ou all to know that because you were justified in taking
property from your enemies, while engaged in war in Missouri,
which was needed to support you, there is now a different
condition of things. We are no longer at war, and you must stop
stealing. When the right time comes we will go in force and take
the whole State of Missouri. It belongs to us as our inheritance;
but I want no more petty stealing. A man that will steal petty
articles from his enemies will, when occasion offers, steal from
his brethren too. Now I command you, that you who have stolen
must steal no more. I ask all the brethren to renew their
covenants, and start anew to live their religion. If you will do
this, I will forgive you your past sins."

The vote was taken on this proposition, and resulted in the
unanimous decision of the people to act as requested by the
Prophet. He then continued, saying that he never professed to be
a perfect man.

"I have my failings and passions to contend with the same as has
the greatest stranger to God. I am tempted the same as you are,
my brethren. I am not infallible. All men are subject to
temptation, but they are not justified in yielding to their
passions and sinful natures. There is a constant warfare between
the two natures of man. This is the warfare of the Saints. It is
written that the Lord would have a tried people - a people that
would be tried as gold is tried by the fire, even seven times
tried and purified from the dross of unrighteousness. The chances
of all men for salvation are equal. True, some have greater
capacity than others, yet the chances for improving our minds and
subduing our passions by denying ourselves to all unrighteousness
and cultivating the principles of purity are the same; they are
within the reach of every man; all have their free agency; all
can lay hold of the promises of eternal life, if they will only
be faithful and comply with God's will and obey the Priesthood in
these last days. Never betray anyone, for God hates a traitor,
and so do I. Stand by each other; never desert a friend,
especially in the hour of trouble. Remember that our reward
consists in doing good acts, and not in long prayers like the
Scribes and Pharisees of old, who prayed to be seen of men. Never
mind what men think of you, if your hearts are right before God.
It is written, 'Do unto others as you would that others should
do unto you.' The first commandment is, 'Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God wi