Section 54
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Newel Knight, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 10, 1831. Members of the Church living in Thompson, Ohio, were divided on questions having to do with the consecration of properties. Selfishness and greed were manifest. Following his mission to the Shakers (see the heading to section 49), Leman Copley had broken his covenant to consecrate his large farm as a place of inheritance for the Saints arriving from Colesville, New York. As a consequence, Newel Knight (leader of the members living in Thompson) and other elders had come to the Prophet asking how to proceed. The Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation, which commands the members in Thompson to leave Leman Copley’s farm and journey to Missouri.
1–6, The Saints must keep the gospel covenant to gain mercy; 7–10, They must be patient in tribulation.
1 Behold, thus saith the Lord, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even he who was crucified for the sins of the world—
2 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, my servant Newel Knight, you shall stand fast in the office whereunto I have appointed you.
3 And if your brethren desire to escape their enemies, let them repent of all their sins, and become truly humble before me and contrite.
4 And as the covenant which they made unto me has been broken, even so it has become void and of none effect.
5 And wo to him by whom this offense cometh, for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea.
6 But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy.
7 Wherefore, go to now and flee the land, lest your enemies come upon you; and take your journey, and appoint whom you will to be your leader, and to pay moneys for you.
8 And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.
9 And after you have done journeying, behold, I say unto you, seek ye a living like unto men, until I prepare a place for you.
10 And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen.