- A commandment of God and not of man to you, Martin, given by him who is eternal, yea, even I. I am he, the Beginning and the End, yea, Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord, the Redeemer of the world. I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself, retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he has done — and surely every man must repent or suffer, for I, God, am endless, wherefore, I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth: weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left hand.
- Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation, wherefore, it is more express than other scriptures that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men altogether for my name’s glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know, even as my apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest, for behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it? For behold, I am Endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is Endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore —
- Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.
- Endless punishment is God’s punishment.
- Wherefore, I command you by my name, and by my almighty power that you repent, repent lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore — how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer, if they would repent. But if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, to suffer both body and spirit, and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
- Wherefore, I command you again by my almighty power that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time when I withdrew my spirit.
- And I command you that you preach naught but repentance, and show not these things, neither speak these things unto the world, for they cannot bear meat, but milk they must receive; wherefore, they must not know these things, lest they perish. Wherefore, learn of me and listen to my words, walk in the meekness of my spirit, and you shall have peace in me, Jesus Christ, by the will of the Father.
- And again, I command you that you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor seek your neighbor’s life. And again, I command you that you shall not covet your own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God, which is my word to gentiles, that soon it may go to the Jews, of which the Lamanites are a remnant, that they may believe the gospel and look not for a Messiah to come which has already come.
- And again, I command you that you shall pray vocally as well as in your heart, yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well in private. And you shall declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people which you shall be permitted to see, and you shall do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers. And of tenets you shall not talk, but you shall declare repentance, and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism and by fire, yea, even the holy ghost.
- Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you, for this shall suffice for your daily walk, even unto the end of your life. And misery you shall receive if you will slight these counsels, yea, even destruction of yourself and property. Impart a portion of your property, yea, even a part of your lands, and all save the support of your family. Pay the printer’s debt; release yourself from bondage. Leave your house and home, except when you shall desire to see them, and speak freely to all, yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing, crying, Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Lord God.
- Pray always and I will pour out my spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing, yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof. Behold, can you read this without rejoicing and lifting up your heart for gladness? Or can you run about longer as a blind guide? Or can you be humble and meek, and conduct yourself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me, your Savior. Amen.
SECTION 4
A revelation given through Joseph Smith Jr. at Manchester, New York, March 1830, to Martin Harris. [See also jsh 17:1–10.]