Section 82

1–4, Where much is given, much is required; 5–7, Darkness reigns in the world; 8–13, The Lord is bound when we do what He says; 14–18, Zion must increase in beauty and holiness; 19–24, Every man should seek the interest of his neighbor.

1. Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have

forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.

2. Nevertheless, there are those among you who have sinned exceedingly; yea, even

all of you have sinned; but verily I say unto you, beware from henceforth, and

refrain from sin, lest sore judgments fall upon your heads.

3. For of him unto whom

much is

given much is

required; and he who

sins against the greater

light shall

receive the greater

condemnation.

4. Ye call upon my name for

revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and

justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.

5. Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all:

Watch, for the

adversary

spreadeth his dominions, and

darkness reigneth;

6. And the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and

none doeth good, for all have gone out of the

way.

7. And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any

sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the

former sins return, saith the Lord your God.

8. And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a

new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;

9. Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may

act before me, that it may

turn to you for your salvation.

10. I, the Lord, am

bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no

promise.

11. Therefore, verily I say unto you, that it is expedient for my servants Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney, A. Sidney Gilbert and Sidney Rigdon, and my servant Joseph Smith, and John Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, and W. W. Phelps and Martin Harris to be bound

together by a bond and covenant that cannot be

broken by transgression, except judgment shall immediately follow, in your several

stewardships—

12. To manage the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the bishopric

both in the land of Zion and in the land of Kirtland;

13. For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for a

stake to Zion.

14. For

Zion must increase in

beauty, and in

holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her

stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must

arise and put on her

beautiful garments.

15. Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.

16. Behold, here is

wisdom also in me for your good.

17. And you are to be

equal, or in other words, you are to have equal

claims on the

properties, for the benefit of

managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—

18. And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may

improve upon his

talent, that every man may

gain other

talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s

storehouse, to become the common

property of the whole church—

19.

Every man seeking the interest of his

neighbor, and doing all things with an

eye single to the glory of God.

20. This order I have appointed to be an

everlasting

order unto you, and unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not.

21. And the soul that sins against this covenant, and

hardeneth his heart against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church, and shall be delivered over to the

buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.

22. And now, verily I say unto you, and this is wisdom, make unto yourselves friends with the

mammon of unrighteousness, and they will not destroy you.

23. Leave judgment alone with me, for it is mine and I will

repay. Peace be with you; my blessings continue with you.

24. For even yet the

kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your

steadfastness. Even so. Amen.