3
Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did show them suddenly.
• • •
5
And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it came to pass I showed them thee; and I
showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say—Mine idol hath done them,
and my graven image, and my molten image hath commanded them.
6
Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
• • •
10
For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
• • •
15
Also, saith the Lord; I the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I have called him to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
16
Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
17
And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it.
3
And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have
brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless
thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.
• • •
7
Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I
give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins,
his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the
bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
• • •
9
And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
• • •
14
And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord
bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this
promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;
• • •
25
And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore
hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto
thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.
1
And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—
• • •
11
And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
12
And this death of which I have
spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which
spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their
dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must
deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men
will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the
resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
• • •
40
O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I
know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the
righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.
• • •
51
Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your
labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and
remember the words which I have
spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which
perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in
fatness.
1
Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have
been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many
things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they
know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.
2
For I, Nephi, have
not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their
works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of
abominations.
• • •
6
But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have
made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which
hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all
that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them.
• • •
13
Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for
the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his
wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in
the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy
concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.
• • •
20
And now, my brethren, I have
spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that
brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power
that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the
poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which
he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should
smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I
say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God
liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this
Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.
• • •
28
And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have
spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient
to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in
Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets
and the law.
3
But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
4
And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have
written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth
them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it
speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure
to the end, which is life eternal.
5
And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the
truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.
• • •
7
I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.
8
I have charity for the Jew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.
9
I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I
hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the
narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and
continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.
• • •
11
And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show
unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the
last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
3
And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.
4
For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lord, which I have given unto you.
• • •
9
Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have
received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge
the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and
healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.
• • •
20
And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have
afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in
your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?
• • •
25
Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
• • •
32
And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Jacob 5: 9, 11, 22-25, 31, 36, 41, 47, 49, 52, 57, 60, 75-76
9
Take thou the branches of the wild olive-tree, and graft them in, in the stead thereof; and these which I have plucked off I will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not cumber the ground of my vineyard.
• • •
11
And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and
pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing.
• • •
22
And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.
23
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have
planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this
spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have
nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit;
therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self.
24
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his
servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also, which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit.
25
And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have
nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought
forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild
fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others.
• • •
31
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did taste of the
fruit, every sort according to its number. And the Lord of the vineyard
said: Behold, this long time have we nourished this tree, and I have laid up unto myself against the season much fruit.
• • •
36
Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good, and for mine own purpose I have preserved them; and because of their much strength they have hitherto brought forth, from the wild branches, good fruit.
• • •
41
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?
• • •
47
But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I
should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the
fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my
vineyard?
• • •
49
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant:
Let us go to and hew down the trees of the vineyard and cast them into
the fire, that they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard, for I have done all. What could I have done more for my vineyard?
• • •
52
Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have
planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them
into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree
those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural
branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
• • •
57
And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck not the wild
branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in
them ye shall graft according to that which I have said.
• • •
60
And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit—
• • •
75
And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his
fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up
his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.
76
For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.
6
And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ.
• • •
12
And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost.
• • •
19
And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God.
• • •
26
And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have
written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time
passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto
us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast
out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of
our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn
out our days.
9
And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I
shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears
that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds
that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
10
I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.
11
But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have
been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all
the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
12
I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
• • •
14
And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I
might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that
there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of
all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
15
Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
16
Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
• • •
28
I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.
29
And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king;
• • •
40
O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
8
And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other
salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any
conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
• • •
11
And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I
would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the
greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and
long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves
even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily,
and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which
was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
• • •
24
And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.
• • •
26
And now, for the sake of these things which I have
spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your
sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I
would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man
according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing
the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both
spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.
1
Behold my beloved brethren, seeing that I have been permitted to come unto you, therefore I attempt to address you in my language; yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth, I having been wholly confined to the judgment-seat, having had much business that I could not come unto you.
• • •
3
And behold, I have come having great hopes and much desire that I should find that ye had humbled yourselves before God, and that ye had continued in the supplicating of his grace, that I should find that ye were blameless before him, that I should find that ye were not in the awful dilemma that our brethren were in at Zarahemla.
• • •
5
And I trust, according to the Spirit of God which is in me, that I shall also have joy over you; nevertheless I do not desire that my joy over you should come by the cause of so much afflictions and sorrow which I have had for the brethren at Zarahemla, for behold, my joy cometh over them after wading through much affliction and sorrow.
• • •
16
And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
17
And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these things? Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them; and the way that I
know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of the Spirit which
is in me. And now because your faith is strong concerning that, yea,
concerning the things which I have spoken, great is my joy.
