As James Covill rejected the word of the Lord, and returned to his former principles and people, the Lord gave unto me and Sidney Rigdon the following revelation, explaining why he obeyed not the word:
Revelation given at Fayette, New York, January 6, 1831.[[3]]
1. 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,
2. 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;
3. Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good. Amen.
The Prophet Removes to Ohio.
The latter part of January, in company with Brothers Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, I started with my wife for Kirtland, Ohio, where we arrived about the first of February, and were kindly received and welcomed into the house of Brother Newel K. Whitney.[[4]] My wife and I lived in the family of Brother Whitney several weeks, and received every kindness and attention which could be expected, and especially from Sister Whitney.
The Branch of the Church at Kirtland.
The branch of the Church in this part of the Lord's vineyard, which had increased to nearly one hundred members, were striving to do the will of God, so far as they knew it, though some strange notions and false spirits had crept in among them. With a little caution and some wisdom, I soon assisted the brethren and sisters to overcome them. The plan of "common stock," which had existed in what was called "the family,"[[5]] whose members generally had embraced the everlasting Gospel, was readily abandoned for the more perfect law of the Lord; and the false spirits were easily discerned and rejected by the light of revelation.
The Lord gave unto the Church the following:
Revelation, given at Kirtland, Ohio, February 4th, 1831.[[6]]
1. Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all 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.
2. 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,
3. 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.
4. And I will be your Ruler when I come; and behold, I come quickly, and ye shall see that my law is kept.
5. 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:
6. For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom, shall be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine.
7. And again, it is meet that my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate.
8. And again, it is meet that my servant, Sidney Rigdon should live as seemeth him good, inasmuch as he keepeth my commandments.
9. And again, I have called my servant, Edward Partridge, and I give a commandment, that he should be appointed by the voice of the Church, and ordained a Bishop unto the Church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all his time in the labors of the Church:
10. To see to all things as it shall be appointed unto him, in my laws in the day that I shall give them.
11. And this because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathaniel of old, in whom there is no guile.
12. These words are given unto you, and they are pure before me; wherefore beware how you hold them, for they are to be answered upon your souls in the day of judgment. Even so. Amen.
Revelation Giving the Law of the Church.
On the 9th of February, 1831, at Kirtland, in the presence of twelve Elders, and according to the promise heretofore made,[[7]] the Lord gave the following revelation, embracing the law of the Church: