I saw that while in ----- those connected with your family did not move right. You manifested a close spirit, savoring of overreaching and dishonesty. You could have had no influence for good in that place until you had redeemed the past by an entire change of conduct in dealing with your fellow men. Your light was darkness to the people, and your influence while there was a great detriment to the cause of present truth. You brought reproach upon the truth, and your close dealing caused your name to be a byword among the people. You frequently fell below the standard of many worldlings in regard to honorable dealing. Elder I can do no good in -----. His words are as water spilled upon the ground, for the reason that he was connected with you and took part in this close trading. In many respects he became like a worldling in business transactions. He was close and was fast becoming selfish. His course in many things was calculated to destroy his influence and was not becoming a minister of Christ. Said the angel in the vision given at Rochester, New York, in 1866: “My hand shall bring adversity. He may gather, but I will scatter until he redeems the past and makes clean work for eternity.” Every true Christian should feel above condescending to the low, bartering, trading spirit of worldlings. {2T 154.2}

Jeg så på det tidspunkt i ___ dem som er tilknyttet din familie ikke handlede rigtigt. Du viste en nøjeregnethed der smagte af bedrag og uærlighed. Du ville ikke have nogen mulighed for at gøre godt på det sted før du havde vundet det tidligere tilbage ved en fuldstændig ændring af den måde du behandler dine medmennesker på. Dit lys var for folk mørke og din indflydelse medens du var der var til stor skade for den nærværende sandheds sag. Du bragte skam over sandheden og din smålighed bevirkede at dit navn blev et mundheld blandt folk. Du falder ofte under mange verdslige menneskers normer med hensyn til ærlig handlemåde. Ældre I kan ikke gøre noget godt i ___. Hans ord er som vand spildt ned på jorden, af den grund at han var tilknyttet dig og tog del i denne smålige behandling. I mange henseender blev han ligesom verdslige er i forretningsanliggender. Han var nøjeregnende og bliv hurtig egenkærlig. I mange ting ødelagde hans fremgangsmåde den indflydelse han kunne have og blev ikke en Kristi (155) tjener. Englen sagde til mig i synet der blev givet mig i Roshester, New York, i 1866: "Min hånd skal bringe ulykke. Han kan samle, men jeg vil sprede indtil han vinder sin fortid tilbage og gør rent arbejde for evigheden." Enhver sand kristen burde føle sig for ophøjet overfor den verdsliges lave, tiltuskede, handlemåder.