Comments on the kingdom of God and the gospel designed as answers to many important questions, and also to show the author's views of God's plan of salvation by Joel Shearer and William Swett, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the New Jerusalem

COMMENTS, y^^"^' •^'^*'

/

OK THB

KINGDOM OF GOD

AKD Tlia

C^@SFEIi.

DESIGNED AS

ANSWERS TO MANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS,

AND ALSO

TO snow THE AUTHOR'S VIEWS OF

(JOD'S PLANOF SALVATION.

BY JOEL SHEARER &, WILLIAM SWETT,

M]:.\nji:ns oi- riir: ciiuiicH of
Jl'>iU.^ CinilST OF TliM NKW JKUrSAI.tM.

COINCIL ULLFKS CITV, ICVA.

NoVIMUtM, IS^-L

\^

PREFACE-'

IN THK NAME OF GOD, AMKN.

When a new church begins to arise the reasonable, just, and judicious
inquiry is made by many saying : What is the faith and doctrine of this
people? what do thoy believe ? We shrink not from so reasonable, just
and judicious an inquiry; but on the contrary we invite all to caref'ullv
investigate our I'aith and doctrine, comparing the same with the scripturea
of Divine truth.

This work, like all others of the New Church, ia presented without
money and without price ; and it is hoped thai the reader will preserve it
in cleanliness, and if, after reading the same, they should not be pleased
with the views therein set forth, they are requested to give it to some oth-
er person that is or has been connected with the church of Latter Day
.Saints, a^ liiis work is more particularly designed for those that are ur
LaTo been members of that cnurch.

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•C-0MME]S'TS OK TUB

f^^u^^^l^ 5^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ '^^l&Y^^t

Ist. Wo beliove in God the Father, God the Son, nnd God th« liolr
Ghost.

2d. Wo believe the Bible to bo a f:iithful and true record of Ihe word of
God .ajiokcn to, and the deallu^^sof God with the children of men on th«
K;isiern Oontineut.

We also belittvc the Book of Mormon to bo a faithful and true record
<->f the word of God spok.-n to, and the dcalin;;s of God with, the chil-
dren of men on the Western Cuntinent.

Wo also Ijolieve tiiat God f^ave many revelations by divine inspirati>i«
fhrou;:h Joseph Smith, Jun., to the Ghuroli of Jesus t'lirisi of Latter Da_
Saints: iience it will be seen that w.; believe Josejih Smith Jun. to haT«
been culled of God to be apropIuU, seer and revelalor.

We also belif\e tliat Joseph Smith Jun. was called of God to brinfi;
forth the iidok of Mnrmou and also to fjathrr to;:elhi'r as many aa would
believe that Hook; th'Tebv be;;:;innin;: to brin-i; forth the kinj^d' in of h*-r\-
Tcn in fullillment of tlie l^or'- part of our Saviour's jiaraldo as record< d
in Matthew— i;Uh cliapt.'r, 47th verse— which reads thus: ''Aj;ain liiu
kiij^^doiu of heaven is like unto a net tjiat was cast ijito the sen and i^a-
thereil of every kiudwhiili win-n it was full they drew to shore.''

We also believe ihit V. G. liishop is caJh'd of God to be a propVul,
•eer and revelalor, and also a ri"<torer to cohtinue the work of brin;:in;:
forth the kiuKJoM) of hi-nvin, aceordin;: to the latter part of tlie abon*
named jiarabb', ^.'utheriij;; ih'- j^'jod iulo \ esseld. See Matthew 13th chup-
W»r and 4.>*th ver-^e.

And we further belirT"- the revelations friyen throuph him--F. G. Bi^h-
o;.---to bo^^iven by tlie insnlrulion of <Iod, and for the cxpresg purpo»«
of ;»athi;riii;i; out the pure in heart >Nuif)i, wln'n fully ^ath.T<'d to^riiln'r
und or;;anited neeordin;; to tin- will of heaven, will be lue fulfillmenl of
tliw prophocy of Zftcliari'ih 4»h chapu.T uadHdveiu*; tiiu proj'hel iwwiin

6 COMMINTS ON TUB

a cADillestick of gold with a howl on tbo top of it with scvcti lamps there-
on and two olive trees Btandinj^ l»y it, une on oui'li side. And iilso tiie
fiiltiilnu'Ut of the revclalion found in the llllh chapter of John and 1st
Terse, a woman clotliod willi iho sun.

We bi'licv»> al.'io thai (.iod will briuj: a third body or church out of this
•econd, thereby fultillinj; what is written in the .^th verso ot the above nam-
ed chapt«r. *'Sho brouj;l>t forth a iumi child"' and after the man child
in brou;;ht forth, the irumaa will llee (or lly) into the wilderness from th
face of her enemies.

y ci I. p assisted by haviiinj two wings of a great eagle given her as writ-
ten in the Iltli verse of the same cliapter. 'Ihis also agrees with .Micah
4thcliapier and llKh verse. The daugliter of /ion will labor and be in
pain to bring forili aiMl shall bi' d<'livered ami there when ahe has broughl
forth ih'? I.i/rd shall rrtk'ini lier from the hand of her enemies.

Thus it will be seen ihat wc bolieve us t.i(jd doth crouto or liring fortli
htB kincrdnin by chniiging people from sin to righteousness in thri>e meas-
ures or (ii-pi-usali'ins, \i/. : the Law, the (lospul, and the .Miileiutium, so
also will he bring forth hi-s kingdom or his subjects from the midst of
Mrickedness and collect them in one l)ody by three measures or works, three
in one, via: Zion, the Daugluer of Zion and the M:Ui Child. IJoth tho
creatirg and also the cv.»llccting V>y three measures niay be likened to a
Woinnn iiiding b»nrcn in throo.mcasures of meal 'see Matthew ]'Mh chapter
nnd .'J'Wl verse, also I.ulif !."^th chnptir and 20-'Jl ver'jos); tho word of
• Jod bring the Icavi n brought fnrih at diHerent jjcriods or time, by dif-
ferent pruphetM. This works on the minds of thecliildren of men lirst to
make th< m believers in t«od and also now to gather togethrras God hath
OOiniuanded.

Uv exanjination it will be seen that Mattliew when recording onr Sa-
viour's parafilcs makes use of tho worils or phra>.(« Kingdom of Heaven,
and Mark and l.nko when recording tlie same parables make use of tho
words or phrisi- Kingdom of Gi>d., showing that they understood the two
phrases to iman the same thing.

Wc believe our Saviour's parable^ to be proplieoiesby way of eomjiar-
ifion, and that the above par.ibleB with sonte others allude to his cbureli
or ehureh" " '>n lhpear;h at this age of the world.

WV h«rnvr' the limc-i of the (le.ntiles arc nearly fiilftllcd when God Will
take the blc.Msings nf His gospel from thn r.cntiles and liib spirit will
cease striving with thctn, and that (lod will re<<lore His gosjiel ami blcss-
tngt to lArnfl, and sm-h of the tii nfiles as will forsake their nins and do
right in all things (toil will bring from an>ong the (Jenliles and eauso
them 10 onter intg n covenant and beoonn- one with Israel that such right-
com grotilefl mrty continue in his fatorand yet receive IIi<« bjcshiugs ia
foil.

rhnrigh>>oH arc (lod's <>iibj«cli and nonoolhors, therefctfo the right-
•ou« eonitituie tiod'H kingdom.

Wc believe that it is the mind, will and purno<io of 'lod to gather th*«
^i;{hl«^)U1 in ore compaet body separate frim the unrighteous, which work
ic <t%\\v<i bringing forth (iod's kingdom, and that this is tho Uitt time that

KINGDOM or god: 7

f lod will bring forth His kingdom from among the wicked seeing thensH-
Icnnium -vvill next follow this work.

Wo believe (Jod will bring forth his kingdom in three measures ; the
Grst measure or work being to gather to^cthnr all who believe in the Bi-
ble andBook of Mormon, this work being likened nnto a net cast into
tlie sea which gathered of ever}- kind and when full tht y drew to shuro ;
and may also be likened unto the moon under tho woman's feet (see Kev-
elations l"2th ehapter and Ist ver.se), partly light and partly dark notha-
fing the fulnes-s of light; truth and error mingled together, belii'ving
;ind holding many errors with ^ome excellent truths, errors bAnni: dark-
ness; therefore those that believe and hold errors cannot have the fulness
of light : consequently the fulness of the gospel is not understood by
them. They maybe called Zion. She calls herself the Church of Jenu'?
Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The second measure or work is to gather the pure in heart out of the churcli
of Jesua Christ of Latter Day Saints, and all others tjjat will covenant to
eerve God in all things. Thiswoi-k may be likened to picking out the good
and putting them into vessel*, and whou the work is finislicd it may be li-
kened to a woman clotlied with the sun (see Revelations 1 '.ith chap, and 1st
verse), which may be understood to mean tho fulness of light given them :
or, in other words, the fulness of the Gospel clearly understood by tLetii
in all its beauty, excellence and glory. This also may be likened to ten
virgins, and m '.y be called the Daughter of Zion, but is called the Chunli
of Jesus Christ of tho Nevr Jerusalem.

The third and last measure or work is to select out of this second church
of Jesus Christ of the New Jerusalem all that will forsake all sin and
serve God in all things, and organize them into a I)ody or church. This
third and last church may 1)0 called a man child (see Revelations lllih
chapter and 5th verse), or the church of llie b'irst Born, to fuUiil scrip-,
tures which say the first shall be lust and th<> last first.

These are ihoy that have overcome all things that are sii^.TulI.

The^e are th'^y that have purified their garmonts and ma le th"m whilu
in I lie blood of the lamb.

These are they that have become fully rrconciled to Ciod in all thhiL-s,
b(#iug willing to obey God'.s righti'ous law in alltliinirs — socking ftnd stri-
ving to keep all the oommandmcuts of the gospel blameless in the s^ght
of God.

These are they that have taken the lioly spirit for thitir guitb^, in nil
thin;:s tiiiukin;:, sjnaking and acting as the linly spirit sliall inspire ihcni.
being directed by the holy spirit in every word they speak, and in (\m-v
•CI they do.

ThcbC are they that do the will of God on earth a« it is done in h< n-
ven.

Th Ode are they that arc likened unto wIho virgins, and will partukr of
tin- wpddingHupp'T.

'i'hf'se ar(* they tliat will be endued with powt-r from on higli, and vlU
rei^'n with Christ on th<' earth.

These arc thoy among whom the Millennium will commence), and tr^m

3 COUMINTS ON Tlld

w4»->m iho Mill-^nniiim wi:i null fortli Until it sliall fill the wholo (?artli.

Th»»io arc thav that will roi'oivo llio fuliipss of the sjiirit of (ioil, boin"
■liJo hoir« of tf..d an-l joint h.'irs itf- Josus Christ, luul will see him ashij
»*, an 1 bo liko him, anvl will soo m tht'v are seen, and know as they arw
kn >wn.

Thea«aro ihov that will be set as governors ami judges over the na-
li .n-.

The«o are thoy in whom thi« kIn;rdom of (Jod is fullv como forth, and
itiiW.' only will th-n conttitiito (iod's kin;;dom.

Thes» aro they that will be immortalized in the fiesh (boilv), auii will
■•■»t die.

Th.'ie arc they that wil' have part in the first ro^urociion, having paa»-

• 3 through thoiuwiT of tin; resurrection ami lii'ooin:< immortal.

And Gualiy ttieso are Cioil'.n messengers to the nutioui, by whom Hod
will bring lh<' kingilomt of tiiij world to bo his kingdom, 'and the Mil-
h'iuiiiim will b« fully u^illorod in, and when sin shall again l» 'gin to como
into t!i,> earth, do 1 will oiu3o tho earth to be eonstimL" I witii fire.

Thereforo tlils is the last time that (iod will l)ring forth his kingdom
from ih • mitUt of wiokfdnv-is, an 1 also llu* j rii'-ithooJ which is now giT-
«J to l>r';n^ forth this kingdom will conlinuo; theroforo this jiricslhood i*
giTon for l!je li3t •.".inc.

Ai; this gro.1t an 1 glorlomj wctrk of bringing forth the kingdom of (Jod
in all it« glory ami m ije-tty, wus si.-t befor*- Joseph as his right and jirivi-
Uga to do, on ooniiitionfl that he (.Joseph) would abid • in righfeoii-nesi,
b'lt if he (Joseph) tlid not .ibido in <Iod. another would he (tiod) plant
hiU'ii Htead. .See IJook of 'lovonants li.st edition section 11 purl 4, and
ihi-i ajrccji withncotionol p:irt "2.

Th« k#y« of thi' mysteries and revelations that ore sealed jirc given to
Joseph until do 1 shall app/in. nn'.o them anotlier in his stead.

.Sjtiog that Jo-!ep|i did not finish the>:r-at and glorious work si.t beforo
h.m,pi»r yet even tho first ni»a.<iireof it bef >re he was taken, is itnotclear-
iy «»i icat liiat doil wo-iul plant and ajioolnl another in Joseph's stead,
a't I give unlo iiim who is thus planted an I appointed, the lieya of thu
mytterie* and revelations which arc soalod, and all other keyu needful to

• i.-»Lle bim wh >n» di.d Hhould ihu" plant and apjtoint to eoniiuue the work
4f bringing forth thu kin;,'dom of tiod.

^V 0 b«»l;.«v F. d. Bishop to b- thus ««i!led, planted and nppolntod of
lie I, Ihoan*'. Ti, urofTn, and curling of the lips of uubclitvers to thecon-
trarr, nntwiih«iandi;ig.

Wnl^'hr.r the proclamation datfsl Kirtland, April the fith, ISjl.tobu
A : ^Tolati -I fi-..m do I, and also the pampblels calh.'d the Knsign and Book
*/ K^imetnbran o, to be r«velHtionH from < Iod.

VS'.» b-jlioTo ih* painpldrm ialltf.1 an Address to th<' Saints and Zion'«
a^^tcoKT to conuin much li::iit, but do not re.-trive them as revelations.

W« bDi;<iT« all |'«rtonii, both men and wom-n, white and black, free and
ti>ttd,t>o>'r an 1 rich, oivilixed and navage, «hall stand bforo d.ii to bo
•% IX*l '»f tb« l«j-<i« doiio in the body, and that each one must »tan«l or
-*iit<Jt Uitt q; Lara«l/, tod that aoao will be ablo to •i&ad buttUoso wh*

KtKGDOM or GOD. d

(ImIpo ftn.l try to do right in all things, according to tho light God haj
given them.

Wc Itelieve rioil requires all pouls to repent and forsake all 8ln<3 of eTe-
rykind. and live in, and practice all virtue, rightcomne^s and holinew,
continually before him.

We believe that ¥. < i. Bishop was ordained to the Royal priesthood un-
der the hands of a celestial messenger — Jesus Chrigt or one sent in hia
name.

We bolievo the Royal priesthood to be a higher order of priesthood
than was given to Joseph Sniitli, Jan., VThich is now given to enable tho8«
who are ordained thereunto to do the great and glorious work set before
thera. ,

Tho great and glorious work set before us is to explain and expound,
cloarlv and understandiugly, the gospel in all its fulness, beauty, virtu(v
majoBtv and glory, that people may sco the fulness of the light of thff
gospel," and may "walk and live therein, that God may bless thcia acco?'
ding to all his promises.

This work of explaining and expounding the gospel, in all its fulness,
nonfe has been abl? to do, liince it was given, because none saw the full
light of the gospel. Although the Bible, and also tho Book oC Mormon.
coQtaias the fulness, yet none understood th« fulness clearly ; therefore
none was able to teach the fulness of tho gospel, for a man cannot clear-
ly teach what he hims .'If docs not clearly understand. And as none have
received tho full light of the gospel until now, therefore none could t'jach
it.

Wo bolieve the full light of the gospel is now given to introduce and
bring in the glorious .Millennium, and when people are prepared, by for-
saking all sins and cleaving unto all holiness, then the aneieut of days
will sit, wlien ihey tliat t\ro thus prepared will receive tho fulness of th«
Millennium glory]: and from them, and from thence, the Millennium will
spre^'d forili and thus will Israel bo saved.

We believe liuit F. d. JJishop has passed through the millennial ojdf--
oances, by the administration of angels, viz : .Jolin, the Kevelator, and
iho three Ncphites, and thitthe rest of thechurcli will pass through th<*
eame wh-.-n ine gathering of the pure in heart is finished.

Both men and women uro to rcceicvc a'l ordinances alike, both now
oud hereafter.

Th(; ordinances to be attended to now is first signing tho covenant. —
Ajiy iierson iniiy co])y tin' covenant and sign it and get otiiers to sign it
anil lorward t'lt- name to the cliiff steward (who now is Joel Shearer),
living at Council Blulfs City, Iowa.

Tlie u 'xt unllnance is ordaining lioth mm and women to tho su^ward-
■hlps. This mu"*l be done Ijy tin; chief steward and may be done as soor^
tkti lliey Iiavc come to the place of the gathi'riiu:, and have signed their
naiijes lu tho covenant in the church record.

It is cxpijcted that both men and women will be ordaintMl to the Roya|
priesthood in the Lord's own dur time, and utiss through tho millennia! vx■^
diuaucod and tUu,s bo prepared for tby cominjof the an.-ient of dave,

10 COMMENTS OK TUB

If any shall inquire about baptinra, ^Tc answer, this callbcinp; tothoso
Ihat liavo l>''eu baptin-d, lot thcni si^^u tlio oovouuut, and such as have not
been haptizcil and cannot be satijilii-dwitliout baptism for to satisfy their
conscience, lot them be baptized- I5ut baptism beiuj^ anovidenee tliat wo
have given ourselves to (Jod to serve him forever, so also is the sii^uin;;
the coveniuit a liice evidence, in this MiUennial dispensation, as I)aptisui
was in tho jjo-tpel disjcnsation.

Nuw the sum of what we liavc spoken is this :

Wo believe that (.iod will bring forth his kingdom in three measures or
dwTrces or works.

The tjrst beiiiu to gather from among the Gentiles all that will como
and organize them into a church.

'J'hin work we undorstantl to bo closiu;!; tlie gospel dispensation.
T.'i" s.'cond work l)ein^; to gath'.T out of the first body or church all
tk.' pi-' in h'lrt and or;^ani/e them into a ticrond chu'di.

'1 t wo;k we uuderetaud to be introducing the millennial

Oi>

'1 ^vork being to gather out of this scond body or church

Jtll . tho holy spirit for their guide in all thin^rs.

'I r last work in this line wo understand to be giving tha

fu! ■ mtlionnial glory, to all that aro fuund ready when the

br: .

I' .TO not a type? Joha the Baptist closed tluMlis-

' ■ • '■ 'd th^ gospel dispensation and on

iipel glnry was givcn,and »s they

i:..' iiw entered into th» gospel, so also

I'.'n'fl of the gospel will eut'-r into tho

< seven times more glorious than th«

I'O seven timi^s more glorious than thii

:il floiy forty-nine times greater than

tui .• this als6 is there not a type?

I :ir of Jnbileo (h'c Leviticu^ 25th

rse) ; bo also may we be fn'O from
all t!io promised inheritance.
-. risiiuon is great'T than .lohn

♦*•« ever lived (see Matllunv 1 Itli

n^i. ilio li;ui.t in the nvlleimium dispeuna-
that have lived brfor^^?
' .:d nl)oiit tho power utidauthnrily of thepricst-
hoi' I I ha^nevf-r given power to a man nor toangelg

to ' •.•It of Iluavrn, n'lr to let th" wieki-d into llea-

▼n;i. "OiM pern n, and all that protend to have nueh

po.- vers and muni ri'pcnt or perish.

^' . 'Vit key'*, and n'> doiilti nianv falae impreasions

h-iT .. .. iii« min Is of many peopl<« afiout tlie keyi* given

10 Joaoph .Smith, .Inn. Thon-fore vrclcc] it best to npeak a few words »i-
b^'Ut koTfi. Tiie''<" animany keys yet to be given buf<»re the kingdom of
Uod U full; brought forth tliat'Josrph Smith did nut recoirc.

tlNGDOM OF GOD. 11

A kcT is to know something. Keys arc a knowledge of some particu-
lar things. The keys of the ministry is to know your duty as a minister

of Christ. . , 1 , ,

The kevs of the kingdom is to know how to organize the church of
Christ according to the will of tlie Lord, aod also what to assign unto
each part and portion of tliat ehuroh as its dutiea.

And let it be remembered that no faithful minister of Christ will ever
knowingly assign anything as duty and privilege contrary to the gospel
of Chrilt.

Any one that speaks or does anything contrary to the gospel is not led
by the spirit of God. For the gospel is and will be our guide forever.
'Therefore any revelation or teaching that has come or ever doth come
contrary to the gospel is and will be false.

There are twelve unrighteous spirits found in the hearts of slnncra
(seo Mark 7th chapter 2i-22 verses) bringing forth fruits t>f iniquity, and
I'jj lonir as anv part or portion of these, or any of them, are in a man, ho
is not fully saved from sin. Therefore he is uncican and where God and
Chirst is he cannot come.

Those we will speak a little of next.
Sins to be repented of are firstly evil thoughts.

Thoughts Iteing the root from whence words and actions spring, there-'
fore if our thoughts arc evil oiu* words and acts will be evil also.

Secondly, adulteries and fornications are one and the same principle or
pinful s])irit, not only the acts produced by this spirit, but a desire to do
6uch acts is an evidence of k wicked heart.

We believe that polygamy in most cases ever has been and now is the
cDTects of this unclean^ tilthy aiid wicked spirit.

And polygamy in tliis age of the world, whether in Europe or Ameri-
ca, is to us" as svYlne's flesh is to the .Jcavs, exceedingly abominable.

