the keys of the Melchisedec Priesthood and afterwards but in the
same ordinance Thou shalt hold the keys of the Melchisedec Priesthood, shalt
walk with Enoch, Moses and Elijah and shalt talk with God face to face. “And
on the third day of March in the same year he was ordained an Elder of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints by the laying on of hands of Hyrum
Smith according to the testimony of the spirit of prophecy and the word of the
Holy Ghost, and he said I perceive by the spirit which is within me that thou
shalt carry the gospel with the Spirit like flaming fire to many nations and by
thee shall God save the pure of his people. (Chronicles
of Voree, p. 6) On June 18th, Joseph wrote a letter appointing James
as his successor in accordance with the law of God.
It was sent by regular course of mail from Nauvoo on “2.
There was a change in the vision, and the people with lively pace and smiling
countenances thronged the streets and passed by. “3.
There was another change, and they were all assembled in a vast hall, and James
J. Strang, surrounded by wise men and counselors and priests and eloquent
orators, arose and taught the people; and the Spirit of prophecy witnesseth unto
him, so shall it be; and the vision ended, and he was strengthened but his faith
was weak." (Voree Herald, August, 1846, p. 33) James
recommended the area around
“I have long felt that my present work was almost
done, and that I should soon be called to rule a mighty host, but something
whispers me it will be in the land of spirits, where the wicked cease from
troubling and the bands of the prisoner fall off.
My heart yearns for my little ones, but I know God will be a father to
them, and I can claim face to face the fulfillment of promises from him who is a
covenant-keeping God, and who sweareth and peformeth and faileth not to the
uttermost. “The wolves are upon the scent, and I am waiting to
be offered up, if such be the will of God, knowing that though my visage be more
marred than that of any, it will be unscarred and fair when archangels shall
place on my brow the double crown of martyr and king in a heavenly world. “In the midst of darkness and boding danger, the
spirit of Elijah came upon me, and I went away to inquire of God how the Church
should be saved. “I was upon the hill of the “The Almighty came from his throne of rest. He
clothed himself with light as with a garment. He appeared, and moon and stars
went out. The earth dissolved in space. I trod on air and was borne on wings of
Cherubims. The sweetest strains of heavenly music thrilled in my ear, but the
notes were low and sad as though they sounded the requiem of martyred Prophets. “I bowed my head to the earth and asked only wisdom
and strength for the Church. The voice of God answered, My servant Joseph, thou
hast been faithful over many things and thy reward is glorious; the crown and
sceptre are thine, and they wait thee. But thou hast sinned in some things, and
thy punishment is very bitter. The whirlwind goeth before, and its clouds are
dark, but rest followeth, and to its days there shall be no end. Study the words
of the vision for it tarrieth not. And now behold my servant James J. Strang hath come to
thee from far for truth when he knew it not, and hath not rejected it, but had
faith in thee, the Shepherd and Stone of Israel, and to him shall the gathering
of the people be, for he shall plant a stake of Zion
in Wisconsin, and I will establish it; and there shall my people have peace and
rest and shall not be moved, for it shall be established on the prairie on White
River, in the lands of Racine and Walworth; and behold my servants James and
Aaron shall plant it, for I have given them wisdom, and Daniel shall stand in
his lot on the hill beside the river, looking down on the prairie, and shall
instruct my people, and shall plead with them face to face. “Behold my servant James shall lengthen the cords
and strengthen the stakes of “And I will have a house built unto me there of
stone, and there will I show myself to my people by many mighty works, and the
name of the city shall be called Voree, which is, being interpreted, garden of
peace, for there shall my people have peace and rest and wax fat and pleasant in
the presence of their enemies. “But I will again stretch out my arm over the river
of waters, and on the banks thereof shall the house of my choice be. But now the
city of Voree shall be a stronghold of safety to my people, and they that are
faithful and obey me I will there give them great prosperity, and such as they
have not had before; and unto Voree shall be the gathering of my people, and
there shall the oppressed flee for safety, and none shall hurt or molest them. “And by this shall they know that I have spoken it;
the people there and the owners of the land shall show kindness to them, for
great calamities are coming on the church, and such as have not been, and if
they scatter, the ungodly of the world shall swallow them up, but if they gather
to my city of Voree there will I keep them under the shadow of my wings, and the
cities from whence my people have been driven shall be purged with a high hand,
for I will do it, and my people shall be again restored to their possession; but
dark clouds are gathering, for the church is not yet wholly purged. “And now I command my servants, the Apostles and
Priests and Elders of the Church of the Saints, that they communicate and
proclaim this, my word, to all the saints of God in all the world, that they may
be gathered unto and round about the city of Voree and be saved from their
enemies, for I will have a people to serve me. “And I command my servant Moses Smith, that he go
unto the saints with whom he is acquainted, and unto many people, and command
them in my name to go unto my city of Voree, and gain inheritances therein, and
he shall have an inheritance therein, for he hath left all for my sake; and I
will add unto him many fold if he is faithful, for he knows the land and can
testify to them that it is very good. “So spake the Almighty God of heaven. Thy duty is
made plain, and if thou lackest wisdom, ask of God, in whose hands I trust thee,
and he shall give thee unsparingly, for if evil befall me thou shalt lead the
flock to pleasant pastures. God sustain thee.
