Chapter V.
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smith, Joseph, Jr., and Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
24. Build upon my rock, which is my Gospel;
25. Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for woe unto him that denieth these things;
26. Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth.
27. Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust in their sickle to reap.
28. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world.
29. I am the same who came unto my own and my own received me not;
30. But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen.
{47} Assistance from Joseph Knight, Sen.
About the same time an old gentleman came to visit us of whose name I wish to make honorable mentionMr. Joseph Knight, Sen.,[7] of Colesville, Broome county, New York, who, having heard of the manner in which we were occupying our time, very kindly and considerately brought us a quantity of provisions, in order that we might not be interrupted in the work of translation by the want of such necessaries of life; and I would just mention here, as in duty bound, that he several times brought us supplies, a distance of at least thirty miles, which enabled us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for a season. {48} Being very anxious to know his duty as to this work, I inquired of the Lord for him, and obtained the following:
Revelation, given to Joseph Smith, Sen., at Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, May, 1829.[8]
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word.
3. Behold, the field is white already to harvest, therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.
5. Therefore if you will ask of me, you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
6. Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.
7. Behold, I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work;
8. And no one can assist in this work, except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.
9. Behold, I am the light and the life of the world, that speak these words, therefore give heed with your might, and then you are called. Amen.
The Prophet's Removal to Fayette.
Shortly after commencing to translate, I became acquainted with Mr. Peter Whitmer,[9] of Fayette, Seneca county, New York, and also with some of his family. In the beginning of the month of June, his son, David Whitmer,[10] came to the place {49} where we were residing, and brought with him a two-horse wagon, for the purpose of having us accompany him to his father's place, and there remain until we should finish the work. It was arranged that we should have our board free of charge, and the assistance of one of his brothers to write for me, and also his own assistance when convenient. Having much need of such timely aid in an undertaking so arduous, and being informed that the people in the neighborhood of the Whitmers were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to inquire into these things, we accepted the invitation, and accompanied Mr. Whitmer to his father's house, and there resided until the translation was finished and the copyright secured. Upon our arrival, we found Mr. Whitmer's family very anxious concerning the work, and very friendly toward ourselves. They continued so, boarded and lodged us according to arrangements; and John Whitmer,[11] in particular, assisted us very much in writing during the remainder of the work.
David, John and Peter Whitmer, Jun., as Assistants.
In the meantime, David, John and Peter Whitmer, Jun.,[12] became our zealous friends and assistants in the work; and being anxious to know their respective duties, and having desired with much earnestness that I should inquire of the Lord concerning them, I did so, through the means of the Urim and Thummim, and obtained for them in succession the following revelations:
Revelation, given to David Whitmer, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York, June, 1829.[13]
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.
{50} 3. Behold, the field is white already to harvest, therefore whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God;
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God;
5. Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock, it shall be opened unto you.
6. Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things;
7. And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end, you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
8. And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.
9. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth; a light which cannot be hid in darkness.
10. Wherefore I must bring forth the fulness of my Gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel.
11. And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen.
Revelation given to John Whitmer, June, 1829.[14]
1. Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer,
2. For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth,
3. And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone;
4. For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.