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Welcome to
http://www.ChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints.org

THE

BOOK OF THE LAW

OF

THE LORD,

 

BEING A TRANSLATION FROM THE EGYPTIAN OF
THE LAW GIVEN TO MOSES IN SINAI.

PRINTED BY COMMAND OF THE KING,

AT THE ROYAL PRESS,
SAINT JAMES,
A. R. VI.

 

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER DAY SAINTS.

VOREE, WISCONSIN.
2001.


This book is an electronic reprint of the Saint James, Michigan edition of 1856. That edition was never bound with a title page, testimony, or preface before James J. Strang was killed in 1856. Therefore, this reprint has a testimony typeset from the earlier Saint James edition of 1851. That forerunner of 1851 comprised just 80 pages, and was titled: The Book of the Law of the Lord, Consisting of an Inspired Translation of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Law Given to Moses, and a Very Few Additional Commandments, With Brief Notes and References. The later edition of 1856 comprised 320 pages (17-336), and contained ten new chapters and numerous and valuable notes. The title page of this 1997 edition is conjectural, derived from the edition of 1851 and an announcement of publication in the Daily Northern Islander in 1856. This edition has been taken from the 1987 electronic version by James D. Hajicek. In a few places the count of words and letters was corrected in that version.
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This uniquely formatted Internet version © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 by John Jason Hajicek, based on the 1987 version by James D. Hajicek.
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This is the only accurate version available on the Internet.
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In order to protect the integrity of our text, we do not allow this text to be copied for electronic use elsewhere.
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Please do not infringe on our copyright. You may assign links to this page, or print a single-use hardcopy.

 

Law1851.jpg (111729 bytes)

This is the rare 1851 preliminary pamphlet edition, 80 pages long, of which only 200 copies printed.  For years there was no copy known, until Yale University finally acquired one.  This copy belonging to bishop Gilbert Watson has since been added to the Hajicek collection.

Law1856.jpg (52239 bytes)

In 1856, the expanded 336 page edition of the Book of the Law of the Lord was laying in folded but uncut sheets in the printing office on Beaver Island.   A mob pied the type and destroyed the press, but the apostles rescued the sheets and hid them in trunks like this one belonging to Warren Post in the Hajicek collection.

LawMSS.jpg (79810 bytes)

Portions of the manuscript Book of the Law of the Lord are in the rare collections of Brigham Young University, Southern Methodist University, and Yale University.

 

T E S T I M O N Y .

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, to whom this Book of the Law of the Lord shall come, that James J. Strang has the plates of the ancient Book of the Law of the Lord given to Moses, from which he translated this law, and has shown them to us. We examined them with our eyes, and handled them with our hands. The engravings are beautiful antique workmanship, bearing a striking resemblance to the ancient oriental languages; and those from which the laws in this book were translated are eighteen in number, about seven inches and three-eights wide, by nine inches long, occasionally embellished with beautiful pictures.

And we testify unto you all that the everlasting kingdom of God is established, in which this law shall be kept, till it brings in rest and everlasting righteousness to all the faithful.

SAMUEL GRAHAM,
SAMUEL P. BACON,
WARREN POST,
PHINEAS WRIGHT,
ALBERT N. HOSMER,
EBENEZER PAGE,
JEHIEL SAVAGE.


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S .

CHAPT. SUBJECT. PAGE.
  Testimony  
I. The Decalogue 17
II. The True God 47
III. Oaths 87
IV. Benedictions 98
V. Maledictions 100
VI. Prayer 102
VII. Thanksgiving 104
VIII. Sacrifice 106
IX. Monuments 110
X. Blessing of Infants 114
XI. Baptism 116
XII. Baptism for the Dead 136
XIII. Confirmation 142
XIV. Eucharist 145
XV. Marriage 159
XVI. Healing 160
XVII. Absolution 162
XVIII. Ordination 163
XIX. Adoption 167
XX. Calling of a King 168
XXI. Duty of the King 177
XXII. Abstinence of the King 179
XXIII. Viceroys 181
XXIV. King's Council 183
XXV. King's Court 185
XXVI. City Court 187
XXVII. Municipalities 188
XXVIII. Twelve Apostles 191
XXIX. High Priests 193
XXX. Seventies 194
XXXI. Elders 196
XXXII. Priests 198
XXXIII. Teachers 200
XXXIV. Deacons 202
XXXV. Establishment of the Law 203
XXXVI. Priesthood 214
XXXVII. Place of Your Dwellings 283
XXXVIII. Groves, Forests, and Waters 286
XXXIX. Apparel and Ornaments 288
XL. Feasts 291
XLI. Inheritances 298
XLII. Descent of Inheritances 300
XLIII. Social Order 305
XLIV. Household Relations 310
XLV. Highways 329
XLVI. Tithing 331
XLVII. Payment of Debts 335
Chapter II. was written by the prophet James, by inspiration of God.
The first six sections of Chapter XX. were written by the prophet James, by inspiration of God, and the nine following sections are the words of the angel of God when he conferred upon James J. Strang the prophetic authority, and made him the chief shepherd of the flock of God on earth.
Chapter XXXV. is a revelation given Feb., 1851.
Chapter XL. is a revelation given Feb., 1851, except the first two sections.
The first three sections of Chapter XLI. are a revelation from God, given to James J. Strang, July 8th, 1850.
With these five exceptions all the other chapters of this book were translated from the plates of Laban, taken from the house of Laban, in Jerusalem, in the days of Zedekiah, king of Judah.

Return to Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

THE DECALOGUE

1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy might, and with all thy strength: thou shalt adore him, and serve him, and obey him: thou shalt have no other gods before thee: thou shalt not make unto thee any image or likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters of the earth, to bow thyself unto it, or to worship it: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto, nor adore anything that thine eye beholdeth, or thy imagination conceiveth of; but the Lord thy God only; for the Lord thy God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, from generation to generation, even upon all that hate him, and showing a multitude of mercies unto them that keep his commandments. (143, 597)

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: thou shalt not usurp dominion as a ruler; for the name of the Lord thy God is great and glorious above all other names: he is above all, and is the only true God; the only just and upright King over all: he alone hath the right to rule; and in his name, only he to whom he granteth it: whosoever is not chosen of him, the same is a usurper, and unholy: the Lord will not hold him guiltless, for he taketh his name in vain. (100, 367)

3. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work; thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy womanservant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates: for in six ages the Lord thy God made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh age: wherefore the Lord thy God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it: thou shalt keep it holy unto him, that thou forget not the Law, nor be found keeping the company of the vile, nor be despised by the righteous. (129, 508)

4. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: thou shalt not revile him, nor speak evil of him, nor curse him: thou shalt do no injustice unto him; and thou shalt maintain his right, against his enemy: thou shalt not exact rigorously of him, nor turn aside from relieving him: thou shalt deliver him from the snare and the pit, and shalt return his ox when he strayeth: thou shalt comfort him when he mourns, and nurture him when he sickens: thou shalt not abate the price of what thou buyest of him, for his necessity; nor shalt thou exact of him, because he leaneth upon thee: for in so doing thousands shall rise up and call thee blessed, and the Lord thy God shall strengthen thee in all the work of thy hand. (133, 558)

5. Honour thy father and thy mother: give heed to their commandments, obey their laws, and depart not from their precepts: reverence their age, and seek unto their house all the days of thy life: exalt not thyself against them, nor withhold to build up their house above thine own: honour and obey the King and the Judges, and the rulers, and all that are set in authority; for they are as fathers among the people: that they may be a fear unto evil doers; and the Priest also, who stands before the Lord, that he may instruct thee: and thy days shall be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (114, 476)

6. Thou shalt not kill: thou shalt slay no man in malice; neither thy child, nor thy wife, nor thy bondman, nor thy bondwoman, nor thy servant: nor the child of thy servant: neither shalt thou slay thine enemy, except thou admonish him, and entreat him, and he hear thee not, and God give him into thy hand: thou shalt only slay him in lawful war: and if any man trespass against thee, and break through, and do violence, thou shalt not slay him in revenge. If thou overtake him in the trespass, thou mayest resist unto blood; but except thou slay him in the trespass, thou shalt deliver him to the Judge; he shall judge him, and the hand of the officer shall be on him. (126, 518)

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery: thou shalt not in any wise lie with the wife of thy neighbour; and if she seduce thee, thou shalt resist her; that thou pollute not thyself, and make not the place of thy house unclean, and destroy not the house of thy neighbour, and that thou cause no violence in the land: thou shalt not lie with the wife of the stranger; neither shalt thou lie with the wife of thine enemy; lest thy children be scattered abroad, and know not thee, nor the fear of thee be upon them, and they be strangers to the covenant of God, and the whole land be corrupt, and thine offspring be destroyed with the wicked. (119, 495)

8. Thou shalt not steal: thou shalt not trespass upon anything that is thy neighbour's, to take it from him, nor to destroy it: neither shalt thou trespass upon the stranger that dwelleth within thy gates, to destroy his substance, nor to take it from him; for to thee he looketh for justice, and a shield round about all that he hath; and the fear of the Lord thy God is upon him also, and to his righteousness he also seeketh: neither shalt thou overreach him by cunning, nor by stratagem, to take his substance from thy neighbour, nor the stranger within thy gates. Remember that ye were strangers, and were oppressed, and oppress not the stranger, lest his cry ascend to God against you. (124, 545)

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness: thou shalt not speak falsely before the King, nor before the Judge, nor in the assembly of the Princes, nor in the presence of the Ruler, nor unto the Minister of the Law, nor among the multitude; nor in the ear of thy friend, nor to thy wife, nor thy child, nor thy servant: neither shalt thou withhold the truth from the King, nor the Judge, nor him that is set in authority: for thus shall righteousness be established in all thy borders. (89, 373)

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's inheritance: thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, nor his bondman, nor his bondwoman, nor his manservant, nor his womanservant, nor his horse, nor his carriage, nor the instruments of his labour, nor the produce of his land, nor the things that he has made, nor the treasures that he has in store, nor anything that is thy neighbour's: thy desire shall not be upon them, to take them by stealth, nor by fraud, nor by cunning, nor by violence: neither shalt thou covet that which belongeth to the stranger that dwelleth within thy gates; but thou shalt improve thine own, and thy desire shall be unto it; lest thou be corrupt, and the hand of thy neighbours be against thee, and the cry of the poor ascend to God against thee. (138, 605)

(10 sections, 1215 words, 5042 letters)

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CHAPTER 2

THE TRUE GOD

1. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob is our God; this is his name forever, and this is his memorial unto all generations. He created the heavens and the earth, and all things that are in them are the workmanship of his hands. He created man in his own image, that he might have dominion over the earth, and over the beasts of the field, and over the fowls of the air, and over the fishes of the sea. (85, 325)

2. Man, being in the likeness of God's person, they all recognize him as their Lord, and fear him as a God. And notwithstanding his degeneracy, he has retained so much of the divine likeness, that beasts, birds, and fishes, fear him, and his power is over them as a mighty one. It is diminished as he has departed from the likeness and perfections of his Creator: and that spirit of rebellion, which man has received so redundantly, he has communicated to them also, that they rebel against him, as he rebels against God. Yet the fear of man is on them continually; and his dominion is over them throughout the earth. (111, 484)

3. God conversed with Adam as a familiar friend; and walked with Enoch, who was faithful unto him in the midst of a corrupt race: he communed with Noah, the father of a new world; and covenanted by his own oath, with Abraham the faithful. (44, 185)

4. He commanded a fiery law, with a voice of thunder, in Sinai: the earth quaked at the tread of his foot: the rustling of his garment was as low thunder; and his voice as a mighty thunderbolt: the beaming of his face was as the sun in the morning; and the flash of his eye as the fierce lightning. The nations trembled at his presence; and the tribes said, Not unto us; not unto us, Oh Lord God, but unto Moses, be thy voice known. (85, 330)

5. For they heard the voice of God, as the voice of a trumpet; and as loud thunder: and they saw the lightning: and the mountain smoking; and they felt the earth tremble; and they fled far away, crying, Not unto us; not unto us: but unto Moses, declare thy law, Oh God, and we will obey his voice, and live, for, who shall abide in thy presence? (67, 259)

6. His word was made known to the Prophets, and his sacraments were established in Israel. Kings ruled in his glorious name; and the nations who forgot him were destroyed. (29, 136)

7. He hath appointed everlasting life in the Lord Jesus; and given the keys of death and of hell unto him who alone among mortals, hath kept his glorious word in all things. He hath chosen him the first born among many brethren; for he is the first begotten of the dead, and hath the keys of the resurrection, and of life forevermore. (62, 263)

8. He maketh his Apostles the witnesses of his Law, unto the nations; and of his gospel unto every kindred, and tongue, and people. His word is among men; and the revelation of his power, in the midst of the earth. (40, 164)

9. The Lord our God is glorious in his perfections; there is none like him. The gods of the heathen have no voice: neither do they see, nor understand. The God of Babylon the Great, the Mother of Churches, before whom all her daughters bow down, is naught; he is as wind, and vanity; he can neither be seen nor heard, nor felt; he hath no dwelling place: where shall any abide with him? Passionless, is he; and can neither love the good, nor hate the evil: who shall adore him, or fear him? (93, 374)