18
For as I said unto you from the beginning, that I had much desire that ye were not in the state of dilemma like your brethren, even so I have found that my desires have been gratified.
• • •
22
And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I
might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk
blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God,
after which ye have been received.
• • •
26
And now my beloved brethren, I have
spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in
me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding
diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.
27
And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and
lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your
women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from
this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.
2
I would that ye should do as I have
done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in
bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver
them in their afflictions.
• • •
24
Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
• • •
26
For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.
27
And I have been
supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all
manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from
bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
• • •
29
Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem;
and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage
and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
6
And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.
7
And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have
shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do
always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
• • •
10
And when the Disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.
11
And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my
name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
• • •
16
And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.
• • •
24
Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.
25
And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have
commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even
so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment
suffereth himself to be led into temptation.
• • •
33
Therefore, keep these sayings which I have commanded you that ye come not under condemnation; for wo unto him whom the Father condemneth.
2
For behold, I have
had a sore battle with the Lamanites, in which we did not conquer; and
Archeantus has fallen by the sword, and also Luram and Emron; yea, and
we have lost a great number of our choice men.
• • •
7
And now I write somewhat concerning the sufferings of this people. For according to the knowledge which I have received from Amoron, behold, the Lamanites have many prisoners, which they took from the tower of Sherrizah; and there were men, women, and children.
• • •
18
O the depravity of my people! They are without order and without mercy. Behold, I am but a man, and I have but the strength of a man, and I cannot any longer enforce my commands.
• • •
24
And if it so be that they perish, we know that many of our brethren have
deserted over unto the Lamanites, and many more will also desert over
unto them; wherefore, write somewhat a few things, if thou art spared
and I shall perish and not see thee; but I trust that I may see thee soon; for I have sacred records that I would deliver up unto thee.
25
My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have
written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift
thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body
unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his
glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.
3
And I have caused you that you should enter into a covenant with me, that you should not show them except to those persons to whom I commanded you; and you have no power over them except I grant it unto you.
4
And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished.
• • •
7
Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you,
my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all
these things which I have committed unto you.
• • •
9
Behold, verily I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph, for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations;
• • •
22
And that you be firm in keeping the commandments wherewith I have commanded you; and if you do this, behold I grant unto you eternal life, even if you should be slain.
• • •
25
And then he shall say unto the people of this generation: Behold, I have seen the things which the Lord hath shown unto Joseph Smith, Jun., and I know of a surety that they are true, for I have seen them, for they have been shown unto me by the power of God and not of man.
26
And I the Lord command him, my servant Martin
Harris, that he shall say no more unto them concerning these things,
except he shall say: I have seen them, and they have been shown unto me by the power of God; and these are the words which he shall say.
• • •
28
And now, except he humble himself and acknowledge unto me the things
that he has done which are wrong, and covenant with me that he will keep
my commandments, and exercise faith in me, behold, I say unto him, he shall have no such views, for I will grant unto him no views of the things of which I have spoken.
• • •
31
And except thou do this, behold, thou shalt have no more gift, and I will take away the things which I have entrusted with thee.
• • •
33
And there are many that lie in wait to destroy thee from off the face of
the earth; and for this cause, that thy days may be prolonged, I have given unto thee these commandments.
34
Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee.
1
Behold, I say
unto you, my son, that because you did not translate according to that
which you desired of me, and did commence again to write for my servant,
Joseph Smith, Jun., even so I would that ye should continue until you have finished this record, which I have entrusted unto him.
• • •
5
And, behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced, when you began to translate, that I have taken away this privilege from you.
6
Do not murmur, my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner.
• • •
12
For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it is made up? And neither of you have I condemned.
13
Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.
14
Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen.
5
Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim;
6
And also with Elias, to whom I have
committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things
spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began,
concerning the last days;
• • •
8
Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto the first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron;
9
And also Elijah, unto whom I have
committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to
the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the
whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;
• • •
12
And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have
ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses
of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things
which I revealed unto them;
13
Unto whom I have
committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for
the last times; and for the fulness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
• • •
16
Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the
breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
4
I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.
• • •
16
And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.
17
And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool, wherefore, again I will stand upon it.
• • •
23
But, verily I say unto you, teach one another according to the office wherewith I have appointed you;
• • •
27
Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
• • •
33
And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.
• • •
35
And they shall look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their
relief that they shall not suffer; and send them forth to the place
which I have commanded them;
• • •
40
And again, I say unto you, I
give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest,
teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his
hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.
2
For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church, through him whom I have appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations from my hand.
• • •
7
For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed.
8
And now, behold, I give unto you a
commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and
edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how
to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.
• • •
13
And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire
the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and
whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him;
• • •
15
Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit;
16
And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.
