do the works of Abraham; and enter ye into my law, and ye shall be saved."
Sec. 13 intimates that Sarah acted in accordance with the command of God in giving Hagar to Abraham.
Sec. 14 refers to the concubines which Abraham received, and says, "they bare him children, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness." The latter part of the section is as follows: "David also received many wives and concubines, as also Solomon, and Moses my servant; and also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me."
Sec. 15. "David's wives and concubines were given unto him, of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me, save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world; for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord."
Sec. 16 prescribes certain regulations concerning those who commit adultery, and provides that in case the husband commits adultery, and the wife is innocent, and the fact is revealed by God to Joseph, the wife shall be given by Smith to one who has not committed adultery, "but hath been faithful, for he shall be made ruler over many."
Sec. 17. "And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins ye retain on earth shall be retained in heaven."
Sec. 18. "And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will curse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God."
Sec. 19. "And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my word, and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings, and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation, on earth and in heaven." Then follows a declaration to the effect that Smith has found favor with God, and that he will forgive his sins, etc.
Sec. 20 commands Emma Smith "that she stay herself, and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all," etc., and continues as follows: "And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they are pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God; for I am the Lord thy God," etc.
Sec. 21 commands Emma Smith, wife of Joseph, to abide and cleave unto Joseph and none else, under penalty of destruction. She is also exhorted to forgive Joseph his trespasses.