And if polvgamy is exceedingly abominable, how mueli more abomina-
ble is wlioredom-i, and also any unnecessary familiarity between tht sexes;
when they are not each others companions, husband and wife, is wi'Oiig
and sinful, often producing jealoiisies and (jther sinful passions.

The man or ^vife that is nut very canful to do nothing by v. hieh his or her
companion's feelings maybe hurt, is not doing right, but is a sinner. —
The uuiiiarried if they will live without sin, let them abstain from all
jleshlv lusts. lii'ta man have one wife and keep hliuself at a reasonable
distance from all olhei- women, that^^he grieve not his wife. Let the wo-
men obriurvo the saint: rule. l>ct the polygamist extricate him or herself
from tills Hilar'-' in u lioly and blameless way, us the spirit of God shall die-
tato/Niudtlu'V may ilnd mercy.

Tlu'fashlo'nsof the world called politeness, sucli as receiving tlie arm
..f our neighbor'^ wife or dau|^ht(«r iu walking, or jiulting your arm
around her, or Hitting clo«e to ln-rlu conversation, is fiften produetivi- of
evil, and whatsoever Ih prvMlm-livo of evil is the workings of an evil .spirit.
If a m.m will Im truly polite h-l him hIii>w his frreatest renjiect and at-
tention tolas own wife'uud kindred. His father ami his mother shoul^

11 COMUKNTS OM TUB

kx^ first in honrvr ; the wifo first in alTfCtion. Brothers and sistors BhouM
t > hi'Kl in cste'cm Jinil triatcil witli loviii;:; kiudnoss.

Women also shrtuKl prao' ice virtue and do ri^^ht in all things if thi-y
w luld onJDV ihi' l>lt'.-j!jiii;:-i and favor of tho Lord.

The day'has now coiiu- that l>oth men and woinon n\iist be found clo»n
from the spirit of adulti-ry and foraieati.ui, and uU it- symptoms, or tbo^
oaMn>>t stand justifuHl; ovadiu;; i-Tt-ry appcaranco of evil.

Tliirdly, murder is a ^in for which none cun liiid forgivoncas in thii
oar day.' Tlic causes tliat produce murilor are various. The fear of
lioin;^ exp«>scd in a former murder, orsom" other crime, is one cause. —
Lovcuf liohcs is another cauao ; the .si)irit of revenjje is another.

Tiie spirit of revenge is malice. A little less measure of the saiuft
•pirit is wrath. A less measure of the same spirit is hatred; a ion*
measure of the same ejnrit is anger; a k-ss measure of tho same sniril
i« dislike. I'hiswj sejthat rovonTe, malice, wratli.lia're l,auger, lislikot
Arc only dilTerent shades or degrees of the saute spirit that causes peo*
plo to murder. First, di«!iko irttiV srow to an.,'er ; auger may grow to
JifttrOvl; kalred m.iy urow to wralii; wrath may grow to malice, m hicli
>»i'il seek reven;;c. TI»'is we niay see tliat if a small serpent is Hufl'urad
to live ho lu.iy grow to be a great and dai!«rerous serpent. This is tho
renson why wo nius forgive others, because if I sutler ill-will, dislike,
Anger or any fooling liko wdo it, to remain in any ho:\rt, thau
1 sutler or retaiu in my in heart an unclean, unholy spirit. This mako
mc unholy and unele.in in the aightof (lo-J.

forgivenes-H of siuii is to have our sinful dispositions and dciires to
depart fmm u« and boeoine clean Ihercfrom.

Fourthly, tliuft is a wicked kpirit thai .imlncos pcoplfl to steal, cheat
•Q'i ilofr.iud, ovtrreaoh iu bargains, a dosiro to sell property at a high
price, a desire to bgv at h low i>riru, a dosirc to make rioh bargjiins in
tra'l«i all th'tao a''t'« and desires nro the affects and working of tbo
iricktJ, unc'oin and indidy spirit called theft. Also, ali rolilM-rios by
»ea and by land ; all wars that aro male to increase tho wealth or to
Bulargo tho borders of the nation are tho woikitig of thescspirits iii:ited,
Tliefi and .Miirdur.

Fin.iUv. Theft i» a desire to have the money or good* of others >yith-
•ti'.li rcii loriiig a full »» juivalcut or to live upon other's labors when
we arc abb; to labor ourselves.

Fifihly, Ojvftousncssii a wicked, unholy, unclean Fjiirit, that induce*
pcopl** to gather and lay np tre.isuros on tlie e.irth und t«> keep tlieir
trcAturea when obtained. Why do they wish to obtain, lay up, and
kc -ji thuir tr«.i»ture on the e.»rt|;. lJceau»e thoj hope, trust, expect aT>d(b>
belii've that ibirir troa«ure will do tlieni go-d in the day they have need.

Th -I taint, if any can be found, will deviib- his treasure with thu
fjOvr, niviiig |.t nil necordirg tohisorInT want « A norrindties, hojiingand
ifMstii.g in <ifd. 'Hic covetous will not divide their treasure with the
poor; i'ul will k^ep it, hojtiuj^ and trusting in it. Thus th»ir trcssuru

KIXGDOM OP GOD. IS

bcooraes their goil, in which they hope and trust. Thcfora it is th«
firm and unalterable decree of heaveu that every soul .shall have such
A salvation as the E;od in whom they hope and trust is able to >^ive unto
them. If God, the holy one, is able t© give you such a salvatiun asyoa
desire, why not cleave unto him with all your eoul and obey his coni-
mandracnts, giving your treasure to the poor as he hath said, hopinjj;
and tiusting in him. But if your treasure is able to save you, cleavw
unto it, knowing that all the salvation you can expect is such salvation
as your treasure can give which is the comforts auJ a few vain pleae-
arcs of this life and eternal misery in the world to come. Love thy
n«i»hbor as thyself.

If we arc nut as willing to saflTer for want of food, or clothing, or
any Other wants of this life, as to see any others suifer, do Wt? love our
neighbor as ourselves? are we not selfish l-* do we not love ourselv(»
best? If we desire to live on ])ettor food, or wear better clothing, or
to live in a better house or to hare better furniture and if w» desire to
be more comfortably or pleasantly situated than our poorest neighbor,
are we not sellish, loving ourselves better than we do our neighbor?

Selfishness, which is coveteousness, is an unclean, wicked, .-.ud un-
holy spirit, whici), ifallowed to reign in us and rule over us, will take
na to its miserable and unhappy abode, whero there is weeping atd
wailing and gnashing of teeth.

If we cannot willingly and chacrfuUy divide our sustcnanee with uU
our poor neighbors, until the poorest is as comfortably situated as our-
selves, we are not clean from the sin^of covetousness. Therefore, wo
stand unclean before God.

Sixthly, Wickedness. All sin is wickedness, yet thcro are a great marj
•inful wi^ds and acts that will not be spoken of luuier otlier head*,
only as they seem to bear some resemblaiioo lO the head. All unkind
Words an<l acts, all profane words, cursing, swearing, tattling, backbit-
irij; in fine, ail filthy and all hard, greviuus, and unfriendly words and
acts; all abuse of the brutal part of creation, hurting anil ti)rnionting
tho animals for sjiort, or, as some do, keeping animals to sport with ;
horne racing, dog-figliting, f.:c., beating our horses or oxen unnecessar-
ily, merely to gratify an ill-temper.

And sabbatii-breakiiig, and drnnkenos.s, reveling, anl all jirofanlfy
of svery kin'l, may Ijo (•ailed wicke Inesa which must bo repented uf ai;d
forsaken, or the soul must parish.

Seventhly, Decci'. is word* or actions, whorel'y another is deceive<l,
or un attempt to deceive, all licing hypocracy, and falsehood of every
kind is the working of this wicked ami unhcily h])iiit. Deceit, eiihtr
bj wonis, or moticHi, or action, all conifs from this unclean tpirit, De-
ceit, rnuu this we must b« savcil or lusi.

• Eighth, Lns<;'\iousne«s is aimther unclean and unholyspirit which
make^jicople desire to farn Hunipli>usly,iiptndi:,g their nmnry A means for
lliin^« limy do not nood, orspoudin^ tho <aiu« imprudently and f' olisl*-

14 COUMENTI ON TUB

ly, thereby depriving them8elv«8 of thj means to help the poor. But
•uoh geiuTally become poor and nee I help Iiocmmso of their extravi-
l^jince and wastefulness. We ought to be careful to \Tasto noth ng that
can bonetii ourjelres or others; we «h)Mld not buy thini^s tliat wo do
not nee I, neither ^hould we buy costly things when less costly will do ui.
All 5Ui'h dc'Mrt, and car:>lcssne-;s, and wastcfuUuess, must be repented
of or ire are not clnan frcni sin.

Ninth, An evil eye is to look on others with contempt, or disi^ust, or
disrespect if wj dispisc oth -rs, because of th*MF poverty, poor dress, poor
equipage, small inttUigonco, or for their jioculiar belief in anything.
Such is tiic workin^i of this evil and unholy ipirit, called an evil eye.
Th=s mikcs us cxcee lin^ly filthy in the sight of Uod, and will bring
deep damiiitio-,1 upon us oKcept wo repent.

lentil, B! »>phe!ny. Oh, Blasphoiny ! Blasphemy ! what a sin, a
■io of tfi* blackest and deci>est dye. Contempt of tJod or godliness,
malice or wratli ajraiiist <io<l or jrodlinct^s, knowiii'^ly and willfully rep-
roienl'.ng 2j<Klline8« to hi sin or knowingly and wilfully ropresoiiting Bin
to be riphieouinos.^. Woe, woe, woe to him Ihit shall through mal-
io9 or envy c ill tlie works of (Jod the works of tlic Dovii, or call the
works of the D^ril the works of God, thoreby seeking to turn people
from the p.ith of salvation. It is to bo feared that this sin is too often
comtuitted by men in high standing in the churcl., induced todoflo to uavo
their high hluu ling »i.d honor, boing too proud to confiss the truth
when th'-y are convinced of it, but will deny the truth, wilfully lieing.

Fi>r such m'M), can thoro bo any forgiveness? Jlut if done in ignorance
ihtr-j may bo forgiveneiw.