• • •
24
O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!
• • •
30
For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come.
1
Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have
assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this
land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
• • •
6
And let my servant Sidney Gilbert stand in the office to which I have
appointed him, to receive moneys, to be an agent unto the church, to
buy land in all the regions round about, inasmuch as can be done in
righteousness, and as wisdom shall direct.
7
And let my servant Edward Partridge stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and divide unto the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded; and also those whom he has appointed to assist him.
• • •
13
And let my servant Oliver Cowdery assist him, even as I have commanded, in whatsoever place I
shall appoint unto him, to copy, and to correct, and select, that all
things may be right before me, as it shall be proved by the Spirit
through him.
14
And thus let those of whom I have spoken be planted in the land of Zion, as speedily as can be, with their families, to do those things even as I have spoken.
1
Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you.
• • •
6
Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you—that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;
• • •
14
Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in this land.
• • •
24
And now, as I spake concerning my servant
Edward Partridge, this land is the land of his residence, and those whom
he has appointed for his counselors; and also the land of the residence
of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse;
• • •
40
And also let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land;
• • •
58
And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants
Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, and also Oliver Cowdery
with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
10
I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass.
• • •
20
And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—
21
Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.
• • •
55
And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and
gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of
mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of
middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine
house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;
56
And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.
• • •
60
And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you;
• • •
67
Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches, that they shall continue to gather together unto the places which I have appointed.
68
Nevertheless, as I have
said unto you in a former commandment, let not your gathering be in
haste, nor by flight; but let all things be prepared before you.
69
And in order that all things be prepared before you, observe the commandment which I have given concerning these things—
70
Which saith, or teacheth, to purchase all the lands with money, which
can be purchased for money, in the region round about the land which I have appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of the gathering of my saints;
• • •
77
According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have
suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and
protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78
That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
• • •
93
What I have said unto you must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse;
• • •
96
And again, I say unto you, it is contrary to my commandment and my will that my servant Sidney Gilbert should sell my storehouse, which I have appointed unto my people, into the hands of mine enemies.
97
Let not that which I have appointed be polluted by mine enemies, by the consent of those who call themselves after my name;
98
For this is a very sore and grievous sin against me, and against my people, in consequence of those things which I have decreed and which are soon to befall the nations.
99
Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and hold claim upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not be permitted to dwell thereon.
3
For I have suffered them thus far, that they might fill up the measure of their iniquities, that their cup might be full;
• • •
5
But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
6
Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
• • •
11
But verily I say unto you, I have decreed that your brethren which have been scattered shall return to the lands of their inheritances, and shall build up the waste places of Zion.
12
For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing.
13
Behold, this is the blessing which I have
promised after your tribulations, and the tribulations of your
brethren—your redemption, and the redemption of your brethren, even
their restoration to the land of Zion, to be established, no more to be
thrown down.
• • •
21
Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given unto you.
22
Therefore let my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., say unto the strength of my
house, my young men and the middle aged—Gather yourselves together unto
the land of Zion, upon the land which I have bought with money that has been consecrated unto me.
23
And let all the churches send up wise men with their moneys, and purchase lands even as I have commanded them.
24
And inasmuch as mine enemies come against you to drive you from my goodly land, which I have consecrated to be the land of Zion, even from your own lands after these testimonies, which ye have brought before me against them, ye shall curse them;
• • •
29
It is my will that my servant Sidney Rigdon shall lift up his voice in
the congregations in the eastern countries, in preparing the churches to
keep the commandments which I have given unto them concerning the restoration and redemption of Zion.
• • •
40
Let my servant Orson Hyde journey with my servant Orson Pratt,
whithersoever my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., shall counsel them, in
obtaining the fulfilment of these commandments which I have given unto you, and leave the residue in my hands. Even so. Amen.
D&C 104: 4, 13, 18, 32, 37, 40-42, 44-45, 51, 54, 57-58, 63, 68, 72, 85-86
4
Therefore, inasmuch as some of my servants have not kept the commandment, but have broken the covenant through covetousness, and with feigned words, I have cursed them with a very sore and grievous curse.
• • •
13
For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.
• • •
18
Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have
made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel,
unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes
in hell, being in torment.
• • •
32
And this is the beginning of the stewardship which I have appointed them, for them and their seed after them.
• • •
37
And this is the beginning of the stewardship which I have appointed unto him, for a blessing unto him and his seed after him.
• • •
40
And all this I have
appointed unto my servant Newel K. Whitney for his stewardship, for a
blessing upon him and his seed after him, for the benefit of the
mercantile establishment of my order which I have established for my stake in the land of Kirtland.
41
Yea, verily, this is the stewardship which I have appointed unto my servant N. K. Whitney, even this whole mercantile establishment, him and his agent, and his seed after him.
42
And inasmuch as he is faithful in keeping my commandments, which I have given unto him, I will multiply blessings upon him and his seed after him, even a multiplicity of blessings.
• • •
44
And this is the beginning of the stewardship which I have appointed unto him, for a blessing upon him, and upon his father.
45
For behold, I have
reserved an inheritance for his father, for his support; therefore he
shall be reckoned in the house of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.
• • •
51
And this I have
commanded to be done for your salvation, and also for their salvation,
in consequence of their being driven out and that which is to come.
• • •
54
And again, a commandment I give unto you concerning your stewardship which I have appointed unto you.
• • •
57
But, verily I say unto you, I have appointed unto you to be stewards over mine house, even stewards indeed.
58
And for this purpose I have commanded you to organize yourselves, even to print my words, the fulness of my scriptures, the revelations which I have given unto you, and which I shall, hereafter, from time to time give unto you—
• • •
63
And I give it unto you from this very hour; and now see to it, that ye go to and make use of the stewardship which I have appointed unto you, exclusive of the sacred things, for the purpose of printing these sacred things as I have said.
• • •
68
And all moneys that you receive in your stewardships, by improving upon the properties which I have appointed unto you, in houses, or in lands, or in cattle, or in all things save it be the holy and sacred writings, which I have
reserved unto myself for holy and sacred purposes, shall be cast into
the treasury as fast as you receive moneys, by hundreds, or by fifties,
or by twenties, or by tens, or by fives.
• • •
72
And this shall be the voice and common consent of the order—that any man among you say to the treasurer: I have need of this to help me in my stewardship—
• • •
85
And pledge the properties which I have put into your hands, this once, by giving your names by common consent or otherwise, as it shall seem good unto you.
86
I give unto you this privilege, this once; and behold, if you proceed to do the things which I have
laid before you, according to my commandments, all these things are
mine, and ye are my stewards, and the master will not suffer his house
to be broken up. Even so. Amen.
12
For behold, I have
prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them,
inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.
• • •
15
Behold, the destroyer I have
sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies; and not many years
hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme
my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering together of my saints.
16
Behold, I have
commanded my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to say unto the strength of my
house, even my warriors, my young men, and middle-aged, to gather
together for the redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of
mine enemies, and scatter their watchmen;
• • •
18
But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they continue faithful.
19
I have heard their
prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that
they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.
• • •
23
And let all my people who dwell in the regions round about be very
faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal not the things
which I have revealed unto them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed.
• • •
27
And I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and mine elders, whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house,
28
And to have sent wise men, to fulfil that which I have
commanded concerning the purchasing of all the lands in Jackson county
that can be purchased, and in the adjoining counties round about.
29
For it is my will that these lands should be purchased; and after they
are purchased that my saints should possess them according to the laws
of consecration which I have given.
• • •
33
Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me
that the first elders of my church should receive their endowment from
on high in my house, which I have commanded to be built unto my name in the land of Kirtland.
34
And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion and her law be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption.
D&C 124: 2, 8, 17, 23, 36, 43, 45-46, 56, 61, 76, 84, 102, 107-109, 111, 118-119, 130, 132, 143-144
2
Your prayers are acceptable before me; and in answer to them I say unto you, that you are now called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, and of this stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion, which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace.
• • •
8
And that I may visit them in the day of visitation, when I
shall unveil the face of my covering, to appoint the portion of the
oppressor among hypocrites, where there is gnashing of teeth, if they
reject my servants and my testimony which I have revealed unto them.
• • •
17
And for his love he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord. I have seen the work which he hath done, which I accept if he continue, and will crown him with blessings and great glory.
• • •
23
And it shall be for a house for boarding, a house that strangers may
come from afar to lodge therein; therefore let it be a good house,
worthy of all acceptation, that the weary traveler may find health and
safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord; and the
corner-stone I have appointed for Zion.
• • •
36
For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.
• • •
43
And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it, for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to build it.
• • •
45
And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
46
But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have
appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute mine holy
grounds, and mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which
I give unto them.
• • •
56
And now I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding house which I have
commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers, let it be built
unto my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant
Joseph and his house have place therein, from generation to generation.
• • •
61
That he may receive also the counsel from those whom I have set to be as plants of renown, and as watchmen upon her walls.
• • •
76
Let his family rejoice and turn away their hearts from affliction; for I have chosen him and anointed him, and he shall be honored in the midst of his house, for I will forgive all his sins, saith the Lord. Amen.
• • •
84
And with my servant Almon Babbitt, there are many things with which I am not pleased; behold, he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church; and he setteth up a golden calf for the worship of my people.
