Doctrine and Covenants Section 128 הַלֶּקַח וְהַבְּרִיתוֹת סעיף קכ״ח

Hebrew translation, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Doctrine and Covenants Section 128 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   כַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַרְתִּיI statedלָכֶםunto youבְּאִגַּרְתִּיin my letterבְּטֶרֶםbeforeיָצָאתִיI leftמִמְּקוֹמִיmy placeכִּיthatאֶכְתֹּבI will writeאֲלֵיכֶםto youמֵעֵתfrom timeאֶל־עֵתto timeוְאוֹדִיעַand give informationאֶתְכֶםyouעַל־עִנְיָנִיםin relation to subjectsרַבִּיםmanyעַתָּהnowאָשׁוּבresumeאֶל־דְּבַרto the subject ofטְבִילַתbaptism forהַמֵּתִיםthe deadכִּיforהָעִנְיָןsubjectהַזֶּהthatמְמַלֵּאseems to occupyאֶת־לִבִּיmy mindוְלוֹחֵץand pressעַל־רִגְשׁוֹתַיupon my feelingsבְּיֶתֶרwith theעֹזstrongestמֵאָזsinceנִרְדַּפְתִּיI have been pursuedבִּידֵיby the hands ofאֹיְבָי׃my enemies

   As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind, and press itself upon my feelings the strongest, since I have been pursued by my enemies.

2. 2

   כָּתַבְתִּיI wroteלָכֶםunto youמְעַטa fewדִּבְרֵיwords ofחָזוֹןrevelationעַל־דְּבַרon the subject ofהַסּוֹפֵרa recorderוְעוֹדand furtherנִגְלוּhave I hadלִיto meדְּבָרִיםthingsאֲחָדִיםa fewעַל־הָעִנְיָןon the subjectהַזֶּהthisאֲשֶׁרwhichאֲנִיIמֵעִידcertifyעֲלֵיהֶםupon themעַתָּהnowוְהוּאthat isכִּיthatנֶאֱמַרit was declaredבְּאִגַּרְתִּיin my letterהָרִאשׁוֹנָהformerכִּיthatיִהְיֶהthere should beסוֹפֵרa recorderאֲשֶׁרwhichיִהְיֶהshall beעֵדa witnessרֹאֶהeyeבְּעֵינָיוwith his eyesוְשֹׁמֵעַand also to hearבְּאׇזְנָיוwith his earsלְמַעַןthatיִכְתֹּבhe might makeעֵדוּתa recordאֱמֶתof a truthלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃the Lord

   I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there should be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, and also to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord.

3. 3

   וְעַתָּהnowעַל־דְּבַרin relation toהָעִנְיָןmatterהַזֶּהthisיִקְשֶׁהit would be difficultמְאֹדveryלְסוֹפֵרfor recorderאֶחָדoneלַעֲמֹדto be presentתָּמִידat all timesוְלַעֲשׂוֹתand to doאֶת־כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָהall the businessלְהָסִירto obviateאֶת־הַקֹּשִׁיthis difficultyהַזֶּהthisיִמָּנֶהthere can be appointedסוֹפֵרa recorderבְּכׇל־רֹבַעin each wardוָרֹבַעand wardהָעִירof the cityאִישׁwhoמֻכְשָׁרis well qualifiedלִכְתֹּבfor takingפְּרָטֵיminutes ofדְבָרִיםthingsבְּדִקְדּוּקaccurateוִידַקְדֵּקand let him be preciseמְאֹדveryלִכְתֹּבfor takingאֶת־כׇּל־הַנַּעֲשֶׂהthe whole proceedingsוְיָעִידcertifyingבְּרִשּׁוּמוֹin his recordכִּיthatרָאָהhe sawבְּעֵינָיוwith his eyesוְשָׁמַעand heardבְּאׇזְנָיוwith his earsוְנָתַןgivingאֶת־הַיּוֹםthe dateוְאֶת־הַשֵּׁמוֹתand the namesוְכַיּוֹצֵאand so forthבָהֶםin themוְאֵתandתּוֹלְדוֹתthe history ofכׇּל־הַמַּעֲשֶׂהthe whole transactionוְנָקַבnamingגַּםalsoבְּשֵׁםby nameשְׁלֹשָׁהsome threeאֲנָשִׁיםindividualsהַנֹּכְחִיםthat are presentאִםifיֵשׁthere beנֹכְחִיםpresentאֲשֶׁרwhoיוּכְלוּcanבְּכׇל־עֵתat any timeבְּהִקָּרְאָםwhen called uponלְהָעִידcertifyעַל־זֹאתto the sameלְמַעַןthatעַל־פִּיin the mouth ofשְׁנַיִםtwoאוֹorשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeעֵדִיםwitnessesיָקוּםmay be establishedכׇּל־דָּבָר׃every word

   Now, in relation to this matter, it would be very difficult for one recorder to be present at all times, and to do all the business. To obviate this difficulty, there can be a recorder appointed in each ward of the city, who is well qualified for taking accurate minutes; and let him be very particular and precise in taking the whole proceedings, certifying in his record that he saw with his eyes, and heard with his ears, giving the date, and names, and so forth, and the history of the whole transaction; naming also some three individuals that are present, if there be any present, who can at any time when called upon certify to the same, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

