Appendix: Proposed Sixth Gathering of the Book of Commandments
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Historical Introduction
The Book of Commandments as it exists today is incomplete. When angry residents of , Missouri, operated by , , and in July 1833, sheets from only the first five gatherings of the book were salvaged. While it is possible—even likely—that typesetting or printing of an additional gathering had begun, no known copy of such a gathering exists.Book collectors, historians, and others have long speculated about the intended contents of the complete Book of Commandments. Widespread access to Revelation Book 1—the primary source text for the Book of Commandments—has recently moved this debate from the realm of conjecture to that of careful analysis, though a definitive reconstruction of the planned contents of the Book of Commandments remains impossible. This appendix presents the items that were likely intended for the sixth gathering of the Book of Commandments. In so doing, this appendix attempts to reconstruct the text that would have been included in that volume if the printing had not been interrupted.Unlike other texts found in The Joseph Smith Papers, this appendix is not a transcript of an existing document; rather it is a conception, based on existing evidence, of the sixth gathering of the Book of Commandments. This appendix includes the conclusion of chapter 65 of the Book of Commandments, twelve additional revelations, and a signed statement affirming the inspired nature of the revelations. These texts were selected for inclusion in this appendix based on available evidence from Revelation Book 1, the physical makeup of the existing portion of the Book of Commandments, analysis of textual patterns found in the Book of Commandments, and other textual and historical sources. This introduction outlines the justification for inclusion of these items.Several important pieces of evidence indicate that further material was slated for inclusion in the Book of Commandments. First, the final revelation printed in the unfinished Book of Commandments (chapter 65) ends abruptly on page 160. The version of Revelation, 11 September 1831 [D&C 64], that appears in Revelation Book 1 contains a take mark after the word “Ephraim,” which is the final word in the fifth gathering of the printed Book of Commandments. But “Ephraim” is not the final word of the revelation text found in Revelation Book 1: about 170 words were left unpublished. Editing marks on the copy of this revelation that appears in Revelation Book 1 show that nine additional verses were marked, indicating an intent to publish the entire revelation. Doing so would have necessitated the printing of a sixth gathering but would not have filled its thirty-two pages. It is possible that the editors could have printed less than a full gathering (as was done for the final gathering in the 1844 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants), but Revelation Book 1 contains enough additional marked-up text to fill an entire gathering. Second, a revelation demonstrably intended to serve as an appendix to the Book of Commandments was not in fact printed therein. Editors printed this revelation in the May 1833 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star and promised to include it in the Book of Commandments. That this revelation, which was clearly slated for publication, does not appear in the extant copies of the Book of Commandments is further evidence that printing was not complete.Nine revelations not printed in the Book of Commandments were marked up in Revelation Book 1 in preparation for publication. These nine revelations—dating from late October 1831 to late January 1832—pick up chronologically where the last revelation in the published Book of Commandments (dated 11 September 1831) leaves off. Assuming , , and would have maintained the chronological order of the Book of Commandments for the remainder of the volume, three additional revelations dating from this same time period would likely have been included, though none of these revelations were marked up for publication. It is possible that different copies of the revelations were used instead of Revelation Book 1 to prepare these three texts for publication, because two of the three revelations were published in The Evening and the Morning Star. These three revelations are included herein because they were created during the same time period as the nine marked-up revelations, suggesting they would have been printed along with the other nine.While it is clear, therefore, that some additional revelations were slated for inclusion, it is less clear how many gatherings beyond the current five would have been printed if printing had gone on uninterrupted. The average word count for the extant portion of the Book of Commandments is 270 words per page. At that rate, the aforementioned twelve revelations from Revelation Book 1 would fill approximately thirty printed pages, which would leave enough room in a thirty-two-page gathering to include the “Testimony of the witnesses to the Book of the Lords commandments.” This document, which is copied in Revelation Book 1, is a signed statement testifying of the revelations’ divine origin. It was likely meant to be printed at the back of the Book of Commandments, following a precedent set in the first edition of the Book of Mormon, which included two witness statements on the last two pages of the volume.Beyond the thirteen items identified above and featured herein, it is possible but unlikely that the editors of the Book of Commandments would have included additional revelations from Revelation Book 1 that were dated after 25 January 1832 (the latest date of any of these thirteen items) and before summer 1833 (the latest date that a copy of a new revelation dictated by JS in could have reached before the was ). Revelation Book 1 contains twenty-one items that fall in this time period. It cannot necessarily be assumed that all had reached the Missouri editors before the printing office was destroyed. It is perhaps more plausible to assume a cutoff date of 3 January 1833, the latest date of any revelation published in The Evening and the Morning Star (in the March 1833 issue). With that earlier cutoff date, the number of available additional items is reduced to sixteen. Of those sixteen, eleven can be considered possible candidates. The other five texts dated after 25 January 1832 and on or before 3 January 1833 likely would not have been considered, one because it was marked “Not to be published now” and the other four because they were not published in the 1835 or the 1844 editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, suggesting that the editors of the Book of Commandments probably would not have published them either.No editing marks for the 1833 publication exist in Revelation Book 1 on any revelations dated later than 25 January 1832. Furthermore, the editors appear to have marked up revelations in groups or batches as they were preparing to set type. That the “Appendix” (Revelation, 3 November 1831 [D&C 133]), which was almost certainly intended to be the final revelation in the book, was marked up with the group of items featured herein suggests that the editors had concluded the process of preparing the text and did not plan to include any more revelations. Sources also indicate that printing was drawing to a close.Note on Editorial MethodThe goal of this appendix is to propose and to reconstruct what would have been the sixth and likely final gathering of the Book of Commandments. Unlike other texts found in The Joseph Smith Papers, this appendix is not a transcript of an existing document. The transcripts presented herein take their base texts from Revelation Book 1, the principal source text for the Book of Commandments. In cases where the revelations were marked up in Revelation Book 1 in preparation for the publication of the Book of Commandments, the transcript silently incorporates those corrections, without employing brackets or textual footnotes. Where verse numbers were inserted into Revelation Book 1, verse numbers and the formatting that typically accompanies versification have been silently added to the text. As in the latter part of the Book of Commandments, the first verse of each item is not preceded by a verse number. Readers wishing to see the source texts from which the following transcripts are taken should consult Revelation Book 1Other silent modifications have been made to the texts presented herein. End-of-line hyphens in the original manuscript source are not transcribed herein. Because many end-of-line hyphens have been editorially introduced in the transcripts, a hyphen appearing at the end of a line may or may not be original to the document. Misspellings, grammatical errors, or capitalization irregularities in the handwritten text of Revelation Book 1 have been silently modified, using patterns from the printed Book of Commandments as a precedent when possible. In some cases, changes have been made that would be considered incorrect by modern standards. For instance, the vast majority of instances of “fullness” in the Book of Commandments are spelled “fulness.” As such, the texts in this appendix use the latter spelling. As in the Book of Commandments, the first word of each revelation in these transcripts is set in all caps, though this transcription does not reproduce the drop cap of the first letter of the chapter. Where Revelation Book 1 contains redacted punctuation made in preparation for the 1833 publication, that punctuation is silently incorporated in the transcripts herein, except in a few cases when that redacted punctuation is nonstandard and would impair readability.Four of the items in this appendix contain no editing marks in Revelation Book 1. For these items, versification is based on a close adherence to patterns found in the Book of Commandments, and the editorially supplied verse numbers are enclosed within brackets. Capitalization follows patterns from the Book of Commandments, and the first word of each verse is also capitalized. Punctuation for these four items is taken from the text of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. The text, therefore, follows the heavily punctuated style of the early nineteenth century without any attempt to match exactly the pattern of the Book of Commandments. This policy occasionally leaves commas at the end of verses, which never occurred in the Book of Commandments but is nevertheless left to stand. The transcripts of these four items follow the 1835 punctuation exactly, even though it may occasionally conflict with a punctuation mark in Revelation Book 1.The numbering of chapters has been continued throughout this appendix, and chapter headings have been supplied based on patterns of chapter headings found in the Book of Commandments. Rarely, wording in the revelations is unclear because of grammatical errors, missing words, or other problems. In these cases, other authoritative texts, including The Evening and the Morning Star and the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, have been consulted. In some cases, missing words have been supplied in brackets.
Footnotes
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1
Revelation Book 1 contains three other take marks that correspond to the final words of three gatherings in the Book of Commandments. (Revelation Book 1, p. 39; Revelation Book 1, p. 90; Revelation Book 1, p. 111.)
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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2
Revelation, 11 Sept. 1831, in Revelation Book 1, p. 111 [D&C 64].
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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3
Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831, in Revelation Book 1, pp. 116–121 [D&C 133]. While this revelation appears in the body of Revelation Book 1, it also appears on a separate document that was inserted into Revelation Book 1 at a later date, thereby becoming associated with the book though not physically part of it. This second version of the revelation bears the endorsement “An appendix to Revelation.” In reference to this revelation, the May 1833 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star stated, “Having given, in a previous number, the Preface to the book of Commandments now in press, we give below, the close, or as it has been called, the Appendix.” The revelation was placed as the last revelation in the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (1835), preceding only three items that were added very late in the publication process. (Appendix 1: Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831, [6], in JSP, MRB:405 [D&C 133]; “Revelations,” The Evening and the Morning Star, May 1833, [1]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831, in Doctrine and Covenants 100, 1835 ed. [D&C 133].)
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
JSP, MRB / Jensen, Robin Scott, Robert J. Woodford, and Steven C. Harper, eds. Manuscript Revelation Books. Facsimile edition. First volume of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman. Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2009.
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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4
Within Revelation Book 1, see Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831, pp. 111–112 [D&C 66]; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–A, pp. 113–114 [D&C 68]; Revelation, 2 Nov. 1831, pp. 114–115 [D&C 67]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831, pp. 116–121 [D&C 133]; Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–A, p. 122 [D&C 69]; Revelation, 11 Nov. 1831–B, pp. 122–123 [D&C 107 (partial)]; Revelation, 12 Nov. 1831, pp. 124–125 [D&C 70]; Revelation, 1 Dec. 1831, p. 134 [D&C 71]; and Revelation, 25 Jan. 1832, pp. 129–132 [D&C 75].
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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5
Revelation, 30 Oct. 1831, in “Revelations,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1832, [2] [D&C 65]; Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831, in “A Revelation Given December 4, 1831,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Dec. 1832, [5]–[6] [D&C 72].
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
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6
Testimony, ca. 1 Nov. 1831, in Revelation Book 1, p. 121.
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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7
Within Revelation Book 1, see Vision, 16 Feb. 1832, pp. 135–139 [D&C 76]; Revelation, 1 Mar. 1832, pp. 145–146 [D&C 78]; Revelation, 7 Mar. 1832, p. 147 [D&C 80]; Revelation, 12 Mar. 1832, p. 147 [D&C 79]; Revelation, 15 Mar. 1832, pp. 139–140 [D&C 81]; Revelation, 30 Apr. 1832, p. 132 [D&C 83]; Revelation, 29 Aug. 1832, p. 148 [D&C 99]; Revelation, 22 and 23 Sept. 1832, pp. 149–156 [D&C 84]; Revelation, 6 Dec. 1832, p. 177 [D&C 86]; Revelation, 27 and 28 Dec. 1832, pp. 158–166 [D&C 88:1– 126]; and Revelation, 3 Jan. 1833, pp. 166–167 [D&C 88:127–141].
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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8
Revelation, 26 Apr. 1832, in Revelation Book 1, pp. 128–129 [D&C 82].
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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9
Within Revelation Book 1, see Answers to questions, ca. Mar. 1832, pp. 141–144 [D&C 77]; Sample of pure language, ca. Mar. 1832, p. 144; Revelation, 20 Mar. 1832, p. 148; and Revelation, 25 Dec. 1832, p. 157 [D&C 87].
Revelation Book 1 / “A Book of Commandments and Revelations of the Lord Given to Joseph the Seer and Others by the Inspiration of God and Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost Which Beareth Re[c]ord of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost Which Is One God Infinite and Eternal World without End Amen,” 1831–1835. CHL.
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10
William W. Phelps recalled that the book was “nearly printed” at the time printing was violently interrupted. In a letter of 25 June 1833, JS and other Kirtland leaders gave directions about binding the book, suggesting that the book’s release was close at hand: “First as respects getting the book of Commandments bound we think it is not necessary they will be sold as well without binding and there is no book binder to be had as we know off nor is there materials to be had for binding without keeping the books too long from circulation.” A week later, a second letter from Kirtland provided explicit instructions on where to ship copies of the Book of Commandments, again suggesting that completion of the volume was imminent. (Phelps, “Short History,” [3]; JS et al., Kirtland, OH, to Edward Partridge et al., Independence, MO, 25 June 1833, JS Collection, CHL; Sidney Rigdon et al., Kirtland, OH, to “Brethren,” [Independence, MO], 2 July 1833, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 51–54.)
Phelps, William W. “A Short History of W. W. Phelps’ Stay in Missouri,” 1864. Information concerning Persons Driven from Jackson County, Missouri in 1833, 1863–1868. CHL. MS 6019, fd. 7.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
JS Letterbook 1 / Smith, Joseph. “Letter Book A,” 1832–1835. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL. MS 155, box 2, fd. 1.
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1
CHAPTER LXV.
[concluded]
48 Wherefore, they shall be plucked out.
49 Behold I the Lord have made my church in these last days like unto a judge, setting on an hill, or in an high place, to judge the nations:
50 For it shall come to pass, that the inhabitants of Zion, shall judge all things;
51 And all liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them;
52 And they which are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
53 And even the judge and his counsellors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships, shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead:
54 For behold I say unto you, that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her, and she shall be an ensign unto the people.
55 And these shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.
56 And the days shall come, when the nations of the earth shall tremble because of her, and shall fear, because of her terrible ones: the Lord hath spoken it. Amen.
CHAPTER LXVI.
A Revelation to William (M.,) given in Hiram, Ohio, October, 1831.
BEHOLD thus saith the Lord unto you my servant William blessed are you, inasmuch as you have turned away from your iniquities, and have received my truths, saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Savior of the world, even of as many as believe on my name.
2 Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old.
3 Verily I say unto you, my servant William that you are clean but not all;
4 Repent therefore of those things which are not pleasing in my sight, saith the Lord, for the Lord will show them unto you.
5 Now verily I the Lord will show unto you what I will concerning you, or what is my will concerning you.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should proclaim my gospel from land to land, and from city to city:
7 Yea, in those regions round about, where it hath not been proclaimed.
8 Tarry not many days in this place.
9 Go not up unto the land of Zion as yet, but inasmuch as you can send, send;
10 Otherwise think not of thy property.
11 Go unto the eastern lands.
12 Bear testimony in every place, unto every people, and in their synagogues, reasoning with the people.
13 Let my servant Samuel go with you, and forsake him not, and give him thine instructions.
14 And he that is faithful shall be made strong in every place, and I the Lord will go with you.
15 Lay your hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.
16 Return not until I the Lord shall send you.
17 Be patient in afflictions.
18 Ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
19 Seek not to be cumbered.
20 Forsake all unrighteousness.
21 Commit not adultery, a temptation with which thou hast been troubled.
22 Keep these sayings, for they are true and faithful, and thou shalt magnify thine office, and push many people to Zion with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads.
23 Continue in those things even unto the end and you shall have a crown of eternal life on the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth.
24 Verily, thus saith the Lord your God, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
CHAPTER LXVII.
A Revelation to the church, given in Hiram, Ohio, October, 1831.
HEARKEN, and lo, a voice as one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth; yea, whose voice is unto men,
[2] Prepare ye the way of the Lord make his paths strait.
[3] The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth,
[4] And from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is hewn from the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth;
[5] Yea, a voice crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom;
[6] Pray unto the Lord; call upon his holy name; make known his wonderful works among the people,
[7] Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth;
[8] That the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth:
[9] Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou O God may be glorified in heaven, so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued;
[10] For thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever: Amen.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
A Revelation to Orson (H.,) Luke, Lyman (J.,) and William (M.,) given in Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831.
MY servant, Orson, was called, by his ordinance, to proclaim the everlasting gospel, by the Spirit of the living God, from people to people, and from land to land, in the congregations of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning with and expounding all scriptures unto them:
[2] And behold and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth:
[3] And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost;
[4] And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be scripture; shall be the will of the Lord; shall be the mind of the Lord; shall be the word of the Lord; shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation;
[5] Behold this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants:
[6] Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God; that I was; that I am; and that I am to come.
[7] This is the word of the Lord unto you my servant, Orson; and also unto my servant, Luke, and unto my servant, Lyman, and unto my servant, William; and unto all the faithful elders of my church:
[8] Go ye into all the world; preach the gospel to every creature; acting in the authority which I have given you; baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
[9] And he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved,
[10] He that believeth not shall be damned;
[11] And he that believeth shall be blessed with signs following, even as it is written:
[12] And unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of man;
[13] And of as many as the Father shall bear record, to you it shall be given power to seal them up unto eternal life: Amen.
[14] And now concerning the items in addition to the laws and commandments, they are these:
[15] There remaineth hereafter in the due time of the Lord, other bishops to be set apart unto the church to minister even according to the first:
[16] Wherefore it shall be an high priest who is worthy, and he shall be appointed by a conference of high priests.
[17] And again, no bishop or judge, which shall be set apart for this ministry, shall be tried or condemned for any crime save it be before a conference of high priests;
[18] And inasmuch as he is found guilty before a conference of high priests, by testimony that cannot be impeached, he shall be condemned or forgiven, according to the laws of the church.
[19] And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance; faith in Christ the Son of the living God; and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the head of the parents,
[20] For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion: and their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands:
[21] And they also shall teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
[22] And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the sabbath day to keep it holy.
[23] And the inhabitants of Zion, also, shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness, for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord.
[24] Now I the Lord am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness:
[25] They also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.
[26] These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them:
[27] Wherefore let my servant Oliver, carry these sayings unto the land of Zion.
[28] And a commandment I give unto them, that he that observeth not his prayers before the Lord in the season thereof, let him be had in remembrance before the judge of my people.
[29] These sayings are true and faithful: wherefore transgress them not, neither take therefrom.
[30] Behold I am Alpha and Omega, and I come quickly: Amen.
CHAPTER LXIX.
A Revelation to the elders of the church, assembled at Hiram, Ohio, given November, 1831.
BEHOLD and hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together, whose prayers I have heard, and whose hearts I know, and whose desires have come up before me.
2 Behold and lo mine eyes are upon you;
3 And the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give.
4 Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you, but behold, verily I say unto you, there were fears in your hearts;
5 And verily this is the reason that ye did not receive.
6 And now I the Lord give unto you a testimony of the truth of those commandments which are lying before you.
7 Your eyes have been upon my servant Joseph; and his language you have known, and his imperfections you have known, and you have sought in your hearts knowledge, that you might express beyond his language:
8 This you also know.
9 Now seek ye out of the Book of Commandments, even the least that is among them, and appoint him that is the most wise among you, or if there be any among you, that shall make one like unto it, then ye are justified in saying, that ye do not know that they are true;
10 But if you can not make one like unto it, ye are under condemnation if ye do not bear record that they are true:
11 For ye know that there is no unrighteousness in them;
12 And that which is righteous cometh down from above, from the Father of lights.
13 And again, verily I say unto you, that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you, that have been ordained unto the ministry, that inasmuch as ye strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am;
14 Not with the carnal, neither natural, but with the spiritual, for no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, but by the Spirit of God;
15 Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God;
16 Neither after the carnal mind ye are not able to abide the presence of God now;
17 Neither the ministering of angels:
18 Wherefore continue in patience until ye are perfected.
19 Let not your minds turn back, and when ye are worthy, in mine own due time, ye shall see and know that which was confirmed upon you by the hands of my servant Joseph: Amen.
CHAPTER LXX.
A Revelation given in Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831.
HEARKEN unto me saith the Lord, for verily I say unto you, for my servant Oliver’s sake, it is not wisdom in me, that he should be intrusted with the commandments and the moneys which he shall carry unto the land of Zion, except one go with him, who will be true and faithful;
2 Wherefore I the Lord willeth that my Servant John should go with my servant Oliver.
3 And also that he observe to continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know, concerning my church;
4 And also that he receive counsel and assistance from my Servant Oliver, and others.
5 And also that my servants who are abroad in the earth, should send forth the accounts of their stewardship, to the land of Zion;
6 For the land of Zion shall be a seat and a place to receive and do all these things:
7 Nevertheless let my servant John travel many times, from place to place, and from church to church, that he may the more easily obtain knowledge;
8 Preaching and expounding, writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things, which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations which shall grow up on the land of Zion, to possess it from generation to generation, forever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER LXXI.
A Revelation given in Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831.
TO the church of Christ in the land of Zion in addition to the church laws respecting church business verily I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts there must needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office of an elder:
2 And also priests over those who are of the office of a priest;
3 And also teachers over those who are of the office of a teacher, in like manner.
4 And also the deacons;
5 Wherefore from deacon to teacher, and from teacher to priest, and from priest to elder; severally as they are appointed, according to the church articles and covenants:
6 Then cometh the high priesthood, which is the greatest of all:
7 Wherefore it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood to preside over the priesthood:
8 And he shall be called president of the high priesthood of the church;
9 Or in other words the presiding high priest over the high priesthood of the church;
10 From the same cometh the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the hands:
11 Wherefore the office of a bishop is not equal unto it;
12 For the office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things:
13 Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the high priesthood, that he may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the spirit of truth;
14 And also to be a judge in Israel to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him, according to the laws, by the assistance of his counsellors whom he hath chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.
15 Thus shall he be a judge even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion until the borders are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to have other bishops or judges.
16 And inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed, they shall act in the same office.
17 And again, verily I say unto you, the most important business of the church, and the most difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as there is not satisfaction upon the decision of the judge, it shall be handed over, and carried up unto the court of the church before the president of the high priesthood;
18 And the president of the court of the high priesthood shall have power to call other high priests, even twelve to assist as counsellors,
19 And thus the president of the high priesthood, and his counsellors, shall have power to decide upon testimony, according to the laws of the church;
20 And after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no more before the Lord;
21 For this is the highest court of the church of God and a final decision upon controversies, there is not any person belonging to the church who is exempt from this court of the church:
22 And inasmuch as the president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common court of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counsellors of the high priesthood, and their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.
23 Thus none shall be exempt from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order, and in solemnity before me, according to truth and righteousness. Amen.
24 A few more words in addition to the laws of the church.
25 And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon, is to preside over twelve deacons, to set in counsel with them, and to teach them their duty, edifying one another as it is given according to the covenants.
26 And also the duty of the president over the office of the teachers, is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to set in counsel with them, teaching them the duties of their office as given in the covenants.
27 Also the duty of the president over the priesthood, is to preside over forty-eight priests, and to set in counsel with them, and to teach them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.
28 And again the duty of the president over the office of the elders, is to preside over ninety-six elders, and to set in counsel with them, and to teach them according to the covenants.
29 And again the duty of the president of the office of the high priesthood, is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses.
30 Behold here is wisdom:
31 Yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God, which he bestoweth upon the head of the church:
32 Wherefore now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
33 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand.
34 And he that learneth not his duty, and sheweth himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand; even so: Amen.
CHAPTER LXXII.
A Revelation to the church, given in Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831.
BEHOLD and hearken, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and all ye people of my church, which are far off, and hear the word of the Lord, which I give unto my servant Joseph;
2 And also unto my servant Martin;
3 And also unto my servant Oliver;
4 And also unto my servant John;
5 And also unto my servant Sidney;
6 And also unto my servant William by the way of commandment unto them, for I give unto them a commandment: Wherefore hearken and hear, for thus saith the Lord unto them, I the Lord have appointed them, and ordained them to be stewards over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them;
7 And an account of this stewardship will I require of them in the day of judgment:
8 Wherefore I have appointed unto them, and this is their business in the church of God, to manage them and the concerns thereof, yea the benefits thereof:
9 Wherefore a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not give these things unto the church, neither unto the world:
10 Nevertheless, inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities, and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse, and the benefits thereof shall be consecrated unto the inhabitants of Zion, and unto their generations, inasmuch as they become heirs according to the laws of the kingdom.
11 Behold this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship; even as I the Lord have appointed, or shall hereafter appoint unto any man.
12 And behold none is exempt from this law, who belong to the church of the living God;
13 Yea, neither the bishop, neither the agent, who keepeth the Lord’s storehouse; neither he who is appointed in a stewardship over temporal things; he who is appointed to administer spiritual things, the same is worthy of his hire; even as those who are appointed to a stewardship to administer in temporal things;
14 Yea even more abundantly which abundance is multiplied unto them through the manifestations of the Spirit:
15 Nevertheless in your temporal things you shall be equal;
16 And this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit, shall be withheld.
17 Now this commandment I give unto my servants, for their benefit while they remain, for a manifestation of my blessings upon their heads, and for a reward of their diligence;
18 And for their security for food and for raiment, for an inheritance; for houses and for lands, in whatsoever circumstances I the Lord shall place them, and whithersoever I the Lord shall send them:
19 For they have been faithful over many things, and have done well inasmuch as they have not sinned.
20 Behold I the Lord am merciful and will bless them and they shall enter into the joy of these things; even so: Amen.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
A Revelation to Joseph and Sidney, given in Hiram, Ohio, December, 1831.
BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, that the time has verily come, that it is necessary and expedient in me, that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power, which shall be given unto you, even as I will.
2 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you.
3 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you:
4 Wherefore labor ye in my vineyard.
5 Call upon the inhabitants of the earth and bear record and prepare the way for the commandments and the revelations which are to come.
6 Now, behold this is wisdom;
7 Whoso readeth let him understand and receive also:
8 For unto him who receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power:
9 Wherefore confound your enemies;
10 Call upon them to meet you, both in public and in private, and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
11 Wherefore let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.
12 Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;
13 And if any man lift his voice against you, he shall be confounded in mine own due time;
14 Wherefore keep these commandments.
15 They are true and faithful; even so: Amen.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
A Revelation to the high priests of the church, assembled at Kirtland, Ohio, given December, 1831.
HEARKEN and listen to the voice of the Lord, O ye who have called yourselves together, who are the high priests of my church, to whom the kingdom and power have been given.
[2] For verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me, for a bishop to be appointed unto you, or of you unto the church in this part of the Lord’s vineyard:
[3] And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.
[4] For he who is faithful and wise in time, is accounted worthy to inherit the mansions prepared for them of my Father.
[5] Verily I say unto you, the elders of the church in this part of my vineyard, shall render an account of their stewardship, unto the bishop which shall be appointed of me, in this part of my vineyard.
[6] These things shall be had on record to be handed over unto the bishop in Zion; and the duty of the bishop shall be made known by the commandments which have been given, and by the voice of the conference.
[7] And now, verily I say unto you, my servant Newel is the man who shall be appointed, and ordained unto this power: this is the will of the Lord your God, your Redeemer; even so. Amen.
[8] The word of the Lord, in addition to the law which has been given, making known the duty of the bishop, which has been ordained unto the church in this part of the vineyard; which is verily this:
[9] To keep the Lord’s storehouse; to receive the funds of the church in this part of the vineyard; to take an account of the elders as before has been commanded, and to administer to their wants, who shall pay for that which they receive, inasmuch as they have wherewith to pay; that this also may be consecrated to the good of the church, to the poor and needy:
[10] And he who has not wherewith to pay, an account shall be taken and handed over to the bishop in Zion, who shall pay the debt out of that which the Lord shall put into his hands: and the labors of the faithful who labor in spiritual things, in administering the gospel and the things of the kingdom, unto the church, and unto the world, shall answer the debt unto the bishop in Zion:
[11] Thus it cometh out of the church, for according to the law every man that cometh up to Zion, must lay all things before the bishop in Zion.
[12] And now, verily I say unto you, that as every elder in this part of the vineyard, must give an account of his stewardship unto the bishop in this part of the vineyard, a certificate from the judge or bishop in this part of the vineyard, unto the bishop in Zion, rendereth every man acceptable, and answereth all things, for an inheritance, and to be received as a wise steward, and as a faithful laborer; otherwise he shall not be acceptable of the bishop in Zion.
[13] And now, verily I say unto you, let every elder who shall give an account unto the bishop of the church, in this part of the vineyard, be recommended by the church or churches, in which he labors, that he may render himself and his accounts approved in all things.
[14] And again, let my servants who are appointed as stewards over the literary concerns of my church, have claim for assistance upon the bishop or bishops, in all things, that the revelations may be published, and go forth unto the ends of the earth,
[15] That they also may obtain funds which shall benefit the church, in all things; that they also may render themselves approved in all things and be accounted as wise stewards.
[16] And now, behold this shall be an ensample for all the extensive branches of my church, in whatsoever land they shall be established. And now I make an end of my sayings. Amen.
[17] A few words in addition to the laws of the kingdom, respecting the members of the church; they that are appointed by the Holy Spirit to go up unto Zion; and they who are privileged to go up unto Zion.
[18] Let them carry up unto the bishop a certificate from three elders of the church, or a certificate from the bishop, otherwise he who shall go up unto the land of Zion, shall not be accounted as a wise steward. This also [is] an ensample. Amen.
CHAPTER LXXV.
A Revelation to Joseph and Sidney, given in Hiram, Ohio, January, 1832.
FOR verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me, that they should continue preaching the gospel, and in exhortation to the churches, in the regions round about, until conference:
[2] And behold then it shall be made known unto them, by the voice of the conference, their several missions.
[3] Now verily I say unto my servants Joseph and Sidney, saith the Lord, it is expedient to translate again, and inasmuch as it is practicable, to preach in the regions round about until conference, and after that it is expedient to continue the work of translation, until it be finished.
[4] And let this be a pattern unto the elders until further knowledge, even as it is written.
[5] And now I give no more unto you at this time. Gird up your loins and be sober: even so. Amen.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
A Revelation to the elders of the church, assembled at Amherst, Ohio, given January, 1832.
VERILY, Verily I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my Spirit; even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God:
2 Hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to proclaim my gospel, and to prune my vineyard.
3 Behold I say unto you, that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle, but labor with your mights lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.
4 And thus if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life:
5 Therefore verily I say unto my Servant William (M.,) I revoke the commission which I gave unto him, to go unto the eastern countries, and I give unto him a new commission and a new commandment, in the which I the Lord chasteneth him for the murmurings of his heart; and he sinned, nevertheless I forgive him and say unto him again, go ye into the south countries;
6 And let my servant Luke go with him and proclaim the things which I have commanded them, calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that is expedient for them, praying always that they faint not;
7 And inasmuch as they do this, I will be with them even unto the end.
8 Behold this is the will of the Lord your God concerning you; even so: Amen.
9 And again, verily thus saith the Lord, let my servant Orson (H.) and my servant Samuel, take their journey into the eastern countries, and proclaim the things which I have commanded them;
10 And inasmuch as they are faithful, lo I will be with them even unto the end.
11 And again verily I say unto my servant Lyman (J.) and unto my servant Orson (P.,) they shall also take their journey into the eastern countries:
12 And behold and lo: I am with them also, even unto the end.
13 And again I say unto my servant Asa and unto my servant Calves, that they also shall take their journey unto the western countries, and proclaim my gospel even as I have commanded them.
14 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
15 And again, I say unto my servant Major, and my servant Burr, let them take their journey also unto the south countries:
16 Yea, let all these take their journey as I have commanded them, going from house to house, and from village to village, and from city to city;
17 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessings upon that house;
18 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you not ye shall depart speedily from that house, and shake off the dust of your feet as a testimony against them:
19 And you shall be filled with joy and gladness and know this, that in the day of judgment you shall be judges of that house, and condemn them; and it shall be more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment, than for that house:
20 Therefore gird up your loins and be faithful and ye shall overcome all things and be lifted up at the last day; even so: Amen.
21 And again thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who have given your names that you might know his will concerning you:
22 Behold I say unto you that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
23 Wherefore I the Lord give unto you this commandment, that ye obtain places for your families inasmuch as your brethren are willing to open their hearts;
24 And let all such as can obtain places for their families, and support of the church for them, not fail to go into the world;
25 Whether to the east, or to the west, or to the north, or to the south, let them ask and they shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto them, and made known from on high, even by the Comforter, whither they shall go.
26 And again verily I say unto you that every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide and he shall in no wise loose his crown;
27 And let him labor in the church.
28 Let every man be diligent in all things.
29 And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repents and mends his ways. Wherefore let my servant Simeon, and my servant Emer, be united in the ministry.
30 And also my servant Ezra, and my servant Thomas.
31 Also my servant Hyrum, and my servant Reynolds;
32 And also my servant Daniel, and my servant Seymour;
33 And also my servant Sylvester, and my servant Gideon;
34 And also my servant Ruggles, and my servant Stephen;
35 And also my servant Micah, and also my servant Eden; even so: Amen.
CHAPTER LXXVII.
An Appendix unto the Book of Commandments:
HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord, concerning you; the Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God and upon all the ungodly among you:
2 For he shall make bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God:
3 Wherefore prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people: sanctify yourselves: gather ye together, O ye people of my church, upon the land of Zion, all you that have not been commanded to tarry.
4 Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Call your solemn assemblies, and speak often one to another.
5 And let every man call upon the name of the Lord; yea, verily I say unto you, again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you, go ye out of Babylon: gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
6 Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands: call upon all nations: firstly, upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews.
7 And behold and lo this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about:
8 Yea let the cry go forth among all people: awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom:
9 Behold and lo the Bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.
10 Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion. And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord’s house.
11 Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.
12 But verily thus saith the Lord, let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you: and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.
13 Hearken and hear O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord, for he calleth upon all men and he commandeth all men every where to repent:
14 For behold the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths strait, for the hour of his coming is nigh, when the Lamb shall stand upon mount Zion, and with him an hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads:
15 Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom: go ye, go ye out to meet him, for behold he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion; and he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people, and it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and the valleys shall not be found:
16 He shall command the great deep and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land, and the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion, shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided.
17 And the Lord even the Savior shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh. And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord, and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence.
18 And an high way shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep. Their enemies shall become a prey unto them, and in the barren deserts there shall come forth pools of living water; and the parched ground shall no longer be a thirsty land; and they shall bring forth their rich treasures unto the children of Ephraim my servants.
19 And the boundaries of the everlasting hills shall tremble at their presence. And these shall they fall down and be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim; and they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy.
20 Behold this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the tribes of Israel, and the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows.
21 And they also of the tribe of Judah, after their pain, shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord to dwell in his presence day and night forever and ever.
22 And now verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the Earth, I have sent forth mine angel, flying through the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some, and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth, and this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, and the servants of God shall go forth, saying, with a loud voice:
23 Fear God and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and sea, and the fountains of waters, calling upon the Lord day and night, saying:
24 O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. And it shall be answered upon their heads for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.
25 O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries and all nations shall tremble at thy presence. When thou doeth terrible things, things they look not for; yea, when thou comest down and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remember thee in thy ways:
26 For since the beginning of the world have not man heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.
27 And it shall be said, who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?
28 And he shall say, I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save. And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine vat, and so great shall be the glory of his presence, that the sun shall hide his face in shame; and the moon shall with hold its light; and the stars shall be hurled from their place:
29 And his voice shall be heard, I have trodden the wine press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me; and I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment: for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.
30 And now the year of my redeemed is come, and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord; and all that he has bestowed upon them, according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever. In all their affliction he was afflicted.
31 And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and he bore them and carried them all the days of old; yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him; the prophets that were before him, and Noah also, and they who were before him, and Moses also and they who were before him, and from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb.
32 And the graves of the saints shall be opened, and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem, and they shall sing the song of the Lamb day and night forever and ever.
33 And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness, and simplicity, to prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth: and for the Lord’s errand in the day when the weak should confound the wise; and the little one become a strong nation, and two should put their tens of thousands to flight; and by the weak things of the earth, the Lord should thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit. And for this cause these commandments were given; they were commanded to be kept from the world in the day that they were given, but now are to go forth unto all flesh.
34 And this according to the mind and will of the Lord, who ruleth over all flesh and unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord, shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people.
35 And also that which was written by the prophet, Malachi, for behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud; yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
36 Wherefore this shall be the answer of the Lord unto them in that day when I come unto my own. No man among you received me, and you were driven out. When I called again there was none of you to answer, yet my arm was not shortened at all, that I could not redeem, neither my power to deliver.
37 Behold at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, and dieth for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and make sackcloth their covering:
38 And this shall ye have of my hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.
39 Behold and lo there are none to deliver you, for ye obeyed not my voice, when I called to you out of the heavens, ye believed not my servants; and when they were sent unto you ye received them not: wherefore they sealed up the testimony and bound up the law, and ye were delivered over unto darkness: these shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Behold the Lord your God hath spoken it. Amen.
THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES.
The testimony of the witnesses to the Book of the Lord’s commandments, which he gave to his church through Joseph Smith, Jr. who was appointed by the voice of the church for this purpose:
We the undersigners feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of mankind, to every creature upon the face of all the earth, and upon the islands of the sea, that God hath borne record to our souls, through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon us, that these commandments are given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for all men, and are verily true. We give this testimony unto the world, the Lord being our helper: and it is through the grace of God, the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, that we are permitted to have this privilege of bearing this testimony unto the world, in the which we rejoice exceedingly, praying the Lord always, that the children of men may be profited thereby: Amen.
| Sidney Rigdon | Lyman Wight | |
| Orson Hyde | John Murdock | |
| William E. McLellin | Calvin Beebe | |
| Luke Johnson | Zebedee Coltrin | |
| Lyman Johnson | Joshua Fairchild | |
| Reynolds Cahoon | Peter Dustin | |
| John Corrill | Newel Knight | |
| Parley Pratt | Levi Hancock | |
| Harvey Whitlock | Thomas B. Marsh |
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