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| Joseph Smith to Edward Partridge (May 2, 1833) |
| Joseph acknowledges error in addressing other leaders in Zion instead of Edward Partridge. Consecration guidelines §. Excommunicants retain their inheritances but not any portion set aside for the poor §. |
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Kirtland Ohio May 2d 1833 |
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JS letters sent |
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Beloved Brother Edward, |
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| Acknowledges mistake |
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I commence answering your letter & sincere request to me, by begging your pardon for not having addressed you, more particularly in letters which I have written to Zion, for I have always felt, as though a letter written to any one in authority in Zion, would be the property of all, & it mattered but little to whom it was directed. But I am satisfied that this is an error, for instruction that is given pointedly, and expressly to us, designating our names as individuals, seems to have double power and influence over our minds, |
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Edward's honesty, sincerity
Lord chastens those he loves
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I am thankful to the Lord for the testimony of his spirit, which he has given me, concerning your honesty, and sincerity before him, and the Lord loveth you, and also Zion, for he chasteneth whom he loveth, and scourgeth every son & daughter whom he receiveth, and he, will not suffer you to be confounded, and of this thing you may rest assured, notwithstanding, all the threatning of the enemy, and your perils among false brethren, |
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| Joseph prays for him in granting inheritances |
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For verily I say unto you. that this is my prayer, and I verily believe the prayer of all the saints in Kirtland, recorded in heaven, in these words, Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ thy son, preserve brother Edward. the bishop of thy church, and give him wisdom, knowledge & power, & the holy ghost, that he may impart to thy saints in Zion. their inheritance, & to every man his portion of meat in due season, |
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| Have no fear |
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and now, this is our confidence & record on high, therefore fear not little flock, for it has been your fathers good will to give you the kingdom, |
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| Regarding consecration |
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and now I will proceed to tell you my views, concerning consecration, property, and giving inheritances &c. |
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| Get deeds |
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The law of the Lord, binds you to receive, whatsoever property is consecrated, by deed, |
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| Lord's storehouse for the poor |
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The consecrated property is considered the residue kept for the Lords store house. and it is given for this consideration, for to purchase inheritances for the poor, |
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| All decide for themselves what to consecrate |
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this, any man has a right to do, agreeable to all the laws of our country, to donate, give or consecrate all that he feels disposed to give, |
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| Transactions must be adhere to the law |
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and it is your duty, to see that whatsoever is given, is given legally, therefore. it must be given for the consideration of the poor saints, and in this way no man can take any advantage of you in law, |
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| Inheritances to be owned privately |
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again. concerning inheritances, you are bound by the law of the Lord, to give a deed securing to him who receives inheritances, his inheritance, for an everlasting inheritance, or in other words, to be his individual property, is private stewardship, |
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| Excommunicants retain inheritances |
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and if he is found a transgressor & should be cut off. out of the church, that inheritance is his still and he is delivered over to the buffetings of satan, till the day of redemption, |
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"& it shall come to pass that he that sin[n]eth & repenteth not shall be cast out & shall not receive again that which he hath consecrated unto me." ¶ D&C 42:37 (Feb. 9, 1831) |
| Property consecrated to the poor remains with the Chuurch |
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But the property which he consecrated to the poor, for their benefit, & inheritance, & stewardship, he must obtain again by the law of the Lord, |
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| Rich cannot disenherit the poor |
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Thus you see the propriety of this law, that rich men cannot have power to disenherit the poor by obtaining again that which they have consecrated, which is the residue, signified in the Lord, that you will find in the second paragraph of the extract from the law, in the same number, |
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| Greatful members are humbling themselves |
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and now brother Edward, be assured that we all feel thankful, that the brethren in Zion are beginning to humble themselves, & trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. which is our prayer to God, you may all be able to do, and now, may the grace of God be with all, amen. |
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Joseph Smith Junr |
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| True copy |
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The above is a true copy of a letter, directed & sent, & subscribed agreeable thereto |
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Joseph Smith Correspondence
Joseph
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