1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: Let a conference be held immediately; let the Twelve be organized; and let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are fallen.
It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. 131:6
118:1-61 Verily, thus saith the Lord: Let a conference be held immediately; let the Twelve be organized; and let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are fallen.
Let's have a conference to organize the Twelve and replace any who have fallen. [1]
2Let my servant Thomas remain for a season in the land of Zion, to publish my word.
Thomas [2] will remain for a while in the land of Zion to publish my word.
3Let the residue continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and long-suffering,I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families; and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.
Let those who remain continue to preach.
If they do, I promise to provide for their families and an efffectual door will open for them.
4 And next spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel, the fulness thereof, and bear record of my name.
Next spring they will go over the great waters to preach for me.
5 Let them take leave of my saints in the city of Far West, on the twenty-sixth day of April next, on the building-spot of my house, saith the Lord.
They will leave the city of Far West on April 26 from the spot where my house is being built.
6 Let my servant John Taylor , and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment.
John Taylor [3], John E. Page [4], Wilford Woodruff [5], and Willard Richards [6] will replace those who have fallen.
When I first read this, I figured this was referring to those who have died. But no, it's referring to members of "The Twelve" who nd were excommunicated. This includes: William E. McLellin, Luke S. Johnson, John F. Boynton, and Lyman E. Johnson.
So I guess by this time, eight years after the founding of the church, The Twelve have become The Eight (or less).
Thomas B. Marsh published the Lord's word in the Elder's Journal from October 1837 to August 1838. He was excommunicated in 1839.
John Taylor later became the third President of the LDS church in 1880.
John E. Page was excommunicated from the LDS church on June 26, 1846.
Wilford Woodruff became the fourth President of the LDS church in 1889.
Willard Richards became Second Counselor to Brigham Young on December 27, 1847.
