Doctrine and Covenants 25 | |
1 HEARKEN unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom. | |
2 A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion. | 2
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ) was founded in 1860 led by Emma’s eldest son, Joseph Smith III. Would those in the Salt Lake City offshoot of Joseph’s restorationist movement consider it faithful and walking in the paths of virtue to support the Reorganized branch? Yet, Emma became a member of the Reorganized sect, and she and that sect forcefully denied and preached against polygamy, which was taught by the Salt Lake branch at the time as the everlasting covenant - an essential prerequisite for eternal life. Emma could hardly be considered faithful per the contemporary teachings of the Salt Lake City branch. Yet, Emma’s life was preserved until 1879. |
3 Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called. | |
4 Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come. | |
5 And the office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness. | |
6 And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going, and be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him, that I may send my servant, Oliver Cowdery, whithersoever I will. | |
7 And thou shalt be ordained under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit. | |
8 For he shall lay his hands upon thee, and thou shalt receive the Holy Ghost, and thy time shall be given to writing, and to learning much. | |
9 And thou needest not fear, for thy husband shall support thee in the church; for unto them is his calling, that all things might be revealed unto them, whatsoever I will, according to their faith. | |
10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. | |
11 And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church. | |
12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. | |
13 Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. | |
14 Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband, and the glory which shall come upon him. | |
15 Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive. And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come. | |
16 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen. | |
