The Book of Melchisedec I

Chapter 6

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Now the words of Melchisedec continued to spread throughout the city of Salem, and the inhabitants thereof spoke continually one with another concerning the things which he had declared unto them by the commandment of the Lord.

And the people gathered often at the gates and in the courts of the city, which were the places appointed for judgment and counsel, that they might hear the teachings concerning the covenant of the Most High God.

And the elders of the city, who still remembered the records of the fathers, brought forth the ancient records which had been preserved from generation to generation.

And they read before the people the commandments which had been given unto the righteous in former times.

And these records testified of the covenant of God, which from the beginning had commanded men to walk humbly before Him, to deal justly with their fellow men, and to remember the poor and the needy among them.

And when the people heard these things many were pricked in their hearts.

For they perceived that their pride and their love of riches had caused them to forget the commandments of God and the covenant which their fathers had honored.

And they began to see that the prosperity of the city had become a snare unto them.

For the abundance of the land had lifted up their hearts in pride and had caused them to trust in their riches rather than in the Lord.

And certain merchants stood before the people and confessed openly that they had dealt unjustly in their trade.

And they acknowledged that they had increased their wealth by taking advantage of the weakness of others.

And certain judges likewise confessed that they had favored the wealthy in their judgments and had neglected the cries of the poor and the humble.

And when the people heard these confessions there was great humility among them.

And Melchisedec lifted up his voice again before the multitude and said:

Repent, O inhabitants of Salem, and return unto the covenant of the Most High.

For the Lord requireth not the riches of the proud nor the glory of kings, but He delighteth in the humble who remember His commandments.

And the covenant which the Lord gave unto the fathers was given that the children of men might dwell together in righteousness.

That the strong should not oppress the weak.

And that the rich should remember the poor.

For the earth is the Lord’s, and the abundance thereof is given unto men that they might administer it with wisdom and mercy.

Therefore if ye will humble yourselves before the Lord and remember the covenant which He established from the beginning, He will establish peace within your borders.

And your city shall become a place of righteousness and refuge among the nations.

And the abundance of the land shall be sufficient for all the people.

And there shall be none among you who hunger or suffer want.

And when Melchisedec had spoken these words many among the people fell upon their knees and cried unto the Lord for forgiveness.

And they confessed their sins before God and before one another.

And they covenanted together that they would restore whatsoever they had taken unjustly.

And they forgave debts which had bound their brethren in poverty.

And they released those who had been held in servitude because of their poverty.

And they determined among themselves that from that day forward they would administer their substance as stewards before the Lord.

And storehouses were established within the city.

And the abundance of the land was gathered together according to the stewardship of every man.

And that which was gathered was distributed among the people according to their needs.

And those who had much gave willingly.

And those who had little were sustained.

And it came to pass that the poor were no longer neglected among them.

And the widows were comforted.

And the fatherless were cared for.

And the strangers who came among them were received with kindness.

And the people began to dwell together in unity and in peace.

And the pride of the city was broken.

And the hearts of the people were knit together in righteousness.

And they remembered continually the covenant of the Most High God.

And they walked according to the principles of the Holy Order which Melchisedec had begun to restore among them.

And thus the people of Salem returned unto the covenant of righteousness.

And the Spirit of the Lord rested upon the city.

And peace dwelt within its walls.

And from that time forward many nations heard of Salem.

And they marveled greatly at the change which had come among its inhabitants.

And they said one unto another:

Surely the hand of the Most High hath wrought this thing among this people.

And thus the foundations of Zion were established in the city of Salem.