The spirit prevails from live 11/20
No. 107.
WEBER, UTAH, October 18th, 1861 .
I.
LET MY people hearken unto my words, which are quick
and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword; for I am about to
speak unto them.
2. It would be well for them if they would hearken unto my
words, and obey them; otherwise they will have to suffer for it.
When I counsel them, I know what I am doing. Those who are
in good circumstances need not to be afraid of parting with their
substances to make those who are poor in their midst comfortable.
Some of those who first embraced my gospel were afraid of losing
their substance; and for fear that the poor should want anything
ofthem, they forsook the truth. Their eyes were full of greediness.
They were afraid that others should live as well as themselves; but it is ordained in heaven that the poor shall live as well
as the rich. Therefore, let them know that when I am ready, I
will destroy them, and give their substance to the poor; and who
can stay my hand?
3. All the children of Adam have an equal claim upon the
products of the earth, according to the right which they hold in their
Father's kingdom; but the children of the devil have robbed them
of that right, and, for this sin, the whole world is under a curse.
The poor have never had their rights; but they have always been,
as it were, trampled under the feet of the rich. It will be hard for
those who are sick to abide my law; but they will now have to
abide it, or perish ; for the devil has now ruled this world his time
out. My law is about to come to the earth, and, when it comes,160 CONCERNING THE SICK.
it will set all things in order. The children of men may be preparing themselves for it ; for it will come even before my people
are aware of it. They need not to think that that time is many
years hence, for it is not. My judgments will come upon the
nations of the earth thick and fast; yea, as a whirlwind. The
inhabitants of the earth little know what awaits them. Therefore,
let those among my people who are in good circumstances assist
those who are poor, that they may find an inheritance among the
faithful of my people, which they shall obtain if they will do as I
have commanded them. I am the Lord of Hosts.
4. And now, behold, I speak unto you concerning those who
are sick among my people. There are some of them who have
given way to the destroyer, and he is afflicting them. He seeks to
afflict all those of my people that he can gain the upper hand of.
My people do not seem to fully understand their duties; if they
did, there would not be so many of them sick. They should
struggle against unbelief with all their power. They should pray
in their hearts continually. They must serve me with all their
hearts. If they will do this, there will not be much sickness in
their midst ; but they will be healthy and strong; for mine angels
will continually attend them, and keep sickness far from them;
but, by their unbelief and neglect of prayer, they drive mine
angels far from them, I have told my people often enough what
I require at their hands, and yet they will not do it. If they will
not do as I have commanded them, they must suffer the consequences. I have done my duty to them; but they give way to
almost every attack of the destroyer. It is not difficult for him to
lead them astray. What can I do with them? They will not
struggle against the destroyer as they ought to do; but they give up
to him entirely. My holy angels are continually around them,
waiting to be invited; but, by their conduct, they often invite the
angels of the devil in preference to my holy angels, whom they
drive away ; and the evil spirits surround and afflict them with
sickness. If they will not do as I have commanded them, I can
do nothing for them; but if they will keep my commandments,
my yoke will be easy, and my burden light.
5. And behold, I say unto you, my son, that when any of my
people are dangerously sick, you shall visit them, and lay yourMANNER OF ADMINISTERING TO THE SICK. 161
hands upon their heads; and, if they are not appointed unto
death, I will heal them. You need not to lay your hands upon a
person more than once, for it is all that I require. I only need
your sanction; and then if they are not appointed unto death, I
will heal them. I am compelled by law to acknowledge your
authority before I can do anything among my people upon the
earth ; and when you have given me your consent, I will give unto
my people the blessing appointed by you.
6. When you lay your hands upon the head of a person who is
sick, you shall express the following words : " Oh God, the
Eternal Father, I, thy servant, according to thy request, lay my
hands upon the head ofthis, thy servant (or handmaiden), in the
name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, according to the law of heaven,
and ask thee to look down upon this, thy servant (or handmaiden),
who is thus afflicted; and, inasmuch as he (or she) is not ap- pointed unto death, wilt thou heal him (or her) . Dear brother
(or sister), by virtue and authority of the holy priesthood which I
hold, according to my birthright, I command this disease to depart
from you. From this time be you whole. I pronounce this blessing upon you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Ghost. Even so. Amen and Amen. " And I will heal
them according to your request.
I add no more at this time. I am Jesus Christ. Even so.
Amen and Amen.