Submitting to Laws of the Land — Willard Richards (August 16, 1838)
Writ to arrest Joseph 16 Thursday 16th. I spent principally at home. The sheriff of Davies accompaned by Judge Josiah Morin, called and notified me that he had a writ for to take me to Davies county. on trial, for visiting that county on the 7th instant. It had been currently reported that I would not be apprehended by legal process, and that I would not submit to the Laws of the Land, but I told the Sheriff that I calculate always to submit to the laws of our country. but I wished to be tried in my own county as the citizns of Davies county were highly exasperated at me. and that the laws of the country gave me this pivilege. Upon hearing this, the sheriff declind serving the writ, & said he woud go to Richmond & see judge Austin A. King on the subject. I told him I would remain at home until his return. The sheriff returd from Richmond and found me at home (where I had remaind during his absence) and informd me very gravely that I was out of his jurisdiction & that he could not act in Caldwell, and retired.
History Draft [6 August 1838–30 December 1839], p. 6, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Obedience to Specific Laws Brings Specific Blessings — Willard Richards (April 2, 1843)
There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven. before the foundation of the world upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain a blessing it is by obedience to the law upon which that blessing is predicated.
Instruction, 2 April 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, p. 42, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Men Must Obey Certain Rules and Principles to Acquire Salvation — Willard Richards (October 9, 1843)
If men would acquire salvation they have got to be subjct to certain rules. & principle which were fixed by an unalterable dercee [decree] before the world was. before they leave this wo[r]ld. what did they learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? is it written. No!
Discourse, 9 October 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 121-122, The Joseph Smith Papers.
