D&C 58:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 1, 1831. On the first Sabbath after the arrival of the Prophet and party in Jackson County, Missouri, a religious service was held and two members were received by baptism. During that week, members of the Colesville branch and others arrived. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 190. Many were eager to learn the will of the Lord concerning them in the new place of gathering. --Great things to follow, with glory, after much tribulation--Certain duties of the Bishopric--The Bishop is warned--People instructed to observe the laws of the land, and to regard the commandments given through revelation as the laws of the Church--Servants not to be compelled in all things but to be diligent and active--Lands to be purchased in Independence--Some of the people to stay, others to travel in the ministry--Assignment of duty to individual Elders--Those returning to the East to bear record of what they have seen and know concerning the land of Zion--Gathering of the Saints not to be conducted in haste.
D&C 58:1 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.
D&C 58:2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
D&C 58:3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
D&C 58:4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
D&C 58:5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.
D&C 58:6 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;
D&C 58:7 And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand.
D&C 58:8 And also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
D&C 58:9 Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.
D&C 58:10 First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
D&C 58:11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
D&C 58:12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
D&C 58:13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God--
D&C 58:14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant, Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in the land.
D&C 58:15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall.
D&C 58:16 Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
D&C 58:17 And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children.
D&C 58:18 And to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his counselors, according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of God.
D&C 58:19 For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
D&C 58:20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.
D&C 58:21 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
D&C 58:22 Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
D&C 58:23 Behold, the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold, here is wisdom.
D&C 58:24 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;
D&C 58:25 Wherefore, let them bring their families to this land, as they shall counsel between themselves and me.
D&C 58:26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
D&C 58:27 Verily, I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
D&C 58:28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
D&C 58:29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
D&C 58:30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
D&C 58:31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
D&C 58:32 I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing.
D&C 58:33 Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above.
D&C 58:34 And now I give unto you further directions concerning this land.
D&C 58:35 It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the church, in laying his moneys before the bishop of the church.
D&C 58:36 And also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs.
D&C 58:37 And it is wisdom also that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse, and also for the house of the printing.
D&C 58:38 And other directions concerning my servant Martin Harris shall be given him of the Spirit, that he may receive his inheritance as seemeth him good;
D&C 58:39 And let him repent of his sins, for he seeketh the praise of the world.
D&C 58:40 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;
D&C 58:41 And also he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
D&C 58:42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
D&C 58:43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
D&C 58:44 And now, verily, I say concerning the residue of the elders of my church, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive their inheritance in this land, except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be appointed unto them of the Lord.
D&C 58:45 For behold, they shall push the people together from the ends of the earth.
D&C 58:46 Wherefore, assemble yourselves together; and they who are not appointed to stay in this land, let them preach the gospel in the regions round about; and after that let them return to their homes.
D&C 58:47 Let them preach by the way, and bear testimony of the truth in all places, and call upon the rich, the high and the low, and the poor to repent.
D&C 58:48 And let them build up churches, inasmuch as the inhabitants of the earth will repent.
D&C 58:49 And let there be an agent appointed by the voice of the church, unto the church in Ohio, to receive moneys to purchase lands in Zion.
D&C 58:50 And I give unto my servant Sidney Rigdon a commandment, that he shall write a description of the land of Zion, and a statement of the will of God, as it shall be made known by the Spirit unto him;
D&C 58:51 And an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all the churches to obtain moneys, to be put into the hands of the bishop, of himself or the agent, as seemeth him good or as he shall direct, to purchase lands for an inheritance for the children of God.
D&C 58:52 For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples and the children of men should open their hearts, even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit.
D&C 58:53 Behold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they receive none inheritance, save it be by the shedding of blood.
D&C 58:54 And again, inasmuch as there is land obtained, let there be workmen sent forth of all kinds unto this land, to labor for the saints of God.
D&C 58:55 Let all these things be done in order; and let the privileges of the lands be made known from time to time, by the bishop or the agent of the church.
D&C 58:56 And let the work of the gathering be not in haste, nor by flight; but let it be done as it shall be counseled by the elders of the church at the conferences, according to the knowledge which they receive from time to time.
D&C 58:57 And let my servant Sidney Rigdon consecrate and dedicate this land, and the spot for the temple, unto the Lord.
D&C 58:58 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.
D&C 58:59 And let no man return from this land except he bear record by the way, of that which he knows and most assuredly believes.