JOSEPH SMITH.” “2.
Fear God and be strengthened and obey him, for great is the work which he hath
required at thy hand. Go on in hope and strength, and falter not, and he will
sustain thee, and thou shalt triumph, for the voice of the Lord by the mouth of
Joseph will he fulfill. “3.
And the Angel of the Lord stretched forth his hand unto him and touched his
head, and put oil upon him and said, Grace is poured upon thy lips, and God
blesseth thee with the greatness of the Everlasting Priesthood. He putteth might
and glory and majesty upon thee, and in meekness and truth and righteousness
will he prosper thee. “4.
Thou shalt save his people from their enemies when there is no arm to deliver,
and shalt bring salvation when destruction walketh in the house of thy God. Thou
hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore thy God hath anointed
thee with oil and set thee above all thy fellows. “5.
Thy words shall be like sharp arrows in the heart of the wicked. Thou shalt
rebuke those who pervert the word of thy God. Thou shalt preach righteousness
and the sublime mysteries in the ears of many people, and shall bring the gospel
to many who have not known it and to the nations afar off. “6.
Thou shalt drive backward and put to shame those that do evil, and the workers
of iniquity shall fall. They shall be cast down and shall not be able to rise.
With purity will the Lord thy God arm thee, and purity and truth shalt thou
teach. “7.
Keep the law of the Lord thy God in thy heart, and none of thy steps shall
slide. With thee is the fountain of truth. In thy light shall the people of thy
God see, for thou shalt speak his word unto them, and from thy lips shall they
receive it. “8.
The blessing of their God shalt thou put upon them, and his curse upon evil
doers, if, after being oft rebuked, they repent not; and before my people shalt
thou go to lead them into my ways, for unto thee has the Lord thy God given
salvation. “9.
In righteousness shalt thou rule. Thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from
suffering and violence, and to thee God giveth judgment for them. Thou shalt
deliver the prey from the spoiler, for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand. “10.
And in weakness will he make thee strong. Thou shalt rule among his people. Thou
shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor and the yoke of the unjust ruler.
They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find. “11.
While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the
oppressed and for the poor and needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their
brethren who are scattered shall come with them, and the destruction of the
ungodly shall quickly follow, for it already worketh. Go thy way and be
strong.” (Voree Herald, August, 1846, p. 33) On For almost
three weeks James taught of this appointment, without any knowledge of the death
of Joseph. The letter of appointment
arrived in
“Mrs.
Emma Smith recollects well of her husband receiving a letter from Mr. Strang,
and holding a council on the subject, and names Hyrum Smith, Willard Richards
and John P. Green as present at that council, and also that a letter was sent to
Mr. Strang in answer, but of the import of the answer she was not informed. “Immediately
after the martyrdom of Joseph, John Taylor, Willard Richards and William W.
Phelps took a kind of temporary direction of the affairs of the church,
instructing the saints to wait patiently the hand of the Lord; assuring them
that he had not left them without a shepherd, and that all things would be made
known in due season. To every
question of the saints, Who is the prophet?
replies were made, in substance, that the saints would know in due
season, but that nothing could be done until the Twelve got home, because the
appointment of a prophet and the directions for salvation of the church from
the perils they were in, was contained in sealed packages directed to them.
Orson Hyde and others of the Twelve, who were then in the east, stated in
public congregations in New York, Philadelphia and other cities, that Willard
Richards had written to them that the appointment of a prophet was left with
him, under seal, to be opened on the return of the Twelve.
This assertion was so often made that the whole church were daily
expecting to hear a new prophet proclaimed.
