Chapter XII.
Project Gutenberg HTML edition
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smith, Joseph, Jr., and Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Lost Books of Ancient ScriptureCommandment to the Church in New York to Move to Ohio.
Readiness of the Lord to Impart Knowledge.
The Lord who is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith gave the following revelation at Fayette, New York:
Revelation to Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet, given October, 1830.[1]
1. Behold I say unto you, my servants Ezra and Northrop, open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit: and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2. For verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye are called to lift up your voices as with the sound of a trump, to declare my Gospel unto a crooked and perverse generation:
3. For behold, the field is white already to harvest: and it is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard.
4. And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances, because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.
5. And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this Church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness:
6. And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice:
7. Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength.
8. Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness;
{127} 9. Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you:
10. Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, sayingRepent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make His paths straight, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;
11. Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
12. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my Gospel, and remember that they shall have faith in me, or they can in no wise be saved;
13. And upon this rock I will build my Church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you;
14. And ye shall remember the Church articles and covenants to keep them.
15. And whoso having faith you shall confirm in my Church, by the laying on of the hands, and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them.
16. And the Book of Mormon and the Holy Scriptures, are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things:
17. Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom:
18. For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
Orson Pratt Seeks to Know the Will of the Lord.
In the fore part of November, Orson Pratt,[2] a young man nineteen years of age, who had been baptized at the first preaching of his brother Parley P. Pratt, September 19th (his birthday), about six weeks previous, in Canaan, New York, {128} came to inquire of the Lord what his duty was, and received the following answer:
A Revelation to Orson Pratt, given November, 1830.[3]
1. My son Orson, hearken and hear, and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;
2. The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
3. Who so loved the world that He gave His own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God; wherefore you are my son,
4. And blessed are you because you have believed;
5. And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my Gospel
6. To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for His second coming;
7. For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory,
8. And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming, for all nations shall tremble.
9. But before that great day shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars shall refuse their shining, and some shall fall, and great destructions await the wicked:
10. Wherefore lift up your voice and spare not, for the Lord God hath spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost;
11. And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come:
12. And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge Visit the Prophet.
In December Sidney Rigdon came to inquire of the Lord, and with him came Edward Partridge;[4] the latter was a pattern of piety, and one of the Lord's great men. Shortly after the arrival of these two brethren, thus spake the Lord:
{129} Revelation to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, given at Fayette, New York, December, 1830.[5]