4. 4

   וְאַחַרthenיִהְיֶהshall beסוֹפֵרa recorderרֹאשׁgeneralאֲשֶׁרwhichיִמָּסְרוּcan be handedלְיָדוֹto whomהָרִשֻּׁמוֹתthe recordsהָאֲחֵרִיםotherהָאֵלֶּהtheseוְעִמָּםbeing attendedתְּעוּדוֹתwith certificatesחֲתוּמוֹתover their signaturesבְּיָדָםtheir ownהַמְּעִידוֹתcertifyingכִּיthatהָרִשּׁוּםthe recordאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשׂוּthey have madeאֱמֶתtrueהוּאisוְאָזthenיוּכַלcanסוֹפֵרthe recorder ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe churchהָרֹאשׁgeneralלִכְתֹּבenterאֶת־הָרִשּׁוּםthe recordבְּסֵפֶרon the book ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe churchהַכְּלָלִיgeneralעִםwithהַתְּעוּדוֹתthe certificatesוְכׇל־הָעֵדִיםand all the witnessesהַנִּלְוִיםattendingוְעִםwithעֵדוּתוֹhis own statementכִּיthatהוּאheמַאֲמִיןbelievesבֶּאֱמֶתtrulyכִּיthatהַדְּבָרִיםthe statementוְהָרִשֻּׁמוֹתand recordsהַנִּזְכָּרִיםaboveאֱמֶתtrueהֵםareמִתּוֹךְfromדַּעְתּוֹhis knowledgeאֶת־אֹפִיthe characterהָאֲנָשִׁיםof those menהָהֵםthoseוּמִנּוּיָםand appointmentבִּידֵיbyהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe churchוּבְהֵעָשׂוֹתand when this is doneזֹאתthisבְּסֵפֶרon the book ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe churchהַכְּלָלִיgeneralיִהְיֶהshall beהָרִשּׁוּםthe recordקֹדֶשׁholyכְּמוֹהוּjust asוְעָנָהand shall answerלַחֹקthe ordinanceכְּאִלּוּas ifרָאָהhad seenהוּאheבְּעֵינָיוwith his eyesוְשָׁמַעand heardבְּאׇזְנָיוwith his earsוְכָתַבand made a record ofאֶת־הַדָּבָרthe sameבְּסֵפֶרon the book ofהַכְּנֵסִיָּהthe churchהַכְּלָלִי׃general

   Then, let there be a general recorder, to whom these other records can be handed, being attended with certificates over their own signatures, certifying that the record they have made is true. Then the general church recorder can enter the record on the general church book, with the certificates and all the attending witnesses, with his own statement that he verily believes the above statement and records to be true, from his knowledge of the general character and appointment of those men by the church. And when this is done on the general church book, the record shall be just as holy, and shall answer the ordinance just the same as if he had seen with his eyes and heard with his ears, and made a record of the same on the general church book.

5. 5

   אוּלַיyou mayתַחְשְׁבוּthinkאֶת־הַסֵּדֶרthis order of thingsהַזֶּהthisלִמְדֻקְדָּקto be particularמְאֹדveryאַךְbutהִנְנִיlet meאֹמֵרtellלָכֶםunto youכִּיthatאֵיןis notהוּאitכִּי־אִםonlyלְמַלֵּאto answerאֶת־רְצוֹןthe will ofאֱלֹהִיםGodבְּלֶכְתֵּנוּby conformingאַחֲרֵיtoהַחֹקthe ordinanceוְהַהֲכָנָהand preparationאֲשֶׁרwhichיָסַדordainedוְהֵכִיןand preparedיְהוָהthe Lordמִלִּפְנֵיfrom beforeיְסוֹדthe foundation ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldלִישׁוּעַתfor the salvation ofהַמֵּתִיםthe deadאֲשֶׁרwhichיָמוּתוּshould dieבְּלֹאwithoutדַעַתa knowledgeהַבְּשׂוֹרָה׃the gospel

   You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel.

6. 6

   וְעוֹדand furtherחֶפְצִיI wantכִּיthatתִּזְכְּרוּyou rememberכִּיthatיוֹחָנָןJohnהַחוֹזֶהthe Revelatorהָגָהwas contemplatingבָּעִנְיָןthe subjectהַזֶּהthisעַצְמוֹveryעַל־דְּבַרon the subject ofהַמֵּתִיםthe deadבְּאׇמְרוֹwhen he declaredכַּאֲשֶׁרasתִּמְצְאוּyou will findכָּתוּבrecordedבֶּחָזוֹןin Revelationכ20יב12וָאֵרֶאand I sawאֶת־הַמֵּתִיםthe deadהַקְּטַנִּיםsmallוְהַגְּדוֹלִיםand greatעֹמְדִיםstandלִפְנֵיbeforeהָאֱלֹהִיםGodוּסְפָרִיםand the booksנִפְתָּחוּwere openedוְסֵפֶרand bookאַחֵרanotherנִפְתַּחwas openedהוּאwhich isסֵפֶרa bookהַחַיִּיםof lifeוְנִשְׁפְּטוּand were judgedהַמֵּתִיםthe deadמִן־הַכָּתוּבout of those things which were writtenבַּסְּפָרִיםin the booksכְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם׃according to their works