On the 8th day of August, 1844, when Sidney Rigdon endeavored to obtain
authority to lead the church, John P. Green, marshal of the city of “They
had simply to suppress documents in their hands to set themselves up in power,
or overthrow themselves and their pretensions by publishing them.
These, and many other facts which we have not room to state, make an
array of testimony of the strongest kind in favor of this letter.
It is worthy of consideration that no one fact has been relied on against
it, but that in various quarters different false tales have been told to
disparage it, which a mere inspection of the letter or of public records would
prove false. The only reason which
can be given for this continual resort to falsehood is that there is no truth
against it."
(The Diamond, p. 3) Of all the
various men who claimed succession after the death of Joseph, only
James J. Strang was appointed by
Joseph and claimed to have been ordained
at the hands of angels. James made
his claim known from the time of his ordination on June 27, by mail and by word
of mouth. Until the letter was
delivered on July 9, there was no official news from Nauvoo. The
letter from Joseph proved the claim that James had made almost two weeks
earlier. James kept the
letter open for public examination throughout his life.
It is now in Yale University Library.
James put all question concerning its validity to rest forever.
The validity of Mormonism actually rests upon the validity of this
letter. If Joseph failed to appoint
“another” as successor, and no one came forward claiming a proper ordination
as his successor, Joseph was a false prophet. James wrote in a letter to Mrs.
Corey, which was later incorporated into The
Prophetic Controversy, “It
is seldom that any one having a letter in possession, if its genuineness was
disputed, could absolutely show it. No
matter how perfect the handwriting or post stamp, it may be said, ‘they might
have been forged.’ I ask you, which one of the written revelations is
surrounded by as much evidence of genuineness as this? “First
of all, the letter is prophetic. Many
things were predicted in it so improbable, the Brighamites formerly appealed to
them as evidence that it was not genuine. Among
these is the prediction of the necessity of a refuge for the saints out of
Nauvoo. You know how fearfully this
has been fulfilled. “It
was received at Voree before any notice of Joseph's death or arrest reached
there, and nothing is more certain than that that fearful tragedy struck the
whole country with astonishment. To
suppose that such a letter would have been forged at that time, is merely
ridiculous. In the chapter of
accidents it would not stand one chance in a million of making a genuine hit. “Moreover,
if a forgery, the crime must have been committed by some person having no
conceivable interest in it, and who has never come forward to claim or seek any
advantage growing out of it, and must have been worked through the postoffice
somewhere by official connivance and criminal contrivance. “For
it is beyond contradiction, and has been proved by an abundance of witnesses,
now living, that this letter did reach Burlington in the mail, duly enveloped
and billed as from Chicago, and was taken from the office and carried to me, and
read, and its contents made public the same day. “To
believe that it is a forgery, you must believe that all these difficulties were
encountered and overcome by some persons unknown, and not yet suspected, and
for what purpose? None, within man's
imagination. So much more credulous
is unbelief than the strongest faith. “A
fact worth all the rest is, that in the many thousand places in which this
letter has been exibited, its genuineness has never been questioned, except at
Florence, Michigan; and among the quarter of a million of people who have
examined it, nearly all interested in discrediting it, Brighamites, because it
was evidence of my calling, and Gentiles, because it was evidence of the truth
of Mormonism, nobody ever questioned its genuineness, except less than a half
dozen Brighamite elders. All the
rest who call it a forgery are persons who never saw it. “No
other fact goes further in support of the divine institution of Mormonism; no
other fact in its support is so universally credited.
What an infatuation on the part of Mormons to seek to discredit it.
It quite equals the perversity with which several leading Mormons have
long sought to destroy the credibility of the original witnesses to the Book of
Mormon; a blunder and a crime of which Mr. Ferris, late Secretary of Utah, in
his book against Mormonism, took advantage with most telling force. “When
nearly all the world were interested in impeaching this letter, out of a quarter
of a million who have examined it, less than a half dozen have questioned its
genuineness. This fact alone raises
about as strong a case of human evidence as the mind of man can conceive. “But,
pressing the inquiry, on what ground did they dispute it?
Not that the postmark was made of black ink, or was made with too large
letters; for no such fact existed, and no such was ever suggested till it was
stated at Nauvoo, as a kind of sweep all, to silence inquiry, not expecting it
would ever reach me, to be contradicted. “The
only objection made to it then, was, that the postmark, or stamp, had a dot at
the left of the top of the J in "June," which ought not to be there.