• • •
102
Behold, I say unto you, I have
a mission in store for my servant William, and my servant Hyrum, and
for them alone; and let my servant Joseph tarry at home, for he is
needed. The remainder I will show unto you hereafter. Even so. Amen.
• • •
107
Let him assist my servant Joseph, and also let my servant William Law
assist my servant Joseph, in making a solemn proclamation unto the kings
of the earth, even as I have before said unto you.
108
If my servant Sidney will do my will, let him not remove his family unto
the eastern lands, but let him change their habitation, even as I have said.
109
Behold, it is not my will that he shall seek to find safety and refuge out of the city which I have appointed unto you, even the city of Nauvoo.
• • •
111
And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Amos Davies pay stock into the hands of those whom I have appointed to build a house for boarding, even the Nauvoo House.
• • •
118
And hearken unto the counsel of my servants Joseph, and Hyrum, and William Law, and unto the authorities which I have called to lay the foundation of Zion; and it shall be well with him forever and ever. Even so. Amen.
119
And again, verily I say unto you, let no man
pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House unless he shall be a
believer in the Book of Mormon, and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God;
• • •
130
David Patten I have taken unto myself; behold, his priesthood no man taketh from him; but, verily I say unto you, another may be appointed unto the same calling.
• • •
132
Namely, Samuel Bent, Henry G. Sherwood, George W. Harris, Charles C.
Rich, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, David Dort, Dunbar Wilson—Seymour
Brunson I have taken
unto myself; no man taketh his priesthood, but another may be appointed
unto the same priesthood in his stead; and verily I
say unto you, let my servant Aaron Johnson be ordained unto this
calling in his stead—David Fullmer, Alpheus Cutler, William Huntington.
• • •
143
The above offices I have
given unto you, and the keys thereof, for helps and for governments,
for the work of the ministry and the perfecting of my saints.
144
And a commandment I give unto you, that you should fill all these offices and approve of those names which I have mentioned, or else disapprove of them at my general conference;
1
As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I
now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject
seems to occupy my mind, and press itself upon my feelings the
strongest, since I have been pursued by my enemies.
2
I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I
now certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there
should be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, and also to hear with
his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord.
• • •
18
I might have
rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to
suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case,
that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding
link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon
some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the
baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect;
neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be
made perfect without those who have died in
the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the
dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now
beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and
welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories
should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the
present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have
been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes
and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.
• • •
25
Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend,
7
And verily I say unto you, that the conditions
of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations,
oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations,
that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of
promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all
eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through
the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have
appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days,
and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and
the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue,
or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts
that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.
• • •
10
Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed?
• • •
18
And again, verily I say unto you, if a man
marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all
eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law,
and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have
anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of
force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by
me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world
it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are
appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore,
inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.
19
And again, verily I say unto you, if a man
marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting
covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by
him who is anointed, unto whom I have
appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be
said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it
be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall
inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all
heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life,
that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye
abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent
blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant
hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of
full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the
angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory
in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall
be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.
• • •
41
And as ye have asked concerning adultery, verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man receiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, and if she be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy anointing, she hath committed adultery and shall be destroyed.
• • •
45
For I have conferred upon you the keys and power of the priesthood, wherein I restore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time.
• • •
50
Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.
51
Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.
• • •
59
Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I have
endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he do
anything in my name, and according to my law and by my word, he will not
commit sin, and I will justify him.
29
Wherefore, they have foresworn themselves, and, by their oaths, they have brought upon themselves death; and a hell I have prepared for them, if they repent not;
30
And this is a decree, which I have
sent forth in the beginning of the world, from my own mouth, from the
foundation thereof, and by the mouths of my servants, thy fathers, have I decreed it, even as it shall be sent forth in the world, unto the ends thereof.
31
And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth,
before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
32
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
• • •
53
And our father Adam spake unto the Lord, and said: Why is it that men
must repent and be baptized in water? And the Lord said unto Adam:
Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden.
• • •
56
And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.
• • •
59
That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth
death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood,
and the spirit, which I have
made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born
again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be
cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might
be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this
world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;
1
Owing to the many reports which have
been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in
relation to the rise and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have
been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and
put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.
• • •
20
He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have
learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as
though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I
was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else
why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the
opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
• • •
24
However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I
felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and
related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a
voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was
dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled.
But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a
vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not
make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet
he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a
light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not
make him think or believe otherwise.
25
So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I
had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me,
reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so
saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.
• • •
46
By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. But what was my surprise when again I
beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or
repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution
to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of
the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for
the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have
no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and
must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his
kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.
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