Section 51

1–8, Edward Partridge is appointed to regulate stewardships and properties; 9–12, The Saints are to deal honestly and receive alike; 13–15, They are to have a bishop’s storehouse and to organize properties according to the Lord’s law; 16–20, Ohio is to be a temporary gathering place.

1. Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant

Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize this people.

2. For it must needs be that they be

organized according to my

laws; if otherwise, they will be cut off.

3. Wherefore, let my servant Edward Partridge, and those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people their

portions, every man

equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and

needs.

4. And let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his

portion, give unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this inheritance in the church, until he transgresses and is not accounted worthy by the voice of the church, according to the

laws and

covenants of the church, to belong to the church.

5. And if he shall transgress and is not accounted worthy to belong to the church, he shall not have power to

claim that portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop for the poor and needy of my church; therefore, he shall not retain the gift, but shall only have

claim on that portion that is deeded unto him.

6. And thus all things shall be made sure,

according to the

laws of the land.

7. And let that which belongs to this people be appointed unto this people.

8. And the

money which is left unto this people—let there be an

agent appointed unto this people, to take the

money to provide food and raiment, according to the wants of this people.

9. And let every man deal

honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be

one, even as I have commanded you.

10. And let that which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of

another church.

11. Wherefore, if another church would receive money of this church, let them

pay unto this church again according as they shall agree;

12. And this shall be done through the bishop or the agent, which shall be appointed by the

voice of the church.

13. And again, let the bishop appoint a

storehouse unto this church; and let all things both in money and in meat, which are more than is

needful for the wants of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop.

14. And let him also reserve unto

himself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family, as he shall be employed in doing this business.

15. And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing themselves according to my

laws.

16. And I consecrate unto them this land for a

little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;

17. And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.

18. Behold, this shall be

an example unto my servant Edward Partridge, in other places, in all churches.

19. And whoso is found a

faithful, a

just, and a wise

steward shall enter into the

joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.

20. Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who

cometh quickly, in an

hour you think not. Even so. Amen.

1a. D&C 50:39.