This is conceded. My answer
to it then was, that there were so many chances by which such a dot could be
made without design, that its presence proved nothing. “The
question was discussed at length, as well as every other objection made to the
appointment of a prophet in that manner, and the result was that I was
sustained by the Conference. Thirteen
elders were present, and after a majority had expressed themselves in my
favor, Green, Dunn and Jacob counseled caution and prudence, and proposed
cautious and prudent resolutions, to the effect that "those of the elders
who were satisfied with the evidence of my calling, might proclaim it, taking
themselves the responsibility in case it should prove an error, and those who
were not satisfied should say nothing on the subject, till further
directions." Such was the
compromise which my opponents were glad to make, to avoid my being fully
recognized by the Conference at “After
the adjournment of the Conference these men began a most assiduous effort to
change the face of matters, assuming authority as I have often seen
Brighamites do since then; and by threatening and cajoling, partly silencing
those who had been disposed to hear me, and then called them together again and
assumed to lecture me, as ill bred old women lecture disobedient children of
washing days. “Being
told that I was to hear and not reply, and satisfied that I could not get a
hearing without a quarrel, I left with one of the brethren who received me at
his house, even after which I was received as a prophet by most of the Saints
who attended that Conference. “My
license was demanded as I left the house, but not understanding that Elders
could exercise discipline over the First President, I did not deliver it. Dunn
says I had none. But if he will call
on me, I will show it to him. Possibly
he will say that is a forgery also. I
have a good many papers that Brighamites would like to have forgeries. “So
much stress was laid on the fact of the dot before the J in the mailing stamp,
that a more thorough investigation was had than the subject called for, and the
result was that every letter that could be found mailed at Nauvoo the 19th June,
had the same dot before the J. Here
then sprung up an unlooked for evidence of the genuineness of the letter of
appointment, the strongest which the human mind can conceive. “However
corrupt the heart, or skillful the head, how could the forger know that on that
particular day for the first time since the office was established, a little
splinter would get into the mailing stamp, and mark every letter with one dot
which ought not to be there? He
could not have known it. It was
impossible. Thus the proof that this
letter was duly mailed at Nauvoo “The
single fact of this dot, once the sole ground of impeachment of this letter of
appointment, has thus established its genuineness by the most singularly strong
combination of facts ever presented in human evidence. “This
very strength of evidence is so great as to be repugnant to the human mind.
It struggles for something on which to hang a doubt, unwilling that that
which rests in testimony should be absolutely beyond a doubt.” “Upon
this I shall rest the evidence that I did receive a genuine letter of
appointment to the prophetic office from Joseph Smith, written a few days
previous to his death. But in
preferring to rest the evidence here, I wish to notify you that there is also a
mass of evidence showing the writing and sending of that letter, quite as
satisfactory as this of its reception. This
evidence is now in a scattered state, and the task of arraying it so as to do
justice to the subject is more than I have time now to undertake.
But when it is needed it will be forthcoming, and will show that some of
the Brighamite leaders are just as well assured of my calling to the prophetic
office as of their own to any priesthood they really and legally hold. “Such
is the mode in which I came to the prophetic office, and such are the evidences
that I did so come in. That these
evidences are satisfactory, I believe no one will dispute or question, but such
as are predetermined that this truth shall not be true.” (Prophetic Controversy, pp. 32-34) James wrote of the critical
importance of every Prophet of God being properly called and ordained at the
hands of angels.
“1. In the general infidelity of the times the doctrine of Angelic
ordinations strikes the ear as a discarded old superstition.
Though the half converted disciples of Joseph assented to that truth in
his case, it was with such a savor of unwilling faith as would not believe that
the like would ever again occur. So
unwilling are men to believe that God works now, as he did in the ages past. “2. Jesus commenced his ministry after John the
Baptist, the forerunner or porter, opened the door of that dispensation; being
inducted into the Church by baptism, and the Priesthood by a call by the voice
of God, and by the ministration of an Angel.” “5. Moses was called by the voice of God, (Ex. iii,
4, 10,) and sent by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him when God spoke
from the flame. (Acts vii, 35.) Joseph
was likewise called by the voice of God, (D. & C. i, 4,) and sent by the
hand of Angels. (D. & C. 1, 2, 3.) And
in the same manner was James called and sent. (Post xx, 6, p. 169.) “6. In the calling of Joseph there was a necessity
that he be called by the direct revelation of the word of God to himself; for
there was no Prophet or Priest of God on earth, by whom God should speak and
minister in calling and ordaining him to the Prophetic and Apostolic office.