   And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

7. 7

   תִּרְאוּyou will discoverבַּכָּתוּבin quotationהַזֶּהthisכִּיthatהַסְּפָרִיםthe booksנִפְתָּחוּwere openedוְסֵפֶרand bookאַחֵרanotherנִפְתַּחwas openedאֲשֶׁרwhichהָיָהwasסֵפֶרthe bookהַחַיִּיםof lifeאַךְbutהַמֵּתִיםthe deadנִשְׁפְּטוּwere judgedמִן־הַכָּתוּבout of those things which were writtenבַּסְּפָרִיםin the booksכְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶםaccording to their worksוְעַל־כֵּןconsequentlyהַסְּפָרִיםthe booksהַנִּזְכָּרִיםaboveהֵםareהַסְּפָרִיםthe booksאֲשֶׁרwhichבָּהֶםin themרִשּׁוּםthe record ofמַעֲשֵׂיהֶםtheir worksוְהֵםand theyמְדַבְּרִיםreferאֶל־הָרִשֻּׁמוֹתto the recordsהַשְּׁמוּרִיםwhich are keptבָּאָרֶץon the earthוְהַסֵּפֶרand the bookאֲשֶׁרwhichהוּאwasסֵפֶרthe bookהַחַיִּיםof lifeהוּאisהָרִשּׁוּםthe recordהַשָּׁמוּרwhich is keptבַּשָּׁמָיִםin heavenוְהָעִקָּרthe principleהַזֶּהthisמַסְכִּיםagreeingהֵיטֵבpreciselyעִםwithהַתּוֹרָהthe doctrineאֲשֶׁרwhichצֻוֵּיתֶםis commanded youבֶּחָזוֹןin the revelationאֲשֶׁרwhichבָּאִגֶּרֶתin the letterאֲשֶׁרwhichכָּתַבְתִּיI wroteלָכֶםunto youבְּטֶרֶםbeforeיָצָאתִיI leftמִמְּקוֹמִיmy placeכִּיthatבְכׇל־רִשְׁמֵיכֶםin all your recordingsיֵרָשֵׁםit may be recordedבַּשָּׁמָיִם׃in heaven

   You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven.

8. 8

   וְעַתָּהnowיְסוֹדthe nature ofהַחֹקordinanceהַזֶּהthisהוּאconsistsבְּכֹחַin the power ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodבְּגִלּוּיby the revelation ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristאֲשֶׁרwhereinנִתַּןit is grantedכִּיthatכׇּל־אֲשֶׁרwhatsoeverתֶּאֶסְרוּyou bindבָאָרֶץon the earthיֵאָסֵרshall be boundבַּשָּׁמַיִםin heavenוְכׇל־אֲשֶׁרand whatsoeverתַּתִּירוּyou looseבָאָרֶץon the earthיֻתַּרshall be loosedבַּשָּׁמָיִםin heavenאוֹorבְמִלִּיםin wordsאֲחֵרוֹתotherבְּהַבִּיטtaking a viewאַחֶרֶתdifferentעַלofהַתַּרְגּוּםthe translationכׇּל־אֲשֶׁרwhatsoeverתִּכְתְּבוּyou recordבָאָרֶץon the earthיִכָּתֵבshall be recordedבַּשָּׁמַיִםin heavenוַאֲשֶׁרand whatsoeverלֹאnotתִכְתְּבוּyou do recordבָאָרֶץon the earthלֹאnotיִכָּתֵבshall be recordedבַּשָּׁמַיִםin heavenכִּיforמִןout ofהַסְּפָרִיםthe booksיִשָּׁפְטוּshall be judgedמֵתֵיכֶםyour deadכְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶםaccording to their own worksאִםwhetherעָשׂוּthey have attended toאֶת־הַחֻקִּיםthe ordinancesבְּעַצְמָםin their own propria personaאוֹorעַלbyיְדֵיthe means ofשְׁלוּחֵיהֶםtheir own agentsכַּחֹקaccording to the ordinanceאֲשֶׁרwhichהֵכִיןhas preparedאֱלֹהִיםGodלִישׁוּעָתָםfor their salvationמִלִּפְנֵיfrom beforeיְסוֹדthe foundation ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldכְּפִיaccording toהָרִשֻּׁמוֹתthe recordsאֲשֶׁרwhichשָׁמְרוּthey have keptעַלconcerningמֵתֵיהֶם׃their dead

   Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.

9. 9

   אוּלַיit mayיֵרָאֶהseemלְמִקְצָתָםto someהַדָּבָרthe matterאֲשֶׁרwhichאֲנַחְנוּweמְדַבְּרִיםtalkבּוֹofכְּתוֹרָהto be a doctrineעַזָּהboldמְאֹדveryכֹּחַa powerאֲשֶׁרwhichרוֹשֵׁםrecordsאוֹorאוֹסֵרbindsבָּאָרֶץon the earthוְאוֹסֵרand bindsבַּשָּׁמָיִםin heavenאַךְbutבְּכׇל־דּוֹרוֹתin all ages ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldבְּכׇל־עֵתwheneverאֲשֶׁרthatנָתַןhas givenיְהוָהthe Lordתְּקוּפַתa dispensation ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodלְאִישׁto any manבֶּחָזוֹןby revelationאֱמֶתactualאוֹorלַחֲבוּרַתto any set ofאֲנָשִׁיםmenנִתַּןhas been givenתָּמִידalwaysהַכֹּחַpowerהַזֶּהthisוְעַל־כֵּןconsequentlyכׇּל־אֲשֶׁרwhatsoeverעָשׂוּdidהָאֲנָשִׁיםmenהָהֵםthoseבִּרְשׁוּתin authorityבְּשֵׁםin the name ofיְהוָהJehovahוַעֲשׂוּהוּand did itבֶּאֱמֶתtrulyוּבֶאֱמוּנָהand faithfullyוְשָׁמְרוּand keptרִשּׁוּםa recordנָכוֹןproperוְנֶאֱמָןand faithfulהָיָהit becameלְחֹקa lawבָּאָרֶץon the earthוּבַשָּׁמַיִםand in heavenוְלֹאand notיוּפַרcould be annulledכְּגִזְרוֹתaccording to the decrees ofיְהוָהthe Lordהַגָּדוֹלthe greatדָּבָרa sayingנֶאֱמָןfaithfulהוּאThis isמִיwhoיוּכַלcanלְשָׁמְעוֹ׃hear it

