Exodus 19:5-6
    
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mind: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."   

Joseph Smith
    


"There are two Priesthoods spoken of in the Scriptures, viz., the Melchizedek and the Aaronic or Levitical. Although there are two Priesthoods, yet the Melchizedek Priesthood comprehends the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds the highest authority which pertains to the Priesthood, and the keys of the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity on the earth, and is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of salvation, and every important matter is revealed from heaven. . . . It is the channel through which the Almighty commenced revealing His glory at the beginning of the creation of this earth, and through which He has continued to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time, and through which He will make known His purposes to the end of time" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 108-109).

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Romans 8:28-31 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. . . . and whom he called, them he also justified; and who he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?"  

Thomas S. Monson  



". . . each man and each boy who holds the priesthood of God must be worthy of that great privilege and responsibility.  Each must strive to learn his duty and then to do it to the best of his ability.  As we do so, we provide the means by which our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can accomplish Their work here upon the earth.  It is we who are Their representatives here.

"In the world today we face difficulties and challenges, some of which can seem truly daunting.  However, with God on our side we cannot fail.  As we bear His holy priesthood worthily, we will be victorious" (Ensign, May 2009, p. 67).

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Doctrine and Covenants 107:99-100   

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen."
    
Howard W. Hunter   



"The priesthood is a guide to a young man as he grows to maturity and he is strengthened throughout these years by the priesthood quorums. As he realizes that he holds the priesthood and that he is here on earth to do God's will, his actions are tempered. His priesthood will serve as an insurance to him, and he will find a happy life. He will act in accordance with our Heavenly Father's wishes. He will seek out his talents and develop them" (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 215).

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Doctrine and Covenants 33:16-17
    
"And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things. Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the bridegroom.."     

Ezra Taft Benson
 


"Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God? If so, the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book. It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptations. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path. The scriptures are called 'the words of life', and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. These promises---increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness---these are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 54).

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Harold B. Lee

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Doctrine and Covenants 101:79-80
"Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."

David O. McKay



"If we would make the world better, let us foster a keener appreciation for the the freedom and liberty guaranteed by the government of the United States as framed by the founders of this nation. Here again self-proclaimed progressives cry that such old-time adherence is out of date. But there are some fundamental principles of this republic which, like eternal truths, never get out of date, and which are applicable at all times to liberty-loving peoples. Such are the underlying principles of the Constitution, a document framed by patriotic, freedom-loving men, who Latter-day Saints declare were inspired by the Lord" (Conference Report, October 1940, p. 104)

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George Albert Smith

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To my beloved brother and who is the last Elias for our day - the Prophet Joseph Smith - who died this day.

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After a restless night in Carthage Jail, Dan Jones went downstairs and inquired of the guard the cause of the gunfire during the night. Frank Worrel, the officer of the guard, told him that unless he left he would be killed with Joseph and everyone else with him before nightfall. Joseph sent him to tell the Governor. On the way to the Governor's quarters he heard a group of men talking about killing the Prophet when Governor Ford left Carthage for Nauvoo. The governor dismissed Dan Jones' report. Dan Jones then stated that the Prophet and his brother are "American citizens, and have surrendered themselves to your Excellency upon your pledging your honor for their safety; they are also Master Masons, and as such I demand of you protection of their lives" (History of the Church, 6:603). Governor Ford "turned pale" and Dan Jones continued with a request that, "if you leave their lives in the hands of those men to be sacrificed . . . the Almighty will preserve my life to a proper time and place, that I may testify that you have been timely warned of their danger" (History of the Church, 6:603). When he returned to the jail, the guard refused to let him enter. He went to the Governor to receive a pass back into the jail, but was refused. Joseph wrote a letter to Emma and said, "I am very much resigned to my lot, knowing I am justified, and have done the best that could be done. Give my love to the children and all my friends . . . May God bless you all. Amen" (History of the Church, 6:605). As the Governor prepared to go to Nauvoo, Cyrus Wheelock approached him and told him that he feared for Joseph's life. The Governor again assured him of their safety. He left the Carthage Greys in Carthage to protect the jail, however, many of the Grays were part of the mob. Cyrus Wheelock went to the jail and as it had been a little rainy in the morning, was able to wear his overcoat into the jail and was not searched. He had a six-shooter in the pocket which he gave to Joseph. Messages were given to him and he left for Nauvoo. As part of his instructions to Cyrus Wheelock, Joseph told him about how the Jesus had the power as a child to rule the Jews, but could not because he lacked the physical strength. He then compared that to the Church and said, "we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind, if they would receive it, but we lack the physical strength, as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have of necessity to be afflicted, persecuted and smitten, and to bear it patiently until Jacob is of age, then he will take care of himself" (History of the Church, 6:608-609). The Governor was again warned just before leaving for Nauvoo by Marshal John P. Greene that there was a "conspiracy on foot to take the lives of Joseph and Hyrum during his absence," but again the Governor brushed it aside. (History of the Church, 6:611). Several men visited and left Carthage Jail during the afternoon as they continued to pursue legal avenues. Willard Richards became ill and Brother Markham was asked to go get some medicine for him. On his return a company of Carthage Grays grabbed him and put him on his horse and forced him out of town by bayonet. At 3:15 p. m., John Taylor sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and the Prophet asked him to sing it again. Hyrum read extracts from Josephus. At 4:00 p. m. there was a change of guard and eight men were left to guard the jail. The main body of the Carthage Greys camped about a quarter mile from the jail at the public square. At 5:00 p.m., the jailer, Mr. Stigall, returned to the jail and told them Stephen Markham had been driven from Carthage and had fled to Nauvoo. He suggested that the men move to the cell as they would be safer there. Joseph replied that they would after dinner. Joseph asked Willard Richards if he would go into the cell with him. Dr. Richards replied that not only would he do that, but "'if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free.' Joseph said, 'You cannot.' The doctor replied, 'I will.'" (History of the Church, 6:616). A few moments later the attack on the jail began. Hyrum was killed first. John Taylor was shot and he fell under the bed, but survived. Willard Richards was not injured. The Prophet Joseph sprang to the window and was shot. Falling out the window he said, "O Lord, my God!" The mob dispersed almost immediately when a call went up that "the Mormons are coming." A message was sent to Nauvoo written by Willard Richards that stated, "Joseph and Hyrum are dead. Taylor wounded, not very badly. I am well. Our guard was forced, as we believe, by a hand of Missourians from 100 to 200. The job was done in an instant, and the party fled towards Nauvoo instantly. This is as I believe it. The citizens here are afraid of the Mormons attacking them. I promise them no!" (History of the Church, 6:621-622). The message arrived at daybreak at the Mansion in Nauvoo. In the mean time, word of the deaths had reached the Governor on his way back to Carthage. He held up the messenger until he could remove all the public records from Carthage in fear of retaliation from Nauvoo. Samuel Smith, the Prophets brother, was chased by a mob as he was approaching Carthage to visit Joseph. He became ill from the chase. By midnight, Carthage was abandoned and only a few were left to help Willard Richards treat the wounds of John Taylor and prepare the bodies for their return to Navuoo.

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Joseph F. Smith

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