Klevonth, PriJe is a wicked, filthy, un'-lean, unholy and exoecdinglv
injurious and troublesome spirit. It ii pride that causes nenplo to exert
ihonit.dves t« g.'t coi'.'.y houiics, costly furniture, costly clolhing, costly
carriftg<'S, ho-ne*, Ci|'ii|>i).ig'>.s, &c.. and lo>ik witlul .-.daiii and scorn upon
the poor. The (Hjor will also exert th.unfdvi'S to get the sanit; or M
near the •amo as po<iBibl<', aiul will also lui'k upon the |)oon»st with
ilind-iiii, acorn and curb^l l:p. How long will God suflVr Huch wicked-
no* to the earib. Was 1 a priphct, I siiouM [^e constrain«.'d to cry
wu«, woe, woe to the world bccauso of the wi -kodness and aboniina-
lioni found in her. Not only such .is aoknowlcd^e themselves sinnera,
but nnch at claim tiie nam" of auint!) aUo, do iheso tiiiugs lika unto
tlie wickctl, and tiial to-vards thufta tht-r call hrailiercn. K aucii as
claim tho nam« of aaiili do as do th<! wicked, what are ibey b»f. wick-
ed atar>? It iboy wo'ilil ilo the eommanti men's oft'in gospfl, which
M thq law of rightflousieaa and nUo the plan ul salvaMoi., thiy would
(livid- their aul'St^neo with the puur uu'.ii ail wa« .karich aa tliruiHrlvea.
Tnen noon wuuld be coatemaed becauit') ot tiieir puvar T : n uir woidd
be aore'y c i<«vo I beiauae they were (tli){!iicd and npglecicti, «nd the
^xertiona for fine aod coailj th u^s would >-en^r>. It ia pride tlia:, makaa
people deiira to he biglity etteemad and honjraii. Th>H iodu^'cs then
to try to appear rich, aUo, lu try to ajipuar Icarood; aliO, tc try to

KINGDOM OF GOD. 15

appear frise ; also, to try to appear good; knowing that the rich, learn-
ed, V ise and good, are honored. Thus tryinj; to appear what vre are
r.ot is deceit and hvpocracy, prompted by pride, to be truly learned,
truly wise, truly eood, is worthy of honor; but to pretend to be such
when we xre not is worthy of disgrace.

God disiiiscs the rich and honors the poor, who *ro also poor in spir-
it. But the rich cannot be poor in spirit, as some falsely pretend they
can. ^Yere they truly poor i« spirit they would obey tiie command-
ments of Christ and give their riches to the poor — then they would be
poor also. It should be remembered that we are speaking of such aa
have the riches of this world. In the Ciospel and Revelations are found
many promises to those that have the riches of this world ; but all
such promises arc promises of condemnation. They shall lift up their
«ves in hell, bein;^' \v to'm«nt. It must not be supposed that we hold the
b'elief tliat it is necessary that a man become poor in the things of this
world to obtain salvation. Nay, but this we believe that a man or
■woman that doth not impart of his or her substance to the poorer, until
all arc equal, such man or woman hath no yulvation

May not the heads of t!ic church have bettor houses, better furniture,
better foo.l, better clothing, &c., than the jmorest members. We an-
swer ])lainly they may not; for to them belongs the care of the poor
as fathers have care of their children. Such as show a disposition to
get riches, costly houses, costly furniture, costly clothing, are both
eovetous and proud, and they being corrupt, botli their precepts and
examples will be corrupt, and such will buildup a corrupt people, (and
Ciod will have a pure jieople) and if tlic blind lead the blind,
both will fall togetker. Such as desire to have costly things, thereby
spendii.g tlieir moner and means needlessly, are not worthy to have .-x
place in the ciiurch. Let such stand in wiiat place they may, head,
liand or foot ; and also such as desire a high standing in the ehurch
that tliey .iiay be hud in iionor, such are stimulated to that desire by
Pride and art not worthy the standing they seek. But if a man desire
an '<(lice in the church that he may thereby have a greater opportunity
to do g"0-l, tiii-t is a good desire.

Twclith, KooIishiiffFs is a iso a filthy spirit that induces people to do
many t!iir:g.s tiiatarc not goo I ; a few of which are having balls, jday-
ing cards, and "th^r games, sporting of every kind, jesting and fonl-
i.h on .ersation of evey kiii<l, read ng corrupt and unprofitahU
books, &.<:.

'I'liere are many sins that wo have not spoken of but what we have
B»i 1 will show that wo do not api)rovc of sin of any kintl, nor m any
shape.

TJi'^re aro twolvo ri;;hteous spirits tliat every soul Tnust *cik after and
rueeive an) have in fuHiK'ss, or that h.)u1 is not perfu(led.--(5eo Ri-v.
22e'iii. 2^.) " Tho Irt-o (if lifo bearing twelve mannnr of fruils." lie
that is not po'Tected ii not fully saved from sin ; he is yet uncluan anl
cannot sit at tho weeding supper.

16 COMMSNTB ON TSB

Firstj "Wisdom, kno-vrlaJgo and understanding, is one and tha sarao
spirit.

Second, Word, truth and veracity is one and the samo spirit.

Third, Power, belief and faith, is one and the samo.

Fourth, Love, unity, kindness and friendship, are one.

Fifth, Justice and honesty is one.

Sixth, Mercy, tendert'eeli ig, compassion, aro one and the game.

SoYenth, Peace. These seven are the attributes of God.

Kiglith, Humility, lowly foeling, modesty, is one.

Ninth, Meekntss, hoping and trusting in God, is one.

Tenth, Temp^'rance, moders,tion and couteniiaent, is one.

Eleventh, Patience, long snffering and fui'bearanne, is one.

Twelfth, Charity, liberality and generosity.

These twelve righteous and holy apiiits we will next speak of sepcr^
jttely ; thereby showing some of the effects they will have on the soul
that possesses them, and also thereby tihow somewhat of God's plan of
»;\lvatiou. These twelve holy principles or spirits are twelve fouuda-
tions on which you may build your hope, and also twelve gates by which
you may enter the presence of God. These twelve holy principles are
the fruits of the holy spirit.

And as the Church of Je^u« Christ of Latter Day Saiuts v/as once the
klagdom of God, although far from being pure, yet it was the only true
«*?id living church with \vhich God was well pleased. lie was pleased
irith the organization ; ho whs also pleased because he foresav*' that
Miiny would live according to the light tliey possessed.

So, wheu these who have lived according to the light they have nro
onUed out and organized into a second church, this new church will bo
<ftil!od the kingdom of God, and the only true and livir.g church, bu6
ifc)t pure. Therefore, to this aecond church, God will give the fullness
*f light, and as many as will liie accordlug to the light tlicy receiTC will
btcome purified and will be chosen out and organized into a ihiid church.
This third church will be the kingdom of god and the only true and
living church.

Thus will God bring to himself a pure peoplo and thus will God fully
Id-^Mg forth his kingdom.

We will next speak of thc^e twelve holy spirits or principles, the fruits
^ the tree of life, which is the holy spirit.

Now wc say tliat wisdom is one of the attributes of fhc Almighty,
mid comprehends and composes one twelfth part of ihe gospel of Jesu.'*
i-'lirist, and is the first ]irinei])al and moving canscof all things lliat are
done eithtr oT god or man in rigbtconsncas ; for by his wisdom did n )t
;;od conceive and lay and adopt all the plan or jilans of all liis woi'iia,
and also what would or could man do or attemjit to do if he did nofc
lirithftTe some undcrsta/idiig that such work could be done a-id bo'ar
t» do such w«rk, cither temporal or b])iritual? We answer nothin»,
and say it is wisd'im toadies man understanding, and understandinj!;
lwi\d«tli mar. to knowledge, and thia givoth energy to the mind, «,u J the

KISGDOlf or COD. 17

mini ins|iircs the ho.ly to a-t, anl tlic actioii of the body is the power
thcrcf'f. WistloDi is of th« hi;;hL'st importance to man, l)(v:aiisu a man
is hi^hl^ rsU'cm'.'d atiil ^ru.illy honoru.l by some m n in this lifi» amt by
god and liis Christ aiiiiall ihc holy atiffcls, in thin life, and in tlio world
to come, for <livii!e wi»dnm. an 1 alsfxmopr divine wisdom depends our
future hapjtiricss ; for if a man shall do Ion tlionsaiu! ihinf^s intending
them for ^o 1, whiih is not acsordin^i to knowledge, or rathi-r rigtcous-
ncss, having ever su much rcnl, vet tlie d«eds he has d< nc being ovil,
thcreforL- !>;» can receive no ble.v;i r^ of OoJ, for all he has doi.c. But
on the contrary, fur every ;;oud doc 1 mm sh.vU do thcro is a blessing
j^ivcn. I5y this wo see how impoitant that man shonid sock and obtain
coricot an I ^rc it iiudcrstaiidin^, os] ccially of lioly thiiips, seeing nian'a
Lappinc&s C0UIC3 bcau^e of his r:;;htoonsness, and the more lijitoous-
ncbS tiic K-ss iniquity ; ron>e|uenlly, the jjroatcr hapjiiness; and also
consiileriii:: how many in hU a^os of ilie world hwc d'mc foolishly in a
variety of ways and things fur waul uf correct and right nnderstui:din^'
ofh'tly thin;:-*, yet almost cv<Ty m in foolishly supposes his iin Jcr-
Btandin? is correct and r'.;;ht, and all that think contrary to br> wron;r, aftd
it is by Ki-arcUin;; after and iin lin'i wisduni that wc arc saved from igno-
rance and !il;nJn'.'<.-«or ht-art and mind and foolishness and a ;^reat ma«i
of tiupi^rstitiun, and fr-'m all thinjjs of a like natun*; and by wisdom W(
are tau/ht to un Icrstand how wc njav save ourselves (tin? I.ord Ijcln^dui
helper) from all c-vil ; because by wisdom wo are taup:ht to know goov
fronj evil. ri;:lit fr«uu wrun;r; virtue from vice, fJcty from wickedness, am
in fine, by wi<d >m man is iau;:hl all undirslandinjr that he obtain-, an*
undcrs:HudInjr, wh n ^icrfocteu, is kn'iWicdp»; therefore we .s-e thitms
dom is th • principle th'.n;r, the root of the whole matter, the lir.-t thin^t*
be «ou;;hl after, that all our works may be jrood before the Lord, th it Iwa
vcnly ble->s!n;js may come to us more and more abundantlv; for bv wis
dom are we l»«u;^lit the whole plan of salvation, both temporal andnpirit
iial ; oven how We may 80 live, so walk, so think, so.sp'^ak, so act, be
foreth ■ Lord, that he, the Lord, may fid;.|l and m-rke ;;ood his promiae
tou«<. to ;:ive unto us power over all th- p 'wer of Satan, that nothio;
sluill l»y any means harm us; and aUo, by wisdom wo aretau'^ht how tt
unve ourselves from liarn), I'V keeping out of all <lanj^er« that is not ni»ed
ful that we enter into, for these thii;;r(« are within our own powr ; for i
in no: ne dful that a man cast him«elf down from th-' pinnacle of ih i t«mi

1>l'», or ri»k any other dan;^cr, wh<-reby neither man t>r l>eiLsi can re<><Mv
>cno!i:s, and also we ore taught l>y the word of wiMdoni, how wemav nrt
Fcrvc and save th«' hoalth and Htrenj^th of the b.«dy from ihoso debilita
tioiu bri ujrht on by th" use of ^| iriluous liipiors, lobntM-o, hot drink>
and impro[H'r use of plains and meats (for tliis alHO i« within our p(iwi>r'
and this it lik<* all tho rest of the plan of ^alvnti<ln, plain, very jdait
that even a w lyfurin;; man, tiiou^h a fooj, n«ed uo( err liierom. For lb
nboic plan of lalTatlonissitnidy tbiii:

18 COMMKXT3 ON '.UZ

Iicavc off siniiin); and ilii-s w ill nnko yoij righteous ; work yightcousneea
&uJ do iiu din iiud ihoii voii aro^jivCLi i>o:a bin.