Consequently God called him by his own voice, and sent Peter, James and
John to ordain him to the Priesthood, because they, having been duly called and
set apart, and filled an acceptable ministry on earth, had entered into life,
capable of ministering in heaven and on earth, as God should send them. “7. The necessity was equally strong that the
successor of Joseph should be ordained by the hand of an Angel.
He could not be ordained by any of the surviving Priesthood; because none
were equal to Joseph in authority, and the less is blessed of the greater.
Moreover, the keys of David, given him and his house forever, by the oath of
God, had to be bestowed on the heir of David on earth, before the Kingdom could
prevail and exercise dominion. They
could only be bestowed by him who held them.” (Book
of the Law, p. 165) Shortly after
the death of Joseph, James and Aaron Smith left to intercept the Twelve who were
returning from missions in the East. After
they reached The family of
Joseph Smith did make their beliefs concerning the claims of James known; as did
Apostles, the church Patriarch, and others.
A few of these testimonies are included at the end of this chapter. I would strongly recommend
that you read the notes of James concerning the office of Prophet and Lawgiver
on pages 214 to 219 in the Book of the Law.
I will quote only the last paragraph.
“21. In the last days Joseph Smith, of the tribe of
Ephraim, was called to the Prophetick office, the Shepherd and Stone of Israel,
according to the prophecy of Jacob; (Gen. xlix, 24;) and after him James, of the
tribe of Judah, and of the lineage of David, was called according to the
prophecy of Jacob, (id. 10,) the prediction of Joseph in James
wrote two tracts which addressed the law of God on prophetic succession:
The Diamond and The
Prophetic Controversy. He also
wrote many articles on the true order of the priesthood and prophetic
succession. He wrote to Mrs. Corey
(included in The Prophetic Controversy)
in September, 1854, “Either
Joseph has given the word of God appointing another in his stead, or those
revelations have fallen to the ground, and Joseph has proved himself a false
prophet, and Mormonism an imposture. “Neither
you nor I can take the latter alternate. We
are both obliged, by our faith in Joseph as a true prophet, to say that
‘through him God has appointed another in his stead.’ “Who
has been so appointed? It is
needless to say that there is not a person on earth who pretends to have
received such an appointment except myself.
During the ten years since the martyrdom of Joseph, I, and I alone, have
stood up as a prophet of God, claiming to have been appointed by revelation of
God through Joseph, and to have been sent by the hands of Angels, as he was. “Therefore
there is no escaping the conclusion that either I am a true prophet, and his
lawful successor, or Joseph is a false prophet, and Mormonism an imposture.
This is the only alternate with you.
With me there is none. Called
by the voice of God, and ordained by the hand of Angels, since the day of his
death I have known my calling, as he did his in the days of his ministry. “So
forcible is the position I have above stated, that for years after Brigham Young
assumed to stand at the head of the church, the promise was held out continually
that a prophet was yet to rise, who had been appointed by Joseph.” (Prophetic
Controversy, p. 3) It should not be necessary
to answer all the claims of men who established themselves as presumed heads of
the church. We have only to verify
whether their claims are legitimate according to the law of God.
Any successor to Joseph had to be directly appointed by Joseph and
ordained at the hands of angels. Only
James claimed communication with God and offered prophecies, revelations, and
translations. At the death of Joseph there were three degrees in the office of Apostle. Joseph was a first degree Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver; and stood above all other officers in the church. He was First President over the entire church. Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams were second degree Apostles, Prophets, and Counselors to Joseph in the First Presidency. Their priesthood was inferior to that of Joseph. “1 Behold, I say unto thee, Oliver, that it shall be
given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever
thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and
commandments which I have given. 2 But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee,
no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church
excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses…
6 And thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the
church; 7 For I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations
which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, Sec. 28) The Twelve were third
degree Apostles and Ambassadors of the gospel to the world.
