| 640 promises were made, in these last days have rendered them-selves by transgression unworthy to enjoy those blessings, they have been scattered and driven from off the land which I the Lord consecrated unto my church and people in the State of Missouri, for a beginning of the gathering of my people, from which place they were driven out. Now hear and know, my friends, for I speak unto you as such, who have sought to know counsel and to have understanding of these things at my hand, I say unto you that the driving out of the church from their consecrated lands which I promised unto them for an inheritance, if they would keep my covenants and commandments according to the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which I gave unto them through that Seer whom I blessed with power from on high to bring forth and establish my church among the Gentiles. And because of discord and contention among them their minds became darkened, consequently they treated lightly the things that were given for their salvation and deliverance of the burning day; and in consequence of their not hearkening unto these things which I the Lord prepared for them, they were not acceptable before me. Therefore the enemy had power over them to cause them to receive false teachings and doctrines which were not of me, and I suffered them because of their own iniquity to be deceived, because they would not walk in the light that I had revealed unto them through my servant whom I had appointed to give revelations and commandments unto my people, and because of their difficulties which fell upon them. After they were driven out many began to grow doubtful and fearful, consequently great contentions arose among them, and because of these iniquities I the Lord designed and purposed to chastise them for their iniquities, which things I revealed unto my servant Joseph, concerning the awful chastisements and calamities that should fall upon them for their disobedience which would subject them to the powers of darkness for a season and time of the chastening hand of the Lord, until the day and time when the redemption of my people shall come, which thing I said unto my servant Joseph should come by power; for I said unto him I would
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