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dained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ to be the second elder of this church, and ordained ander his hand; and this according to the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

"2. After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he bad received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world; but after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; and gave unto him commandments which inspired him; and gave him power from on high, by. the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon, which contains a record of a fallen people, and the ful ness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also, which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them, proving to the world that the Holy Scriptures are true. and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old, thereby showing that. he is the same God yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Amen."

We are then instructed in those particulars in which it was above stated the Scriptures are an insufficient guide.

“7. And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism.-All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the 'spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

"8. The du'y of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ.-An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons,' and to administer bread and wine-the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ-and to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the Scriptures; and to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; and to confirm thechurch by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost, and to take the lead of all meetings.

"9. The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.

"10. The priests' duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret, and attend to all family duties; and he may also ordain other priests, teachers, and deacons. And he is to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder present; but when there is an elder present, he is only to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret, and attend to all family duties. In all these duties the priest is to assist the elder if occasion requires.

"11. The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them, and see that there is no iniquity in the church-neither hardness with each other-neither lying, back biting, nor evil speaking; and see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty; and he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder priest—and is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires; but neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands; they are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach and invite all to come unto Christ.

"12. Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon, is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of God unto him; and he is to be ordained by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who ordains him.

"13. The several elders, composing this church of Christ are to meet in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferences shall direct or appoint; and said conferences are to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time.

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14. The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by vote of the church to which they belong, or from the confer

ences.

"15. Each priest, teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest may take a certificate from him at the time, which certificate, when presented to an elder, shall entitle him to a license, which shall authorize him to perform the duties of his calling, or he may receive it from a conference.

"16. No person is to be ordained to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organised branch of the same, without the

vote of that church; but the presiding elders, travelling bishops, high counsellors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a vote may be called.

"17. Every president of the high priesthood, (or presiding elder,) bishop, high counsellor, and high priest, is to be ordained by the direction of a high council or general conference.

"18. The duty of the members after they are received by baptism.--The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning the church of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the sacrament and being confirmed by the laying on of the hands of the elders, so that all things may be done in order. And the members shall manifest before the church, and also before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the Holy Scriptures-walking in holiness before the Lord.

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“19. Every member of the Church of Christ having children, is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name.

"20. No one can be received into the church of Christ, unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.

21. Baptism is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent:-The person who is called of God, and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented him or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name-Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Fa-· ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then sha'l he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

"22. It is expedient that the church meet together often. to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus; and the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying-() God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his spirit to be with them. Amen.

"23. The manner of administering the wine. He shall take the cup also, and say—O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee O God, the eternal Father; that they do always remember him, that they may have his spirit to be with them. Amen."

ter.

In section III. we are presented with still more important mat

"1. There are, in the Church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizidek, and the Aaronic, including the Levitical priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchizidek priesthood, is because Melchizidek was such a great high priest. Before his day it was called the holy priesthood, after the order of the Son of God; but out of respect or reve

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rence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizidek, or the Melchizidek priesthood.

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2. All other authorities or offices in the Church are appendages to this priesthood; but there are two divisions or grand heads—one in the Melchizidek priesthood, and the other in the Aaronic, or Levitical priesthood.

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3. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchizidek. The Melchizidek priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.

"4. The presidency of the high priesthood. af.er the order of Melchizidek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church. “5. High priests after the order of the Melchizidek priesthood, have ` a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency, in administering spiritual things; and also in the office of an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member. 6. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high priest is not present.

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7. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things, agreeably to the covenants and commandments of the church; and they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when there are no higher authorities present.

same.

"8. The second priesthood is called the priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. Why it is called the lesser priesthood, is because it is an appendage to the greater or the Melchizidek priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. a high priest of the Melchizidek priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the presidency of the Melchizidek priesthood.

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9. The power and authority of the higher or Melchizidek priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church— to have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven-to have the heavens opened unto them-to commune with the general assembly and church of the first-born, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.

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