7. And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you. 8. And let the residue take their journey from St. Louis, two by two, and preach the word, not in haste, among the congregations of the wicked, until they return to the churches from whence they came. 9. And all this for the good of the churches; for this intent have I sent them. 10. And let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have given him, a portion unto mine Elders who are commanded to return; 11. And he that is able, let him return by the way of the agent, and he that is not, of him it is not required. 12. And now I speak of the residue who are to come unto this land. 13. Behold, they have been sent to preach my Gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known. 14. And after thou hast come up unto the land of Zion, and hast proclaimed my word, thou shalt speedily return, proclaiming my word among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife; 15. And shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not; not in their presence, lest thou provoke them; but in secret, and wash thy feet, as a testimony against them in the day of judgment. 16. Behold, this is sufficient for you, and the will of Him who hath sent you. 17. And by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., it shall be made known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery. The residue hereafter. Even so. Amen. [Sidenote: Prophet and Others Depart for Kirtland.] On the 9th, in company with ten Elders, I left Independence landing for Kirtland. We started down the river in canoes, and went the first day as far as Fort Osage, where we had an excellent wild turkey for supper. Nothing very important {203} occurred till the third day, when many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine's Bend, Brother Phelps, in open vision by daylight, saw the destroyer in his most horrible power, ride upon the face of the waters; others heard the noise, but saw not the vision. The next morning after prayer, I received the following: _Revelation, given August, 1831._ [7] 1. Behold, and hearken unto the voice of Him who has all power, who is from everlasting to everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.