the lord will perfect me in knowledge, concerning his kingdom psalms 138:8 where two are three are...

The Lord will perfect me in knowledge,

concerning His kingdom Psalms 138:8

Where two are three are gathered together in My name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them; DC 6:15b

Are there essential building blocks missing Are there essential building blocks missing today that are important to the church? today that are important to the church?

“I am a true son of a true father” – Joseph Smith, III

Lineage

Succession

Presidency of the High Priesthood

1

Why these Subjects at this time?

The Joint Conference of Branches in April of 2006 asked that the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ be asked to consider the importance of prophetic succession.

This was then referred to the Conference of Elders for action.

In April of 2007, the CRE passed a resolution calling for the elders of the church to gather and meet in worship, study and prayer to consider Presidency of the High Priesthood, lineage, and succession and the relevancy to the church in our day.

The regional gatherings in February and March of 2008 is an opportunity to come together “touching upon these points of doctrine” and other matters upon the hearts of the people.

Similar gatherings are scheduled in additional locations.

The Presidency of the High The Presidency of the High Priesthood in thePriesthood in the

Restoration and ReorganizationRestoration and Reorganization

Presentation Master for Consideration by the Elders of the

Church of Jesus ChristFebruary, 2008

ObjectivesObjectives

Examine the scriptural evidence for presidents in the Church of Jesus Christ

Purpose of presidents Examine the office of President of the High

Priesthood Calling Duties

Is a president needed today? How to identify a president

4

The Question of Prophetic SuccessionThe Question of Prophetic Succession

The Doctrine and Covenants helps us to define the law of the church regarding prophetic succession.

O hearken, ye elders of my church, and give ear to the words which I shall speak unto you: for, behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto you, to receive commandments and revelations from my hand. [D & C 43:1]

Principle of PresidencyPrinciple of Presidency

God rules on the earth through Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the head of His ChurchJesus Christ rules through

stewards/agentsPriesthood are His agents in the Church

Jesus Christ commands and empowers1 Nephi 1:65 no commandment save God shall

prepare a way for them to accomplish it

Melchisedec priesthood holds right of presidency (DC 104:3b)

Of necessity, there are presidents, or presiding offices, growing out of, or appointed of, or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods. (DC 104:11a)

Why are presidents necessary? A clue is found in DC 120:8

A. H. Smith called to be president of the 12 “That [the Twelve] may be better prepared to

act . . .”



Gifts are given to presidents Spirit of wisdom (Section 120:2c) To teach (Section 104:41a) To lead To “better prepare” those he presides over

Presidents serve because it is wisdom in God Provides order To lead by revelation To preside over the whole church, and to be like unto

Moses. Now, behold, this the Spirit of revelation; behold, this is the

Spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea . . . . (Section 8:2a)


Multiple examples of presidency in scripture Adam

Presided over the believers and high priests Section 104:19-29 “I have set thee to be at the head . . .”

Enoch Presided over Zion

Moses Chosen to lead Israel from captivity to promised land

– [Exodus 3:9,10; Hebrews 11:24-27]


God used Judges e.g. Gideon e.g. Pahoran in the Book of Mormon

God used Prophets e.g. Samuel

Kings and Rulers Apostles

Possibly a “First Presidency” in New Testament – Gal. 2:9 [James, Peter, and John] Gal. 1:18-19 [Paul visits Peter, James the Lord’s brother]


In the Restoration several levels of presidency exist The Melchisdec priesthood holds the right of

presidency (Section 104:3b) The presidency of the high priesthood have a right to

officiate in all the offices of the church. (Section 104:4) Presidents of:

Branches (Section 120:2 a, c) Districts (Section 120:1 b, c, d) Stakes (Section 125:10a; C.H., Vol. 3, pg. 231) Stake standing high councils (Section 104:14) Priesthood Quorums (Section 104:38-43)


President of the High Priesthood It must needs be that one be appointedPresides over the priesthood of Church

Section 104:31ePresides over the whole Church, like

Moses, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet.

