Joseph Smith Biography

Without Disclosing My True Identity

What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and

all the people stand by thee from morning unto evening?^39

Moses answered his father-in-law, saying,

Because the people come unto me to inquire of God. When they have a matter, they

come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I make known to them the

statutes of God and his laws.^40

Jethro responded,

The thing that thou doest is not good! Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and

this people that are with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to

perform it thyself alone.^41

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be

thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God. And

thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein

they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out

of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and

place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of

fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall

be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they

shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to

endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.^42

That sure sounded good to Moses! Who would want to sit and listen to the complaints,
murmurings, and rantings and give continual counsel expected by the people from morning
until evening? Moses needed someone to help him. He called those whom he chose “servants”
of the people.^43 The ancient Hebrews called these servants “cohens,” which was the word used
in the biblical text and translated into the English language as “priests.” The authority Moses
gave these servants (according to the story) was the “everlasting priesthood.”
Alvin found one major flaw in how this priesthood first began: GOD NEVER
COMMANDED IT!

Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

Alvin pointed out that God was upset with the people for rejecting Him and
requesting a spokesman instead of getting their counsel directly from Him. According to the
Hebrew legend, God told Moses that He wanted to speak to the people Himself. The people
were afraid and refused to speak with God or hear his voice. They told Moses,

Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.^44