Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the ^aredemption of mine afflicted people—

 2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the ^atransgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

 3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not ^aimpart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

 4 And are not ^aunited according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

 5 And ^aZion cannot be built up ^bunless it is by the ^cprinciples of the ^dlaw of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

 6 And my people must needs be ^achastened until they learn ^bobedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they ^csuffer.

 7 I speak not concerning those who are appointed to lead my people, who are the ^afirst elders of my church, for they are not all under this condemnation;

 8 But I speak concerning my churches abroad—there are many who will say: Where is their God? Behold, he will ^adeliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys.

 9 Therefore, in consequence of the ^atransgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the ^bredemption of Zion—

 10 That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be ^ataught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their ^bduty, and the things which I require at their hands.

 11 And this cannot be brought to pass until mine ^aelders are ^bendowed with power from on high.