Section 104:42a.bPresides within the Quorum of the First

Presidency – Section 99:6


The President of the High PriesthoodCalled by revelation (DC 99:6a)

Appointed Chosen by the body (DC 104:11b)Ordained (DC 17:17; 104:11b)Upheld by the body by their (DC 104:11b)

ConfidenceFaithThe Prayer of Faith

Birthright & PriesthoodBirthright & Priesthood

The order of this priesthood [Melchisedec] was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner: [Seth] previous to his (Adam’s) death, and received the promise of God by his father, that his posterity should be chosen of the Lord, (Section 104:18, 19a)


God has chosen families to carry certain blessings and promises Obtained by faith

God keeps his covenantsPromises follow from father to sonSeen in

Adam’s family through Seth (Section 104:19) Aaron and his sons (Exodus 40:12-16; DC 83:3a) Among the priesthood (Section 84:3)


Doc. & Cov. 84:3—“Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers, for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God: therefore your life and the priesthood hath remained, and must needs remain, through you and your lineage, until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.” The Lord does not forget His promises.

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:

The successor is appointed by revelation. [DC 87:2] The successor must come in at the gate and be

ordained. [See CH, Vol. 8, pg 360 – 5 steps of the law] Doctrine & Covenants 43:1, 2 (27:2a; 87:2). Doctrine & Covenants 99:6.

The revelation comes through the prophet by command of God. Doctrine & Covenants 127:8; 144.

The successor must be direct descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr. Doctrine & Covenants 104:17-27. Doctrine & Covenants 107:18b, c, d. CH 3:200,347. (Seed of Joseph; Joseph’s posterity) GCR #2, 3, 23, 38, 39.

Who is to be President of the High Who is to be President of the High Priesthood? [Priesthood? [A reviewA review]]

Every president of the high priesthood . . . Is to be ordained by the direction of a high council, or general conference. D & C 17:17 {Times & Seasons 3:298}

The president of the church, . . . . Is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged . . . By the voice of the church.

He should preside over the high council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed. D & C 99:6a,b [February 17, 1834 – minutes of the organization of the High Council of the church.]

Joseph III – as Father’s Successor

Joseph Smith was then ordained President of the High Priesthood of the Church, under the hands of Elders Z.H. Gurley, Sen., of the Quorum of Twelve, and William Marks, of the High Priests, according to the minutes of the conference of April 6, 1860 at Amboy, Illinois.

Joseph rejected the Utah church and came to the Reorganization because he was enveloped and spoken to by the Spirit, saying: “Because the light in which you stand is greater than theirs.”

History of the Church, Vol. 3, pgs. 250-251, 258

Mormon Historian, B.H. RobertsMormon Historian, B.H. Roberts

“It should be observed here, perhaps, that ‘Revelations’ to a man personally, that he is called to be President of the Church, even when clear and definite, do not constitute him the President. Something else is necessary. As observed elsewhere, not only must a man be called of God, but he must be accepted by the Church – ‘chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of The Church’” [Section 107:22 LDS; 104:11b RLDS] – Succession in the Presidency of the Church, B.H. Roberts, 2nd edition, pg. 76.

Letter of Instruction, Joseph Smith III, RLDS Church History, Vol. 6, pgs.557-588

1. In the case of the death of a president of the church, or his removal from office for cause, what would be the position of his counselors?

It would then seem clear that the members of the First Presidency who would survive the death of the president would still hold the office of presiding high priests over the high priesthood and be authorized to act in such duties of the presidency in a similar manner that they may do during the life of the president, restricted only by the exceptions found in the law, the most important of these perhaps being the restriction as to the right of receiving revelations and presenting them to the church for the government and guidance thereof.

Letter of Instruction, Joseph Smith, IIIMarch 4, 1912 (CH 6:557-558)

“The church is not at liberty to accept or to follow the precedent supposedly established by the action of the Quorum of Twelve in the fall of 1844, in the Twelve taking absolute charge of the administration of the affairs of the church which culminated in 1847 in the installing of a Presidency by taking three from the then nine adhering members of the Twelve existing at the death of the Prophet, and installing them in the Presidency of the church with Brigham Young as their chief, . . .”

“This precedent and those established by James J. Strang, Lyman Wight, William Smith, and others, are of no value in directing the action of the church, other than they serve as warnings against deviating from the letter and the spirit of what had been given to the church prior to the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.”

History of Joseph Smith, The Latter Days Saints Millennial Star, Vol. 25, Pg. 231, 1863. Edited and

published by George Q. Cannon, Liverpool.

