The Process of Accusing the First Presidency Described — George W. Robinson (July 8, 1838)
The following Revelations. were read in the congregation this day, which was given in Ohio——
Revelation Given at the French Farm in Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio. In the presence of J. Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon Vinson Knight & Geo. W. Robinson January 12th 1838.——
When inquiry was made of the Lord relative to the trial of the first Presidency of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, For transgressions according to the item of law, found in the Book of Covenants 3rd. Section 37 Verse
Whether the descision of such an Council of one stake, shall be conclusive for Zion and all her stakes
Thus saith the Lord, Let the first Presidency of my Church, be held in full fellowship in Zion and all her stakes, untill they shall be found transgressors, by such an high Council as is named in the above alluded section, in Zion, by three witnesses standing against each member of said Presidency, and these witnesses shall be of long and faithfull standing, and such also as cannot be impeached by other witnesses before such Council, and when a descision is had by such an Council in Zion, it shall only be for Zion, it shall not answer for her stakes, but if such descision be acknowledged by the Council of her stakes, then it shall answer for her stakes, But if it is not acknowledged by the stakes, then such stake may have the privilege of hearing for themselves or if such descision shall be acknowledeged by a majority of the stakes, then it shall answer for all her stakes And again,
The Presidency of my Church, may be tried by the voice of the whole body of the Church in Zion, and the voice of a majority of all her stakes And again
Except a majority is had by the voice of the Church of Zion and a majority of all her stakes, The Charges will be concidered not sustained and in order to sustain such Charge or Charges, before such Church of Zion or her stakes, such witnesses must be had as is named above, that is the witnesses to each President, who are of long and faithfull standing, that cannot be immpeached by other witnesses before the Church of Zion, or her stakes, And all this saith the Lord because of wicked and asspiring men, Let all your doings be in meekness and in humility before me even so Amen
Journal, March–September 1838, pp. 51-52, The Joseph Smith Papers
Stakes Must Acknowledge the Authority of the First Presidency — George W. Robinson (July 8, 1838)
Revelation Given the same day January 12th 1838, upon an inquiry being made of the Lord, whether any branch of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints can be concidered a stake of Zion, untill they have acknowledged the authority of the first Presidency by a vote of such Church
Thus saith the Lord, Verrily I say unto you Nay
No stake shall be appointed, except by the first Presidency, and this Presidency be acknowledged, by the voice of the same, otherwise it shall not be counted as a stake of Zion and again except it be dedicated by this presidency it cannot be acknowledged as a stake of Zion, For unto this end have I appointed them in Laying the foundation of and establishing my Kingdom Even so Amen.
Journal, March–September 1838, pp. 52-53, The Joseph Smith Papers.