An I fto cj wo to uaespiriiuoiu I'uiuord, lobacco and hot d;iiika, nrd the
cruviuj^ of iljo u(.«i>oiilo, and dobii.ui.o.l s^alo oi' iLo body, and the trcm-
biin;; oi til- nervos, wliioh id bio.r^h- ou Uj ih^ luoof tli03a llxii <^3, will
Udi»iri aud ce.uio to bo.

Aud if auy part or portioi of t .c truo iiitt^nt ami incan"np;of tlic scrip-
tur.s bj UiiJcn from aay .«ou!, la i; no. lo." wan; id' wisdom and bocaudi*
of iuiijuity iu ibai soul, for it is die v.'tll of hcavcu tlial ail »lioald iully
ondijrjiaud lb.- true inieni and lueau.u^; of ilio scripiurc::, uud ou.aiusucb
uiidurdumd.n^^ by aooliin;^ ihcicfor.

And aj; I n it iS cviden: tb a it' die Lord a ive3 us fvom all tht* j owor of
Sa'.au, bjjaajo of our obedionuo lo bid coininandj; \ci. if wo do notsafo
©arsjlvi's froiuour own lus.j, bow tb mi aro wj fady Havoi. Wo arc not,
scciu^ ibv^'so ara witb'.n oar powjr. Tbiroforc, for a full temporal salva-
tion, n.nii'di, s.r ir^tb, Ac, ii id uooessary to abdiain from uli ibinga f'at
4cbiiiialu ibo body.

Sico dly.

Tbo Word w* 'ay U also one of ibo: a^ven attrlb.itc.i of tbo Lord, r.nd
ftl»<i oao of tb ; Iwolvo iiualiiivf waicli t oniposo ilio gosjicl of bulvatioD,
And ibj wok'd must of nooosiity bo tbo second in ad woi^a of ilio Lord,
for uf<.cr ill,' plan id conceivcvt a.d a oplud, ibcn ibe word of co:ninand
muil bospoicn llml tiic woriv may bo dcm •, an I Jesua baid my A\ord is
Vrut!i; iboreforo wo conoiudo thai every toui ibai. baa tbo tpiru of Jesus
will rvcr spoa* llietru'.b and all lyin;!;, decoil and bxpoomoy, i.s of tbd
Uoril, and timsmucb ah m:in will ever Mpeak unU aol tiio truU, bo wilN
•.^vo bitiMc.f from ibed.^Mu-^, und all of ibo likL> na:uro, undalao save hiil
rupu:.ilu>ii, itioomueb ibai. no lyin;j; ti n;;uQ can batnidi.in.

'i'ruui 1) on exalted virtue, and h: uuu ab do li nuL m Ibj ni<>3l unsul-
lied Irudi, ^bunnln;^ ail Uiu;:, all ileceit, iii d Uii la| oeraoy, tai.DO. be a
vUi;d uo." \ci a ttjrvaotof tiod, for bow id u man M-rvin;; v.od wlim bo i»
Join;; tmt: wbieb t-idd na^ foib.ilden, but iu do.n^ tbu woilsof ibi. Dcvil.
U bo not tU<'U aerviu}; tbo Uevii.

'ibirdly.

And power wo say in al"o ono of tbo uovm a'dributtM o' God, nnd also
one of itjo iw»l%e Hpirituor (pia ilioa ibat coaipojo tbo j;oaptd of saitiv-
tioo, and tbo tbi d uilribatc cAi-.d^cd Ir. liiu <\.ut;;;^lKy i uil I, a workff,
foraficr tU« word of i-nmuiund its ^tvin, then by li a i^oalt lb<i \> vk \$
df>n<>, ivnd a ftiuad (orliou ui this | u\tei ia ai.>o ^iwn .o nun uiiu boast —
loiDt' mote and noiiio Ii.hm, u.s ttecniid / ooj lo Uio g.\u . ai»l >ne])titlion
wf |>owcr ^iven to ea b m i\i<: niu.neu>ur h.n-i ^di oi ibu body, 1 Ui. allbo-
It •upKriiA'.urai power ia boi.uwea and ub..i.nt.d (>f tli-.: i.orvl uy and
tlirou^b f «ilh, and faitb ;;iv(ib uner;:y .o di,' lu.uu, cnj .bi.-i ii. p icti lb«
U>Ij to all g'j.d work«; iboreforo it u called tbc|.ov«cr gl f-^i^u, liCi

rrxoDou of ood. 1 9

It la nottho power ofthc body, but power borrowed of Godby and through
faith.

Tiion wc say that all good works that man is not r.blc to do and ricrfonu
of iiiuise f, \ c: scomoih lo do, is done by tho Lord because of laith in
him aiul prayer to him.

Now faiih caniiot be cllcd power, nor yet properly the offspring of
power, bu: raihor an agent through which the power of thrLord is bor-
rowjd from tiino t" tinio as mm hith need, orconsta' tly ay mannccdeth,
and by fai.h man may oblain of the Lord all tho power that he nco'ieth.

So will the Lord do for U3 nccnrding to our faith, and faith cometh of
c:n'Jdenco. and coniidenco is gained by oljcdience to Christ's commands,
and an Jerslanding tho will of the Lord, and it is I'aith that saves nioh from
nab lief, for it is pl.i'n that tho more faith the less unbelief; and unbe-
lief bring;-ih wea.^i.ess and ^tupidity, but faith bringoth pnwer and en-
ergy; lu-nco tho reason why ma:i c innot |ilc:iso Clod without faith, be-
cause h: that in h'ssoal iielieveth what God hath spoken ha'.h faiih, and
will do God's commands, and thereby make manifest that hs doe3
beiicTe, and love, and adore God.

IJut on tiie contrary, ho that believelh not what God hith said, must
of n;'c^^ssity suppose that God hath lied or used deceit, or that he has siif-
fereJ some sn to do in his name.

Ai.d ano.her reason is liecause God so loves the world, that l,c greatly
desires to bless tho children of mon with et' rnal life, and make th^ in hap-
py evermore. But ho can only bless men in riglitcoiisnoss, and righteou*-
uess is doing right, and doing right is doing tiod's commands: thereforo
ho thu bolieves ;:ot willnoL oljoy, aid thushj deprives God of the plca-
guro of giving blessings, seeing God o innot blosi men in their iniquity,
and m'n's faith will inereaso as they increase in obedience, and decrca.-©
as thy decrease- in obedience, for faith is the gift of (Jod — even one of
his blessings, and obedience to God's demands, and observing his coun-
gel, and following (Christ's example, is the only channel through which
man overdid, or ever will receive any heavenly blessings; for hiw cora-
man Is were given for this express purposo and none other, only to lead
men in tho way whereby they might receive heavenly blossi;:gs, and this i.^t
>vhat is called coming to God through Jesus Christ— is to come obeying
his command, because tho commandments and promises were w^nt from
(Jod theFaiher by Jcaus Christ ; th'-rcfore through .loeus wo receivethem;
conseiucn'ly if wo obey and do his commanila then and in this way wo-
come to God through .Jesus, and ilioroia none other way prepared where-
by men can co:no to Go I and ree 'ivo ble^3ings--onIy by walking in obe-
dienci.' to his word, an'* wiiat shall induce and inspir'' aman to obey, eavij
h: shall have f;kith to b.-Iieve, that fordoing the things which he '((Jod^
kath said, that he (Goijj will bless the doer as tho Lord hath said, ood
how can a uiin do wh it Gotl hath laW until licihall mudcrttand tht true
loteut ani meaning of the word apoltcn.

20 COMMENTS ON THE

Bv this wc see tkc importance of a right undcratanding, aqd the reason
whj men do rot obtain ninro jxbund:inlly of hc:ivcnly blo.ssIti;2;s ; and also
Low talsoandhypocriiic-*! it is to I my lo tiod to aavc us throu);b Jcsus
Christ, wh';n wo do not walk, neither dosi;:n nor intend to walk ilio onl/
road lira passes ;liroii;:h Jesus to God, whicli is doin;; his coininaiuls ;
therefo.*' wo .sav that the luau that asks Ciod to ^avo iiiin ihruu;^li Jesiij
L/'hrist, and doth not at the same time do liis best iiniuavors to do Christ's
commands; this man docs nothiiiL; more nor loss (in substance) than lo
ask Cod I" bucomc a jiurtalter witii liim in sin, bv*iavin;^ liim in his sins,
and thcaamc to ilio man wlioalriU ask (iod to forf^ivc liis sins, when l»o
doth not repent and turn from his sins, for this is all that can bi; called j-o-
pentance — IS to forsake sin and do it no more, and this is all that can bo
called for^lvenncss of sins, is to have tlicainful spirit depart Jj-om us, and
to r«,'ceivo of Cod a bolter.

Fourliily.

Love is'also one of the seTcn attributes of God, and also one of llie
twolve sjjiritB or qualities which compose the /;ospeI of salvation, and bjr
love man ifsuvciifrom hatred. maIio'>, an;;er, ill vill, dislike, and all sucU
like evil griirils or qualiiii-s, for where love is these evil qualities eannofc
exist aud lio.

IJy this we 8*^0 that the whole pospcl plan cf salvation is ns plain and
^y to understand, as eatiujj and ilrinkm;; to refresli tlie body, and also
we see that the j^ospe! p'an is so judiei'iusly arranged, and eouijiletely and
perfectly or^^ajnied, that its very nature is to produce ai d l>riM;:; unlo man
•ulvAtiou, iuu^ouuch as roan will live in and by the plan and act accor-
dingly.

l''or seek and obtain wisdom, and then are you not saved from i;;i)o-
rancoV and ever speak the truth, and then is not all lyin;;, deceit, and Ky-
pocraoy departed ? Mid seek and obtain faith, and wiiei« ia unbelief and
doubts?

They .ore departed and Rono, and sack and obtain love, and all malice
and liatrcd is no mure ; and so with alt the rest, for all ihose twelve qual-
itieJi whiclM'ompouc tlio gospel of salvation, the; arc so just, ■■) true, flO
good, HO noble, ao lovely, so peacvable, ho kind, so friendly, •ogeiiilc, so
lowly, ao tcnd'T, BO can-ful, that they are diiectlv calculated to wiu lh»
afl'«v:tion^ of uU men, and thereby save ourselves from iliffieuUies.

Tliereforo wo say iha; th'* most persecutions at'ainst the eaints arc for
hard, grievous and ajjgravatin;^ words, ncnllessiv spoken, and some fevf
uojust deed:), npokeu and done ihrou^^h zeal for (iod, but not iu ri^lueou»-
De<(S.

