[Footnote 183: Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 37.]
[Footnote 184: 19 Journal of Discourses, 18-216-218. "Reminiscences of Joseph the Prophet," 14.]
When Cowdery and perhaps Rigdon importune their partner in fraud to be elevated to the prophetic office, Smith resists with a revelation in which God is made to say: "No one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church, excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun."[185] Similar revelations seem to have been necessary more than once.[186]
[Footnote 185: Doctrine and Covenants, 28:2.]
[Footnote 186: Doctrine and Covenants 43:8.]
Finally the pressure became too hard to bear, and a revelation was procured in which God, in contradiction of his former declarations, one of which is above quoted, appoints Sidney Rigdon "to receive the oracles for the whole church."[187] And not neglecting the equal rights of the "Prophet's" brother, God declares: "I appoint unto him (Hyrum Smith) that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph."[188] Both men were accordingly "ordained" each a "prophet, seer, and revelator."[189] Thus are even the Gods made to eat their own words at the behest of the conspirators, who quarrel in their division of the glory and the gold.
[Footnote 187: Doctrine and Covenants 124:126.]
[Footnote 188: Doctrine and Covenants 124:94. 18 Millennial Star, 360.]
[Footnote 189: 20 Millenial Star, 550 as to Rigdon, and p. 373 as to Hyrum Smith. It is now claimed that Smith had conferred upon all the Apostles "all the Power, Priesthood, and Authority ever conferred upon, himself." 1 Journal of Discourses, 206. 19 Journal of Discourses, 124. See also Melchizedek and Aaronic Herald, February, 1850. 5 Millennial Star, 104, 68 Semi-Annual Conference, 70.]
One more incident of this sort will suffice. In February, 1831, Smith received the first of several revelations directing the brethren to provide him a home. In part it reads as follows: