Twelve Apostles Under Condemnation for Not Being Sufficiently Humble — Warren Parrish (November 3, 1835)
Thus came the word of the Lord unto me concerning the, Twelve saying
behold they are under condemnation, because they have not been sufficiently humble in my sight, and in consequence of their covetous desires, in that they have not dealt equally with each other in the division of the moneys which came into their hands, nevertheless some of them, dealt equally therefore they shall be rewarded, but Verily I say unto you they must all humble themselves before Me, before they will be accounted worthy to receive an endowment to go forth in my name unto all nations, as for my Servant William [Smith] let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith and wait on me in patience and my servant William shall return, and I will yet make him a polished shaft in my quiver, in bringing down the wickedness and abominations of men and their shall be none mightier than he in his day and generation, nevertheless if he repent not spedily he shall be brought low and shall be chastened sorely for all his iniquities he has commited against me, nevertheless the sin which he hath sined against me is not even now more grevious than the sin with which my servant David W. Patten and my servant Orson Hyde and my servant Wm E. McLellen [McLellin] have sinded against me, and the residue are not sufficiently humble before me, behold the parable which I spake concerning a man having twelve Sons, for what man among you having twelve Sons and is no respecter to them and they serve him obediantly and he saith unto the one be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here, and to the other be thou clothed in rages [rags] and sit thou there, and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just, ye will answer and say no man, and ye answer truly, therefore Verily thus saith the Lord your God I appointed these twelve that they should be equal in their ministry and in their portion and in their evangelical rights, wherefore they have sined a verry grevious sin, in asmuch as they have made themselves unequal and have not hearkned unto my voice therfor let them repent speedily and prepare their hearts for the solem assembly and for the great day which is to come Verely thus saith the Lord Amen.
Journal, 1835–1836, pp. 17-19, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Learn Wisdom by Precept & Example, Not Experience — Wilford Woodruff (July 2, 1839)
Why will not man learn wisdom by precept & example at this late age of the world & not be obliged to learn every thing we know by sad experiance. Must the new ones that are chosen to fill the places of those that are fallen of the quorum of the Twelve, begin to exhalt themselves untill they get so high that they will tumble over & have a great fall & go wallowing through the mud, mire, & darkness Judas like to the buffatings of Satan as several of the Twelve have done, or will they learn wisdom & be wise (O God give them wisdom & keep them humble I pray)
Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff–B, p. 86, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Be Humble by Ascribing Power, Praise & Glory to God — Wilford Woodruff (July 2, 1839)
When the Twelve or any other witness of Jesus Christ stands befor the congregations of the earth & they preach in the power & demonstration of the Holy Ghost & the people are asstonished & confounded at the doctrin & say that that man has preached a powerful discours a great sermon then let that man or those men take care that they do not asscribe the glory unto themselves but be careful that they are humble & asscribe the praise & glory to God & the Lamb for it is by the power of the Holy Priesthood & the Holy Ghost that they have power thus to speak. What art thou O man but dust & from wholm dost thou received thy power & blessings but from God, then O ye Twelve notice this key & be wise for Christ sake & your own souls sake.
Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff–B, pp. 86-87, The Joseph Smith Papers.
