DC 39 Intro: SECTION 39
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., January 1831, at Fayette, New York. This message was addressed to James Covill, a Baptist minister, who had sought light concerning his relation to the Restoration movement.
1a Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the great I AM, even Jesus Christ, the light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
1b the same which came in the meridian of time unto my own, and my own received me not;
1c but to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons, and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.
2a And verily, verily I say unto thee, He that receiveth my gospel, receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel, receiveth not me.
2b And this is my gospel: repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.
3a And now, behold, I say unto thee, my servant James, I have looked upon thy works, and I know thee; and verily I say unto thee, Thine heart is now right before me at this time, and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head;
3b nevertheless thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride, and the cares of the world;
3c but, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee, Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on my name, and thou shalt receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as thou hast never known.
3d And if thou doest this, I have prepared thee for a greater work.
3e Thou shalt preach the fullness of my gospel which I have sent forth in these last days; the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.
4a And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith and I will be with thee and go before thy face.
4b Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish.
4c Behold, verily, verily I say unto thee, Thou are not called to go into the eastern countries, but thou are called to go to the Ohio.
4d And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves to the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. And from thence men shall go forth into all nations.
5a Behold, verily, verily I say unto thee, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I can not deny my word; wherefore lay to with thy might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.
5b And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fullness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment; wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying, Hosanna! blessed be the name of the most high God.
5c Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face, for the time of my coming; for the time is at hand; the day nor the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come, and he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity.
6 And again, it shall come to pass, that on as many as ye shall baptize with water, ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming, and shall know me. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.