And Iov« manifest* itself in three ways, viz : — to (iod, to our neighbor,
i^i thtt «• lints.

Firstly.

l^oTe lo (} -d must of ncccsflity include to lovo wIi*dom, to love Irutli,
to loro faith, to lovo jaslico, io loru mercjr, to lovcpuacO} to love vtrtuo

KINGDOM OF GOD. 21

in all itg various forms, to love mcokness, to love humility, to love chari-
ty, to love patienco, to love temperanco, anti to love gi'dliness in all ita
'eatures, ami if a man loves thosv^ thin2;s will ho not cleave unto them ?
ind if he cleaves unto thera will he not walk therein and practice them ?
I'herefore wc sa.y let no man pretend to say that he loves God, save he
ihould strive witli all his might, mind, and strcnj^th, to live l)v, and in
".II th:.'S3 hoiy qualities, ani wc say that if a man loves God wi'h ail his
iieart, ho will he willing to do what (!nd hath said, and we also think that
there will not lie any part of his heart k-ft, whorewithall to love the van-
i'-'es of tho world, thd superfluities of food, raiment, silver or pold, hou-
ses, lands, furniture, or riches of this world of any kind, but having iho
necos-5ary coaifoi-ts of life, will therewith be content, and seein;^ these
"jayin^s arc true, why then do men profe«siii{; fC'.'dliness, desire tiiesuper-
luities, and vaniciss, and riches of this world ? Both poor and rich have
.he «arao desire, the poor desiring to obtain riches, and the rich desiring
'0 keep what; ih^y havo and obtain more. Is it not becau-e they love
heso ih;n;;s ? 'J hen how do they lore God with all tl;c heart, seeiup; they
)ve the vanitiea of the world? Well then, what a man loves he adores,
and his soul c'.cjves unto, (and thii is the only true wo; ship), and what
a man worships — that is his God. By this we s«e almost all men are idol-
ators, seeing they worship line d ess, house, land, beasts, cquip-age, fur-
niture, f^oM, silver, and in line, all riches.

Bu ft'w will sav they have any surplus, nay not even enouj^h, the poor
cannot h ive more than is needful, and the rich will not coi fess they haTe.
Tlicrefore ■!> m irvel that men do not receive more of the blessings of tho
Lord, sjeing that they worship other gods and only worship the Lord by
halvoH, or as hypocrites.

Secondly.

Thou sh lit r r oupjht to love thy nei;^hl)or as thyself, nnd do works meet
for such love, thereby provin'^ that your love is not a more talso pre once,
in tongue and io word, but is eciiuine in every deed, and in trnth ; butthe-
ready question is always at hand with the covetous, siiaL^y, u:ivrow con-
tracted, little, rae m, h;ilf-he irted, unholy, ignoble, d<;;renerato soi.il, for
Buch Will as'v who ii my neighbor V I answer all riucti iilthy pretenders to
rightfOinno«3, that you have the scriptures before you. and miiy h-arn
them if von will, and from them I b-arn that all th(i children i>f Adam
are mv iifigli!>or«, i-a^much as I'l^y come within my knowledge jinl need
anytliin:: d<»no fiTth-'ui, that I can do without distr'ssin;; myself moro
than 1 do g<>o I to them. For whomsoever I lovt; as mvself, I will do all I
can to nave from all sufTe.ing, both temporally iiml spiriiualiy, with aa
much cii"erruln"Si and alacrity as ( would to save ms-lf, -nd my own
eonncienee tells me t'.at I aiu not willing to sulf-r for wnii; of f oo I orfui*
m"nl, or for want of anv other necess try, nnd will not •uder when I have
meana to obtain thuio things. Thin is tho lovo i have for mjaelf, ami bo

22 CXJMMENTS ON THJS

has every other man th3sain3 lo.'e for himself, cxcapt edmafew miserly
ni^f^ard.s.

By this wo sg3 what is our duty atid what wo woul.l do for, and. to our
nsighhora, no; even exc3pt.ing our biUcvest en jaiias^ if wj hud this holy
love within our hjarts ; Uiarof o e wo say ihat inasinach ::3 any sual deei-
reth heavenly blcislngs^ lo-i. th it soul do at;:a of k.iidaeaa to bodi friends
and f 033, as of ion a5 you yan, :m J jn e/ory way you oun, atul wa.ch for aa
opportunity to do goo.lcontinuuliy to odiirs, * d ever do wiih an eye sin-
gle 10 thj glory of ut)i, aui t;i.i'j"hi3j ih i:,you do u j = sjclc n;)r do.rire tha
glory th.it oo.nji from ihj prai e of m^n,. and also take hoeJ that you
tspa e no piin3, noi- mon^v, i or anyt linj;, to ina.co o.hor8--cvun all aa
comfoi\ab.o and hippy as yo^i'd^lf. i do no; s ly yo.i shili givo half you
have to thj ii. 'dip ;>;).• m o yo u inajt with, for in ih^s v.'iiy, if i:on.inued,
tha riohj3t. mm would soon ^xj.iOinj v.;r\- i).')o.', ov^n iu w .ui, but ^ivo to
him or l)or th.i: nojjjth inumuj:) as you c ii-

But whore there ia a s.orehousj, if evorv man v;oiild placo there all hia
surphis prop rty, putting coyo:eai,«vj s o'ut'f hishia.-t,; m ibis \\ayth9
needy vrould hi ovor abuuJ a.ly aup^.dij.l^ vvli'iijli p. an ia ai.o^ethjr inost
oxceilont.

For a bo.ly or church h is no.hin ;; to feti- from [ ovjrty, If they will
oonse^jrate for tha benj.is of ihj pn >;• a!i ihey luive, n ny JG3jrving to
thjm33lvc3 wlia- th.^y r3 ;.liy nj.i.l lo- tuo'r suppo.-i, anu be liidmLTiOus
and prudent, and sivmr hi/ n,> h ii; hi ioj. (f.>r la.'/m m3 Ui si i anJ bo
is was:s) ; and a^ of.cn aa they o'>,..in anvihin^' ihi :s as.npius tO Lhem,
place Id in or at th.; doo»- o" t o am oho.is.i, liri. 3 m ; o a j, ai.iy h ive iha
use of such artiele, and in- s-m.i-i a there beeom a i burih.-'u.-comj sur-
plus at the 8:or3uc>a3e, let iL be sa.d o.' exc langeU 1 or BUoa ar 'OiCs as tha
church neede^ii froui ub.na I. In ihij way no.i ; v.'ou.d 1 x.x whui is real-
ly needed.

There would be no idlebeisLs deio i- n y».:r ;iubi.:inj}j n.) idle ani-
cles to lie rottio':; o: ru t'.nx when o a •■v-i wau .-ia;.i i,i^..c.ej co ujs.st ihem
to do their v. oric t" gooj a ivan.acti"

In this way ai-huroh m u.. of n :cs.j;ty v.ry .'•■o;)n le.o :ij oxeee iingly
rich in all needful goo is, ;f ad wou d uo .iri.i c.).; ;.■ ...j o uo .if t;r ili'.; Loru'a
pattern.

But i;i a scattered situalion it '.s d :. • i . i ..u. I, i.s n -i udlicult
to do good i I i ny place, if w.* • n > i - i ■> o . '■ ,nd .ii.j ismau's

duty in every .situarioa. to io >. : • > . vn .i^m, auJ wa

iisk how c:in any mm bj c tU.-d ;i -- u ■ ..o a of u

eaintto do theje lh'ng.^ of v/h «.i :i , u a x, com-

mandment re;|uire3 even mo,-.! , a .a. a.:j, iO . . V. .11 e ooiu ;ian-

ded to love • n^ ano her, even ?ii esui' •a\< iid i.o utk wiiat

pain-s hadi he sp ired ^o m lie m .lanpy n-.'^iirio a . - -i -• e u.-.y.

What could hs h iv • d^Mie mort' hu,. h !T.->..i >.•■.> iioao. J>y ui.w we 8i>«
that itie thedu y of aU ya n y o d.> nl; tiiey c-.i- : ;) iu ...e laon- bicturt*

KINGDOM or aoD. 13

bappy, both in bo.lv and mind, both for time txnd foretftrnlty; therefore
wesiv lot oar mliii-^ become d.irkened th'.t darknrgi f<h;ill fill our p.ath,
ftiiJ ii;i our eves fail llu'ir sl^l;t, mi 1 our t'in:^ues refuse to >;pf!ik, and O'.ii
ri;rht hanh pjrish and fall noin our boilli's, when wo .sliiill beconio PC
fahj as t • cjuf ji.; or n ■': ' ' ' \:o any man a saint who is not willing t<
eliaro auJ fare with 1 ! :i all tliln.'s, in alUiction and t'omfort, it

iiuaz'r, in fa'.iuM-;. ' . ;'n 1 clolliinu', in honor and di.shonor

in toil and ea-c, i >vt of a belief in equality nnd a proof of thi

Isim.i by th.'lr \v ) ' , or ob'a!n th's confession from ua — a snint

for s ) fon:^ ai wcsi>e uiis spirit ^n 'ome, desiring to hold f.ut their richcg
nn I i:i;rc V43 thiroln by unja5l ^'m in b;ir,'^ain'<, &c., spendiu'^ their tliB'
in ca'iJ Oi* idbnjss, or wors? tlian id'.cne5?». tradinj^ and trafficinp; to ob
t:iin W2.il:h til -roby from ih.'hard oarninjrs of others, while some arewa
Uln;j lhrou_:rh poverty and dislres.? — even laborin;^ beyond their 6tren;;t
tT got an hon;st support, and o'.hers s.^L'k;n;» for ponic o!hi'e for to <^c
{^lory of m-a, and <>t!i»73 sliowlni ;;re.it r.?ipec"- to tlie rich :ind losucha
JioiJa h'cli olios; but if a pot»r niin pass'^s by iio isseanrelv nolicod,nn
•)ft 'ti t" ' '"' ' : because of his poverty, and llnir eompan

i.» of ' tho moiinucss of thoir dress, and ii!:tny sue

an I « ii. . 1 . .i .. .. .1 •. J 13, and we say that if such d.<eds art" liieworl
•of s lin.s, then wo mart coac'.udc that hell has swallowed down many puc
Ba'nu.

but >t'i it is th?~us'j of sp'ak'n;:; nr.ich of these thin/s, for wo kno

■tb-.t < V. rv '>n • that ha^ a d'j.-'r;' to d'# ri;^ht, will know^ all these thingsf*

}i '■. '1 • - forew- St V that over,- on.' that hath not a desire and

hi« t; ) I'.i r: -'i; in all thin;rs U "thnot the ';pirit of Jcaus.

fiuh.

