| 200 brave men and true who dared to meet the disapprobation and censure of friends, and the abuse and slander of foes, in their devoted and humble search for truth, and the authority to teach it.
Elder Jason W. Briggs relates that in October, 1851, he attended a conference held at Palestine, Illinois, by Elder William Smith and others, and that there he became thoroughly satisfied that William Smith was wrong in his claims. This condition of things would naturally make a man anxious and thoughtful. Believing as he did that the faith he had espoused was of God, and yet repeatedly disappointed in and betrayed by supposed leaders, what should he do but to cry unto God for more light? This he testifies he did, and that the Lord by his Spirit revealed to him that he must renounce former leaders, and also the thing just proclaimed at Palestine, which he asserts was polygamy, and the promise was given him that the Lord would send the seed of Joseph to preside over the High Priesthood. 1
1 While pondering in my heart the situation of the church, on the 18th day of November 1851, on the prairie, about three miles northwest of Beloit, Wisconsin the spirit of the Lord came upon me, and the visions of truth opened to my mind, and the Spirit of the Lord said unto me. "Verily, verily, saith the Lord, even Jesus Christ, unto his servant, Jason W. Briggs, concerning the church: behold, I have not cast off my people; neither have I changed in regard to Zion. Yea, verily, my people shall be redeemed, and my law shall be kept which I revealed unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., for I am God and not man, and who is he that shall turn me from my purpose, or destroy whom I would preserve? Wolves have entered into the flock, and who shall deliver them? Where is he that giveth his life for the flock? Behold, I will judge those who call themselves shepherds, and have preyed upon the flock of my pastures.
"And because you have asked me in faith concerning William Smith, this is the answer of the Lord thy God concerning him: I, the Lord, have permitted him to represent the rightful heir to the presidency of the high priesthood of my church by reason of the faith and prayers of his father, and his brothers, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, which came up before me in his behalf; and to respect the law of lineage, by which the holy priesthood is transmitted, in all generations, when organized into quorums. And the keys which were taught him by my servant Joseph were of me, that I might prove him therewith. And for this reason have I poured out my spirit through his ministrations, according to the integrity of those who received them.
"But as Esau despised his birthright, so has William Smith despised my law and forfeited that which pertained to him as an apostle and high priest in my church. And his spokesman, Joseph Wood, shall fall
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