SECTION
81
[Kirtland
D&C 88, LDS D&C 82]
Joseph
Smith left Hiram, Ohio, April 1, 1832, and he and his party reached
Independence, Missouri, on April 24. A general council of the church
was immediately called to convene April 26, 1832. At this council
more inspired instruction was received through Joseph concerning the
poor and the enlargement of Zion.
More
unusual names are used in this revelation (see D&C 77). Their
meanings are interpreted as follows:
“Alam
and Ahashdah”: Newel K. whitney
“Mahalaleel
and Pelagoram”: Sidney Rigdon
“Gazelam”:
Joseph Smith
“Horah
and Olihah”: Oliver Cowdery
“Shalemanasseh
and Mehemson”: Martin Harris
“Land
of Shinehah”: Kirtland
1a.
Verily I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have
forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive
you;
1b.
nevertheless there are those among you who have sinned exceedingly;
yea, even all of you have sinned, but verily I say unto you,
1c.
Beware from henceforth and refrain from sin lest sore judgments fall
upon your heads; for unto whom much is given much is required; and he
who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater
condemnation.
1d. Ye
call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and
inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings which I give unto you, ye become
transgressors, and justice and judgment is the penalty which is
affixed unto my law:
1e.
therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all, Watch, for the
adversary spreadeth his dominions and darkness reigneth; and the
anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and none
doeth good, for all have gone out of the way.
2. And
now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your
charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth
shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.
3a.
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that
you may understand my will concerning you, or in other words, I give
unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to
you for your salvation.
3b. I,
the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I
say, ye have no promise.
4a.
Therefore, verily I say unto you, that it is expedient for my servant
Alam and Ahashdah, Mahalaleel and Pelagoram, and my servant Gazelam,
and Horah, and Olihah, and Shalemanasseh, and Mehemson, be bound
together by a bond and covenant that cannot be broken by
transgression except judgment shall immediately follow, in your
several stewardships,
4b. to
manage the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the
bishopric both in the land of Zion, and in the land of Shinehah, for
I have consecrated the land of Shinehah in mine own due time for the
benefit of the Saints of the Most High, and for a stake to Zion;
4c.
for Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must
be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto
you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments;
4d.
therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves
by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the
Lord. Behold, here is wisdom, also, in me, for your good.
4e.
And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal
claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of
your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs,
inasmuch as his wants are just;
4f.
and all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that
every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other
talents;
4g.
yea, even an hundredfold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to
become the common property of the whole church, every man seeking the
interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to
the glory of God.
5a.
This order I have appointed to be an everlasting order unto you and
unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not;
5b.
and the soul that sins against this covenant, and hardeneth his heart
against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church,
and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day
of redemption.
6a.
And now, verily I say unto you, and this is wisdom, Make unto
yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, and they will
not destroy you.
6b.
Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will repay.
6c.
Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you, for even yet the
kingdom is yours, and shall be for ever if you fall not from your
steadfastness. Even so. Amen.