   It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it?

10. 10

    וְעוֹדand againלְמוֹפֵתfor the precedentמַתַּיMatthewטז16יח18יט19וְגַם־אֲנִיand I alsoאֹמֵרsayלְךָunto youאַתָּהyou areפֶּטְרוֹסPeterוְעַלand uponהַצּוּרrockהַזֶּהthisאֶבְנֶהI will buildאֶת־כְּנֵסִיָּתִיmy churchוְשַׁעֲרֵיand the gatesשְׁאוֹלof hellלֹאnotיִגְבְּרוּshall prevailעָלֶיהָagainst itוְנָתַתִּיand I will giveלְךָunto youאֶת־מַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofמַלְכוּתthe kingdomהַשָּׁמַיִםof heavenוַאֲשֶׁרand whatsoeverתֶּאֱסֹרyou shall bindבָּאָרֶץon earthיִהְיֶהshall beאָסוּרboundבַּשָּׁמַיִםin heavenוַאֲשֶׁרand whatsoeverתַּתִּירyou shall looseבָּאָרֶץon earthיִהְיֶהshall beמֻתָּרloosedבַּשָּׁמָיִם׃in heaven

    And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16:18, 19: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

11. 11

    וְעַתָּהnowהַסּוֹדthe secretהַגָּדוֹלthe greatוְהַנִּשְׂגָּבand grandכׇּל־הַדָּבָרof the whole matterוְעִקַּרand the summum bonumהַטּוֹבof the goodכׇּל־הָעִנְיָןof the whole subjectהַמֻּנָּחthat is lyingלְפָנֵינוּbefore usהוּאconsistsלִקְנוֹתin obtainingאֶת־כֹּחוֹתthe powers ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe PriesthoodהַקְּדוֹשָׁהHolyכִּיforלַאֲשֶׁרfor him to whomנִתְּנוּare givenלוֹunto himהַמַּפְתְּחוֹתkeysהָאֵלֶּהtheseאֵיןthere is noקֹשִׁיdifficultyלִקְנוֹתin obtainingדַּעַתa knowledgeהָאֱמֶתof factsעַל־דְּבַרon the subject ofיְשׁוּעַתthe salvation ofבְּנֵיthe children ofהָאָדָםmenהֵןbothבְּעַדforהַמֵּתִיםthe deadהֵןasבְּעַדforהַחַיִּים׃the living

    Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living.

12. 12

    וּבָזֶהHerein isכָּבוֹדgloryוְהָדָרand honorוְאַל־מָוֶתand immortalityוְחַיֵּיand eternalעוֹלָםlifeחֹקthe ordinanceהַטְּבִילָהof baptismבַּמַּיִםby waterלְהִטָּבֵלto be immersedבָּהֶםthereinלְמַעַןthatיַעֲנֶהit might answerכִּדְמוּתto the likeness ofהַמֵּתִיםthe deadלְמַעַןthatיַסְכִּיםmight accordעִקָּרprincipleאֶחָדoneעִםwithהָאַחֵרthe otherלָרֶדֶתto be immersedאֶל־הַמַּיִםin the waterוְלַעֲלוֹתand come forthמֵהֶםout of the waterהוּאisכִּדְמוּתto the likeness ofתְּחִיַּתthe resurrection ofהַמֵּתִיםthe deadבְּצֵאתָםin coming forthמִקִּבְרוֹתֵיהֶםout of their gravesוְעַל־כֵּןconsequentlyנוֹסַדwas institutedהַחֹקthe ordinanceהַזֶּהthisלְהַקְבִּילוֹto form a relationshipלְחֹקwith the ordinance ofטְבִילַתbaptism forהַמֵּתִיםthe deadבִּהְיוֹתוֹbeingכִּדְמוּתin likeness ofהַמֵּתִים׃the dead

    Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life—The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead.