10. Without members and parts; he cannot hear, see, feel, smell, or taste. Neither can he speak, nor come unto those that worship him, nor smite the disobedient and rebellious. Handless, footless, mouthless, eyeless, and earless; a shapeless chaos, conceived in the imagination of the vain: ye shall not fear him, nor bow down unto him, nor adore him. (58, 271)

11. The Lord our God hath an incommunicable name; never polluted by the breath of the ungodly: which none can know, but he who ministereth in his holy sanctuary; by which he revealed himself unto Moses; and in which he establisheth this law, for an everlasting covenant. (46, 214)

12. God alone hath immortality. Adam, the first of men, the Ancient of Days, the great Prince; Abraham, to whom God gave an everlasting possession; David, whose throne was established as the days of heaven, forever; all died. Enoch, who walked with God, and was not found, because God took him; and Elijah, who ascended to the throne of God, in his own fiery chariot; shall return to the earth to sleep with their fathers. The change which is sealed upon all the sons of Adam, shall come upon the faithful, who stand on the earth, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who know not God, and obey not the gospel. And he, the Prince of the Kings of the earth; who in the days to come, shall speak with the voice of a trumpet, and the dead shall hear his voice and live; died once, that he might live forevermore. He praised God, who alone hath immortality, that he would not leave him in the place of the dead: he preached the gospel to the spirits in prison, and obtained the key of life everlasting: but God alone liveth forever: the eternal ages are unto him as moments to us: infinities, as units to the mathematician. Our God alone hath immortality. Thou shalt love him with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. (239, 1010)

13. God alone hath omniscience. He clotheth himself in light as a robe: his ministers, who at midday, are as a flaming fire in the dark night, are blind before him; he apprehendeth the motion of the atom which floateth in the invisible element, and discerneth the speck in the centre of the star, which the light of the sun hath not reached since the day that the sons of God shouted for joy that the earth was created, as a mountain in the eye of mortals. He never sleepeth; his eye closeth not; and there is no darkness before him. Our God alone hath omniscience. Thou shalt love him with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. (123, 512)

14. God alone hath omnipotence. He looketh upon the nations, and they melt in the fury of his countenance: he frowneth, and the mountains dissolve to smoke; the vallies are consumed in the breath of his nostrils. He spoke, and worlds were created: he thought, and they were lost in space. Earthquakes are but the whisperings of his voice; the rustling of his attire causeth lightning, and thunder; and with the shadow of his garment he blotteth out the sun. The Prince of the Kings of the earth; by whom the world was created; and who liveth and reigneth forever; receiveth power from him, and rendereth it unto him. Who shall stand before him? Our God alone hath omnipotence. Thou shalt love him with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. (136, 603)

15. God alone is omnipresent. His presence filleth the immensity of space as a point. In the midst of the bottomless pit, is he; the pavilion of his feet, is the face of the earth: the stars, are his home: his breath, is fragrant odour to the blessed, in the highest heaven; and it enliveneth the crumbling frame of the dead. The rays of the sun, have not found his bourn; nor the light of the stars, the place he inhabiteth not. His rest outspeedeth the lightning; it leaveth the morning ray behind it; and his speed is more rapid than the thought of angels. Our God alone is omnipresent. Thou shalt love him with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. (127, 526)

16. God alone is one. There are choirs of angels; hosts of spirits; and multitudes of men: but God hath no fellow. A great King, is to him as the unseen spawn before the monsters of the deep; Methuselah, as the ephemera of a day: the most glorious spirit, is bodiless, and a breath. And the Lord Jesus, who created the earth, and redeemed it; whose kingdom filleth the earth, and the heavens; possesseth but a speck, amid the stars he made. He alone is one. Thou shalt love him with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Thou shalt adore him, and serve him, and obey him; and beside him, thou shalt have no other God: for he alone hath immortality, and omniscience, and omnipotence, and omnipresence. He alone is one; and they who obey his law, shall be like him. (147, 605)

(16 sections, 1492 words, 6261 letters)

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CHAPTER 3

OATHS

1. Thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord thy God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit of God, and by nothing less: neither by the heavens, for God's throne is there; nor by the hosts thereof, for they serve him; nor by the earth, for it is the place of the sole of his foot; nor by the inhabitants thereof, for they are mortal, and vanity; nor by thyself, for thou art of a day, and shalt cease; nor by any work of man, for it perisheth. (93, 343)

2. Remember that the Lord thy God swore by himself, because there was none greater: but by the greater shalt thou swear, even by God Almighty, and by him whom he sitteth at his right hand forever; and whose is the Kingdom under the whole heaven. Thou shalt not swear by the name of any other God. (56, 231)

3. Thou shalt not profane the name of the Lord thy God, nor of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor of the Holy Spirit of God, by any oath: but such oaths only as the Law of the Lord thy God, and the command of the King requireth of thee and alloweth, shalt thou take upon thee; for all else is profane. Thou shalt not profane the name of God by any oath or vow, of thine own. (76, 278)

4. An oath shall be before the King, and the Judge, and the Ruler, and the Minister of the Law; and before such as are set in authority, whensoever they require it: and there may be an oath also between those who enter into covenant: and also between him that serveth, and him that ordereth. (54, 226)

5. Thou shalt perform all thine oaths; whether unto God or unto man, thou shalt perform them. Thou shalt do according to every word that proceedeth out of thy mouth. Thou shalt not speak with thy lips when thy heart giveth not assent, to do and to perform all the words of thy mouth. (53, 222)

6. If thou swear by an oath to do anything which is known to thee, and it be sin, it is not an oath of the Lord thy God. Thou canst not profane the name of the holy, to sanctify sin. God shall judge thee, and him that asketh it of thee. Ye shall bear your sins together. (57, 203)

7. But if thou swear by an oath to do a thing, and it be hid from thee, and thou know it not, and when it is known to thee it is sin; thou shalt submit thyself unto the judgment of God, and shalt do penance; and shalt make restitution, as shall be put upon thee; that all sin may be put away, and thy heart purified, and wickedness put out of the land. (73, 266)

8. If thy wife swear by an oath to perform anything which thou mayest disallow, and thou hold thy peace at her, the day that thou hearest it, her oath shall stand. If thou wilt not that she perform it, thou shalt disallow it presently; for if thou delay, and then disallow it, thou shalt answer for her oath, and shalt bear her iniquity. (63, 262)

9. If thy son, or thy daughter, swear by an oath to perform anything which thou mayest disallow, and thou hold thy peace to thy child the day that thou hearest it, the oath shall stand. If thou wilt not that the oath stand, thou shalt disallow it presently; for if thou delay, and then disallow it, thou shalt answer for the oath, and shalt bear the iniquity of thy child. (70, 289)

