| 576 TIMES AND SEASONS.
"Truth will prevail."
Vol. V. No. 13.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. JULY, 15,1844 [Whole No. 97.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
(continued.)
From this time till the 8th or 10th of January, 1832, myself and elder Rigdon continued to preach in Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, setting forth the truth, vindicating the cause of our Redeemer; showing that the day of vengance [vengeance] was coming upon this generation like a thief in the night: that prejudice, blindness, darkness, filled the minds of many, and caused them to persecute the true church, and reject the true light; by which means we did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters then being published in the "Ohio Star," at Ravenna, by the before mentioned apostate Ezra Booth. On the 10th of January, I received the following
Revelation to Joseph Smith, jun. and Sidney Rigdon, January 1832. The word of the Lord unto them concerning the church of the living God established in the last days, making known the will of the Lord unto the elders, what they shall do until conference.
For verily thus saith the Lord, it is expedient in me, that they should continue preaching the gospel, and in exhortation to the churches in the regions round about, until conference, and then behold it shall be made known unto them by the voice of the conference their several missions.
Now verily I say unto you, my servants Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon, saith the Lord, it is expedient to translate again, and inasmuch as it is practicable to preach in the regions round about, until conference; and after that, it is expedient to continue the work of translation, until it be finished. And let this be a pattern unto the elders, until further knowledge, even as it is written. Now I give no more unto you at this time. Gird up your loins and be sober; even so: Amen.
Upon the reception of the foregoing word of the Lord, I recommenced the translation of the scriptures, and labored diligently until January. During this period, I also received the following as
An explanation of the epistle to the 1st Corinthians, 7th chapter, 14th verse.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband, else were your children unclean, but now they are holy.
Now in the days of the apostles the law of circumcision was had among all the Jews who believed not the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it came to pass that there arose a great contention among the people concerning the law of circumcision, for the unbelieving husband was desirous that his children should be circumcised and become subject to the law of Moses, which law was fulfilled.
And it came to pass that the children being brought up in subjection to the law of Moses, and give heed to the traditions of their fathers, and believed not the gospel of Christ, wherein they become unholy; wherefore, for this cause the apostle wrote unto the church, giving unto them a commandment, not of the Lord but of himself, that a believer should not be united to an unbeliever, except the law of Moses should be done among them, that their children might remain without circumcision; and that the tradition might be done away, which saith that little children are unholy; for it was had among the Jews; but little children are holy, being sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and this is what the scriptures mean.
A few days before the conference was to commence in Amhurst, Lorain county, I started in company with the elders that dwelt in my own vicinity, and arrived in due time.
At this conference much harmony prevailed and considerable business was done to advance the kingdom, and promulgate the gospel to the inhabitants of the surrounding country.
The elders seemed anxious for me to enquire [inquire] of the Lord that they might know his will, or learn what would be most pleasing to him for them to do, in order to bring men to a sense of their condition; for, as it was written, all men have gone out of the way, so that none doth good, no not one. I enquired [inquired] and received the following:
Revelation given January, 1832.
Verily, verily I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my spirit: even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God: hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to preach my gospel, and to prune my vineyard; Behold I say unto you, that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle, but labor with your mights; lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you, and thus if ye are faithful ye shall be laden
(page 576) |