D&C 58:60 Let that which has been bestowed upon Ziba Peterson be taken from him; and let him stand as a member in the church, and labor with his own hands, with the brethren, until he is sufficiently chastened for all his sins; for he confesseth them not, and he thinketh to hide them.
D&C 58:61 Let the residue of the elders of this church, who are coming to this land, some of whom are exceedingly blessed, even above measure, also hold a conference upon this land.
D&C 58:62 And let my servant Edward Partridge direct the conference which shall be held by them.
D&C 58:63 And let them also return, preaching the gospel by the way, bearing record of the things which are revealed unto them.
D&C 58:64 For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth--the gospel must be preached unto every creature, with signs following them that believe.
D&C 58:65 And behold the Son of Man cometh. Amen.
D&C 59:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 7, 1831. Preceding his record of this revelation, the Prophet writes descriptively of the land of Zion wherein the people were then assembled. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 196. The land was consecrated, as the Lord had directed, and the site for the future Temple was dedicated. The Lord makes these commandments especially applicable to the Saints in Zion. --The people commended for their obedience in gathering to Jackson County--Certain of the commandments given in the decalog reiterated--Sanctity of the Sabbath emphasized--Not confessing the hand of God in all things a grievous offense.
D&C 59:1 Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments.
D&C 59:2 For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them.
D&C 59:3 Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength.
D&C 59:4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time--they that are faithful and diligent before me.
D&C 59:5 Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.
D&C 59:6 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.
D&C 59:7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
D&C 59:8 Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
D&C 59:9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
D&C 59:10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High.
D&C 59:11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;
D&C 59:12 But remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.
D&C 59:13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.
D&C 59:14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
D&C 59:15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance--
D&C 59:16 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;
D&C 59:17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;
D&C 59:18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
D&C 59:19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
D&C 59:20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
D&C 59:21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.
D&C 59:22 Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets; wherefore, trouble me no more concerning this matter.
D&C 59:23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
D&C 59:24 I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.
D&C 60:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Jackson County, Missouri, August 8, 1831. The occasion was that of the Elders who had been appointed to return to the East desiring to know how they should proceed, and by what route and manner they should travel. --Reproof for those who neglect to use their talents and who fail to testify of the knowledge they have received--Specific instructions as to the return of Elders to Ohio--Others, yet to arrive in Zion, are to return, proclaiming the word of God.
D&C 60:1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came; Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither;
D&C 60:2 But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
D&C 60:3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.
D&C 60:4 For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God.
D&C 60:5 But, verily, I will speak unto you concerning your journey unto the land from whence you came. Let there be a craft made, or bought, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me, and take your journey speedily for the place which is called St. Louis.
D&C 60:6 And from thence let my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, take their journey for Cincinnati;
D&C 60:7 And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven.
D&C 60:8 And let the residue take their journey from St. Louis, two by two, and preach the word, not in haste, among the congregations of the wicked, until they return to the churches from whence they came.
D&C 60:9 And all this for the good of the churches; for this intent have I sent them.
D&C 60:10 And let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have given him, a portion unto mine elders who are commanded to return.
D&C 60:11 And he that is able, let him return it by the way of the agent; and he that is not, of him it is not required.
D&C 60:12 And now I speak of the residue who are to come unto this land.
D&C 60:13 Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.
D&C 60:14 And after thou hast come up unto the land of Zion, and hast proclaimed my word, thou shalt speedily return, proclaiming my word among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife.
D&C 60:15 And shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not, not in their presence, lest thou provoke them, but in secret; and wash thy feet, as a testimony against them in the day of judgment.
D&C 60:16 Behold, this is sufficient for you, and the will of him who hath sent you.
D&C 60:17 And by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., it shall be made known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery. The residue hereafter. Even so. Amen.
D&C 61:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri river, McIlwaine's Bend, August 12, 1831. The Prophet and ten Elders had traveled down the river in canoes. On the first day of the journey many dangers were experienced. Elder William W. Phelps, in daylight vision, saw the destroyer riding in power upon the face of the waters. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 203. --Elders not to travel swiftly upon the river, thus losing opportunity to preach--Elders had been permitted to come thus far by boat that they might bear record of the power of the destroyer over the waters--Those who come later to Zion to be warned thereof--Attention of the First Presidency needed in the organized branches--Special labor of declaring the Gospel to non-members left to the Elders thereto appointed.
