THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 40
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Fayette, New York, January 1831. HC 1: 145. Preceding the record of this revelation, the Prophet wrote: "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."

1-3, Fear of persecution and cares of the world cause rejection of the gospel.

  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.