10. And if thy servant swear by an oath to do a thing which thou mayest disallow, and thou hold thy peace at him, the day that thou hearest it, his oath shall stand. If thou wilt not that his oath stand, thou shalt disallow it presently; for if thou delay, and then disallow it, thou shalt answer for the oath, and shalt bear the iniquity of thy servant. (68, 273)

(10 sections, 663 words, 2593 letters)

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CHAPTER 4

BENEDICTIONS

1. Thou shalt delight in blessing, and not in cursing. And in the name of God, and of all the holy ones, even all that are above thee, shalt thou bless; and it shall be a blessing. (36, 135)

2. Thou shalt bless thy fellows, and thy children and servants, and theirs; and all who seek to learn the righteousness of God, and the peace of his Kingdom of thee, and all whom God has committed to thy care. And him who blesseth thee, shalt thou honour. (47, 198)

(2 sections, 83 words, 333 letters)

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CHAPTER 5

MALEDICTIONS

1. Thou shalt not curse, out of the bitterness of thine own heart; nor shalt thou curse any but he that is under condemnation of God's Law, and, being oft rebuked, will not repent. (33, 138)

2. Thou shalt not curse thy neighbour, nor the stranger that dwelleth with thee; for the hand of the Judge is over them: and, possibly, when he rebukes, they will repent, and turn to righteousness: but when he curses, then shalt thou. (41, 181)

3. But thou shalt not curse any who is placed in authority, or has jurisdiction over thee. If they oppress thee, or do thee unrighteousness, and thy cry ascend to God in heaven, in heaven will he hear thee. He will be the avenger. Curse not, lest thy curse return upon thee. (51, 212)

(3 sections, 125 words, 531 letters)

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CHAPTER 6

PRAYER

1. When thou prayest, thou shalt not use many words, or vain repetitions; for God hath understanding: nor shalt thou cry aloud; for God heareth the whisper of the heart. (29, 132)

2. Nevertheless, in the assembly shalt thou speak with an audible voice, that he who prayeth with thee, may say, Amen. (20, 91)

3. Thy prayers shall be unto God, thy Father; for he is rich in mercy, and loving kindness: and in heaven shall he hear thee, in the fulness of his wisdom and goodness, if thou believe on his name. But unto his Ministers shalt thou petition for whatsoever he has dispensed unto them. For his mercy is over all his works. (60, 249)

(3 sections, 109 words, 472 letters)

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CHAPTER 7

THANKSGIVING

1. When, in blessing, the Lord thy God shall bestow upon thee any great and choice blessing; or, in his abundant charity, shall deliver thee from any great calamity, thou shalt assemble together thy wives, and thy children; thy friends, and thy neighbours; and shalt celebrate his glorious goodness with thankofferings, and feasting, and musick, and dancing. (56, 286)

2. And for the chief blessings of God to thee, shalt thou keep it in remembrance from year to year, and teach it to thy children, that they who inherit the blessing may not forget gratitude to the giver, and the remembrance of the goodness of thy God be preserved throughout all generations. (52, 232)

(2 sections, 108 words, 518 letters)

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CHAPTER 8

SACRIFICE

1. Thou shalt offer upon the altar of the Lord thy God, and before his Priests, sacrifices for sinofferings, and for trespassofferings, and for memorials, and for peaceofferings, and for thankofferings. (30, 163)

2. Thy offerings shall be of the firstlings of thy flocks, and of the choice of thy fields, and of the chief of all holy things. (25, 98)

3. Of thy flock shalt thou offer the firstling of male or female, without deformity or blemish, of such as divide the hoof and chew the cud; and of fowls, shalt thou offer all singing birds; and of fishes, all that have scales and fins; and of shell fish, such as have two shells, and move about from place to place: these shall be holy unto the Lord thy God, and shall be offered upon the altar. (76, 306)

4. Of the choice of thy fields, that which is good for food without change or addition, and whatsoever is used for bread for man, that is holy unto the Lord thy God, and shall be offered unto him as an offering, and lifted up to the Priest; but it shall not be offered on the altar. (56, 217)

5. And whatsoever other thing ye offer, it shall be accompanied with one of these, and thus thy gift shall be sanctified. But if it be not accompanied with one of these, thou shalt redeem it at the Priest's valuation, and it and the price thereof shall be the Lord's. (49, 208)

(5 sections, 236 words, 992 letters)

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CHAPTER 9

MONUMENTS

1. Whensoever the Lord thy God manifests himself unto thee in majesty and might, or walketh with thee, and revealeth unto thee wisdom and knowledge, thou shalt erect unto him pillars, tablets and enduring monuments, and make inscriptions upon them; and shalt write and inscribe thereon his dealings with thee, his blessings and mercies, and his great power and glory, which he hath revealed unto thee; that it may remain a witness to the generations to come; and that they may know that thy God is God, and there is none else. (91, 420)

2. Thou shalt preserve the memory of the chosen of God, who have been faithful in their ministry, and in the calling whereunto the Lord thy God hath called them, fresh with thy children, and thy children's children. (37, 170)

3. Thou shalt build monuments to their memory, and erect pillars and tablets, and inscribe their praises, their works, their faith and their sufferings thereon; and when thou beholdest their monuments, thou shalt remember them, and talk of their righteousness, and teach thy children to walk in their righteous ways. (49, 256)

4. When God giveth thee a victory over thy enemies, thou shalt commemorate it with monuments and inscriptions. (17, 89)

5. But over the graves of persecutors and blasphemers, and they who shed the blood of the innocent, and at the places of their abominations shalt thou pile rough stones, with muttered curses, against the day of the resurrection of damnation. (40, 194)

6. And thou shalt teach thy children to add a stone to the pile as they pass by, and to curse him that removes the stones, and cleaves unto their wickedness. (30, 122)

(6 sections, 264 words, 1251 letters)

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CHAPTER 10

BLESSING OF INFANTS

1. When the Lord thy God in multiplying blesseth thee, and giveth thee a child in thine own image; thou shalt bring him before the Lord thy God, in his house, or in the assembly of the Elders; and they shall lay their hands upon him, and bless him. Thou shalt not delay to do it; and though thou be far away, yet shalt thou bring him before he is eight years old: that the blessing of the Lord thy God may be put upon him; and his heart shall seek to the Kingdom of God, and its righteousness: for of such is the Kingdom. If he die, yet shall he live therein forever. He shall be thine. (117, 450)

