201 Of subsequent events Elder Briggs writes as follows:-
"The foregoing communication was committed to writing on the day it was received, in accordance with the injunction given; and on the two following days it was read to several persons, among whom were David Powell, H. Lowe, and J. Harrington. The latter raised an objection founded on the second paragraph of section 14, and paragraph 2, section 51, Doctrine and Covenants, that no one save a prophet, seer, etc., had a right to receive a revelation relating to or affecting the whole church. This objection has been constantly urged by those of every faction, until this day; whose inference has been, that it was false. Some conversation occurred in consequence among these brethren, in which it was also urged in answer to this objection, that then the Lord had no right to give such a revelation, the right to give one implying the right to receive. The two last named brethren decided to comply with the promise contained in the last paragraph of the revelation, and seek a testimony; and reporting what they had seen and heard to
with him, for they are rejected of me. They shall be degraded in their lives, and shall die without regard; for they have wholly forsaken my law, and given themselves to all manner of uncleanness, and prostituted my law and the keys of power intrusted to them, to the lusts of the flesh, and have run greedily in the way of adultery.
"Therefore, let the elders whom I have ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph, or by the hand of those ordained by him, resist not this authority, nor faint in the discharge of duty, which is to preach my gospel as revealed in the record of the Jews, and the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and cry repentance and remission of sins through obedience to the gospel, and I will sustain them, and give them my Spirit; and in mine own due time will I call upon the seed of Joseph Smith, and will bring one forth, and he shall be mighty and strong, and he shall preside over the high priesthood of my church; and then shall the quorums assemble, and the pure in heart shall gather, and Zion shall be reinhabited, as I said unto my servant Joseph Smith; after many days shall all these things be accomplished, saith the Spirit. Behold, that which ye received as my celestial law is not of me, but is the doctrine of Baalam. And I command you to denounce it and proclaim against it; and I will give you power, that none shall be able to withstand your words, if you rely upon me; for my Spirit shall attend you." And the Spirit said unto me, "Write, write, write; write the revelation and send it unto the saints at Palestine, and at Voree, and at Waukesha, and to all places where this doctrine is taught as my law; and whomsoever will humble themselves before me, and ask of me, shall receive of my Spirit a testimony that these words are of me. Even so. Amen."-The Messenger, edited by Jason W. Briggs, vol. 2, p. 1.
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