1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—
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It is wisdom ... that ... John Johnson ... become a member of the order. 96:6
Trivia: What man in the Doctrine and Covenants is said to be a perfect man who looked just like his father - so much so, in fact, that they could only be distinguished by their age?
1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—
2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals,they might have been redeemed even now.
If it weren't for the transgressions of my people, they'd have been redeemed by now.
3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
But they've been evil and disobedient, and haven't shared with the poor.
4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
And they're not united as required by the law of the celestial kingdom.
5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
My people need to be chasened by suffering.
7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the first elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation;
8 But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and willkeep our moneys.
Members of my churches abroad say,
Where is their God?
We'll keep our money.
9 Therefore, in consequence of the transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—
So the elders will have to way a while for the redemption of Zion.
10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.
11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.
12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.
13 Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion.
14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles.
I will fight your battles.
15 Behold, the destroyer I have sent forth to destroy and lay waste mine enemies; and not many years hence they shall not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the lands which I have consecrated for the gathering together of my saints.
I've sent a destroyer to destroy my enemies.
In a few years they won't be polluting my inheritance or blaspheming my name in the land I"ve given to my saints.
16 Behold, I have commanded my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to say unto the strength of my house, even my warriors, my young men, and middle-aged, to gather together for the redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of mine enemies, and scatter their watchmen;
I've commanded Joseph Smith, Jun. [1] to lead my young and middle-aged warriors to throw down the towers of my enemies and scatter their watchment.
17 But the strength of mine house have not hearkened unto my words.
18 But inasmuch as there are those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they continue faithful.
19 I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering; and it is expedient in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.
20 And now, verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto you, that as many as have come up hither, that can stay in the region round about, let them stay;
Now I give you a commandment: let as many who have come here, stay.
21 And those that cannot stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as my servant Joseph shall appoint unto them;
22 For I will counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatsoever he shall appoint unto them shall be fulfilled.
23 And let all my people who dwell in the regions round about be very faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal not the things which I have revealed unto them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed.
The the people around here humble themselves before me, and not reveal what I've revealed to them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed.
24 Talk not of judgments, neither boast of faith nor of mighty works, but carefully gather together, as much in one region as can be, consistently with the feelings of the people;
25 And behold, I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in peace and safety, while you are saying unto the people: Execute judgment and justice for us according to law, and redress us of our wrongs.
26 Now, behold, I say unto you, my friends, in this way you may find favor in the eyes of the people, until the army of Israel becomes very great.
Find favor with the people until the army of Israel beccomes very great.
27 And I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and mine elders, whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house,
I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, [2] while Joseph Smith, Jun. gathers my army.
28 And to have sent wise men, to fulfil that which I have commanded concerning the purchasing of all the lands in Jackson county that can be purchased, and in the adjoining counties round about.
I've sent wise men to buy all the lands they can in Jackson County, and in the surrounding counties.
29 For it is my will that these lands should be purchased; and after they are purchased that my saints should possess them according to the laws of consecration which I have given.
After the lands are purchased, my saints will occupy them.
30 And after these lands are purchased, I will hold the armies of Israel guiltless in taking possession of their own lands, which they have previously purchased with their moneys, and of throwing down the towers of mine enemies that may be upon them, and scattering their watchmen, and avenging me of mine enemies unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.
And the armies of Israel will take possession of these lands and throw down the towers of my enemies, scatter their watchmen, and avenge me of my enemies to their third and fourth generations.
31 But first let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations;
But first my army must become very great, so her banners are terrible to all nations.
32 That the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.
The kingdoms of the world will acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is God's kingdom, and they will become subject to her laws.
33 Verily I say unto you, it is expedient in me thatthe first elders of my church should receive their endowment from on high in my house, which I have commanded to be built unto my name in the land of Kirtland.
The first elders of my church will receive their endowments in my house, which will be built in the land of Kirtland.
34 And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion and her law be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption.
35 There has been a day of calling, but the time has come for a day of choosing; and let those be chosen that are worthy.
36 And it shall be manifest unto my servant, by the voice of the Spirit, those that are chosen; and they shall be sanctified;
37 And inasmuch as they follow the counsel which they receive, they shall have power after many days to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion.
38 And again I say unto you,sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people;
Sue for peace, wave a peace flag, and proclaim peace.
39 And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth;
40 And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good.
41 Therefore, be faithful; and behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end. Even so.Amen.
Amen.
The original 1835 version used the code name "Baurak Ale" for Joseph Smith. The code names were removed in the 1981 edition.
Whoever wrote these words hadn't read the story in Exodus, whers God hardened the Pharaoh's heart eleven times - and never softened it. (See Who hardened the Pharaoh's heart?.)