2. And the child of thy servant also, and of thy bondman, shalt thou bring to receive this blessing: and the stranger that dwelleth with thee shall bring his child also, to receive his blessing: for thus shall the power of the Kingdom be a shield unto him, and his heart shall cleave unto its righteousness; that he may be established therein forever. (62, 279)

3. And whosoever shall bring a child to be blessed; whether it be father, or mother; or master, or mistress; the same shall teach the child this law to keep it. Thus shall ye be honoured as fathers and mothers in Israel: but, if ye do it not, and evil befall the child, his blood be upon you. (57, 222)

4. The Apostles, High Priests, and Elders, in their assemblies; and the Priest thereunto appointed in the Temples of God, shall bless with this blessing: for, behold, it is a great sacrament. (31, 149)

(4 sections, 267 words, 1100 letters)

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CHAPTER 11

BAPTISM

1. Except a man be born of the water, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. (16, 58)

2. But no man may have baptism of water, except such as have faith toward God, and come unto him through the ministry he has sent; repenting of evil deeds, and seeking to learn righteousness by the living word: for this is the door of all into the kingdom; from eight years old and upwards; through which if ye enter not, ye shall not see God. (65, 267)

3. For the keys of the ministry of the remission of sins, in the sacrament of baptism, hath the Lord your God bestowed upon his Apostles; and through them, upon their fellowlabourers, the High Priests, Elders, and Priests; commanding them to preach repentance and remission of sins, to all nations throughout the earth. (52, 255)

(3 sections, 133 words, 580 letters)

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CHAPTER 12

BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD

1. At every Temple, which thou shalt build unto the Lord thy God, by his Commandment, shalt thou make a fountain for the baptism of the living for the dead. (29, 121)

2. And for these shall you be baptized: every one of you, according to your several rights, and in your several orders, according to consanguinity, sex, and primogeniture, shall be baptized for any deceased husband, wife, or posterity; or any progenitor, to the third and fourth generation; or any brother, or sister, whom he in faith believes has received the gospel in the spirit. (63, 302)

3. Thou shalt also be baptized for any relative, within the fourth degree of consanguinity; for any one betrothed to thee in marriage; for thy fosterfather, mother, brother, sister, or child, whom I shall give to thee by tongue, dream, vision, spirit ministering in fire, word of angel, or by my own voice. (52, 238)

4. And whensoever I will that any of my faithful servants of the Aaronick Priesthood be baptized for any other, I will send my angels to signify it unto them. But unto my servants of the Melchisedek Priesthood, I will speak by my own voice, or minister in fire. (48, 206)

5. But no man or woman among you shall be baptized for the dead, who is not a member of some family, according to the order of the Church of the Firstborn of God; or who is under condemnation of any word of this Law; or who withholdeth anything whatsoever from the treasury of the House of the Lord your God. (60, 241)

6. At every Temple which ye shall build unto the Lord your God, shall High Priests be set apart, and sanctified by anointing with holy oil, and the hands of Apostles and Prophets, to baptize for the dead; for no other shall administer this sacrament. (44, 198)

7. Recorders, also, shall be set apart by the laying on of hands of High Priests, to record baptisms for the dead; who shall be eyewitnesses to the baptisms, and shall record according to the seeing of their eyes. (38, 167)

8. And other witnesses, who see with their eyes, shall sign the records of baptisms, that every one may be proved by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (28, 123)

9. But there shall be one record before the King, unto which all records of baptisms for the dead shall be brought, and all written together in perpetual archives; that what you record on earth, may also be recorded in heaven. At every Temple also shall ye perpetuate the record of such as are there baptized. (55, 246)

(9 sections, 417 words, 1842 letters)

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CHAPTER 13

CONFIRMATION

1. Except a man be born of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. (16, 59)

2. Whosoever shall be baptized for the remission of sins, upon him shall the Apostles, High Priests, or Elders, lay their hands, and confirm him in the Kingdom, and give unto him, by their hands, a gift of the Holy Spirit, according as the spirit will. (45, 195)

3. And the spirit thus given shall inspire him with faith, intelligence, and understanding; and if he cherish it, then shall it guide and establish him in all righteousness. (28, 138)

4. For when they lay their hands upon him, the spirit, like an invigorating breeze, shall come upon him and cover him; and it shall inspire him with a new power, according to the gifts of the spirit; and as it passeth off and leaveth him, his gift shall continue, and he shall walk in newness of life. (57, 233)

(4 sections, 146 words, 625 letters)

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CHAPTER 14

EUCHARIST

1. In your feasts of love, in your solemn assemblies, in your humiliation, and in your sorrow, ye shall separate of the juice of fruit, and of the bread of grain, a portion to be consecrated unto God, that it be the body and blood of the one great sacrifice of propitiation for the sins of the world: and they who are washed of their sins, and have a pure conscience before God, shall eat and drink thereof at the hands of the Apostles and High Priests, who shall consecrate it, and the Priests and Elders, who shall minister it, that, partaking of the sacrifice, they may lay hold on eternal life. (111, 468)

2. For this is the one great sacrifice, which except ye eat of it, there is no life in you. And beware how ye eat of this sacrifice: for in the spirit in which ye eat and drink, shall ye be confirmed and strengthened. And if ye eat and drink in a pure conscience, not having offended against God nor man, and all your former sins blotted out of the book of remembrance; ye shall be established in righteousness, and grow up into everlasting life. But, if ye eat and drink in your sins, ye eat and drink condemnation, confirming yourselves in your iniquities. (103, 438)

3. Therefore, when ye come to the table of the Lord your God, to eat of this sacrifice, ye shall examine yourselves, whether you have done injustice to man, or iniquity against God, that ye may humble yourselves before God, and make restitution to man; and may come with clean hands, and a pure heart, to this most holy sacrament. (59, 258)

(3 sections, 273 words, 1164 letters)

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CHAPTER 15

MARRIAGE

1. When thou takest a wife, thou shalt take such a one as thou lovest, and who loveth thee, and whom thou mayest lawfully marry: and thou shalt go before an Apostle, a High Priest, or the Chief of the Elders where thou dwellest, or the Priest who administereth in the Temple or the Synagogue; and by him shall ye be joined in marriage, that she may be thine in life, thine in the resurrection, and thine in life everlasting; and that the children which she beareth thee, may be with thee in the everlasting Kingdom. (95, 404)

2. And he who joineth you in marriage, shall unite her unto thee by an indissoluble bond; and shall give thee grace to love her, and cherish her, and protect her; and grace unto her to love thee, and nourish thee, and honour thee. (43, 177)

(2 sections, 138 words, 581 letters)

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CHAPTER 16

HEALING

1. If Satan afflict thee that thou be sick, thou shalt send for the Elders, and they shall anoint thee with oil, and pray for thee, and rebuke the power of the adversary, and bless thee that thou recover of the disease. (41, 170)

2. But if thy sickness continue, and God deliver not thee therefrom, thou shalt confess thy sins to them, and they shall forgive thee; and thou shalt come to the assembly of those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (47, 199)

3. If an evil spirit enter into any of thine, and torment him, or lead him about, thou shalt send for the Elders or High Priests, and they shall put their hands upon him, and look upon him, and rebuke the evil spirit, and cast him out. (46, 179)

(3 sections, 134 words, 548 letters)

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CHAPTER 17

ABSOLUTION

1. If thou sin a sin against God, or do an evil thing unto man, thou shalt go unto him who is God's Shepherd, wheresoever thou art, and between him and thee alone shalt confess unto him, and shalt keep nothing back; and he shall lay upon thee restitution, and penance, and shall judge thee in righteousness; and what he judgeth, that shalt thou do, according to all the words of the Law of the Lord thy God, and he shall forgive thee thy sin, according as God hath spoken. (89, 366)

2. And thou shalt in all things make restitution, as he judgeth thee; and if he require thee to confess unto the Judge who sitteth in judgment, or to any who is placed in authority, or to him thou hast injured, thou shalt do it; and otherwise thy sin remaineth upon thee. (51, 211)

(2 sections, 140 words, 577 letters)

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CHAPTER 18

ORDINATION

1. Thou shalt not take upon thyself the honour of the Priesthood; neither shalt thou confer this honour on any but him whom the Lord thy God shall call. For no man shall administer in the name of God, but he that is called by the revelation of God's will, and set apart by the hands of those upon whom the authority of his name is sealed. (66, 264)

2. Whosoever is called by the voice of God to the royal authority, shall be anointed and ordained by the hands of those who stand in royal authority above him: but he that is first, by the angels of God; that he may have all the gifts; even wisdom, knowledge, faith, revelation, prophecy; and whatsoever gift is good for the Chief Shepherd of the flock of God: that he may be able to rule in righteousness: and they for their several callings, among God's flock. (84, 361)

3. And whosoever is called to administer at the altar, and in sacraments and ceremonies, shall be consecrated and set apart by the hands of those in like authority, according to the calling of God, for his ministry. (37, 171)

4. And whosoever consecrates another to the Priesthood of God, and the authority of his name, shall, with his hands upon his head, by his voice declare and seal upon him the name and authority of God; even that Priesthood unto which he consecrateth him. (44, 201)

(4 sections, 231 words, 997 letters)

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CHAPTER 19

ADOPTION

1. If thou wilt in any wise adopt a child to be thine own, and to be heir to thee, thou shalt take him whom thou lovest, and whom thou mayest lawfully take; and thou shalt go before an Apostle, a High Priest, or the Chief of the Elders where thou dwellest, or the Priest who administers in the Temple or the Synagogue; and thou shalt take the child upon thy knee, and clasp him in thine arms, and shalt protest that thou lovest him as thine own flesh; and he shall seal him unto thee in the name of thy God: and shall sprinkle water upon him, and consecrate him thy flesh: and shall bless thee, and bless him in thy house; and he shall be thine forever. God shall give thee grace to be a father unto him, and grace unto him to honour thee. (146, 572)

2. And if thou hast a child who was not born in wedlock, and wilt assure him unto thee, thou shalt in like manner bring him, and protest he is thine, and he shall be sealed unto thee, that he be thine forever. (42, 159)

(2 sections, 188 words, 731 letters)

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CHAPTER 20

CALLING OF A KING

1. The Lord your God hath made the earth and established it, and unto him the dominion thereof belongeth. He created man, and gave him dominion over it. The nations are the workmanship of his hands; and he hath the right to rule. (42, 179)

2. He appointed Kings, and Rulers, and Judges; but man rebelled against them. He made laws, but man broke them, and trampled on them, and forgot them. (26, 114)

3. Unto Noah gave he dominion over the earth: and to Shem after him; but the people rebelled against him, and established their own ways; and those that oppressed them were their Kings, and ruled over them in unrighteousness. (38, 179)

4. Moses was King in Israel; but the people kept not the Law of God; and, rebelling, set up a false god, and worshipped it. When God would make them Kings to rule the earth, they despised his majesty, and went after other gods. (43, 173)

5. Men have everywhere rebelled against God: nevertheless, the earth is his, and the fulness thereof. The dominion of it belongeth to him, and he conferreth it upon whomsoever he will. (30, 146)

6. He hath chosen his servant James to be King: he hath made him his Apostle to all nations: he hath established him a Prophet, above the Kings of the earth; and appointed him King in Zion: by his own voice did he call him, and he sent his Angels unto him to ordain him. (54, 207)

7. And the Angel of the Lord stretched forth his hand unto him, and touched his head, and put oil upon him, and said, Grace is poured upon thy lips, and God blesseth thee with the greatness of the everlasting Priesthood. He putteth might, and glory, and majesty upon thee; and in meekness, and truth, and righteousness, will he prosper thee. (60, 266)

8. Thou shalt save his people from their enemies, when there is no arm to deliver; and shalt bring salvation, when destruction walketh in the house of thy God. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore thy God hath anointed thee with oil, and set thee above all thy fellows. (50, 233)

9. Thy words shall be like sharp arrows in the heart of the wicked. Thou shalt rebuke those who pervert the word of thy God. Thou shalt preach righteousness and the sublime mysteries in the ears of many people; and shall bring the gospel to many who have not known it, and to the nations afar off. (56, 234)

10. Thou shalt drive backward and put to shame those that do evil; and the workers of iniquity shall fall. They shall be cast down, and shall not be able to rise. With purity will the Lord thy God arm thee, and purity and truth shalt thou teach. (47, 189)

11. Keep the Law of the Lord thy God in thy heart; and none of thy steps shall slide. With thee is the fountain of truth. In thy light shall the people of thy God see; for thou shalt speak his words unto them, and from thy lips shall they receive it. (51, 190)

12. The blessing of their God shalt thou put upon them, and his curse upon evil doers, if, after being oft rebuked, they repent not: and before my people shalt thou go, to lead them into my ways; for unto thee has the Lord thy God given salvation. (47, 189)

13. In righteousness shalt thou rule: thou shalt redeem the poor and the needy from suffering and violence; and to thee God giveth judgment for them. Thou shalt deliver the prey from the spoiler; for God, thy God, hath put them in thy hand. (43, 187)

14. And in weakness will he make thee strong. Thou shalt rule among his people. Thou shalt break in pieces the rod of the oppressor, and the yoke of the unjust ruler. They shall flee away, but the way of peace shall they not find. (44, 177)

