1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and grace be with you all. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self- willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
DC 17:16b but the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church, that a vote may be called.
DC 34:6d Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
DC 41:3b And again, it is meet that my servant Sidney Rigdon should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments.
DC 42:8b And, behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support, that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken;
DC 42:8c and inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me, and it shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall or has appointed and set apart for that purpose.
DC 42:9b every man shall be made accountable unto me a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration, inasmuch as is sufficient for himself and family.
DC 42:10a And again, if there shall be properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is necessary for their support, after this first consecration, which is a residue, to be consecrated unto the bishop, it shall be kept to administer unto those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied, and receive according to his wants.
DC 42:18e Lift up your hearts and rejoice, for unto you the kingdom, or in other words, the keys of the church, have been given. Even so. Amen.
DC 42:19a The priests and teachers shall have their stewardships, even as the members; and the elders, or high priests who are appointed to assist the bishop as counselors, in all things are to have their families supported out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop,
DC 42:19b for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned, or they are to receive a just remuneration for all their services; either a stewardship, or otherwise, as may be thought best, or decided by the counselors and bishop.
DC 42:22c and the elders shall lay the case before the church, and the church shall lift up their hands against him or her, that they may be dealt with according to the law of God.
DC 46:7f and all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.
DC 48:2c and they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement, to lay the foundation of the city;
DC 50:8g and I am the good Shepherd (and the stone of Israel: he that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall), and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.
DC 51:1c and let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his portion, give unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this inheritance in the church, until he transgresses and is not accounted worthy by the voice of the church, according to the laws and covenants of the church, to belong to the church;
DC 51:3b wherefore, if another church would receive money of this church, let them pay unto this church again, according as they shall agree;
DC 51:3c and this shall be done through the bishop or the agent, which shall be appointed by the voice of the church.
DC 53:2b Take upon you mine ordinances, even that of an elder, to preach faith and repentance, and remission of sins, according to my word, and the reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands.
DC 57:5c And thus let those of whom I have spoken, be planted in the land of Zion, as speedily as can be, with their families, to do those things even as I have spoken.
DC 58:7a And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land.
DC 58:11a And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment that he shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit, unto him;
DC 58:12a And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth, of all kinds, unto this land, to labor for the saints of God. Let all these things be done in order.
DC 64:7d and liars, and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
DC 68:2c wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchisedec priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron, and if they be literal descendants of Aaron, they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron; for the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same.
DC 68:2g but by virtue of the decree concerning their right of the priesthood descending from father to son, they may claim their anointing, if at any time they can prove their lineage, or do ascertain it by revelation from the Lord under the hands of the above-named presidency.
DC 70:3a Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship, even as I, the Lord, have appointed, or shall hereafter appoint unto any man.
DC 71:2g Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, There is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and if any man lift his voice against you, he shall be confounded in mine own due time; wherefore, keep these commandments: they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen.
DC 72:1a Hearken, and listen to the voice of the Lord, O ye who have assembled yourselves together, who are the high priests of my church, to whom the kingdom and power have been given.
DC 72:1d For he who is faithful and wise in time is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for them of my Father.
DC 72:1e Verily I say unto you, The elders of the church in this part of my vineyard shall render an account of their stewardship unto the bishop which shall be appointed of me, in this part of my vineyard.
DC 72:2 And now, verily I say unto you, My servant Newel K. Whitney is the man who shall be appointed and ordained unto this power; this is the will of the Lord your God, your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
DC 72:3b to keep the Lord's storehouse; to receive the funds of the church in this part of the vineyard; to take an account of the elders, as before has been commanded; and to administer to their wants, who shall pay for that which they receive, inasmuch as they have wherewith to pay, that this also may be consecrated to the good of the church, to the poor and needy;
DC 72:3c and he who hath not wherewith to pay, an account shall be taken and handed over to the bishop of Zion, who shall pay the debt out of that which the Lord shall put into his hands;
DC 72:3d and the labors of the faithful who labor in spiritual things, in administering the gospel and the things of the kingdom unto the church, and unto the world, shall answer the debt unto the bishop in Zion;
DC 72:3e thus it cometh out of the church, for according to the law every man that cometh up to Zion must lay all things before the bishop in Zion.
