DC 38 Intro: SECTION 38
Revelation given to Joseph Smith, Jr., at Fayette, New York, in the opening days of 1831. It gives basic instruction concerning the work of the priesthood, the principle of stewardship, and the care of the poor. It was in preparation for the gathering to Ohio for which the Saints were already making preparation.
1a Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
1b the same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes: I am the same which spake and the world was made, and all things came by me: I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom;
1c and verily I say, even as many as have believed on my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them:
1d but, behold, the residue of the wicked have I kept in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day, which shall come at the end of the earth;
1e and even so will I cause the wicked to be kept, that will not hear my voice but harden their hearts, and woe, woe, woe is their doom.
2a But, behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that mine eyes are upon you:
2b I am in your midst and ye can not see me, but the day soon cometh that ye shall see me and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day: wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared.
2c Behold, the kingdom is yours and the enemy shall not overcome.
3a Verily I say unto you, Ye are clean but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased, for all flesh is corruptible before me,
3b and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven, which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained,