15. While the day of the wicked abideth, shalt thou prepare a refuge for the oppressed, and for the poor and needy. Unto thee shall they come, and their brethren who are scattered shall come with them; and the destruction of the ungodly shall quickly follow; for it already worketh. Go thy way, and be strong. (55, 242)

(15 sections, 686 words, 2905 letters)

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CHAPTER 21

DUTY OF THE KING

1. The King, when he sitteth upon the throne of his Kingdom and ruleth, shall write for him a copy of the Book of the Law, according to that which is before the Lord continually; and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that the fear of the Lord his God be continually before him, and that he remember the Law, and forget not to administer justice and judgment throughout the earth; and that he turn not aside from the Commandment one way or the other; to the end that he prolong his days in the Kingdom, and of his children among the faithful. (112, 455)

2. He shall execute judgment among the people, and over the Princes and Rulers, and over all that sit in judgment: he shall deliver the poor, the needy, and the oppressed: and if their cry be faint, yet shall he hear; he shall be a father to the fatherless, and a husband to the widow, and a guardian to him who hath no protector. (63, 254)

3. He shall overthrow the rebellious, destroy traitors, and punish those that do wickedly. The haughty shall he make low, and the oppressor shall he tread down: those that exalt themselves, shall he abase. (33, 163)

4. The power of the Lord God, he giveth to him, to rule the nations, and to execute judgments among the children of men: he shall declare the Laws and Commandments; exercise his dominion; and cast a shield round about the children of his people; that his dominion be not taken from him forever. (53, 231)

(4 sections, 261 words, 1103 letters)

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CHAPTER 22

ABSTINENCE OF THE KING

1. He shall not multiply to himself horses: he shall not multiply to himself carriages: he shall not multiply to himself ships: he shall not multiply to himself armour: he shall have all these to defend his people, and the children of his people, but not to oppress them. (48, 214)

2. He shall not multiply to himself wives; lest he forget the Law, and avenge not his people: and lest his heart turn from them to strange women. (27, 112)

3. He shall not multiply to himself servants of the children of his people; lest his yoke be oppressive. (18, 82)

4. He shall not multiply to himself silver and gold; lest he be proud, and turn away from this Law, and do it not. (23, 85)

5. Neither shall he lead his people to strange places to dwell therein, which the Lord thy God hath not appointed for their dwelling; lest they depart from the Law, and despise it. (32, 142)

6. He shall not make other Laws, despising this; but all his Laws and Commandments shall be according to the Law of the Lord thy God, to establish it. For the Lord thy God shall speak. He shall decree, and he shall alter it as seemeth good unto him, and none shall hinder. (52, 210)

(6 sections, 200 words, 845 letters)

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CHAPTER 23

VICEROYS

1. The King, when he committeth the administration of his Kingdom to another; or when he appointeth another to rule a portion in his name, may make him a Viceroy, and confer upon him Kingly dignity. (35, 156)

2. The Viceroy shall keep the King's Commandment, and shall not depart from it; he shall not exalt himself against the King: he shall keep none of his doings from the King; and he shall be faithful unto him, and to his house, in all things. (45, 185)

3. The Viceroy shall make no Laws: he shall govern according to the Law of the King, and the Law of God: if he deviseth a new Law, yet shall he not proclaim it, but by the King's Commandment. (38, 144)

4. He shall not do that which is forbidden to the King; but he shall exercise prerogative by the King's commission, in whatsoever part of his dominion he shall appoint him: he shall not despise the King's Commandment, nor do that which he disalloweth; lest he be a usurper, and be removed from his place. (54, 239)

(4 sections, 172 words, 724 letters)

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CHAPTER 24

KING'S COUNCIL

1. The King shall be aided by a Council, to consist of wise men, chosen from among his people, learned in the Law of the Lord, and faithful unto the King; who shall assemble before him in council, as often as he shall require, to give him advice in whatsoever matter he shall ask them. (54, 221)

2. The King may apportion the administration of the Laws, and of the affairs of his Kingdom among them, giving to each his appropriate department, as the King shall command. (29, 138)

3. The members of the King's Council shall dwell near the King; they shall attend him on his journeyings, if he require it: they shall each give him information, reason, counsel and advice, of whatsoever matter he shall require, and shall keep nothing back. (43, 203)

4. Each member of the Council shall keep the charge of the King, which he committeth to him, in his several department; shall be a faithful Steward of the King's substance, in his hands: and shall render the same, with a just account of his stewardship, as often as the King requires. (51, 222)

5. The Counsellors of the King shall be chosen by him as seemeth him good, being just men, learned in the Law, not proud, nor haughty; not given to much babbling; and they shall keep the King's secret all the days of their lives. (43, 176)

6. If they serve the King well, he shall reward them as just and faithful Stewards. If they are unfaithful, he shall frown upon them. But he may choose new Counsellors, when it seemeth him good. (35, 151)

(6 sections, 255 words, 1111 letters)

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CHAPTER 25

KING'S COURT

1. The King shall appoint wise men, learned in the Law of God, lovers of righteousness, not fearing the rich, nor despising the poor, to be Judges; who shall sit before him continually, to judge all great causes. They shall sit upon the King's judgmentseat, at his gate: the ear of the Judges shall never be closed, that they cannot hear. This is the King's Court. (65, 282)

2. The King shall appoint twelve Judges to this Court, if so many are needed; all of them High Priests unto the Most High God; for the judging of all great matters; but all the smaller matters may be judged by other Judges, as the King shall appoint, that these may judge the larger causes continually, and that they judge upon the judgment of other Judges. (65, 282)

3. And the King shall order and determine what causes shall come before the King's Court, upon his judgmentseat to be judged, and what causes shall be judged before the other judgmentseats. (31, 152)

4. And the Judges shall hear and judge, and determine speedily: they shall not delay: and they shall judge righteous judgment, and shall not take reward, and do injustice. (28, 135)

5. And if they judge unrighteously, or refuse judgment to the just, or despise the Law, or take reward for judgment, the King shall remove them. When they have served faithfully, he shall relieve them in their age and infirmity. (39, 180)

6. The Deacons shall bring the disobedient, the stiffnecked, the peacebreakers, and all who have done great wickedness, before the Judges, and shall execute their judgment on all who withstand it, and obey not. (33, 168)

7. The Deacons shall execute all the orders of the Court, and shall be a fear unto the disorderly, and all revilers. They shall do whatsoever the Judges command. (28, 127)

8. The Chief Deacon shall be the Steward of the King's substance, which he committeth to the Judges, and shall render a just account of his stewardship to the King. (29, 129)

(8 sections, 318 words, 1455 letters)