Statement of Brigham Young, August 8, 1844. “You cannot fill the office of a Prophet, Seer and Revelator: God must do this. You are like children without a father and sheep without a shepherd. You must not appoint any man at your head; if you should, the Twelve must ordain him. You cannot appoint a man at our head; but if you do want any other man or men to lead you, take them and we will go our way to build up the kingdom in all the world.”

“You cannot call a man to be a Prophet; you cannot take Elder Rigdon and place him above the Twelve; if so, he must be ordained of them.”

“I tell you there is an over anxiety to hurry matters here. You cannot take any man and put him at the head; you would scatter the Saints to the four winds, you would sever the Priesthood. So long as we remain as we are, the heavenly Head is in constant cooperation with us; and if you go out of the course, God will have nothing to do with you.” [RLDS C.H., Vol. 3, pg. 17]

23

Conclusion of FIRST section

Mitla, Mexico – 2,000 year old Tula Tree (cypress)

Built to Last

The Application of LineageThe Application of Lineagein the Restoration/Reorganizationin the Restoration/Reorganization

Presentation Master for consideration by the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ

February, 2008


Understand what the scriptures teach about lineage

Understand the historical tradition relative to lineage

Understanding the correct application

LineageLineage

How is priesthood transmitted?Same manner for all offices of priesthood

Abraham from Melchisedec from the fathers back to AdamSection 83:2e,f

“Here it is plainly stated that the priesthood was transmitted the first two thousand years of earth’s history, from father to son. It seems to have so descended, as matter of course, none disputing . . .” A Word of Consolation

LineageLineage

Abrahamic Covenant passed through fathersAbraham to Isaac Isaac to JacobJacob to his twelve sons

From fathers of Israel to their sonsJoseph to Manasseh and EphraimJacob through sons to David to Jesus

LineageLineage

Priesthood of AaronAaron and his sonsContinued through to John the Baptist

BishopsRight to this office is first by direct lineageSection 68:2d-g and Section 104:32

No man has a legal right to this office . . . Except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron (Section 68:2d)

LineageLineage

Observed in the Book of MormonLehi to NephiNephi to Joseph and JacobAlma, Sr. to Alma, Jr.

LineageLineage

Reaffirmed in the latter daysPriesthood of this dispensation by lineageTherefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers, for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God: therefore your life and the priesthood hath remained, and must needs remain, through you and your lineage, until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began. (Section 84:3a,b)

LineageLineage

Role of fathers in the latter day workSection 26:2e-f, 3 Section 105:12c

Priesthood intended to be unchangingSame priesthood in beginning and end

Genesis 6:7 I.V.

Father to SonSection 104:17-27

Lineage – Presiding PatriarchLineage – Presiding Patriarch

Joseph Smith, Sr. to Hyrum Smith (Son of J. Smith, Sr.)

William Smith (Son of J. Smith, Sr.) Note: Ordained 1845 in Nauvoo under Brigham Young. The office of presiding patriarch was not filled again in RLDS church until 4 years after the death of William Smith in 1893. Even though William returned to the Reorganization, he was never recognized as a patriarch and no one else was called to occupy that office until Alexander was called in 1897. Did God recognize his right of lineage?

Alexander H. Smith (Son of J. Smith, Jr.) 1897 Frederick A. Smith (Son of Alexander H. Smith) 1913

• Elbert A. Smith (Son of David H. Smith) 1938

LineageLineage

Lineage plus faithfulness.

The sons of my servants of the leading quorums of the church are admonished, that upon their fathers is laid a great and onerous burden, and they are called to engage in a great work, which shall bring them honor and glory, or shame, contempt and final great loss and destruction . . . and to their sons shall come honor, or shame, as they shall approve or disapprove themselves to God. The sons of my servants are called, and if faithful shall in time be chosen to places whence their fathers [served] (D & C 124:7)

Lineage & Presidency – November, 1851Lineage & Presidency – November, 1851

Jason Briggs Revelation – The Messenger, pg. 21, printed 1876

“Therefore, let the elders whom I have ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph, or by the had of those ordained by him, resist not this authority, nor faint in the discharge of duty, which is to preach my gospel as revealed in the record of the Jews, and the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants; and cry repentance and remission of sins through obedience to the gospel, and I will sustain them, and give them my Spirit; and in mine own due time will I call upon the seed of Joseph Smith, and will bring one forth, and he shall be mighty and strong, and shall preside over the high priesthood of my church; and them shall the quorums assemble, and the pure in heart shall gather, and Zion shall be reinhabited, as I have said unto my servant Joseph Smith; after many days shall all these things be accomplished, saith the Spirit. [C.H., Vol. 3, page 200-201]

Revelation to Zenas H. Gurley, Sr. on Lineage & Presidency - 1852

“The successor of Joseph Smith is Joseph Smith, the son of Joseph Smith the Prophet. It is his right by lineagehis right by lineage, saith the Lord your God.” C.H., Vol. 3, page 208.

