The original in my father's <own> handwriting is in the possession of R. C. Badger in safety deposit.

Sep 27, 1886.

My Son John: You have asked me concerning the new & everlasting Covenant and how far it is binding upon my people. Thus saith the Lord: all commandments that I give must be obeyed by those themselves by my name unless they are revoked by me or by my authority. and how can I revoke an everlasting covenant? For I the Lord am everlasting and my everlasting covenant cannot be abrogated nor done away with they stand forever.

Have I not given my word in great plainness on this subject? Yet have not great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my law and the keeping of my commandments? And yet have I borne with them these many years, and this because of their weakness because of perilous times. And furthermore it is more pleasing to me that men should use their free agency in regard to these matters; nevertheless, I the Lord do not change and my word, and my word and my law and my covenants do not. And as I have heretofore said by my servant Joseph, all those who would enter into my glory must and shall obey my law and have I not commanded men that if this were Abraham's seed and would enter into my glory they must do the works of Abraham? I have not revoked this law nor will I for it is everlasting and those who will enter into my glory must obey the conditions thereof. Even so, amen.