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CHAPTER 26

CITY COURT

1. The King shall appoint Judges in all the cities, three to a city, and more if the business of judgment require it: all of them Elders of the people; Priests of God; who shall sit upon the judgmentseat of the city, and judge all the causes which shall come before them; even all such as the King shall appoint unto them to judge. (63, 258)

2. They shall sit in judgment, on the judgmentseat in the Synagogue of their city, every Sabbath day, to do justice unto all men; and shall render speedy judgment upon all who have violated the Laws. (35, 157)

3. The Deacons shall execute their judgment upon all who obey not, and shall bring before them the peacebreakers, and all who do violence. (23, 110)

4. The Chief Deacon of the city shall be Steward of the King's substance, which he committeth to the Judges, and shall render a just account. He shall also be the principal Minister of the Court. (35, 153)

(4 sections, 156 words, 678 letters)

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CHAPTER 27

MUNICIPALITIES

1. In every village an Elder shall be appointed to rule, to teach, and to instruct: he shall govern the village according to the Law, and the King's Commandment: to him shall the Priests of the Synagogue give heed; and if there be other Elders, they also shall give heed to him. (51, 216)

2. In every town shall Elders be appointed to rule, and teach, and instruct: five to a town: but if there be more than five Synagogues in the town, yet shall there be an Elder to each Synagogue, of whom one shall be Chief. (43, 170)

3. They shall govern the town according to the Law, and the King's Commandment: they shall instruct the people in the Synagogue, every one in his order: unto the Chief of them shall the Priests of that town give heed; and unto every one, in the Synagogue where he administers. (49, 217)

4. In every city shall Elders be appointed to rule, to teach, and to instruct, in all the Synagogues: but to the Synagogue of the judgmentseat of the city, shall three be appointed Judges of the Court of the city: another shall be appointed who shall be Bishop of that city; he shall be Chief of the Elders, both in that city, and in the towns and villages in its vicinity: to him shall they all give heed. (77, 316)

5. If there be more than one city in the province, then shall that bishop who is appointed to rule the province, administer in the chief city: he shall be an Archbishop: to him shall the other Bishops give heed. (39, 165)

6. But if there be no city in a province, yet shall an Elder be appointed to rule in that province: he shall be Bishop: and a Court shall be appointed also, and three Elders to be Judges: they shall be appointed at that place where the King will establish his government for that province. (54, 227)

7. By these shall the provinces, and cities, and towns, and villages of the Kingdom be governed: and officers shall be appointed to assist them in governing, as shall be necessary. The King shall establish his dominion in this order forever. (40, 192)

(7 sections, 353 words, 1503 letters)

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CHAPTER 28

TWELVE APOSTLES

1. When the Lord your God shall send the gospel to the nations, he shall call and choose twelve Apostles, to be the witnesses of his name and Kingdom, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. (35, 154)

2. He shall appoint them Shepherds of the flock; under the direction of the Chief Shepherd: he shall make them Princes in his Kingdom: he shall appoint them to declare his Law unto all nations; and to execute it among the Saints who are scattered abroad. (45, 202)

3. The Apostles, every one, shall have jurisdiction of the Churches beyond the Kingdom, by appointment of the Chief Shepherd: they shall exercise royal authority in the Kingdom, by the King's Commandment. (31, 164)

4. Let them bear a faithful testimony to the nations: let them not shun to declare the whole counsel of God; and he shall give them rest from their labours; they shall be Princes forever. (34, 147)

5. One among them shall be Chief: to him shall they all give heed, as to a King among Princes: yet shall the Chief Shepherd be King over them all: they shall not rebel against his Commandment; and they shall be Princes in his Kingdom forever. (45, 189)

(5 sections, 190 words, 856 letters)

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CHAPTER 29

HIGH PRIESTS

1. The Lord your God will choose faithful men, keepers of his Law, examples in righteousness, to be Priests of the order of an endless life. They shall be Princes and Nobles, and High Priests in the Kingdom of God. The presiding and ruling power is the prerogative of this Priesthood. (50, 225)

2. From the High Priests shall the King select Counsellors, and Judges, and Rulers. They shall sanctify things appointed of God to holy purposes, and shall minister in the salvation of the living and the dead. (35, 167)

3. One hundred and fortyfour High Priests form a quorum. From among themselves shall they choose one to preside in all their deliberations, and two to assist in presiding; but the King whom God shall set up, shall preside over all the High Priests. (43, 198)

(3 sections, 128 words, 590 letters)

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CHAPTER 30

SEVENTIES

1. The twelve Apostles shall select seventy Elders, chosen men, faithful in the ministry of the word, to preach the gospel, under their direction, unto all people. (26, 129)

2. One of the Seventy shall they appoint Chief: he shall be first in their assembly, and shall set them in order. (21, 87)

3. Other Seventies may the Apostles choose, until there shall be seven Seventies; and one shall be appointed Chief of each Seventy, to set his fellows in order, and to be first in their assembly. (34, 154)

4. The Seventies shall labour in the ministry of the word, and of sacraments and ordinances, onefourth of their time; and continually, if their households do not lack bread and raiment. (30, 148)

5. They shall have jurisdiction by appointment of the Apostles; and shall be Chief in the Churches they build up. (19, 90)

6. When they have laboured faithfully, they shall have rest, and a goodly inheritance among the just; but if they come short in the ministry whereunto they are called, their power shall be taken from them. (35, 163)

7. The Chief of the Apostles shall be the Prince and Grand Master of the Seventies: unto him shall they all give heed. (22, 92)

(7 sections, 187 words, 863 letters)

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CHAPTER 31

ELDERS

1. The wise men in every city, who love righteousness, and hate iniquity; who seek unto the Law of God and its justice; who obey the King, and honour all who are placed in authority, shall be ordained Elders. (38, 161)

2. These shall be Judges and Rulers, and shall govern and instruct in their several callings, as they shall be appointed: they are the leaders of the people. (27, 124)

3. The Elders shall read this Law all the days of their lives, that they may instruct the people therein, to keep it; and that they may be able to serve the King as Governours, and Rulers, and Judges, and Commissioners, and Masters of the King's business, in the several offices to which he shall appoint them. (56, 242)

4. When they go beyond the Kingdom to minister in word, and sacraments, and ordinances, the Apostles shall rule over them. (20, 96)

5. But they shall give heed to the Chief among them in their several cities, and one of the King's Counsellors shall be the Grand Master of them all. (28, 116)

6. The Elders shall instruct the people in the Law and the gospel on the Sabbath day, and in their assemblies: they shall visit the sick, the poor, and the needy: they shall comfort mourners, and all who are distressed, and counsel those who know not right. (46, 201)

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