DC 40 Intro: SECTION 40
Revelation addressed to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon. It was received through Joseph at Fayette, New York, January 1831, and is a sequel to the revelation given to James Covill (D. and C. 39).
1a Behold, verily I say unto you, that the heart of my servant James Covill was right before me, for he covenanted with me, that he would obey my word.
1b And he received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution, and the cares of the world, caused him to reject the word; wherefore he broke my covenant,
1c and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good. Amen.
DC 41 Intro: SECTION 41
Revelation given through Joseph Smith, Jr., February 4, 1831. This was the first revelation received in Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph having arrived shortly before this time. It should be noted that while the revelation is addressed to the whole church, special responsibilities are placed on the elders in connection with the administration of church affairs.
1a Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest blessings; ye that hear me: and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my name, with the heaviest of all cursings.
1b Hearken, O ye elders of my church whom I have called; behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word, and by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law, that ye may know how to govern my church, and have all things right before me.
2a And I will be your Ruler when I come; and, behold, I come quickly; and ye shall see that my law is kept.
2b He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you;
2c for it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom, should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine.
3a And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.
