History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Vol. 1-7). Joseph F. Smith
people to stir them up to anger against you, that they will not believe my words.
33. Thus Satan thinketh to overpower your testimony in this generation, that the work may not come forth in this generation;
34. But behold, here is wisdom, and because I show unto you wisdom, and give you commandments concerning these things, what you shall do, show it not unto the world until you have accomplished the work of translation.
35. Marvel not that I said unto you, Here is wisdom, show it not unto the world, for I said, show it not unto the world, that you may be preserved.
36. Behold, I do not say that you shall not show it unto the righteous;
37. But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter.
38. And now, verily, I say unto you, that an account of those things that you have written, which have gone out of your hands, is engraven upon the plates of Nephi;
39. Yea, and you remember it was said in those writings that a more particular account was given of these things upon the plates of Nephi.
40. And now, because the account which is engraven upon the plates of Nephi is more particular concerning the things which, in my wisdom, I would bring to the knowledge of the people in this account;
41. Therefore, you shall translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi, down even till you come to the reign of King Benjamin, or until you come to that which you have translated, which you have retained.
42. And behold, you shall publish it as the record of Nephi, and thus I will confound those who have altered my words.
43. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
44. Behold, they have only got a part or an abridgment of the account of Nephi.
45. Behold, there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my Gospel; therefore, it is wisdom in me that you should translate this first part of the engravings of Nephi, and send forth in this work.
46. And behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my Gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
47. And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers;
48. Yea, and this was their faith, that my gospel, which I gave unto them, that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites, because of their dissensions.
49. Now, this is not all—their faith in their prayers was, that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible, that other nations should possess this land;
50. And thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this Gospel in this land, might have eternal life;
51. Yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be.
52. And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my Gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up.
53. And for this cause have I said, If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my Church among them.
54. Now I do not say this to destroy my Church, but I say this to build up my Church;
55. Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my Church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven;
56. But it is they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments, but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom of the devil; yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that it is they that I will disturb, and cause to tremble and shake to the center.
57. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto my own, and my own received me not.
58. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
59. I am He who said, Other sheep have I which are not of this fold, unto my disciples, and many there were that understood me not.
60. And I will show unto this people that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob;
61. And I will bring to light their marvelous works, which they did in my name;
62. Yea, and I will also bring to light my Gospel which was ministered unto them, and, behold, they shall not deny that which you have received, but they shall build it up, and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me;
63. And this I do that I may establish my Gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the Scriptures and do not understand them;
64. Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery;
65. For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts.
66. Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely.
67. Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my Church.
68. Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my Church.
69. And now, behold, whosoever is of my Church, and endureth of my Church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against him.
70. And now, remember the words of him who is the life and light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Amen.
Interval in the Work of Translation.
I did not, however, go immediately to translating, but went to laboring with my hands upon a small farm which I had purchased of my wife's father, in order to provide for my family. In the month of February, 1829, my father came to visit us, at which time I received the following revelation for him:
Revelation to Joseph Smith, Sen., given February, 1829. 7
1. Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men;
2. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day;
3. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work,
4. For behold the field is white already to harvest, and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5. And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7. Ask, and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Three Witnesses Promised.
The following I applied for and obtained, at the request of the aforementioned Martin Harris:
Revelation, given March, 1829. 8
1. Behold, I say unto you, that as my servant Martin Harris has desired a witness at my hand, that you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., have got the