[Joseph Smith Diary] January 12 Revelation Given at the French Farm in Kirtland, Geagua /Geauga/ Co[unty], Ohio In the presence of J[oseph] Smith, Jr., S[idney] Rigdon, V[inson] Knight, and Geo[rge] 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 [Doctrine and] Covenants, 3rd Section, 37th Verse [1835 ed.], Whether the descesion [decision] 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 a/n/swer 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."
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."
Revelation Given the same day, January 12th 1838
"Thus Saith the Lord, let the Presidency of my Church take their families as soon as it is practicable and a door is open for them and moove to the west as fast as the way is made plain before their faces. And let their hearts be comforted for I will be with them.
"Verrily I Say unto you, the time has come that your labors are finished in this place for a season. Therefore arise and get yourselves into a land which I Shall Show unto you, Even a land flowing with milk and honey. You are clean from the blood of this people. And wo unto those who have become your enimies, who have professed my name, Saith the Lord, for their Judgement lingereth not and their damnation Slumbereth not. Let all your faithfull friends arise with their families also and get out of this place and gather themselves together unto Zion and be at peace among yourselves O ye inhabitants of Zion, or their shall be no saf[e]ty for you. Even so. Amen."
It hap[pe]ned about these times that some excitement was raised in the adjoining Counties, that is Ray and Clay, against us in consequence of the sud[d]en departure of these wicked character[s] of the apostates from this Church into that vicinity repor[t]ing false stories and statements, but when they come to hear the other side of the question their feeling[s] were all allayed upon that subject especially.
The emigration to this land is verry extensive and numerous. Some few are troubled with the ague and fever. The First Presidency are chiefly engaged in counciling and settling the emigrants to this land. The Prophets' [prophecies] are fulfilling very fast upon our heads and in our day and generation. They are gathering from the North, and from the South, from the East, and from [the] West unto Zion for safety against the day of wrath which Is to be poured out without mixture upon this generation according to the prophets.
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1838, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
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