•Justice is also on'> of i\\p: seven attributes, nnd a'so one of the twcl

•pirt^ th t cons: tuto the ^osppl of Huivation, nnd by jii-*tieo woare savi
from injuHlie", for it is ev.d ^nt that if a in:in is just iu ali liis ways, h
II •-• 'i ail his dfl iliuTi. that h.> is no; fjuihy of cheatinj, d'Triiud'n;, n
wi ..i ia'i any ; thoref(»r<» sueh an on™ his a ri;rht to cxprt and hopo
b ' '. and by tlr« Kord from llu' iniiislioe jind ki avi»ry ol otliera, f

ii ;■ nalura of both <io 1 and ninn to stand up in dcfcnfc of t

Ii .!i ■•. Ill ill, to save him from lurln<r d'frauded, but \slio will stuiul ind
f.-n-^'if ft kuve; nono, no not om; th nfon- lot all vmir wavn ai
<l ■ • • s'.rielly ju->t tiid non ••*: in si/ht of both (iod and niiin, a.'

tl yo iri'.dves from tU«» »in of injuitiuc, and also vour rcput

-I. . n;; ;."»o<l will of yo'ir fdlow ui.xn, for wlial h trm Inn iiny m

<tO fnar from m tn whj^i liotli <o 1 an i man will sttnd up for h m.

' Uut l> olc and ko ' th« ii iit-li<!i< nnd dislioncxiy in all, i;\< n nil, and win
■Uall WR find thn just and ii')n<st m ui,<)ti>u thi> in;m thai will taki>Qoa
van'.ij^e of hi* fellow m m. in any way or ca^c wliiitt«\^r. Whrro ia I
m«n to b-* found that will ii>ii usf nil hia < unnin;; and 1 fit rndcavora
toil at a higa prio« and buy at a \v« p<ioo, nnd barter in iho •uioc wi

24 COMMENTS ON THE

Therefore vre ask, where shall we find the just man? and if any thinketh
he is jast, perhaps he will do well to search his heart and then think
that over again; f or >ve will not confess any man just who will sell prop-
erty for more than its real value, or buy fo.- less; for wa say that jus-
tice will giro a penny for a pinny and harm no man unjustly.

But liark, do we not hoar iiim say tluit eviTv man has a right to
make a good barga n wIienGver he can ? but we usk, who gave you
Buch a ri_;ht? we say that th" devil has given you such a wrong, but
none his given you sunh a right ; lor there is no such right existing.
The spirit of injustice is your consiant companion. Aiid here we find
tnothcr picture Oi" an unholy saltit. (zVn unholy saint is one sancti-
fied b\' sill.
Sixthly

Ani again we say thatmoi'cy is one of the "^evon attributes of tho
3)reat-<)r, anl al>-o nne of ih; tw.dvo f/uits of the treo of life; or in oth-
;r woiils, one of the twelve eiu.il parts that comp:-ss the Gospel of
Salvatio:); for it is evident tli;;t where tlie ppirit of mcrey is, the spirit
3f c'ucbv is not; mid thus we ^e-' by npenting of cruelty and seeking
io obtain a m«rciful ti'mpcr we sh;ill be saved from this ein. Look
md see the ieelin^s of ;i le'ider nio norover Iilt infant when in distress,
md thecefi'oni iearii whn oir fet-lings ought to be towauls all both
nan and benstwhen in lli^trv■s^. When ihis spirit ent.Ts our hearts and
nen bcgi I lo :^(. fn,- .h w-vping, bearing ireeinus seed, then willtha
Lioid beg n'o build up Zion to be no more ihrown down. Then will it
36 saio, TIkso are saints of tlie mobt iiigh. This is a aaint.^-
Scve':tlily.

And aga n we s \y hitp mc3 is one (if the seven attributes and also
)ne of the tw 'Ivi' e iiml |iar:s, o' .']ua!iti s, which are sj.irts, that savo
nen from sin; for it is pain ihat inasmv.ch as men obtain these righ-
teous spirits th.y are .-.ave.i f om ihft evil spirits which arc of a contrary
lature anl lemi nic i '0 dowi ke'ily, f ^r in -.smiich as a man shall ob-
aln wis lorn \\h\\ its Ci•);ll^^a..i"n-;■, kuo\vlcilj.e and umicrslanding, is hd
lot s.iV(.d from fuo'ishness i d its rompanio.u, ignorance, &;c. And
nasniuch as ni>u saaii oht.ii: iho spiri of ii-nth, v/ill they notecase to
ie and deceive, <& ■., • i i so »\ i h all liid r-.^-t, an 1 th s is the gospel
)lan and ihe o. iy plan ol si!va ion ; Io.- this is all that can be called
alvation is to l»e .-a . e I Irom r>in a.d ihe e'leots ot sin \rliich is tho
)ower of the deiii; an I i.) v i- a man saved iVoin sin wncu sin remains
13 it was: ov how is a m '..< sa>e i from tlus pa^^s of a lion when he yet
•eraains in the In.ns pa. -s; Th,-r,-!0 •.• we say itany man would be saved
n th- kingdom of hei\f;.i h ■ innst fL'.-it bo saved f.'om s^n for there 19
lOoMierplan w.ier.jby t,. oli ai i ho.iven an I there is no other plan
yherebv to be s iv«d tioni .sin. o ly tiie plan of whitdi wc have spoken ;
or if a'maa will sct-k for an 1 o naii th.- spirit <.f jieace and live therein
md const.uitiy prac.n.c [lea'ie, will nO: thi.i save him from strifes,

KIMGDOU 07 COD. 25

fuirrels, contenti»ns, evil spealung, bac^bitir.gs and from all thingi
tuatleal t\nd teivls to strifo ;iiul contentions? but when a man deli.;hls
in anJ will practice theso cvit thin;^3, dot'.i not this prove that he hath
this sort of a spirit of sill ? and as long ai a mm h.vth the siaril of
contention it is plain that he ia not sivcd Dora this i-iii, an 1 ih'.s showi
that he hath noi repented of this sin, for this is \h.', only true and t;cn-
uin3 rcpw'nt.inoj anj all tli;it cm bo called ropcut.mce is to forsake and
cease to do evil and adopt and do goo I in-itead theroof ; (.•e.isc. to do
■•vrong and d') right insto.il thereof. An I if we live in pea'-e with all
.aen andcnltivata po.ica with all mon as innch as in us lies will notlhi*
•ool and ai»;)eas3 the wratli of man towards us? and will not thin savo
la from mucli tribulation V and if wo desire pc.ico and take heed that
we spe.ii: no a'^ravaiing words which is not ne^'dfal slu-nld bo said or
•louc, will not botli (jv>d and iniust;iud for u»; but if w; sin by oflcnsiva
words or djeds. Go i will not in this case protect and pro=;tTVo us ar.d
•nan will alllic: ns and suo'i as woald continno friendly must cease to
plead for us for wunt of reasonable argument in our favor. Tlicreforj
we say that he thai; dcliijlits in contentions and war siiill have coiiten-
tioa and war until ho i< fully sitisficJ therewith, for this is tho v«ry
oature of man to give siioli tlieir lill of war and strife.

Kii;htlily.

Meekness is trusting in .ind dopcndin;.j on flod for all needful things,
Ijoth temporal an I sijiritual; beeiuso wo h.Ave not wisdom nor yet pow-
er to ever thin!:, speak and act in ligliteonsn.'ss, nor yet to savoour-
•.^Ivesfrom the po.vei- of si. an nor yci from those things that depend
on oars jlves. Therefo-c it is for oar best good to louk, to trust in, de-
pend on the l..ord iti an I for ail things, oven as. cliildren djjiend on their
parents for support and protc:liuu until thoy are able to support and
dcfen<t th-mselves.

Ninthly.

And again it is needful thatvrc exorcise th« spirit of humility being
humble ml of a low!y temper in heart and mind. And iiumilily will
bive n» from all pri le boll, lomnoral uii I spiritu d, even n« meek nest
•avesu' fronj manv mis.vordsanl deeds and muili harm:«o will hiimil-
i:T sav.j from [Mide, for humility and prid« cannot dwell intliesatn*
heart i»otlt at cii'-e, therefore as huntility incienses pride ntiist docre.uje
:.n I [>ridc i- a sin tliat is very al'ominible in »*igl>l of both (Jo I and mau
itnd a tin that we cm be saved from <>idy by ejuking ufier ind ubtaiu-
)ui an<l exercising the spirit of humility, and pri I- is a i*iu that mani-
fcA* itsjif in a variety of wur*. Firstly, by u ilvittu und love for Hno
dres.H. line and eb-gant and ciluly fiirniiur*, li<»uso»i, A,n. Seoomlly, »
desire and lovo for praise of tho world, and tbi« sliows iUflIf in tawny
ways to gainprait.', f«r iM|H!rflnities of dres\ \i<n\*Q fnrniturB, c irriajje*,
hwrscs, &c., are for lliis expro-s purpoiio to Rain rsspool and praiso. —
iiut tJ leave all this i>oinposity and foolry wiiboul further commoul ao4

?l$ coatrsxTS OS rsB

iowk at the rich *fh! flno drest, brother or sister sooming Rnii rofasif^
Iho oomp \nv of tbi3 poor mvI msanlj drest, because of their poYortv ;
'when Go.l h;vs BalJ al! i^hoii'.J Lo eqml and we say of r.ll i?u:h high
minJei liypdciiies, lot thosf^rc curses of Go'Jparsuu them, until, in^itcaA
»>f boauty, buriii;);.;;; insica I of fine dre3.<, cUiiy rags; inste.^d of ri,-hes,
^vorty; instoal of plonty, hunj;er; an 1 iii.s'tord of pr.iisa and hoiur,,
tout-^mp!; iml liisgrace; and wet^a}'', ainen; and let God and all 'ho holy'
•ar.golw s.iy ;Hnon. exccpi thoy b?c.mi3 hiimbla. And again anothjr soi-6
<of pridj; ("or ths S3,,.c of f.im3 d'l not luimy sojk and obtain soma oSioa
vh'.cli ihjy nro not ahio iioryjt willin;;' ti' iiiignifiy or at least retain an
ethci) whj:i once obiainol to Lh-, <j;ro it ib\m igo of the churdi in loi^s of
blessing.-^, and jiower of tlie spirit of the Lord? and reflecLiug on all thosa
thing^^ loads na to tlie ii:qiiiry wboro is the saiTt ? for how c.iu a mau
ho cdle.l as?iint until ho is sa..ctiri(;d ? and f sanctifisd. then has ha
not r«colvoii the holy ghost to guide him into all truth, ;m'l if'-uidod
into all tiu'h thin of iiceeaoity he mu>;t understand all tkcde things at
Jo.ist of v/hleh we Iiavc S;ioke:i, aid if h.' un IcrstaH.l'J, why do'Ja he no4
>?A!k t'.ic^'ain, and alao di^jLire them u.ito oihers th:.t tuoy mayproQli
t'.iereliy.

Tenth ly.

Tcinperan?o is a holy nu^-^.ity wliich la to bo temperate in all our
{Jion^hcs, words an-.l deeds, ever sneak (;ar(dully, thou;i:itfu!iy, mildly,
o.ilm]y Hnd rii^htcojulv. and lot ail your actions be governed by the
B(ini3 rule. Avoid all ]ia^ty and vioUnt words or actiona. ToJupBr-
aace 3;ives us from th:) sin of intemperance, which is vicUncs and lag-
ttivoousni'f^s.

iiiievcnth.

Patic::coIs another holy quality whieh is to endure losses, diaappoint-
monls, orosHCS, ailiictions, trii>nlaiioii.*, pcrspcatlonr,, &c., ^iUioiit niur"
njeiintr or coinpl. lining. (In your [latieuce j ossess yc yoar soula.)

Tu-clfth.

U!i niuyis nnothar holy spirit or quality. Charity is to be liberal ia
:thou;^ht, words ;m 1 deeds, being good and kind to all, imparting your
raoMey and floods to the needy willingly; also your labor whoa uoedei.
Ohariiy inwards will not cnn lemn the truth thou:i;h n^^w and unheard
of before. Chirty will search inlo all thinj^s an 1 confess all things that
urctrtjo. Ch.irity will jiiiitiliy what is ri^ht. Charity \till savs us from
falling into iho sn iri-3 of Iralition, superstition and bigotry, and there-
by »rrin? fron: thj truth. If the Jew.< ha i been ch-uit^i-hla they would
not h ive oon ienii'd our Lord and his followers. If the Catholics had
.been ch.irit.iblc thoy would not have rondemne 1 the Protef^tanls, and if
the Prt>r«;stant8 had been charitable ihijy would i:ot hiive condemned
J<»«Cili Smith jun., for bringing forth the 13uok of Jlormou and othors
for believing i;.

RfKooou or OOD. )7

And ifibo followers nfJojcpli S:n1t.b,jnn.,h*7i chanty ihsy will noi
eoadomn us for telling the truth, :\;i.l if wo have rhariij wo will i:otcon-
ddjoa l!)e next church tiiAi shall ariaj o.ii cf siiii.

Bat rhirity ia almost a straiigi-r iti thi.H \v>>rll an;! ever hns bceo, be-
in; fou:rJ oaiy in trre lji>som ni' Tcv, Wh ii \v ; coiisiJcr how man/
have foii»':it iv^.ii:ist iho tni'h anJ t'i*roby li^it tl'.eir s.ilv^Lum :it dijfcr-
eiit i»erioJs of time, t!ioii wa 8 sc ho>v imp >rtant it 13 to have charitr
that will Ictid uj t<i »aar :h into thu iruih of all tliiir^s and luiiulcnia
riOtlii:)g thit is goo.l, but to u|)!i«>Kl cvi'^y g>ud thing. wdiiI a,!id wv^rk.

Ni»w to spo.vk of bh'suin.;'* proini<3>i to ihu*' tli,it will f"rj:\!ce ;ill sin.
The first blo-siiig is light. Tho faints* of li;5ht iii to fully, clearly and
ri^ht'j ufidir.-.tiiid all scripture.

The S'.Tipiuras are given for our iiistru.-tion nnJ wo arc not instructed
brwh.it wcda not unJcrst.iiul; look i:ot to mm but to Co.l for ii;struc-
lion. Lst jo.ir \vli<>lc ihoii^ht*, by day auil by nigh", bo d.-votod to meJ-
iuiion t«» iiuo'.v siu ihat yo.i m ly r>>r3 tko it a'ld do sin no more. Place
1.0 coafiJerioe iuwli.it rna;» sliill aiv; hut aj.rch tlu su'-ipturt-a and
know foryoiirso'f: ru.id atl«.':itivcIy,in-.;:ii'utocoast.an ly «iu wh.ityou read;
l«jt vour who'o .^oul, mi'.il, uiiglit uui t.t;-c:i4 h bj devote 1 to know sin
in its ways, ihit yo'ul-i it no mo.-.'; an. I a'..o loknow wli.it ij rigiit, that
yoa may d > iha right an I l<y ihij co li-.ie wlun yoari;iluly S: '.Ic.irly un-
'der»ta:ii nil b'rriptur?; then you will have lln; full;. ess of light. When
tiie icript iri'i aro richly ip dirs'ooj lh.«r>j v.ill I • a jercci :in.l har-
moniout agrocma if thro'igh'tut the whole, both wh it is given :ind what
ahall begivc'i. Porha; h *om3 will think and »uy ihit :ill sciipttirw*
oaiiuot b« rig:ii»v an 1 c!ei.-y uo Icretnod. 'Isiioltfiich a»;i\ing charg-
iiigCiod Willi folly uud di'cci', to givu uu bcri|'tuio lor our intlructiott
Ih^t we rai.D'it ha i::tttru(.t«<l by bcc-ausu we can:.ut uudcratand th«
wcrtlapuk >ii to Ilk

lu rt-id tbj • ripturo^ and not unlerdtund the meauing of what w
real i«lik't b-a ing w.ird* in iHioilnT ton.riic W(j nra not iust-ucted iiu —
Tl>«cauMiii« wc ourteNo* turn a <k- if car, that i« iuiniy, v.e d() not soek,
Wj u;idT»lan 1 ri ;ht. Iljt wo fi'-Kt < h 'O^o soino code ol doctrine, then w»
•««k acripin'9 thil will itppe.ir to Bupp.irt 01. r chosen c-jdc and lusb
•crip'u-o.iH wi» cinn 't u-e to alvaita^o wo paw by an nKUions, to aa
an 1 a:;'iin our mii.di nro filte I wih v.iiiily imd v. orliliiuess.

To.s.- arc Homo « f ih'i rea«oi.« why lii'o 8<ri|itiircs u>o no bettor uft^
d^rsood. Hui wo #»y li't any soul, nuin, woinun or «l:i!d, black or
whit", Ion! orf ee, | oor or rii h, fiinplc or wi^e, net iii"* whole ^gul to
sc?k f'T the l/Uij nio.urn:; of nrripture ihut he lu ly bp Ic4 ihero bj
'hr"wi g aw:iy all opiriotm and Bitiu •• of men iih wi.rMo than loih nr,
t«-au>t th<'_r c.ii Dot bo relied o:., .ind lol that »oiil cojilinue fc'iMulfihl.^
to m''h»jl«by daT ind by niijht (a\e«pt when a»lci»p) when hi» hat<d«
u« at wurk, or be about what he my, lei tu« if ind bo cuuetantly 1^

28 COMMENTS ON THB

•ontemplation to know the true ..leaning of scripture that he may fully
know his duty to God and man. In less than six months that soul would
be able to teach any man now to be found on the earth' and a year
would not pads away until he would fully and clearly understand all scrip-
ture.

Let it be remembered that no sonl can rcceiTe light, knowledge and
nndor.standini; of G;)d bat the faithfully obedient, snub as will do their
duty laithfully in all thin^^s accordin;i to the light given unto them,
and as light grows on the soul so will every holy ])rinciple, and, among
others, faith will be found t.nd accordinc: Uo your faith so will be your
power with God, to heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind, &c., doing
suidi things as our Lord did when he was on the earth preaching this
game Gospel. Finally as your are called unto the everlastio'jr Gospel of
Chri.-^t, with an everlasting covenant as it is in the book of Gov., first
ftd., sec. 97, par. 5, "therefore care not for the body, neither the life of
the body, but care for the soul and the lil'eof the soul and seek tha
face of the Lord always and bind, yourselves to act in all holiness be-
fore the Lord that God may add glory to the kingdom" as it is written
in Book of Gov., first eil., sec. 14, par. 3, and bretheren farewell. Be
good and kind to all both friends and foes; d© no harm, spe ik no hard
and grevious words to any nor about any; ever speak good and kind
words and do good and kind acts to all, and may the blessing of God
rest u|:o.'. you and be with you, Amnn."

Thj fnllovving is the coven int that all members of thi? church sub-
Bcribp to with their own hand and thus become members of the Church.
Any p ■■rso.i aft'M- iiivesiig.itiHg and having faith in this greater work of
the Fiithcr ran co| y the covcnan"; and sign their names to the same and
•enl it to Br. F. G. Bishop or Joel Sli ;arer, Council Bluffs City, for-
merly Kiuesville, Iowa. It is advisable for all those that believe in
this work to gather to • lis ]ilaco as soon as possible, even to Council
Bluffs Ci y, except those at S ilt Like City, who can stay there if they
thooic a^ that will ere long be the gathering place for all of the flock.

KINGDOM OF COD. . 29

THE HOLY COVENANT AND INSTRUMENT OF SACRIFICE.

We, whose naraas arc hereunto annexo.l, being believers "n the Book
of Mormon, as tlic stick of Joseph in the han 1 of Ei^hraiin, as woU as
believers in the Bible, as the stick of Jud.ili, and look rig fur ih-s salva-
tion of Zion according to ths pro|)hecics that we may avail oursc'vcs of
the promise of the Lord to those who fear liim, as spoken by the Proph-
et Malachi, do wcmiHt solemnly promise an I covenant with each other
and with the most high, the Go I ol I-;r«al, that \vc will serve him faith-
fully in all tiiin.is acjording to thj liij;ht ho gives unto us; and as he re-
quires his people to love one anoheras themselves, so wo sincerely, oul
of a pure lie.irt, agree to sustain each other as ourselves in all riL^hte-
ousness and truth, and thorofore to c vrry out perfectly the principles con- >
tiiiied in the holy covenant, and to become one in the Lord, in^rder of-^
the stewardship do wo subscribe vitn our own h.tnd to this covenant
and in<trum°nt of sacrifice.

Therefore, let the God of Isrcal, anl all the holy angels, and thes*
present, witness that I hereby give myself nn.l all I possess as a sacrilic*
unto the Li">rd forjver. And as evidence of the sams 1 now subscriba
with my ownh mi to this lioly in-itrument of covemnt and sacrifice' and
hereby place myself and all things I p>.^scss under the direction of tho
Lord in the holy order of the slcw.irdship and this that I may be prepar-
ed for the groat foIcihu ass mbly when the ancient of days shall sit and
lb» Kin^Jom«^of God i« set upon the Earth. Ameo.

C

53 O0MMEKT3 CN THE KTKGDOM 0? OOD.

Tha raador will aea^'by reading this work, that this church has p- tbtislr-
jid a autabo^ cf oLhjr b.)oka relative to this greater vrork of the Father j
Buch as tha Pri c amitlorij Bsok of Renismbranco, Address to the Saints,
Kisn'a M333en';or, lla., gc-ma of which ara nov.' on hand. Should aoy
Ona, Tifte? raafliii:^ this, dsairo to road still i'arth'r or inTestignte atifl
fijtrthar, oTga'.n further iarormatioa oa tha 88'>je'"t, they vrillpleaga bccaI
In thsir 1112133 aaiphoQ of rssidanoo and roqa-ost to this p'aceag <iiroe-

13UJ0 s.^r/^'H^///

^

Ti-.

('

HISTORY A'-

of Latter-day Sdittt^