1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither;
60:1-4 1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither;
This is what the Lord says to the elders of his church:
I'm glad you're here.
2But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.
But I'm not pleased with some of you.
You're afraid to open your mouths.
So wo to you, because I'm angry with you.
3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.
If they aren't more faithful to me,
I'll take away what little they have.
4For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God.
Because I, the Lord, rule the heavens above and the armies below. When I make up my jewels, everyone will know how powerful I am.
60:5 5 But, verily, I will speak unto you concerning your journey unto the land from whence you came. Let there be a craft made, or bought, as seemeth you good, it mattereth not unto me, and take your journey speedily for the place which is called St. Louis.
Now about your journey.
Build a craft (I don't care what kind, whatever seems good to you) and travel to St. Louis.
60:6- 6 And from thence let my servants, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery, take their journey for Cincinnati;
From there, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery will travel to Cincinnati.
7 And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you.
In Cincinnati they will shout and lift up holy hands.
8 And let the residue take their journey from St. Louis, two by two, and preach the word, not in haste, among the congregations of the wicked, until they return to the churches from whence they came.
9 And all this for the good of the churches; for this intent have I sent them.
Everyone else will leave St. Louis, two by two, to preach to the wicked.
10 And let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have given him, a portion unto mine elders who are commanded to return;
11 And he that is able, let him return it by the way of the agent; and he that is not, of him it is not required.
Edward Partridge will give some of the money that I gave him to the elders.
12And now I speak of the residue who are to come unto this land.
And now I speak to the others who came here.
13 Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known.
Here's a commandment for you:
Don't idle away your time while preaching to the wicked.
14 And after thou hast come up unto the land of Zion, and hast proclaimed my word, thou shalt speedily return, proclaiming my word among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife.
When you get to Zion, preach to the wicked.
15 And shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not, not in their presence, lest thou provoke them, but in secret; and wash thy feet, as a testimony against them in the day of judgment.
16 Behold, this is sufficient for you, and the will of him who hath sent you.
Shake off the dust of from your feet and wash them, as a testimony against those who reject your preaching.
(But don't do it while they're watching.)
17 And by the mouth of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., it shall be made known concerning Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery. The residue hereafter. Even so. Amen.
Joseph Smith, Jun.'s mouth will tell Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery what to do. Then he'll tell the rest of you.
Amen.
