- Patriarchs Tried to Use Priesthood to Bring People Into the Presence of God — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa August 4, 1839)
- Innocent & Pure Females Can Come Into Presence of God — Eliza R. Snow (April 28, 1842)
- Can Only Know God After Handling Something in the Holiest of Holies — Willard Richards (May 1, 1842)
- Mortals Cannot Come Into God’s Presence Unless They Are Pure — George Laub (May 12, 1844)
- Blood Cannot Enter God’s Presence — Thomas Bullock (May 12, 1844)
Patriarchs Tried to Use Priesthood to Bring People Into the Presence of God — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa August 4, 1839)
I saw Adam in the valley of Ah-dam-ondi-Ahman — he called together his children & blessed them with a Patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, & he (Adam) blessed them all, & foretold what should befall them to the latest generation — See D.C. Sec III 2.8.2.9 par. — This is why Abraham blessed his posterity: He wanted to bring them into the presence of God. They looked for a city, &c. Moses sought to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God, through the power of the Pristhood, but he could not. In the first ages of the world they tried to establish the same thing — & there were Elias’s raised up who tried to restore these very glories but did not obtain them. But (Enoch did for himself & those that were with Him, but not for the world. J.T.) they prophesied of a day when this Glory would be revealed.
Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 4 August 1839-A, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 65-66, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Innocent & Pure Females Can Come Into Presence of God — Eliza R. Snow (April 28, 1842)
females, if they are pure and innocent can come into the presence of God; for what is more pleasing to God than innocence; you must be innocent or you cannot come up before God. If we would come before God let us be pure ourselves.
Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, p. 38, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Can Only Know God After Handling Something in the Holiest of Holies — Willard Richards (May 1, 1842)
The devil knows many signs but does not know the sign of the Son of Man, or Jesus. No one can truly say he knows God until he has handled something, and this can only be in the Holiest of Holies.
Discourse, 1 May 1842, as Reported by Willard Richards, p. 94, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Mortals Cannot Come Into God’s Presence Unless They Are Pure — George Laub (May 12, 1844)
. . . god dwels in flaming flames and he is a consuming fire he will consume all that is uncleen and unholy and we could not abide his presents unless pure spirits in us. for the Blood is the corruptible part of the tabernacles—— for the resurection of the dead is devised to take away coruption and make man perfect or in the glory which he was created for the body is sowen in coruption and raised in Incoruption then we will be able to goe in the presents of god
Discourse, 12 May 1844, as Reported by George Laub, p. 22, The Joseph Smith Papers. To see this document on the Church History Library site, visit: Laub, George, 1814-1880, George Laub reminiscences and journal, p. 35, Church History Library, https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/bf25591b-611a-4d3c-a6d9-e320a4a1b538/0/34. It should be noted that Samuel W. Richards also created his own record of Joseph Smith’s discourse on May 12, 1844, but did not include a reference to God’s presence.
Blood Cannot Enter God’s Presence — Thomas Bullock (May 12, 1844)
God Almighty himself dwells in Eternal fire, flesh and blood cannot go there, all corruption is devoured by the fire— our God is a consuming fire— when our flesh is quickened by the Spirit, there will be no blood
Discourse, 12 May 1844, as Reported by Thomas Bullock, p. 2, The Joseph Smith Papers. It should be noted that Samuel W. Richards also created his own record of Joseph Smith’s discourse on May 12, 1844, but did not include a reference to God’s presence.