DC 72:4a And now, verily I say unto you, That as every elder in this part of the vineyard must give an account of his stewardship unto the bishop in this part of the vineyard, a certificate from the judge or bishop in this part of the vineyard, unto the bishop in Zion, rendereth every man acceptable, and answereth all things, for an inheritance, and to be received as a wise steward and as a faithful laborer; otherwise he shall not be accepted of the bishop in Zion.
DC 72:4b And now, verily I say unto you, Let every elder who shall give an account unto the bishop of the church, in this part of the vineyard, be recommended by the church, or churches, in which he labors, that he may render himself and his accounts approved in all things.
DC 72:5a A few words in addition to the laws of the kingdom, respecting the members of the church; they that are appointed by the Holy Spirit to go up unto Zion, and they who are privileged to go up unto Zion.
DC 83:4f to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people; to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.
DC 83:18a And again, verily, verily I say unto you, It is expedient, that every man who goes forth to proclaim mine everlasting gospel, that inasmuch as they have families, and receive moneys by gift, that they should send it unto them, or make use of it for their benefit, as the Lord shall direct them, for thus it seemeth me good.
DC 83:22 And, behold, the high priests should travel, and also the elders, and also the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church.
DC 83:23b he should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his secular business, as he shall direct;
DC 87:6c And let thy counselor, even Sidney Rigdon, remain where he now resides, until the mouth of the Lord shall name.
DC 87:7a And again, verily I say unto you, It is my will that my handmaid, Vienna Jaques, should receive money to bear her expenses, and go up unto the land of Zion; and the residue of the money may be consecrated unto me, and she be rewarded in mine own due time.
DC 87:8b Behold, I say unto you, that your brethren in Zion begin to repent, and the angels rejoice over them; nevertheless, I am not well pleased with many things;
DC 90:8d What I say unto one I say unto all: Pray always, lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.
DC 92:3f And let the higher part of the inner court, be dedicated unto me for the school of mine apostles, saith Son Ahman; or, in other words, Alphus; or in other words, Omegus; even Jesus Christ your Lord. Amen.
DC 95:7g then thine indignation shall be turned away and vengeance shall no more come upon them, saith the Lord your God, and their trespasses shall never be brought any more as a testimony before the Lord against them. Amen.
DC 96:2a And, behold, and lo, I come quickly to judgment, to convince all of their ungodly deeds which they have committed against me, as it is written of me in the volume of the book.
DC 104:8c The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron.
DC 104:31f From the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the hands.
DC 104:32a Wherefore the office of a bishop is not equal unto it, for the office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things:
DC 104:32c Nevertheless, a high priest, that is after the order of Melchisedec, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth, and also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors, upon testimony, as it shall be laid before him, according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen, or will choose among the elders of the church.
DC 104:33c and inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall act in the same office.
DC 104:34b And the decision of either of these councils, agreeably to the commandment which says:
DC 104:40a Also the duty of the president over the priesthood of Aaron, is to preside over forty-eight priests, and sit in council with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given in the covenants.
DC 106:Intro SECTION 106
This revelation was first published in the second (1844) edition of the Doctrine and Covenants as Section 107. By action of the 1970 World Conference its inclusion was confirmed. It was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Far West, Missouri, July 8, 1838, in answer to the petition, "O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing."
DC 107:8a And again, verily I say unto you, My servant George Miller is without guile; he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart; and for the love which he has to my testimony, I, the Lord, love him:
DC 111:1b therefore we believe, that all marriages in this Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast, prepared for that purpose:
DC 114:Intro SECTION 114
The first General Epistle of the Twelve under the presidency of Joseph Smith III, son of the Martyr, was addressed: "To all the Saints scattered abroad." To this Epistle an appendix was added by President Smith. The appendix was in the nature of a revelation from God and was so accepted by the church at the semiannual conference of 1871. Its inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants was authorized by the semiannual conference of 1878.
This is the first revelation given to the church through President Joseph Smith III. It was dated October 7, 1861. The Epistle and appendix were published October 25, 1861.
DC 115:1e Press onward, ye elders and people of my church, even my little flock, and as I have spoken to you in times past, so will I speak again to you as my friends, inasmuch as you speak in my name; and lo! I am Alpha and Omega, and will be with you unto the end. Amen.
DC 117:9b And until such time as the quorum of the Seventy shall be filled, their decision, if unanimous and agreeing with that of the quorum of the Twelve, shall be considered the same as if the quorum were filled.