LineageLineage

Section 127:8—Joseph Smith III confirms the call of Frederick Madison Smith to preside over the church “in accordance with the revelations which have been hitherto given to the church concerning the priesthood”

Principle upheld through 1978 Frederick M. Smith Israel A. Smith W. Wallace Smith Wallace B. Smith

LineageLineage

These promises are conditional Require

Faithfulness Preparation Revelation Common Consent of the body

Promises can be lost by disobedience Saul Jeroboam William Smith (see Jason Briggs Revelation)

38

End of SECOND Section

When will it be Spring?

Presentation Master for Consideration by the Elders of the

Church of Jesus Christ

February, 2008

Presidential SuccessionPresidential Successionin the Restoration / in the Restoration /

ReorganizationReorganization


Understand the importance of succession in the government of the Church

Understand the historical precedentsUnderstand the scriptures on the subjectBe familiar with historical documents on

the issueDevelop unity in our prayers to God

The Question of Prophetic Succession

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, established on April 6, 1830, and reorganized on April 6, 1860 Law is the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine

and Covenants. All matters in the Church must be in harmony

with the clear principles and laws revealed in these scriptures.

Prophetic Succession is of critical importance Reorganization only branch of the church to

obey the scriptural laws regarding presidency, lineagesuccession

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession This point was a key factor in Reorganization Unlawful succession marked factions

Brigham Young J.J. Strange Alpheus Cutler

Joseph Smith, III clearly was the proper successor to the prophetic/presidential office Lineage Designation (Blessing) Revelation Voice of people Authoritative ordination by the laying on of hands

Issues with SuccessionIssues with Succession

Multiple persons have claimed rights to the office of prophet /president over past years

“New” churches have been formed Form of godliness, lacking power Results of unlawful organization

Scattered saintsShattered hopesEntered into forbidden pathsSome may have been lost to the work

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession

Why ask the question of succession? Need for ministry of President/Prophet

Upper quorumsHigh Council(s)

The needProphetic guidance of the churchPower to prosecute missionary workSettle doctrinal and other disputesUnify and purify the saints for Zion

James 4:1-3James 4:1-3

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not; Ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war; yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession Church is designed to be led by a President There is no common agreement on who this shall be

We lack wisdom . . . Multiple opinions exist

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge” Hosea 4:6

We lack wisdom . . . “If any of you lack wisdom, let him [them] ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)


Examine the historical precedentsDiscover key elements

Law of Lineage upheldCall of God by revelationCall through previous presidentCall upheld by Common ConsentOrdained by the laying on of hands

Chief example is Joseph Smith, III

A Word of Consolation — 1853A Word of Consolation — 1853First Missionary Tract of ReorganizationFirst Missionary Tract of Reorganization

Concerning the Law of Succession, in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

And the Duty of the Saints and the Redemption of Zion. “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the

time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.”—Psalms 102—13.

“And Blessed are they who seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost.— 1 Nephi 3:187

“And as your father’s were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.”— Doc. and Cov., Sec. 100:3e

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of SuccessionJoseph Smith IIIJoseph Smith III

Called through lawful predecessor He was called by revelation

Multiple blessings before father died J.W. Briggs revelation November 18, 1851 Zenos Gurley testimony Young Joseph’s testimony

Agreement with the Law of LineageReceived by the voice of the peopleLawfully ordained

Blessing on Young JosephBlessing on Young Joseph

Father designated and blessed Young Joseph at least four times before death

1. Liberty Jail 1838

2. Brick Store in Nauvoo probably January 1844

3. Public meeting in Nauvoo near Temple• 3000 people present

4. Mansion House in Nauvoo, June 24, 1844 [Joseph, Jr. and Hyrum were killed June 27]

Blessing on Young JosephBlessing on Young Joseph

I lay my hand upon your head to bless you Your name is after the name of your father. You are Joseph the third You shall live long upon the earth And after you are grown you shall [have] wisdom knowledge and understanding And shall search into the mysteries of the Kingdom of God Your heart shall be open to all men And your hand shall be open to relieve the wants of the poor. You shall be admired by all who behold you You shall be an honor to your Father and Mother—And a comfort to your mother you shall have power to carry out all that your Father shall leave undone when you become of age And you shall have power to wield the Sword of Laban. (Italics added) by Joseph Smith, Sr., December 1836, Launius, Roger, Joseph Smith III, Pragmatic Prophet, pg 7.