They did not hold the office of Prophet; and held no jurisdiction in “33 The
Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the
Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the
institution of heaven; to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of
the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and secondly unto the Jews.” “91 And again, the duty of the President of the
office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be
like unto Moses-- “92 Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a
revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he
bestows upon the head of the church.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, Sec. 107) James fulfilled the office of Prophet in five ways: (1) as First President of the church, (2) as one who speaks for God [offers communication from God], (3) as one who predicts future events, (4) as a translator, and (5) as a teacher divinely inspired. This chapter will address the truth of his mission by showing that he fulfilled the first three duties. The fulfillment of his duty as a Revelator, Translator, and teacher are the subjects in separate chapters. James wrote, concerning the fulfillment of his duties, “As
First President, I have regularly presided over the Church and took the
direction of its affairs in all the world, according to the law of God. “As prophet, I have
foretold in the name of God, the ills that were coming on men, and directed all
who received the word of the Lord how and where to come out from among
the wicked, that they receive not of their plagues. “I have obtained
covenants and promises of God and at his hand obtained an everlasting
inheritance for the Saints, which I have divided among them by lot, without cost
or price. God is our God and we are
his people forevermore. “As
a Seer, I have seen the visions of the Almighty, and as a Revelator have
received knowledge of his purposes and commandments, and made them known among
the children of men. As a
translator, I have brought forth hidden treasures, and revealed the old record
to all who love the truth, and seek unto it.
The visions of the past and the hidden lore of future ages are laid by
the side of present hopes and future knowledge. “As an apostle I have borne a faithful testimony of
the kingdom and the coming of the Lord Jesus.
I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith.
I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God.
In the treasure-house of the Almighty there is laid up for me a
crown of glory richer than all diadems of earthly kings. “Of all that dwell on earth, God has made me the
most happy. From men I fear no evil.
May God bless you abundantly with the same blessings, and especially with
the love of the truth. “Truly and sincerely, As First President of the Church of Christ, James received revelations and commandments for the church, provided Pastoral Letters to the church, was given visions from God, set the house of God in order, established the High Council, was given a safe gathering place for the saints, directed missionary work, translated ancient records, and maintained order according to the law of God. The revelations and commandments which he received are the subject of the next chapter. His Pastoral Letters to the church follow.
Pastoral Letter, JAMES J.
STRANG, a Prophet of the Most High God, and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ,
unto the Elders of the 1. I am
in continual remembrance of your past work in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of
God and of the evils done at the hands of ungodly men, and I would that ye
remain no longer ignorant of the refuge that God has appointed you, and follow
not after any who usurp the authority of God in the Holy City. 2. Be
not unmindful of the flock who know not the true Shepherd, but are following
hirelings, among whom are grievous wolves, and they bleat like sheep by day and
devour by night. God be praised that
some of you have escaped them. I
would that none of you go astray but that you all unitedly might follow after
the true Shepherd: lest coming short
after escaping the first perils you enter not into your rest. 3. I
beseech you, brethren, that you be not unmindful of the words of the Lord by the
mouth of the prophet Joseph; that you be not deceived; that you receive not the
teachings of any that come before you as revelations and commandments, except
they come in at the gate and be ordained according to the command of God. (1835
D.C. 14:2; 4. I
wist ye are not ignorant of the office and place of the prophet Joseph, that he
was an Elder and an Apostle, (1835 D.C. 46:1; 5.
Suffer me in all patience to remind you of the law of the Lord which he revealed
unto us aforetime that the place of the prophet Joseph should be filled by
another; (1835 D.C. 14:1‑2; 11:4 last clause; 51:2 last clause; 84:2; Utah
D.C. 43:4; 35:18; 28:7; 90:4; Reor. D.C. 43:2a; 34:41; 27:ld; 87:2a); that the
appointment of his successor is by revelation from God; (1835 D.C. 5:6; 11:4; 6. For
it is said in one place that if his gift be taken from him he shall not have
power except to appoint another in his stead; and in another place it is said,
if he abide not in me another will I plant in his stead. And at the organization
of the High Council of the church it was written that the President of the
church, who is also President of the council, is appointed by revelation.
Finally it is said, I have given unto him the keys of mysteries and
revelations which are sealed until I appoint unto them (the church) another in
his stead. 7. By
these testimonies and by many more it doth clearly appear that it was the duty
of the prophet Joseph before his martyrdom to appoint another to fill his place
when he should be removed. If he has
not done so then we have no evidence that he was a prophet for what he hath
spoken hath not come to pass. 8. The
only rational conclusion which any man can arrive at in view of these
testimonies is that in the order of this church the Presidency, with its several
gifts, offices, and duties, is perpetual. God having thus organized the church,
and the power of the devil having accomplished the martyrdom of two of the chief
officers, will any saint teach that satan has changed the order of the church
and abolished those offices which God instituted, and by the martyrdom of
prophets established a new and better order?