DC 117:10a It is expedient that the Bishop of my church shall choose two counselors, and that they be ordained to their office as my law directs, that there may be henceforth no caviling among my people.
DC 122:4b My servant David H. Smith is yet in my hand and I will do my will in the time for its accomplishment. Be not troubled or fearful in this matter for it shall be well for my work in the end.
DC 122:6b therefore, the law given to the church in section forty-two, over the meaning of some parts of which there has been so much controversy, is as if it were given today;
DC 122:6c and the bishop and his counselors, and the high council, and the bishop and his council, and the storehouse and the temple and the salvation of my people, are the same to me now that they were in that day when I gave the revelation;
DC 122:6g these last named being within the province of the Presidency, the Twelve as a quorum, the councils or other officers of the branches or stakes where houses of worship are to be built, the conferences and the general assembly of the church, and the direction of the Lord by revelation.
DC 122:10a Should the church fall into disorder, or any portion of it, it is the duty of the several quorums of the church, or any one of them to take measures to correct such disorder; through the advice and direction of the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventy, or a council of high priests, in case of emergency;
DC 122:12b In the meantime the district may be left to the care of its districts organization subject to the direction of the Presidency, no one of the missionary force being appointed to the charge thereof for the conference year, or longer if it shall be found advisable.
DC 123:19 Resolved that we advise that the colored members in Detroit, Michigan, be organized in a separate branch as soon as practicable.
BISHOP'S COUNCIL
DC 124:2a Separate and set apart my servant Alexander Hale Smith to be a counselor to my servant, the President of the church, his brother; and to be patriarch to the church, and an evangelical minister to the whole church.
DC 124:2b Also, appoint my servant E. L. Kelley, Bishop of the church, to act as counselor to the President of the church, for the conference year, or until one shall be chosen to succeed my servant W. W. Blair, whom I have taken unto myself;
DC 124:6d When any quorum of the Seventy may be sitting, any one, or all of the seven presidents, may at their request, or by invitation of such quorum, be present and take part in the deliberations of such council, but the president of such quorum only shall preside, except by consent of the quorum obtained by vote properly taken.
DC 125:9 The only qualification for delegates chosen by the branches or districts should be membership and good standing, it being given by the Spirit that those other than the eldership should be represented in this way.
DC 125:13a For prosecuting the work in two of these missions, this is offered and directed:
DC 125:13b Send the Bishop to England with my servant Gomer T. Griffiths, to aid in arranging the affairs of the church there, organizing the ministry locally and determining what help in the missionary field may be required from America.
DC 125:13d Authorize the patriarch as one of the Presidency to visit Australia and the islands of the sea, the Society Islands, authorizing him to assist the authorities there in arranging their missionary labor by his advice,
DC 126:5a I saw the Bishopric as at present constituted, with the attendant bishops upon either side. I asked what was the meaning of this.
DC 126:10e I inquired what quorums of the church were meant, and I was answered, the three quorums the decisions of which are provided for in the law--the Presidency, the Twelve, and the Seventy.
DC 127:1b This should be done as soon as it is found to be practicable, and without unnecessary delay.
DC 127:8c Should my servant Frederick M. Smith prove unstable and unfaithful, another may be chosen, according to the law already given. Independence, Missouri, April 14, 1906
DC 128:2b and these by their appointment are empowered to prosecute the work of caring for and using such properties as are confided to their care to accomplish the end designed.
DC 128:8c living and acting honestly and honorably before God and in the sight of all men, using the things of this world in the manner designed of God, that the places where they occupy may shine as Zion, the redeemed of the Lord.
DC 129:8a The Spirit saith further: The attention of the church is called to the consideration of the revelation, given in answer to earnest supplication, with regard to temporal things.
DC 129:9c So be ye encouraged and press on to the consummation designed of God for his people--unity, honor, sanctification, and glory. Amen. JOSEPH SMITH. LAMONI, IOWA, April 18, 1909
DC 130:5a The Spirit saith further: Elder E. A. Blakeslee is hereby called into the more active participation of the duties of the Bishopric than he has hitherto engaged in,
DC 130:5b in order that he may give such assistance to the Bishop, E. L. Kelley, as is essential unto the success of the work intrusted to the Bishopric.
