16. They sought evil in their hearts, and I, the Lord, withheld my Spirit. They condemned for evil that thing in which there was no evil; nevertheless I have forgiven my servant Isaac Morley. 17. And also my servant Edward Partridge, behold, he hath sinned, and Satan seeketh to destroy his soul; but when these things are made known unto them, and they repent of the evil, they shall be forgiven. 18. And now, verily I say, that it is expedient in me that my servant Sidney Gilbert, after a few weeks, shall return upon his business, and to his agency in the land of Zion; 19. And that which he hath seen and heard may be made known unto my disciples, that they perish not. And for this cause have I spoken these things. 20. And again, I say unto you, that my servant Isaac Morley may not be tempted above that which he is able to bear, and counsel wrongfully to your hurt, I gave commandment that his farm should be sold. 21. I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some; 22. And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall {213} go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men. 23. Behold, now it is called today (until the coming of the Son of Man), and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned (at His coming); 24. For after today cometh the burning: this is speaking after the manner of the Lord; for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of hosts: and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. 25. Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today. 26. And it is not meet that my servants, Newel K. Whitney and Sidney Gilbert, should sell their store and their possessions here, for this is not wisdom until the residue of the Church, which remaineth in this place, shall go up unto the land of Zion. 27. Behold, it is said in my laws, or forbidden, to get in debt to thine enemies; 28. But behold, it is not said at any time that the Lord should not take when He please, and pay as seemeth Him good: 29. Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord's errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord, is the Lord's business, 30. And He hath set you to provide for His Saints in these last days, that they may obtain an inheritance in the land of Zion: 31. And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it;