I trust not. 9. I am
well aware that Sidney Rigdon claimed his place above the Twelve, and that he
sought to do some acts by virtue of his office as one of the First Presidency
which were generally very much disapproved of, but though he had a perfect right
to officiate in his place he had no right to place himself at the head of the
church. 10. His
office as an associate or member of the First Presidency does not constitute him
a regular successor to Joseph Smith, the claim in his favor to succeed as the
highest surviving officer of the church, not being a claim of an appointment
of God by revelation through Joseph Smith to fill his place, which is the only
form of appointment known to the law of God. 11. I am
aware, also, that the Twelve claim in their first Apostolic letter after the
death of Joseph (Letter of Brigham Young, Aug. 15, 1844, in the Times and
Seasons of that date) to preside over and dictate all the affairs of the church
in all the world. And they emphatically charge us, Let no man presume for a
moment that his place (Joseph's) will be filled by another.
Thus they assumed to abolish the First Presidency of the church and usurp
its duties to themselves. 12. This
claim, however, is not only utterly unsupported by any one testimony, but is in
many points directly contrary to the word of God.
The Twelve are a traveling and not a local or general, high council, and
though they are required to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs
thereof in all nations, they are to do so expressly under the direction of
the Presidency of the church, agreeable to the institution of Heaven. (1835
D.C. 13.
Moreover, it cannot be that the Twelve should dictate all the affairs of the
church in all the world, because they not only are under the direction of the
First Presidency, but the high council is above them, and they are amenable to
it. "The most important business of the church, and the most difficult
cases of the church, in as much as there is not satisfaction upon the decision
of the Bishop or Judges, it shall be handed over and carried up to the council
of the church before the Presidency of the high priesthood; and the Presidency
of the council of the high priesthood shall have power to call other high
priests, even twelve, to assist as counselors; and thus the Presidency of the
high priesthood and its counselors shall have power to decide upon testimony
according to the laws of the church. And
after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no more before the Lord, for
this is the highest council of the 14. Upon
what pretense is this claim of the Twelve founded?
Upon the trial of Sidney Rigdon, they took pains to state it as strongly
as possible, and they make out no more than this, that when Joseph Smith was
candidate for President of the United States, and knew by the Spirit that some
great thing was to happen, but did not know what it was, he gave them an
endowment of ordinances (not the oracles), and told them that on their shoulders
would rest the responsibility. (See trial of S. Rigdon, Times and Seasons, Sept.
15, 1844, page 647, remarks of Orson Hyde).
These ordinances are intended for the whole church ‑ men, women and
children. Will they all have power
to dictate all the affairs of the church in all the world then? If not, how do
these ordinances give the Apostles that power now? If these ordinances gave
certain power to some men, why not to others? 15. All
the Twelve were not present and did not receive these ordinances.
Whence their claim of power? Several
persons, not of the Twelve, were present and received all these ordinances with
such of the Twelve as were there. Why
are not they included in the favored number?
Joseph survived this meeting some months.
Why did not they find out that he had resigned his office and devolved
its duties on them, till after he was dead? If his giving an endowment of
ordinances, and rolling the responsibility of giving counsel, etc., upon some
twenty‑five men with their wives, as he commenced a political
career vacated his office and those of his counselors, and superseded
the First Presidency and an entire quorum of the church, it is certainly
most extraordinary. A very moderate
share of common sense, or any acquaintance whatever with the laws of the church,
accompanied with integrity of heart, will reject so preposterous a claim at
first blush. The responsibility of
leading the church by good counsel in proper order would devolve on a few of its
most influential members, necessarily, whenever Joseph's attention was turned
from them, by any means whatever, not in virtue of any offices they might hold,
but as leading men. Since the death
of Joseph, they have used that responsibility to lead the church from the
rock of revelation, out of the true order, and from the place of refuge God has
appointed unto them. Thus have a few
led, sanctioned by the votes of Conferences instead of the voice of God, till
the destruction which not only lurks in midnight darkness, but stalks boldly
at noonday, is upon them. 16. The
Twelve have never, in any known publication, claimed, either for themselves or
any one of their number, to be First President of the church, or President of
the high priesthood. Their claim is
to supersede the First Presidency, put the high council which God has made the
highest council of the church, (1835 D.C. 3:35; Utah D.C. 107:78‑80; Reor.
D.C. 104:35a‑c), below themselves, and put a bishop over it, where God
placed a President, (1835 D.C. 3:9; Utah D.C. 107:18‑19; Reor. D.C.
104:9a‑b), and finally, that ex officio, as Apostles and not as Presidents
of the high priesthood, they are to hold the keys and powers which devolved on
the First Presidency and its counselors, and to discontinue the offices of Seer,
Revelator and Translator in the church. 17.
Nothing is more certain than that no law was made at the death of Joseph, or for
some years previous, changing the order of the church, or abolishing any of its
offices or quorums. Down to the time
of his death, it was properly understood by the whole of the church that he
alone received revelations from God to be taught by way of commandment in the
church; that he and his two associates in the Presidency had the chief
administration of the affairs of the church, and that they, with the twelve high
counselors, were a court or judicatory of final resort in all important cases,
and that the Twelve Apostles were the chief traveling elders and under the
direction of the Presidency. And the
man who, during the life‑time of Joseph, had said that the Twelve were at
the head of the church, would have been looked upon either as a reckless and
hair‑brained liar, or utterly insane.
To have held this then was unblushing apostacy.
To hold now that they are not so is equally apostacy with the leaders in
Nauvoo. Whence is the change?
In God or man? Does truth
thus belie itself? 18. Why
should not the place of Joseph be filled by another?
Says Brigham Young, "Because he stands in his own place and always
will." (Apostolic Letter, Aug. 15, 1844).
But in the same paragraph he also says the Twelve Apostles of this
dispensation stand in their own places and always will.
Brother Young, will not their places be filled by others when they fill
the measure of their days? Then why
was Brother Patten's place filled? Again:
Who will be at the head of the church when the Twelve are all fallen
asleep? Will not the High Priests
and the Seventies all hold their own places? If so, shall anyone succeed them?
Then where will the priesthood be when the present generation is dead? 19. But,
says someone, God promised Joseph that the keys of the kingdom should never be
taken from him in this world, neither in the world to come.
Very well. They were never
taken from Christ, but his holding them did not prevent Joseph, and in the
eternal worlds all who are joint heirs with Jesus Christ will hold them at one
and the same time. 20.
Brethren, I exhort you as you look for the coming of the Lord Jesus, follow not
after these blinding fables. Set up
no more the work of men's hand against the voice of God.
Trust not in your own wisdom to improve or alter the law of God.
You that have gone astray return to the order of God's house.
Let all the quorums take their proper order as God has established them.
Let the President who has wandered in darkness return to his proper
place which God gave, nor covet that which men may offer.
Let the Twelve take their place as a traveling high council with the
keys of the opening of the gospel to the nations. Let the high counselors give
counsel and assistance to the Presidency, which has been called to the high and
responsible calling of leading the church to peace and happiness and preparing
a people for the coming of the Son of God. Let
the high priests teach the law of God unto the people.
Let all the elders learn not to put their faith in some great man and say
all is well, but let them buckle on the whole armor of God and stand up, bold
defenders of truth, rather than men. 21. Now
in my weakness and in the infancy of my ministry I call upon you to assist me.
It hath pleased God to put it into the heart of Joseph to appoint me to
receive mysteries and revelations unto this church.
And he has been faithful unto the vision and voice of God by sending me
his epistle containing the revelation which God gave him, the Lord God
confirming the same by sending his angels unto me to charge me with this
ministry in the same hour that Joseph was taken away, and by witnessing the same
to the brethren in those wonderful works which the brethren here are ready to
testify unto you. 22. Let
not my call to you be in vain. The
destroyer has gone forth among you and has prevailed.
You are preparing to resign country and houses and lands to him.
Many of you are about to leave the haunts of civilization and of men to
go into an unexplored wilderness among savages, and in trackless deserts, to
seek a home in the wilds where the foot‑print of the white man is not
found. The voice of God has not
called you to this. His promise has
not gone before to prepare a habitation for you.
The hearts of the Lamanites are not turned unto you, and they will not
regard you. When the herd comes the
savages shall pursue. The cloud
which surrounds by day shall bewilder, and the pillar of fire by night shall
consume and reveal you to the destroyer; and the men in whom you trusted when
you rejected the promises of God shall leave you early and not be found of you
in your greatest need. 23. Let the oppressed flee for safety unto Voree, and let the gathering of the people be there. Let the evil who have gone to the holy city be rejected and given to the law. |