39:1 And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say
unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold,
have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his
faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the
commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good
example for thee? |
|
39:2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my
words as did thy brother, among the people of the
Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou
didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
|
|
39:3 And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that
which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the
ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among
the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. |
|
39:4 Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but
this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have
tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. |
|
39:5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an
abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most
abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of
innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost? |
|
39:6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it
once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it,
behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and
whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of
God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I
say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to
obtain a forgiveness. |
|
39:7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not
been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon
your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for
your good. |
|
39:8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from
God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony
against you at the last day. |
|
39:9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and
forsake your sins, and go no more after the 1lusts
of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for
except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of
God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross
yourself in these things. |
[1] I John 2:16: ...the lust of the eyes... |
39:10 And I command you to take it upon you to
counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings;
for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need
to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their
counsel. |
|
39:11 Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain
or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those
wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye
brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your
conduct they would not believe in my words. |
|
39:12 And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto
me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away
the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I
command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye refrain
from your iniquities; |
|
39:13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind,
might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no
more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and
acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have
done. |
|
39:14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of
this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you. |
|
39:15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you
concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say
unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take
away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare
glad tidings of salvation unto his people. |
|
39:16 And now, my son, this was the ministry unto
which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto
this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that
salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the
minds of their children to hear the word at the time of
his coming. |
|
39:17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this
subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be
known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not
a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will
be at the time of his coming? |
|
39:18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of
redemption should be made known unto this people as well
as unto their children? |
|
39:19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to
send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as
unto our children, or as after the time of his coming? |
|