13. 13

    וְעַל־כֵּןConsequentlyנוֹסַדwas institutedמִקְוֵהthe fontהַטְּבִילָהbaptismalכִּדְמוּתas a similitude ofהַקֶּבֶרthe graveוְצֻוָּהand was commandedלִהְיוֹתto beבְּמָקוֹםin a placeמִתַּחַתunderneathלַאֲשֶׁרwhereהַחַיִּיםthe livingנִקְהָלִיםare wont to assembleלְהַרְאוֹתto show forthאֶת־הַחַיִּיםthe livingוְאֶתandהַמֵּתִיםthe deadוּלְמַעַןand thatיִהְיֶהmay haveלְכֹלall thingsדְּמוּתָםtheir likenessוּלְמַעַןand thatיַסְכִּימוּthey may accordזֶהoneעִםwithזֶהanotherהָאַרְצִיthat which is earthlyמַסְכִּיםconformingלַשָּׁמַיְמִיto that which is heavenlyכַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַרhas declaredפּוֹלוֹסPaulא1קוֹרִינְתִּיםCorinthiansטו15מו46מז47מח׃and 48

    Consequently, the baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead, and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another—that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly, as Paul hath declared, 1 Corinthians 15:46, 47, and 48:

14. 14

    אַךְHowbeitלֹאnotהָרוּחָנִיthat which is spiritualרִאשׁוֹןwas firstכִּי־אִםbutהַגַּשְׁמִיthat which is naturalוְאַחַרand afterwardהָרוּחָנִיthat which is spiritualהָאָדָםmanהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstמִן־הָאֲדָמָהof the earthעָפָרearthyוְהָאָדָםand the manהַשֵּׁנִיsecondהוּאisהָאָדוֹןthe Lordמִן־הַשָּׁמָיִםfrom heavenוּכְמוֹand asהֶעָפָרthe earthyכֵּןsoגַּם־הַבָּאִיםsuch are they alsoמֵעָפָרthat are earthyוּכְמוֹand asהַשָּׁמַיְמִיthe heavenlyכֵּןsoגַּם־הַשָּׁמַיְמִיִּיםsuch are they also that are heavenlyוְכָרִשֻּׁמוֹתand as the recordsבָּאָרֶץon the earthעַל־מֵתֵיכֶםin relation to your deadהָעֲשׂוּיִיםwhich are madeבֶּאֱמֶתtrulyכֵּןsoהָרִשֻּׁמוֹתthe recordsבַּשָּׁמָיִםin heavenוְזֶהThisלָכֵןthereforeכֹּחַis the power ofהַחִתּוּםthe sealingוְהָאֲסִירָהand bindingוּבְפָנִיםand in sense of the wordאֶחָדoneמַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofהַמַּלְכוּתthe kingdomהוּאwhich consist inמַפְתֵּחַthe keyהַדָּעַת׃of knowledge

    Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge.

15. 15

    וְעַתָּהand nowאַחַיbrethrenוְאַחְיוֹתַיand sistersהָאֲהוּבִיםmy dearly belovedדְּעוּlet me assure youכִּיthatהַדְּבָרִיםare principlesהָאֵלֶּהtheseעַלin relation toהַמֵּתִיםthe deadוְהַחַיִּיםand the livingאֲשֶׁרthatאֵיןcannotלַעֲבֹרbe passed overעֲלֵיהֶםover themבְּקַלּוּתlightlyבַּאֲשֶׁרas pertainingלִישׁוּעָתֵנוּto our salvationכִּיforיְשׁוּעָתָםtheir salvationנָחוּץis necessaryוְעִקָּרִיand essentialלִישׁוּעָתֵנוּto our salvationכַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַרsaysפּוֹלוֹסPaulעַלconcerningהָאָבוֹתthe fathersכִּיthatהֵםtheyבִּלְעָדֵינוּwithout usלֹאnotיֻשְׁלָמוּcan be made perfectוְגַםneitherאֲנַחְנוּweבִּלְעֲדֵיwithoutמֵתֵינוּour deadלֹאnotנוּשְׁלָם׃can be made perfect

    And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

16. 16

    וְעוֹדand nowעַלin relation toטְבִילַתthe baptismהַמֵּתִיםfor the deadאֲבִיאI will giveלָכֶםyouדְּבַרa quotation ofפּוֹלוֹסPaulאַחֵרanotherא1קוֹרִינְתִּיםCorinthiansטו15כט29וְאִםElse ifלֹאnotכֵןsoמָהwhatיַעֲשׂוּshall they doהַנִּטְבָּלִיםwhich are baptizedבְּעַדforהַמֵּתִיםthe deadאִםifהַמֵּתִיםthe deadלֹאnotיָקוּמוּriseכְּלָלat allלָמָּהWhyנִטְבָּלִיםare they then baptizedבַּעֲדָם׃for the dead

    And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?

