Читать книгу Essentials in Church History - Joseph Fielding Smith - Страница 184

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The information contained in this ancient scripture caused the hearts of the brethren to rejoice. The Lord continued to pour out knowledge upon them, here a little, and there a little, as they were able to receive it. Early in July (1830) another revelation was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, in Harmony, Pennsylvania. They were commanded to return to the Saints in Colesville, Manchester and Fayette, and the members would support them. They should expound the scriptures and devote their time exclusively to the cause of Zion, and if the members should not support them in these labors, then would the Lord withdraw his blessings. “Be patient in affliction,” said the Lord, “for thou shalt have many: but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” The afflictions surely came, for Joseph Smith was called on to suffer, as few men have had to suffer. He was to attend to his calling, for the Lord would withhold his power in temporal things that he should not have strength.

Oliver Cowdery was also commanded to continue in the ministry and not suppose that he could say enough in the cause, and if he would be faithful the Lord would open his mouth and he should have strength such as is not known among men. This promise was fulfilled, for the Lord blessed Oliver in preaching to that extent that those who heard him were caused to quake and tremble.¹ Power was given to these men to bless or curse; those who received them they were to bless, and from those who rejected them they were to withhold their blessing and to wash their feet against them as a testimony. Should any lay violent hands upon them, they should command them to be smitten, and the Lord would smite them in his own due time. They were to take neither purse nor scrip, neither two coats, as they went forth to prune the vineyard, with a mighty pruning, “even for the last time.”