SECTION
98
[Kirtland
D&C 97, LDS D&C 101]
Revelation
given through Joseph Smith, Jr., December 16, 1833, at Kirtland,
Ohio. The revelation is addressed to the Saints in Ohio and is
concerned with the “brethren who had been afflicted and persecuted
and cast from their land of inheritance.”
1a.
Verily, I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been
afflicted, and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their
inheritance, I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon
them, wherewith they have been afflicted in consequence of their
transgressions;
1b.
yet, I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall
come to make up my jewels.
2.
Therefore, they must needs be chastened, and tried, even as Abraham,
who was commanded to offer up his only son; for all those who will
not endure chastening, but deny me, can not be sanctified.
3a.
Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and
envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them;
therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.
3b.
They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God;
therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers,
to answer them in the day of their trouble.
3c. In
the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but in the
day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.
4a.
Verily, I say unto you, Notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are
filled with compassion toward them; I will not utterly cast them off;
and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.
4b. I
have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment
which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine
indignation in the behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it
shall come to pass.
4c.
Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all
nations, and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full.
4d.
And in that day, all who are found upon the watchtower, or in other
words, all mine Israel shall be saved.
4e.
And they that have been scattered shall be gathered; and all they who
have mourned shall be comforted; and all they who have given their
lives for my name shall be crowned.
4f.
Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion, for all
flesh is in mine hands: be still, and know that I am God.
4g.
Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her
children are scattered, they that remain and are pure in heart shall
return and come to their inheritances; they and their children, with
songs of everlasting joy; to build up the waste places of Zion. And
all these things, that the prophets might be fulfilled.
4h.
And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I
have appointed, neither shall there be any other place appointed than
that which I have appointed for the work of the gathering of my
Saints, until the day cometh when there is found no more room for
them;
4i.
and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they
shall be called stakes, for the curtains, or the strength of Zion.
5a.
Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship
me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together and
stand in holy places, and prepare for the revelation which is to come
when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which
hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me
together.
5b.
And every corruptible thing, both of man, or of the beasts of the
field, or of the fowls of heaven, or of the fish of the sea, that
dwell upon all the face of the earth, shall be consumed; and also,
that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall
become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth.
5c.
And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts; yea, the
enmity of all flesh shall cease from before my face.
5d.
And in that day whatsoever any man shall ask it shall be given unto
him.
5e.
And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man. And
there shall be no sorrow because there is no death.
5f. In
that day an infant shall not die until he is old, and his life shall
be as the age of a tree, and when he dies he shall not sleep (that is
to say in the earth), but shall be changed in the twinkling of an
eye, and shall be caught up, and his rest shall be glorious.
5g.
Yea, verily I say unto you, In that day when the Lord shall come he
shall reveal all things; things which have passed, and hidden things
which no man knew; things of the earth by which it was made, and the
purpose and the end thereof; things most precious; things that are
above, and things that are beneath; things that are in the earth, and
upon the earth, and in heaven.
5h.
And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith,
though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake, yet shall
they partake of all this glory.
5i.
Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is
not full, but in me your joy is full.
5j.
Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but
care for the soul, and for the life of the soul, and seek the face of
the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye
shall have eternal life.
5k.
When men are called unto mine everlasting gospel, and covenant with
an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of the earth,
and the savor of men. They are called to be the savor of men.
5l.
Therefore, if that salt of the earth lose its savor, behold, it is
thenceforth good for nothing, only to be cast out and trodden under
the feet of men.
5m.
Behold, here is wisdom concerning the children of Zion; even many,
but not all; they were found transgressors, therefore, they must
needs be chastened. He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he
that abaseth himself shall be exalted.
6a.
And now, I will show unto you a parable that you may know my will
concerning the redemption of Zion.
6b. A
certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto
his servants, Go ye into my vineyard, even upon this very choice
piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees; and set watchmen round
about them and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round
about, to be a watchman upon the tower;
6c.
that mine olive trees may not be broken down, when the enemy shall
come to spoil and take unto themselves the fruit of my vineyard.
6d.
Now the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded
them; and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and
set watchmen, and began to build a tower.
6e.
And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to
say among themselves, And what need hath my lord of this tower? and
consulted for a long time, saying among themselves, What need hath my
lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?
6f.
Might not this money be given to the exchangers? for there is no need
of these things!
6g.
And while they were at variance one with another they became very
slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord,
6h.
and the enemy came by night and broke down the hedge, and the
servants of the nobleman arose, and were affrighted, and fled; and
the enemy destroyed their works and broke down the olive trees.
7a.
Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his
servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great
evil? ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you? and after ye
had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set
watchmen upon the walls thereof,
7b.
built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched
for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should
come upon you?
7c.
and, behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy
while he was yet afar off, and then you could have made ready and
kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my
vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.
7d.
And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants, Go, and
gather together the residue of my servants; and take all the strength
of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are
of middle age also, among all my servants, who are the strength of
mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;
7e.
and go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my
vineyard, for it is mine, I have bought it with money.
7f.
Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of
mine enemies, throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen;
7g.
and inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine
enemies; that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and
possess the land.
8a.
And the servant said unto his lord, When shall these things be?
8b.
And he said unto his servant, When I will: go ye straightway, and do
all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and this shall be my seal
and blessing upon you; a faithful and wise steward in the midst of
mine house; a ruler in my kingdom.
8c.
And his servant went straightway, and did all things whatsoever his
lord commanded him, and after many days all things were fulfilled.
9a.
Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me
concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be
guided in a right and proper way for their salvation, that the work
of the gathering together of my Saints may continue, that I may build
them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is
come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.
9b.
Therefore, I must gather together my people according to the parable
of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the
garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory
when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father, to reward every man
according as his work shall be;
9c.
while the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made
strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire.
9d.
Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches, that they
shall continue to gather together unto the places which I have
appointed;
9e.
nevertheless, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, let
not your gathering be in haste, nor by flight; but let all things be
prepared before you;
9f.
and in order that all things be prepared before you, observe the
commandments which I have given concerning these things, which saith,
or teacheth, to purchase all the lands by money, which can be
purchased for money, in the region round about the land which I have
appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of the gathering
of my Saints;
9g.
all the land which can be purchased in Jackson County, and the
counties round about, and leave the residue in mine hand.
10a.
Now, verily I say unto you, Let all the churches gather together all
their moneys; let these things be done in their time, be not in
haste; and observe to have all things prepared before you.
10b.
And let honorable men be appointed, even wise men, and send them to
purchase these lands; and every church in the eastern countries when
they are built up, if they will hearken unto this counsel, they may
buy lands and gather together upon them, and in this way they may
establish Zion.
10c.
There is even now already in store a sufficient, yea, even abundance
to redeem Zion, and establish her waste places, no more to be thrown
down, were the churches, who call themselves after my name, willing
to hearken to my voice.
10d.
And again I say unto you, Those who have been scattered by their
enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for
redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as
rulers, and are in authority over you,
10e.
according to the laws and constitution of the people which I have
suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights
and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles,
that every man may act in doctrine, and principle pertaining to
futurity,
10f.
according to the moral agency which I have given unto them, that
every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
10g.
Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to
another.
10h.
And for this purpose have I established the constitution of this
land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very
purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.
11a.
Now, unto what shall I liken the children of Zion?
11b. I
will liken them unto the parable of the woman and the unjust judge
(for men ought always to pray and not faint), which saith, There was
in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man.
11c.
And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying,
Avenge me of mine adversary.
11d.
And he would not for a while, but afterward he said within himself,
Though I fear not God, nor regard men, yet because this widow
troubleth me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming, she
weary me. Thus will I liken the children of Zion.
12a.
Let them importune at the feet of the judge; and if he heed them not,
let them importune at the feet of the governor; and if the governor
heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the president;
12b.
and if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come
forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the nation, and in
his hot displeasure, and in his fierce anger, in his time, will cut
off these wicked, unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them
their portion among hypocrites and unbelievers; even in outer
darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
12c.
Pray ye, therefore, that their ears may be opened unto your cries,
that I may be merciful unto them, that these things may not come upon
them.
12d.
What I have said unto you, must needs be, that all men may be left
without excuse; that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which
they have never considered;
12e.
that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and
perform my work, my strange work. That men may discern between the
righteous and the wicked, saith your God.
13a.
And again, I say unto you, It is contrary to my commandment, and my
will, that my servant Sidney Gilbert should sell my storehouse, which
I have appointed unto my people, into the hands of mine enemies.
13b.
Let not that which I have appointed, be polluted by mine enemies, by
the consent of those who call themselves after my name; for this is a
very sore and grievous sin against me, and against my people, in
consequence of those things which I have decreed, and are soon to
befall the nations.
13c.
Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and hold claim,
upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not be
permitted to dwell thereon;
13d.
nevertheless, I do not say they shall not dwell thereon; for inasmuch
as they bring forth fruit and works meet for my kingdom, they shall
dwell thereon;
13e.
they shall build, and another shall not inherit it; they shall plant
vineyards, and they shall eat the fruit thereof. Even so. Amen.
