THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
Revelations. The duty 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 of Christ according to the Scriptures, and to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and other Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons, and to administer the flesh and blood of the in these last thousand the of Ghost, to of all watch over the Church, and to confirm the Church by the laying on of the hands, Teight bundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior ders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost. The Priests THE ARTICLES AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. Jesus Christ, in the flesh; it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God in the fourth duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort and baptize, and administer the Sacra- month and on the sixth day of the month, which is called April: Which com-secret, and also to attend to all family duties; and ordain other Priests, Teachers ment, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in mandments were given to Joseph, who was called of God and ordained an Apos- and Deacons, and take the lead in meetings; but none of these offices is be to do tle of Jesus Christ, an Elder of this Church; and also to Oliver, who was called when there is an Elder present, but in all cases is to assist the Elder The Teach- of Ciod an Apostle of Jesus Christ, an Elder of this Church, and ordained under ers' duty is to watch over the Church always, and be with them, and strengthen his hand; and this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ them, and see that there is no iniquity in the Church, neither hardness with each to whom be all glory both now and forever. Amen. For, after that it truly was manifested unto this first Elder, that he had received ther, neither lying nor back-biting nor evil speaking; and see that the Church a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world, but take the lead of meetings in the abscence of the Elder or Priest, and is to be as- meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty; and he is to after truly repenting God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose counte-sisted always, and in all his duties in the Church by the Deacons; but neither the nauce was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all white Teacher nor Deacons, liave authority to baptize nor administer the Sacrament, but are to warn, expound, exhort and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ. ess, and gave unto him coinmandments which inspired him from on high, and gave unto him power, by the means which were prepared, that he should translate a Book, which Book contained a record of a fallen people, and also the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles; and also to the Jews, proving unto them, that the holy Scriptures are true; and also, that God doth inspire men and call them to his holy work, in these last days as well as in days of old, that he might be the same God forever. Amen. Vol. I. Every Elder, Priest Teacher, or Deacon, is to be ordained according to the gifts who ordains him. and callings of God unto him, by the power of the Holy Ghost which is in the one The several Elders composing this Church of Christ, are to meet in Conference once in three months, to do Church business whatsoever is necessary. And each shall authorize him to perform the duty of his calling. Priest or Teacher, who is ordained by a Priest, is to take a cirtificate from him at the time, which when presented to an Elder, he is to give him a License, which is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and declared unto the world Which Book was given by inspiration, and is called The Book of Mormon, and by them: Wherefore, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter receive this work, either to faith and righteous- ness, or to the hardness of heart in unbelief, to their own condemnation, for the Priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning this Lord God hath spoken it, for we, the Elders of the Church, have heard and bear of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the Sacrament, and witness to the words of the glorious Magesty on high; to whom be glory forever being confirmed by the laying on of the hands of the Elders; so that all things The duty of the members after they are received by baptism. The Elders or Church and ever. Amen. not any one be received into this Church of Christ, who has not arrived to the years of accountability before Ciod, and is not capable of repentance. may be done in order. And the members shall manifest before the Church, and Wherefore, by these things we know, that there is a God in Heaven, who is infi-it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy Scriptures, walking in also before the Elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of nite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting, the same unchangeable God, the holiness before the Lord. Every member of this Church of Christ having children, maker of Heaven and earth and all things that in them is, and that he created is to bring them unto the Elders before the Church, who are to lay their hands on F man niale and female, and after his own image, and in his own likeness created them in the name of the Lord, and bless them in the name of Christ. There can- he them; and that he gave unto the children of inen commandments, that they should love and serve him the only being whom they should worship, but by the transgression of these holy laws, man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man: Wherefore the Almighty God gave his only begotten Son, as it is repent: Whosoever being called of God and having authority given them of Jesus And baptisin is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who written in those Scriptures, which have been given of him, that be suffered temp-Christ, shall go down into the water with them, and shall say, calling them by name: tations, but gave no heed unto them; that he was crucified, died, and rose again Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Fa- the third day, and that he ascended into Heaven to sit down on the right hand of ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall he immerse the Father, to reign with Almighty power, according to the will of the Father them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. And it is expedient Therefore, as many as would believe and were baptized in his holy name, and en-that the Church meet together oft to partake of Bread and Wine, in remembrance dured in faith to the end, should be saved; yea, even as many as were before he of the Lord Jesus; and the Elder or Priest shall administer it, and after this man- came in the fiesli, from the beginning, wlio believed in the words of the holy ner shall he do, he shall kneel with the Church, and call upon the Father in nighty Prophets, who were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, which truly testifies prayer saying: 0 God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus of luni in all things, as well as those who should come after, who should believe Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that in the gifts and callings of God, by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God Father and of the Son, which Father and Son and 11oly Ghost, is one God, in-the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, finite and eternal, without end. Amen. and always remember him, and keep his commandments which lie hath given them, And we know, that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus that they may always have his spirit to be with them. Amen. The manner of Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to administering the Wine: Belold they shall take the Cup and say, O God, the the end, or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God: And we know, that Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sinc- Justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is just and tify this Wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in re true; and we know, also, that Sanctification through the grace of our Lord and membrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them, that they may wit Savior Jesus Christ, is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with ness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that all their mights, minds, and strength, but there is a possibility that men may fill they may have his spirit to be with them. Amen. from grace and depart from the living God. Therefore let the Church take heed Any member of this Church of Christ, transgressing or being overtaken in a fault, and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; yes, and even he that is sanctified shall be dealt with according as the Scriptures direct. It shall be the duty of the also; and we know, that these things are true and agreeable to the 'Revelation of several churches, composing this Church of Christ, to send one or more of their John, neither adding to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of his Book; neither to Teachers to attend the several Conferences, held by the Elders of this Church, with the holy Scriptures; neither to the Revelations of God which shall come hereafter, a list of the naines of the several members, uniting themselves to the Church sir.ce by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost; neither by the voice of God; neither the last Conference, or send by the hand of some Priest; so that there can be kept a by the ministering of angels, and the Lord God hath spoken it; and honor, power, regular list of all the names of the members of the whole Church, in a Book kept and glory be rendered to his holy name both now and ever. Amen. by one of the Elders; whosoever the other Elders shall appoint from time to time: And again, by way of commandment to the Church, concerning the manner and also, if any have been expelled from the Church, so that their names may be of baptism: Behold whosoever humbleth bimself before God and desireth to be blotted out of the general Church Record of nanies. Any member removing from baptized, and comes forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witness-the Church where he resides, if going to a Church where he is not known, muy eth unto the Church, that they have truly repented of all their sins and are wil-take a letter certifying that he is a regular member and in good standing; which ling to take upon them the name of Christ, having a detennination to serve hum certificate may be signed by any Elder or Priest, if the member receiving the letter unto the end, and truly manifest.by their works that they have received the spirit is personly acquainted with the Elder or Priest, or it may be signed by the Teach- of Christ unto the remission of their sins; then shall they be received unto baptism ers or Deacons of the Church. into the Church of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that all old Covenants have I caused to be done away in