17. 17

    וְעוֹדand furtherבְּהֶמְשֵׁךְin connection withלַכָּתוּבwith quotationהַזֶּהthisאָבִיאI will giveלָכֶםunto youדִּבְרֵיwords ofאֶחָדone ofהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsאֲשֶׁרwhichנָתַןhad fixedעֵינוֹhis eyeעַל־הֲשָׁבַתon the restoration ofהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodוְעַל־הַכְּבוֹדוֹתand the gloriesהָעֲתִידִיםto beלְהִגָּלוֹתrevealedבְּאַחֲרִיתin the lastהַיָּמִיםdaysוּבְיֶתֶרand in an especial mannerעַל־הָעִנְיָןsubjectהַזֶּהthisהַנִּכְבָּדmost gloriousמִכֹּלof allאֲשֶׁרwhichלַבְּשׂוֹרָהbelonging to the gospelאֲשֶׁר־לְעוֹלָםeverlastingהוּאnamelyטְבִילַתbaptism forהַמֵּתִיםthe deadכִּיforמַלְאָכִיMalachiאָמַרsaysבַּפֶּרֶקin the chapterהָאַחֲרוֹןlastבַּפְּסוּקִיםversesהַחֲמִישִׁי5thוְהַשִּׁשִּׁיand 6thהִנֵּהbeholdאָנֹכִיIשֹׁלֵחַsendלָכֶםunto youאֵת־אֵלִיָּהElijahהַנָּבִיאthe prophetלִפְנֵיbeforeבּוֹאthe coming ofיוֹםthe day ofיְהוָהthe Lordהַגָּדוֹלthe greatוְהַנּוֹרָאand dreadfulוְהֵשִׁיבand he shall turnלֵבthe heartאָבוֹתof the fathersעַל־בָּנִיםto the childrenוְלֵבand the heartבָּנִיםof the childrenעַל־אֲבוֹתָםto their fathersפֶּןlestאָבוֹאI comeוְהִכֵּיתִיand smiteאֶת־הָאָרֶץthe earthחֵרֶם׃with a curse

    And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

18. 18

    יָכֹלְתִּיI might haveלְתַרְגֵּםrendered a translationזֹאתto thisבְּרוּרָהplainerיוֹתֵרmoreאַךְbutבְּרוּרָהplainהִיאit isדַּיָּהּsufficientlyלְחֶפְצִיto suit my purposeכַּאֲשֶׁרasהִיאit standsדֵּיit is sufficientלָדַעַתto knowבַּמִּקְרֶהin caseהַזֶּהthisכִּיthatתֻכֶּהwill be smittenהָאָרֶץthe earthחֵרֶםwith a curseאִםunlessאֵיןthere is noקֶשֶׁרlinkמְאַחֵדweldingמִמִּיןof kindזֶהsomeאוֹorאַחֵרotherבֵּיןbetweenהָאָבוֹתthe fathersוְהַבָּנִיםand the childrenעַלuponעִנְיָןsubjectזֶהsomeאוֹorאַחֵרotherוְהִנֵּהand beholdמַהwhatהָעִנְיָןis subjectהַהוּאthatהוּאit isהַטְּבִילָהthe baptismבְּעַדforהַמֵּתִיםthe deadכִּיforאֲנַחְנוּweבִּלְעֲדֵיהֶםwithout themלֹאnotנֻשְׁלָםbe made perfectוְהֵםneither theyבִּלְעָדֵינוּwithout usלֹאnotיֻשְׁלָמוּbe made perfectוְאַףneitherהֵםcan theyוַאֲנַחְנוּnor weבִּלְעֲדֵיwithoutאֵלֶּהthoseאֲשֶׁרwhoמֵתוּhave diedבַּבְּשׂוֹרָהin the gospelגַּםalsoלֹאnotנֻשְׁלָםbe made perfectכִּיforנָחוּץit is necessaryבְּהָחֵלin the ushering in ofתְּקוּפַתthe dispensation ofמְלֹאthe fulness ofהָעִתִּיםtimesאֲשֶׁרwhichהַתְּקוּפָהdispensationעַתָּהnowמַתְחִילָהis beginningלָבוֹאto usher inכִּיthatחִבּוּרa unionשָׁלֵםwholeוְכָלִילand completeוְתָמִיםand perfectוְרִתּוּקand welding togetherהַתְּקוּפוֹתof dispensationsוְהַמַּפְתְּחוֹתand keysוְהַכֹּחוֹתand powersוְהַכְּבוֹדוֹתand gloriesיִהְיֶהshould take placeוְיִגָּלֶהand be revealedמִימֵיfrom the days ofאָדָםAdamוְעַדeven toהַיּוֹםthe present timeהַזֶּהthisוְלֹאand notזֹאתthisלְבַדonlyכִּי־אִםbutהַדְּבָרִיםthose thingsאֲשֶׁרwhichלֹאneverנִגְלוּhave been revealedמִיסוֹדfrom the foundation ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldכִּי־אִםbutנִסְתְּרוּhave been kept hidמֵחֲכָמִיםfrom the wiseוּנְבוֹנִיםand prudentיִגָּלוּshall be revealedלְעוֹלָלִיםunto babesוְיוֹנְקִיםand sucklingsבָּזֹאתin thisתְּקוּפַתthe dispensation ofמְלֹאthe fulness ofהָעִתִּים׃times

    I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

19. 19

    וּמַהnow whatאֲנַחְנוּdo weשֹׁמְעִיםhearבַּבְּשׂוֹרָהin the gospelאֲשֶׁרwhichקִבַּלְנוּwe have receivedקוֹלA voiceשִׂמְחָהof gladnessקוֹלA voiceרַחֲמִיםof mercyמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםheavenוְקוֹלand a voiceאֱמֶתof truthמִןout ofהָאָרֶץthe earthבְּשׂוֹרָהglad tidingsטוֹבָהgoodלַמֵּתִיםfor the deadקוֹלa voiceשָׂשׂוֹןof gladnessלַחַיִּיםfor the livingוְלַמֵּתִיםand the deadבְּשׂוֹרַתglad tidings ofשִׂמְחָהjoyגְדוֹלָהgreatמַה־נָּאווּHow beautifulעַל־הֶהָרִיםupon the mountainsרַגְלֵיare the feet ofמְבַשְּׂרֵיthose that bring glad tidings ofטוֹבgood thingsוְאֹמְרִיםand that sayלְצִיּוֹןunto Zionהִנֵּהbeholdמָלַךְreignsאֱלֹהָיִךְyour GodכְּטַלAs the dewsהַכַּרְמֶלof Carmelכֵּןsoתֵּרֵדshall descendדַּעַתthe knowledge ofאֱלֹהִיםGodעֲלֵיהֶם׃upon them

    Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!