D&C 61:1 Behold, and hearken unto the voice of him who has all power, who is from everlasting to everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
D&C 61:2 Behold, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who are assembled upon this spot, whose sins are now forgiven you, for I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts;
D&C 61:3 But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief.
D&C 61:4 Nevertheless, I suffered it that ye might bear record; behold, there are many dangers upon the waters, and more especially hereafter;
D&C 61:5 For I, the Lord have decreed in mine anger many destructions upon the waters; yea, and especially upon these waters.
D&C 61:6 Nevertheless, all flesh is in mine hand, and he that is faithful among you shall not perish by the waters.
D&C 61:7 Wherefore, it is expedient that my servant Sidney Gilbert and my servant William W. Phelps be in haste upon their errand and mission.
D&C 61:8 Nevertheless, I would not suffer that ye should part until you were chastened for all your sins, that you might be one, that you might not perish in wickedness;
D&C 61:9 But now, verily I say, it behooveth me that ye should part. Wherefore let my servants Sidney Gilbert and William W. Phelps take their former company, and let them take their journey in haste that they may fill their mission, and through faith they shall overcome;
D&C 61:10 And inasmuch as they are faithful they shall be preserved, and I, the Lord, will be with them.
D&C 61:11 And let the residue take that which is needful for clothing.
D&C 61:12 Let my servant Sidney Gilbert take that which is not needful with him, as you shall agree.
D&C 61:13 And now, behold, for your good I gave unto you a commandment concerning these things; and I, the Lord, will reason with you as with men in days of old.
D&C 61:14 Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters; but in the lasts days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters.
D&C 61:15 Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters.
D&C 61:16 And it shall be said in days to come that none is able to go up to the land of Zion upon the waters, but he that is upright in heart.
D&C 61:17 And, as I, the Lord, in the beginning cursed the land, even so in the last days have I blessed it, in its time, for the use of my saints, that they may partake the fatness thereof.
D&C 61:18 And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all, that you shall forewarn your brethren concerning these waters, that they come not in journeying upon them, lest their faith fall and they are caught in snares;
D&C 61:19 I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.
D&C 61:20 I, the Lord, was angry with you yesterday, but today mine anger is turned away.
D&C 61:21 Wherefore, let those concerning whom I have spoken, that should take their journey in haste--again I say unto you, let them take their journey in haste.
D&C 61:22 And it mattereth not unto me, after a little, if it so be that they fill their mission, whether they go by water or by land; let this be as it is made known unto them according to their judgments hereafter.
D&C 61:23 And now, concerning my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, let them come not again upon the canal, while journeying unto their homes; or in other words they shall not come upon the waters to journey, save upon the canal.
D&C 61:24 Behold, I, the Lord, have appointed a way for the journeying of my saints; and behold, this is the way--that after they leave the canal they shall journey by land, inasmuch as they are commanded to journey and go up unto the land of Zion.
D&C 61:25 And they shall do like unto the children of Israel, pitching their tents by the way.
D&C 61:26 And, behold, this commandment you shall give unto all your brethren.
D&C 61:27 Nevertheless, unto whom is given power to command the waters, unto him it is given by the Spirit to know all his ways;
D&C 61:28 Wherefore, let him do as the Spirit of the living God commandeth him, whether upon the land or upon the waters, as it remaineth with me to do hereafter.
D&C 61:29 And unto you is given the course for the Saints, or the way for the saints of the camp of the Lord, to journey.
D&C 61:30 And again, verily I say unto you, my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, shall not open their mouths in the congregations of the wicked until they arrive at Cincinnati;
D&C 61:31 And in that place they shall lift up their voices unto God against that people, yea, unto him whose anger is kindled against their wickedness, a people who are well-nigh ripened for destruction.
D&C 61:32 And from thence let them journey for the congregations of their brethren, for their labors even now are wanted more abundantly among them than among the congregations of the wicked.
D&C 61:33 And now, concerning the residue, let them journey and declare the word among the congregations of the wicked, inasmuch as it is given.
D&C 61:34 And inasmuch as they do this they shall rid their garments, and they shall rid their garments, and they shall be spotless before me.
D&C 61:35 And let them journey together, or two by two, as seemeth them good, only let my servant Reynolds Cahoon, and my servant Samuel H. Smith, with whom I am well pleased, be not separated until they return to their homes, and this for a wise purpose in me.
D&C 61:36 And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;
D&C 61:37 And inasmuch as you have humbled yourselves before me, the blessings of the kingdom are yours.
D&C 61:38 Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not.
D&C 61:39 Pray always that you enter not into temptation, that you may abide the day of his coming, whether in life or in death. Even so. Amen.
D&C 62:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, on the bank of the Missouri River, August 13, 1831. On this day the Prophet and his Counselors met several Elders who were on their way to the land of Zion, and, after joyful salutations, received this revelation to the encouragement of all. --Labors of faithful Elders commended--Those on their way to Zion told of their prospective return in continuation of their ministry.
D&C 62:1 Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.
D&C 62:2 And verily mine eyes are upon those who have not as yet gone up unto the land of Zion; wherefore your mission is not yet full.
D&C 62:3 Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.
D&C 62:4 And now continue your journey. Assemble yourselves upon the land of Zion; and hold a meeting and rejoice together, and offer a sacrament unto the Most High.
D&C 62:5 And then you may return to bear record, yea, even altogether, or two by two, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me; only be faithful, and declare good tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, or among the congregations of the wicked.
D&C 62:6 Behold, I, the Lord, have brought you together that the promise might be fulfilled, that the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together in the land of Missouri. I, the Lord, promise the faithful and cannot lie.
D&C 62:7 I, the Lord, am willing, if any among you desire to ride upon horses, or upon mules, or in chariots, he shall receive the blessing, if he receive it from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart in all things.
D&C 62:8 These things remain with you to do according to judgment and the directions of the Spirit.
D&C 62:9 Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so. Amen.
D&C 63:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August, 1831. Prefacing his record of this revelation the Prophet wrote: In these infant days of the Church, there was a great anxiety to obtain the word of the Lord upon every subject that in any way concerned our salvation; and as the land of Zion was now the most important temporal object in view, I inquired of the Lord for further information upon the gathering of the Saints, and the purchase of the land, and other matters. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 207. --Solemn warning to the wicked--Divine manifestations, and signs wrought by evil powers--Sin of adultery especially condemned--Saints commanded to gather to Zion as they are able, but not with undue haste lest confusion result--Lands to be secured by purchase and not by seizure--Blessed are they who die in the Lord--Condition of those who shall die during the Millennium--Sidney Rigdon rebuked for pride--those who use the name of the Lord without authority declared to be under condemnation.
D&C 63:1 Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts and give ear from afar; and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and hear the word of the Lord and his will concerning you.
D&C 63:2 Yea, verily, I say, hear the word of him whose anger is kindled against the wicked and rebellious;
D&C 63:3 Who willeth to take even them whom he will take, and preserveth in life them whom he will preserve.
D&C 63:4 Who buildeth up at his own will and pleasure; and destroyeth when he pleases, and is able to cast the soul down to hell.
D&C 63:5 Behold, I, the Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be obeyed.
D&C 63:6 Wherefore, verily I say, let the wicked take heed, and let the rebellious fear and tremble; and let the unbelieving hold their lips, for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God.
D&C 63:7 And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
D&C 63:8 Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;
D&C 63:9 But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those who believe.
D&C 63:10 Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
D&C 63:11 Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God; and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased; wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation.
D&C 63:12 Wherefore, I, the Lord, am not pleased with those among you who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of man unto my glory.
D&C 63:13 Nevertheless, I give commandments, and many have turned away from my commandments and have not kept them.
D&C 63:14 There were among you adulterers and adulteresses; some of whom have turned away from you, and others remain with you that hereafter shall be revealed.
D&C 63:15 Let such beware and repent speedily, lest judgment shall come upon them as a snare, and their folly shall be made manifest, and their works shall follow them in the eyes of the people.
D&C 63:16 And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear.
D&C 63:17 Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
D&C 63:18 Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resurrection.
D&C 63:19 And now behold, I, the Lord, say unto you that ye are not justified, because these things are among you.
D&C 63:20 Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come;
D&C 63:21 When the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received.
D&C 63:22 And now, verily I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments.
D&C 63:23 But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.
D&C 63:24 And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence.
D&C 63:25 Behold, the land of Zion--I, the Lord, hold it in mine own hands;
D&C 63:26 Nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's.
D&C 63:27 Wherefore, I the Lord will that you should purchase the lands, that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger.
D&C 63:28 For Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood.
D&C 63:29 Wherefore, the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you.
D&C 63:30 And if by purchase, behold you are blessed;
D&C 63:31 And if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance.
D&C 63:32 I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
D&C 63:33 I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man.
D&C 63:34 And the Saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.
D&C 63:35 And behold, this is not yet; but by and by.
D&C 63:36 Wherefore, seeing that I, the Lord, have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I will that my saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion;
D&C 63:37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.
D&C 63:38 Wherefore, let my disciples in Kirtland arrange their temporal concerns, who dwell upon this farm.
D&C 63:39 Let my servant Titus Billings, who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.
D&C 63:40 And let all the moneys which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much, be sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive.
D&C 63:41 Behold, I, the Lord, will give unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., power that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples who shall tarry.
D&C 63:42 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store, yet for a little season.
D&C 63:43 Nevertheless, let him impart all the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion.
D&C 63:44 Behold, these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom.
D&C 63:45 Verily I say, let him be ordained as an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this power;
D&C 63:46 And now speedily, visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver Cowdery. Behold, this is my will, obtaining moneys even as I have directed.
D&C 63:47 He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.
D&C 63:48 He that sendeth up treasures unto the land of Zion shall receive an inheritance in this world, and his works shall follow him, and also a reward in the world to come.
D&C 63:49 Yea, and blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth, when the Lord shall come, and old things shall pass away, and all things become new, they shall rise from the dead and shall not die after, and shall receive an inheritance before the Lord, in his hold city.
D&C 63:50 And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at the age of men.
D&C 63:51 Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
D&C 63:52 Wherefore, for this cause preached the apostles unto the world the resurrection of the dead.
D&C 63:53 These things are the things that ye must look for; and, speaking after the manner of the Lord, they are now nigh at hand, and in a time to come, even in the day of the coming of the Son of Man.
D&C 63:54 And until that hour there will be foolish virgins among the wise; and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire.
D&C 63:55 And now behold, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, am not pleased with my servant Sidney Rigdon; he exalted himself in his heart, and received not counsel, but grieved the Spirit;
D&C 63:56 Wherefore his writing is not acceptable unto the Lord, and he shall make another; and if the Lord receive it not, behold he standeth no longer in the office to which I have appointed him.
D&C 63:57 And again, verily I say unto you, those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power.
D&C 63:58 For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days.
D&C 63:59 Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me.
D&C 63:60 Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.
D&C 63:61 Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips--
D&C 63:62 For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority.
D&C 63:63 Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off.
D&C 63:64 Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation.
D&C 63:65 Let my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, seek them a home, as they are taught through prayer by the Spirit.
D&C 63:66 These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise, a greater condemnation. Amen.
D&C 64:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, to the Elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, September 11, 1831. A company of brethren who had been commanded to journeyed to Zion were busily engaged in making preparations to leave in October. --The Lord's rebuke to sinners--Forgiveness for the repentant sinner whose sin is not unto death--Forgive one another, and all men--Instruction to individuals--The intervening time, until the coming of the Son of Man, called today--This a time of sacrifice and for the tithing of the people--The Saints warned against debt--Liars, hypocrites, and those who falsely pretend to be Apostles and Prophets to be exposed.
D&C 64:1 Behold, thus saith the Lord, your God unto you, O ye elders of my church, hearken ye and heart, and receive my will concerning you.
D&C 64:2 For verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion upon you.
D&C 64:3 There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this once, for mine own glory, and for the salvation of souls, I have forgiven you your sins.
D&C 64:4 I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom.
D&C 64:5 And the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom shall not be taken from my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means I have appointed, while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.
D&C 64:6 There are those who have sought occasion against him without cause;
D&C 64:7 Nevertheless, he has sinned; but verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death.
D&C 64:8 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.
D&C 64:9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
D&C 64:10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
D&C 64:11 And ye ought to say in your hearts--let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.
D&C 64:12 And him that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation.
D&C 64:13 And this ye shall do that God may be glorified--not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your lawgiver--
D&C 64:14 Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things.
D&C 64:15 Behold, I, the Lord, was angry with him who was my servant Ezra Booth, and also my servant Isaac Morley, for they kept not the law, neither the commandment;
D&C 64:16 They sought evil in their hearts, and I, the Lord, withheld my Spirit. They condemned for evil that thing in which there was no evil; nevertheless I have forgiven my servant Isaac Morley.
D&C 64:17 And also my servant Edward Partridge, behold, he hath sinned, and Satan seeketh to destroy his soul; but when these things are made known unto them, and they repent of the evil, they shall be forgiven.
D&C 64:18 And now, verily I say that it is expedient in me that my servant Sidney Gilbert, after a few weeks, shall return upon his business, and to his agency in the land of Zion;
D&C 64:19 And that which he hath seen and heard may be made known unto my disciples, that they perish not. And for this cause have I spoken these things.
D&C 64:20 And again, I say unto you, that my servant Isaac Morley may not be tempted above that which he is able to bear, and counsel wrongfully to your heart, I gave commandment that his farm should be sold.
D&C 64:21 I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some.
D&C 64:22 And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men.
D&C 64:23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
D&C 64:24 For after today cometh the burning--this is speaking after the manner of the Lord--for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.
D&C 64:25 Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today.
D&C 64:26 And it is not meet that my servants, Newel K. Whitney and Sidney Gilbert, should sell their store and their possessions here; for this is not wisdom until the residue of the church, which remaineth in this place, shall go up unto the land of Zion.
D&C 64:27 Behold, it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine enemies;
D&C 64:28 But behold, it is not said at any time that the Lord should not take when he please, and pay as seemeth him good.
D&C 64:29 Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord's business.
D&C 64:30 And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last days, that they may obtain an inheritance in the land of Zion.
D&C 64:31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.
D&C 64:32 But all things must come to pass in their time.
D&C 64:33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
D&C 64:34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
D&C 64:35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.
D&C 64:36 For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.
D&C 64:37 Behold, I the lord, have made my church in these last days like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the nations.
D&C 64:38 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.
D&C 64:39 And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.
D&C 64:40 And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead.
D&C 64:41 For, behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her;
D&C 64:42 And she shall be an ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.
D&C 64:43 And the day 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.
D&C 65:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October, 1831. The Prophet designates his revelation as a prayer. --Commitment of the keys of the kingdom of God unto man--The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven named separately--Supplication that the kingdom of God, already on earth, may go forth that the kingdom of Heaven may come.
D&C 65:1 Hearken, and lo, a voice as of 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--Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
D&C 65:2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until is has filled the whole earth.
D&C 65:3 Yea, a voice crying--Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.
D&C 65:4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
D&C 65:5 Call upon the Lord, that this kingdom may go forth upon the earth, 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.
D&C 65:6 Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
D&C 66:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, to William E. M'Lellin, at Orange, Ohio, October 25, 1831. This was the first day of an important conference. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 219. --The recipient commended for his repentance and reformation--Warning against personal weaknesses and liability to specific temptation--Great achievements in righteousness, with consequent blessings, predicted on condition of devotion to the work of the ministry.
D&C 66:1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my servant William E. McLellin--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.
D&C 66:2 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.
D&C 66:3 Verily I say unto you, my servant William, that you are clean, but not all; repent, therefore, of those things which are not pleasing in my sight, saith the Lord, for the Lord will show them unto you.
D&C 66:4 And now, verily, I, the Lord, will show unto you what I will concerning you, or what is my will concerning you.
D&C 66:5 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, yea, in those regions round about where it has not been proclaimed.
D&C 66:6 Tarry not many days in this place; go not up unto the land of Zion as yet; but inasmuch as you can send, send; otherwise, think not of thy property.
D&C 66:7 Go unto the eastern lands, bear testimony in every place, unto every people and in their synagogues, reasoning with the people.
D&C 66:8 Let my servant Samuel H. Smith go with you, and forsake him not, and give him thine instructions; and he that is faithful shall be made strong in every place; and I, the Lord, will go with you.
D&C 66:9 Lay your hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. Return not till I, the Lord, shall send you. Be patient in affliction. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
D&C 66:10 Seek not to be cumbered. Forsake all unrighteousness. Commit not adultery--a temptation with which thou hast been troubled.
D&C 66:11 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.
D&C 66:12 Continue in those things even unto the end, and you shall have a crown of eternal life at the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth.