While pondering in my heart the situation of the church, on the 18th day of November 1851, “and in mine own due time will I call upon

the seed of Joseph Smith, and will bring one forth, and he shall be mighty and strong, and he shall preside over the high priesthood of my church; …

The Messenger, edited by Jason W. Briggs, pg. 21, published in 1876, 25 years after revelation was given. Also C.H., Vol. 3, pages 200-201.


At a Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, held at Beloit, Wis., on the 12th and 13th of June A. D. 1852, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

1st. Resolved, That this Conference, regard the pretensions of Brigham Young, James J. Strang, James Collon Brewster, and William Smith and Joseph Wood’s joint claims to the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as an assumption of power, in violation of the law of God; and consequently we disclaim all connection and fellowship with them.


2nd. Resolved, That the successor of Joseph Smith, Junior, as the Presiding High Priest in the Melchisedec Priesthood, must of necessity be of the seed of Joseph Smith, Jun., in fulfillment of the law and promises of God.

3rd. Resolved, That as the office of First President of the Church grows out of the authority of the Presiding High Priest in the high priesthood, no person can legally lay claim to the office of First President of the Church, without a previous ordination to the presidency of the high priesthood.

EighteenthEighteenth Annual Conference of Reorganization: Annual Conference of Reorganization:Amboy, IL, April 6-9, 1860Amboy, IL, April 6-9, 1860

Joseph Smith III chosen as prophet, seer, and revelator of the church of Jesus Christ and the successor of his father on motion by Isaac Sheen. CH 3:247-253 April 6, 1860 Ordained under the hands of Z. H. Gurley, Sen.,

Samuel Powers, W. W. Blair, apostles, and William Marks, high priest.

Church of that day consisted of 8 branches; 179 members, 25 or 30 priesthood members

Eighteenth Annual Conference of the ReorganizationAmboy, IL, April 6-9, 1860

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of SuccessionFrederick M. SmithFrederick M. Smith

Called by lawful predecessorCalled by revelation

Section 127:8Agreement with the Law of LineageReceived by the voice of the peopleLawfully ordained

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of SuccessionIsrael A. SmithIsrael A. Smith

Called by lawful predecessorConfirmed by Presiding Patriarch

Called by revelationWord of mouth from F. M. SmithThrough Patriarch

Agreement with Law of LineageReceived by the voice of the peopleLawfully ordained

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of SuccessionW. Wallace SmithW. Wallace Smith

Called by his lawful predecessorCalled by revelation

Section 144Agreement with the Law of LineageReceived by the voice of the peopleLawfully ordained

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of SuccessionWallace B. SmithWallace B. Smith

Called by his predecessorCalled by revelation

Section 152Agreement with the Law of LineageReceived by the voice of the peopleLawfully ordained


God can choose anyone He pleases.God honors the covenant; faithfulness.We must remain humble, repentant.Covenant promises may be lost when

we are not faithful or obedient. I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I

say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. (Section 81:3b)

Principles of SuccessionPrinciples of Succession Many questions about the next Prophet/President

Must he be a seed of Joseph Smith? (C.H. 3:200, 201, 347; GCR #2, #3, #23 – June 12, 1852, April 7,1855)

Can Wallace B. Smith repent and name a successor? (D&C 27:2d; 34:4f; 43:1-2; 127:8)

Will it be a man like Moses? (D&C 100:3d; 104:42) Will it be one mighty and strong? (C.H. 1:260) One mighty among them, a descendant of Joseph?

(2 Nephi 44-50) A choice seer? (2 Nephi 2:6-30) Will it be Jesus Christ?

We have not come to prove one of these correct and the others wrong, but ask God for wisdom.

62

the lord will perfect me in knowledge, concerning his kingdom psalms 138:8 where two are three are...

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