DC 130:6a The Spirit saith further: That the Bishopric may be still further put in condition to perform the duties of the office of caring for the temporalities of the church, the imminent necessity of which appears clear to all,
DC 131:3a The Spirit saith further, that it is expedient that additional aid be given to the Bishopric in charge of the general affairs of the finances,
DC 131:5 In witness whereof I, Joseph Smith, president and servant of the church, hereto set my hand this fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1914. JOSEPH SMITH
DC 132:Intro SECTION 132
President Joseph Smith died at Independence, Missouri, December 10, 1914. His oldest living son, Frederick Madison Smith, had been designated as his successor and was accepted by the church in this capacity. He was set apart as President of the Church and the High Priesthood at the Stone Church in Independence on May 5, 1915.
The Conference of 1915 had given consideration to the honorable release of Presiding Bishop E. L. Kelley, but referred any necessary action to the Presidency and Council of Twelve. President F. M. Smith reported the situation to a council of the Presidency, Council of Twelve, and Presiding Bishopric. By action of this council the text of the revelation was taken from the body of President F. M. Smith's report and presented to the General Conference, where it was endorsed and approved for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants.
The matter of selecting one to succeed Bishop E.L. Kelley in the office of Presiding Bishop has received by me careful and prayerful consideration.
DC 132:1 I am therefore now prepared to say that the voice of the Spirit to me is, that Bishop E. L. Kelley should be released from the responsibilities of Presiding Bishop, though he may act as traveling bishop, counseling and advising on the law of temporalities in harmony with his successor and the Presidency.
DC 135:Intro SECTION 135
In the years prior to 1925 the Reorganization was passing through a period which brought to the fore problems of administrative prerogatives. These involved the leading quorums of the church. A climax was reached in the General Conference of 1925. A conflict of views between the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric occurred. The Order of Bishops presented a motion to the Conference recommending the honorable release from their positions of members of the Presiding Bishopric. The General Conference by motion deferred action and approved an appeal to the Lord through the prophet, in fasting and prayer. In response to the plea of the church the following revelation was received through President Frederick M. Smith, prophet and seer to the church, April 18, 1925.
To the Church: Before and since the decision of the conference to have a season of prayer for divine direction in the matter before the conference I have presented to the Lord the needs of the people; and through the voice of inspiration I am directed to say to the church:
DC 135:4 The authorities of the church whose duty it is to appoint men to missionary tasks should remember the previously given instructions to send out by twos; and so far as practicable let the missionaries be so sent. There is wisdom and safety in this.
DC 136:Intro SECTION 136
The widespread financial and economic depression which began near the close of 1929 put the church into serious financial difficulties. Early in 1930 the counselors in the Presiding Bishopric resigned; and by agreement between the Presidency, Twelve, and Presiding Bishop, Bishops L. F. P. Curry and G. Leslie DeLapp were chosen to serve as counselors to Bishop Albert Carmichael subject to the action of the next General Conference. The following revelation was approved by the quorums and the Conference.
To the Church: To the condition of the church and the personnel of the Quorum of Twelve and Presiding Bishopric I have in official capacity as well as in personal meditation and prayer given much thought, and have earnestly sought divine wisdom and guidance. Believing that such wisdom and inspiration have been given me, I present the following as the word of the Lord to us now:
DC 136:1a Under conditions existing it is well that Bishop Albert Carmichael should be released from further responsibility as Presiding Bishop, he being commended for the faithful devotion to the onerous tasks which have been his to perform.
DC 136:1b In his stead let Bishop L. F. P. Curry be chosen to give such time and energy to this office as opportunity and the conditions surrounding him will permit, working toward the time when he can give his full time and attention to the work of the office to which he is thus called.
DC 138:1c I suggested to the brethren named the wisdom of at once entering upon their tasks in the Presidency.
DC 138:1d This was done, and there was thrown upon Brother Curry a double responsibility, for it was thought best for him to continue his work as Presiding Bishop until further instructions were given.
DC 138:1e Acting further under the impulsion referred to I now present the names of Israel A. Smith and Lemuel F. P. Curry for ratification as Counselors in the First Presidency, Brother Curry to be released from further responsibility as Presiding Bishop.
DC 140:5a The church is admonished again that all movements toward Zion and the gathering and temporalities connected therewith are within my law, and all things should be done in order,
