8b as it tends to destroy confidence and create distrust not only in those present at councils where they occur, but to those to whom the knowledge of such a course of procedure comes by the voice of those who are present and witness what is said and done.
8c There should be harmony, and the Spirit enjoins it upon all, that the Master may be remembered as in meekness and due sobriety he carried on the great work to which he was called.
9a The Spirit saith further: That the church has been warned heretofore that the sons of the leading officers of the church are called and may be chosen to the respective offices to which the Spirit may direct,
9b and the church should be prepared when necessity arises to properly choose such officers as may be pointed out as those who should fill the positions to which they are respectively called.
9c There are others still in reserve who are fitted through the testimony that Jesus is the Christ and the doctrine is true to serve as those who are sent as apostles of peace, life, and salvation to those who are laboring in the valleys of humiliation and distress of spirit. LAMONI, IOWA, April 14, 1913
DC 131 Intro: SECTION 131
Revelation given through Joseph Smith III, prophet and seer to the church, April 14, 1914, at Independence, Missouri. It was addressed to the officers, delegates, and members of the church. It was first presented to the various quorums of the church and endorsed by them. Later it was placed before the assembly of delegates to the Conference and endorsed by standing vote. Provision was made for its incorporation in the Doctrine and Covenants. It was the last revelation given to the church through Joseph Smith III, who died December 10, 1914. He had served the church as President of the High Priesthood for more than fifty-four years.
1a In agreement with the notice for the general fast of the church to be observed on the first Sunday, being the fifth day of April, 1914, I, Joseph Smith, President of the church, in common with the custom of the brotherhood, observed the rule requiring the fast, and spent that day in meditation and prayer upon the work of God and our present duty in the affairs intrusted to our care.
1b Before the hour of breaking the fast came, I was blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit resting upon me in quiet assurance and in power.
1c In the still small voice which giveth light and understanding to the intelligence of man, exalting the soul and sanctifying the spirit, there came unto me the directing voice of Him whose work we are engaged in.
2a Thus saith the Spirit unto the church: The time has now come when the necessities of the work require that the servants of the church, Bishops Edwin A. Blakeslee and Edmund L. Kelley, should be more closely associated in the carrying on of the financial affairs of the church and caring for the various organizations requiring the expenditure of moneys collected from the membership of the church and the care of the properties belonging to the church as an organization under the laws of the church and of the land.
2b To accomplish this object the servant of the church, Edwin A. Blakeslee, should make himself more thoroughly acquainted with the affairs in the office of the Bishopric, that he may be better prepared to advise, strengthen, and aid in controlling the affairs of the Bishopric to the successful accomplishment of the object in view when he was called and ordained to the Bishopric.
