40  The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made.

  4  Nevertheless, through you shall the ^aoracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church.

  39  It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the church, to ordain ^bevangelical ministers, as they shall be designated unto them by revelation—

  1  Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also my servant Hyrum Smith, and your ^acounselors who are and shall be appointed hereafter;

  124  First, I give unto you Hyrum Smith to be a ^apatriarch unto you, to hold the sealing blessings of my church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye are sealed up unto the day of redemption, that ye may not fall notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you.

  126  I give unto him for ^acounselors my servant Sidney Rigdon and my servant William Law, that these may constitute a quorum and First Presidency, to receive the oracles for the whole church.