D&C 66:13 Verily, thus saith the Lord your God, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
D&C 67:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831. The occasion was that of a special conference, and the publication of the revelations already received from the Lord through Joseph Smith the Prophet was considered and acted upon. See heading to Section 1. Many of the brethren bore solemn testimony that the revelations then compiled for publication are verily true as was witnessed unto them by the Holy Ghost shed forth upon them. The Prophet records that after the revelation known as Section 1 had been received, some conversation was had concerning revelations and language. The present revelation followed. --The Lord affirms the truth of the commandments--Secret ambitions of some there present to express themselves in language superior to that of the revelations exposed--The Lord's challenge to even the wisest to imitate the least of the revelations.
D&C 67:1 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.
D&C 67:2 Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give.
D&C 67:3 Ye endeavored to belief that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verity I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive.
D&C 67:4 And now I, the Lord, give unto you a testimony of the truth of these commandments which are lying before you.
D&C 67:5 Your eyes have been upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun, 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; this you also know.
D&C 67:6 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;
D&C 67:7 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;
D&C 67:8 But if ye cannot make one like unto it, ye are under condemnation if ye do not bear record that they are true.
D&C 67:9 For ye know that there is no unrighteousness in them, and that which is righteous cometh down from above, from the Father of lights.
D&C 67:10 And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you 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--not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.
D&C 67:11 For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.
D&C 67:12 Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.
D&C 67:13 Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now; neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected.
D&C 67:14 Let not your minds turn back; and when ye are worthy, in mine own due time, ye shall see and know that which was conferred upon you by the hands of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun. Amen.
D&C 68:0 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, November, 1831, concerning Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and William E. M'Lellin. This was given in response to supplication that the mind of the Lord be made known concerning the Elders named. --Utterances of men ordained to the Holy Priesthood when they speak as moved upon by the Holy Ghost designated as Scripture--Ordination of additional Bishops foreshadowed--Right of literal descendants of Aaron--High Priests may be ordained Bishops--Duties of parents respecting their children, particularly as to the teaching of the principles of the Gospel--Observance of the Sabbath as a holy day--Idleness and greed for worldly things condemned.
D&C 68:1 My servants, Orson Hyde, was called by his ordination 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.
D&C 68:2 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--
D&C 68:3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
D&C 68:4 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.
D&C 68:5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
D&C 68:6 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.
D&C 68:7 This is the word of the Lord unto you, my servant Orson Hyde, and also unto my servant Luke Johnson, and unto my servant Lyman Johnson, and unto my servant William E. McLellin, and unto all the faithful elders of my church--
D&C 68:8 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.
D&C 68:9 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned.
D&C 68:10 And he that believeth shall be blest with signs following, even as it is written.
D&C 68:11 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;
D&C 68:12 And of as many as the Father shall bear record, to you shall be given power, to seal them up unto eternal life. Amen.
D&C 68:13 And now, concerning the items in addition to the covenants and commandments, they are these--
D&C 68:14 There remain hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other bishops to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to the first;
D&C 68:15 Wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron.
D&C 68:16 And if they be literal descendants of Aaron they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron;
D&C 68:17 For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same.
D&C 68:18 No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron.
D&C 68:19 But, as a high priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power, under the hands of the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
D&C 68:20 And a literal descendant of Aaron, also, must be designated by this Presidency, and found worthy, and anointed, and ordained under the hands of this Presidency, otherwise they are not legally authorized to officiate in their priesthood.
D&C 68:21 But, by virtue of the decree concerning their right of the priesthood descending from father to son, they may claim their anointing if at any time they can prove their lineage, or do ascertain it by revelation from the Lord under the hands of the above named Presidency.
D&C 68:22 And again, no bishop or high priest who shall be set apart for this ministry shall be tried or condemned for any crime, save it be before the First Presidency of the church;
D&C 68:23 And inasmuch as he is found guilty before this Presidency, by testimony that cannot be impeached, he shall be condemned;
D&C 68:24 And if he repent he shall be forgiven, according to the covenants and commandments of the church.
D&C 68:25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, 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 Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
D&C 68:26 For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.
D&C 68:27 And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.
D&C 68:28 And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
D&C 68:29 And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
D&C 68:30 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.
D&C 68:31 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; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.
D&C 68:32 These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them, wherefore, let my servant Oliver Cowdery carry these sayings unto the land of Zion.
D&C 68:33 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.
D&C 68:34 These sayings are true and faithful; wherefore, transgress them not, neither take therefrom.
D&C 68:35 Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, and I come quickly. Amen.
