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"keep the Spirit of the Lord" (Joseph Smith, Brigham Young)


In February 1847, Brigham Young had a dream in which he visited with the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Brigham Young told Joseph Smith that he wanted to be with him, but the Prophet told him that he would have to wait awhile.  Brigham young asked if he had any message for the brethren. The following is taken from Brigham Young’s journal:
“Joseph stepped toward me, and looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly said, ‘Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord…. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it.  They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God.  Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the Lord they will go right.  Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord.“
-Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846-1847, ed. Elden J. Watson [1971], 529-30; italics added; quoted in Seminary New Testament Teacher Resource Manual (1999), 188-89
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