| 305 TIMES AND SEASONS.
"Truth will prevail."
Vol. IV. No. 20.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. SEPTEMBER 1, 1843. [Whole No. 80.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH
(Continued.)
The consequence of obeying the truth, and embracing a system of religion, so unpopular as that of the Church of Jesus Christ, presented itself in the strongest possible light.
At present, the honors and applause of the world were showered down upon him, his wants were abundantly supplied, and were anticipated. He was respected by the entire community, and his name was a tower of strength. His council was sought for, respected and esteemed.-But if he should unite with the Church of Christ, his prospects of wealth and affluence would vanish; his family dependent upon him for support, must necessarily share his humiliation and poverty. He was aware that his character and his reputation must suffer in the estimation of the community.
Aware of all these things, there must have been feelings of no ordinary kind, agitate his bosom at that particular crisis; but yet they did not deter him from the path of duty. He had formerly made a sacrifice for truth and conscience sake, and had been sustained; consequently, he felt great confidence in the Lord, believing that if he pursued the path of duty, no good thing would be withheld from him.
Although he felt great confidence in the Lord, yet he felt it a trial of some magnitude, when he avowed his determination to his beloved companion, who had before shared in his poverty, and who had cheerfully struggled through it without murmuring or repining.-He informed her what the consequences would undoubtedly be respecting their worldly circumstances if they obeyed the gospel; and then said: 'my dear, you have once followed me into poverty, are you again willing to do the same?' She then said: 'I have weighed the matter, I have contemplated on the circumstances in which we may be placed; I have counted the cost, and I am perfectly satisfied to follow you; it is my desire to do the will of God, come life or come death.' Accordingly, they were both baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ; and, together with those who had been previously admitted to baptism, made a little branch, in this section of Ohio, of about twenty members, whom the brethren, bound for the borders of the Lamanites, after adding to their number, one of their converts, Dr. Frederic [Frederick]G. Williams, bid an affectionate farewell, and went on their way rejoicing.
The Lord, who is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith, gave the following revelation at Fayette, New York.
A revelation to Ezra Thayre, and Northrop Sweet, given October, 1836.
Behold I say unto you, my servants Ezra and Northrop, open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. For verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye are called to lift up your voices as with the sound of a trump, to declare my gospel to a crooked and perverse generation: for behold the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and for the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard. And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit: and there is none that doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances, because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.
And verily, verily I say unto you, that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness: and even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice: yea, verily, verily I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest: wherefore thrust in your sickles and reap with all your might, mind and strength. Open your mouths and they shall be filled; and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness: yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves on your backs, for lo I am with you: yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying repent, repent and prepare ye the way of the lord, and make his paths straight: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand: yea, repent and be baptized every one of you; for remission of your sins: yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, this is my gospel, and remember that they shall have faith in me, or they can in no wise be saved: and upon this Rock I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; and ye shall remember the church articles and covenants and keep them; and whoso having
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