20. 20

    וְעוֹדand againמַהwhatאֲנַחְנוּdo weשֹׁמְעִיםhearבְּשׂוֹרָהGlad tidingsטוֹבָהgoodמִכּוּמוֹרָהfrom CumorahמוֹרוֹנִיMoroniמַלְאָךְan angelמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםheavenמַגִּידdeclaringמִלּוּיthe fulfilment ofהַנְּבִיאִיםthe prophetsהַסֵּפֶרthe bookלְהִגָּלוֹתto be revealedקוֹלA voice ofיְהוָהthe Lordבְּמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofפַיֶיטFayetteבִּמְחוֹזcountyסֶנֶקָהSenecaמַכְרִיזdeclaringשְׁלֹשָׁהthe threeעֵדִיםwitnessesלְהָעִידto bear recordעַלofהַסֵּפֶרthe bookקוֹלthe voice ofמִיכָאֵלMichaelעַלonגְּדוֹתthe banks ofסָסְקְוֶהָנָּהthe Susquehannaמְגַלֶּהdetectingאֶת־הַשָּׂטָןthe devilבְּהֵרָאוֹתוֹwhen he appearedכְּמַלְאַךְas an angel ofאוֹרlightקוֹלthe voice ofפֶּטְרוֹסPeterוְיַעֲקֹבJamesוְיוֹחָנָןand Johnבַּמִּדְבָּרin the wildernessבֵּיןbetweenהַרְמוֹנִיHarmonyמְחוֹזcountyסָסְקְוֶהָנָּהSusquehannaוְקוֹלֶסְוִילand ColesvilleמְחוֹזcountyבְּרוּםBroomeעַלonנְהַרriverסָסְקְוֶהָנָּהthe Susquehannaמַכְרִיזִיםdeclaring themselvesכִּיthatבְיָדָםas possessingמַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofהַמַּלְכוּתthe kingdomוּתְקוּפַתand of the dispensation ofמְלֹאthe fulness ofהָעִתִּים׃times

    And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times!

21. 21

    וְעוֹדand againקוֹלthe voice ofאֱלֹהִיםGodבַּחֶדֶרin the chamber ofאָבִינוּFatherהַזָּקֵןoldוִיטְמֵרWhitmerבְּפַיֶיטin FayetteבִּמְחוֹזcountyסֶנֶקָהSenecaוּבְעִתִּיםand at timesשׁוֹנוֹתsundryוּבִמְקוֹמוֹתand in placesשׁוֹנִיםdiversבְּכׇל־מַסְעֵיthrough all the travelsוְצָרוֹתand tribulationsכְּנֵסִיַּתthe Church ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristשֶׁלofקְדוֹשֵׁיSaints ofאַחֲרִיתthe Latterהַיָּמִיםdaysהַזֹּאתthisוְקוֹלand the voice ofמִיכָאֵלMichaelשַׂרthe archangelהַמַּלְאָכִיםof the angelsוְקוֹלthe voice ofגַּבְרִיאֵלGabrielוּרְפָאֵלand of Raphaelוּמַלְאָכִיםand of angelsשׁוֹנִיםdiversמִמִּיכָאֵלfrom MichaelאוֹorאָדָםAdamוְעַד־הַיּוֹםdown to the timeהַזֶּהpresentכֻּלָּםallמַכְרִיזִיםdeclaringאֶת־תְּקוּפָתָםtheir dispensationוְאֶת־זְכוּתָםand their rightsוּמַפְתְּחוֹתֵיהֶםtheir keysוּכְבוֹדָםtheir honorsוְהוֹדָםtheir majestyוְתִפְאַרְתָּםand gloryוְכֹחַand the powerכְּהֻנָּתָםof their priesthoodנֹתְנִיםgivingקַוlineלָקָוupon lineצַוpreceptלָצָוupon preceptזְעֵירa littleשָׁםhereזְעֵירand a littleשָׁםthereלְנַחֲמֵנוּgiving us consolationבְּהוֹשִׁיטָםby holding forthאֵת־אֲשֶׁרthat whichעָתִידisלָבוֹאto comeוּבְאַמְּצָםconfirmingאֶת־תִּקְוָתֵנוּ׃our hope

    And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

22. 22

    אַחַיBrethrenהֲלֹאshall we notנֵלֵךְgo onהָלְאָהonwardבְּדָבָרin a causeגָּדוֹלgreatכָּזֶהsoקָדִימָהgo forwardוְלֹאand notאָחוֹרbackwardחִזְקוּCourageאַחַיbrethrenהָלְאָהand onהָלְאָהonאֶלtoהַנִּצָּחוֹןthe victoryיָגֵלlet rejoiceלִבְּכֶםyour heartsוְיִשְׂמַחand be gladמְאֹדexceedinglyתִּפְצַחlet break forthהָאָרֶץthe earthרִנָּהinto singingיַשְׁמִיעוּlet speak forthהַמֵּתִיםthe deadשִׁירֵיanthems ofתְהִלָּהpraiseלְעוֹלָםeternalלַמֶּלֶךְto the KingעִמָּנוּאֵלImmanuelאֲשֶׁרwhoיָסַדhas ordainedמִלִּפְנֵיbeforeהָיוֹתthe being ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldאֶת־אֲשֶׁרthat whichיִתֵּןwould enableלָנוּusלִפְדּוֹתָםto redeem themמִבֵּיתout ofכִּלְאָםtheir prisonכִּיforהָאֲסִירִיםthe prisonersיֵצְאוּshall goלַחׇפְשִׁי׃free

    Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

23. 23

    יָרֹנּוּlet shout for joyהֶהָרִיםthe mountainsוְיִצְעֲקוּcry aloudכׇּלand allהָעֲמָקִיםyou valleysוְיַגִּידוּtellכׇּלand allהַיַּמִּיםyou seasוְהַיַּבָּשׁוֹתand dry landsאֶת־נִפְלְאוֹתthe wonders ofמַלְכְּכֶםyour KingהַנִּצְחִיEternalוְאַתֶּםand youנְהָרוֹתriversוּנְחָלִיםand brooksוּפְלָגִיםand rillsזוּבוּflow downבְּשָׂשׂוֹןwith gladnessוִיהַלְלוּlet praiseהַיְּעָרוֹתthe woodsוְכׇלand allעֲצֵיthe trees ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldאֶת־יְהוָהthe Lordוְאַתֶּםand youסְלָעִיםrocksאֵיתָנִיםsolidבְּכוּweepמִשִּׂמְחָהfor joyוְיָשִׁירוּand let singיַחְדָּוtogetherהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunוְהַיָּרֵחַmoonוְכוֹכְבֵיand the starsהַבֹּקֶרmorningוְיָרִיעוּand let shout for joyכׇּלallבְּנֵיthe sons ofאֱלֹהִיםGodוְיַכְרִיזוּand let declareכׇּלallהַבְּרִיאוֹתthe creationsהַנִּצְחִיּוֹתeternalשְׁמוֹhis nameלְעוֹלָםforeverוָעֶדand everוְעוֹדand againאֲנִיIאֹמֵרsayמַהhowנִּכְבָּדglorious isהַקּוֹלthe voiceאֲשֶׁרwhichאֲנַחְנוּweשֹׁמְעִיםhearמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםheavenמַשְׁמִיעַproclaimingבְּאׇזְנֵינוּin our earsכָּבוֹדgloryוִישׁוּעָהand salvationוְהָדָרand honorוְאַל־מָוֶתand immortalityוְחַיֵּיand lifeעוֹלָםeternalמַמְלָכוֹתkingdomsוְשָׂרוֹתprincipalitiesוּמֶמְשָׁלוֹת׃and powers

    Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

24. 24

    הִנֵּהbeholdיוֹםthe dayיְהוָהof the Lordהַגָּדוֹלgreatקָרוֹבis at handוּמִיand who canמְכַלְכֵּלabideאֶת־יוֹםthe dayבּוֹאוֹof his comingוּמִיand whoהָעֹמֵדcan standבְּהֵרָאוֹתוֹwhen he appearsכִּיforהוּאheכְּאֵשׁlike a fireמְצָרֵףrefiner'sוּכְבֹרִיתand like soapמְכַבְּסִיםfuller'sוְיָשַׁבand he shall sitמְצָרֵףas a refinerוּמְטַהֵרand purifier ofכֶּסֶףsilverוְטִהַרand he shall purifyאֶת־בְּנֵי־לֵוִיthe sons of Leviוְזִקַּקand purgeאֹתָםthemכַּזָּהָבas goldוְכַכָּסֶףand silverוְהָיוּthat they may beלַיהוָהunto the Lordמַגִּישֵׁיthey that offerמִנְחָהan offeringבִּצְדָקָהin righteousnessעַל־כֵּןthereforeנַקְרִיבlet us offerכִּכְנֵסִיָּהas a churchוּכְעָםand a peopleוְכִקְדוֹשֵׁיand as Saints ofאַחֲרִיתthe Latterהַיָּמִיםdaysקׇרְבָּןan offeringלַיהוָהunto the Lordבִּצְדָקָהin righteousnessוְנָבִיאand let us presentלְהֵיכָלוֹin his templeהַקָּדוֹשׁholyבְּהִשָּׁלְמוֹwhen it is finishedסֵפֶרa bookרִשְׁמֵיcontaining the records ofמֵתֵינוּour deadהָרָאוּיwhich shall be worthyלְכׇלof allקַבָּלָה׃acceptation

    Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

25. 25

    אַחַיBrethrenרַבmany thingsלִיI haveעוֹדyetלְדַבֵּרto sayלָכֶםto youעַלonהַדָּבָרthe subjectהַזֶּהthisאַךְbutעַתָּהnowאֲכַלֶּהshall closeכָּעֵתfor the presentוְאוֹסִיףand continueאֶת־הָעִנְיָןthe subjectבְּעֵתtimeאַחֶרֶתanotherוַאֲנִיI amכְּתָמִידas everעַבְדְּכֶםyour servantהֶעָנָוhumbleוְרֵעֲכֶםand friendאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹא־יָסוּר׃never deviates

    Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend,