Elders
The name of God is Great.
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.1
38 words,
161 letters.
2. These shall be Judges and Rulers, and shall govern and instruct in their several callings, as they shall be appointed:2 they are the leaders of the people.
27 words,
124 letters.
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 words,
242 letters.
4. When they go beyond the Kingdom to
[1 Num. xi, 16, 24, 25. 1st Sam. xvi, 4. xxx, 26. 2d Kings xix, 2. Ezra v, 6. vi, 14. Matt. xvi, 21. xxi, 23. Acts xi, 30. xiv, 23. [2 Ps. cvii, 92. Prov. xxxi,23. Matt. xxvii, 20. Ex. xix, 7. Lev. iv, 15. Deut. xxv, 8, 9. xxix, 10. Ruth iv, 4, 9. 1st Sam. xxx, 26. 1st Kngs xx, 7. 2d Kings vi, 32. Ezra x, 8.
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minister in word, and sacraments, and ordinances, the Apostles shall rule over them.
20 words,
96 letters.
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 words,
116 letters.
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,1 the poor, and the needy: they shall comfort mourners, and all who are distressed, and counsel those who know not right.
46 words,
201 letters.
Total—6 sec., 215 words, 940 letters.
1. Those holding this Priesthood are called Elders, because age and experience are among the chief qualifications. It is the same as Aldermen, Senators or Seigniors. Age is not indispensable.
2. The calling of an Elder is very honourable. So honourable is the title of Elder, that Apostles, Prophets and High Priests frequently adopt it. Bishops may be chosen from among the Elders.
3. Their duties are principally in conducting the general internal affairs of the Kingdom, and ministering in spiritual things, and in judgment among the Saints. But they may be sent on missions, under the direction of the Twelve, and may be placed for the time being under the direction of the Bishops where they may be sent.
[1 Jas. v, 14. Matt. x, 1. Mark iii, 13, 14. Acts v. 16. ix, 17, xxvii, 8.
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.1
38 words,
161 letters.
2. These shall be Judges and Rulers, and shall govern and instruct in their several callings, as they shall be appointed:2 they are the leaders of the people.
27 words,
124 letters.
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 words,
242 letters.
4. When they go beyond the Kingdom to
[1 Num. xi, 16, 24, 25. 1st Sam. xvi, 4. xxx, 26. 2d Kings xix, 2. Ezra v, 6. vi, 14. Matt. xvi, 21. xxi, 23. Acts xi, 30. xiv, 23. [2 Ps. cvii, 92. Prov. xxxi,23. Matt. xxvii, 20. Ex. xix, 7. Lev. iv, 15. Deut. xxv, 8, 9. xxix, 10. Ruth iv, 4, 9. 1st Sam. xxx, 26. 1st Kngs xx, 7. 2d Kings vi, 32. Ezra x, 8.
[Page 197]
minister in word, and sacraments, and ordinances, the Apostles shall rule over them.
20 words,
96 letters.
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 words,
116 letters.
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,1 the poor, and the needy: they shall comfort mourners, and all who are distressed, and counsel those who know not right.
46 words,
201 letters.
Total—6 sec., 215 words, 940 letters.
1. Those holding this Priesthood are called Elders, because age and experience are among the chief qualifications. It is the same as Aldermen, Senators or Seigniors. Age is not indispensable.
2. The calling of an Elder is very honourable. So honourable is the title of Elder, that Apostles, Prophets and High Priests frequently adopt it. Bishops may be chosen from among the Elders.
3. Their duties are principally in conducting the general internal affairs of the Kingdom, and ministering in spiritual things, and in judgment among the Saints. But they may be sent on missions, under the direction of the Twelve, and may be placed for the time being under the direction of the Bishops where they may be sent.
[1 Jas. v, 14. Matt. x, 1. Mark iii, 13, 14. Acts v. 16. ix, 17, xxvii, 8.