| 168 In the latter part of January Joseph and his wife accompanied Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge to Kirtland, Ohio. A brief history of this move and of his reception in Kirtland is given by Joseph as follows:-
"The latter part of January, in company with Brothers Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, I started with my
the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.
3. And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant James, I have looked upon thy works, and I know thee; and verily I say unto thee, Thine heart is now right before me at this time, and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head; nevertheless thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride, and the cares of the world; but, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee, Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known. And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fullness of my gospel which I have sent forth in these last days; the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.
4. And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith and I will be with thee and go before thy face. Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it my rejoice upon the hills and flourish. Behold verily, verily I say unto thee, Thou art not called to go into the eastern countries, but thou art called to go to the Ohio. And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves to the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth into all nations.
5. Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word; wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time. And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fullness of my gospel, and become sanctified I will stay mine hand in judgment; wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying, Hosanna! blessed be the name of the most high God. Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face, for the time of my coming; for the time is at hand; the day nor the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come, and he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity.
6. And again, it shall come to pass, that on as many as ye shall baptize with water, ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming, and shall know me. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
1. Behold, verily I say unto you, that the heart of my servant James Covill was right before me, for he covenanted with me, that he would obey my word. And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him, and the fear of persecution, and the cares of the world, caused him to reject the word; wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good. Amen.
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