Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
The next great commandment (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 19) was given to Martin
Harris, in March, 1830, as one of the three special witnesses. Martin
was admonished and warned against his weaknesses, and was commanded to
preach the first principles of the Gospel and declare "glad tidings"
upon the mountains, and "every high place, and among the people," unto
the end of his life. If he should fail, then misery should he receive.
He was further instructed to keep his contract with the printer, and
impart of his substance for the printing of the Book of Mormon, which
"contains the truth and the word of God."
The Atonement and Eternal Punishment Explained
The most important teaching in this revelation was the doctrine of the
atonement and the explanation of the expression "eternal punishment."
"I am Alpha and Omega," said the Lord, "yea, even I am He, the
beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. I have accomplished
and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning
me--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 hath 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 mete unto you to know even as
mine apostles. . . .
"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."
Then follows the statement that Jesus Christ "suffered the pains for
all, that they might not suffer if they would repent." These sufferings
were most exquisite and sore, which caused him "the greatest of all, to
tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both
body and spirit;" and would that he "might not drink the bitter cup and
shrink." Nevertheless he partook of that cup and finished his work, and
this that men might not suffer if they would repent; but if they will
not repent then they must suffer even as he.
Revelation on Church Government
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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