SECTION
18
[Book
of Commandments 16, Kirtland D&C 44, LDS D&C 19]
Revelation
given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to Martin Harris, March 1830, at
Manchester, New York.
1a. I
am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am He, the beginning
and the end, the Redeemer of the world:
1b. I
having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the
Father, concerning me; having done this, that I might subdue all
things unto myself;
1c.
retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at
the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I
shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according
to his works, and the deeds which he has done.
1d.
And surely every man must repent or suffer, for I God am endless;
wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes
shall go forth, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth;
1e.
yea, to those who are found on my left hand; nevertheless, it is not
written that there shall be no end to this torment; but it is written
endless torment.
2a.
Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express
than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the
children of men, altogether for my name’s glory;
2b.
wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto
you to know even as mine apostles.
2c. I
speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you
may enter into my rest; for, behold, the mystery of godliness, how
great is it?
2d.
For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my
hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name; wherefore—
2e.
Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s
punishment.
2f.
Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which
you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., in my
name;
2g.
and it is by my almighty power that you have received them; therefore
I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my
mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be
sore—how sore you know not! how exquisite you know not! yea, how
hard to bear you know not!
2h.
For, behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they
might not suffer, if they would repent; but if they would not repent,
they must suffer even as I;
2i.
which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to
tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer
both body and spirit, and would that I might not drink the bitter
cup, and shrink;
2j.
nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my
preparations unto the children of men;
2k.
wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you by my
almighty power, and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these
punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea,
even in the least degree, you have tasted at the time I withdrew my
Spirit.
2l.
And I command you that you preach naught but repentance, and show not
these things unto the world until it is wisdom in me;
2m.
for they cannot bear meat now, but milk they must receive; wherefore,
they must not know these things, lest they perish.
2n.
Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my
Spirit and you shall have peace in me.
2o. I
am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.
3a.
And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s
wife; nor seek thy neighbor’s life.
3b.
And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own
property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon,
which contains the truth and the word of God.
3c.
which is my word to the Gentiles, that soon it may go to the Jew, of
whom the Lamanites are a remnant, that they may believe the gospel,
and look not for a Messiah to come who has already come.
4a.
And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in
thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret; in public as
well as in private.
4b.
And thou shalt declare glad tidings; yea, publish it upon the
mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that
thou shalt be permitted to see.
4c.
And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not
against revilers.
4d.
And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance
and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism and by
fire; yea, even the Holy Ghost.
5a.
Behold, this is a great, and the last commandment which I shall give
unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily
walk even unto the end of thy life.
5b.
And misery thou shalt receive, if thou wilt slight these counsels;
yea, even the destruction of thyself and property.
5c.
Impart a portion of thy property; yea, even part of thy lands, and
all save the support of thy family.
5d.
Pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer. Release thyself
from bondage.
5e.
Leave thy house and home, except when thou shalt desire to see thy
family; and speak freely to all;
5f.
yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice; with
a sound of rejoicing, cry Hosanna! hosanna! Blessed be the name of
the Lord God!
6a.
Pray always and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall
be your blessing; yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures
of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
6b.
Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy
heart for gladness? or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?
or canst thou be humble and meek and conduct thyself wisely before
me?
6c.
yea, come unto me thy Savior. Amen.
